“Answer, Audryn,” Ryder demanded in a deep voice and lowered his chin, glaring down his nose at me. His face was tomato red and filled with rage like I’d never seen.
“I’m sorry.” I stalled. “Can you repeat the question?”
Ryder groaned, and the officiant started once again. Ryder looked over my shoulder and went rigid. His hands squeezed against mine with crushing strength. I drew back, but his grip and stare held. Whispers turned to gasps, then loud, rushed words. One guest pointed to the south and brought her free hand to her mouth.
I turned around, yanking my hands out of Ryder’s. At least fifty wyverns flew through the sky, their wings beating a reassuring rhythm. Their riders' long black hair and silver cloaks flowed in the wind behind them. They filled the horizon, and the small shadows grew large as they closed the distance.
The group flew in a wide V pattern, and at the center, in all of his glorious beauty, Col sat on top of Zalzre. A riderless Dysis flanked their right. My wyvern’s green eyes locked on me, and determination flickered between us.
He’d broken the treaty and brought the Graystorm witches.
34
AUDRYN
Ryder twisted me around to him, the pain from his grip on my wrist duller than it should’ve been. Tears flowed from my eyes, happiness leaking out of me. Col had come for me. My father would be safe.
My breath stuttered seeing Ryder’s distorted face come into view through my watery vision. Rage seeped out of him. With a snarl on his mouth and his nostrils flaring, his breath was heaving.
“You’ll accept the bond or I’ll kill your father!” Ryder shouted for all to hear. “Accept it!”
The audience gasped, and a shout rang out from the crowd. But everything was muffled. Like I was seeing and hearing everything while being held under a lake. With my vision tunneling on Ryder, I couldn’t speak. My mouth was a desert without a drop of water in sight.
It felt like a lifetime had passed as my mind tried to make sense of what was happening, but everything came rushing back a moment later. Another scream erupted, drawing my attention to the right. I turned to see a guard on each side of my father,dragging him away. They’d pulled his hands behind his back, causing him to hunch forward on trembling legs.
I moved, but Ryder’s grip held me in place. “Get off him!” I screamed at the guards. “Get off him!” He wrapped his thick arms around me and pulled me into a bear hug as I struggled to get away.
“Accept the bond or he’s dead!” Ryder squeezed against my fighting body. “Accept the fucking bond, Audryn!”
My eyes darted to Amalee and then to my father. A moment later, she was on the move, making her way up the long aisle without hesitation. Grinning, her black teeth sparkled. Several guests ran screaming the moment they realized who she was, including the royals.
A guard rushed in, delaying her progress. Her sword met his a moment later, and the fight was on. But instead of swords clashing, the guard stopped and grasped at his chest before dropping to the ground. He’d died not by metal, but by rot.
All at once, Col and the other riders landed, forming a circle around the entire event. The kitchen staff and attendants rushed away from the rear walls and moved toward the crowd, swords in hand.
“You will accept it!” Ryder clutched a hand at the top of my throat. “Or I’ll kill you too!”
“My father! Get to him!” The words were strained as I shouted toward Col, who’d nearly made it to me. I almost doubted he’d heard them, but when his eyes shifted away, I knew he had.
Whatever happened next wouldn’t matter. Col and Amalee would get my father to safety and make sure he lived a long, wonderful life in Kuroden. A steady stream of books would be at his fingertips, and maybe he’d even enjoy reading world-walking books. My father and Col could discuss them for hours after dinner while Sky and Amalee lounged on the sofa nearby.
“You’re going to accept it! I’m your fucking king!” Ryderroared. Droplets of spit splattered across my face. “You’re as good as dead!”
The officiant backed away, hands up and his tiny religious pendant dangling from a chain in his fingers. His tan skin was ashen as his eyes darted about for the nearest exit.
“No,” I breathed, “I do not accept the mating bond.” Sparks pricked the corners of my eyes as tears streamed out.
Ryder lifted me off the ground, then slammed me into the hard earth, knocking what little breath I had left from me.
I had only a moment to gasp before he straddled me and settled his weight on my chest. With both hands around my neck, he applied pressure, squeezing more intently. My hands grasped at him, fingernails clawing down his cheeks, but he didn’t let up. I tried pushing him away, but with the large gown and his size outweighing me, I was no match.
“No!” my father’s voice erupted, and the ground began to tremble. The low groaning under my back vibrated through my body—through my soul.
It wasn’t my magic that vibrated through the land. His was the familiar hum I found in the air, easily distinguished among the hundreds of fae using their abilities. It was the comforting buzz I’d always felt wrapped around me. I welcomed it. It was home, warmth, and love. And as the ground continued to quake, I thoughtfully considered the land might actually open up and swallow Maris and me whole like we’d hoped.
“Kill him!” Ryder shouted toward my father. “Do it now!”
Col hadn’t quite reached him, but was making his way there, fighting guard after guard. People scattered and screamed, while others were stuck in the chaos. Guards were fighting among themselves, and kitchen staff were in the melee too. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Fisher fighting his way to me. Just as he arrived, Ryder threw up a hand, forming an invisible barrier around us.
