The windows rattled with each gust of wind as if the palace itself was warning me to run.
Not that I could.
Riordan, Eamon, and Malesh all stood guard outside the door. Ryker hadn’t wanted to jeopardize my safety when duty called him away. He’d all but confined me to his chambers, his most loyal men watching over me in his absence.
I suppose I should have felt flattered. If I tried hard, I could almost make myself believe his actions were a testament to his devotion.
But I knew a cage when I saw one.
A brittle chill of air swept through the room, washing over me and settling against my spine.
Something was wrong. I could feel it. The frigid dread that had crawled beneath my skin was a warning.
“Please let my brother return unharmed.”
I clenched my hands at my sides, and I gnawed at my bottom lip as I prayed to the gods that I no longer believed in.
It was so quiet. Too still. And I hated it.
I wanted to scream.
A knock at the door pulled me from my spiraling thoughts, and Riordan’s face appeared in the doorway.
“Lord Thorne is here. He has requested an audience.”
My eyebrows drew together as I tried to reason why he would seek me out.
“You don’t have to entertain him, sweetheart. I’ll happily tell him to fuck off.”
“It’s fine, Riordan. Send him in.”
I moved toward the armchair by the window and settled my skirts in place as I waited for the Unseelie lord. A moment later, the sound of shuffling boots greeted me as Riordan entered the room, Fallon right on his tail.
Riordan perched on the armrest of my chair, his forearm slung over the back, a practiced grin on his handsome face.
Fallon bowed, the movement stiff and hesitant.
“What can we do for you, Lord Thorne?” Riordan asked, his tone deceptively inviting.
Fallon cleared his throat, his eyes darting to Riordan and then to me.
“I had hoped to have a word with Lady Cadence in private, Your Majesty.”
Riordan chuckled, but the sound was no longer friendly. “Ah, I’m afraid I cannot grant your request, Lord Thorne.” He moved closer to me, his body covering mine as he leaned toward Fallon. “My sister-in-law is very dear to me, and someone within these walls tried to take her from us recently, if you recall.”
Memories assaulted my senses.
The smell of my blood.
Frantic screams.
The phantom pain that lingered at my side.
Fallon cleared his throat. “I promise I hold no ill intentions towards the Princess,” he said.
I jolted at his use of my title. More so, considering I’d sent my brother on a treasonous mission against the Unseelie Crown.
Riordan shrugged, and Fallon’s tongue darted out to wet his lips. His gaze returned to me, settling there. “The purpose of my visit is of a… delicate nature.”
