I glared at Ryker. He’d do as he pleased anyway, and I wanted to see Callum.
“Fine, but don’t expect me to wait for you.”
His gaze never strayed from mine as he unfurled his free hand and sent his shadows sailing into the chamber. Curiosity demanded I turn and look, but I refused to break eye contact because he would view it as an act of submission.
A moment later, his shadows returned and surrounded him. When the shadows cleared, he was dressed and ready to go.
“After you,” he said, wearing a smug grin I itched to slap away.
I tugged on the handle, harder than necessary, and flung the door in Ryker’s face. I’d hoped to hit him with it, but the low chuckle that followed me past the entryway suggested I had failed.
“Which way to Riordan’s chambers?” I asked when I realized I had no idea where I was going.
Ryker didn’t answer me. Instead, he took my hand in his and pulled me down the hallway after him. The servants were becoming accustomed to my presence beside Ryker, and a few even sneaked an assessing glance or two in my direction.
But I paid them no mind. If they thought I was an unsuitable match for their Prince and future King, I wasn’t about to disagree with them.
We paused outside a door decorated with intricate swirling patterns around the frame. Ryker raised his fist and rapped his knuckles against the hardwood.
Shuffling sounded from the other side, and a low curse met my ears as though someone was rushing to greet us. The seconds unfurled before the door swung open, and Callum’s wild brown eyes greeted me.
“Thank the gods you’re here,” he breathed as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair.
I peered into the chamber to find Riordan sitting against his headboard, one arm tucked behind his head, and a lazy grin on his face.
“Morning, sweetheart,” he called when he spotted me.
My gaze swept the rest of the room. There was a single blanket lying discarded on the ground, and next to it was a plush, white pillow.
“Sleep well?” I asked my brother, unable to conceal my amusement.
He muttered something unintelligible before he eyed Ryker up and down, his gaze settling on our clasped hands.
“Breakfast?” I asked with an obnoxious amount of false cheer that I could almost gag on it.
“An excellent idea,” Riordan said as he jumped out of bed and grabbed a tunic.
Callum groaned, and I bit my bottom lip to stifle my grin.
I felt the weight of Ryker’s eyes on me, and when I peeked up at him from under my lashes, his gaze was burning with hunger as he stared at my trapped lip. I let it slip free, and I swallowed as I fought to regain my equilibrium.
“This way,” I said, clearing my throat.
Riordan leaned in to speak with Ryker, his words so low I couldn’t hear them.
I seized the opportunity to get loose from Ryker’s hold and linked my arm through Callum’s as I hurried down the corridor.
“We need to leave. Now.” Callum glanced around, making sure no one was listening. “That man is unbearable. If I have to endure his presence a minute longer, my head may explode.”
“I don’t think Ryker is very fond of you either,” I said, grinning.
Callum’s brows furrowed. “What?”
“You said he’s unbearable.” I shrugged.
“I was talking about the other one. The brother.”
“Riordan?”
