“Ryker, what about the pregnancy?” Riordan asked, his voice low so as not to risk being overheard.
“Even more reason for her to be trained,” he said, dismissing Riordan’s concerns. “She’s carrying my heir, and I won’t always be there to shield her.”
His heir!
I wanted to strangle the man.
“It’s fine, Riordan.” I gripped the practice sword with both hands. Turning my attention back to Ryker, I said, “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
A sinister grin spread across Ryker’s lips, and I forced myself to swallow my trepidation. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of backing down.
Not now, not ever.
Ryker stalked to the center of the training yard, where he discarded his tunic before taking a fighting stance. I willedmyself to ignore the hard planes of his stomach and the way his muscles bunched as he tensed, ready to strike.
But I was only mortal, and he was sculpted by the gods. I’d blame it on the hormones, but my reaction to Ryker was not an uncommon one.
I shook my head to clear my lust-induced thoughts, as I reminded myself why I detested this man.
Ryker was responsible for the death of my mother. He was the man who upended my life and dragged me to his kingdom. He trapped me. Shackled me. Rendered me powerless. Forced me to carry his heir. I’d vowed to take back everything he had stolen from me, and I would start right now.
My spine stiffened, and I moved into position.
“That’s it, Temptress.” Ryker’s grin was almost maniacal. “Come and get me.”
“Be careful what you wish for, Ryker,” I said. “Or did you forget my promise to burn your world down around you?”
Riordan smirked, Eamon laughed under his breath, and Malesh just shook his head.
“I won’t coddle you, Cadence,” Ryker warned as he bounced on the balls of his feet.
“If I recall events correctly, I was the one who stabbed you. I think I can handle a little sparring.”
Chapter Four
Cadence
I could not, in fact, handle a little sparring.
I hadn’t been delusional enough to believe that I could win against Ryker, but I didn’t expect to lose so badly either.
Within seconds of raising his sword, Ryker had lunged for me, and I found myself flat on my back, practice blade skittering across the dirt.
I groaned, but Ryker didn’t offer a hand to help me up.
“Not so confident now, are you, Temptress?”
“Ryker,” Riordan warned, but that didn’t deter his brother.
I gritted my teeth and got up, picking up my wooden sword before reclaiming my position. This time, when Ryker lunged for me, I dodged the first strike, parried the second, but the third hit my ribs hard enough to knock the air from my lungs.
And then I was back on the ground.
“Again.”
“You’re a bastard,” I said, choking on a cough.
“Noted. Now take your stance.”
