Chapter Nineteen
Ryker
My morning was ruined the moment I rolled over and felt the absence of my wife. Cadence had joined Eamon and Callum in the training yard every day this week, and I was growing tired of sharing her attention.
Her brother was a distraction I didn’t need, and if Riordan didn’t find a way to occupy him soon, then I might just kill him, damn the consequences.
Cadence was mine, and only mine.
“Ryker!”
My head jerked toward the sound, and I found Riordan sprinting down the hallway toward me.
“Just the man I was thinking about.”
“Weird, but I don’t judge.”
I rolled my eyes at my younger brother. “What do you want?”
Riordan gave a small shake of his head as if clearing his thoughts. “Cadence has been summoned to the throne room.”
A muscle in my jaw ticked, and my hands curled into fists. “What do you mean she was summoned?” I said through gritted teeth.
“Father called for her, that’s all I know.”
I was already moving before my brother finished speaking. My feet carried me toward the throne room with deadly intent, and my shadows writhed beneath my skin, begging to be let out to play.
I reached for the bond I shared with Cadence, and I could feel how her pulse quickened with unease.
My father was a dead man, he just didn’t know it yet.
When I got to the hall, I shoved the ornate doors open without ceremony, my power slamming against the stone walls with a thunderous crack. The guards flanking the entrance flinched as darkness seeped from my skin.
Heads swiveled toward me, but my focus remained on her.
My mate.
She was standing before my father’s throne, her spine straight and her shoulders tense.
“Tread carefully, Ryker,” Riordan warned before disappearing into the crowd.
He was likely searching for Callum. That thought dulled the fury burning in my chest. Cadence would want her brother protected.
I continued toward the dais, and courtiers scattered the closer I came, pressing themselves against the walls as if they could disappear into the stone.
My father sat on his throne, one leg crossed over the other, the picture of arrogance. His hands were steepled beneath his chin, and his eyes tracked me as I made my approach.
“Son,” he drawled from his gilded seat, his voice carrying across the cavernous room. “How kind of you to join us… uninvited as you are.”
I ignored him as I crossed the polished floor to where Cadence stood. The air surrounding me darkened with each step as my shadows pooled at my feet like spilled ink.
“Are you all right, Temptress?” I asked low enough that only she could hear.
She gave a slight nod, but I could feel her anxiety radiating down the bond like a second heartbeat. I wrapped my arm around her waist, and she sank into my embrace, letting me know something was very wrong.
“I was just explaining to your wife the purpose of my summons.”
“Listen closely, Father, as I will only say this once. If you ever send men after my wife again, I’ll rip out your throat without blinking.”
My father stiffened, but quickly regained his composure. “There is no need for threats, Son. We were merely having a friendly chat.”
“Whatever you have to say to Cadence, you can say to me.”
“Very well,” my father said as he straightened his coat. “I have received notice of an objection.”
“Speak plainly. An objection to what?”
My father’s gaze locked onto mine, and a small smirk pulled up his lips.
“The Unseelie Fae have a proud history of strong leadership. Our monarchs have always been powerful, cunning, and ruthless.”
Murmurs of approval broke out amongst the crowd, and my father lifted his hand to silence them.
“We have worked to ensure our bloodlines remain… pure, potent even.” His eyes darted to Cadence in disgust, and a low growl rumbled up my throat in warning.
“Centuries ago,” my father went on, “our ancestors anticipated that future monarchs might make… unwise choices in their betrothals. To safeguard the Unseelie Fae from an unworthy ruler, and to prevent the dilution of our bloodlines, they established the Ascension Rite.”
My thoughts reeled as I tried to recall anything I might have learned about such a rite, but nothing came to mind.
“I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Riordan said as he stepped forward, claiming the position to my left.
“Oh, I promise you, it exists.” My father snapped his fingers, and a man appeared with an old leather-bound tome. The look on his face said it all.
He wasn’t playing.
“It is right here.”
Riordan marched toward the dais, ascending the stairs two at a time. I remained beside Cadence, unwilling to leave her side in this den of vipers, even for a moment.
My brother scanned the pages before he lifted his gaze and gave me a slight shake of his head.
My father had spoken the truth.
“The rite entails a series of trials to test the strength of the proposed ruler. You have taken Cadence as your wife, and therefore, she is destined to be the next Queen of the Unseelie Fae.”
My jaw clenched, and I narrowed my eyes at my father. “Why has this practice not occurred in recent history?”
My father was downright giddy with anticipation. “The rite is only invoked if one of the governing families raises concerns about the suitability of the proposed ruler.”
My eyes landed on the council members, and they bowed their heads, unwilling to meet my gaze. “Which family?”
My shadows writhed across the floor like serpents, and the temperature dropped, making frost appear on the ornate windows. I was already imagining how I would end their bloodline in the most horrific ways.
My father curled his fingers towards his chest, and a figure emerged from the crowd. Her blond waves were twisted into an elegant braid, and she inclined her head in mock respect. Then her pale eyes fixed on Cadence with barely concealed contempt.
“Celeste.” The venom dripping from my tone made her flinch, but she schooled her features.
“Your Majesty,” she said, her voice sweet like honey. “I speak only out of love for our kingdom. You must understand our reservations about a stranger ascending to the throne.”
“You care for nothing but your own self-interest, Celeste,” I said, seething. “Now remove yourself from my presence before I do something only you will regret.”
Celeste scampered off, disappearing back into the crowd.
“I refuse,” I declared, crossing my arms over my chest.
Cries of protest erupted from the onlookers, but I ignored them. I would not risk Cadence for petty jealousy.
“Ryker,” my brother said, insistent. “You court civil war. We need a plan first.”
“That’s easy for you to say. It’s not your mate they are risking.”
“We don’t even know what the trials entail. It may not be as bad as you think.”
Before I could respond, a soft but firm voice silenced me.
“I accept.”