Shifting on my feet, I uncrossed my arms and studied my fingernails, noting they could use a new coat of polish. “It’s not like you would listen to me anyway, so does it really matter if I’m gone? Besides, the guild is reopening, and we were celebrating.” I smiled, then hiccupped again.
“How fucking cute.” The brands on his arms ignited and pulsed with his anger as he moved closer to where I stood. “Your obligation is to this world now, not theirs.”
“On the contrary, Fairy. That is my world too, or have you forgotten who I am? How easy it is for you to forget where I came from.” Suddenly, I didn’t seem as drunk as before as my anger ignited. “The entire world is on fire, and humans are being hunted down like dogs. Spokane is covered in ashes and brimstone. The guild is the only one fighting for that world, and if me being there for a few hours is a crime, then fuck it, charge me.” Pushing my shoulders back, I straightened and took a step closer to Ryder as I gritted my teeth. “You told me you would run this kingdom with or without me, and now you want to get angry that I wasn’t here?”
Ryder’s hand snaked through my hair before his mouth lowered to mine. “You’re my fucking wife, or have you forgotten?” His face reddened, and his nostrils flared as he pointed his finger at me. “You’ll fucking do as I say, understand?”
“Am I? Because you promised your wife you wouldn’t become a tyrant, and we would win this war together as a team.” I pulled back slightly and glared at him, shaking my head. “You haven’t included me in the team part. You don’t get to pick and choose what you tell me. You sent out a fucking kill order! Do you know how many fae died in the last three hours since I’ve been away from here? Over three thousand, Ryder,” my voice cracked, and tears blurred my vision as I began to shake from the anger and grief rolling through me. His golden eyes watched me angrily while his hold tightened on my hair. “I feel every one of their lives slipping away. Did you even think about me, your wife, the Goddess of the Fae, when you gave those orders? I’m the one cursed to feel every life you have taken with that order.”
“We are in a fucking war, Synthia.”
“Let me go,” I demanded, and when he didn’t, I ignited my brands with the eerie silver hue that had been glowing on and off since I’d saved Finn’s life.
Black gossamer wings exploded from Ryder’s back as he continued to hold my hair with his lips brushing across mine. “Never.” Pressing his forehead against mine, he met my eyes with a promise. “I will never let you go as long as I live.”
“Now,” I growled, creasing my brow.
“I have to be the King of the Horde right now, Synthia. I must rule them with an iron fist, or they will rise against us. You may have placed fear into their hearts, but they’re the indomitable horde. You are their queen, and I am their king. You are needed here. Alden can handle the guild. You know he can run it without you, and that pisses you off, and I don’t fucking care if it does. I need you; he doesn’t anymore. Faery needs its goddess to get her pretty head out of her perky ass. I can’t win this war without you by my side.”
“By your side or locked in a damn tower, so you know where I am at all times?” I pushed him away from me. “Wrong fucking damsel, Fairy,” hissing, I stared him down coldly.
All the men remained silent, watching and waiting to see what would happen. I exhaled the anger before peering around the room. Ristan watched me with a guarded look in his eyes, and Zahruk had his hand on his weapon. I snorted, noting that we’d come full circle.
“Place your troops where you think they should be. I have things to do.” I started to walk away when Ryder grabbed my arm,