Page 96 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

The pair of water fae were some of the best, but they weren’t Ryker. He’d asked them to step in and take over his sister’s magical education while he was in the Choosing. If Ryker could have been in two places at once, he would’ve done it. But the rules had been clear.

He couldn’t allow River’s training to lapse, though. The last thing they needed was another incident. The last one had been bad enough and with their father’s health failing…

Ryker would do whatever it took to keep his sister safe.

“Show me,” he said.

Instead of doing as he asked, River crossed her arms and glowered. “You know, sometimes you can be an overbearing ass.”

The hairs on Ryker’s neck bristled. Was it overbearing to want to ensure his sister’s safety? All he wanted to do was make sure she didn’t accidentally harm herself or anyone else ever again. That wasn’t overbearing in his books. It was his job as her older brother.

Ryker did what he always did in challenging moments like these. He fell back on his training. His back straightened, and he looked down at River. Right now, she wasn’t his little sister. She was simply a fae who had previously lost control of her magic.

“Do it,” he requested again, his voice hard.

She scowled. “Seriously?”

He held her gaze. “Yes. Show me what those two fae taught you while I was gone.”

With a groan that spoke to exactly how deep her frustration ran, River held out her hand in the space between them. Her lips pinched together, and she frowned, focusing on her outstretched limb. Her brows furrowed, and water pooled in her palm. It started as a few drops but quickly grew.

The air hummed as River pulled on her extensive power. The clear liquid surrounded her hand, crawling up her wrist and forearm like a glove. The water twisted, and tiny currents ran through the translucent liquid.

Ryker had to admit that he was impressed with his sister’s control. Her magic completely contained the water, and not a single drop fell on the floor.

River spread her fingers and twisted them in the air. The water spun and danced above her hand, coiling into a tube several feet long.

She murmured an ancient fae prayer beneath her breath and stared at the tube. Her eyes flashed, the color momentarily shifting from brown to stark blue, and the temperature in the room plummeted.

Goosebumps pebbled on Ryker’s arms as the water turned into solid, opaque ice.

River grabbed the new creation out of the air. Her lips twitched into a smirk, and she sketched a bow. “See?” She handed the ice to her brother. “Perfect control.”

Reluctantly, Ryker had to admit that Gabriel and Carson had done a good job with her training. He’d chosen well—and thank all the gods for that. Ryker constantly worried about River. Her power exceeded both his and their mother’s. It was both extraordinary and deadly.

“Good job, Shortie,” Ryker said proudly. Rather than putting the ice in the sink—the suite was equipped with a fully stocked kitchen—he twisted his fingers.

Channeling his water magic had always been as easy as breathing.

The ice melted in a heartbeat, returning to liquid form. Before it could splash the absurdly expensive carpet, Ryker ordered the liquid to make a sphere. He sent it sailing through the air and out the open window before releasing it.

“Show off,” River muttered, frowning.

He laughed, ruffling her hair. “I’m your big brother. I have to show off. It’s in the handbook.”

“Sure, it is.” River turned and strolled towards the kitchen. “Want a coffee?”

Ryker’s gaze darted between his sister and the door. A large part of him wanted to leave right now and call Nikhail, but the rest of him wanted to spend time with River. Their schedules were both so full, and he would be married soon. Who knew when they’d get to see each other except to train?

He could wait a little while longer.

“Sure,” he called out. “Pour me a cup.”

Reaching into his back pocket, Ryker drew out his phone. Thank all the gods, the guards had returned the contestants’ technology on the way to the hotel. Typing up a quick message to Nikhail asking him to investigate the security at The Lily, Ryker followed his sister into the kitchen.

“How’s school really going?” he asked, knowing his mother wasn’t within earshot.

River groaned. “The classes are fine. The people? Not so great. Last week, I was at…”

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