Chapter 14
T he black Covenant owned SUV purred as it glided through the night, it’s headlights cutting through the darkness like twin blades. I sat in the back, my entire being focused on the girl beside me. Cadence. Our Consort. The poison running through my veins. I watched as she stared blankly out the window, her gaze unfocused and distant. The trees lining the road cast long, eerie shadows that danced across her pale skin. I longed to reach out and touch her, to feel the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips, to pull her close and whisper that everything would be alright. I reached out, unable to resist the urge to touch her, to reassure myself that she was really here, really ours. My fingers brushed against her hand, and I felt a thrill shoot through me at the contact. Cade flinched, pulling away as if burned. A flicker of disappointment coursed through me, but I pushed it aside. She just needs time , I told myself. She'll warm up to me. To us.
"It's okay," I murmured, keeping my voice low and soothing. "You're safe now." She didn't respond, didn't even look at me. But that was alright. I could be patient. After all, we had all the time in the world now.
In the front seat, Logan's eyes flickered to the rear view mirror, assessing Cade with that cold, calculating gaze of his. "She needs rest," he said, his voice carrying that unmistakable tone of command. I bristled at his words, a surge of possessiveness rising within me. Yes, Cade was ours collectively, but I couldn't shake the feeling that she was mine more than anyone else's. I was the one who had spent more time studying her, learning her every secret. I had spent the last two months preparing everything so that it would be perfect. Yes, for us, for me and my brothers, but a small part of me was certain that it was just for me. That she was just for me.
"I know," I replied, keeping my tone light despite the tension I felt. "I'm just trying to make her comfortable." Logan snorted, a sound of disbelief if I ever heard one.
"After what we just put her through? Give it a rest, Ryder. She needs time to process." His words stung, bringing back flashes of the Regent's Hunt, of Cade's terror and our ruthless pursuit.
For a moment, doubt crept in. Had we gone too far? Had I pushed for something that would ultimately destroy the very thing I sought to possess? No. I shook my head, banishing the traitorous thoughts as my mind wandered back to the events of the Regent's Hunt. The thrill of the chase, the intoxicating rush of power as we cornered Cade in that clearing. I could still hear her panicked breathing, see the fear in her eyes as she realised there was no escape. And then, the claiming ritual... A shiver of excitement ran down my spine at the memory. The way she had submitted, trembling and vulnerable as we marked her as ours. It had been perfect, everything I had dreamed of and more. Sure, she had resisted at first, but deep down, I knew she wanted it. She just didn't realise it yet.
Cole remained silent at the wheel, his jaw clenched tight as he focused on the road ahead. I caught his eye in the rear view mirror, noting the conflict that seemed to simmer just beneath the surface. Was he having second thoughts? I pushed the notion aside. Cole knew the stakes as well as any of us. He wouldn't back out now. Cade's entrance into our world may have been an unconventional one to most, but in our world, in the world of the Trivium elite, it was tradition. My own mother had been a Consort, and both my father and uncle had been Regents. Cole knew the world as much as I did, he had a legacy here as well. As long as no one found out that Cade was less than aware of what she was stepping into, everything would be just fine.
I turned my attention back to Cade, drinking in every detail of her appearance. Her hair, still damp from the shower she'd taken at the Courts House, clung to her neck in loose waves. The hoodie I'd provided swamped her small frame, making her look even more vulnerable than usual. My heart swelled with a mixture of protectiveness and possessiveness knowing she was already wearing my scent on her.
"Are you comfortable?" I asked, unable to bear the silence any longer. "We can adjust the temperature if you're cold." Cade's eyes flicked to me for the briefest of moments before returning to the window.
"I'm fine," she whispered, her voice so soft I had to strain to hear it. It was progress, I told myself. She'd spoken. That was something, wasn't it?
"We'll be home soon," I continued, ignoring the warning look Logan shot me in the mirror. "You'll love Covenant House, Cade. It's beautiful, and your room... well, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised." A small furrow appeared between Cade's brows, the only indication that she'd heard me. I wanted to smooth it away with my thumb, to erase every trace of worry from her perfect face. But I held back, reminding myself to take things slow. She needed time to adjust, to understand that this was her new reality.
As we drove, I found myself lost in fantasies of what our life together would be like. I imagined Cade slowly coming out of her shell, learning to trust us, to rely on us. I saw her smile, heard her laugh, felt her lean into me willingly. It would happen, I was sure of it. She just needed time.
"Tell me what you're thinking," I said softly, leaning closer to her. "Please, Cade. I want to understand." For a long moment, I thought she wouldn't respond. But then, so quietly I almost missed it, she spoke.
"I want to go home." My heart clenched at the pain in her voice, even as a part of me rejoiced that she was talking to me.
"You are home," I insisted gently. "With us. This is where you belong now." She shook her head, a single tear sliding down her cheek. Without thinking, I reached out to brush it away. Cade jerked back, pressing herself against the car door as if she could meld with it and disappear.
