The heavy silence in the snowy courtyard was broken only by the sound of the freezing wind. Prince Liam stared down at the Grand Duke. The crushed piece of paper in Liam's fist was proof that Derek held his life, his wealth, and his future in that dark leather book.
"Fine," Liam said. His voice was tight with anger, but he had no other choice. "We will exchange simultaneously."
Liam turned his head slightly and looked at the woman cowering in the shadows behind him.
"Ashlyn!" Liam snapped, his voice sharp and commanding. "Get the ledger."
Ashlyn jumped at the sound of her name. She was terrified of the Prince, but she was also desperate to prove her worth to him. She slowly stepped forward, her ruined, bloody dress shivering in the cold wind.
The royal guard holding Marissa's arms began to walk down the wide stone steps. Ashlyn followed closely behind them.
The three of them walked until they stood just a few feet away from Derek in the center of the courtyard.
