Page 19

Cadence

“That’s it for today,” Malesh said as he stowed his practice sword away.

Drenched in sweat and panting hard, I was grateful for the reprieve.

“Thank you, Malesh.”

The stoic Fae male inclined his head, acknowledging my thanks.

I returned my weapon to the rack and forced my uncooperative limbs toward the walkway that led to the interior of the palace.

It felt like my whole body was rebelling against the torturous training I had subjected it to. I ached in places I didn’t even know could ache. But if it meant that I had a fighting chance at escaping this place one day, I’d endure it.

Ryker’s chambers lay at the far end of the eastern wing, yet they could have been a world away as I forced my feet forward.

Just another grievance to add to my ever-growing list against Ryker.

The air vibrated with distant music, and ordinarily, I’d be curious as to its source. Tonight, however, all I wanted to do was slip into the quiet safety of Ryker’s chambers before collapsing onto the bed and never moving from it again.

When I finally reached his chambers, I traced the intricate carvings that adorned the wood paneling of the door. A relieved sigh left me as I pushed the door open, and I slipped inside, eager for rest.

As I crossed the threshold, I immediately sensed that something wasn’t right.

I swept my gaze over my surroundings, and a tingle of awareness shot up my spine. My heart hammered against my ribs, and sweat that had nothing to do with my earlier exertion beaded on my brow.

The setting sun cast long shadows through the lone window, that stretched across the room. There was nothing out of order, yet I could sense an unseen presence lingering just beyond my sight.

I took another step inside the space, and then a familiar scent hit my nostrils.

The sharp, metallic aroma was unmistakable.

Blood.

My breath caught in my throat as I peered at Ryker’s desk.

A single piece of parchment sat atop it, and even though it was folded in half, I knew it was the source of the smell.

My chest tightened as I approached. I reached out to take the paper, but hesitated.

Did I even want to know what it said?

I pushed my unease aside and gripped it between my fingers. Taking a deep breath, I opened it.

The letters were written in thick, jagged strokes, and the sight had bile creeping up my throat.

The message had been written in blood, and the coppery scent turned my stomach.

My mind raced as I tried to make sense of the threat.

Was it intended for me?

I doubted anyone would be foolish enough to forewarn Ryker if they were planning an attack.

The note had to be intended for me, but I had no clue who had sent it.

“I would leave in a heartbeat if I could.”

If the situation weren’t so serious, I might have laughed at its absurdity.

Unsure of what to do next, I stood there, frozen, as I stared at the bloodied note in my hand. The silence that permeated the room felt suffocating, and I gave the collar at my throat an involuntary tug.

My instincts screamed at me to run, to flee this kingdom and escape.

But Ryker would never allow me to get far. He’d hunt me down and drag me right back here, and I’d be in the same position I now found myself.

I continued to examine the parchment, letting the words soak in as I read them over and over. The bright crimson letters indicated that the blood was still fresh as they had yet to pale and shift toward the more muted brown of decay.

I wracked my brain as I tried to come up with a list of potential suspects for the author of the note. I quickly realized it was futile. Few knew of my presence, and I had done nothing to earn their ire.

I abandoned that line of thought as I wondered whether I should alert Ryker to what I had found waiting for me inside his chambers.

What if someone knows your secret?

The insidious notion struck me without warning, and I staggered back a step.

My vision swam in front of me, and my body trembled as I willed myself not to vomit. My pulse spiked, sending adrenaline coursing through my veins, and I leaned over my knees as I gulped a lungful of air.

“Get it together, Cadence.”

No matter how much I chastised myself, however, I couldn’t rein in my terror.

The low groan of a floorboard snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts, and I straightened as I surveyed the room.

I pulled my magic around me and turned in a slow circle. My eyes flicked to the corner, where shadows deepened with the setting sun.

Even with my heightened Fae vision, I couldn’t detect anything hiding within the darkness.

“Is there someone there?”

Only silence answered me.

I crossed the floor to the large arched window, my gaze settling on the last few stragglers in the courtyard as they wrapped up their business and wandered home for the night.

As I leaned forward, I rested my head on the cool glass and allowed my breathing to even out.

“You’re jumping at shadows now, Cadence. If you ever hope to leave this place, you’ll need to strengthen that backbone,” I chided.

I straightened and studied my reflection in the window.

Then I let out a blood-curdling scream.

A figure stood behind me, their face hidden beneath the cowl of their hood, and their black clothing blended seamlessly into the night.

I spun around, my magic thrumming wildly inside me as I prepared to defend myself.

But when I turned, the person was gone, leaving nothing but empty space and the crippling weight of unseen eyes.

My breath came fast and shallow as my heart hammered in my chest.

Had I imagined it?

I glanced down and realized I was still clutching the note in my palm.

That, at least, had been real.

Leave. This is your only warning.

The unspoken threat was apparent.

There was little I could do to heed the warning, however, when Ryker held me prisoner inside the palace.

I would leave if I could. I wanted to do just that.

Resolve settled in the pit of my stomach, and I set my jaw. I couldn’t escape this place, but I sure as hell wouldn’t sit around waiting to be ambushed if the note’s author returned.

Next time, I would be ready for them.