Chapter 27 Ryder
RYDER
Having the sister of a traitor taking up residency within my father’s walls would be enough to cost me the throne.
When the guard said he recognized the home and that it was associated with a member of the resistance, I didn’t want to believe it.
But a second guard confirmed the affiliation, and I couldn’t refute it.
The information might make its way back to my father, regardless of swearing each guard to secrecy, but I’d deny it if they opened their fucking mouths.
I had made a horrendous mistake by going to Elowen. Not only could I no longer keep my temper under control, but I indefinitely bound an imposter to the Sutton name. Jumping to bend magic before I had the full scope of the situation and her history was reckless.
Following through with the marriage would be my only choice if I wanted the throne. I’d been told the bond would come at a significant cost, but I hadn’t imagined it to be so ruinous; there was nothing left to do than to pay the debt I had incurred.
“I don’t understand what happened.” Audryn’s voice was soft as the carriage rolled over the cobblestones. “Please, just tell me what I did wrong.”
Unmoving, I peered through the small gap between the curtain and the inside of the carriage. Being in the street with the commoners was something I detested, and my foul mood especially didn’t help. With everyone stopping to gape, it only slowed our travel.
“Tell me what happened and I’ll fix it,” she continued, her voice desperate. “This was supposed to be a good day.”
My fingers thrummed against my thigh as the carriage slowed to a stop. I reached up and opened the vent, letting the breeze filter in; it was too damned hot to be stopping. I unbuttoned the top three buttons of my shirt, slightly pulling the fabric apart to let myself cool.
“Please talk to me.” She placed her hand on top of mine, suppressing my tapping fingers.
I drew in a deep breath, and my voice came out as a growl. “Do not touch me.”
“I’m sorry.” She pulled away and shifted on the bench. “I’m sorry for everything. Whatever I’ve done—I’m sorry.”
Shouts erupted in the street. I released a sigh and sunk back, letting my head hit the wood behind me.
Probably another beggar claiming my father was somehow responsible for their poverty when all they needed to do was get a job.
Nobody wanted to work for their own coin anymore; they only wanted to live off of the wealth of others.
Audryn shifted and tilted her head toward me, trying to catch a glance through the narrow gap in the fabric.
“Sit back,” I ordered.
She listened promptly, which was more of a surprise than learning about her connection to the resistance. Moments passed as the shouting grew louder instead of dissipating like I’d expected.
With a knock on the door, Fisher pressed his head in. “There’s a woman delaying us. She’s asking for money and blocking the street. It will be a moment and we’ll be on our way, Your Highness.”
Rolling my eyes, I waved a dismissive hand. Trapped in a confined space with someone I was desperately trying not to hurt was the worst possible scenario—I needed to get away from her. She sat staring at the door, breathing more heavily than she should. She was only making the space hotter.
Minutes passed before metal clanked outside and full chaos erupted. “Stay right here.” I turned to Audryn as she picked up her skirts and removed a dagger from a thigh holster.
My eyes widened. So many times I’d been alone with her and never once considered she’d had a weapon within arm’s reach.
I pulled back the curtain to see guards surrounded by a mob of two dozen, all bearing swords and magic.
Reaching for my sword, I debated whether I should exit or stay within the walls.
My key to the throne was next to me, and if something happened to her, I’d remain a prince forever.
“We’re staying here.” I turned to look at her. “You’re safe as long as you stay next to me.” Unintentionally, my magic hummed through my body, something I’d gotten so used to suppressing in fear of being discovered.
“Honestly, I’d feel safer outside,” she huffed. “At least they air their grievances instead of ruminating on them.” She angled toward me. “Everything was fine, and then it wasn’t. What happened?”
“You really want to talk about this now—while we’re being ambushed?” I shouted over the noise.
“I tried earlier,” she said, refusing to back down, “but you ignored me.”
I looked out the window and found Hunt pushing back three men with his air magic while fighting off another with his sword.
And he was doing it all with a smile on his face.
