“I made the first move in that gazebo. He told me no, but I didn’t listen. Please don’t kick him out of the auction over this. It was just a kiss, I swear.”
A lie. It was so much more, and everyone in this room knows it.
Liam hangs his head, but not before his own pain at my confession slashes across his features. “It’s not up to me. Miles is calling for a vote.”
My knees weaken, and I clutch the arm of the chair before sinking onto the leather cushion. “What have I done?” The tears I fought so valiantly against now cling to my lashes, threatening to spill over.
Liam moves toward me, but Sebastian pushes him aside before kneeling at my feet, his hands wrapping around my own. “We’ll get through this.”
“How?” I peak over Sebastian’s shoulder at Liam, and a flush of guilt crawls over my skin for having this exchange in front of him. I know it hurts him to see us this way.
He averts his jealous gaze.
“Have faith,” Sebastian says, squeezing my hands. “I have allies in the Brotherhood. I don’t think Miles will get enough votes to cast me out. I’m more worried about you.”
“I’ll be fine as long as they don’t take you out of the auction.”
“There’s more to consider here, princess.”
“Like what? Nothing is more important than your bid in the auction.”
“He’s talking about the consequences.” Liam crosses his arms as he stares down at us. “Regardless of the outcome of the vote, you both face corporal punishment.”
Sebastian dips his chin. “This is why you have to say I forced you. It’s the only way to keep you out of Pax’s hands.”
“No!” My eyes widen. “You didn’t force me into anything. I won’t say otherwise.”
“Damnit, Novalee!” Sebastian takes my cheeks in his hands, giving me a quick shake. “The sick fuck will lash you until you bleed. That’s what he does in this type of situation.”
Bile rises in my throat. “Is that…is that what will happen to you?”
“We’re not talking about me.”
“Oh God,” I choke out, my tears falling onto his thumbs, leaving a damp path of bitter regret. “This is my fault.” Clutching my chest, I gasp for air. “You could get kicked out the auction, and they’re going to…they’ll hurt you.”
“I can handle a lashing, princess. It won’t be the first time. But what I can’t handle is you at the other end of Pax’s whip. If you say I forced you—”
“I said no.”
Sebastian jerks away from me, a growl of frustration rumbling in the back of his throat. I prepare myself for his ensuing rant at my refusal to listen, but before he gets the first word out, the library door bursts open, and Miles stands on the threshold.
“Your five minutes are up. Summon the Brotherhood, or I’ll do it myself.”
Liam’s attention stalls on me, and there’s no question what he wants me to do. “Novalee, please.”
“I already gave you my answer. Do what you have to do.”
Grinding his teeth in helpless aggravation, he reaches for the library phone and puts out a call to the houses.
13
The four of us descend into the dungeon in single file fashion, Liam at the front, Miles behind me, and Sebastian bringing up the rear. I’m careful to keep my gaze on Liam’s back, using tunnel vision to protect myself from the reality of this place, with its ominous furnishings and terrifying whips. But as we pass underneath the hanging shackles, I shiver, the chill worsening as we continue beyond the iron-barred cells.
The chancellor leads us down a narrow hall, and I had no idea the underground space went so deep. A door opens into a circular room similar in design to the one where the Brotherhood hold their monthly dinners. It’s windowless, masculine in theme, and definitely not meant to entertain dinner guests.
No, this place is reserved for more serious matters, like deciding the fate of two people. It’s a courtroom-slash-boardroom style of space, existing under a gigantic mural of the zodiac chart on the ceiling.
Miles ushers me toward his section, while Liam claims his spot on the raised bench at the mouth of the circle. Sebastian takes his place on the other side of Miles.
And we wait, the disquiet deafening.
Finally, footsteps echo down the hall, and the atmosphere remains subdued as the men file into the room, one after the other, as if they’re facing a collective sentence instead of deciding the fate of just one.
I don’t understand how these men—different in so many ways yet bound by legacy and duty—will call for the possible exile of one of their own.
When Landon walks in last and takes his seat in the circle, he sends Sebastian a glance brimming with fury. My brother doesn’t have to say a word to convey his level of disappointment at our recklessness.