Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25855 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25855 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“I’m so happy for you, Elise. You deserve this day.” Ignoring Faye’s imploring glance, I disappear into the other room and begin dressing.
Chapter Thirteen
The ceremony is a flawless spectacle under the sun. A light breeze keeps the heat at bay as my brother and Elise declare their love and devotion on the main lawn in front of an audience of two-hundred guests. The men stand tall in a circle around them, Landon’s spot left open for the aisle’s entrance. I’m seated on the side of the groom, considering my role as the Brotherhood’s queen, and the weight of Liam’s surreptitious glances makes me shift in discomfort.
More than once, I catch Sebastian shooting daggers at the chancellor from his side of the circle. My place in the front row puts me between them. It’s symbolic, a precursor to the destruction on the horizon, and I wish more than anything for a solution that doesn’t involve pulverizing someone’s heart.
After the ceremony concludes, and the last person passes through the recessional line, I breathe a sigh of relief as I put some distance between Liam and me. Needing to clear my head, I sneak away to my favorite spot on the cliffs and raise my chin to the solitude, eyes drifting shut as a comforting breeze rustles my hair.
My heart is no longer conflicted over two men, but it’s still breaking into slivers because I only have days left with Sebastian. I’d stop the clock and steal more time with him if I could.
I’d steal forever with him, and it still wouldn’t be long enough.
By the time I make an appearance at the reception, my mind is no clearer than it was thirty minutes ago, but the celebratory party is in full swing. Elise’s vision came to fruition without a hitch. Guests mingle at food stations, offering everything from croissants and luncheon meats to seafood dishes and carving blocks. A dance floor invites dressed-up feet to let loose on one side of the tent, while tables promise a reprieve at the other.
Almost everyone in attendance is an unknown face—dignitaries, political allies, and the crème de la crème of Zodiac Island. The members of the Brotherhood and Elise’s parents are the only guests I recognize.
And Faye, who’s on the dance floor snuggled in the arms of her fiancé. As I grab a glass of champagne from a waiter passing by, Sebastian sneaks up beside me and settles his hand on my back, his touch warm on my bare skin.
“Where have you been?”
“I needed a few moments alone on the cliffs.”
“Overwhelming day?”
“A little.”
“You don’t look it.” He casts an appreciative glance up and down my body. “Compliments to the designer of this sexy-as-sin dress.”
“It’s actually very modest.” Deep plum silk hugs my hips, skirt falling below the knee. The high halter neckline displays a conservative keyhole cutout. He has his hand on the most risqué part of the dress, fingers brushing along my spine to tease the top of my ass.
He leans closer, and his breath sends shivers across my nape. “I can’t wait to get you out of it later.”
“Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep.”
His laughter is a deep rumble, and I feel that vibration between my legs. “You’re desperate for it, aren’t you, princess?”
“Just how you wanted me, right?”
“Something like that.” His mouth hovers near mine, begging to sample the champagne on my lips. “We’ll have to pick this up later,” he whispers. “The groom is paging me.” Tugging at his tie, as if the plum piece of silk is strangling him, he heads toward my brother.
Elise is chatting with guests, so I grab a small plate of finger foods and sit at an empty table for two, settling in for the next few minutes to nibble on veggie sticks and observe the reception as it unfolds. It’s a casual affair with formally dressed people but ideal for the setting. I’m glad Elise didn’t cave to pressure and go with the wedding planner’s suggestion of a formal shindig in the ballroom. Everything about this day has Elise’s imprint on it.
Spotting me alone at the table, Faye approaches me with caution, sans fiancé. “Can I join you?”
“Of course.” I gesture to the vacant chair across from me.
She slides in, and at first the silence between us grows uncomfortable. I’m not used to being at odds with either of my former ladies, but Faye and I never cleared the air after Landon dropped his bomb of truth on me. She left the island before my anger cooled.
“I’ve missed you,” she says, brown eyes casting apology my way.
“I know, Faye.” My soft, regretful tone imparts what my words can’t just yet—that I miss her too.
That I wish she were still here.
That I’m glad she’s found happiness.
And how I wish, more than anything, that she’d told me the truth from the beginning.