Page 82 of Bonded Chaos

Odette’s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary before she straightened and nodded.

“Of course, My Lady.”

She moved to collect the silver tray and empty vial, her fingers brushing the glass with something akin to reverence.

“I’ll leave you to get on with your day.”

I watched as Odette turned, her movements almost eerie in their rigidity, a complete contrast to the poise she had displayed upon entering. She strode for the door, but as she reached for the handle, she paused and cast a glance back in my direction.

“If you feel anything… unusual… do not hesitate to summon me. I will always make myself available for your needs.”

An involuntary shiver raced down my spine, but I forced myself to ignore it.

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

With a final dip of her chin, Odette slipped out of Ryker’s chambers, the door closing softly behind her.

I exhaled slowly, surprised that I felt even tenser than before. Odette’s parting words echoed inside my head, and there was an undercurrent that lingered, a warning perhaps, that I couldn’t put my finger on. Her appearance, so close after my confrontation with Celeste, seemed orchestrated. Her demeanor had been polite, but tense.

Yet, everything she said was true.

Had my distrust grown so strong that I now saw enemies where none existed?

I shivered as I dismissed the notion. I glanced back toward the door, half expecting Odette to reappear. She had seemed so invested, so watchful, as she attended to me.

I shook my head to dispel my lingering doubts. The woman was only trying to help.

Even as the thought formed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something crucial.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Cadence

When the door burst open soon after Odette left, I expected to see the strange woman lingering in the doorway.

Instead, I found a hulking Fae male with a brooding aura looking unsure as he surveyed me with apparent nervousness.

“Go away, Ryker,” I muttered. “I’m in no mood for company, least of all yours.”

“Cadence,” he rumbled in that tone that had my nipples puckering.

Not today, hormones.

“Are you deaf as well as an asshole?”

A dark chuckle was my only answer, and the sound filled the room with a tantalizing mixture of danger and allure, daring me to come closer despite my every instinct screaming at me to stay away.

I could hear the rustle of clothing as Ryker moved nearer, but I was determined to ignore him.

That was, until he ripped the covers from me, exposing my skin to the cool morning air.

“What the hell, Ryker!”

“You will not spend the day sulking in bed, Cadence. Get up. Now.”

He waved his hand in the air as if he expected me to jump at his command. Hell, he most likely did.

“I said no, Ryker. I realize it’s not a word you are familiar with, but it means fuck off.”

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