Page 98 of Bonded Chaos

Then, a new sound shattered the silence. It was a woman’s voice, distant but unmistakable.

“Ryker,” Celeste sang.

Her voice sounded almost deafening to my ears.

“I know you’re out there.”

I could hear the note of longing in her tone and something dark twisted inside my chest.

He wouldn’t. Not after everything he promised.

But he kept you out of the hunt for a reason, my inner voice taunted.

My heart clenched, and I was caught between the urge to flee and morbid curiosity. I shifted in place, craning my neck as Ipeered out through a gap in the roots. I could see Celeste moving through the trees, but Ryker was nowhere in sight.

The sound of hooves hitting the hard earth startled me, and I watched as Celeste froze where she stood.

From deep within the forest, an enormous black war horse strode past the tree line. Its movements were graceful, and its powerful muscles rippled beneath its shimmering coat. Steam curled from its nostrils with each breath as it scanned the shadows, searching for unseen eyes.

It was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.

And atop the magnificent beast sat Ryker.

Celeste straightened and marched toward him. He slid from the horse, his movements practiced and fluid, showcasing his years of training.

Ryker stepped away from his mount, crossed his corded forearms over his broad chest, and waited for Celeste to come to him.

“I’ve been looking for you,” she purred as she reached him.

Celeste placed her hand on his arm, and a seductive smirk flitted across her lips. Ryker didn’t respond to her touch, but he didn’t move to shake her off, either.

Emboldened, Celeste reached out to trace the edge of Ryker’s jaw. Her fingers lingered there, almost possessively, before she trailed them down his throat.

“What do you want, Celeste?” Ryker asked, sounding bored.

“I thought we could have a little fun,” she said suggestively.

“You’re well aware of the rules prohibiting members of the royal family from participating in the hunt.”

Ryker couldn’t join the hunt?

Celeste’s high-pitched laughter interrupted my wayward thoughts.

“You needn’t worry about conceiving a bastard when we’re to be married, Ryker. Any child I bear you will be heir to the throne following our union.”

Celeste’s fingers danced down Ryker’s arm, but this time, he gripped her wrist as his eyes narrowed on her with disdain.

“Do. Not. Touch. Me.”

His voice was low and calm, but the threat underlying his words couldn’t have been louder.

“Ryker,” Celeste whined. “You aren’t still mad at me about your little pet, are you?”

Ryker’s hand darted forward and grabbed Celeste by the throat. “If you know what’s good for you, Celeste, you’ll turn around now and get back behind the palace walls.”

The sinister undertone to Ryker’s voice raised the small hairs on my nape as he said, “Before I change my mind about letting you leave here alive.”

When Ryker let her go, Celeste coughed and spluttered as she sucked in one lungful of air after another. Without sparing him a second glance, she raced into the forest as quickly as she could.

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