have a brother? Well, I mean besides the ones here?” How did I not know this?
“My mother had a life before she became a concubine. My father murdered her entire pack while he forced her to watch. When Alazander asked what my mother would give to spare the lives of her sons, she offered herself if he would allow them to live. Fang isn’t much for the horde or my help. He’s rather reclusive and has his pack to protect. I’m guessing the thought of war wasn’t appealing to them.”
“I didn’t know you had family outside the horde.” I looked to Ryder, and he nodded, indicating the truth of Zahruk’s words.
“I don’t. To Fang, I am nothing. He doesn’t like or want my help, but he gets it regardless. I promised my mother that I would endure Alazander’s wrath to protect him. I look after him from afar, and the horde leaves his pack alone, so they don’t get a visit from me.”
Turning, Zahruk tilted his head and made direct eye contact with Ryder, his brows drawn together slightly. “I need to send scouts out to make sure he didn’t end up dead from foolishly running. I’m asking you for this, Ryder, not as the second-in-command, but brother to brother. I need to know he made it through alive.”
“Do it, send the scouts with a war party.” Ryder’s amber eyes locked with mine, and I nodded in agreement. It was foolish to send any of our forces through the forest, but it was for Zahruk. He had never asked for anything himself, expecting nothing in return for his never-ending service. “Make sure the scouts are aware this is an escort detail. They are not to be seen unless they cannot avoid it.”
“Thank you,” Zahruk said, nodding to Ryder before he sifted out of the room.
“You think they’re already dead.” Ryder brought his hand up, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and pointer finger. The scent of sandalwood and masculinity assaulted my senses with his subtle movement.
“I think they ran, and if they did, then yes, they are likely dead. I gave the order to slaughter anyone who ran. I was trying to prevent our forces from abandoning us.”
“Why, Ryder? Tell me you didn’t give that order to everyone. Tell me you didn’t issue that order against those who had yet to swear allegiance to the horde,” I demanded. My stomach twisted with anger and fear. “These are our people.”
“They’re your people. I am the King of the Horde, not of Faery.”
It felt as if he’d slapped me across the face with his words. “You’re my husband.”
“Which makes you the Queen of the Horde,” he growled, lifting his chin in challenge. “There is no place for weakness or pity for those who flee our kingdom amidst a war that will decide the fate of Faery.”
“You get that I am the Goddess of the Fae, right?” Taking a deep breath, I began speaking through gritted teeth, trying to hold back my temper. “I cannot select with whom I wish to give a fuck. We need allies, not enemies. You have the horde. You have them all on their knees, fighting for you and beside you because you rule them ruthlessly. Do you know what happens when your people fear you?”
“They obey me.”
“No, they do not!” I pounded my fist against the table beside me, and Ryder glared at me. “The horde looks for the first fucking chance to be rid of you. They may follow you, but they do so with a dagger ready to stick in your back. Take your father, for instance, Ryder. He ruled with absolute terror instilled in his people. What the fuck did you do to him?”
“I’m not my father,” he snapped.
“Thank the gods for that, Fairy,” I laughed mockingly. “Retract the order.”
“I will not,” he seethed.
“Why?”
“Because now is not the time to appear weak!” Ryder slapped his hands down on the table that