I went to protest, but Ryder and Hunt peeled off while Fisher grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward down the hall. Minutes passed as we moved rapidly through familiar corridors and came to rest in front of Guard Roark. He appeared unusually stoic and ready to protect those who were in need.
“Get inside your room while I collect the others.” Fisher’s words were a cold demand rather than a request.
Knowing better than to argue, I hurried down my hall, rushed past Roark and made it through my bedroom door. With my room facing the front of the grounds, I promptly went to look out the window.
From the first floor, I didn’t have much of a vantage point to view the gate. A second-floor location would have given me a view of the long, winding path towards the fight. If they made their way through, I wasn’t sure I would be spared from their rampage. Though if they didn’t come, that would only mean the worst—Jaspar was dead.
19
AUDRYN
An hour passed as I sat on the opulent sofa next to the window. I had opened the glass pane, but the scream-filled air only heightened my anxiety. As the voices faded, my concern worsened.
I looked back at the book sitting in my lap. I'd spent nearly an hour staring at it, attempting to distract myself with Kuroden's history, but it didn’t work. Despite reading the same page dozens of times, not a single piece of information had penetrated my mind.
My gaze skipped back to the window, where orange hues filled the sky—proof of the falling sun. A lone figure crested the hill first. Dozens of guards followed behind, some staggered, others held wounds, all were smeared with blood. My eyes narrowed on the one at the front, wearing an aqua tunic and black trousers with a jewel-hilted sword at his side.
“Ryder!” I yelled. Whether the prince was covered with the blood of another or his own, I couldn’t be sure.
Without thinking, I threw a leg over the window ledge and jumped from the room in one swift motion. My feet carried me across the walk I’d seen the guards travel nightly, through thethick bloom of blue flowers, and to the wide carriage path. It took less than a minute to reach him, though it felt like ages.
“Great fucking Divine, are you okay?” I scanned him, unworried by the profanity that had spilled out. “Are you hurt?” I eyed his obviously destroyed sleeve and bloody upper arm. My hand moved to the wound, and he flinched.
“I’m fine, it’s nothing.” His lips pursed, and I realized he was keeping his left arm close to his body, making only slight movements. “You should see the other guy. The resistance sustained worse fates.”
My mouth fell open as the implication of their return hit me. My brother’s friend was likely lying lifeless just down the path, and everyone was so nonchalant about it.
“In fact, gather them.” Ryder threw out an arm and faced the crowd of guards. “Gather the bodies so we may celebrate their demise. We will feast while the death in their eyes watches on.”
A cheer erupted, and my stomach tilted.
“Do you think that’s necessary?” The words left my mouth before I could think better of it. The sudden silence from the guards, told me they heard my mistake too.
Ryder looked at the guards on his left and then those on his right before his stare landed back on me. His chin lifted as he drew in a breath and took a step toward me. Certain I was going to be publicly admonished, I braced for the impact.
“It appears Audryn cannot wait for the traitors to be brought in,” he said loud enough for all to hear as he grinned. “We will return to the gates where my lady may observe the fate of the resistance for herself.”
I went to object, but Ryder clasped my palm using his right hand. He turned with me in tow and began walking down the winding path. The thick, sticky substance on his skin pressed into mine, leaving me feeling ill.
With bloodied guards at our backs, Ryder and I walked at the front of the group. Some guards limped, while othersseemed jovial. A female pushed back her blood-covered golden locks, which were nearly crusted dry, to the side of her head; her green eyes shimmered in the rays of the sunset.
“I’m sorry I questioned you in front of everyone.” My voice was shaking, nerves getting the best of me. The concentration it took to walk down the steep path was more than I’d expected. My thighs burned and begged me not to topple forward as we made the descent.
“While not ideal, I understand this life is new to you.” He paused and looked toward me with a tight smile before continuing. “I offer you grace while you adjust to your new environment.”
“Thank you.” I said, wondering why he’d offered me such empathy. Could he be so different from the king, who showed no mercy to the people of Rivale? Maybe it was possible the unwarranted executions would stop under Ryder’s rule and the kindness he gave me would be extended to all fae.
It took us far too long to get to the gate. But when we arrived, I forgot all about the pain in my body. Time froze. At least four dozen bodies of men and women were stacked near the front of the gates with broken limbs, severed heads, and blood-soaked clothes.
“These men and women killed half a dozen of the Rivale Guard.” Ryder scanned over the dead. “Their attack was unprovoked.”
My eyes roamed over the group of dead, selfishly looking for anyone with red locks. Those with blonde hair were easy to misidentify as redheads with blood-tinged strands. I scanned faces looking for distinguishing marks to tell me that my brother’s friend had perished. None of the faces were familiar, which was odd considering I’d seen so many of the resistance every night.
“Two of my guards were mothers.” Ryder looked down, and for a moment I saw grief spread across his face. “Theirchildren are now orphans because the resistance hates my family.”
Several moments passed as he remained deep in his thoughts before he looked back out at the dead. His tan skin was flushed, and he swayed slightly. Perhaps he was more affected by death since he’d never seen battle.
“This group was identified as one that lives in the eastern region. We have no intel on why they attacked, other than they’ll do whatever they can to claim the lives of the innocent.” His jaw clenched.
