“Ryker! I know you’re doing this to fuck with me!” his brother yelled.
“It’s a small price to pay for saving your life, don’t you think?”
“I’m going to kill you!”
Ryker threw his head back and laughed, never slowing his pace. Each thrust sent lightning up my spine as I chased my release. My vision blurred, and then I was coming, Ryker’s name falling from my lips like a prayer.
I was too far gone to care about the sounds echoing through the room, which left no doubt about what we were doing on our side of the door.
Ryker’s body stiffened, and a moment later, he followed, spilling himself inside me.
“Oh, thank the gods!” Riordan said, the sound of his retreating footsteps following him down the hall.
Ryker and I stared at each other before bursting into fits of laughter.
“You’re cruel, my love.”
“He’ll get over it… eventually.” He leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. “Now go get cleaned up. I have a surprise for you.”
He lowered me to the ground, and I eyed him. “The last time you said those words to me, you left three mangled corpses at my feet.”
“If you’re asking me to tell you what it is, don’t hold your breath because I won’t. Just make sure you wear something nice.”
“Something nice?” I repeated, but Ryker didn’t acknowledge me as he strolled into the bathing chamber.
When he re-emerged, his hair was wet, but pulled neatly into a bun atop his head. He was freshly shaven and wore a black tunic and pants that were embroidered with intricate silver patterns along the lapel and cuffs.
“Don’t you look handsome.”
“Keep looking at me like that, and we won’t make it on time.”
“Like what?” I purred, fluttering my lashes.
Ryker growled and then stalked toward me. “You’re a vicious little siren, you know that, Temptress?” He pressed his lips to mine, his hand tangling in my hair as he kissed me. When we broke apart, he said, “Now go. I promise you’ll love this surprise.” He swatted my ass for good measure, then chuckled as I grumbled under my breath.
After I had freshened up, I slipped on the emerald green dress I’d selected and braided my hair.
When I stepped into the room, Ryker froze. His gaze traveled the length of my body from my head to my toes, making my skin heat. He swallowed thickly, then cleared his throat.
“Cadence, you look…” he trailed off, unable to finish his sentence.
“Beautiful, stunning, right out of your wildest dreams?” I offered.
“Those words don’t do you justice,” he said. “You’re ethereal.”
Ryker closed the distance between us, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. His eyes darkened as he traced my lower lip with his thumb. “The gods themselves must have conspired to bring you to me, Temptress, because no man deserves such fortune.”
“We are fated if you recall,” I teased.
Ryker’s lips quirked. “I remember. The realization was so visceral, it prompted me to kidnap you.”
“No, you sent Malesh to do your dirty work.”
I swatted his chest, and he laughed. A genuine laugh, unburdened by duty or tarnished by resentment. I wanted to hear it again. Every day for the rest of my life.
Shadows gathered at our feet, drawing me out of my reverie. I clung to Ryker, still not used to the sensation of traveling through the darkness.
When the shadows dispersed, we were standing next to a small pool, nestled in a quiet nook of the forest. The water was crystal clear and glimmered like liquid glass. Its surface mirrored the sky above, broken only by the gentle ripple of a passing breeze. Around its edges, an abundance of wildflowers burst free in a riot of colors: delicate blue, soft pink, sunny yellow, and deep purple. Their petals brushed the water, and the air was fragrant with their perfume.
