Page 55

Cadence

Ryker slammed the door with such force that the walls vibrated, and I flinched, unable to hide my terror.

I took in his rigid stance. His broad shoulders were tense, and his hands were clenched into fists at his sides. His storm-grey eyes surveyed me, wild and furious.

I stepped back as my heart hammered inside my chest. The heat of his anger was palpable, radiating in waves that made the walls press in around me.

Shadows swirled at Ryker’s feet, thick and menacing, as they slowly climbed up his body. He didn’t seem to realize that his hold on his power was slipping.

His entire focus was locked on me.

“You lied to me,” he growled.

His voice was low, and it was edged with some emotion I couldn’t discern.

“Last night, you sat here and agreed we’d keep no more secrets from each other.”

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze.

“I agreed to nothing, Ryker, and I didn’t lie.”

The words sounded weak, even to my ears.

Ryker chuckled, but there was no humor in it. His expression darkened, and he curled his lip in a sneer.

“What was it you said to me, Cadence?” he mused. “A lie by omission is still a lie.”

The venom in his tone made my chest tighten.

“Yet, you wove the greatest deception of all.”

He glanced at the dead man, then at me, his gaze heavy with condemnation.

My spine stiffened as outrage and defiance rose within me. I kept my secret because I knew if it got out, I would be killed without question. Our situation was not the same.

“I owe you nothing, Ryker,” I snarled.

My blood pounded in my veins as my anger anchored me.

“Try again, Cadence.”

“You think just because you made promises to me after you did something unforgivable that I’m supposed to give in and share every secret of my own?”

“Yes!”

“Then you’re delusional.” My chest heaved as I glared at him, and he glared right back.

“You are responsible for the near eradication of the Wraith Borne,” I spat. “You’re the last person I would ever confide in.”

For the briefest moment, hurt flickered across Ryker’s face, but he quickly schooled his features.

“And I’d do it again.”

His words were sharper than any blade, and I flinched despite myself.

“So, you admit to massacring my family,” I said, as I built a wall around my heart.

“What are you talking about, Cadence? Your family is very much alive last I checked.”

“I’m talking about my parents.”

“Again, they’re safe and well in the Seelie Kingdom.”

“They’re not my parents,” I murmured.

“Cut the bullshit, Cadence, and tell me what the fuck you’re talking about.”

“They’re not my parents,” I repeated. “They’re my aunt and uncle.”

For a moment, Ryker’s anger faltered, and something softer shone in his eyes.

“Are you Unseelie?”

“Half,” I admitted. “My father was Unseelie and one of the Wraith Borne.”

“But I’ve seen you heal others. Fuck, you’ve healed me. How can that be if you’re Wraith Borne?”

“I’m not only Wraith Borne. My mother was Seelie. I inherited my healing abilities from her.”

“You received both strains of magic?” Ryker asked, and I could hear the wonder in his tone.

A child usually inherited their magical abilities from one of their parents, but rarely both. Of course, the fact that most Fae married within their kingdom meant it wasn’t unusual for their parents to share similar magic.

To suggest a Seelie Fae wed an Unseelie Fae was almost tantamount to treason. But my parents had been mates, and for that, they persevered.

I nodded in answer to Ryker’s question as he continued to stare at me.

“Tell me what happened to them.”

I sucked in a ragged breath. Decades had passed since I’d lost my parents, but time did little to lessen the pain.

“They were killed in the uprising of the Wraith Borne. I was only five when it happened, and I’d been left with my aunt and uncle when they joined the rebellion. Their leader had convinced my father to fight, and where my father went, my mother followed.”

Tears pricked the back of my eyes, but I bit my tongue, refusing to let them fall.

“They died in the attack on the palace?” Ryker asked, the pain in his voice pulling my gaze to his.

“Yes,” I whispered. “It’s why I can’t embrace the bond we share. Because you led the assault that resulted in their deaths.”

“They attacked us, Cadence,” he growled as he raked a hand through his hair.

“I know,” I murmured. “And I hate the Wraith Borne just as much as you do. If not for the uprising, my parents might still be alive.”

Ryker’s shoulders slumped as though my words brought him some relief.

“Even so, I can’t forgive the role you played in their demise. Besides, it wasn’t as if the rebellion was without cause.”

Ryker’s gaze snapped back to mine as he stalked toward me.

“What are you trying to say, Cadence?”

He was within reach now, but I kept my arms locked at my sides.

“You know as well as I do that your father had been turning the Unseelie against the Wraith Borne long before the rebellion. He feared their power, and so he wove a narrative that suited his end goal, which was the cleansing of my kind. I may despise the Wraith Borne, but can you honestly say that your family’s hands are any less bloodied?”

Ryker’s eyes narrowed dangerously, and the tension coiled tight between us.

“Don’t pretend you know my story, Cadence.”

“Oh, because you’re such an open book,” I scoffed.

I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him as my anger intensified, matching his.

“I never wanted this, Ryker. I didn’t ask for this magic, this bond, this fucking life. But I’m here, trying to survive it the only way I know how.”

Ryker eliminated the space between us, his hot breath fanning across my lips as he exhaled.

“Survive?” he repeated, his voice deadly calm. “You think keeping secrets like this from me is how you survive? Do you know what would have happened to you if anyone had found out about this before I did?”

“Do you think me a fool?” I snapped. “This has been my entire life, Ryker, hence the secret. I promised my aunt that I would never reveal my magic to anyone, and I’ve kept that promise. Until now.”

Ryker’s hand shot out, and he gripped my chin as he forced me to look at him. I raised my hands in defense, the threat lingering between us. If Ryker intended to end me, I wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“You think you could kill me, Temptress?” he asked with a dark edge underlying his tone.

“Yes,” I lied.

“Then do it,” he gritted out. “Free me from this godsforsaken bond and spare me the agony of craving your touch, every minute of every day, but knowing I’ll never truly have you, because your hatred is stronger than your affection. Do. It. Cadence.”

We stared at each other, our ragged breaths the only sound that cut through the suffocating silence.

“Fuck,” Ryker growled, and then he slammed his lips against mine.

He laced one hand through my hair, and he squeezed the nape of my neck to the point of pain. His other hand gripped my hip, pulling me flush against his muscular frame.

Despite my better judgment, I melted into his touch. My arms wrapped around his neck, and he groaned as I deepened the kiss. His tongue warred with mine, and his teeth sank into my lip hard enough to draw blood.

Ryker stepped back, breaking our connection and leaving me panting. He ran a hand through his hair, and for a long moment, he was silent, his gaze distant as he processed my confession.

When he finally spoke, his tone was rough but confident.

“You need to stay here, Cadence,” he said, his voice dripping with authority. “I mean it. Do not leave this room.”

“What are you going to do?” I asked, the suspicion in my tone making him bristle.

“I’m going to ensure your safety,” he rumbled as he strode toward the door.

His hand reached out and gripped the doorknob. His shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath, and he cast one last glance in my direction before he left the room.

I released a shaky breath and placed a hand on my stomach to settle the unease whirling inside me.

It was going to be all right. Ryker would protect me, just as he had promised.

But the illusion dissolved when I heard a noise that condemned Ryker forever.

The sound of the lock sliding into place.