“What will the trials entail?” Cadence asked, her voice steady despite the slight trembling in her hands.
My father rose from his throne, descending the steps with calculated grace. “Three trials of increasing difficulty.” When he reached us, he circled Cadence like a wolf on the prowl. “Mind,body, and magic. Each trial tests your worthiness to rule the Unseelie Fae.”
“When do they begin?” Cadence asked.
“Immediately.”
The smile on my father’s face made me murderous.
I whirled toward him, darkness pulsing from my skin in waves, causing the nearest courtiers to stumble back. “You will give us time to prepare.”
It was not a request.
My father hummed low in his throat, considering my demand as if he had any other choice in the matter.
“Very well,” he said. “Tomorrow.”
“You test my patience, Father. Keep pushing me, and you will not like the consequences.”
“That is sufficient,” Cadence said before I could act on my murderous impulses.
This woman would be the death of me. “No, it is not.”
Cadence turned toward me. The scowl on her face told me all I needed to know.
She was pissed, but so was I.
“I said it is sufficient,” she repeated through clenched teeth.
“And I said it was not.”
Our gazes locked, neither one of us willing to concede.
My father didn’t hesitate, choosing instead to capitalize on our disagreement. “Excellent,” he said, clapping his hands. “We will prepare for the trials to begin at noon tomorrow.”
Excited murmurs burst free as the crowd dispersed.
My gaze flicked to my father as he reclaimed his seat on the throne. He wore the confidence of a man who’d already won.
I approached the stairs leading to the dais. “You may think this is a victory, Father, but I promise you, it is the beginning of your end.”
My father’s smile dipped ever so slightly before he caught himself. “I guess we’ll see.”
The silence lingered, my hatred burning between us before I turned, leaving the throne room.
Just outside the door, Cadence, Riordan, Callum, and Eamon waited for me. I gripped Cadence by the elbow and pulled her away from the group.
“My wife and I have a few things to discuss,” I said, unable to conceal the edge to my tone. “If you will excuse us.”
“Ryker —” Riordan started, but I was already dragging Cadence down the corridor, my grip firm on her arm.
“Not now!”
The sound of a slight scuffle followed us, and I caught Cadence mouthing, “I’m fine,” to her brother.
I ignored them both.
Cadence wrenched free of my hold the moment we rounded the corner. “Don’t you dare manhandle me like some piece of property.”
