Chapter Sixty
Cadence
The moment my feet settled outside Riordan’s chambers, unease washed over me, sharp and uninvited. The weight of what I’d learned pressed against my chest, and guilt clawed its way up my throat, bitter and choking.
Knowing my own father had been the one to torture him made my stomach twist.
The sins of my father weren’t new to me, but this one… it hurt.
Riordan was my friend, and it was my blood who had harmed him. I couldn’t fathom the softness in his gaze when everything about me should have hardened it.
“Temptress,” Ryker said. “Are you all right?”
I closed my eyes, letting out a slow breath as I worked to quiet my turbulent thoughts.
“How will he ever forgive me?” My voice was soft, barely audible, but the pain was unmistakable.
Ryker gripped my chin, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. “You are not responsible for the transgressions of your father, Temptress.”
“But —”
“No, you need to hear this.”
Ryker’s gaze seared my flesh, the storm in his steel-grey eyes enough to make my spine lock straight.
“You are not your father,” he said, each word crisp and sharp. “Not even close. You think I’m going to let you carry that weight for him?” His grip tightened, holding me in place. “Your father is a bastard, Cadence. You owe him nothing, least of all your guilt. You hear me?”
I nodded, but it wasn’t enough for him.
“Say it,” he demanded.
My throat worked around the words, hesitation clawing at me. But his intense gaze left me nowhere to hide.
“I am not my father.”
“Good girl.” Ryker pressed his lips to my forehead, his breath hot against my skin. “Ready?”
I gave a curt nod, and he rapped his knuckles against the polished wood.
“Didn’t take you for someone who knocks,” I said, my eyebrow lifting in amusement.
Ryker groaned. “Trust me, I learned that lesson the hard way.”
Before I could question him further, the door swung open, revealing a half-naked Riordan lounging in the entryway. The sweat coating his body gleamed in the dim light, highlighting every cut and dip of his muscular frame.
My mouth felt dry, and I couldn’t force myself to look away. A slow, sexy smile spread across his lips, as if he knew exactly what effect his bare chest was having on me.
Ryker stiffened beside me, and a low growl rumbled up his throat in warning.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite type of trouble,” Riordan said, ignoring Ryker as he winked at me.
“Put on a fucking shirt,” Ryker snarled. His brother threw his head back, filling the space with his laughter.
My gaze darted to his loose sleeping pants that did little to hide the rest of his physique, and I quickly averted my eyes. But when they landed on the naked man occupying his bed, my breath got caught in my throat, making me splutter.
“Callum?”
“Fuck.”
My brother reached for the sheets, dragging them up his body until every inch of him was covered, save for his head.
“What’s going on?”
I glanced between Callum and Riordan. The former looked like he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole, while the latter couldn’t keep the triumphant grin off his face.
“You want to tell them, Killer?”
Callum groaned, running a hand through his hair.
“No?” Riordan smirked. Turning to me, he said, “Your brother is an ass man now.”
“That’s my sister,” Callum protested.
At the same time, Ryker said, “No one needed that visual, Riordan.” Lowering his voice, he added, “You’re the Unseelie Prince, and you let that fucker top you?”
“Don’t be so close-minded, Brother.” He patted Ryker’s cheek, who looked as though he wanted to murder Callum.
“The sweetest rewards usually lie just beyond the edge of comfort.” Riordan wiggled his brows at his brother, who rolled his eyes before storming into the room.
“Sure, all right, let’s ignore the fact that I’m naked. Come right in,” Callum muttered.
“Don’t worry, Killer, I’ll protect your modesty.” The twinkle in Riordan’s eyes told me he was enjoying every second of Callum’s discomfort.
“A piece of advice, Callum,” Ryker said, claiming everyone’s attention. “Never ask my brother to suck your cock. He has a penchant for choking.”
The entire room fell silent as we all stared at Ryker.
“What?” he said, feigning innocence. “It’s true.”
“Your timing, as always, is impeccable.” Riordan scowled. “I was going for irresistible, hoping for a repeat performance, and then you had to open your mouth and ruin it.”
Ryker smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. He knew exactly what he was doing.
“Fuck you,” his brother grumbled the second he came to the same realization.
My focus shifted to Callum, scanning what little I could see of him for signs of injury. He’d been close to death not long ago, but he already looked better.
“Is this a good idea?” I asked, gesturing between him and Riordan. “How are you feeling? Do you need me to check your wound?”
“Gods, Cadence. We are not doing this right now.”
“You were bleeding out on the floor mere hours ago, or have you forgotten?”
“How could I forget when the asshole standing next to you refused to let you heal me, making the experience that much more delightful?”
Ryker snorted. “You fucking deserved that and more.”
“All right,” Riordan drawled. “As lovely as this has been, care to explain the reason for your visit?”
Ryker wasted no time diving into the details of our earlier discussion, recounting everything I had shared about the Crimson Enclave and their plans.
“Well, shit,” Riordan said, running his hand over the nape of his neck. “So dear old Dad is back.”
“Riordan, I —”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
Tears stung my eyes, and I nodded as I tried to swallow past the lump in my throat.
“Come here.”
Before I could protest, Riordan bundled me up in his arms, his hands rubbing soothing circles over my spine.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Not you, sweetheart. Never you.”
Someone cleared their throat, and we broke apart.
“I want to go after Fallon,” Ryker said, breaking the silence. His gaze flicked to me. “But I acknowledge a certain… subtlety is required.”
He shifted, his jaw tight, as if he’d tried swallowing the words before they could leave his mouth.
“Ouch.” Riordan grinned at his brother. “That looked painful to admit.”
“Shut up.”
Riordan chuckled, but he didn’t push him any further.
“How do you plan to deal with Fallon?” Callum asked.
Ryker stared at him like he was an idiot. “We kill him.”
Callum blinked. “Right. Should have known.”
“After we have extracted whatever information we require, and only when we can ensure his sudden disappearance won’t alert my father to our plans,” I said, sending Ryker a pointed look.
“Of course.” He made it sound as if it were obvious, but I caught the glint in his eye that hinted it was anything but.
“Perfect.” Riordan clasped his hands together. “If there is nothing else…” he trailed off, his hungry gaze appraising my brother.
“One more thing,” I said, waving my cuffed wrists in the air. “I want these off.”
“Temptress —”
“No, Ryker. Are we partners, or not?”
“Your power is a death sentence, Cadence. If anyone found out you are one of the Wraith Borne, my father will not hesitate to kill you.”
“All the more reason I need my magic.”
“She’s right, Brother,” Riordan said.
With a sigh, Ryker removed the key from his pocket and stalked toward me, unlocking one cuff and then the other. When he was done, he lifted both wrists to his mouth, placing gentle kisses where the cuffs once sat.
“We are partners, Cadence. We’ll do this together.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” The flustered voice pulled my attention from Ryker’s fierce gaze.
Scarlette stood in the doorway, fresh linens bundled in her arms as she glanced around the room.
My eyes roamed her face, hunting for any clue that she’d heard our earlier conversation.
“I can come back,” she said, her cheeks turning a dark shade of red.
Relief coursed through me when she appeared more embarrassed than alarmed.
What sinful games had Riordan been playing in his chambers to provoke that reaction?
On second thought, it was none of my business.
“No need, Scarlette,” Ryker said, taking my hand in his. “We were just leaving.”