Page 23 of Bonded Chaos

I slammed my palms against the cherry-colored wood, but he didn’t respond.

“You can’t keep me locked up like an animal, Ryker!” I bellowed.

For the first time since I had arrived at the Unseelie Court, a small pang of despair tugged at my heart.

I slid down the door and buried my head in my hands.

My thoughts drifted to my parents, and how worried they must be. Callum would try to assuage their fears, but I knew my brother would be just as concerned.

An idea sprang to life in my mind, and I pushed myself off the ground as I scurried toward the desk.

After finding everything I needed, I sat down and began to write.

Chapter Nine

Ryker

The sound of my boots pounding against the hard stone floor echoed around me, intensifying my blackening mood.

Cadence’s refusal to acknowledge, let alone accept, our bond, had my blood boiling.

I wanted to claim her as mine, to own her body and ravish her in ways that would have my name falling from her lips like a prayer.

But more than that, accepting the bond promised greater power.

I hadn’t lied to Cadence when I told her I was disappointed that the only magic she had to offer was healing. However, I had brushed my disappointment aside when I thought of how much my own power would grow.

If she wouldn’t submit to me, I’d have to force her to accept my claim.

I let out a frustrated growl as I pulled my hair away from my face and tied it at my nape.

Gods, the woman was infuriating.

She looked upon me with a level of disdain that suggested I had slaughtered her nearest and dearest, which I knew was not the case, as Malesh had confirmed her parents and older brother were very much alive.

As if conjured by mere thought alone, Malesh fell into step beside me.

“Your father summoned you?” he asked, not one for small talk or idle pleasantries.

I made an affirmative sound, and Malesh nodded.

“Where’s Eamon?”

Malesh and Eamon, my most trusted guards, were rarely apart.

“Preparing the men. There’s been another attack.”

The Crimson Enclave had returned with a vengeance. Despite their near eradication during the Cleansing, a small group had somehow survived. And they’d been biding their time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Now they were out for blood.

Specifically, the blood that ran through my veins.

We continued in silence as we made our way toward the throne room. The guards stationed outside the door bowed their heads and moved aside to let us pass.

As expected, my father sat on the dais, his arm slung over the side as he waited for me to approach.

Malesh dropped back as I went to stand beside my brother.

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