“You’ll be reunited soon enough.” His tone is decisive. Final. An authoritative nod of his beautiful head sends the maid into motion, and she escorts my ladies through the library door. An unsettling disquiet descends until Liam gestures toward a group of suede leather chairs. “Shall we sit?”

That’s when I spot a manila envelope sitting on a table. Undoubtedly, it’s the contract my uncle signed a week after my parents’ plane went down, promising my hand in marriage to the Zodiac Brotherhood.

Rowan places a palm at the small of my back, urging me forward. After we settle into the chairs—my uncle and I facing the chancellor—Liam removes several pieces of paper from the envelope and lays one on the table between us. The scrawl of Rowan’s signature ignites a deep ache in my gut. That ink is a reminder of all I lost.

I swallow hard. Not even six years can erase the reality of my parents’ deaths or the gaping hole their absence created in my life.

Liam removes a pen from the pocket of his expensive charcoal suit and hands it to Rowan. “As you discussed with my father six years ago, by signing, you declare Novalee has remained a virgin.”

I hold my breath as my uncle’s hand hovers over the line at the bottom. One flick of his wrist and a little ink, and life as I know it will change forever. That ink will be the start of the end.

Fighting tears, I watch my uncle scrawl his name across the bottom. He sets the pen down carefully, paying small homage to the significance of this moment and the destruction ricocheting through my heart.

“Excellent,” Liam says as he stands. “Before you take your leave, I need a show of good faith from Novalee.”

I’m trying not to wither under the chancellor’s scrutinous stare when my uncle asks the only question in my head.

“What do you have in mind?”

Liam’s light brown eyes refuse to waver from mine. “A sexual favor as a show of her commitment to the contract. Her virginity will remain intact, of course.”

I jump to my feet. “I will do no such thing!” It’s a gut-instinct reaction—an absurd one if I take into account what will be expected of me in the next twelve months.

“You’ll do it because I demand it.” Liam’s brow arches in challenge.

My uncle stands, shooting me a look of warning. “Remember your place, dear niece.”

“My place?” I cross my arms, incredulous, and glare at both of them. “And what exactly is my place?”

“That would be on your knees,” Liam says, taking a step closer.

“Why? Because you’re the chancellor?” I challenge in a scathing tone, knowing full well my mouth will get me into serious trouble with this man if I’m not careful.

“No, my queen. My reasons are a matter of logistics.”