“Where are you going?” Riordan asked, jogging to catch up with me.
“To free my wife.”
The corridor outside my chambers was empty, and an eerie feeling settled over me. Not a soul lingered in sight, and it was as if the entire castle had been abandoned.
“Not creepy,” my brother murmured. Callum and Malesh grunted in agreement as we continued down the hall.
A sudden burst of laughter had me halting mid-stride as I surveyed our surroundings.
“It’s coming from the dining hall,” Riordan said, inclining his head to where the faint glow of light illuminated our path.
I quickened my pace as I headed toward the door. The sound grew louder, and the chatter of voices disturbed the quiet. When I crossed the threshold, I found my father entertaining several courtiers. Among them was the Seelie dignitary.
“Do you want to know a secret? I’m the one who went after your mate. And with you out of the way, there’s nobody left to stop me from finishing the job.”
My shadows writhed with the same malevolence coursing through my blood, and my jaw ached from how hard I clenched it.
“You,” I said, pointing toward him. “I hope you’re ready to die.”
“Ryker,” my father said, drawing my attention. “You must understand by now that you are no match for our friend here.” He motioned to Mathias, who smirked back at me. “Fall into line, act as my loyal servant, and I will forgive every transgression.”
My eyes narrowed on him, and a snarl lifted my upper lip. “I’ll deal with you in a moment.”
Mathias rose from his seat without a flicker of doubt in his expression. He was so certain of himself and his magic that his confidence left no room for fear.
Foolish.
“I thought I made myself clear last time, but I don’t mind repeating the lesson if it didn’t sink in.”
His grin was wide, and mine mirrored it. “You’re welcome to try.”
He threw his head back, and a maniacal laugh cut through the tension.
“I do enjoy your company, Your Majesty. Hopefully, there will be no hard feelings when I embarrass you, as I am very much looking forward to working with you.”
My father reclined on his throne, enjoying the spectacle.
“Ryker,” Riordan said, sounding unsure, but I ignored him.
“I’m right here,” I taunted, throwing my arms wide.
Malice twisted Mathias’s features, and he advanced toward me. Shadows curled around my body, dancing along my skin, eagerly anticipating the carnage that was about to unfold.
I let him get close, let himbelievehe had the upper hand.
When he was within reach, my shadows surged forward, coiling around his wrists in an iron grip. I didn’t hesitate as I drew my sword and swung in a sweeping arc, bringing the blade down to cleave through flesh and bone, severing his hands.
Blood erupted like a fountain, painting the ground in dark, gleaming streaks. His scream tore through the air, raw, guttural, and laced with disbelief. I stood unmoving, dark filaments writhing around him like serpents, feeding on his terror as he crumbled to his knees.
But I wasn’t done.
Gripping him by his hair, I yanked him to his feet, directing my shadows to hold him upright so I could watch as the life drained from his milky eyes. He struggled in my grasp, and my grin grew wide as I sent coils of darkness straight into his chest.
They cut through skin and muscle like it was nothing more than butter, and his screams intensified. I could hear the horrified sounds coming from our audience, and I chuckled darkly as one began to wretch.
I’d only just begun.
My hands reached inside his gaping torso, and I gripped his ribcage. My slow exhale ghosted against his cheek as I leaned in close. “This is for Cadence,” I snarled before wrenching his chest apart.
