Page 136 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

Jelisette studied Brynleigh like the younger vampire was an interesting insect, and she was deciding whether or not to squash her. Brynleigh held her breath and remained statue-still, unwilling to give her Maker any reason to suspect she was lying. Steadying her breath, she stared straight ahead and kept her face impassive as she waited.

It felt like hours passed as Jelisette’s steely gaze ran over every inch of Brynleigh before the older vampire nodded curtly. “I see.”

Brynleigh exhaled, and her shoulders relaxed. She’d done it. She’d fooled her Maker. “Everything is in order.”

“Good.” Jelisette’s red lips curled, showing a glimpse of a fang. “Make it painful.”

That was, apparently, her goodbye. Jelisette twisted her fingers again and drew the shadows back into herself. A heartbeat later, she disappeared into a plume of shadows. She left so fast that Brynleigh didn’t have a chance to ask about Zanri. Maybe the shifter was ill.

Brynleigh had half a mind to find her phone and call her friend before she decided it could wait until tomorrow. After all, tonight was for her and her husband. She was certain they could find plenty of ways to occupy themselves until the morning.

And then, Brynleigh would deal with the aftermath of her actions… or lack thereof. But she wouldn’t worry about that right now.

Why borrow tomorrow’s problems today?

CHAPTER 34

They Were a Pair

The party was still underway when Ryker and his wife danced one last time. Hours had passed since the servers cleared the last plate, and many of the older fae and other party guests had already departed.

It amused Ryker to no end that his vampire had two left feet. He’d never danced with anyone as clumsy as his wife. She’d stepped on him multiple times, but he didn’t care. The flush of her cheeks was adorable, and he’d stolen dozens of kisses throughout the night.

Now, it was over. Thank the Obsidian Sands, they could leave without causing a scene.

Ryker pulled his bride off the dance floor as the music switched to a more upbeat tune. A guard stood against a column nearby, failing at blending in with the party guests. He averted his eyes as Ryker led his wife away from the dance floor.

Brynleigh was always beautiful, but tonight, she was something else entirely. Ryker hadn’t thought it was possible to fall even more in love with her, but he was certain he loved her more tonight than he had yesterday. Her pale cheeks were flushed, several golden locks of hair framed her face, and her black eyes created a stunning contrast to the white gown. She was exquisite, this wife of his.

Ryker bracketed his arms above Brynleigh’s head, boxing her in against the wall. He leaned over, using his body to hide her from view, and brushed his lips over hers. “How are you feeling, Mrs. Waterborn?”

Gods, those words caused his stomach to jump and a grin to stretch across his face. She was finally his.

“I don’t know.” Brynleigh’s black eyes twinkled, and he sensed she knew what he was saying. “Are you asking whether I’m tired?”

He chuckled, kissing her jaw, then nibbled on her earlobe. “Maybe.”

She sighed dramatically. “Alas, I regret to inform you that I’m not the tiniest bit tired.”

“Pity,” he murmured before kissing her neck. She gasped, arching her head back to give him more room. He asked, “Could I convince you to be tired?”

She clutched at the front of his jacket, holding him there as he kissed her. “I’m fairly certain you could convince me to do anything, Ry.”

That name. It snapped the last bit of his restraint—not that there was much of it left.

“Good, then we’re leaving.” With one final brush of Ryker’s mouth against his wife’s throat, he straightened and scooped her into his arms in a bridal hold. She laughed, her heels kicking in the air as she settled into his hold.

“I can walk,” was her weak protest.

“I know.” He slanted his lips over hers. “I want to carry you.”

She didn’t argue after that.

Leaving was a quick, painless affair. First, Ryker said goodbye to Nikhail and Atlas. The two men were flirting with a trio of brunette fae he didn’t recognize. Then he searched for his sister. River sat alone at a table, nursing a glass of wine. She met his gaze and waved.

Ryker was grateful he’d had the foresight to book a room for him and Brynleigh in the hotel where the reception was taking place. Marlowe was staying in a kennel, so they didn’t need to rush home. The five minutes it took for them to pass the giggling couples in the hallway and wait for the elevator felt like a lifetime.

The ride up wasn’t much better since Brynleigh had taken it upon herself to start kissing his neck the moment he stepped into the steel box, much like he’d done to hers earlier. Every time her lips met his skin, his vision clouded, and his legs trembled.

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