“Your uncle isn’t a good man. I’m sure you already know this.”

“Did anyone stop to think I’d rather deal with one bad man than a dozen of them?”

“Not everyone in this tower is out to hurt you. You have allies here. You just don’t know them yet.”

“Is Sebastian an ally?”

“Reluctantly so.”

“Because he doesn’t like me.” The knowledge aches in my throat. “Why doesn’t he like me?”

“He wouldn’t act so hot-headed and infuriating if he didn’t care about you. When Sebastian stops caring, you’ll know it because you’ll cease to exist to him.”

“Then why does he treat me the way he does? His actions aren’t that of someone who cares.”

Lust might drive Sebastian Stone when it comes to me, but I have no doubt in my mind it doesn’t go beyond that. The realization sends a scorching needle through the spot in my heart where the lion settled in when I wasn’t paying attention.

Things with Liam were simpler.

Safer.

Muted in comparison to what I feel when I’m around Sebastian.

Because he sets me on fire with the touch of his fingers. Sets off my temper with his verbal sparring. And when his vulnerability peeks through during those rare times when I feel like I’m seeing him for the first time…

Really seeing him—the emotionally scarred boy battling demons of which I know nothing about…

That’s when he has the most power over me.

Landon takes my hand, and everything about his posture hints at his earnestness. “He cares, Novalee. Just give him some time.”

How ironic. Time is all I have. Nine months, to be exact. But will Sebastian be waiting at the end of the auction for me, or will someone else play to win?

Either way, it feels like a massive loss to me.

10

“I can’t believe you made this in so little time.” Elise gestures at the gown hanging on the rack by the tall windows. A few more alterations and another fitting, and I’ll be ready for the ball.

My dress will be, anyway. Me, on the other hand, I’m not so sure about.

“It wasn’t all me, Elise. I had six people on my production team who worked tirelessly to bring my design to life.”

My lady takes a stroll around the room, eyes wide at what my brother set up for me. This is the first time she’s been in my studio.

“It’s still a huge accomplishment.” She turns to me with a smile—the first one I’ve seen on her face in days. “You deserve it. I’m glad Landon thought so too.”

I’ve been so busy in the studio since Landon told me the truth about the queen’s duty that I haven’t seen him much.