Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25855 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25855 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
But Sebastian’s romantic, attentive side is gone, replaced by a man who seems to want to keep me on his puppet strings. I have a suspicion this is more than just sexual games for him. It might have started out that way, the night of his birthday, but now my gut tells me he has ulterior motives.
Namely one, and his name is Liam Castle.
For the first time since the confrontation at the cottage, we’ll come face to face with the chancellor today. After breakfast, Sebastian confirms my suspicions as we share a quiet ride in the elevator.
“I don’t want his hands on you.” He gives me that look that says I’m his. “Not a single finger.”
I tamp down the indignation threatening to rise, because two can play this game. “Same goes for you and Lilith.” Lifting my chin, I meet his eyes as we approach the ground floor. “I’m assuming she’ll be at the wedding.”
The elevator stops with a ding, doors sliding open. A tick goes off in his jaw. “You don’t have to worry about Lilith.”
“I could say the same thing about Liam.” I step out, a spark of dreadful anger igniting in my chest. We haven’t made it to lunchtime yet, but we’re already on the precipice of tension. What if the two of us only work if we stay inside a bubble of our own design? It’s a disturbing thought—one that makes me physically ill.
He grabs my hand before I take three steps down the hall. “Novalee, wait.” His expression softens. “I trust you. I didn’t mean to imply I didn’t.”
“I trust you too.”
He brings his mouth to mine, demanding my surrender with the insistent licks of his tongue, then he strides off in the opposite direction where the men are gathering to prepare for the day.
And I can’t help but wonder if we just lied to each other.
The bridal party is using the women’s lounge next to the ballroom to dress for the wedding. Faye arrived on the island yesterday, fiancé in tow, but I haven’t spoken to her yet. Before I enter the room, I wipe all traces of worry from my face.
Today is about Elise, and I can’t let my negative feelings about Sebastian’s past, or my own with Faye, infringe upon her happiness.
“You’re here!” Elise bounds across the room, throwing her arms around me. She’s dressed in a white slip, her hair in a sleek updo, makeup partially done. A warm glow brightens her porcelain complexion.
“And you’re radiant,” I say, setting my hands on her shoulders and edging back to give her a full inspection. “Landon is going to fall at your feet.”
“He already does.” With a giggle, Elise flops into a chair in front of the vanity, where a makeup artist resumes her work of creating a bridal paragon.
“I wish I were walking down the aisle with you.” I settle onto the edge of an ottoman as the woman strokes a contour brush over Elise’s forehead and cheeks.
“You’re my queen, Novalee. It wouldn’t be proper for you to accompany me down the aisle.” She closes her eyes, and the makeup artist switches tools before applying a subtle shade of charcoal across her lids.
“She’s right.” Faye’s voice startles me, and I find her standing on the cusp of another room to my right. Behind her, I spy our gowns hanging on a portable rolling rack. “Besides, she’s got me to carry her veil.” Faye takes a step in my direction. “Your place is with the Brotherhood, my queen.”
A nervous flutter takes flight in my stomach. I’ll lead the men down the aisle, taking my seat in the front row while they form a circle, the majestic sea as a backdrop for a day to remember. Inside the circular formation, Landon and Elise will become man and wife.
Faye lowers into a chair across from me. “It’s good to see you,” she says, her fuchsia-painted lips curving with hope.
Time has lessened the sting of her betrayal, and though I’ll eventually forgive the transgression, forgetting won’t be so easy. “You look well,” I say, studying the diamond on her left hand. “I heard about your engagement. Congratulations.” It’s a low blow, a compliment coupled with a gibe, because she hid the truth about my mother’s secret journal so she could return home to get that ring.
Her frown tells me she knows we’re not on even ground yet. Not even close.
I stand, addressing Elise. “Can I do anything for you before I get ready?”
“No, my queen.” Her lids shutter again, this time for the artist’s eyeliner pen. “You’ve already done enough by designing the wedding attire. I don’t know how you did it on such short notice, but I’m in awe. My dress is gorgeous.”
“Landon doubled my production team. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice choked with gratitude.