Chapter 43
forty-three
. . .
ryker
I am trying to focus on reading these new reports about the veil instead of the smile on Trysten's face. I didn’t plan on returning early, but for some damn reason, I missed her and couldn’t wait.
Do I care one bit? No. I’m man enough to own how thoroughly she owns me.
Bond or no Bond. Prophecy or no prophecy.
I’ve been falling for this girl for years.
And then last night, gods, I couldn’t keep my hands off her.
Last night, we wandered into shops looking at trinkets and books.
I told her about the tree on Sgya, the one I had been searching for, and explained my mother’s depression to her.
Thankfully, the bark from the Butterfly Woodbine was exactly what my mother needed.
By the time I had left Malaya, my mother was already feeling much better.
The rest of the evening, we sat at a bar and ate pub food that was a little too greasy, and she may have gotten a little tipsy from the dryerstead. She made me dance with her, and she had rested her head on my chest.
Visions of our future and what it could be assaulted me. By the time we returned to the pod, she was exhausted and fell asleep with her head in my lap. This time, I did carry her straight to bed, and Aolyn just cooed like she’d been witnessing a fairytale.
“This doesn’t make sense,” I say, slamming my Prism onto the desk. The reports show no new activity, but I can feel it. It’s as strong as before. An icy rage trickles through me.
Trysten leans against the wall, crossing his ankles.
“Ry, we need to talk about Raea's powers. She almost lost control.” That gets my attention as I look up. I’m about to respond when there’s a knock at the door.
“I’ll be on the terrace and give you two some privacy.
” He slaps my shoulder, disappearing as I reach the door and swing it open.
It isn’t Raea standing there, but Sienna. “Hey.” I lean against the door, blocking her way in.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” she asks. I shake my head, shoving my hands into my pockets. “I just need to tell you something personal. Please.”
I stare at her for a moment, grinding my molars. Then I step back—not to welcome her in, but to make it clear there’s no invitation in my silence. I put as much space between us as I can without making it obvious just how badly I want her gone.
“Talk, Sienna. I have things to do.”
She pouts. “Why are you being like this?” she says, voice all hurt and soft. “I thought we were friends.”
Godsdamn.
“We are. And I said I’m busy.”
She grins and pulls open her cloak, revealing her naked body. Her robes slip from her shoulders in one fluid, practiced motion, pooling around her bare feet.
“Sienna.” I hiss, turning away, my body going taut. Not from desire—never from that—but from the effort it takes not to throw her out myself. “Get dressed and get out, now.”
Fingertips glide up my back. My skin crawls. “I want you,” she breathes. “Let me make you feel good. You’ve been so tense lately.”
Trysten makes an appearance then. His eyes widen for a heartbeat before narrowing into something sharper with understanding.
I shake my head, and his gaze falls on her. “Sienna,” he says coolly.
There’s a false smile on his face that doesn’t reach his eyes. He hates Sienna more than I do, which is a recent development for me. I’ve always pitied her. He, however, hasn’t ever given her the time of day.
“Trysten,” she responds coyly. “Wanna play with us?”
A low growl works its way up my throat.
"I’m not really into forcing myself upon people who don’t want me,” he says flatly.
I take another step, boxed in between my bed and the disaster she’s making of my night. “Leave, Sienna. I don’t want you. This is the last time I’ll say it. I won’t offer you this kindness again. Now get out.”
She scoffs. “How would you know? I’d be the best lay you’ve ever had. Is it because of that pathetic princess who keeps following you around?”
That does it. That cold, quiet part of me rises—the part that doesn’t yell.
Doesn’t plead. Only ends things. Too many times has she shown up at my door wearing thin clothing that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination, and too many times she has attempted to seduce me.
But now she’s going to bring Raea into this?
I rake my hands through my hair, already regretting not calling Rune minutes ago.
“I’m done asking.” My voice is deadly calm. “Get out. Now. Or I’ll call Rune and let him drag you out by the hair.” My hands curl into fists. There’s no way I can remove her myself without giving her the satisfaction of looking at her. “I’m serious,” I growl. “Get. Out.”
Trysten snorts, crossing his arms. “Bye,” he says, waving his fingers.
