Chapter 7 Ryder
RYDER
My father shifted in his bed, and my stomach sank the moment his eyes opened. I had hoped he would stay sleeping until my mother returned, giving me the opportunity to leave without actually having to speak with him. As always, reality stole my budding hope.
“What have you done with yourself today?” My father made no attempt to sit up. “Anything to be proud of, or shall I assume the usual?”
“I …” My words faltered. “I’ve been busy with internal affairs and preparations for tonight’s ball.” I leaned forward in my seat and rested my elbows on my knees.
Though his eyes were barely open, he inspected my attire.
Following the royal tradition, all of my clothes were white—bright and pristine.
The only color was the gold crown seated upon my head and a fitted aquamarine waistcoat.
His eyes lingered. I looked down to confirm everything was still perfect, without a single frayed thread or speck of dust.
“I see.” His words were brash. “Have you found anyone of interest, or shall I surmise your sister will rule?”
The blood in my veins heated at his threat. Leanna wasn’t the firstborn, and if he passed me over, it would only fuel the rumors running rampant throughout our kingdom.
“There’s no need for her to step in.” I stared up at the ceiling and admired the ornate molding. “There are several women I’m interested in.”
“Several?” my father shouted. “That will not bring you the magic required to rule this kingdom! Had your promiscuous behavior not consumed your youth, you wouldn’t have found yourself in this situation! Your sister married young, and if you had half a brain, you would have as well!”
“There’s no need to shout,” my mother interjected as she entered the room. “No reason to get yourself worked up. Ryder is—”
“Quiet yourself and sit down!” my father ordered. “This doesn’t concern you.”
“It certainly does,” she snapped, and took her post in the chair beside his bed. “He will find a wife. Your threats are unnecessary.”
My mother had become more vocal since he’d fallen ill, but especially so since he’d become bedbound. There was no longer a threat of him striking her, though he did occasionally catapult items her way. Perhaps my mother being the constant at his side increased his tolerance of her biting words.
“What have you done regarding Rivale’s oil supply?” His tone shifted from my father to King Sutton in an instant.
“I sent word a couple of days ago and am waiting for King Grave’s arrival.” My fingers thrummed against the arm of the chair. I wouldn’t admit that I had sent the request the week prior and still hadn’t received a response.
I’d been obsessed with the content of the missive ever since it had left my hands.
Perhaps the urgency wasn’t as clear as it should’ve been—maybe I should have reiterated that I was serving as the leader of Rivale.
Though all seven kingdoms in Crofea were notified when my father fell ill, Grave never acknowledged the announcement of my new role.
Kuroden, lying in the northernmost region of Crofea, was a two-day flight from Rivale, lying here in the south.
Grave should have already arrived if he received and accepted the missive.
Perhaps the note was lost in transport, or perhaps he had received the message and simply disregarded the request.
“You will get him to increase the supply,” King Sutton demanded.
I nodded, knowing how dependent our kingdom had become on Kuroden's oil. We’d found more uses for the crude, which improved our lives, but also increased the rate at which we used it.
With our reserves nearly depleted, the amount agreed upon in the treaty wouldn’t sustain us much longer.
Renegotiations would pick up soon, but reaching an agreement could take months.
“Yes, I’ll get him to increase the volume by any means necessary.
” I looked at my mother, who watched intently.
She was always so protective of me. Ever since we learned I’d inherited her magic, and not the Divine magic from my father, she’d kept a close eye.
According to my father, the discovery made me both a liability and a constant disappointment.
“Good,” he grumbled as he reached a shaking hand toward a cup on the side table.
“I should go.” I stood and fastened the gold buttons of my white tailcoat. “I’m already late.”
My father huffed a breath. “A prince is never late, everyone else is only early.”
“Good luck, Son,” my mother called.
“The boy doesn’t need luck,” my father admonished. “He’s a Sutton.”
Flanked by guards Fisher and Hunt, we hurried down the corridor. Fisher was assigned to me a year ago, while Hunt had just come into the position. Hunt worked his way up from street patrol after proving himself a fierce advocate in demolishing the resistance.
“To the ball?” Leanna mused, walking in from a side corridor and meeting my stride. “Tonight will be the night, I just know it.”
My sister’s blue dress whooshed, and her heeled boots clacked against the stone floors. She’d had her hair placed in a style resembling a bird’s nest, on the very top of her head. It looked ridiculous, but I had never understood women’s fashion.
