“Make the shower a cold one, too,” I gripe, taking a step toward the exit of the kitchen. I meet his gaze over my shoulder. “You coming?”
He grins. “Princess, I already did.”
Chapter Twelve
The morning of the wedding dawns bright and early, but I’m greeting Elise’s special day from my room instead of Sebastian’s. For the past week, he’s kept me suspended in a sadistic state of needing to come. Last night, I got frustrated enough to forfeit the warmth and familiarity of his body. That wasn’t an easy move, as we’ve shared a bed since the night we ended our self-imposed impasse.
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.
“I’m so happy for you, Elise. You deserve this day.” Ignoring Faye’s imploring glance, I disappear into the other room and begin dressing.
Chapter Thirteen
The ceremony is a flawless spectacle under the sun. A light breeze keeps the heat at bay as my brother and Elise declare their love and devotion on the main lawn in front of an audience of two-hundred guests. The men stand tall in a circle around them, Landon’s spot left open for the aisle’s entrance. I’m seated on the side of the groom, considering my role as the Brotherhood’s queen, and the weight of Liam’s surreptitious glances makes me shift in discomfort.
More than once, I catch Sebastian shooting daggers at the chancellor from his side of the circle. My place in the front row puts me between them. It’s symbolic, a precursor to the destruction on the horizon, and I wish more than anything for a solution that doesn’t involve pulverizing someone’s heart.
After the ceremony concludes, and the last person passes through the recessional line, I breathe a sigh of relief as I put some distance between Liam and me. Needing to clear my head, I sneak away to my favorite spot on the cliffs and raise my chin to the solitude, eyes drifting shut as a comforting breeze rustles my hair.
My heart is no longer conflicted over two men, but it’s still breaking into slivers because I only have days left with Sebastian. I’d stop the clock and steal more time with him if I could.
I’d steal forever with him, and it still wouldn’t be long enough.
By the time I make an appearance at the reception, my mind is no clearer than it was thirty minutes ago, but the celebratory party is in full swing. Elise’s vision came to fruition without a hitch. Guests mingle at food stations, offering everything from croissants and luncheon meats to seafood dishes and carving blocks. A dance floor invites dressed-up feet to let loose on one side of the tent, while tables promise a reprieve at the other.