Page 38 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

After a moment, Celeste replied, “I am not at liberty to discuss the outside world with participants of the Choosing.”

“I’m aware.” His fingers twitched, and he wished for his phone. Damn the technological blackout forced on Choosing participants. “Still, can you give me an update on the riots?”

This morning, he’d overheard several guards discussing the ongoing unrest.

“My programming doesn’t allow me to discuss that,” Celeste said curtly.

He scrubbed his face. “What about the unrest in the region?”

“My programming doesn’t allow me to discuss that.”

Ryker groaned. He fought the urge to rip off the headphones and fling them against the wall. “What’s happening with the lower classes?”

“My programming doesn’t allow me to discuss that.”

Again and again, no matter how he worded his questions, she gave him the same response. It was infuriating. He got nothing out of the AI. That knot within him twisted tighter and tighter, sending sharp shooting pains through him.

What was happening outside these walls? He knew his family was safe—they were well-guarded, as were all Representatives and their loved ones—but what about the rest of the Republic?

When it became apparent Celeste wouldn’t answer his questions, Ryker abandoned this course of action. This line of questioning wasn’t getting him anywhere, and his tolerance for hearing the same answer had rapidly become non-existent.

By the time Celeste’s too-chipper voice informed Ryker that his date was incoming, he’d devised a plan. After this, he’d speak with one of the guards and see if he could use his position in the army to gain information. The plan was solid, and he felt confident in it.

The music faded, and a sense of peace instantly washed over Ryker. He closed his eyes and settled into the hammock. Unlike the early days, when his date was a mystery, he knew Brynleigh was waiting for him on the other end of his headphones.

He greeted her, his voice filled with happiness that hadn’t been present during his conversation with Valentina.

“Hey,” she breathed. “I missed you.”

Any remaining tension Ryker had felt from Celeste’s non-responses melted away. It was always like this with Brynleigh. Everything flowed between them. They’d played several chess games and were tied with three wins each. Ryker learned more about the vampire every time they faced each other. Not only was she funny, but she was thoughtful, strategic, and surprisingly fierce.

“I did as well,” he murmured. “How was your day so far?”

She sighed but didn’t answer. That wasn’t like her. She was quick-witted and often made him laugh. Today, though, something was different.

“Brynleigh?” He opened his eyes and stared at the winter garden separating them.

“I… didn’t sleep well last night,” she admitted after a moment.

A growl rumbled through his chest, and he clenched his fists. “What happened? Did someone say something to you?”

If they hurt her, he’d find them and make them pay.

Once again, she paused.

Ryker hated that he couldn’t see Brynleigh right now. Was there indecision or fear in her eyes? Or worse, hurt? Was she curled in a ball on the couch, or was she pacing?

His brain had constructed an image of her, faceless and shapeless, and he wanted to fill in the blanks. He wanted to know more about her…

He wanted to know everything.

Big things and little ones, he valued everything Brynleigh shared. Each tidbit of information was a jewel he would cherish forever. No matter how much time they spent together, it was never enough for him. He always wanted more.

At that moment, Ryker realized he couldn’t see Valentina again. His feelings for Brynleigh were far more potent than anything he had with the fae.

“No one hurt me,” Brynleigh assured him. “I had a nightmare. It’s… I get them a lot.”

His chest tightened as visions of this vampire waking up screaming in the middle of the night ran through his head.

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