Chapter Forty-Three
Cadence
My footsteps echoed down the empty hall as I wrung my hands, unable to stifle the dread that had settled in my stomach the second Callum slipped past the gatehouse.
If he’d been caught… I couldn’t imagine what would happen to him. All I knew was that I would stop at nothing to free him. Even if that meant tearing the Unseelie Kingdom apart piece by piece.
Whispered shouts up ahead pulled me from my spiraling thoughts, and I paused as I strained to hear what was being said.
“You served one purpose. One!” The voice sounded familiar, though I couldn’t place it.
“If your cunt’s so worthless the Prince got bored with it, maybe I’ll hand you over to Lord Ensworth and see if he’s less picky,” the man said with a sneer.
A small whimper followed. “Please, Uncle. I c-can’t b-breathe.”
I knew that voice all too well.
Celeste.
“My brother was too soft on you. If he’d disciplined you as I told him to, we wouldn’t be in this predicament.”
“U-uncle,” she said, the single word punctuated with a wheeze.
Before I could stop myself, I rounded the corner and came face to face with Lord Barrington, Celeste red-faced and pinned to the wall. She was clawing at his wrists, fighting desperately for every shallow intake of air.
Eric Barrington had replaced his brother, Dara, as head of the family following his untimely demise.
Another death that landed at Ryker’s feet.
“Let her go this instant.”
I almost didn’t recognize my voice. It was harsh and laced with malice, leaving no room for him to mistake my intentions.
He glanced toward me. His eyes ran the length of my body before he dismissed me, returning his attention to his niece.
“This doesn’t concern you.”
My hand flew to the dagger at my hip, and I slowly pulled it free.
“Do not make me repeat myself. Let. Her. Go.”
A sinister chuckle escaped Lord Barrington as he licked his lips. “And what do you plan to do with that toothpick?”
“You’re about to find out.”
Celeste was growing frantic now; her face was so red, it wouldn’t be long before she lost consciousness.
Lord Barrington shifted, angling his body toward me, but not enough for Celeste to break free. “This is a family mat—”
I didn’t let him finish. Instead, I lunged forward, raking my blade over the back of his palm. Lord Barrington screamed, dropping Celeste to the ground. Her ragged coughs filled the space between us, and her sharp inhale had relief coursing through me.
“You fucking bitch!” he spat. “You’re going to pay for that!”
He stood, his free hand clutching his bloodied one by the wrist as he prowled towards me. I retrieved my other dagger, taking up a defensive position as he advanced.
“U-uncle, stop.” Celeste’s voice was barely audible as she struggled to push the words past her brutalized throat. “S-she’s married to the Prince. Touch her, and he will end you.”
A vicious grin tipped my lips. “She’s not wrong, but I’m willing to play if you are.”
His footsteps faltered, the thought of Ryker’s retribution giving him pause. He looked at me, then back at his niece, still crumpled on the floor.
“This isn’t over.” He snarled the words through clenched teeth as he backed away. Blood dripped between his fingers, staining the polished marble. “The Prince won’t always be around to protect you.”
“I don’t need his protection,” I said, keeping my daggers raised. “But you might.”
Lord Barrington’s eyes narrowed to slits, his face mottled with rage. For a moment, I thought he’d lunge for me despite the warning, but self-preservation won out as he retreated farther.
“Come, Celeste.”
I moved between them, blocking her from view. “She stays with me.”
“That girl is Barrington property.”
“That woman,” I said, my voice dangerously low, “is a person. The next time you forget, it will be your last.”
With one final venomous glare at Celeste, he turned and stormed down the corridor, muttering curses under his breath.
I waited until he disappeared around the corner before sheathing my weapons and rushing to Celeste’s side. She was still gasping for air, her delicate hands trembling as they massaged her throat.
“Are you all right?”
She tried to nod but winced, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. Dark bruises were already blooming across her pale skin where her uncle’s fingers had been. The sight made my stomach churn with fury.
The gods knew I’d seen enough violence in my life, but watching someone throttle a woman who had no capacity to defend herself ignited something savage in my chest.
“Don’t talk,” I said, rubbing her back. “Just breathe.”
Celeste’s eyes met mine, wide with a mixture of gratitude and shame that made me uncomfortable. She looked so fragile sitting there on the cold marble floor, her silk gown torn at the shoulder from her uncle’s grip.
Her breathing gradually steadied, though each inhale still sounded labored. “Why did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Help me.”
Her eyes filled with tears once more, and she lifted her hand to her face as she swiped them away. “I have been awful to you. I’ve given you every reason to hate me, so why would you put yourself at risk for me?”
Her question caught me by surprise. Truth be told, I hadn’t paused long enough to consider the ramifications. I saw she needed help, and I acted.
“Enemy or ally, it doesn’t matter. He had no right to lay his hands on you.”
Celeste swallowed thickly, and she flinched from the pain. “Thank you. But you shouldn’t have intervened. He’ll make you pay for this. Make us both pay.”
“Can you stand?” I asked, ignoring her warning.
This time, she managed a small nod, and I helped her to her feet. She swayed as she straightened, but I caught her by the elbow to balance her. Her breathing was still labored, but the color was returning to her face.
“I’ll take you to the healers’ wing.”
We walked in silence as we traversed the winding hallways. Celeste’s whole body quivered, and she appeared lost in thought. When we reached the doorway that would lead us to the healers, she stopped, her arm darting out to grab me.
“It wasn’t true. What my uncle said.”
Seeing the confusion written all over my face, she sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.
“I never slept with Ryker.” She peered up at me from under her lashes. “You’re the only one he sees.”
I nodded, unsure how to feel about her admission.
On one hand, it was intoxicating to have caught a monster’s attention, to know he was so enraptured with me that he saw no one else.
But belonging to a monster didn’t equate to love. Ryker only understood obsession, and sooner or later, that obsession would destroy us both… if it hadn’t already.
Clearing my throat, I said, “Do you want me to come with you?”
Celeste shook her head, and the silence stretched between us, creating an awkward sort of tension.
“I should —”
“I’ll just —”
We both exhaled a laugh.
“Thank you,” Celeste said.
I gave her a warm smile and then headed on my way.
I wasn’t sure what exactly, but something had shifted between us. We weren’t friends, we weren’t even allies, but we were no longer enemies.
And for now, that would do.