He might’ve been an ass, but the man was ruthless in a fight.
Two other guards struggled to fend off their attackers while he made it look effortless—like an enjoyable activity.
I stretched across Audryn and looked out her window, where Fisher was defending her side of the carriage. He’d developed some personal issues over the years, but I never doubted he’d take a sword for me if needed.
“I was given some information, and it spoiled my mood,” I said before looking out my window. A guard took a blade to his chest and collapsed. At least there’d be one less person I’d need to worry about spilling the Clair family’s secrets.
“I’m sorry for the way I acted,” I said, turning to face her. “I’m working through some things, and the information I received was pretty appalling.”
“Are you okay?” Audryn’s tone was full of worry. “Is it your father?”
I shook my head.
“To which question are you answering?”
I looked out her window once more. Fisher was still fending off several people alternating between water magic and sword. Steam erupted between him and a fire wielder in the street.
“Both.” I pressed my mouth into a thin line. “Everything is fucked.”
Her eyes softened, and her hand cupped my face. The fighting dimmed to nothing as I leaned into the warmth of her touch and closed my eyes. Anger melted away, and the love I’d felt only an hour prior began to flicker. It was small at first, but roared to a hearth filled with flames.
My mouth moved to hers, and I pressed in, feeling my body shudder with need and passion. Shifting her dress up, my hands found their way to the apex of her thighs. She guided me as she parted gloriously, warmth and moisture beckoning me home.
Our mouths remained connected, fighting for breath and each other, both of us going without air to keep our lips on one another a moment longer.
I slid her panties to the side and found her soaked with anticipation as I dipped two fingers into her center.
The bent bond might consume me altogether, but I’d let it if it meant I got to experience everything it offered. Everything she offered.
She let out a moan, and my dick hardened more than I thought possible. I wanted to be inside her—no; I needed to be inside her. Pleasing her with my mouth or hand wouldn’t do when I had to have her wrapped around me, squeezing every ounce of pleasure out.
“I need you,” she breathed, her voice raspy. “Right now—I need you inside of me.”
Audryn took the blade to the sides of her panties, cutting them free from her body and exposing herself to me.
I should’ve taken in the sight of her, but I couldn’t wait.
Loosening my pants, I freed my cock and moved to angle over her, pulling her ass to the edge of the bench.
Whatever was happening outside the carriage wasn’t my problem; getting inside her was the only thing I cared about.
With her left hand, she reached down and squeezed my length, stroking my erection while wrapping her right arm around me. Dagger in hand and at my back, I didn’t care. She could plunge it through my heart, and as long as I died with my dick inside of her, I’d die happy.
I teased her entrance with the head of my arousal, allowing the moisture to wash over my skin before I pushed inside of her.
I didn’t wait to take her inch by inch; there was no time to savor the moment.
Feeling her wrapped entirely around my cock and her pleasure pulsating around me was all I needed.
My strokes were fast and frantic, our breaths panting each time our bodies collided.
I’d had a few dozen women, but none had come close to the woman in front of me.
What felt like a second later, my door flew open and an oddly recognizable curly-haired woman appeared with a dagger in hand and headed straight at my back.
There was no time for me to react to the intruder, whether with weapons or magic.
In one smooth stroke, Audryn instantaneously shifted to her right and embedded her dagger into the side of the woman’s neck.
The offender’s eyes turned round and her blade clattered to the floor.
She grabbed at the still-impaled dagger, and I continued my strokes, letting my magic roar through the carriage.
I wrapped myself around Audryn, and a glittering spindle of magic lay suspended between our connected bodies and minds—the promised mated bond that Elowen had given us.
It was nothing like I’d ever imagined, but somehow my mind knew exactly what it was without having ever known it before.
The image was clear, and I reached out for it, burying myself in Audryn entirely, but the bond lay just outside of my grasp.
Sprays of warm, thick blood splattered over us as the woman removed the blade from her neck, leaving the gaping wound to spew.
I threw more of my magic out, covering my beloved from the warm liquid spurting and pooling at our feet.
