“Sometimes I’m forgetful,” he sighed. “I’ll be sure to be more thoughtful in the future.”
“I’m sure you will.” I looked away.
“Oh, one last thing.” Ryder dropped his cloak, letting the garment fall to the floor. His coat followed suit a moment later.
I watched with heated eyes as he undid his shirt, adding it to the pile of clothes at his feet. The fire inside me welled as my eyes roamed over his muscled abs and down to his waistband. My mind and body worked in tandem as the flames built, and all I wanted to do was touch him, though the desire to kill him burned a close second.
“I love the way you look at me.” He smiled coyly. “If only your mouth matched your eyes. Perhaps I will have Elowen remedy that for me.”
I shot my gaze down.
“Don’t look away, I wouldn’t want you to miss this.” He turned, exposing his back to me.
The Rivale sigil was inked in black and gray across his skin. The outline of a large shield contained the rough waves of the ocean, a pair of armored helmets on either side, and a rose in the center. A sword stood vertically outside each helmet. It was beautifully done, despite Ryder’s swollen red skin.
“I know it’s customary to have the sigil inked after I take the throne, but my father’s nearly dead.” He turned and put on his shirt, carefully buttoning it up. “I’ve also spoken to the healer, and she’ll start working at removing the ink on your arm in the morning.”
I didn’t bother arguing with him; there was no point in it.
He finished buttoning his shirt, put on his coat, and pulled the cloak around himself. “Clasp this for your king.”
With shaking hands, it took several attempts for me to successfully connect the clasps around his neck.
“Eager to get started, I see.” He gestured his arm out. “Let me get you to your father so we can begin.”
33
AUDRYN
Standing at the back door, I scanned the crowd. Hundreds of fae sat in white chairs surrounded by a sea of flowers on either side. Women were clothed in elegant gowns with well-dressed men at their sides. Toward the front of the group sat royals, wearing formal regalia representing the other kingdoms of Crofea. I searched for Col or Amalee. And though I shouldn’t have been surprised by their absence, my chest ached from the void.
“You don’t need to go through with this.” My father’s voice was low. “We can leave.”
Maris walked out into the crowd wearing an aqua-colored gown dripping with crystals and beads. It was fitted to show off the curve of her waist and billowed out at the hips.
“Here are your flowers.” Leanna passed me a massive bouquet of blue roses, speckled with several aquamarine daisies. It smelled dreadful, and I almost refused to take it. “You should have left.” She shot me one last look before walking out, her slim aqua gown gliding as she moved. A thin gold crown topped her plainly braided hair. She'd opted for a single low braid rather than her usual extravagant style.
Ryder stood tall at the end of the aisle and watched Maris longingly as Leanna followed her down. Maris remained standing, just a few steps to the left of center, and Leanna took a seat in the front row.
“Did he threaten you?” my father asked.
“No,” I mumbled. I couldn't bear to look at him.
“Me? Did he threaten to hurt me? Because if that’s the case, let him.” He turned to me, but I stared forward. “Don’t do this. Let’s leave—we can make it.”
“We’re way past that. There’s no going home from here.”
The wedding might not afford me the opportunity to help those captured, but it was the best I could do. Leaving them behind and running was the coward’s way out. Even without a plan, I had to try to save them.
“Lady Audryn.” An attendant gestured toward the door. “It’s your turn.”
I drew in a breath and stepped forward, but my father didn’t budge. The stringed instruments changed the tune of their song, cueing the bride's entrance. The audience rose and stared at me expectantly.
I turned and gave my father a pleading look. He shook his head and blew out a breath before stepping forward to lead me out into the late afternoon air.
Had I been marrying someone else, I would have appreciated the beautifully decorated venue and the way the sun was sinking down behind the sea. Orange and pink hues pierced the sky, as if it were a scene from a painting.
The aisle led out from the castle toward the ocean, and I was half tempted to take a running leap off the cliffs instead of following it to the right. But with my father at my side, I remained steady. He moved at a snail’s pace, his cane the perfect excuse.
