Axel watched with sinking realization as everyone began unveiling their cards, one by one. His silent prayer was immediately and utterly dashed. Noah was indeed the winner, holding a Ten. Everyone else's cards were surprisingly low in that round, and Axel, holding the miserable Two, was undeniably the biggest loser.
Noah shot Axel a smug, self-satisfied smile, a look of pure, sweet revenge. "It's finally your turn to lose, Princess," he announced, his voice smooth and triumphant.
Axel shrugged, forcing a casual air. "Well, unlike you, I'm brave, so I'm not worried at all. What's your dare going to be?"
He looked pointedly at Noah, who was still sitting comfortably on James's lap. The time for the dare Axel had given him in the previous round should have technically ended already, meaning Noah should have moved. Yet, Noah seemed to have entirely forgotten the condition, and Axel certainly wasn't about to remind him.