"Don't touch me," she hissed, the first real emotion I'd seen from her since the Hunt. I pulled my hand back, stung by her rejection, but also thrilled by the fire in her eyes. The Cade I knew was still in there, the one who had caught my attention in the first place when she had stood up to Logan. Fierce, defiant, unbreakable.
"I'm sorry," I said, holding my hands up in a gesture of peace. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just hate seeing you cry." Logan's voice cut through the tension like a knife.
"Enough, Ryder. Leave her be." I wanted to argue, to tell Logan to mind his own business. But I knew that would only make things worse. So, I sat back, my hands clenched into fists at my sides as I fought the urge to reach for Cade again.
The rest of the ride passed in tense silence. I spent it watching Cade, memorising every detail of her profile as she stared resolutely out the window. The way her chest rose and fell with each breath, the curve of her neck disappearing into the collar of the hoodie, the way her fingers twisted nervously in her lap. Every little movement, every subtle shift of her body, was endlessly fascinating to me. As we approached Covenant House, I felt a surge of excitement.
This was it. The moment I'd been waiting for, planning for, dreaming of for so long. Cade was finally here, where she belonged. The car slowed as we pulled up the long, winding driveway. Covenant House loomed before us, its imposing facade a stark contrast to the warmth I felt at the sight of it. Home. Our home. Cade's home. Cole brought the car to a smooth stop, and for a moment, no one moved. Then Logan was opening his door, the spell broken.
"Welcome home, Princess," he said, his voice carrying that note of finality that brooked no argument. If I hadn't been watching her so intently, I wouldn't have seen the slight flinch at his pet name for her. Jealousy surged up realising he was already so easily under her skin, when I had worked so hard to be a part of her, but I squashed it down as I saw Logan making his way around the car to open her door. I scrambled out of the car, eager to be the one to help Cade out. I pushed past Logan who grunted in response, and shot me a glare as I opened her door, offering my hand with what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
"Let me help you," I said softly. Cade hesitated, her eyes darting between my outstretched hand and the house looming behind me. For a heart-stopping moment, I thought she might refuse, might try to run. But then, slowly, she placed her small hand in mine. The contact sent a jolt through me, and I had to resist the urge to pull her into my arms. Instead, I gently helped her out of the car, my hand lingering in hers for perhaps a moment too long.
"This way," I said, gesturing towards the house with my free hand. "I can't wait to show you around."
As we walked towards the entrance, I couldn't contain my excitement. Words spilled out of me, a stream of chatter aimed at breaking through Cade's shell of silence. I told her about the flowers that bloomed, and how there was a swimming pool out back where first years slept. Logan opened the front door and we entered the house, the familiar scent of polished wood and old money enveloping us. Cade's eyes widened slightly as she took in the grand entryway, the sweeping staircase, the priceless artworks adorning the walls. Even for someone living in the Courts house, the Covenant house was impressive. I felt a surge of pride.
"That's the main living room there," I said, pointing to the first room. It was dark right now considering it was going on three in the morning, and Logan had warned the guys that we would be bringing the Consort home tonight. They knew to be out of the way. "And over there, that's where we usually have breakfast. Oh, and wait until you see the library! Do you like to read, Cade? I bet you do. You seem like the type. We have thousands of books, you know. Anything you could ever want to read." I paused, realising I was rambling. Cade's eyes were still vacant, showing no sign that she was absorbing any of what I was saying. But I pressed on, determined to get through to her somehow.
"Do you play video games?" I asked, changing tactics. "I love them. Maybe we could play together sometime. We have all the latest consoles." Still no response. I felt a flicker of frustration, though I quickly suppressed it.
Logan's voice cut through my thoughts. "Give it a rest, Ryder," he said, his tone yet again brooking no argument. "She needs sleep. We'll talk tomorrow." I wanted to protest, to insist that Cade needed company, and needed someone to help her adjust. But the look in Logan's eyes told me it would be futile. With a reluctant nod, I gave in. Then I remembered my biggest surprise.
"Your room is upstairs," I said, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. "Come on, I'll show you." I led the way up the stairs, hyper aware of Cade's presence behind me.
"We have the whole of the top floor to ourselves," I said as I walked up the stairs. We reached our floor, and I pointed out my room, and Cole's and then Logan's. "There is also a private living room and kitchen down there." I motioned in the opposite direction as I guided Cade towards the bedrooms, eager to show her what I had done with her room. As we reached the last door, I turned to her with a grin.
"Close your eyes," I said impulsively. "I want it to be a surprise." Cade hesitated, fear flashing across her face. Logan shot me a pointed look from behind Cade, and Cole rolled his eyes with a groan. I immediately regretted my words, cursing myself for pushing too far, too fast.
"It's okay," I backtracked quickly. "You don't have to. I just... I wanted it to be special." Logan growled, brushing past us to open the door himself.
"Enough theatrics, Ryder," he muttered. "Let's get this over with." I felt a flash of anger at Logan's dismissive attitude, but I pushed it aside. This wasn't about him. It was about Cade, about making her feel welcome, about showing her that this was where she belonged.
