Page 119 of Bonded Chaos

I peered over my shoulder at the others who had followed us inside, but none of them would meet my eye.

“Tell me what is going on, Ryker, or so help me —”

My words died on my tongue as Ryker announced, “You will marry us.”

His tone brooked no argument, and the Priest swallowed hard.

“Your Highness,” he began, but Ryker held up a hand to silence him.

“Right now.”

My shock gave way to anger, and I wrenched myself free of Ryker’s grasp.

“Are you insane?” I hissed. “I’m not marrying you.”

Ryker spun toward me. His movements were so fast that I almost missed them. His hand darted forward, wrapping around my throat as he pulled me to him.

“This is not up for discussion, Cadence,” he snarled. “You will take my name, my protection, and my power. Youwillbecome my wife, and once it is done, there is not a single person inside this kingdom who would dare harm you,” — his gaze flicked to my flat stomach and then back to me — “or our child.”

“I won’t do it,” I said, my resolve strengthening. “And you can’t force me to do this. Fae law is absolute. The binding won’t be true if I do not consent.”

Ryker smirked and stepped closer, invading my space.

“Ryker,” Riordan warned, but the man before me gave no indication that he had even heard his brother.

Ryker’s warm breath tickled the side of my neck as he leaned in close to my ear.

“Fight me on this, and I will return to the Seelie Kingdom. While I’m there, I will make sure that I call on your parents intheir brownstone house that’s nestled only two streets back from your apothecary.”

I inhaled sharply, but Ryker wasn’t done.

“Then I’ll be sure to visit your brother, Callum, right?”

My palms landed on Ryker’s chest, and I shoved him, but he didn’t budge. His calloused hands wrapped around my wrists as a wicked grin spread across his face.

Dread settled in my stomach. “How?” I whispered.

“You don’t live this long in my world without always staying one step ahead of your opponent at all times.”

Tears filled my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

“You truly are a monster,” I choked out.

“Yourmonster. And I won’t risk your life, or the life of our child, for your pride, Temptress.”

Turning to the Priest, he nodded his head. “You may begin.”

Chapter Forty-Eight

Cadence

“Prince Ryker,” the Priest intoned, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. “You stand before the gods, ready to tether your fate to the woman before you?”

Sweat beaded on my upper lip, and I felt as though I was drowning.

“Ryker, please,” I begged. “You can’t do this.”

“I can, and I will,” he said before returning his gaze to the Priest and giving him a single nod.

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