“—Oursong,” he corrects, not moving.
My lips part on a gasp, his face carrying that same warmth earlier when we were alone in the hallway. Eyes sparkling in sincerity.
“Why did you pick it?” I urge on a shaky breath.
My heart paused.
It would be easier to focus on the flowers surrounding the ballroom. That was also impossible with how securely Cole’s hold was on me. His hands on either side of my cheeks not allowing me to look anywhere but at him. My whole attention on him.
Determination etched across his handsome face. It should be unfair how attractive he looked in a tux. He should wear one every day.
The dark charcoal color made him stand out compared to all the traditional black. The colors were close, but also enough of a difference that he stood out, more so than usual.
My throat clogged. “Camellia.”
Cole’s entire body stabilizes. His hands stiffen at the mention of his mother’s name. I knew it sounded familiar.
“These flowers, more commonly known as a middlemist red.” I had looked them up after spotting an entire corner dedicated to them in the conservatory.
Iceman shifts, holding me closer as my shaky hand reaches for his wrist. A hint of unsettlement flashes across his pupils.
“It was you, wasn’t it?” I ask in awe, ignoring his strain.
His lips smash together, not saying anything.
“All of this. The event, raising awareness. This was your idea, not your father’s.”
Cole’s nostrils flare and my chest swells. I was right, I knew I was.
It all made sense now. Why he had gotten so upset at the dinner. Why his father did what he had.He did always have a fascination with things that were broken.Cole had upset Silas and so he took the one thing away he knew would hurt his son.
Cole opens his mouth, but he doesn’t speak right away.
“Rory, I need you to know something.” Voice laced with strain, licking his lips. “Whatever my father said to you earlier, it wasn’t true, okay?”
His eyebrows drew so close together they could have touched. The stress in his tone controlled. Hanging by a thread.
This was Cole’s way of keeping his mother’s memory alive. To remember her.
“It’s not fair, Iceman. Why would he do this?”
“It’s going to be alright, okay?” His tone was easy.
Opening my mouth, I have the intention of arguing some more but he shakes my face gently and it snaps closed.
The muscles in my face smooth out and his eyes ease the smallest bit.
He relaxes and loosens his hold on my cheeks. Those blue eyes staring down straight into my soul. Caring so much depth and serenity I could have been looking at the ocean.
“Hey,hey,” he repeats with more force when I start to tense up again. “I have accepted it alright. My memories of her will always be in here.” Raising a finger, he points at his temple. “Forever. He can’t have those.”
I exhale a shaky breath seeing the truth on his face. He was right. Silas could take whatever he wanted from his son, but he would always have the memories of his mother.
Still, I’d be lying if I wasn’t eager to punch his dad in the throat.
He draws out a hushed sigh. “Are you okay?”
My throat burns at his sentence. Cole was making sure I was alright? It should be the other way around. I should be the one askinghimthat.