“Callum.”
His name left my lips on a low exhale, my relief clear in the small sound. “I was so worried about you.”
My feet moved of their own accord, eager to close the distance between us, to assure myself he was real.
“Don’t look so relieved, Little Sister. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you expected me to fail.”
“Shut up,” I said as I threw my arms around him. “Just let me be grateful that you are unharmed.”
Callum chuckled. “I saw a Water Fae. He almost drowned me.”
I reared back, staring at my brother in disbelief. “Why do you sound excited by that fact?”
“I’ve never seen a Water Fae in action. You know how their magic fascinates me.”
“Terrifies you, you mean.”
“Well, the picture Da painted was rather terrifying. Still, I was eager to see what they could do.”
“Drown you. That’s what they can do,” I deadpanned.
“I was too quick for him.” Callum winked, as if he wasn’t talking about almost dying. “You should have seen me, Cadence. I was on fire out there. I think I’ve found my calling.”
“Thieving is your calling?” I asked with a raised brow.
“Not thieving,” my brother said as he rolled his eyes. “Fighting. I have come a long way since I’ve been training with Eamon.”
Before I could respond, I heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
Ryker rounded the corner a second later, his anger palpable. The air bent around him, as if afraid to draw too close. His features were a storm front: his nostrils flared, jaw locked, and his eyes were more obsidian than grey.
Riordan trailed after him, concern etched into his features as he twisted his lips.
Ryker dragged a hand through his hair as he surveyed the room. “You’re here, good.”
When I said nothing, he huffed out an irritated breath. “An emergency council meeting has been called. You’ll accompany me.”
My muscles locked tight before I forced them to loosen, masking it all with studied nonchalance.
“Another one?” I let false annoyance flow through my tone. “Why do you need me? None of the councilors want me there, so why bother?”
Ryker stepped into my space, the air crackling between us as our mutual irritation stripped the room of oxygen. A small twitch in his cheek told me it wasn’t a time for games.
Honestly, I wanted to attend the council meeting. I needed to know what they knew to protect my brother and the others involved in the raids.
But I couldn’t appear too eager, or Ryker would suspect something.
“Because, Cadence,” he said between clenched teeth. “You are my wife, and you will rule beside me when I take the throne.”
Not if all my plotting worked out as planned…
But I kept that thought to myself. “Fine, but I need a moment first.”
“For what?” he asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Lady things…” Ryker arched an amused brow. “Get out of my way, you oaf!”
Riordan and Callum both chuckled under their breath, and even Ryker struggled to keep the grin from his face. He stepped aside, waving his arm toward the bathing chamber. I didn’t waste any time as I darted inside and locked the door.
