Page 31

Ryker

Fury roiled inside of me as my feet pounded against the marble floors of the palace. Servants and guards alike stepped out of my way, giving me a wide berth when they saw me coming.

I hadn’t even attempted to conceal the wrath that radiated from me.

As I rounded the corner of the hallway that led to Celeste’s wing, I heard high-pitched laughter emanating from behind closed doors.

The telltale sign that Lady Barrington was serving tea.

I hadn’t bothered to announce myself as I pushed the ornate doors wide and stepped into an antechamber filled with the overpowering scent of perfume.

Celeste sat at a small breakfast table, her gown a rich crimson, almost the shade of spilled wine. Her hair was perfectly groomed, with not a stray strand in sight, and her pouty lips were coated in thick paint, the same color as her dress.

She arched a single brow in surprise before placing her teacup on the saucer in front of her.

“Ryker,” she purred. “What an unexpected delight.”

She beamed up at me, her smile as fake as her wide-eyed innocence.

“Leave us,” I barked, not bothering to look at the women surrounding Celeste.

They shuffled nervously in their seats, their eyes darting between me and Celeste, unsure of what to do.

“Do not make me repeat myself.”

Celeste nodded sharply, and they leaped from their chairs, almost sprinting for the door.

I kept my gaze trained on Celeste. The memory of Cadence sobbing as she recalled what Celeste had said to her fueled my rage.

Celeste folded her hands in her lap and waited for me to speak. She was the picture of poise and elegance, but I knew the cruelty that lay beneath the surface.

She was a Barrington, after all.

“You know why I am here,” I stated, each word as cold as steel.

“I am certain I do not.”

I lunged forward, gripping the armrests on her chair and forcing her into the backrest.

“Do not play games with me, Celeste. You threatened Cadence’s life.”

Celeste let her mask fall away, the feigned innocence disappearing from her eyes, only to be replaced by a glint of cold fury.

“Cadence? Is that the name of the pet you’ve been entertaining yourself with?” she scoffed.

A low growl forced its way up my throat, the sound dangerous and threatening. She swallowed thickly, but lifted her chin and pointed her nose in the air as though she smelled something that displeased her.

“I warned her, yes. I informed her of what would happen should she endeavor to take what is rightfully mine.”

“Are you in the mood to meet the gods?” I asked with a calmness that belied the lethal anger I was feeling.

Celeste laughed, a mocking, hollow sound that filled the room. When I remained silent, her eyes rounded in fear, and she sucked in a sharp breath.

“You can’t be serious, Ryker.”

“Try me.”

“My father will not stand for this,” she warned. “Our betrothal is a condition of his continued support for the King.”

“Cadence has nothing to do with that.”

“I am to be your wife and the future Queen of the Unseelie. I refuse to be made a fool of by your dalliances.”

Shadows coated my vision, and I felt the sharp prick of pain as my fangs descended.

With one look, Celeste crumbled.

“Ryker, p-please,” she stammered. “This has all been a huge misunderstanding.”

She reached for me but thought better of it, letting her hand fall to her lap.

“Then let me clear it up for you, Celeste.”

A sinister smile spread across my face, and a small whimper escaped her.

“This is your only warning. If you make any attempt to harm Cadence or incite any violence toward her, you will suffer a fate worse than death.”

I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear.

“There is a reason that men like your father seek to leash me, Celeste. I promise you, you do not want to discover what that reason is.”

I pushed off the chair and met her terrified gaze.

“Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes,” she whispered as she nodded her head.

“Excellent,” I purred, but the word was laced with venom.

Without a second glance, I strode from the room, leaving Celeste behind to contemplate my warning.

My thoughts raced as I made my way back to my chambers. I wanted to reassure Cadence that I had eliminated the threat against her. My earlier rage still simmered beneath the surface, but it had abated enough that I could shift my focus to the next pressing matter.

As I turned toward my wing, however, a figure stepped out of the shadows and into my path.

“Impressive performance you put on back there,” Riordan said.

He leaned against a column, his arms crossed over his chest and an amused smile on his face.

“Eavesdropping again, Brother?” I glared at him, but there was no real heat behind it.

Riordan shrugged. “Someone has to keep an eye on you. The gods know you are unpredictable when you’re in a mood.”

“Fuck off!”

I pushed my brother out of my way and continued on my path. His cackling laughter followed in my wake.

“She’s different, you know,” Riordan said as he stepped into place beside me.

I cast a sideways glance at him, and he rolled his eyes.

“You can stop imagining my bloody demise, Brother. All I meant was that she’s genuine. She’s the kind of person who would stand at your side not because of your title and what she can gain from it, but because she thinks you’re worthy.”

Riordan nodded, as a thoughtful expression crossed his face.

“That’s rare in our world,” he mused.

“Sounds like you’ve been spending too much time with my mate,” I grumbled.

“Ha! If you recall, Brother, that was by your command.”

And damn it all to hell, he was right.

A knowing smirk lifted the corner of Riordan’s lips, but he didn’t rub salt on the wound, which was remarkably restrained for him.

We continued in silence for a while, both lost in our musings.

“You can’t push her too far, Ryker. Once she tips over that edge, I don’t know if you’ll ever be able to pull her back.”

I bristled, but Riordan held up a hand to stop me.

“I’m not criticizing you, Ryker. Though your methods leave a lot to be desired,” he murmured.

“Get to the point, Riordan,” I demanded as I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“I can see Cadence means something to you. Whether it’s pure desire, the needs of the bond driving you, or, dare I say it, love,” he grinned wickedly, and I narrowed my eyes at him. “It’s clear that you want to keep her beside you.”

“That’s a lot of words to say absolutely nothing,” I grumbled.

“If you want her to stay… willingly.”

My brother gave me a disapproving look, which I ignored.

“If you want her to accept the bond, you need to meet her halfway. Stop treating her like she’s your property and start treating her like she’s your mate.”

Cadence was my property.

Mine .

I didn’t voice that aloud, however, as it seemed like it might be counter-intuitive to Riordan’s point.

“And how do I do that?” I asked instead.

“May the gods have mercy,” Riordan muttered under his breath. “You must court the woman, Ryker. Let her get to know you. Show her there is more to you than the disagreeable asshole you’ve presented her with so far… despite how tiny that fraction of your personality may be.”

“Even when you mutter, Riordan, I can still hear you.”

“Lords and ladies, behold! The man can listen.”

“You’re lucky you are my brother, or else I would have killed you eons ago.”

“A thank you would suffice.”

“Thank you,” I deadpanned.

“You’re welcome,” my brother beamed. “Just don’t fuck it up!”

Riordan clapped me on the shoulder, then turned and strode down the hall, disappearing into the shadows from which he’d emerged.

I took a deep breath and steeled myself for the task ahead.

I could do this.

I could court my mate.