Page 78 of Bonded Chaos

“You know why I am here,” I stated, each word as cold as steel.

“I am certain I do not.”

I lunged forward, gripping the armrests on her chair and forcing her into the backrest.

“Do not play games with me, Celeste. You threatened Cadence’s life.”

Celeste let her mask fall away, the feigned innocence disappearing from her eyes, only to be replaced by a glint of cold fury.

“Cadence? Is that the name of the pet you’ve been entertaining yourself with?” she scoffed.

A low growl forced its way up my throat, the sound dangerous and threatening. She swallowed thickly, but lifted her chin and pointed her nose in the air as though she smelled something that displeased her.

“I warned her, yes. I informed her of what would happen should she endeavor to take what is rightfully mine.”

“Are you in the mood to meet the gods?” I asked with a calmness that belied the lethal anger I was feeling.

Celeste laughed, a mocking, hollow sound that filled the room. When I remained silent, her eyes rounded in fear, and she sucked in a sharp breath.

“You can’t be serious, Ryker.”

“Try me.”

“My father will not stand for this,” she warned. “Our betrothal is a condition of his continued support for the King.”

“Cadence has nothing to do with that.”

“I am to be your wife and the future Queen of the Unseelie. I refuse to be made a fool of by your dalliances.”

Shadows coated my vision, and I felt the sharp prick of pain as my fangs descended.

With one look, Celeste crumbled.

“Ryker, p-please,” she stammered. “This has all been a huge misunderstanding.”

She reached for me but thought better of it, letting her hand fall to her lap.

“Then let me clear it up for you, Celeste.”

A sinister smile spread across my face, and a small whimper escaped her.

“This is your only warning. If you make any attempt to harm Cadence or incite any violence toward her, you will suffer a fate worse than death.”

I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear.

“There is a reason that men like your father seek to leash me, Celeste. I promise you, you do not want to discover what that reason is.”

I pushed off the chair and met her terrified gaze.

“Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes,” she whispered as she nodded her head.

“Excellent,” I purred, but the word was laced with venom.

Without a second glance, I strode from the room, leaving Celeste behind to contemplate my warning.

My thoughts raced as I made my way back to my chambers. I wanted to reassure Cadence that I had eliminated the threat against her. My earlier rage still simmered beneath the surface, but it had abated enough that I could shift my focus to the next pressing matter.

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