“Let’s hope it is, or you’ll be in charge of this place when he goes.” I frowned at the thought.
“Don’t threaten me with such horrors.” Leanna put a hand on her chest. “Rodrick signed up for no such thing and, quite frankly, neither did I.”
I kept my eyes focused on the route, a maze of corridors set back from the main one. It was just one more security measure to keep the old geezer safe.
“Don’t select one or two women this time, find a few—maybe a dozen.
Give yourself the best chance to see if anything clicks.
” Leanna put her hand on my shoulder and waved the guards back before whispering, “You might have mother’s magic, but you are Divine just as much as I am. We need only to find your mate.”
“Only,” I scoffed and turned the corner, nearly running straight into a woman wearing a large, broody gown.
“Get back!” Hunt pushed past me and unsheathed his sword in a breath. The tip of his blade pressed into the woman’s neck, drawing a bright red trickle.
My heart sank as I realized who she was.
“Audryn.” Her name wasn’t a question, but a lyric for the most beautiful song.
“Get off of her!” I grabbed Hunt by the shoulder and shoved him away, sending him stumbling back into the wall.
Her skin had paled, likely plagued with shock from being within less than an inch of losing her life.
Crimson stained her fingers as she inspected the evidence of what my guard had done to her.
Audryn’s stare met mine, and she quickly dipped into a bow, skirts threatening to tip her over. “Apologies, Your Highness.”
“Stand, please.” My words stumbled. “Why are you here?”
Her eyes darted to those around me and landed on mine. “Uhm … you invited me?”
She was absolutely stunning; her dress was an accessory to her natural beauty. It drew my entire attention away, and I’d forgotten what question I’d asked.
“He means, why are you here?” My sister’s tone was filled with annoyance as she threw out a hand to our surroundings. “In the royal corridor? How did you even get here?”
“Oh, I …” Audryn fumbled with the skirts of her gown. “I must have gotten lost.”
Leanna stared, her eyes riddled with suspicion.
“I needed to, well,” Audryn said, hesitating and looking down at the ground, “I started my menstruation and needed to use the facilities.”
“Guess you’re bleeding from more than one hole now,” Hunt quipped, and looked around, waiting for others to laugh at his tasteless joke.
I whirled on him. “You’re dismissed to the ballroom. Make yourself scarce or I’ll do it for you.”
Fisher stood back and smirked in the young guard's direction. It wasn’t the first time I’d needed to scold Hunt for his inappropriate remarks, and he’d only been with me for two days.
He might’ve been promoted for his loyalty, but he’d lost his manners somewhere along the way—or maybe he just never had them.
Fisher stepped forward, handing Audryn a handkerchief. “For your neck, Miss.”
“Thank you, Guard”—she hesitated, scanning the uniform—“Fisher. Thank you, Guard Fisher.”
I should’ve thought to offer her my handkerchief, yet I stood there looking like a fool, forcing my guard to offer basic care for her injury. Why had I continued to stumble around her? I didn’t even know her.
She dabbed at the wound. It wasn’t gaping, but it was unnecessary—Hunt could certainly use some work in discerning a threat. What was the woman going to do, kill me? She could barely walk in the enormous gown; she definitely wouldn't be able to run away in it after committing the crime.
“Were you able to find the products you needed?” I asked, hoping to stifle any undue humiliation she might’ve felt. “I can obtain some if you wish.”
“There’s no need,” Leanna interrupted. “I will get someone to retrieve the items for her.”
Audryn patted a small pouch. “I came prepared just in case, but thank you.” Her tone was softer than at the market. “I suppose I got turned around and should head this way instead?”
“I will—” I started.
“Yes,” Leanna chimed in, “that is the way. You may go on now. Prince Sutton will find you in the ballroom if he chooses.”
Audryn nodded, turned, and moved down the corridor. For a moment I imagined myself untying the strings of her corset, unwrapping the gift that lay hidden beneath. I didn’t need to choose a dozen women. There was only one I was interested in. Her.
“How do you know that woman?” my sister asked.
“Huh?” I stood, still lost in my dream. “What do you mean?”
Leanna stepped in front of me, blue eyes meeting my own. “You said her name. How do you know her name?”
“It’s a long story, one for a later time.”