The fucking idiot was dancing a very fine line between the living and the dead. If I weren’t certain that Cadence would never forgive me for murdering him, I wouldn’t even be entertaining the idea of allowing him to continue breathing.
“Easy, Killer,” Riordan cooed as he fought to keep his hold on my mate’s enraged brother.
“I should fucking kill you,” Callum seethed.
I threw my arms out wide and said, “You’re welcome to try.”
The malicious grin that spread across my face did nothing to soften the threat lacing my words.
“Who the fuck do you think you are, binding her magic?”
“Callum! You’re making a scene.” Cadence’s gaze darted around, taking in the servants who pretended not to listen.
“She’s not yours to tame. She is my sister! And her magic sure as hell isn’t yours to cage.”
I stepped forward, invading his space. “She’s not mine to tame, but she is mine to protect.”
Callum’s face contorted with rage. “Protect? You call binding her magic protection?”
“When that magic could get her killed? Yes.” My jaw clenched so tight I could feel my teeth grinding.
“Both of you stop talking, right now,” Cadence interjected.
Her glare brooked no argument, and I reluctantly retreated a step. It was that, or I’d end up snapping her brother’s neck.
The tense silence was broken by a messenger, who approached as if he feared for his life.
“Your Highness,” he said, clearing his throat.
My narrowed gaze turned on him, and he swallowed roughly. “The King has requested your presence. He is waiting for you in his study.”
My fists clenched at my sides, and I forced myself to breathe before I did something stupid like level the entire kingdom.
Turning to Riordan, I said, “Take Cadence and her brother back to our chambers.”
Riordan nodded once, acknowledging the command.
“Cadence, call for Scarlette to bring you some breakfast. I will return as soon as I can.”
I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her hair. She ignored me in favor of her brother, which made me want to murder him even more. The small smirk gracing Riordan’s lips didn’t go unnoticed either.
“Just so we’re clear, I agree with him.” Riordan tilted his head toward Callum before darting down the hall after the siblings.
Great.
Soon they’d be conspiring against me.
I bit down on the urge to stab something, fury curling tight beneath my skin as I turned on my heel and stalked in the opposite direction. The sharp crack of my boots on the stone floor echoed like the drumbeat of a death march, loud and unrelenting in the silence.
Callum was going to be a problem, and I’d yet to find a solution my wife would be fond of.
As I made my way toward my father’s study, my thoughts kept circling back to Cadence. Her defiance was another complication I couldn’t afford right now. The court was already humming with whispers about our clandestine nuptials, and more than a few lords and ladies were curious about my wife.
In the Unseelie Court, being a curiosity was dangerous. We’d need a united front to keep the vipers at bay.
As I rounded the corner, I forced all thoughts of court politics to the back of my mind and braced myself for what lay ahead. Drawing in a slow breath, I allowed my expression to slacken,emptying every trace of emotion until all that remained was a mask of cold neutrality.
I wouldn’t permit my father, or anyone else, to see Cadence as the flaw in my otherwise impenetrable armor.