I would protect her from the gore and all else. She was mine. That bond was mine.
Hunt appeared at the door, grabbed the woman’s feet and dragged her from the carriage, letting her body fall onto the ground.
Her head hit with a sickening crack. “Way to go, Sutton,” the guard quipped.
“Don’t stop on our account.” He closed the door, and I pulled back to see Audryn looking up at me from tear-soaked eyes.
“Is she okay?” She croaked through a shallow breath.
I paused. “Are you okay?”
Her body stilled, and she shook her head.
“Hey.” I lifted her chin. “You just saved my life.” I withdrew, feeling myself slide from her warmth, and instantly regretted the choice. There was nowhere I’d rather be than inside her, but doing so while her eyes beheld tears was too cruel, even for me.
Pulling up my pants, I worked quickly to secure myself and then helped Audryn adjust her dress. I placed her cut panties in my pocket, not wanting anyone else to set their eyes on her underthings—they were mine to have.
A minute later, the clattering stopped, and there was a knock on Audryn’s side of the carriage. Drawing back the curtain, I saw Fisher standing with a blood-smeared face. I pushed open the door. “Everything good?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Fisher lowered his voice, “It was the resistance. We have two dead and the others have fled—not bad considering we’d been outnumbered.”
“Give me a moment. The people need to see their prince unharmed,” I said, closing the door and turning to Audryn. “They should see you with me, but you’re under no obligation to do so.”
She looked at me sullenly. “I need to go out there and see what I’ve done.”
“Of course, whatever you’d like,” I said and swallowed, “but know there will be a crowd. I can’t shield them from seeing you.”
She wiped at her cheeks. “I understand.”
My knees dipped into the thick garnet liquid. The warmth had started to dissipate, and the blood had turned to goo. I knelt before her and gently pushed her brown locks behind her ears, bringing the bottom half of her hair forward and letting the strands rest over each shoulder.
“Are you ready?”
She glanced out the curtain, examining the still-forming crowd, and winced.
“You can still change your mind if you’d like?”
She shook her head.
I dipped my chin and stood with my blood-soaked pants clinging to my leg. The carriage wasn’t quite tall enough for me to stand at my full height, but it afforded me enough space to hunch over. I rapped my knuckles against the wall in three successive knocks.
The door popped open an instant later, and I exited to simultaneous cheers and boos. I extended my hand, guiding Audryn out in her sage-colored dress. The verbal assaults stalled, leaving nothing but whispers. She looked up nervously, and I gestured a silent, supportive nod.
The cobblestone was painted with blood and gore.
A male was dragged around the front of the carriage, his feet sliding through the mess.
Carefully, I walked Audryn around the back and to the south side of the street.
Her hand trembled in mine, so I pulled her in close and placed an arm around her waist to reassure her.
I saw the woman on the ground just a moment before Audryn did. I felt her sink as her legs nearly gave out at the sight, but I held her up. The realization hit me. It was the same woman I’d seen standing with her at the market; the woman was part of the resistance. And Audryn knew her.
“Jezelle,” she muttered, and covered her mouth with her hand.
The crowd watched as Audryn looked down at the lifeless woman, her body bent at an unnatural angle. Strings of coagulated blood hung from the woman’s neck to the ground, suspended in the air as the blood cooled. The people in the area watched with fervent interest.
“Audryn Clair has killed the woman who tried to kill your prince,” my voice boomed. “We owe her our loyalty!”
Cheers erupted, though a few scowls remained. Not only was my declaration for the audience to show appreciation, but it was to put the resistance on notice that one of their own had taken them out.
“Thank you for saving me.” I looked at Audryn, feeling the haughty storm simmer under the surface.
But I refused to acknowledge the feelings for the sake of all those who watched.
I'd deal with the issue of her family later, but I needed to make a show of my affection.
I leaned in close and pulled her to me, placing a gentle kiss on her lips for all to see.
A mixture of audible gasps and mumblings echoed through the air.