Chapter 23 Ryder #2
“You don’t deserve to be Rivale’s King, you never have!” my father continued. “Rodrick will sit where my son should’ve been. Will wear my crown on top of his bald head. Will hold the power of the kingdom in his hand with Leanna at his side. Will—”
“There’s a reason you’re dying! Even the land doesn’t find you worthy enough to live among us! You didn’t even deserve an honorable death, and now you’re being punished!”
I snapped. And before I knew it, I’d snatched the pillow out from under his head, shoved it into his face, and held it down.
He needed to stop talking. Needed to stop spewing his hate-filled words at me.
Leanna didn’t deserve to be crowned any more than he did.
I was the one who’d done everything possible to secure resources.
I was the one who’d sent my future wife away in the hands of the disgusting male.
And my father was the ungrateful asshole who didn’t recognize the concessions I’d been forced to make.
Several minutes passed, or maybe it was seconds—I couldn’t be sure.
My anger slowed just as his thrashing body had, and I released the pillow, leaving it resting on his face.
It took me several breaths to remove the cushion, revealing his pale skin.
Carefully, I shifted his head, returning the item to its original position.
I took a seat in the brown chair and watched his stilled body.
The blanket rose slowly, and my father took a ragged, shallow breath.
His eyes didn’t open. I hadn’t killed him, but now faced the very real possibility of his waking up and telling everyone what I’d done.
I’d be executed, and he’d likely have his bed brought to watch.
For a moment, I debated taking the irrevocable step to ensure my innocence.
To tie up the loose end breathing in the bed several feet away.
But no matter what terrible hatred he spewed, he was still my father, and I couldn’t do it.
Instead, I leaned out the door and requested a healer respond for an assessment.
Ten minutes later, Mirael arrived and looked him over. She worked her magic through his body, and I waited, wondering if she’d be able to see what I’d done. When she turned to me with sad eyes, immediate relief washed over me.
“I’m sorry, but it appears his mind is gone,” Mirael continued. “I’m not sure how long he has before his heart and lungs give out. Days at best.”
“Will he wake up?” I asked, hoping the answer would be no.
She shook her head and averted her gaze.
“Thank you,” I said. “I’ll inform my mother and sister of the news. Stay until one of them returns.”
She nodded, and I left the room, catching my breath in the corridor. I gasped as the realization of what my anger had done hit me. I’d all but killed my father and left him to exist as nothing more than a breathing corpse. I rushed down the hall the minute feeling returned to my limbs.
“We need to plan the wedding,” I breathed as I opened the door of Leanna’s study, not waiting for her permission to enter. “I need your help, and we need to get it done straight away—Friday.”
“You’re not still angry?” Leanna eyed me.
“No, all is forgiven. There are bigger things to deal with.”
Sighing, she plopped onto her sofa. “What’s going on? Why the rush? Audryn isn’t even here.”
“She’s my mate. I felt it before she left, and I know she felt it too. It’s the reason I knew she was the one I’d marry.” My words spilled out. I’d sent her away. Our bond was barely tangible. As if that weren’t bad enough, I’d shortened my timeframe for marriage by rendering my father comatose.
“Your emotions have gotten the best of you, Brother. You just miss her. She’ll be back next week.” Leanna shook her head. “There’s no need to make such a rash decision.”
My hands pulled through my hair, and I took a seat at Rodrick’s desk. He had laid out a sketch of the castle and a map of our outposts. Had he planned to sit next to my sister on the throne all along?
“Father is unwell—worse than unwell.” My eyes drew to my sister’s tilted head. “He will not wake up again, Mirael has examined him.”
“What happened? He was fine when I left!”
“No, he wasn’t, and you know that. He drifted to sleep while we spoke. When I couldn’t wake him, I called for help.” I hoped my sister bought the same story I’d fed to Mirael. “But I need your help to plan the wedding before he’s gone. I can’t do it without you.”
It was a bit of a lie; I could find staff to help me. In fact, I would need their help regardless of Leanna’s agreement. But I wanted her on board. I needed her support. But most of all, I needed her distracted by the wedding.
“Send out invitations to all kingdoms … except Kuroden.” My mind spun. “Request the royals arrive early and house them on the grounds. I need to hold a meeting. I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon.”
I’d thought of multiple scenarios where I might need to get Audryn early, though my father’s impending death hadn’t been one of them.
“I’ll send gryphons to Rynholm tonight. Then I’ll stop there tomorrow and swap them. That way I can leave some to rest and fly straight through on our backups. I’ll be there the next afternoon.”
“You can’t fly straight through, you’ll be exhausted,” Leanna insisted. “Give it a week. Can’t you wait?”
“Absolutely not. I will not risk our father dying before I marry,” I continued.
“I need you to start on everything while I’m gone.
Mother can help, but you know what Audryn would want.
” I moved toward the door. “Her father needs to be brought to the castle as well. Can you handle that, or do I need to find someone else?”
“No.” Leanna straightened her dress. “I’ll do it. And what of Maris? Shall I dismiss her?”
“She stays.” The corners of my mouth turned up. I told her I’d say goodnight, and I’d make sure I did. “They’ll learn to deal with one another. Make her Audryn’s bridesmaid. Settle her into a room in the royal wing.”
“Permanently?” My sister huffed. “Is it necessary to flaunt your lover so openly?”
I stood and narrowed my eyes at her. “I don’t think you should be speaking to the future king about who he does or does not fuck.”
Leanna's features went flat. “You’re not king yet, Brother. Though your arrogance seems to fit the requisite.”