Page 59 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

Kellan.

My rock. My constant. The boy who looked me in the eye and swore he loved me—who let me carry the weight of his devotion while he sought comfort elsewhere.

With her.

The dry scent of cinnamon—his scent—lingers in my mind.

He couldn’t have done this. He wouldn’t have.

He said he loved me.

My lip trembles as I bite down hard, rejecting the tears that burn behind my eyes. It shouldn’t matter. He’s allowed to be with whoever he wants. I don’t own him.

But Sienna?

Of all the women at school, it had to be her—the one who tried to humiliate me, who wore cruelty like a second skin. That’s what hurts the most.

Warm hands wrap around my waist, and Ryker’s presence hits me like a cooling wave. I don't have to explain. He knows all of my emotions, my hurts, my joys all without ever having to ask thanks to our Bond. I bury my face in his neck, the scent of salt and citrus finally drowning out the cinnamon. I let the tears burn my cheeks—hot, angry, and final. I decide I’ve given Kellan enough of me and if he wants to be my friend again, he has some explaining to do.

Chapter 23

Ryker

“I’d like to show you something,” I say, taking Raea’s hand and interlacing our fingers as we walk down the halls. Nerves radiate through my body, but I want to do this.

She deserves this.

While I spoke with Cole after lunch, Raea had gone back to her rooms to rest. It gave me time to speak with my brother and clarify some things. He was under the impression he might be crowned king instead of me.

My initial anger at Cole’s ambition faded into a sharp realization: I had failed him.

I’d spent so long being a parent to Clara and a student to the system that I forgot to be a mentor to my brother. The prophecy of an heir between Raea and me solidifies his place as second to the throne—a reality I need to help him find purpose in, rather than resentment.

After Cole had calmed down, I went to my mother to speak with her about what I was hoping to do this evening. She agreed that it was a beautiful gift for Raea and gave me her approval—not that I needed it, but I wanted it. Breaking traditions seems to be a thing Raea and I have done over and over again.

What’s the point in stopping now?

“Where are we going?” Raea asks.

The sun is beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of pastel pinks and yellows.

“It’s a surprise.”

She rolls her eyes and tucks herself into my side. Theovan and Aksel keep their distance, but follow us out to the royal transport that’s ready to take us to one of my favorite spots on Malaya.

We settle in for the twenty-minute trip to the family beach not too far from here. I show Raea around the transport since they’re all individually designed to fit the needs of the royal family. Our transport has five rooms on the second deck with the kitchens and staff space on the main level.

Cole, Clara, and I once lived here for a full month while our parents toured their planets.

I show her my room, which has a large oval window, a generously sized bed, but a small bathroom and living space. I never cared much until now. Raea doesn’t hesitate to crawl onto the bed, patting the blankets beside her.

“Scared?” she taunts.

I huff a laugh and crawl in beside her. “Why would I be scared of you?”

She hums, rolling over and hiking a leg over me as she snuggles into my side. “You’re awfully cuddly,” I murmur with a smile as I run my fingers along her spine, making her shiver.

“I like snuggling,” she replies with a pouty voice. “Don’t tease.”