“Because we haven’t.” She raises a perfectly arched brow. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m late to the party.” She struts off in her stilettos, long hair swaying from the motion of her hips, and I can’t help but gape at her rudeness.

Taking a few minutes to calm down, I return to the ballroom just as the music resumes. A few guests linger over after-dinner drinks at the round tables set up on the left side of the room. The right side is open for dancing, and I spy Landon and Elise in a tight embrace on the floor, surrounded by other couples. Three sets of French doors stand open so guests can venture into the gardens, enjoying the late spring air.

But there’s no sign of the raven-haired woman, and I’m beginning to think I imagined her when Liam sweeps in and takes my hand.

“Dance with me?”

The rules have changed for the night of the ball. He can’t kiss me, but he can pull me close and put his hands on me in the name of dancing. So can the eleven other men in this tower, and some of them do. A man with sandy blond hair steals me from Liam’s arms.

“Are you enjoying the ball?” he asks, settling his palm on my back. I recall him sitting to Sebastian’s left at the monthly dinners.

“I am, thank you.” An awkward sense of shyness takes over me. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name.”

“No need to apologize, my queen. It’s Miles.”

From the House of Virgo.

As he ushers me across the floor with ease, his movements graceful fluidity, I wonder if he’s as pure as his sign implies. The haunting strains of the violin falter, and the tempo changes.

Miles passes me off to Vance.

“Only a week to go,” he murmurs, pulling me tight against his chest.

I scan the ballroom, on the lookout for Sebastian, since I haven’t spotted him since I returned after dinner, but he’s nowhere to be found. Neither is the mystery woman, and for reasons I can’t pinpoint, that bothers me.

“Sebastian said the two of you made a deal,” I say, forcing my gaze on the man in front of me.

He dips his chin. “We did.”

“Do you mind if I ask what he gave you in return for my…?” I can’t utter the words.

A slow smile plays on his lips. “Your anal virginity?”

Cheeks flushing, I focus on his impeccable bowtie. “Yes.”

“You can ask, my queen.” He lowers his head, breath warm on my ear. “But I won’t answer. I’d rather keep you in suspense.”

Liam appears behind Vance and grabs the doctor’s attention with a tap on the shoulder. “Mind if I cut in?”