Page 23

Cadence

The herald’s voice rang out loudly in the silence of the room.

“His Royal Highness, Ryker Ashborne, The Crown Prince of the Unseelie.”

Heads turned toward the entrance as Ryker strode inside. His face was handsome, but expressionless as he stared straight ahead at the dais. Tall and composed, he looked every inch the king in waiting, but I didn’t miss the slight tension around his jaw.

“Why is he just standing there?”

Before Riordan could answer my question, the herald continued.

“And introducing His Royal Highness’s betrothed, Lady Celeste of House Barrington.”

Applause broke out across the ballroom, and the rowdier attendees cheered and hollered for their future king and queen.

But I heard none of it as my vision swam in front of me.

My heart pounded against my ribcage as though it were trying to tear its way out of my chest. I inhaled a sharp breath, and I willed my feet to move, to flee this kingdom of lies, but my body remained rooted in place.

“Cadence,” Riordan murmured, concern lacing the single word. “Are you all right?”

“I… I…” My words died on my tongue.

“Fuck,” he groaned. “Please tell me that my brother did not let you loose among the wolves tonight, with no hint of what was coming.”

The woman in question, Lady Celeste, saved me from answering as she stepped forward and placed her hand on Ryker’s outstretched palm.

She wore a dazzling silk gown of soft violet that complemented her regal beauty. Her curly blond hair was styled in an elegant updo, and she wore a gold circlet across her forehead.

She looked every inch the queen she would someday become.

Celeste beamed at Ryker as she dipped into a practiced curtsy I could never perfect, and the pair started toward the dais hand in hand.

Ryker’s gaze roamed over the crowd as though he were searching for someone. When his steel-grey eyes landed on me, a shiver raced down my spine. His stare narrowed as if warning me not to make a scene.

I straightened my shoulders and raised my chin as I glared right back at him.

“That’s the little fighter I’ve heard so much about,” Riordan chuckled from beside me.

Despite my composed exterior, the room spun, and I felt as if a hand was wrapped around my throat, cutting off my oxygen.

I desperately needed the reprieve that only the cool night air could offer me.

I remained in place until Ryker and Celeste took their seats alongside the King on the dais, and with the formalities over, the party resumed.

“Join me outside?” Riordan asked as he jutted his chin in the balcony’s direction.

I didn’t trust myself to speak, so I gave him a curt nod, and he gripped my hand in his as he pulled me through the crowd. On my way out, I glanced toward Ryker and saw that he had once again donned the mask of indifference he so often wore.

A rush of anger pulsed through me, sharp and cutting.

What game did Ryker think he was playing? Keeping me at his mercy, fucking me , and all the while he had a godsdamned fiancée waiting in the shadows?

Riordan placed his palm on the small of my back and guided me through the doors to the balcony. The cool night air washed over me like a tidal wave, leaving me gasping and shaking all over.

“It’s all right,” he soothed as he rubbed his hand up and down my spine. “You’re all right, Cadence.”

When I regained control of my breathing, I flashed Riordan an embarrassed smile.

“I don’t know why I’m so shaken. You might not know this, but I can’t stand your brother.”

Riordan chuckled, but there was a knowing look that twinkled in his eyes as he gazed at me.

“Just taken by surprise, I guess,” I muttered.

Riordan made a sound of affirmation, and I pulled my gaze from his as I peered down at the courtyard below. We stood in companionable silence as Riordan allowed me the space to gather myself.

“Do you want to get back at him?”

When I glanced in Riordan’s direction, mischief gleamed from his smoke-grey eyes, and his lips were pulled up in a wicked grin.

“What did you have in mind?”

Pushing off the banister, Riordan raised his hand and extended his palm to me. I studied it for a moment, and Riordan’s grin only widened.

“Come on,” he cajoled. “You know you want to.”

Dimples appeared in his cheeks, and I knew I was done for.

With a resigned sigh, I placed my hand in his and let him lead me back inside. My gaze drifted toward the dais, and when my eyes locked with Ryker’s angry ones, I internally chastised myself for caring.

“See, it’s already working,” Riordan whispered conspiratorially.

I laughed, feeling much lighter.

The music softened, and couples flocked to the dance floor as they prepared to join in the waltz.

“I’m not the best dancer,” I confessed.

“Lucky for you, I am. Just follow my lead.”

Riordan’s hand rested firmly on my hip as he guided me about with quiet confidence, his eyes never leaving mine.

Soon, I found myself relinquishing my burdens, and I relaxed into his embrace.

“There you go,” he said with approval.

I smiled up at him. “You’re a reasonable teacher.”

“Only Reasonable?”

I shrugged and then grinned as his brows furrowed.

“Oh, I see how it is, sweetheart,” Riordan teased.

I didn’t answer him, simply raising a brow in challenge.

“You’re taking advantage of me,” he said with complete seriousness.

Laughter burst from my lips, and a moment later, Riordan’s deep chuckle followed. He spun me around the room, his fingers interlaced with mine as his thumb gently brushed my skin.

With each step and graceful spin, I realized I was enjoying myself despite everything. The music built to a crescendo, and Riordan lowered me toward the ground, my back arching beneath his strong fingertips. He didn’t release me immediately when he brought me back up. Instead, he pulled me flush against his powerful frame as he pressed his lips to my ear.

“Are you ready for the grand finale, sweetheart?” he murmured, and an involuntary shiver wracked my body.

I had no idea what he was talking about, but when he slanted his mouth over mine, I found myself suddenly breathless.

Before Riordan’s lips could meet mine, a large shadow loomed over us. We both glanced toward it, only to be greeted by Ryker’s simmering rage.

“May I cut in, Brother?”

“I don’t know,” Riordan taunted him. “I was just about to get to know Cadence on a more personal level.”

He turned to me and winked.

Ryker pulled his brother away from me before his large palm landed on my waist, and he gripped my hand in his.

“Have fun,” Riordan called as Ryker spun us into the middle of the dance floor.

“You’re playing with fire, Temptress,” he growled.

I glared back at him.

The gall of this man.

“Don’t you dare speak to me about playing games when you have a fucking fiancée, Ryker!”

“Is that jealousy I detect, Cadence?” he purred.

I opened my mouth to argue, but changed my mind.

“Fuck. You. Ryker.”

Before he could respond, I turned away from him and strode from the dance floor, leaving him behind.