My father’s smile widened, as though he’d just been handed his victory. “This is why we must test her, Son. You coddle her too much. How will we know what she’s capable of, or if she is worthy to rule alongside you?”
The smug look on his face had me grinding my teeth together. My father tapped a single finger against the arm of his throne. “You only have yourself to blame.”
Before I could send my shadows hurtling across the arena to snap my father’s neck, a firm hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling me back. I glanced toward my brother, but his gaze was locked on the dais.
“Careful, Father,” Riordan said beside me. “You provoke the beast much longer, and even I won’t be able to hold him back.”
My father chuckled without mirth. “Always your brother’s keeper.” He shook his head as though he was disappointed.
That we had in common.
“I’m ready.” All eyes turned to Cadence.
She raised her chin, and the thoughts that had shaken her earlier were now buried beneath her steel resolve. She met the King’s gaze with determination burning behind her eyes.
My beautiful, fearsome, infuriating Temptress was going to get herself killed, and I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do more: throttle her or fuck her. From the way my cock strained against the front of my trousers, I was guessing it was the latter.
“I am pleased to hear that, Lady Cadence,” my father said. He nodded to someone out of sight before shifting his focus back to the arena.
The now-familiar voice boomed across the vast space between us once again. “The second trial will be a test of strength. To complete the test, your task is simple: defeat your opponent and claim your victory.”
“I told you it would be a battle of sorts,” Eamon said to no one in particular. “I bet she’s not complaining about the weight of her weapons now.”
My gaze shot to him, and a guilty look flicked across his features.
“Sorry, Ryker, that was an inside thought.” He tapped the side of his head to emphasize his point.
“That doesn’t make it any better, Eamon,” I gritted out.
He merely shrugged, returning his gaze to Cadence as if this were any other training session.
The bastard had a point, though. At least she had a weapon.
A loud grinding noise echoed from the far end of the arena as a massive metal gate lifted. The sound reverberated through my bones, and even from this distance, I could see Cadence’s hand drift toward her blade.
Whatever lurked behind the bars had yet to emerge, but the stench hit us all the same — a putrid mix of rotting flesh and sulfur that made my stomach lurch.
Callum gagged beside me. “What the fuck is that smell?” he choked out, pressing his sleeve against his nose.
I didn’t answer.
Because I recognized that cocktail of death and decay.
This was no simple combat trial.
My father had unleashed something so vile and lethal that even battle-worn soldiers would hesitate to face it.
And now it was coming for my mate.
“You bastard,” I snarled, my shadows exploding from my body without permission.
His smile was all teeth and malice. “She wants the throne, she’ll have to earn it first.”
I slammed my hands against the edge of the balcony. The stonework groaned as shards broke loose beneath my grip. “You are no father of mine.” My arms trembled with the violence ofmy fury. “Make peace with your gods, because when this is all done, I’m coming for you.”
The smile on my father’s face faltered, but he knew better than to show any weakness to his enemies.
And that was exactly what the Unseelie Fae were: his enemies. He’d ensured as much with a reign that was cutthroat and ruthless.
