Page 16 of Bonded Chaos

Riordan pinched the bridge of his nose. “That does not justify kidnapping,” he muttered.

“I don’t see the problem.”

“You wouldn’t, you oaf. You know nothing about charming women.”

“I’ve charmed plenty of women,” I countered.

“No, you have had plenty of women willing to look past your uncivilized nature for the chance to share space with true power.”

“What’s the difference?”

“See,” Riordan said as he pointed a finger at me. “That right there is the problem. If you want this woman to enjoy being in your company, you’re going to need to improve your courting skills.”

“One minute you’re acting like having a Seelie mate is the worst fate possible, and the next, you’re worried about my courting efforts,” I huffed, my irritation getting the best of me. “I don’t need to court her, Riordan. She’s my mate. She’s already mine.”

“We’ll see,” he taunted with a knowing smirk.

Without further discussion, I turned on my heels and marched towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Riordan called from behind me.

“To ensure my mate understands exactly who she belongs to.”

“Fuck,” Riordan muttered, but I was already out the door.

A slow grin worked its way across my face. Cadence wouldn’t see me coming.

Chapter Seven

Cadence

A low groaning sound filled the chamber, and I sat bolt upright as I watched the door swing open. The aged hinges protested under the strain, disturbing the quiet of the night.

True to his word, Ryker had left me locked inside the four walls of his chambers all day, and I would have gone stir-crazy if not for the occasional visits from Scarlette bringing me food. But just like her first visit, she escaped my probing questions before I could interrogate her.

One moment, she was there, and the next, nothing. Poof. Gone. She disappeared like a whisper in the wind.

My exhaustion eventually won out, and I climbed into the enormous bed that had no business being so damn comfortable. I could almost forget how I’d ended up here, lost in the luxury of silken sheets and pillows so soft they felt like clouds.

Almost.

The illusion came crashing down the moment Ryker’s towering frame filled my vision.

“Where have you been all day?” I demanded.

Ryker lifted his head, and his piercing gaze struck me all the way to my core. His grey eyes held a magnetic intensity that was so powerful, I couldn’t look away.

“Miss me, Cadence?”

His voice was smooth against my skin, the deep timbre a gentle caress that had my nipples puckering under the sheer fabric of my nightdress.

“Of course not,” I scoffed.

Ryker’s gaze dipped to my chest, and his tongue darted out as he swiped it across his bottom lip.

It was then that I realized I had failed to hold onto the sheet in my haste to confront him. My nipples were standing to attention, and Ryker had a front-row seat to my mortification.

My hands fumbled for the bedding as I yanked it up to my chin, shielding myself from further scrutiny.

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