“Now you’ll wait eleven minutes before you eat.” He reclaims his seat and casually lifts his coffee cup to his lips.

“Why are you so cruel?” He’s better than this, better than Sebastian and his caustic personality. I’ve seen it.

Liam meets my angry gaze, and I think I detect an apology there; one he doesn’t want to give voice to.

“What you call cruelty, I call consistency. As the first in this tower to spend time with you, it’s my job to make sure you know your boundaries.” He pauses, and a beat passes, laden with importance. “I’m not being cruel, Novalee. I’m arming you against those who will take discipline and control to Draconian levels.”

Fear flourishes in my gut, unstoppable. It’s a weed I can’t control. An invasive sickness I can’t cure.

“You’re scaring me,” I whisper past the aching lump in my throat.

“I’m scared for you.”

“Why?” I ask, running through the events of the previous day, and the introductions at dinner. “Is it Sebastian? Is he dangerous?”

“Sebastian should be the least of your worries, my sweet girl.”

“Then who should I be worried about?”

“Truthfully? All of us, myself included.” He blinks, and something close to hesitation crosses his face. “I’ll do my best to prepare you, but I can’t protect you after you leave my house.”

“Why not? Aren’t you the chancellor?”

“My power only goes so far. Every man in this tower will have authority over you until the auction.”

“But I get no say in who I marry, isn’t that right, Chancellor?” The title slips out, as does the testy note in my tone. I don’t apologize for it, or take it back—I’m too angry at the situation that’s been forced upon me.

He grips me by the arm and hoists me out of the chair. “Is your ass not red enough, my queen?”

His threat does little to put me in my place, which is where he wants me. I’m too busy recalling the warmth of his hand on my backside. His punishment was painful, but the memory of it doesn’t overshadow the way this man makes me feel when he puts his hands on me.

“You don’t scare me, Liam Castle.”

“That makes one of us.” He releases my arm, and the warmth in his eyes deepens as he pulls the impromptu hair stick from my bun. My blond locks cascade around my shoulders, free for the tangle of his fingers.

“How do I scare you?” It’s a preposterous concept that this strong, confident man fears me.

“You behold more power than you realize.” His breath dances on my lips, suddenly quick and shallow. Three eternal seconds pass, heavy with mutual yearning.