A matter of importance. Who the hell says stuff like that?
“Unfortunately, no one is granted access within the Realm of the Gods unless they have been summoned.” Her blue eyes look up at me for less than a second, judging me entirely within that short amount of time.
Dread sinks heavy to the bottom of my stomach.
Of course. Why would we be allowed to just prance into the Realm of the Gods?
“I’ve been summoned,” Ryder says, stepping forward, his fingers drumming against the shining desktop as he offers her a charming smile.
I keep the skeptical look from my face as he leans into her little area.
“Viola summoned me this morning.Again.”He winks at her, and I nearly give myself an aneurism to keep from rolling my eyes at his ridiculous charisma.
“Viola?” The paper is set down as she looks up at the former prince of Juvar. “Have you brought your heritage documentation?” Her eyes narrow on him, disbelief lacing her words.
“Of course.” Ryder pulls a folded paper from his pocket but doesn’t hand it to her. It’s a piece of trash for sure, but it is a neatly folded piece of trash.
“I’ll need three legal proofs of residency as well.” Her voice is a testing sound, seemingly waiting for him to back down from her requests.
Proofs of residency?Well I’m screwed.
Guess the fate of the mortal realm is on Ryder’s arrogant shoulders now.
“Of course.” Ryder’s smile widens as if this is a typical day filled with typical paperwork. Just another day within the Realm of the Gods for dear old Ryder. “Can you give her a call. She’s going to be upset if I’m late this time.”
The woman studies Ryder. She seems to be considering him very intently. I look away, feigning interest in the emptiness that surrounds me.
After she’s looked at the handsome prince for all he’s worth, she slowly picks up a small, white, square object. Her polished red nails press a few buttons on the thing before she holds it between her shoulder and her ear.
Her pen scrawls across another document as she signs it quickly.
“Viola, good morning.” The sweetest tone I’ve ever heard falls from her lips as a false smile perches against her mouth. “I have a man here,” she pauses and glances up at Ryder.
“Ryder Rourke,” he whispers, leaning even closer to her, charm rolling off of him in suffocating waves.
“Ryder Rourke says you summoned him again.” Her gaze shifts skeptically over Ryder’s wide shoulders. “Yes, he is. He’s brought a few … friends this time.” Her attention flickers to me and the crowd of soldiers. “Yes. I’ll let him know. Thank you.”
A button is pressed against the tiny box before she sets it down.
My heart pounds, waiting for her to speak again.
“Viola will be right out, Mr. Rourke.”
Fuck yes!
Ryder passes me a confident look from out of the corner of his eye and it has energy searing through me. I almost throw my arms around him. The woman’s annoyance and glaring eyes hold me in my place. But it doesn’t stop the smile of achievement from consuming my features.
The four of us drift away from her desk, just to put a safe amount of space between us and her. The soldiers stand quiet; a mass of trained precision and deadly strength. Darrio steps away from us and whispers something quietly to his second in command.
Unfortunately, the second in command, Streven, reminds me just how little faith he has in me as he holds my gaze. His sea blue eyes sink into me as Darrio speaks in a low, humming tone to him.
My attention trails over the others. A look of respect passes my way, some of them lower their gazes entirely. None hold the doubt that Streven does.
Not that I’m dwelling on it. Not everyone will love my endearing and fabulous fucking personality.
I turn away from him, and Ryder’s wide chest skims my arm.
“Who’s Viola?” I whisper, tipping my head up to him in hopes that my voice doesn’t carry to the hard-glaring receptionist.
