Page 139 of Bonded Chaos

“Survive?” he repeated, his voice deadly calm. “You think keeping secrets like this from me is how you survive? Do you know what would have happened to you if anyone had found out about this before I did?”

“Do you think me a fool?” I snapped. “This has been my entire life, Ryker, hence the secret. I promised my aunt that I would never reveal my magic to anyone, and I’ve kept that promise. Until now.”

Ryker’s hand shot out, and he gripped my chin as he forced me to look at him. I raised my hands in defense, the threat lingeringbetween us. If Ryker intended to end me, I wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“You think you could kill me, Temptress?” he asked with a dark edge underlying his tone.

“Yes,” I lied.

“Then do it,” he gritted out. “Free me from this godsforsaken bond and spare me the agony of craving your touch, every minute of every day, but knowing I’ll never truly have you, because your hatred is stronger than your affection. Do. It. Cadence.”

We stared at each other, our ragged breaths the only sound that cut through the suffocating silence.

“Fuck,” Ryker growled, and then he slammed his lips against mine.

He laced one hand through my hair, and he squeezed the nape of my neck to the point of pain. His other hand gripped my hip, pulling me flush against his muscular frame.

Despite my better judgment, I melted into his touch. My arms wrapped around his neck, and he groaned as I deepened the kiss. His tongue warred with mine, and his teeth sank into my lip hard enough to draw blood.

Ryker stepped back, breaking our connection and leaving me panting. He ran a hand through his hair, and for a long moment, he was silent, his gaze distant as he processed my confession.

When he finally spoke, his tone was rough but confident.

“You need to stay here, Cadence,” he said, his voice dripping with authority. “I mean it. Do not leave this room.”

“What are you going to do?” I asked, the suspicion in my tone making him bristle.

“I’m going to ensure your safety,” he rumbled as he strode toward the door.

His hand reached out and gripped the doorknob. His shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath, and he cast one last glance in my direction before he left the room.

I released a shaky breath and placed a hand on my stomach to settle the unease whirling inside me.

It was going to be all right. Ryker would protect me, just as he had promised.

But the illusion dissolved when I heard a noise that condemned Ryker forever.

The sound of the lock sliding into place.

Chapter Fifty-Six

Ryker

Wraith Borne.

Cadence was one of the Wraith Borne.

No matter how many times I repeated the words, I struggled to accept that my mate belonged to the Fae who had tried to take everything from me.

She’d killed a man with her bare hands. His body had been an empty shell by the time she finished. I wouldn’t deny that such power in a mate was extremely alluring. However, I couldn’t overlook the risk it posed to her safety.

As I rounded the corner of the hallway, Riordan’s chambers came into view. I didn’t bother knocking as I pushed his doors open and strode inside.

My first mistake.

Loud moans greeted me, and I came face to face with my little brother’s naked ass. He was taking a redheaded woman from behind, and the sound of skin slapping against skin had me wanting to rip my ears off. Despite my horror, I found myself unable to look away as I tried to discern where all the limbs were coming from.

My second mistake.

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