Page 87 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

She hitched a breath as his lips brushed the shell of her ear, and he whispered, “I love you.”

She shivered beneath his touch, and he kissed her cheek before he could stop himself. The responding frisson that ran through her delighted him. He wanted to kiss her more thoroughly, but he would wait until they were alone.

While he was willing to share the beginning of their relationship with the world, their first kiss and everything that came after would be just for them.

He couldn’t wait.

CHAPTER 22

Death is the Only Alternative

Brynleigh’s container of emotions was dangerously close to overflowing. Everything had been going well until she locked eyes with Ryker and tumbled headfirst into a spiral of feelings. No matter how much she shoved them down, they insisted on making a reappearance.

After Ryker’s proposal, seven more couples got engaged. That was a record number for the Choosing, and the air in the ballroom was one of absolute delight. Chancellor Rose took the stage and spoke for a few minutes about how pleased she was with the outcome of the Two-Hundredth Choosing. According to her, it was a sign of prosperity and good things to come for the Republic of Balance.

Brynleigh wasn’t so sure. She noticed the guards lining the walls behind the Chancellor, their presence a reminder of the unrest outside these walls. No one else seemed to mind them, though. Maybe Brynleigh was wrong, and the worst had passed.

The stringed orchestra picked up their instruments before Brynleigh could delve too far into those thoughts. They began to play, their lyrical music stunningly beautiful.

Ryker turned to Brynleigh. A radiant smile shone on the water fae’s face.

Guilt stabbed Brynleigh in the gut.

Ryker was so happy, and she was a terrible person for stringing him along. He had no idea about her true intentions. How could he? She was supposed to be marrying him for love, or at least the potential for love.

Instead, she was playing him.

“Dance with me?” Ryker dipped into a low, old-fashioned, courtly bow and held out his hand. A lock of his hair—a brown several shades darker than his chocolate eyes—fell forward, but he made no effort to brush it away.

Brynleigh stared at his hand, the inviting gesture drawing her towards him. She shouldn’t dance with the handsome water fae. It was a very bad idea. The offer alone made yet another pesky feeling that she refused to acknowledge sprout up within her, and she shoved it deep down.

But it would be rude if she ignored him… right?

All around them, other couples danced. The muscular dragon shifter, Therian, spun Hallie in a circle. Her wings fluttered behind her, and they both laughed as he lifted her off the ground. They were a cute couple, especially with the way the dragon shifter towered over the smaller woman.

Less delightful was the couple dancing beside them. The second-to-last proposal had been from Edward, a fae, to Valentina. Brynleigh didn’t know his affinity, but seeing as the fire fae had accepted his hand, she assumed he was powerful. Brynleigh would be watching them both carefully. Whoever put up with Valentina was either a saint or as horrible as she was.

Ryker was still waiting patiently for Brynleigh to accept his offer to dance.

For a long moment, she stared at his hand while her internal debate raged. She was moments away from declining when she felt a heavy gaze bore into her. She glanced up, and a familiar pair of black eyes met hers.

Brynleigh swallowed at the sight of her Maker.

Jelisette’s gown matched her progeny’s, except hers was a blue so dark it was almost black. She wore a matching mask that covered the top half of her face, but Brynleigh recognized her Maker on sight.

Standing next to Jelisette, wearing a crisp black suit, was Zanri. The shifter wore a tiger mask, his eyes sharp as he gazed through it. His red hair hung loosely around him, giving him a wild edge in this room full of polished people.

Jelisette’s black eyes narrowed and locked onto Brynleigh’s. The message hidden within them was clear: don’t mess this up.

Brynleigh didn’t intend to. Calling Zanri for a helpful reminder of why she was doing this was one thing, but being faced with her Maker was another. If Brynleigh admitted she was struggling with emotions, Jelisette wouldn’t hesitate to punish her. She’d made that abundantly clear several months ago.

“Never forget, Brynleigh, death is the only alternative to winning.” Jelisette’s piercing gaze met Brynleigh’s from across the chess board. Like Brynleigh, she wore a thick sweater as snow fell lazily outside.

Bobbing her head, Brynleigh picked up the black queen and twisted it in her hands before placing it across the board. “Of course.”

Her Maker smiled, but there wasn’t a drop of warmth in the gesture. Instead, the sight of Jelisette’s sharp fangs sent a shiver down Brynleigh’s back. Had Brynleigh been mortal, she would’ve screamed at the sight. This was a woman who killed without compunction, and she had no problem handing out punishments as she saw fit.

“Wonderful.” Jelisette picked up her knight and took Brynleigh’s rook.

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