separated us, narrowing his eyes, daring me to continue challenging him.
I stiffened and shook my head angrily. “You ordered anyone murdered who chose to flee from war! You ordered my people and our people to be put down like dogs with rabies because they’re running scared?” My fingernails began to bite into my palms as I clenched my hands into fists, trying to force myself to calm down. “Everyone is scared, Ryder. Everyone! The war drums beat every night, and each night we all pray it isn’t our last. Be their king, be the man I married. The one who didn’t make mandates of his people without just cause.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“It is that easy. You’re the fucking king. They fear you, but they won’t respect you if you kill their families or friends who run from this war. If they have no family left, what is their reason to fight? We’re fighting for our family. Don’t be the king who slaughters innocent lives because the people who fight with us are scared. Not when we’re terrified too. It doesn’t make them weak to want to protect their families from what is coming by running with them from the danger. It makes them worth having on our side.” Sighing, I dropped my shoulders and relaxed my stance, offering a small smile as I reached out to touch Ryder’s hand. “If they have something to protect, they will fight harder.”
His amber eyes narrowed on me as he pulled his hand from mine. “I’ll run my kingdom with or without you at my side, woman. I want you here, but this is the horde. If you show an ounce of weakness, they will descend on us, and we will have a war on two fronts instead of one.” Leaning across the small table, Ryder bared his teeth and glared at me as he spit out his next words. “I cannot allow that to happen, not now, not ever! You knew who I was when you married me, keep that in mind.”
My eyes widened, and I swallowed hard. “Understood.” I turned to look at Ristan, then back to Ryder as a cold resolve filled me. I drew myself up to full height, lifted my chin, and cocked an eyebrow. “I may be longer than I had planned at the guild. Don’t wait up for me.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Ryder demanded.
“What’s it to you? You will run this kingdom as you see fit, so fucking run it.” I walked away from Ryder and Ristan with a purposeful stride. “I have other commitments that need and want my opinion.” I vanished the moment the words were out, appearing at the guild. “Fucking fairy,” I snapped into the darkness that filled the street in front of the guild.
“Problems at home, kid?” Alden asked gently.
I turned, staring at him, his grey eyes softening as I moved up the steps to where he stood. “Hey, old man,” I smirked, hugging him tightly. “I hate war.”
“No one likes war,” he replied, wrapping his arms around me.
“That’s not true,” I said, pulling back to stare at him. “Why are you outside? What happened?”
“Getting some air,” he chuckled awkwardly. “Come, let me show you what you’ve missed, Syn.”
Chapter Five
The guild was filled with hunters from other guilds around the globe, some from different branches of the military. With the newly redecorated world of brimstone and angels falling daily from the skies, it was all hands on deck, and yet not one other organization dared to set up amidst the chaos, except us.
“I’m glad you could make it, but you probably should be at home, all things considered.”
“Alden, we’re opening, and this is my plan. I am the one who wanted to do this, and now you’re stuck doing everything. I asked Adrian and Adam to help you since Ryder and I are preparing for war. Now Adam is doing the same in the Dark Kingdom, and Adrian is dealing with the demon infestation in this world while doing what he and Vlad can to protect humans.” Alden nodded, silently agreeing with the reason for Adrian and Adam’s