The room was closing in on me, air was being pulled from my lungs. My ribs were compressing inward as panic filled my body. I stood and waited for someone to tell me it was only a cruel joke and I only needed to wait for the punchline. But it never came.
“Is it her magic you want?” Ryder’s voice interrupted. “Do you want someone with Divine magic? Is that what this is about?”
The racing of my heart nearly made me collapse. I grabbed the back of a chair to steady myself. Grave’s eyes scanned between Ryder and me. For a moment, I thought he might consider letting me out of the agreement. Tears threatened to fill my eyes and the back of my throat burned. My stomach was still weak, and the blow of this agreement was nearly enough to make me heave.
“If it’s her magic, I’ll find someone who will give you what you want, someone who’s better than she is!” Ryder’s voice was as frantic as I felt. “You don’t need her when we have plenty in the land. I will give you one of my guards who not only possesses Divine magic, but has exceptional fighting skills as well.”
Grave huffed, but refused to acknowledge the offerings.
“A fire wielder? Air? Water?” Ryder pushed, with a trembling voice. “Perhaps a child of those who have the same magic—they will be significantly stronger than any who possesses only one parent’s ability. I will scour the land for a child of a mated pair! EvenIdo not possess magic as strong as someone so rare.”
Hope bloomed in my chest as he offered anything and everyone that might interest the king.
“Audryn wields land, and though she may appear proficient, she is incompetent.” Ryder threw out the insult as if I weren’t right there to hear it myself. I frowned. “She barely even makes a flower bloom. Surely, you’re looking for someone better. More capable.”
Grave refused to respond and instead kept his mouth occupied with food. Amalee’s brow creased, but she kept her gaze set on Ryder and made no move to include herself in the conversation.
“You can’t make me go,” I snapped, turning my head from Ryder to Grave. “I refuse!”
36
AUDRYN
The room was a dizzying space I desperately wanted to leave. It no longer mattered if I won Ryder’s love; I just wanted to go home—to my real home, not a room in this castle. I drained the cup of water, hoping that by the time I finished, the silence would no longer be a deafening chasm. But when I gathered enough bravery to look up, each person at the table sat focused on me.
“Leave us,” Ryder spoke more softly than I’d ever heard him.
The chairs screeched as they pushed back. I’d half considered leaving myself, but I was certain he’d forbid me from doing so. Perhaps if I hurried, I could run from these walls and hide among my neighbors’ homes. Maybe I could retreat to the eastern region and find my master jeweler.
Leanna and Maris stood at the door waiting for the other occupants to vacate the space. But Grave remained seated. Amalee stood behind him with her lips pressed into a thin line.
I scowled at the man.
“I said, leave us.” Ryder raised his voice.
Grave sat lazily, staring back at me. One corner of his mouth twitched.
“Fucking leave!” I shouted louder than even Ryder had over the past few weeks. Throwing my hands on the table, I leaned over it and yelled at Grave. “Nobody wants you here. Return to the wretched kingdom you came from!” My voice cracked.
The king’s nostrils flared, and his brows knitted together. He exhaled and stood without saying a word. His sister stepped to his side and shook her head slightly.
“You have twenty minutes,” Grave said plainly, then exited the room.
I turned my fury on Ryder. “You had no right to bargain me away! You didn’t even ask what I wanted.”
Still seated, he looked up at me. “It doesn’t matter what you want. I will be your king, and I will trade my people as I wish.”
My mouth fell open. Shock wasn’t a strong enough word to express the emotions raging through me.
He took a long drink before continuing. “I will do what I see fit with the people in my kingdom. And you will go to Kuroden like the good girl you are meant to be.”
“I–I don’t want to.” Struck with defeat, I collapsed into the chair behind me. My body trembled—with worry or anger, I couldn’t tell.
“Be on the right side of Rivale’s future, Audryn,” Ryder insisted. “Workforthis kingdom and not against it as your brother did.”
I looked up as pain struck me. We had spoken little about my brother and I still hadn’t obtained the name of his killer. But I knew Ryder held that information.
“Tell me about Kamden’s charges and who his executioner was.” I said, lifting my chin, “and then I will go with the king.”
