Page 127 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

Nikhail, Ryker’s black-haired friend, danced a few feet away with a redheaded fae. River and Nikhail hadn’t spoken much, but Brynleigh had noticed them glancing at each other throughout the evening. That was interesting.

The Obsidian Palace wasn’t Brynleigh’s scene, a fact which became more apparent the longer she was here. She’d much rather be curled up in front of a movie right now, but she didn’t want to pass up an opportunity to be with Ryker, especially after the day she’d had.

This morning, Jelisette had sent Brynleigh to an underground club in the Western Region to deal with a problem. Complications had risen, her mark had fought back, and the bloody task had taken her far longer than normal.

Brynleigh had showered for nearly an hour to scrub all the blood from her body before getting ready for tonight. Not only had her job been a lot, but Zanri had been hanging out at the safe house all day. Brynleigh itched to tell him the truth about River. Not so her handler could hurt the young fae but so someone else would know the truth.

Ultimately, she had decided it wasn’t safe to share the information. Holding her tongue had been painful.

After the wedding, things would be easier. Surely, Brynleigh could make Jelisette understand why she couldn’t kill Ryker. Besides, by then, they would be married.

Brynleigh planned to move out of the safe house and into Ryker’s apartment when they returned from their honeymoon. With a few coats of paint and a couple of throw pillows, it would feel like home. Marlowe seemed to like her, giving her confidence that she’d fit right in.

As for work, Brynleigh would tackle that issue later. She assumed the law-abiding captain would probably take an issue with his wife killing criminals in her spare time, so she’d have to find something to do that was above the law.

But they would be happy, and that was all Brynleigh wanted.

Losing herself in daydreams about what their married life would look like, Brynleigh didn’t notice Ryker’s return until he stood in front of her.

“All done. Thank you for waiting, sweetheart.” Ryker slanted his lips over hers, his kiss claiming and possessive.

Heat went straight to Brynleigh’s core, and she clenched her legs together. Isvana help her, but she wanted him so badly. Waiting until the wedding night was torture. She replayed their stolen moments in the car over and over again. She reminded herself of the way his fingers felt deep within her and wondered what it would feel like when it was his cock.

“No problem,” she murmured when their kiss broke apart. “Is everything alright?”

A shadow flickered across Ryker’s face before he nodded. “Yes, just some trouble in the Northern Region. The rebels are being… difficult.”

And the heat was gone.

Brynleigh frowned. “Are the rebels always this bad?”

She didn’t remember them causing as many problems as they had over the past two months. Not that they weren’t justified in their actions because the inequality in the Republic of Balance was impossible to hide, but their timing felt strange.

“No, usually…” Ryker sighed and palmed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, love. I can’t really talk about it. It’s classified.”

“I understand.” And she did.

After all, Brynleigh had a world of secrets that she couldn’t share with Ryker. She didn’t even want to think of his reaction if he ever learned her true intentions in joining the Choosing. She’d be taking that truth to her grave.

Ryker smiled, and his eyes twinkled. “Thank you.” His thumb brushed her chin. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

She chuckled. “You might have mentioned it.”

Brynleigh didn’t always enjoy wearing dresses, but this one was a favorite. It was comfortable, had pockets, and highlighted all her best assets. She had chosen it tonight specifically with Ryker in mind.

“You’re absolutely fucking stunning.” His hands landed on her hips, and he drew her against him for a kiss.

His hard length pressed into her, and she gasped against his mouth.

Ryker groaned, and he kissed the shell of her rounded ear. “If we weren’t in a room full of other people,” he whispered, “I’d show you exactly what this dress does to me.”

Gods, the mouth on this man.

Brynleigh blinked at him, trying to think of a clever response, but a hand wrapped around her wrist and tugged before she could.

“Come dance with me, Bryn!” River’s cheeks were flushed, her hair mussed, and she wore a grin that spoke to her having enjoyed several alcoholic beverages in quick succession. “Just because Ryker has a stick up his ass doesn’t mean we can’t have fun.”

River didn’t give Brynleigh a chance to refuse her offer. The younger water fae pulled her towards the crowd of moving bodies.

---