Page 120 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

River shook her head and squeezed Brynleigh’s fingers. “Ryker doesn’t know I’m here. I mean, he knows that I came to the bathroom, but…”

He didn’t know she’d come to talk to Brynleigh.

Against Brynleigh’s good sense, intrigue unfurled within her. She canted her head and studied the fae. “Oh?”

River chewed on her lip, which seemed to be a habit. Probably not a great one, considering the placement of her piercing. “Ryker is… protective.”

Brynleigh snorted. “I’ve gathered as much.”

That was one of the first things she had noticed about the captain. She’d expected him to have some protective tendencies—most fae did—but Ryker exceeded her expectations.

He was protective and considerate. And kind. And…

Nope. She wasn’t going down that road. She shoved those feelings down and concentrated on the conversation at hand.

“Anyways,” River continued, “I wanted to talk to you alone. I know Mom can be… a lot.”

That was an understatement.

“She’s kind of… mean.” Her meanness wasn’t like Jelisette’s, whose version of cruelty was deadly, but Tertia was unpleasant.

River’s mouth twitched. “Yeah, she can be cold. When I was young, and Dad was healthy, she was different. But now…” She shrugged. “Grief changes people, you know?”

Yes, Brynleigh knew exactly what the water fae was talking about. She was far too familiar with the depth of grief. It was a blanket that shrouded one’s life, coloring everything in shades of gray. Brynleigh and grief were old friends, whether she liked it or not.

“I do,” Brynleigh whispered.

River’s gaze searched hers for several long moments. “Yes, I see that. Come with me.”

That intrigue remained as the water fae took Brynleigh’s hand and tugged her into a small study next door.

They sat on a red couch. River folded her hands in her lap. “You’re good for my brother, Brynleigh.”

The vampire reared back. That was the last thing she needed or wanted to hear. She wasn’t good for Ryker. She wasn’t good for anyone, because she wasn’t good. She was a vampire. A killer. A creature of the night. Created for darkness and destruction.

“I’m… No, I’m not…” She stumbled on her words and shook her head.

“Yes, you are. And that’s why I’m going to tell you something I don’t think Ryker will share with you.”

Brynleigh’s heart flung itself around her chest. What was River talking about?

The water fae smiled kindly. “You’re about to be family, and if you’re going to tie yourself to him… to us… you need to know everything.”

Brynleigh’s stomach was a tangle of knots. What was River talking about? Was she pulling back her brother’s mask for her? Brynleigh would be eternally grateful to the pierced water fae if so.

She waited for River’s next words with bated breath. Little did she know, no amount of time could have prepared her for what the fae was about to reveal.

CHAPTER 29

Mistakes Were Made

“Fuck!” Brynleigh screamed, her voice echoing across the night. Droves of shadows poured out of her, hiding the moon and stars as her powerful wings beat against the darkness. The wind swallowed her screams, stealing them away before anyone else could hear them.

It didn’t matter. She heard them. Over and over again, she cried out into the darkness. Every second, every moment felt longer than the last. Anger, bitterness, and confusion were a twisted, acerbic trio pounding through her veins.

Hours had passed since she’d spoken to River in the study, yet it felt like mere moments ago.

The water fae’s words would forever be seared in Brynleigh’s mind. She had never seen this coming.

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