As I dropped to my knees, I rifled through the stash of herbs I had been secretly collecting. On their own, they were harmless enough, but together…
If I had to endure another council meeting, I might as well make it worthwhile.
“Cadence.” Ryker’s voice sounded outside the door. “Are you finished yet?”
“If I were done, would I still be in the bathing chamber?” I bit out.
“If it gave you the chance to inconvenience me, then yes.”
I paused before conceding that it was a fair point.
I plucked the last few sprigs I needed and dropped the herbs into the pouch at my waist. Then I stood from the floor, smoothing the strands of my hair before reaching for the doorknob.
“Happy?” I said as soon as I emerged.
Ryker ran his gaze over my frame, and just one look was enough to have me squeezing my thighs together.
“Very.”
His tongue darted out to wet his bottom lip, and it took all my willpower to stop myself from climbing him like a tree. My hormones were out of control, and if I didn’t rein them in, our brothers would get a front-row seat to lifelong trauma.
I ran my hands down the folds of my skirt as I cleared my throat. “After you.”
Ryker smirked as if he knew exactly where my thoughts had wandered. I took his offered elbow, needing the support to stay upright.
Riordan fell into step beside us, and I waved goodbye to Callum as I let Ryker lead me from the room. The brothers spent the walk to the council chambers discussing the raid, and I pretended not to be interested as I ate up every word.
When we arrived, the lords had already taken their places. The three chairs nearest the King remained vacant, as was now customary.
“Ryker.” His father did not try to hide his relief at his eldest son’s arrival. “Now that you’re here, we can begin.”
Ryker led me to the front of the room and pulled out the chair beside his. Once I sat down, he took the seat to my left, with Riordan settling to my right.
The hair on the back of my neck rose as the unmistakable feeling of eyes tracking my every move washed over me. I didn’t need to raise my head to know whose attention I had captured.
Lord Barrington glared at me with unveiled hostility, and I met his gaze with a glare of my own.
“It appears your plan has failed, Your Majesty,” Fallon said, forcing us to look away. “Both traps were sprung, and you’re no closer to identifying the traitor.”
“Such strong words, Lord Thorne.” Ryker reclined in his chair, his fingers intertwining as he rested his hands on the back of his head. “They reek of desperation. Perhaps you are attempting to divert attention.”
Fallon scoffed, and Ryker narrowed his eyes. “It is you who is trying to deflect.”
Before Ryker could lose his temper and murder another of his councilors, I stood from my seat and walked toward the tray of refreshments that had been laid out.
“Drinks?” I offered as I glanced around the room.
Muttered affirmations rippled around the table, and I turned back to the pitcher, filling the tumblers. I peered over my shoulder to make sure I wasn’t being watched as I slipped the herbs from my pouch.
Without my pestle and mortar, I couldn’t grind them into a fine dust, but I made do. When I was done, I lifted the tray and returned to the table, setting a tumbler in front of Ryker.
He eyed it suspiciously. “What are you up to, wife?”
“Saving you from yourself,” I murmured.
Riordan tilted his head in a knowing gesture, and I grinned.
As I made my way around the lords, I placed a drink before each of them, Ryker’s watchful gaze tracking my every movement. Once everyone had been served, I returned the tray to the table and retook my seat. Lifting the tumbler to my lips, I let the cool liquid wash away the dryness in my throat.
