“That’s not what troubles me. These people don’t fight fair. Who knows what traps they’ll lay?”
I stepped back, holding my brother at arm’s length as I peered up at him. His brown eyes shone with fear, and I couldn’t remember another time when I had seen him so afraid.
“Then it’s fortunate that I have my big brother here with me, isn’t it?” I said, trying to lighten the mood.
Callum snorted, but I saw the small tug of his lips that told me he was fighting to conceal a smile.
“Aww, you’re so sweet, Killer,” Riordan cooed.
“Don’t call me that!” My brother glared at the Unseelie Prince, and this time it was my turn to stifle my grin.
Riordan pouted as he turned to me. “See what I have to put up with, sweetheart.”
“Terrible.”
“It’s a hardship, really,” Riordan said with a heavy sigh. “But one I’m more than willing to bear.”
“Enough,” Ryker barked. “We have more important matters to attend to.”
“What did your father say the three tests would be?” Malesh asked, refocusing our attention.
“Test of the mind, body, and magic,” Ryker said.
“Test of the mind…” Malesh scratched at the stubble lining his jaw. “A puzzle? Or maybe something tied to our histories?”
“A test of the body most likely involves something physical, like a fight.” I glanced toward Eamon, who looked far too excited by that prospect.
“And the test of magic?” Callum asked.
A tense silence settled over our group as everyone avoided stating the obvious.
“You’ll need to uncuff her, Ryker.” Well, everyone except Riordan.
“It’s not as if she can draw upon her power anyway,” Ryker snarled. “Her healing abilities would be useless, and if she displays any sign of being Wraith Borne, they’ll execute her.”
Eamon winced, but Callum stepped into Ryker’s space, his nostrils flaring as his ears turned red.
“This shouldn’t even be a discussion,” he said, seething. “If you were a decent mate, you never would’ve cut her off from her magic.”
“I’m trying to protect her!” Ryker shouted.
“You’re trying to control her!”
“Stop talking about me like I’m not standing right here!”
Both men glared at each other, their chests heaving as they fought to contain their anger.
Slowly, my husband turned to face me. He clenched his jaw as he stared at me, and the air crackled with tension the longer he remained silent.
“If she dies because you were too stubborn to give her a fighting chance,” Callum seethed, “I will make sure you join her in the afterlife.”
Riordan dropped into a chair, stretching his long legs before him. “Such a turn on,” he murmured as he stared at my brother.
Ryker rolled his eyes. “This discussion is redundant.”
Malesh cleared his throat. “If she doesn’t display any magic, Ryker, the council will deem her unworthy.”
“I didn’t say she wouldn’t have magic.”
