Page 117 of Bonded Chaos

I was so damned tired.

My plans were rudely interrupted when the door to Ryker’s chambers burst open. It hit the stone wall and rattled on its hinges from the force of the collision.

I sat bolt upright, calling my magic to my fingertips as I prepared to defend myself.

“Cadence,” Ryker growled, and I let my hands fall to the bed.

“Gods, Ryker, you scared me half to death.”

I fell back on the mattress, throwing an arm over my eyes as I blocked out the oppressive daylight. My stomach had settled somewhat, but there was an underlying queasiness that I was eager to sleep off.

Apparently, Ryker wasn’t content to leave me be.

His rough fingers tightened around my wrist as he pulled my arm away from my face. The weight of his presence filled the room as he gazed down at me, and his steel-grey eyes were swimming with some emotion I couldn’t identify.

“How are you feeling, Cadence?” he rumbled.

His question caught me off guard, and my eyes narrowed as I studied him.

“I’m a little under the weather, actually. How did you know I wasn’t well?”

“The bond,” he said with a shrug.

I blinked at him, not understanding what he meant. Then realization slammed into me, and I gasped.

“You felt me through the bond?”

Ryker nodded but didn’t elaborate.

“Gods, there is no going back now, is there?”

Ryker curled his upper lip, and I realized I had spoken the last part out loud.

“There was never any going back, Cadence,” he snarled. “Especially when you are carrying my heir.”

My breath caught in my throat, and I felt my whole body tense as my heart slammed against my ribcage.

“What did you say?”

“You’re pregnant, Cadence.”

My mouth opened and closed as I tried to form words, but nothing came out. Ryker leaned over me, his hands wrapping around my shoulders as he pulled me to my feet.

“Do not deny it,” he warned.

I was spared from responding when the door was thrown open once more, and Riordan stormed inside.

“Tell me what you did!” he demanded, and it took me a moment to realize he was talking to Ryker.

I stumbled back as my legs trembled, threatening to send me careening to the floor. The brothers continued to bicker, but I heard none of it. Pulling on my magic, I delved into every corner of my body as I searched for any sign that something was amiss.

Nausea still swirled in my stomach, but the feeling was less intense than it had been earlier. My breasts were tender, and a little swollen, and I had a higher temperature than normal. Not enough to be considered a fever, but enough to notice. Then, there was my heightened sense of smell. The way Riordan’s woodsy scent had been all-consuming, despite never really noticing it before.

I closed my eyes and let out a shaky breath. Focusing on my abdomen, I sent out small tendrils of power, searching for any sign that Ryker might be right.

Then I felt it.

The slight flutter of something pressing against my magic. It raced up the thread of my power as if reaching for me. My eyes flew open, and the room spun around me.

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