Chapter 312: Stalled

In the carpeted hallway outside the VIP suite area, the atmosphere felt tight enough to crack. Kieran’s grip on Eloise’s arm stayed firm, his face a careful blank of unbothered composure as Xavier closed the last few steps between them.

“Kieran, have you seen Yuki?” Xavier asked, hazel eyes locked on his face, searching for any flicker of deceit. “She’s been gone far too long.”

Kieran did not make the mistake of denying it. Ignorance would only send Xavier into a full-scale search of the hotel. He gave a slow, measured nod instead.

“I saw her briefly,” he answered, voice deep and entirely calm. “She was heading toward her changing suite.”

Xavier’s brows drew together. “It’s taking far longer than it should just to wipe off a minor spill. Something doesn’t feel right.”

He shifted his weight, already angling to step past.

Kieran moved half an inch, blocking the path without making it look deliberate. “To be fair, she went out to the courtyard for some fresh air first and had a slight mishap.” He kept the words casual, spinning the cover with practiced ease. “She lost her footing and fell into the outdoor pool. That’s why she’s taken longer—she had to dry off before changing. She’s likely in her suite right now.”

Technically, it was true.

Xavier’s frown deepened. Genuine concern washed over his features. “She fell into the pool?”

Kieran patted his shoulder firmly, offering a polite, brotherly smile. “It would look rude if both of the evening’s hosts vanished from the banquet hall at the same time. Don’t forget the true political intention of tonight, Xavier. The elders are watching.”

“Yuki has been gone entirely too long,” Xavier countered, though the rigid line of his shoulders eased a fraction. “I can’t just sit still while she might be freezing or injured. I’ll go check on her right now. Since she’s already in her suite, there’s no need for me to head down to the courtyard.”

Kieran held the heavy breath of relief behind his teeth. At least the man was going straight to the suite.

Eloise watched the quiet tug-of-war between them, confusion plain on her face. She felt Kieran’s grip on her arm finally loosen, his expression so carefully blank it was impossible to read.

“She was probably just overwhelmed and nervous about the grand engagement,” Kieran added smoothly, stepping back to give Xavier clear passage. “You should head up to her.”

Xavier gave a brisk nod. “Thank you, Kieran.” He walked past without another second’s delay, long strides carrying him quickly down the VIP corridor.

Kieran’s dark sapphire gaze followed until Xavier turned the corner and vanished. Internally he could only hope the reckless vixen had made it back in time and found some way to scrub the lingering scent of her sins from her skin.

Eloise tugged lightly at his sleeve. “Should we still search for Kaden?”

Kieran shook his head. “It’s completely pointless, Eloise. He has masked his scent and spiritual presence entirely. He clearly doesn’t want to be found tonight.”

-******

Down the quiet, high-ceilinged corridor of the suite floor, a lone figure moved with purposeful speed.

Xavier’s hands remained clenched into white-knuckle fists at his sides. An uncomfortable, persistent gut feeling insisted something had gone wrong. Yuki was taking far too long, and there had been an unsettling edge to Kieran’s smooth answers—something carefully hidden that did not sit well with his instincts.

He shook the paranoia off and quickened his pace until he reached the door marked VIP Suite 402. The keycard slid through the reader with a soft electronic chime. The lock released.

Xavier pushed the door open and stepped inside—only to be met with total silence.

Panic rushed straight into his chest. The suite was empty, yet the air hung thick with the heavy scent of floral luxury perfume, as if someone had frantically emptied half a bottle to cover something else entirely.

His eyes locked on the cracked bathroom door. He crossed the room in three long strides and pushed it fully open.

The loud rush of the shower hit him first. Then he froze, locking eyes with Yuki.

She stood under the hand-held spray, water cascading over her collarbone and the curve of one shoulder. Her blonde hair was pinned high, kept carefully out of the stream. The water was still cool—she hadn’t given it time to warm—and the sharp, clean scent of hotel soap mixed with something sweeter and more intimate that the perfume outside had only partially masked. It felt off but he couldn’t recognise it.

The exact second the door swung open she registered the shift in air pressure; her head snapped up, eyes wide.

A sharp gasp escaped her.

“I—I’m so sorry!” Xavier blurted, face burning a violent crimson as he quickly backed out and slammed the door shut.

Inside, Yuki’s heart slammed violently against her ribs. She had been racing the clock, scrubbing every trace of the utility room from her skin with quick, desperate strokes. The cool water raised goosebumps along her arms.

She had pinned her hair with military precision to protect the formal styling and kept her face tilted away from the spray so the waterproof makeup would survive. One more minute and she would have been finished. One more minute and he would never have seen her like this.

Outside, Xavier stood against the closed door, heart hammering as he cleared his throat and waited.

Several long minutes later the brass handle turned. Yuki stepped out wrapped tightly in a thick white hotel bathrobe. She was clutching the neck of the robe to hide the hickeys there

Her eyes were lowered, unable to meet his gaze. She felt like an absolute, tangled mess inside. Her skin waastill damp, pulse still too fast, the faint ghost of Kaden’s mouth lingering on places the robe could not hide.

“I apologise again for barging in like that, Yuki,” Xavier said softly, genuine remorse in his voice. “I was just so worried about you.” He paused, his honey brown eyes searching her pale face. “Why were you taking a shower?”