Page 90 of Bonded Chaos

Now, as I peered down at the courtyard, I wondered if that peace was about to shatter.

“You’re being unreasonable, Ryker,” I huffed.

“The Wild Hunt is no place for you, Cadence.”

“And why is that?”

“There are men there, and… it just isn’t.”

He grabbed the nape of his neck as if the action would soothe his irritation. He wasn’t easily riled, and my curiosity only grew.

“What is it you don’t want me to witness?”

“More like what I won’t stand for anyone else to see,” he muttered.

“What was that?”

Ryker blew out a long breath. “As the Crown Prince, it is my duty to lead the Wild Hunt. I’ll be unable to focus knowing you’re out there... and that others will be participating.”

I didn’t know what he meant, but I wasn’t above begging.

“Please, Ryker. You said you wanted to prove to me that I could trust you. Locking me away again doesn’t achieve that.”

That was clearly the wrong thing to say.

Ryker’s expression hardened, and he crossed his arms over his chest. His presence filled the room in a way it hadn’t before. He appeared larger now, more imposing.

He strode across his chambers, his dark gaze fixed upon me, and I couldn’t help but retreat a few steps.

That didn’t deter Ryker, though. He kept on coming until he had me pinned against the wall, his towering frame caging me in as his hand reached up to caress my cheek.

The gesture could be mistaken as gentle, loving, even.

But I recognized it for what it was.

The calm before the storm.

Ryker’s thumb and forefinger tightened around my chin, and he angled my face until his steel-grey eyes locked with mine.

“Do not try to play me, Cadence,” he warned. “You won’t win.”

“Ryker,” I protested, but he cut me off.

“Perhaps you’ve misunderstood me.”

I glared at him, letting him see my displeasure for himself.

As angry as I may have been, however, that didn’t stop the gentle throbbing that had started up in my core at his domineering tone.

He exuded power, and gods help me, that was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen on a man.

My lust was going to get me killed. I had grown too complacent, and I needed to remember what was at stake here.

“So let me be abundantly clear,” he purred. “Everything I shared with you inside that cave was true, but I am still the one in control. I order, and you obey.”

A shiver raced down my spine, and I tried my best to suppress it. The knowing smirk that curved Ryker’s lips told me I’d done a poor job.

Frustration and desire swirled within me. My secrets weren’t safe around this man. Hell, I wasn’t safe around this man.

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