Chapter Twenty
Ryker
I turned to face my wife. Her spine was rigid, and she tilted her chin with the quiet authority of someone born to rule.
She was breathtaking.
And I had never wanted to strangle her more than I did in that moment.
“Cadence.” My voice was low and dangerous; a warning. “You have no idea what you’re agreeing to.”
Her eyes locked with mine, defiant and burning with an inner fire that both infuriated and captivated me. “I won’t be used as a pawn, Ryker. Not by you. And not by them.” She gestured toward the council members who sat huddled together, watching our exchange.
“This is exactly what they want! By playing into their games, you are becoming a pawn they can wield against me.”
Malice flashed in Cadence’s fiery gaze, and a sinister grin spread across her face. “That is because, like you, they underestimate me. Once I’ve conquered their petty trials, they are going to realize the gravity of that mistake.”
As angry as I was at my Temptress, her bold declaration and the wicked gleam in her eyes had my cock stiffening in my trousers.
“You will withdraw your acceptance,” I gritted out. Shadows coiled around my fingertips as I struggled to maintain my hold on my rage.
“I will not.”
My father’s laughter echoed through the throne room, bouncing off the high ceilings and stone floors. The sound grated against my nerves like a dull blade, and I curled my hands into fists to stop myself from strangling him with my shadows.
“This is marvelous,” my father said, his amusement clear for all to see.
“What will the trials entail?” Cadence asked, her voice steady despite the slight trembling in her hands.
My father rose from his throne, descending the steps with calculated grace. “Three trials of increasing difficulty.” When he reached us, he circled Cadence like a wolf on the prowl. “Mind, body, and magic. Each trial tests your worthiness to rule the Unseelie Fae.”
“When do they begin?” Cadence asked.
“Immediately.”
The smile on my father’s face made me murderous.
I whirled toward him, darkness pulsing from my skin in waves, causing the nearest courtiers to stumble back. “You will give us time to prepare.”
It was not a request.
My father hummed low in his throat, considering my demand as if he had any other choice in the matter.
“Very well,” he said. “Tomorrow.”
“You test my patience, Father. Keep pushing me, and you will not like the consequences.”
“That is sufficient,” Cadence said before I could act on my murderous impulses.
This woman would be the death of me. “No, it is not.”
Cadence turned toward me. The scowl on her face told me all I needed to know.
She was pissed, but so was I.
“I said it is sufficient,” she repeated through clenched teeth.
“And I said it was not.”
Our gazes locked, neither one of us willing to concede.
My father didn’t hesitate, choosing instead to capitalize on our disagreement. “Excellent,” he said, clapping his hands. “We will prepare for the trials to begin at noon tomorrow.”
Excited murmurs burst free as the crowd dispersed.
My gaze flicked to my father as he reclaimed his seat on the throne. He wore the confidence of a man who’d already won.
I approached the stairs leading to the dais. “You may think this is a victory, Father, but I promise you, it is the beginning of your end.”
My father’s smile dipped ever so slightly before he caught himself. “I guess we’ll see.”
The silence lingered, my hatred burning between us before I turned, leaving the throne room.
Just outside the door, Cadence, Riordan, Callum, and Eamon waited for me. I gripped Cadence by the elbow and pulled her away from the group.
“My wife and I have a few things to discuss,” I said, unable to conceal the edge to my tone. “If you will excuse us.”
“Ryker —” Riordan started, but I was already dragging Cadence down the corridor, my grip firm on her arm.
“Not now!”
The sound of a slight scuffle followed us, and I caught Cadence mouthing, “I’m fine,” to her brother.
I ignored them both.
Cadence wrenched free of my hold the moment we rounded the corner. “Don’t you dare manhandle me like some piece of property.”
I spun to face her, backing her against the stone wall with my body. My hands braced on either side of her head as I leaned in close, our faces inches apart.
“Property,” I chuckled, my voice rough and menacing. “You want to know what you are to me, Temptress?”
Her chin lifted, though her pulse fluttered at the base of her throat. “Enlighten me.”
“Every. Fucking. Thing. And you just agreed to risk it all to prove you’re not scared of those who don’t even warrant your attention.”
I pushed off the wall, needing some space to calm down. Cadence was staring at me as if she had never seen me before. Her eyes were wide, her mouth hanging open.
How could she not know that she’d already ruined me?
That every breath she took tightened the chains I willingly wrapped around my own fucking throat. I raked a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the desperation clawing through my chest.
“What the hell were you thinking?” I roared, my shadows exploding outward to coat the walls in writhing darkness.
Cadence didn’t flinch. Instead, she straightened her shoulders, her eyes blazing with defiance.
“You think I give a shit about the petty games and fragile egos of the council?” I stalked toward her, caging her in once more.
“I care about you, damn it. About protecting you. Keeping you safe. I can’t do that when you keep stepping into the fire just to prove you can’t be burned.”
Cadence’s expression shifted. Conflict, anger, and something softer flickered across her face.
“I am tired of being treated like a fragile doll that needs protecting, Ryker.” She crossed her arms as she glared at me. “I’m stronger than that, and you know it.”
“Your own stubbornness will be your downfall, woman.”
Cadence pushed against my chest, trying to create distance between us. “Get out of my way, Ryker.” She moved to the side as though she intended to step around me.
“Where do you think you’re going?” I rumbled, gripping her elbow once more. “We aren’t done here.”
Without waiting for her reply, I continued down the corridor, pulling her behind me.