Melodically, she replies, “You’re not a good liar, Ryker.” She drags a nail down my back. “That haughty bitch doesn’t even know you.”
Another long drag of her nails. Her touch makes me want to vomit. Anger floods in—cold, sharp, and final. Like steel drawn under moonlight. If she ever comes close to touching me again, she’s done.
She steps back—maybe sensing it, maybe just out of smug satisfaction—but as luck would have it, the door clicks open.
I turn at the same time everyone looks to see Raea entering my room.
I added her fingerprint to the lock and told her to use my room whenever she needed to be alone.
Never pictured this being a scenario she walked in on.
“I—” Raea starts, eyes flicking between the three of us.
Sienna’s cloak is draped over her arm, and what she is wearing barely qualifies as clothing. The whisper-thin silk robe hangs open, revealing everything.
"It’s not what it looks like.” I stride across the room, my steps eating up the distance quickly.
Raea looks to Trysten, who immediately nods. “It’s not,” he says firmly.
Sienna’s voice slices through the air. “Why does she have access to your room, Ryker? Are you bedding her now?”
Trysten moves first. “He told you to leave. You’re humiliating yourself.”
I wrap my arms around Raea, feeling her tremble. “I swear, she just showed up. Nothing happened.”
She barely nods before turning to Sienna. “Guess you won’t be bagging yourself a king.” She’s trying to hide the tremble in her voice, but I hear it.
Trysten coughs, hiding a chuckle.
“And since Cole isn’t here to fall for your act, maybe you’ll have to settle for a Lord. I could help you find someone…if you’re that desperate.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. Gods, who is this girl? Raea is usually poised and reserved except when it comes to me.
And I love this side of her.
I curl a hand around her waist, pulling her back against me. If we didn’t have an audience, I’d consider throwing her on my bed and worshipping her, mental shield in place or not. It shouldn’t turn me on as much as it does, but then again, everything Raea does turns me on.
Sienna scoffs. “Desperate? If I was desperate, I’d be on my knees again, sucking him until he was growling my name. He liked it well enough last time.”
Raea flinches while I sigh.
“That was six years ago. I was drunk. It meant nothing.” I turn to face Sienna fully now, my voice like ice. “I don’t even remember it. But clearly, you do. If that’s what you’re clinging to, that one mistake, then that says everything.”
Sienna’s cheeks flush with color. She yanks her cloak around her. “Enjoy the bore,” she snaps. “You’ll grow tired of her soon enough.”
She throws the door open—only to find Kuron and Rune outside, trying their best to look serious. I know Rune well enough to catch the amusement he’s failing to hide. The door slams closed a moment later.
“I swear—” I start, but Raea’s already pulling away.
Hurt. Confusion. Fury. It’s all written across her face, cycling too fast to pin down.
“Please,” I say, reaching for her wrist. “Let me explain.” She turns, tears already streaking down her cheeks.
“It’s not what it looked like,” I whisper, hating how raw I sound. How vulnerable.
“Why? Why was she here?” she asks, her voice breaking as she pulls her arm away before shoving me.
I step back, more from fear that I’ve lost her. Betrayal settles on her face as she pushes me again. Her palms are hot against my chest. More tears fill her eyes, but the hurt on her face wraps around my heart like a vice.
“All year, I’ve had to watch her flirt with you, and you just let her, and now…” Her chest heaves. “What do you want from me? I can’t be that.” She gestures for the door.
“Everything!” I snap. “I want your pain, Raea, the darkest parts of you, even your tears as long as I’m not the one putting them in your eyes. I want everything. And I want you to believe me that nothing happened just now. I want you, not her. It’s always been you, Raea. Always.”
She shakes her head. "Are you sure?” she cries. “I trust that nothing happened, but she was naked in your room, and I can’t compete with her.” She swipes angrily at the tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. This all happened so damn fast.
I reach for her again, slowly, waiting to see if she’ll pull away.
When she doesn’t, I take her hand, guiding it to my heart, sending a wave of cool through her.
She whimpers, attempting to swallow her tears.
When she refuses to look at me, I tilt her chin up.
"There’s no competition, there never has been, and if you believe anything I say, believe that.
” I grind my molars, hating all of this.
How can she not understand that she’s perfect for me? She’s everything I’ve ever wanted.