Page 39

Cadence

“You just had to run headfirst into the forest, completely unprepared and ill-equipped, didn’t you, Cadence?” I berated myself as my dress snagged on another outstretched branch that almost had me kissing the dirt beneath my boots.

“I’m sure Ryker will learn his lesson when you fall and break your neck, all because you couldn’t see a godsdamned thing in this cursed forest and tripped over your own feet! Too bad you won’t be around to enjoy it.”

As if to demonstrate my point, my boot got caught in a gnarled root, and I went careening to the ground. The impact knocked the air from my lungs, and I gasped as I tried to suck in oxygen so frigid it burned.

I screamed to the heavens, cursing the gods for my current predicament, even though I knew this one was entirely my fault. Nearby, a shrill squeal sounded, followed by masculine laughter that seemed to reverberate off every tree trunk as they drew closer.

“Perfect! Just announce to everyone where you are. Well done, Cadence.”

I pushed myself up from the ground, but the foliage beneath my boots was slick, and I stumbled, catching myself on a low-hanging branch.

A hiss of pain escaped me as the limb scraped against my hand. Even in the dim lighting, I could make out the blood gathering in my palm.

Focusing my attention on the sounds of the forest, I listened intently as I tried to determine if anyone was close. The couple I’d heard a moment ago had changed course, moving in the opposite direction. When no other noises met my ears, I spared some time to heal my hand.

My magic rumbled to life beneath my skin, and I sighed with relief. I wasn’t used to going so long without summoning it, and the rush of euphoria I felt was like wildfire racing through my veins, igniting every nerve until I hummed with raw, unbridled energy.

My injured palm pulsed as the torn edges of my flesh knitted themselves back together. Slowly, the blood stopped pooling as the unseen threads of my power drew it back into my body. The skin on my hand reformed as my magic set about mending the assaulted tissue until my flesh was unblemished once more.

My legs, trembling with exhaustion moments ago, now felt strong and revitalized. Even my breath flowed easier. I retracted my earlier curses and thanked the gods for gifting me with the ability to keep myself whole and set off again with renewed vigor.

I’d only been running for a few minutes when I spotted the outline of a large fallen tree. When I reached it, I slipped beneath it as I pressed myself into the narrow crevice where the roots met the ground.

It wasn’t much, but it was enough to shield me from prying eyes while I took stock of my surroundings and planned my escape route. I was bowing out of the Wild Hunt at the earliest opportunity. I craved a warm mug of tea and the comfort of Ryker’s bed more than I needed to assert myself, at least for now.

The snap of a branch nearby had me sucking in a ragged breath. The crunch of dead leaves quickly followed, and I made out the low murmur of voices. Closing my eyes, I willed myself to disappear into the shadows.

Then, a new sound shattered the silence. It was a woman’s voice, distant but unmistakable.

“Ryker,” Celeste sang.

Her voice sounded almost deafening to my ears.

“I know you’re out there.”

I could hear the note of longing in her tone and something dark twisted inside my chest.

He wouldn’t. Not after everything he promised.

But he kept you out of the hunt for a reason , my inner voice taunted.

My heart clenched, and I was caught between the urge to flee and morbid curiosity. I shifted in place, craning my neck as I peered out through a gap in the roots. I could see Celeste moving through the trees, but Ryker was nowhere in sight.

The sound of hooves hitting the hard earth startled me, and I watched as Celeste froze where she stood.

From deep within the forest, an enormous black war horse strode past the tree line. Its movements were graceful, and its powerful muscles rippled beneath its shimmering coat. Steam curled from its nostrils with each breath as it scanned the shadows, searching for unseen eyes.

It was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.

And atop the magnificent beast sat Ryker.

Celeste straightened and marched toward him. He slid from the horse, his movements practiced and fluid, showcasing his years of training.

Ryker stepped away from his mount, crossed his corded forearms over his broad chest, and waited for Celeste to come to him.

“I’ve been looking for you,” she purred as she reached him.

Celeste placed her hand on his arm, and a seductive smirk flitted across her lips. Ryker didn’t respond to her touch, but he didn’t move to shake her off, either.

Emboldened, Celeste reached out to trace the edge of Ryker’s jaw. Her fingers lingered there, almost possessively, before she trailed them down his throat.

“What do you want, Celeste?” Ryker asked, sounding bored.

“I thought we could have a little fun,” she said suggestively.

“You’re well aware of the rules prohibiting members of the royal family from participating in the hunt.”

Ryker couldn’t join the hunt?

Celeste’s high-pitched laughter interrupted my wayward thoughts.

“You needn’t worry about conceiving a bastard when we’re to be married, Ryker. Any child I bear you will be heir to the throne following our union.”

Celeste’s fingers danced down Ryker’s arm, but this time, he gripped her wrist as his eyes narrowed on her with disdain.

“Do. Not. Touch. Me.”

His voice was low and calm, but the threat underlying his words couldn’t have been louder.

“Ryker,” Celeste whined. “You aren’t still mad at me about your little pet, are you?”

Ryker’s hand darted forward and grabbed Celeste by the throat. “If you know what’s good for you, Celeste, you’ll turn around now and get back behind the palace walls.”

The sinister undertone to Ryker’s voice raised the small hairs on my nape as he said, “Before I change my mind about letting you leave here alive.”

When Ryker let her go, Celeste coughed and spluttered as she sucked in one lungful of air after another. Without sparing him a second glance, she raced into the forest as quickly as she could.

A cruel smile played on Ryker’s lips, and I had to question my sanity when I discovered I rather liked this unhinged side of him.

“You can come out now, Cadence.” Ryker’s deep voice rumbled over my flesh, and I froze, not daring to breathe in case he was bluffing.

“Or you could continue hiding behind that tree trunk, making it even easier to catch you.”

Not bluffing, then.

I stood from my hiding place and dusted off the debris that had clung to my cloak. When I raised my head and met Ryker’s gaze, I could see the burning fury blazing there.

“What are you wearing?” he growled.

I peered down at the cloak Riordan had given me, but I couldn’t find anything amiss with it.

“Riordan’s cloak,” I shrugged.

“Take it off.”

“No. It’s cold.”

“Take. It. Off.”

The command in Ryker’s voice was difficult to resist, but I did.

“I said no,” I retorted as I straightened my spine.

A low, throaty chuckle erupted from Ryker, and for the briefest moment, I wondered if I’d made a grave mistake.

“Run, Temptress.”

“I’m sorry?” I asked, confused.

“Not yet, you’re not. But you will be.”

Ryker’s words settled over me, and warmth flooded my core.

What had he done to me? Was I now the type of person who got aroused by being threatened?

“Don’t let me catch you, Temptress,” Ryker said as he pulled his tunic over his head.

“What happens if you do?”

My mouth was dry, and a faint heat flushed my skin.

“Oh, I think you know,” he crooned, as he slapped the hindquarters of his massive war horse, sending it racing back toward the palace.

Ryker stretched the muscles in his arms, and I watched, transfixed, as they bulged under the strain.

“Three.”

Panic gripped my chest, but I pushed it aside to survey my surroundings.

“Two.”

I wasted no time as I rushed into the forest, heedless of the noise or the obvious trail I left in my wake.

I needed to put as much distance between me and Ryker as I could manage.

“One.”

The true hunt had begun.