Page 134 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

Brynleigh glanced over her shoulder to where her new husband clapped Therian on the back.

“I completely understand.” She took Hallie’s hand in hers and stepped towards her friend. “It’s like you were missing something, but you didn’t know what it was until they were right before you.”

“Yes, that’s it!” Hallie beamed, and her wings fluttered.

The pair chatted for a few more minutes, the air between them light, before a server stopped by and slid an enormous slice of chocolate cake on the table next to them.

Brynleigh stared at it. Of all the foods she missed from her human days—and there were many—cake was the biggest one. She loved cake in all forms, but chocolate was her favorite.

Maybe it had been a mistake to ask for it because this one looked delicious. The lush, dark chocolate sponge was covered in thick swirls of brown icing, and it was the most inviting food she’d seen in years.

Her mouth watered at the sight. Logically, she knew that if she took a bite, it would taste like ash, but it looked so good. If only she’d requested the recipe from the chef who’d made the scrumptious blood-laced food she’d enjoyed on her date with Ryker.

Ryker slid his hand around Brynleigh’s waist and held her to his side. “I’m back,” he murmured.

Immediately, she relaxed and leaned against him. It was insane that she felt so comfortable in his presence, considering that she had been planning to kill him for the majority of their relationship, but his soul called to hers.

“Is everything okay?” she asked.

“Yes.” He kissed her forehead. “It’s nothing to worry about. I promise, I’m yours for the rest of the night.”

Those words delighted her in a way that nothing else ever did. He delighted her. How could she have ever thought he was a monster?

Therian took Hallie’s hand. “Dance with me?”

The Fortune Elf grinned. “I’d love to.” Hallie looked back at the newly married couple, a knowing twinkle in her eye. “Enjoy your evening.”

Brynleigh winked at her friend. “Oh, we will.”

To say that Brynleigh was eager to leave this reception and be alone with her husband would be a vast understatement.

Like a gentleman, Ryker pulled out Brynleigh’s seat for her. She sat and picked up her glass of blood wine. “What was that about?” she whispered.

Drawing over the plate, Ryker speared a piece of cake. “The rebels are on the move again,” he murmured. “I might get called into work early.”

Brynleigh had suspected that might be the case. She hadn’t anticipated the resulting pang of disappointment that twisted in her stomach. It was a strange emotion she hadn’t felt since before her Making. “Oh. Okay. I understand. You’ll be careful, right?”

Ryker’s job was dangerous, but he was powerful. Surely nothing would happen to him.

His hand curled around hers. “Look at me, sweetheart.” He waited until her eyes were on him. “I’ll be safe. I always am. My soldiers are the best because my squad is a family. No one is ever unguarded. I have their backs, and they have mine.”

Logically, she knew that. The reason she entered the Choosing in the first place was to catch Ryker alone. Illogically, she didn’t want him to go because they wouldn’t be together.

That was ridiculous.

What was wrong with her? Brynleigh didn’t need to be by her husband’s side every minute of every day. That was actually impossible. They weren’t Tethered together, and besides, she enjoyed her privacy.

It must be the Faerie Wine. She pushed the glass away, determined not to have another sip. It was making her delusional.

A knife tapped against a glass in the reception hall. “Kiss!” a woman shouted.

A distraction from all these nonsensical emotions. Thank Isvana.

Brynleigh’s lips twitched as more people picked up the chant, calling for them to embrace. She’d never enjoyed wedding traditions much in the past, but she had to admit this particular one was no hardship.

Ryker turned to Brynleigh, his eyes sparkling as he squeezed her hand. His gaze caught on her lips, and a heady scent of desire flooded from them both. Sometimes, being a vampire with heightened senses was nice since she knew without a doubt that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

He asked, “Do you want to?”

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