Page 111 of Facade

A growl built deep within Ryker’s chest. His lips pursed, the silver nearly snuffing out the blue. He’d seen us on the beach—did he look at me differently because of it?

I frowned as the sun, which had filtered through the trees—was suddenly blotted out by dark clouds.

To change the subject, I told him of my own journey since that night, skipping over the moments of tension with Aiden, inwardly recoiling at the thought that I’d wanted his hands on me—to sleep with him.

I waited until the end to tell him that Aiden and his mother had betrayed us. Ryker was livid, but not surprised.

“How are you so calm about this?” I asked as I followed him into the quaint living room. The cabin was larger than the last—warm colors inside and surrounded by tall cedars—yet the air felt anything but warm.

“Because he’s always been weak. And weakness hides behind cruelty. Just like his murderous mother.” His voice strained as if he was trying to rein in his anger as he stoked the fire. Arms folded, I waited for his explanation.

“What do you mean by his murderous mother?” I whispered.

“She killed my mother.” My skin prickled at the venom in his voice. “Out of jealousy and spite,” he ground out, throwing the poker into its holder. He didn’t look at me when he added, quieter, sharper—

“Just as she did your Father.”

The words hit like a physical blow. My father’s death wasn’t something my mother would talk about. She’d always said he was caught in the daylight while flying home one day—turned to stone and shattered in the valley between the mountains.

“My father? What do you mean?”

I fell to the couch behind me, unable to believe his words. “How could you know she killed my father? And your mother?”

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

“I know.”

“You don’t have proof?” I frowned. Not that I wanted to defend someone who produced such an awful spawn, but this—this was a stretch.

“It’s a long story. You just woke up. You need food, and we don’t have time—”

“Ryker,” I growled. “Tell me.”

His teeth ground together, eyes growing distant. For a moment, I thought he wasn’t going to say anything.

Then—

“Long ago, Queen Ava had spies throughout the kingdom. She trusted no one—not even King Ezren. I sent spies of my own who discovered she received intel that the Fae were forming an alliance with the Coven Council.”

My stomach twisted.

The Coven Council.

Of course, they were involved. Aiden had said as much at Thaddeus’.

“King Ezren never hid his distrust for them,” Ryker continued, his voice tightening. “He was outspoken at summits with the Southern Realm—claimed the Coven had the Elementals killed. That the Witches were abusing their power, and had been alive too long. No one was keeping them in check.”

“What did he hope to gain by doing that?”

Ryker huffed. “He thought he could rally beings together. Build an army.”

“And?”

He shrugged. “He was careless and foolish. The Queen knew when she learned the Fae were already entangled with the Coven that it was only a matter of time before they came after us. Our people. But she protected only herself and Aiden.”

My jaw locked, teeth grinding.

“Instead,” he said, sitting on the couch near me. “She planned ahead.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. I stayed silent. Waiting.