Chapter Eleven
Ryker
The thick stone walls of the palace did little to keep out the whispers.
They were crawling through the corridors like a sickness. Every noble with a loose tongue was already spreading the news of Lord Thorne’s demise. Unlike the servants, however, they lacked the survival instincts that urged them to remain quiet and unnoticeable whenever I lurked nearby.
And they dared to look down on the staff as if they were superior fae.
Cadence hadn’t said a word since we’d left the dining hall. Her brows were furrowed, and she played with the loose strands of her hair.
I didn’t interrupt her musings. Instead, I watched her as she turned her thoughts over inside her mind, incapable of doing anything else.
My gaze traveled the length of her body.
The way she swayed her hips with every step was unintentional.
She had no idea of the effect she had on me, how easily she could ruin me.
Riordan was right. She was fire. Wild, defiant, and mesmerizing.
I had meant it when I said I’d commit terrible acts to keep her by my side, because she was my calm and my chaos — the heart of my storm — and the entire world quieted when she was near.
I had faced down enemies, outnumbered and bleeding. From the moment my powers manifested, I’d survived more than a dozen attempts on my life. I had even battled monsters that were born of nightmares. And not one of those experiences unnerved me.
But Cadence? She unraveled me with a single look.
I had no idea what thoughts occupied her mind, only that she was scheming. A small smile tugged at my lips. My Temptress had promised to be my ruin, and I couldn’t fucking wait to see what she had planned for me.
We turned the corner, marching through the hallway that led to our chambers. When we reached the door, I pushed it open and allowed Cadence to precede me. She moved through the antechamber quickly, eager to check in with Callum, I assumed.
When my gaze landed on my brother, irritation flared inside me. Riordan was sprawled across my bed, balancing a goblet of wine on the wooden frame with the poise of a man unafraid of gravity.
“Are you comfortable, Riordan?” I asked, unable to conceal the snarl that stained my words.
I folded my arms across my chest and leaned against the doorframe. My brother raised himself onto his elbows, peering over at me with a mischievous grin.
“Very much so, Ryker. Thank you for asking.”
He lifted his goblet to his lips and drank greedily. The contented sigh that escaped him only inflamed my irritation.
“Get the fuck off my bed.”
Riordan returned his attention to me and straightened. A hand rested over his heart, and his mouth was wide in feigned horror.
“Brother, it almost seems as if you are displeased to see me?” he said, his eyes glinting with mirth I did not reciprocate.
I ran a hand through my hair, tugging on the strands, hoping the pain would ground me.
I would not murder my brother.
“What did I do to offend the gods to be saddled with a brother like you?” I muttered.
“That list is quite long, I’m afraid,” Riordan said, a little too pleased with himself.
A chuckle sounded across the room, drawing my gaze to where Cadence and Callum stood. As if just realizing he’d laughed at Riordan’s joke, Callum scowled at my brother and returned his attention to his sister.
Riordan’s face broke into a broad and somewhat deranged grin. I could see the wheels turning as he plotted to upend Callum’s life in the way only he could.
“I need to speak with you,” I said to Riordan as I tilted my head toward the antechamber.
He swung his legs off my bed with exaggerated grace, wine sloshing dangerously close to the rim of his goblet.
“Spill a single drop, and I will rip your throat out,” I warned.
“You wound me, Brother.” His gaze darted to Callum before settling back on me. “And after I have worked so hard to establish the newfound camaraderie in our little group.”
I caught the way Callum’s shoulders tensed, his jaw tightening as he angled himself away from Riordan.
“Enough. You can play your games later.”
Riordan pouted. “Forgive me, sweetheart, as it appears your husband requires my sage counsel.”
Cadence chuckled and waved him off.
“I’ll be back soon, Killer,” he purred, winking at Callum.
I craned a brow. “Killer?”
“He gave it his best shot, and that’s all that matters.”
“You named him Killer because he tried to snuff out my existence?”
“I did!” Riordan grinned.
“You’re the worst fucking brother anyone could have asked for.”
“Come on, Ryker. Don’t get all moody. It’s not like you didn’t deserve it.”
He had a point, but I wasn’t about to concede that. Instead, I narrowed my eyes at him, and Riordan raised his hands in surrender.
“Fine, fine. Now tell me why you dragged me out here and away from the dreamy male specimen I was unabashedly ogling?”
“I took Cadence to the council meeting,” I said.
“I am aware, and?”
“And they weren’t pleased to have her there.”
“Surely that did not surprise you, Ryker.”
“It did not. What did surprise me was Lord Thorne’s blatant disrespect towards her, even though I stood at her side.”
“Crazy old fool has lost his marbles.”
“He’s lost more than that.”
Riordan groaned, rubbing his hand down his face. “You killed him, didn’t you?”
“You have to ask?”
“Not really.” Riordan sucked air into his cheeks before exhaling. “Fallon will take his seat, and he’s more of an asshole than his father was.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Did you bring me out here to tell me your homicidal tendencies got the best of you? That’s a conversation we could have had inside. Trust me when I say no one would be the least bit surprised.”
“You know the council better than I do,” I said, ignoring his taunting. “Are they stupid enough to retaliate?”
“Against you? Not a chance.” Riordan pursed his lips. “Against Cadence, though… if they’re brave enough to disrespect her in front of you, they’re bolder than we thought.”
I ran a hand over my nape and sank into a nearby chair. “Their fear makes them reckless. The raids on the food supplies are only the beginning.”
“Do you think it’s connected? The raids and their discontent?”
“Their discontent is nothing new. Whoever’s behind the raids knows the palace infrastructure, the convoy routes. They’re coordinated.”
Riordan let out a breath. “You suspect someone on the council.”
“I suspect all of them, and I won’t make the mistake of thinking they’ll stay cowardly forever.”
He tapped his fingers against his goblet. “That’s why you’re finally assigning her a guard.”
I glanced toward my brother.
Riordan grinned. “Don’t look so surprised. I know how that dark mind of yours works. Shadows and secrets and brooding stares. You’re very predictable.”
“She won’t like it.”
“She’ll hate it,” Riordan said, a little too gleeful for my liking. “You should pick someone she’s fond of to lessen the chance of anyone getting stabbed.”
“Hilarious,” I deadpanned.
“I thought so.”
“I’m assigning Eamon the task.”
“Good choice.” Riordan mused. “He likes her, and I know she enjoys his witty charm.”
“His charm better not be too witty, lest he find himself incapable of breathing.”
Riordan chuckled. “Never a dull moment with you around.”
His gaze swung back toward the room where Cadence and Callum waited.
“Now, if you don’t mind, I have a Killer to tame.” He rubbed his hands together, and his eyes lit up at the prospect of a challenge.
“Riordan.”
My brother turned his gaze back to mine, expectant. “Someone has to keep a close eye on him. I don’t trust him.”
“Since you asked so politely, Ryker, I will volunteer my time.”
I snorted. “Just don’t let your dick do the thinking.”
“Never failed me before,” he called over his shoulder before disappearing out of sight.