COLGRAVE
Watching Audryn with Ryder nearly brought me to my knees, but hearing Hunt’s name almost ended me. If he’d acted with such malice toward a child, what was he capable of doing to her?
“Whatever you made my betrothed do while here will never be spoken of,” Ryder continued. “You will continue exporting the extra fifty barrels in return for my kindness.”
He was acting as if he controlled the situation. With a flick of my wrist, I could eliminate not only his magic, but each of his guards' as well. And he’d clearly forgotten my sister’s reputation.
“I’m not the one who needed to force her into my arms.” I offered a fake smile. “She came willingly, begged for me to fuck her.” I should’ve kept my mouth shut, but I needed to provoke him. All he had to do was lunge, and I’d have cause to kill him. I’d avoid a war with the other kingdoms.
“Col,” my sister warned.
“Maybe if you’d satisfied her, we wouldn’t be here. She’s gloriously talented, which makes you,” I said, pointing my finger in Ryder’s direction, “the incompetent piece of this puzzle.”
Ryder’s face turned red, and if he could breathe fire, he’d have scorched us all. Maybe he'd get furious enough to finally reveal whatever magic he holding on to.
I sent my magic out, feeling the Divine ability each guard held. But something had always been different with Ryder, and I could never quite put my finger on it. His ability hummed just under the surface, too vague to understand.
The prince only stared in my direction, refusing to take the bait.
I glanced at the gryphon circling in the sky. Forced to take another angle, I continued, “You’ve failed to complete an agreement. I suppose if you’re unable to fulfill your obligations now, I’ll keep that in mind when we begin negotiations for the new treaty.”
Ryder shifted on his feet. “She’s not staying. The best I can do is allow her to return for a few days, but not now, and definitely not without me at her side.” He flicked his chin at Fisher. “Especially considering I cannot trust my guard.”
The side door to the castle opened, but I held Ryder’s stare.
“Athela, lovely to see you outside,” Ryder said in a cool tone. “It looks like it’s time to go. C’mon, Fisher.”
“He’s staying.” My mother’s voice was stern and loud; there was no mistaking her statement as a request.
She’d kept distance from royal matters since my father died. Apparently, Fisher was an exception.
“There’s a travel ban, Athela, even you know that,” Ryder continued and looked to the guard. “Charges will be brought against you for risking the life of my future wife. Lucky for you, I will allow a trial before signing the execution papers.”
“He’s staying.” Every gravelly octave in my voice rang through my words. Audryn chose to leave; Fisher could make his own choice too.
Ryder considered only for a moment before nodding. “Very well.” His fingers thrummed against the hilt of his sword. “If youwould like to harbor the killer of a queen’s brother, that is certainly your choice. But know that your position will be shared with every royal in Crofea.”
“It ismydecision, not Colgrave’s.” My mother’s words echoed off the nearby rock. “If they must, let them come for me.”
Fisher mumbled something under his breath, but the only word I could make out was my mother’s name.
“We’ll be on our way.” Ryder cocked his head and smirked. “It was a pleasure doing business with you, and I look forward to seeing those fifty barrels soon.”
The prince and his remaining guards mounted their respective gryphons and lifted into the sky, moving slower than any wyvern. The feathers of the creatures shimmered against the sunset, mirroring the glowing fire in the pit of my stomach.
My mother looked around. “A garden?” Her eyes beamed as she took in the area and walked toward the aisles. “I must thank Audryn, where is she?”
I couldn’t get the words out. They were formed, but a thick knot lay in my throat—the stifled words choking me.
“It was time for her to return home,” Sky said, not looking at my mother. “She made the choice to leave.”
Our eyes remained skyward as the gryphons headed south and shrank into the distance. My mind replayed the little moments I had with Audryn, and doubt crept in. She never verbally returned my sentiments, but I hadn’t thought she needed to. It was her actions that made me so sure my feelings were reciprocated, but perhaps I was wrong. She was obviously enjoying herself with Ryder’s hands groping over her body.
“Why didn’t you fight for her to stay? You just let her go!” Amalee pushed my shoulder, nearly knocking me down. “How could you do that? You obviously care about her.”
“What happened to ‘you can’t save everyone, especially someone who doesn’t want to be saved’?” I turned and looked ather incredulously. “Did you expect me to drag her inside? Lock her up and force her to stay when she clearly didn’t want to?”
“You didn’t even try,” she said, narrowing her eyes.