As the door swung open, I held my breath, watching Cade's face for her reaction. The room beyond was a masterpiece, if I did say so myself. I had overseen every detail, ensuring it would be perfect for her. I had spent the last couple of weeks on it, coming back from the summer holidays early to ensure that everything was just perfect.
Logan and Cole said it was too much, and the usual preparations would be fine, but I knew Cade was special and I needed her to know she was. The walls were a soft shade of purple, Cade's favourite colour. I'd made sure of that, just as I'd made sure of every other detail. The bed was large and inviting, covered in a big thick patterned cover in a deeper shade of purple. A plush armchair sat in one corner, perfect for curling up with a book. The desk by the window was equipped with a top-of-the-line laptop, ready for her use. But it was the little touches that I was most proud of.
The framed photographs on the dresser, carefully selected to remind her of home without being too painful. The bookshelf filled with titles I knew she loved, based on the research I'd done. The small stuffed animal sitting on the bed, an exact replica of one I'd seen in a photo of her childhood room.
"Well?" I said, unable to contain myself any longer. "What do you think? Do you like it?"
Cade stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide as she took in the room. I saw a flicker of something cross her face; recognition, perhaps? Or was it unease? I couldn't quite tell.
"It's... it's purple," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. I beamed, thrilled that she'd noticed.
"Your favourite colour!" I exclaimed. "I made sure of it. And look, the decorations match too. Purple's my favourite colour as well, you know. We have that in common." As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Cade's eyes snapped to mine, a look of suspicion replacing the blank stare she'd worn since we'd arrived. I saw the moment it clicked for her, the realisation of just how much we knew about her life, her preferences, her past.
"How did you...?" she began, but trailed off, shaking her head as if to clear it. I scrambled to recover, to erase that look of dawning horror from her face. "Oh, I mean I guessed. You know because of your hair." She didn't look convinced, and Logan looked pissed off. I sighed. Maybe I was coming on too strong. "We just wanted you to feel at home," I said quickly. "To have something familiar in a new place. Is it... is it too much?"
Cade didn't answer. Instead, she took a hesitant step into the room, her movements slow and mechanical. She avoided my gaze, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape route. My heart sank. This wasn't the reaction I'd hoped for.
"Ryder," Logan called from the door. I looked over to see him glaring at me. "Leave her be." He then turned to Cade.
"Get some sleep, we have a busy day tomorrow." His tone was so final that I knew there was no room for argument. Cade must have felt it too, because she nodded mechanically and moved towards the bed. She sat down on the edge, her movements continuing to be stiff and robotic. I longed to go to her, to wrap her in my arms and hold her until all the tension melted away.
"If you need anything, anything at all, just let me know," I said, hovering by the door. "I'm right down the hall." Cade didn't respond. She just sat there, staring blankly at the floor. I felt a surge of frustration, quickly followed by a wave of guilt. This wasn't her fault. She had been through so much in such a short time. It was only natural that she would be overwhelmed.
"Goodnight, Cade," I said softly, reluctantly backing out of the room. "Sweet dreams." I closed the door behind me and looked at Logan and Cole.
"Well, I guess it could have been worse," Cole said. Logan shot him a frustrated look and then looked at me.
"Try to remember she isn't a toy," he said. "She's here to teach her a lesson."
"I know," I snapped. "But there's nothing wrong with making her feel comfortable, we would for any other Consort."
"She isn't like any other Consort," Logan growled as he turned and walked into his room, slamming the door behind him. I narrowed my eyes at the door while Cole laughed nervously.
"Fuck, I knew this was a bad idea," he said. He nodded to me and turned to head down to his own room, closing the door behind him. What was wrong with these two? Not only were we exactly where we were supposed to be, but now our family was complete. I shook my head. They clearly needed time as well, but I knew they would come around. I looked at Cade's door. They would all come around.
As I entered my room, I immediately moved to my computer, pulling up the feed from the hidden camera in Cade's room. I told myself it was just to make sure she was settling in okay, that she didn't need anything. But deep down, I knew the truth. I couldn't bear to be away from her, even for a moment.
On the screen, I saw Cade still sitting on the edge of the bed, exactly where I had left her. She hadn't moved, hadn't even changed out of her clothes. As I watched, a single tear rolled down her cheek, followed by another, and another. I hated seeing her in pain, hated knowing that I was partly responsible for her suffering. But it was necessary, I reminded myself. Sometimes, to create something beautiful, you have to break it down first. Cade would understand eventually. She would see that everything we had done, everything we would do, was for her own good. I settled into my chair; my eyes fixed on the screen. I would watch over her through the night, making sure she was safe, making sure she didn't try anything foolish. Tomorrow was a new day.
As I watched Cade finally curl up on the bed, her body wracked with silent sobs, I felt a mixture of emotions wash over me. Concern, yes, but also a dark thrill of possession. She was ours now. Mine. And I would do whatever it took to keep her.
"It'll be different this time," I whispered to myself, pushing away the memories of... her . Cade was different. Special. She would see, in time, that this was where she belonged.