“She’s all yours, Chancellor.” The man from the House of Cancer steps back with a secret smile, and that’s when I spot him.

Sebastian.

And he’s not alone.

“Who is that?” I ask as Liam pulls me into a sway. My gaze remains on the dark-haired beauty in the red dress, who’s leading Sebastian onto the dance floor.

“Who?”

“The woman with Sebastian.”

Liam follows my narrow-eyed stare. “That’s Lilith Astor.”

I falter, mid-step. “Astor…as in the House of Gemini?”

Liam urges my feet into a graceful pace again. “She’s Landon’s sister.”

“He has a sister?”

Liam laughs. “So like him not to mention Lilith.” He casts another look across the dance floor, where Sebastian and Lilith move in tandem to the romantic notes coming through the speakers. “Landon and Lilith are twins, but they don’t always get along.”

Twins…which would explain her sudden presence. The charity ball is in honor of Landon’s birthday, after all.

“I didn’t realize the House of Gemini took their baby-making duties so literally.”

“Twins run in the Astor family. About every other generation produces a set.” Liam pulls me closer, and I rest my head on his shoulder. “Have I told you how sexy you look in that dress?”

No, but his sharp stare from across the table at dinner said it for him. “It’s not too revealing?”

“Way too revealing, Novalee. But I can’t find the will to complain.” He runs his nose along the slope of my neck. “If I had permission to touch you, I wouldn’t be across the room dancing with Lilith Astor right now.”

We fall silent, but my mind won’t stop spinning with questions.

Why didn’t Landon tell me he had a twin sister?

Why didn’t she tell me who she was in the hallway?

And why is she clinging to Sebastian like she belongs in his arms?

Something foreign simmers in my blood, casting my vision in the same hue as the woman’s mermaid dress. She’s gorgeous, older and experienced, and carries herself better than I ever could in a pair of stilettos. Despite the risqué nature of the dress I designed, everything about me screams innocence while she’s a walking advertisement for what men want.

I’m inexperienced and childlike…and I’m utterly jealous.

“Stop watching,” Liam whispers. “It’ll hurt less.”

Turning my head, I blink. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He tilts my chin up. “You forget I’ve had plenty of experience watching you lust after him, my sweet girl. I know what’s going through your head right now.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”

“I thought I was better at hiding my feelings.”

He cradles my cheeks between his warm hands. “Your beautiful face spills all your secrets.”