Page 151 of Bonded Chaos

And the next, it was gone.

A violent tearing sensation erupted behind my ribcage, and the force was so potent that it brought me to my knees. My hands clawed at my chest as a raw, animalistic howl tore from my throat. My vision blurred, and my mind reeled as an unbearable emptiness spread throughout my body.

Riordan dropped to the ground beside me, his face pale as he tried to capture my attention.

“Ryker, what’s happening? Did something happen to Cadence?”

I could hear the panic in his tone, and as I glanced around me, I saw twin expressions of concern contorting Malesh and Eamon’s features.

My hands curled into fists, and my nails dug into my palms until blood trickled between my fingers.

“No,” I snarled as the surrounding space darkened, my shadows twisting in response to my anguish.

“No, what?” Riordan pressed. “Tell me what’s going on.”

But I couldn’t bring myself to say the words. I refused to accept that Cadence was gone or the knowledge that I’d failed her.

“FUCK!” I roared, and the forest recoiled as the pulse of my anger washed over it.

The surrounding trees wavered, their limbs shaking as they resisted the pull of my power. But not even the primordial strength of nature was enough to resist my agony as my shadows forced the forest to its knees, flattening the trees around us.

I no longer cared if we were discovered.

Let them come. I would show them what a fucking monumental mistake they had made by taking what belonged to me.

The thought didn’t bring me as much comfort as I’d hoped it would, as the truth continued to claw at me, undeniable and cruel. The bond had been a constant reminder that no matter how fiercely Cadence fought me, she was still mine.

But now… now it was gone.

“Ryker, tell me what’s going on,” Riordan pleaded.

“She’s gone,” I whispered, unable to hide the tremor in my voice. “Cadence is gone.”

“What do you mean, she’s gone?” Malesh pressed.

“She’s fucking gone! The bond is broken. I can’t feel her anymore.”

My voice hitched on the last word, and Riordan’s eyes misted over.

“A bond can only be broken if—”

A menacing growl worked its way up my throat, cutting him off. I staggered to my feet, my breathing shallow and uneven as I steadied myself.

I had taken my time with Cadence for granted, too comfortable in the notion that she was mine and would remain by my side until our dying days. I’d envisioned our entire future. One where she ruled alongside me as we watched our children flourish and grow.

Now that future had been stolen from us, and every step felt as though I was trudging through quicksand. My body was weigheddown by my unbearable grief, and I had no idea how I would survive this.

Memories of Cadence swam in my mind like a tormented dream — one you longed to escape, but knew you’d have to endure before the reprieve of consciousness found you. My vision wavered as rage and sorrow battled for dominance.

I threaded my fingers through my hair, tugging on the strands with such fury that I was surprised they hadn’t been pulled free.

Not even the pain could ground me. I was adrift, with no land in sight, hoping the waves would drown me.

“What do we do now?” Riordan asked, barely above a whisper.

My gaze landed on him, and I took in his pained expression and wet cheeks. The image made my heart clench, but I didn’t have any space left to absorb Riordan’s suffering.

Not this time.

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