“I appreciate your use of the present tense.” For the first time since discovering her betrayal, a niggle of forgiveness aches in my chest, and I blink, sending a bitter tear down my cheek. Before I know it, they’re escaping my eyes like a faucet with a constant drip. “I could use your arms right now. Is that against the rules?”

“Fuck the rules, Novalee.” He reaches for me, and I launch into his embrace, sucking in a deep, satisfying breath as his arms tighten around me.

“It’s been an emotional day.” I tilt my chin up, and he keeps me in check by cradling my cheeks.

“Novalee.” My name is a simple plea, because he knows what I want—the haze in his brown eyes deepen as they focus on my lips. “I’m dying to kiss you, trust me on this, but I’d better not push it.”

“Does Landon know you’re here?”

“Yes. He took Faye to the airstrip. He’s also picking up Elise.” He searches my face, his thumbs brushing the sensitive spots under my ears. “I wasn’t aware she left the island. He mentioned she had a family matter to tend to?”

He knows more about Elise’s absence than I do, but I nod anyway. “I don’t know all the details yet. I’m eager to see her. It’s been a month.”

“I know this past month hasn’t been easy on you.” The inches between us disappear, and our mouths linger, too close to touching. “But you made it through, my sweet girl. You’re stronger than I gave you credit for.”

“I’ve had to be strong.” Life started testing the strength of my character at age twelve.

His lips tempt me forward, and I slide my hands along his jaw, fingertips caressing the trimmed beard on his cheeks. Before I can taste him, he backs away, reluctance straining his features. “I’m going to go before I do something foolish, but I’ll talk to Landon about carving out some time with you this month.” A brief kiss on my cheek is the only goodbye I get.

As the chancellor leaves my quarters, a spark of hope ignites in my chest until I remember Landon’s intentions for my future. Because if he intends to marry me off to Sebastian, I can’t imagine he’ll give Liam permission to see me, let alone touch me.

3

Landon postponed the monthly dinner until the following night, considering Elise’s late return to the island. For the past few hours since Liam left, restless energy plagues me. I can’t sit still, can’t eat, and I can’t stop running through various scenarios, each one worse than the last.

Faye said Elise was ill.

The type of sickness that requires treatment off the island? If that’s the case, then her return should be a good sign, right?