“I doubt she’d agree; the woman loves you.”
He chuckled. “Oh, Ryker, you are such a fool. Brianna is well aware of the situation.”
“And what situation is that?”
“That she’s a means to an end in this game. She agreed to it before I put a ring on her finger and brought her here. The throne belongs to her; she knows it, and I’m the one who can put her on it.”
“It belongs toher,which means you can’t toss her aside.”
“A female lightning bearer would hold far more power and sway in this realm than some half breed.”
“That’s all you care about is power.”
“It’s what keeps me at the top, and it’s also what keeps you safe. Ivan would destroy you if given the chance. I’m the only thing that stands between you and death at his hands.”
“He could try to kill me, but he wouldn’t succeed.”
“Come now, Ryker, you’re strong, but he has armies at his beck and call. Not only that, but you’re trapped here. He’d hunt you down like a rabid animal, and you have nowhere to go.”
“I’ve become quite familiar with the Revenant Woods over these past months; I’d survive.”
“You’d have to live like an animal.”
“And? At least I’d be alive.”
“You only disdain luxury because it’s all you’ve ever known. You’d never survive without it.”
“I can assure you, Father, there was no luxury on the battlefield or in Doomed Valley. I’ve known luxury and some of the worst conditions in the realms; I’ve already survived without it.”
“Fair enough, but I want that lightning bearer, and youwillbring her to me before Ivan gets to her.”
“As I’ve said, I have no idea who she is and little interest in finding her.”
“That’s going to change.”
“And why is that?”
“Because whoever discovers her first will rule this realm, and you don’t want Ivan as king.”
“Ivan’s already king.”
“But you don’t like him.”
“I don’t like you either.”
My father glowered at me, but he couldn’t deny the truth.
“You have Leo’s daughter,” I reminded him. “If you come forth with her, you could rule the realm.”
“Tempest isn’t ready for that, and neither am I. If Ivan finds the lightning bearer before me, Bria won’t matter, and we both know it. Ivan will solidify his rule with that woman.”
“What will you do with your fiancée if you discover the lightning bearer first?”
“What does that matter?”
“Humor me.”
“I’ll send her back to the Gloaming, give her some carisle to keep her mouth shut, and let her lead the life she planned to before I encountered her.”
