Page 22 of Bonded Chaos

The thought of what Ryker might be capable of made me shudder. I’d heard the stories depicting the devastation shadow wielders had wrought during the War of Night.

“And just think, if you accept our bond, you’ll share in the power that courses through my veins.”

His words crashed into me like a bucket of ice-cold water.

“Get off me,” I gritted out.

“So rude, Temptress,” he crooned.

I refused to acknowledge how my body came to life at his use of the pet name.

“Let go of me, Ryker. Now!”

Ryker made an annoyed sound in the back of his throat as he rolled off me. His shadows followed in his wake, taking the dagger with them.

He leaned over the bed, grabbing his trousers from the floor. Panic welled inside me as I watched him dress.

“Where are you going?”

Ryker barked out a harsh laugh.

“You want me gone, or you want me to stay? Make up your mind, Cadence.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I scoffed. “I’m not eager for more of your underwhelming company. I just don’t want to be locked inside this chamber all day.”

“You want your freedom, Cadence?” he asked, not bothering to look at me. “Earn it.”

“Earn it?” I shrieked, before cringing.

This time, he did look at me. Ryker raked his eyes over my scantily clad form, and I moved to cover myself with the sheets, remembering I was only in my nightdress.

He chuckled and shook his head.

“You seem to still be entertaining the idea that you can escape me, Cadence.”

The intensity of Ryker’s gaze had me fighting the urge to squirm in place. He lifted his thumb to run the pad across his bottom lip, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from showing how much that simple action had affected me.

“You want out of this chamber, Cadence,” Ryker said as he spread his arms out wide. “Submit to the bond, and I’ll grant you your freedom.”

Heat crept into my cheeks, but it wasn’t from embarrassment.

It was rage.

I grabbed the closest object and launched it across the room toward him.

Unfortunately, I’d grabbed a pillow, and Ryker merely swatted it away.

“I willneveraccept any kind of bond with you,” I hissed.

“Then get used to these four walls.” Ryker shrugged before pivoting on his boots and marching toward the door.

By the time I disentangled myself from the sheets and chased after him, Ryker was gone.

I pulled on the door handle, already knowing what I would find.

Locked.

“Fuck!”

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