Page 34 of Bonded Chaos

“He’s not my mate,” I corrected him.

Riordan released my hand and chuckled to himself. Marching toward Ryker’s bed, he picked up an apple off the fruit tray Scarlette had brought me earlier, before flopping down onto the mattress.

Making himself comfortable, Riordan rested his arm behind his head as he took a bite of the apple.

“So, what mischief should we get up to today?” he asked between bites.

The devious glint in Riordan’s eyes hinted at his fondness for causing trouble. Perhaps he’d be good company after all.

Then I remembered the collar.

“Well, seeing as your brother collared me so that I cannot move beyond the wards, I’m guessing our choices are limited,” I said with a scowl.

Riordan began choking, and his face flushed crimson as he fought to suck in a breath. I rushed toward him and thumped him on the back a few times, before a half-chewed chunk of apple flew across the room.

I turned to the nightstand and grabbed the empty tumbler and pitcher of water, then thrust a half-full cup at him, commanding him to drink. He grabbed it eagerly and gulped down the cool liquid until the entire glass was drained.

“Thank you,” he croaked.

“Are you all right?”

I couldn’t ignore the healer in me, even if I wanted to.

With shaky hands, Riordan placed the glass back on the nightstand.

“Did you say collared?” he asked, ignoring my question.

My fingers went to the rose gold chain that adorned my throat.

I refused to be embarrassed for something that was done to me, so I lifted my chin and met Riordan’s gaze.

“Yes. The asshole you call a brother tethered me with a magical collar that prevents me from leaving his domain.”

Riordan muttered under his breath, and I thought I heard him say, “That is not what I meant by charming, brother.”

Riordan studied the collar as if it were a puzzle he could solve.

“May I?” he asked as he raised his hand.

I gave him a curt nod, and he directed me to turn around. His fingers grazed the skin of my nape as he reached for the clasp, and I inhaled sharply.

What if he could remove it?

My hopes shattered a moment later as Riordan flew across the room with a shrill cry. He collided with the armchair beside Ryker’s bed, and I hurried over to check on him.

“By the gods, are you all right?”

Riordan groaned. “Ryker never did like sharing his things.”

I bristled at Riordan’s comment and straightened.

“I am not one of Ryker’sthings,” I spat. “I am a person!”

Riordan dragged a hand down his face. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he mumbled.

He extended his arm to me and said, “Help me up, will you?”

Begrudgingly and with great effort, I helped the enormous Fae male to his feet.

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