Page 47 of Bonded Chaos

“Fuck off,” I chuckled as I shoved him.

Riordan’s own laughter followed me down the hall.

“Oh, look,” he called and pointed to the courtyard.

My gaze followed the direction of his outstretched arm.

In the middle of the square, Malesh had a practice sword raised, his footsteps confident and seamless, as another soldier prepared to defend against the strike.

Only it wasn’t a soldier.

Cadence stood with her back to me. She wore her long brown hair in a braid that I desperately wanted to wrap around my fist as I did wicked things to her body.

She thrust her practice blade high, deflecting Malesh’s strike before dancing out of range.

Riordan let out a low whistle from beside me. “Looks like you’ve got more to worry about than you thought,” he mused. “She already nearly stabbed you with yourowndagger. What will she be capable of once Malesh has finished with her?”

“I should have left him to die,” I grumbled.

Riordan chuckled as he slapped a hand on my shoulder. “Good luck,” he said in a saccharine tone.

As I continued to watch Cadence trade blows with Malesh, I realized that I just might need it.

Chapter Nineteen

Cadence

“That’s it for today,” Malesh said as he stowed his practice sword away.

Drenched in sweat and panting hard, I was grateful for the reprieve.

“Thank you, Malesh.”

The stoic Fae male inclined his head, acknowledging my thanks.

I returned my weapon to the rack and forced my uncooperative limbs toward the walkway that led to the interior of the palace.

It felt like my whole body was rebelling against the torturous training I had subjected it to. I ached in places I didn’t even know could ache. But if it meant that I had a fighting chance at escaping this place one day, I’d endure it.

Ryker’s chambers lay at the far end of the eastern wing, yet they could have been a world away as I forced my feet forward.

Just another grievance to add to my ever-growing list against Ryker.

The air vibrated with distant music, and ordinarily, I’d be curious as to its source. Tonight, however, all I wanted to do was slip into the quiet safety of Ryker’s chambers before collapsing onto the bed and never moving from it again.

When I finally reached his chambers, I traced the intricate carvings that adorned the wood paneling of the door. A relieved sigh left me as I pushed the door open, and I slipped inside, eager for rest.

As I crossed the threshold, I immediately sensed that something wasn’t right.

I swept my gaze over my surroundings, and a tingle of awareness shot up my spine. My heart hammered against my ribs, and sweat that had nothing to do with my earlier exertion beaded on my brow.

The setting sun cast long shadows through the lone window, that stretched across the room. There was nothing out of order, yet I could sense an unseen presence lingering just beyond my sight.

I took another step inside the space, and then a familiar scent hit my nostrils.

The sharp, metallic aroma was unmistakable.

Blood.

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