Page 146 of Bonded Chaos

I took a deep, calming breath, and I tried to get a hold of my anger. As I surveyed the damage I’d caused, my eyes fell on the collar. I stalked toward it before crouching to pick up the remnants of the broken metal.

My fingers traced the intricate links as if I could somehow feel her there if I pressed hard enough. When that didn’t work, I curled my hand around the jagged pieces, the sharp edges cutting my palm.

But I felt no pain.

With every drop of my blood that splattered onto the tiled floor, my resolve strengthened. My shadows writhed around me as if the dark tendrils were feeding my growing ire.

Cadence had been here. She’d been mine. And now she was gone.

The door slammed against the wall, jolting me from my thoughts. I looked up and found Riordan standing in the doorway.

His gaze swept over the destruction, and he raised an amused brow.

“Redecorating?”

A low growl traveled up my throat, and I pushed myself to my feet.

“Cadence is gone.”

All amusement drained from Riordan’s face, and I opened my bloodied palm to reveal the shattered pieces of the collar.

“Well, that explains why the entire staff was fleeing for their lives,” he muttered.

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“You didn’t think I just stumbled by your chambers so soon after you left mine, did you?”

A menacing snarl lifted my upper lip, and Riordan rushed to continue.

“I was told that you were unleashing all kinds of hell and tearing the palace apart. No one wanted to ask what had upset you, so they sent me,” he finished with a sheepish grin, though it lacked its usual calming effect.

“We will figure this out, Ryker,” he said in a soothing tone. “Now tell me, was she taken, or did she escape?”

“Escape,” I admitted begrudgingly.

“How can you be so sure?”

“She hated the collar. Hated me for putting it on her. But she doesn’t understand the danger she has put herself in by running.”

“You locked her in a gilded cage, Ryker,” Riordan sighed as he rubbed a hand over his face. “Did you expect her to love you for it?”

“SHE IS MY MATE!” I roared, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. “She belongs to me. And now she’s out there, unprotected, conspiring with the fucking Blood Fae.”

Riordan stared at me intently, his eyes narrowed as he appraised me. It was as if he could see the desperation lurking beneath the mask of my anger.

“Why haven’t you used the bond to find her?” he asked quietly.

I glanced away, unable to answer.

“You’re afraid, but what is it that truly frightens you?” he muttered, as if he hadn’t meant to ask the question aloud.

I stiffened, and my whole body prickled at the accusation. “I’m fucking furious is what I am.”

“No, you’re scared that she ran because she hates you. That she’ll never forgive you for the things you’ve done.”

The silence that stretched between us was telling.

“And you’re terrified that if you use the bond to find her and drag her back here, she will never be yours.”

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