Page 22

Cadence

Something had shifted between me and Ryker, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Somewhere along the way, we’d fallen into a semblance of cooperation. It wasn’t a truce exactly, more like a cease-fire.

Which was why I found it odd that Riordan, not Ryker, would be my escort for the ball that night.

To be honest, my invitation caught me by surprise.

Ryker hadn’t taken me to any formal events since I had arrived in the Unseelie Kingdom almost a month ago. In fact, he seemed determined to downplay my presence here at every opportunity.

Then, unexpectedly, I received an invitation to a prestigious ball celebrating an alliance between the crown and a prominent family on the governing council.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the gown Ryker had gifted me suggested the event was for the kingdom’s elite.

I studied my reflection in the mirror. My long brown hair cascaded in gentle waves over my shoulders, and I could make out the rich chestnut hues that captured the light from the candelabra.

The deep navy-blue dress that I wore shimmered with each subtle movement, and it flowed around my feet like liquid midnight. The fitted bodice hugged my form, pushing up my breasts until I thought I might very well topple out of it, before flaring elegantly at my waist and flowing to the floor.

Trust Ryker to choose something that was borderline scandalous.

Intricate silver patterns adorned the top of the gown, and they sparkled in the light like a constellation of stars against a cloudless night. Delicate gossamer sleeves billowed from my upper arms, drawing attention to the graceful curve of my collarbone.

My gaze snagged on the rose gold collar around my throat, and my mood soured.

Despite the relative peace Ryker and I had found as we coexisted side by side, he still didn’t trust me enough to remove the damn thing.

His instincts were correct. The moment he took it off, I’d try to escape.

A small pang erupted behind my ribcage when I thought about fleeing Ryker. The intrusive feeling left me gasping, and I clutched the table for support.

What the hell was wrong with me?

I decided I didn’t want to ruminate on it and, instead, returned my attention to my reflection in the mirror. Scarlette had visited earlier to do my makeup, and I had to admit, she had done a masterful job.

The light dusting of blush accentuated my high cheekbones, and the kohl that lined my eyes gave them a seductive allure I was rather fond of. The bright red lipstick that had been painted on my lips only worked to enhance the appeal.

I looked beautiful, and the thought made me miss home.

My mother would have been beside herself to see me dressed so elegantly. She’d often encouraged me to embrace the beauty I was half convinced only she saw, but now I could finally understand what she’d been saying all along.

A loud knock at the door startled me and drew me out of my reverie.

Riordan didn’t wait for me to answer before he strode into the room. He stopped halfway toward me, his mouth gaping open before he scrubbed a hand down his face.

“Gods, Cadence,” he groaned. “Keeping unwanted attention off you tonight is going to be an impossible task.”

I shifted nervously on my feet, unsure what to make of his reaction.

“Fuck! Keeping my hands to myself, and thereby my head attached to my shoulders, will be a godsdamned miracle,” he muttered.

“So do I look all right?”

“Do I look all right, she asks.”

Riordan blew out a breath before meeting my eyes.

“Cadence, sweetheart, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You are a goddess made real. Every man in that hall would trip over himself for a sliver of your attention, and if one succeeds, Ryker will surely skin me alive.”

“So, that’s a yes, then?”

“That’s a fucking hell yes!”

My shoulders relaxed, and I chuckled at Riordan’s response.

“Good, because I’m awful at these types of events. Honestly, I’ve never been to anything this fancy. The closest I have come is the Beltane festival back home.”

I was rambling. My nerves were getting the best of me.

Riordan crossed the room and clasped my hands.

“Stay at my side, and you will have nothing to worry about,” he grinned. “And I’ll be the most envied fucker there,” he added with a wink.

I laughed despite myself.

“Shall we?” he asked, as he waggled his eyebrows.

“We shall,” I confirmed, feeling more confident.

As we made our way toward the ballroom, we drew more than our fair share of stares from other partygoers.

“Why are they staring?” I mumbled to Riordan.

“I told you, you’re gorgeous.”

A blond woman with a pixie cut stopped in front of us, and she reached out to place her hand on Riordan’s forearm.

“Will I be seeing you after the festivities, Your Highness?” she purred.

“What do you think, Cadence? You up for it?”

Before I could answer, he winked at the woman and breezed past her. I could feel her piercing glare at my back as we walked into the hall.

I almost gasped when I took in the lavish space before me.

The ballroom was a dazzling display of grandeur and opulence. Tall, arched windows lined the walls, and they were draped in heavy velvet curtains that were the color of midnight. Crystal chandeliers hung from the lofty, vaulted ceiling, casting a luminescent glow over the space as they caught and reflected the candlelight.

At the far end of the room, a raised dais held a grand throne made of the richest mahogany, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and adorned with plush, golden cushions. Around the throne, fresh bouquets of the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen stood in tall gold vases, and their enticing fragrance permeated the space.

Waiters drifted in and out, offering glasses of Fae wine and platters of exotic fruits, delicate pastries, and skewered meats that made my mouth water.

Before I could make my way toward the nearest waiter, a gong sounded, and the ballroom fell quiet.

“What’s going on?” I whispered to Riordan.

“The King has arrived.”

The guests parted, creating a path down the center of the enormous chamber, which led to the dais. A moment later, a man with dark, cropped hair wearing a silver crown atop his head strode down the aisle. He didn’t stop and acknowledge his son as he passed us.

“I’m guessing you and Ryker take after your mother,” I whispered.

“Something like that,” Riordan smirked.

The King ascended the platform and settled onto the throne. Once he had arranged his cloak around himself, he gave a curt nod of his head. “You may begin.”