Page 27

Ryker

I paced the dimly lit library. Shadows flickered along the wall, and the light cast by the sconces made them appear monstrous, malevolent.

The familiar smell of leather-bound books and parchment did little to soothe my raging emotions. I’d been a fool today and had shown my hand to the one man who would stop at nothing to use it against me.

I ran my fingers through my hair in agitation, gripping the strands and pulling tight. My anger was a living, breathing entity inside me, and all I wanted to do was scream my wrath to the heavens above.

“You’ll wear a hole in the carpet if you keep that up.”

I turned to face the newcomer who’d intruded on my tumultuous self-reflection.

“I’m in no mood, Riordan,” I warned.

My brother pushed off the door frame he’d been leaning against and headed toward the cabinet, where we kept an assortment of liquor.

“I can see that,” he remarked as he grabbed two tumblers, filling them with whiskey.

Riordan offered me a glass, and I took it, emptying the contents in one swallow. The liquor burned my throat, and I relished the sting. The pain grounded me, strengthening my resolve.

My brother studied me from where he stood, his muscular arms folded against his chest, and his gaze sharp and thoughtful.

“Tell me what happened.”

“Father figured out that Cadence is my mate.”

The words tasted bitter on my tongue, and I marched toward the cabinet to refill my tumbler.

“Not to add insult to injury, Brother, but you made that obvious when you slaughtered eight men for her.”

I glared at my younger brother. He was right, but that didn’t ease my irritation. Ignoring his observation, I lifted the whiskey to my lips and drank greedily.

“That won’t help anything, Ryker,” he chastised.

Silence stretched between us as we both considered this new turn of events.

“Did he threaten her?” Riordan asked.

“He commanded me to follow through with my marriage to Celeste or risk Cadence.”

Riordan groaned. “This is exactly what I was trying to forewarn you about.”

“Do not test me, Little Brother,” I warned. “You and I both know why I’m in this predicament.”

A muscle feathered in Riordan’s jaw, but he didn’t push the matter further.

“What do you intend to do, Ryker?” he asked instead. “You took her from her home. You exposed her to this. Now you need to protect her.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” I snapped. “She’s my mate, Riordan. Mine. And I always protect what’s mine.”

I gave my brother a pointed look, and this time, he dipped his chin in acknowledgment.

I exhaled a defeated sigh as I ran a hand down my face.

“If I keep her locked in my chambers, she’s no better than a prisoner.”

Riordan snorted. “Of course, your mind goes straight to restraining her.”

I smirked, but didn’t defend myself. “While I’m not against that idea, the prospect will undoubtedly displease Cadence. Doing it would only push her further away, and I am trying to make the stubborn woman submit to me and accept the bond.”

“You don’t have to make her a prisoner, Ryker. You only need to guard her. Your men are loyal to you. Use them. They’ll ensure her safety when you cannot.”

A growl rumbled up my throat, and I glared at my brother.

“Are you suggesting I cannot protect my mate, Riordan?”

My brother rolled his eyes.

“No, you primitive barbarian, but you won’t always be around to keep her safe.”

I considered Riordan’s words. I trusted Malesh and Eamon with my life, and I knew that if I asked it of them, they would protect Cadence above their duty to the crown. But I wasn’t so confident my remaining men would feel the same.

The weight of my brother’s gaze bore into me as I resumed my pacing. My shadows burst free, and they swirled around me, twisting and writhing as though they sought to soothe my agitation.

“Assigning guards to her is only going to bring more unwanted attention her way.”

My voice sounded rough, laced with the frustration burning through me like acid.

“The entire court was present when Father summoned you to answer for the massacre, were they not? The news that Cadence is your mate will spread.”

An involuntary smile pulled up the corner of my mouth. My brother spoke of my murderous deeds with such casual indifference.

“No,” I answered. “Father dismissed the courtiers after I’d described the way I would have slowly tortured Lucas to death for daring to touch Cadence had I more time, which made his mother faint.”

“You did not,” Riordan chuckled.

“I did, and I don’t regret it. Not even a little. She was spewing nonsense about how her precious Lucas would never harm a woman, and she needed to be set straight,” I grunted.

“And I’m sure it pained you greatly to be the one to undertake such a delicate task,” he drawled.

“You know me, Brother, I am a prince devoted to his people. I live to serve my subjects,” I said as I spread my arms wide and dipped into a bow.

Riordan, who had just taken a swallow of his whiskey, choked on the amber liquid, and I stepped back to avoid being in the firing line.

“For fuck’s sake,” I muttered. “You really ought to work on that, Little Brother. Your penchant for choking is not only annoying, but it also leaves you vulnerable.”

“Hilarious Ryker,” he scowled.

“Who’s joking?” I said as I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Let’s get back on topic,” Riordan grumbled. “I hate to break it to you, Brother, but if you will not install guards, then you’ll need allies in the council.”

“The council is full of vipers who wouldn’t hesitate to offer up Cadence if it meant putting a leash on me and my powers,” I growled.

“Precisely.”

I narrowed my eyes at my brother. “Explain yourself,” I demanded.

“Who better to expose the council’s schemes than one of their own? Just offer them something they crave more than your obedience.”

I absentmindedly scratched at the stubble along my jaw. “I assume you have someone in mind.”

Riordan’s grin was downright devilish. “Lord Hanzel has a son he is trying to move up in the military ranks. The problem is, the man is useless.”

“And?” I pressed.

“And,” Riordan said, rolling his eyes. “Give him a contingent to oversee.”

“If the man is incompetent, he’ll only endanger my other soldiers.”

“Not if you pair him with someone more experienced,” Riordan countered, the mirth twinkling in his eyes.

“Are you suggesting I play Lord Hanzel, Little Brother?” I asked, my amusement infecting my tone.

“Me?” Riordan said, aghast, as he placed a hand over his heart. “I would never.”

I snorted and shook my head, already feeling much better about the situation.

“All I’m saying is that you could treat the appointment as a traineeship of sorts. Pair the son with someone high-ranking and give him shared responsibility for the contingent. Make it clear he is to defer to his senior commander until he’s ready to take over. If that day never comes, well…” Riordan trailed off.

“I like the way you think, Little Brother.”

“Why thank you,” he beamed. “In the meantime, use your advantage wisely. Come up with a plan to keep Cadence safe.”

I nodded in agreement, my mind already working through the possibilities.

“Make it happen,” I ordered.

“You know, the point was for you to make allies, Ryker. That’s not something you can delegate.”

I gave my brother a pointed look, and he sighed.

“Fine, I’ll do it.”

He cast a glance in my direction, taking me in from head to toe.

“You’d probably fuck it up anyway with all that overt approachability you’re exuding.”

I barked out a laugh, unbothered by the insult. He wasn’t wrong.

My mind turned to the other task I still had to complete.

Riordan narrowed his gaze as he studied me.

“An all too pleased glint just entered your eyes. What’s that about?” he said, suspicion clear in his tone.

I walked over to him and clapped a hand on his shoulder.

“I have a mate to tame,” I said, not even attempting to hide my excitement.

Riordan’s groan followed me as I strolled out of the library, ready to execute the next step in my plan.