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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Ryker

What the fuck? What in the actual FUCK?

My blood boiled, and the glass in my hand cracked. It would have spilled down to soak my clothing if it had been full of liquid, but I’d drained it immediately after lifting it from a passing servant’s tray.

Now, it took everything I had not to slam it onto the tray of the man walking by. My teeth ground together, and a stabbing pain shot through my jaw as the man talking to Ellery leaned closer…

He’s far too close. It took everything I had not to storm over there, grab the little shit, and tear off his head.

At about six feet, the man was tall with a slender build. As an immortal, he was inherently strong, but I’d gladly destroy him.

The worst part was, she didn’t do anything to dissuade the asshole from hanging all over her. Instead, she smiled while laughing at something he said.

When the musician brushed a strand of hair back from her face, a fiery red explosion erupted before my eyes. I didn’t care; I was going to tear this fucker’s fingers off and feed them to him.

I took five steps before my father’s voice penetrated the blood rushing through my ears. “Ryker, it’s time for us to see the king.”

My father. The king. This whole debacle that Ellery and I were trapped in. This game I was determined to win.

And if I stormed across the room to rip off the musician’s arms, I’d destroy part of that game. My father would know she was my biggest weakness and go after her with everything he had.

The idea of that man touching her set fire to my soul; the possibility of not being able to protect her from this man doused it. I closed my mouth against the words telling him and the king to suck my cock.

Taking a deep breath, I kept my gaze away from Ellery as I reined in my anger. It wouldn’t last.

I could remain outwardly casual for only so long regarding Ellery and that man. She was allowing him to touch her .

Is he still touching her?

I couldn’t bring myself to look at them. I couldn’t guarantee I’d maintain control if I saw them together again.

If I was going to get Ellery safely out of this place and away from my father, then I had to stay calm, but I hadn’t expected to see her like this when we arrived. I was determined to find a way to get her alone tonight. I hadn’t expected to discover another man moving in on her… or to witness her welcoming his advances.

I’d come here to talk to her and to find a way to steal from the earl. I wasn’t going to let the opportunity to fleece more carisle from these assholes go by, but instead of being focused on trying to figure out what I could steal, I was trying not to murder a man.

When the crowd shifted before me, I lost Ellery and the musician. Taking one more step forward, I sneered before stopping myself.

Turning on my heel, I stalked toward the dais. I ignored my father and his fiancée as I made my way toward the line waiting to meet the king.

The amsirah at the front of the line stepped aside as I approached, letting me go straight to the front. My boots thudded against the wood when I ascended the stairs.

I would play my part tonight; I had no choice, but when I got my hands on Ellery, I’d make sure she learned who she belonged to. She would know she was mine and no other man was allowed to touch her.