Page 97 of Secrets of Ruin

“Of course I didn’t forget!” his father snapped. “I could never forget those filthy cretins in our land, but the war ended over a year ago.”

“I was trying to rescue our king from captivity.”

“And failing.”

Ryker didn’t know what his father saw on his face, but he knew the fury building inside him must have been evident, as the duke stepped away. There was so much Ryker wanted to say, but he refused to give this man the satisfaction of breaking into a tirade.

And while his hands fisted, he didn’t lash out. That was his father’s way, not his, and he refused to be anything like this man.

“You will stay here and take your rightful place as my heir again. You will perform your duties, or so help me, I’ll toss you out on your ass… with nothing,” his father said.

His mother had left him plenty of money after she died, but it was nothing compared to the duke’s wealth.

Ryker lifted an eyebrow at his father. “I’ve spent the past two years sleeping outside, trying to survive a war, making my way through Doomed Valley, imprisoned and tortured by monsters. Do you think I give a fuck about your money or this place? I can go without, Father, can you?”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s a question you haven’t answered.”

They stared at each other as hatred simmered in his father’s eyes, but he also saw something he’d never seen in them before… respect. He didn’t want this man’s respect either.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Ryker said, “I’m going to rest.”

Ryker started to turn away, but his father’s next words stopped him. “There are things we must discuss. I expect you in my private solar at five.”

Ryker didn’t respond as he started up the stairs. That would give him a few hours to sleep before dealing with his father’s shit.

He suspected it would be a big pile of shit too, as he was fairly certain one of the things his father planned to discuss was overthrowing Ivan. The duke was nothing if not ambitious, and he sought to claim the Tempest throne for himself.

There was a reason his father had built this towering fortress, and it wasn’t just to show off his wealth. The duke never could have pulled off such a coup if Leo still lived, but he might have been able to get enough support to overthrow Ivan.

While Leo, universally loved and powerful, would have been impossible to overthrow, Ivan was not so loved or powerful. Most considered Ivan a greedy fool, and he’d never done anything to prove himself any different.

It was only a matter of time before his father confirmed what Ryker already suspected of his plans, and once he did, war would come to Tempest again. Ryker would have to figure out which side he was on when it happened… or if he was going to be bothered with more war and political bullshit.

If he did have to make a choice, he didn’t know what it would be. Would he side with a greedy, incompetent king or the man he loathed with every fiber of his being?

CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE

Lexi laughed as Cole spun her around the great hall of the dark fae palace. Above them, stars shifted across the night sky, playing over the ceiling. The moon rose and fell as he spun her again, and while no music played, they made their own song together.

After leaving their reception, he’d brought her here, to the place where he first laid eyes on her. Their lives together had started on that night, though he never could have imagined what was to come.

He’d been so naïve about her back then, but now he knew she was the stars and moon. She was the light that chased away the shadows… his shadows.

She was the love that made him stronger and the woman he’d spend the rest of his days cherishing. When he pulled her close again and settled his hands on her ass, she smiled, and his heart warmed as they moved together.

It had been a beautiful day, celebrated with friends and family, but he’d craved this time alone with her. She rested her hand against his chest before placing her head there too.

Her beautiful dress caught the light of the night sky above them and reflected its glow in a wave of fire. “This was the most amazing day,” she murmured.

“One of many, many more to come,” he vowed.

Rising onto her toes, she cupped his cheek and kissed him. He’d planned to keep dancing, but he was never one to deny her.

“Are you ready for bed?” he asked.

“Only if we don’t go to sleep.”