They fought like men possessed, as though they didn’t feel the pain, didn’t care about the blood. Their only goal was to pummel the other until they were no longer recognizable.
It was about claiming me, defending me, avenging me. Gods, I wasn’t even sure which anymore. Maybe all of it. Maybe none of it.
Magic exploded between them. Callum’s vines thrashed wildly, tearing grooves into the stone floor, while Ryker’s shadows twisted and pulsed, cracking like lightning.
“Stop!”
I screamed so loud my throat burned, but my voice was nothing compared to the roar of fury coming from them both.
Ryker picked Callum up and slammed him against the wall, pinning him there with one hand, his eyes alight with rage.
“You don’t get to come into my kingdom and threaten what’s mine!”
My brother spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor. “She’s not yours!”
Ryker drew his fist back, ready to deliver another devastating blow to Callum’s face, but I jumped between them, pushing against Ryker’s chest. His entire body trembled with the effort to restrain himself. His shadows retreated, flickering like a dying flame.
“Let him go, Ryker,” I said, softer now.
His jaw clenched, and his nostrils flared. After a long, agonizing pause, he stepped back. Callum slid down the wall, landing hard on the floor.
I invaded Ryker’s space, our chests heaving in unison. “If youeverlay a finger on my brother again, I’ll kill you myself.”
His eyes flicked to mine. There was still fury there, cold and seething, but beneath it was something more fragile.
Hurt.
Behind me, Callum groaned and staggered to his feet. “You should’ve let him hit me again,” he muttered. “I think I almost had him that time.”
I turned toward him. “You’re bleeding.”
“So is he,” he said, smirking through cracked lips.
“Are you seriously making jokes right now?”
“You’re the one who picked a psychotic princeling as a mate. I cope with humor.”
I wanted to point out that I had not, in fact,pickedhim, but stopped myself. That was a conversation for another time.
Ryker made a noise; part frustration, part disgust. “He’s insufferable.”
“And you’re an asshole,” Callum shot back. “So, I’d say we’re even.”
I moved to Callum’s side and pulled him into a hug. His arms wrapped around me, and he buried his face in my hair.
Behind me, Ryker snarled.
“Please don’t do anything that stupid ever again,” I whispered. “I’d die if any harm came to you.”
“Missed you too, Little Sister.”
As my arms tightened around Callum, calloused fingers gripped my elbow, pulling me out of his embrace.
“What part of don’t fucking touch her is so difficult for you to understand?” Ryker rumbled.
“And what part of he’s my brother is difficult foryouto understand?”
“I do not care if he is your brother; no other man lays a finger on what belongs to me!”
