My jaw clenched, and I narrowed my eyes at my father. “Why has this practice not occurred in recent history?”
My father was downright giddy with anticipation. “The rite is only invoked if one of the governing families raises concerns about the suitability of the proposed ruler.”
My eyes landed on the council members, and they bowed their heads, unwilling to meet my gaze. “Which family?”
My shadows writhed across the floor like serpents, and the temperature dropped, making frost appear on the ornate windows. I was already imagining how I would end their bloodline in the most horrific ways.
My father curled his fingers towards his chest, and a figure emerged from the crowd. Her blond waves were twisted into an elegant braid, and she inclined her head in mock respect. Then her pale eyes fixed on Cadence with barely concealed contempt.
“Celeste.” The venom dripping from my tone made her flinch, but she schooled her features.
“Your Majesty,” she said, her voice sweet like honey. “I speak only out of love for our kingdom. You must understand our reservations about a stranger ascending to the throne.”
“You care for nothing but your own self-interest, Celeste,” I said, seething. “Now remove yourself from my presence before I do something only you will regret.”
Celeste scampered off, disappearing back into the crowd.
“I refuse,” I declared, crossing my arms over my chest.
Cries of protest erupted from the onlookers, but I ignored them. I would not risk Cadence for petty jealousy.
“Ryker,” my brother said, insistent. “You court civil war. We need a plan first.”
“That’s easy for you to say. It’s not your mate they are risking.”
“We don’t even know what the trials entail. It may not be as bad as you think.”
Before I could respond, a soft but firm voice silenced me.
“I accept.”
Chapter Twenty
Ryker
I turned to face my wife. Her spine was rigid, and she tilted her chin with the quiet authority of someone born to rule.
She was breathtaking.
And I had never wanted to strangle her more than I did in that moment.
“Cadence.” My voice was low and dangerous; a warning. “You have no idea what you’re agreeing to.”
Her eyes locked with mine, defiant and burning with an inner fire that both infuriated and captivated me. “I won’t be used as a pawn, Ryker. Not by you. And not by them.” She gestured toward the council members who sat huddled together, watching our exchange.
“This is exactly what they want! By playing into their games, you are becoming a pawn they can wield against me.”
Malice flashed in Cadence’s fiery gaze, and a sinister grin spread across her face. “That is because, like you, they underestimate me. Once I’ve conquered their petty trials, they are going to realize the gravity of that mistake.”
As angry as I was at my Temptress, her bold declaration and the wicked gleam in her eyes had my cock stiffening in my trousers.
“You will withdraw your acceptance,” I gritted out. Shadows coiled around my fingertips as I struggled to maintain my hold on my rage.
“I will not.”
My father’s laughter echoed through the throne room, bouncing off the high ceilings and stone floors. The sound grated against my nerves like a dull blade, and I curled my hands into fists to stop myself from strangling him with my shadows.
“This is marvelous,” my father said, his amusement clear for all to see.
