40. Important Matters and Surprises

CHAPTER 40

Important Matters and Surprises

B rynleigh adjusted the hem of her black knee-length dress, shifting her weight from one heeled foot to the other. The small office where they'd been directed to wait had black-out blinds covering the windows, and it felt too much like a tomb for her liking. The sooner they got out of here, the better.

A hand smoothed over her lower back.

"Relax," Ryker murmured in a low, soft voice. He wore a black suit and a crisp white shirt underneath, looking every bit of the Representative's son he was. "There's nothing to be afraid of. This will be different from the others."

Brynleigh wasn't scared, exactly. She just didn't enjoy spending time surrounded by Representatives. Unsurprisingly, not much had changed on that front over the past few weeks. Chancellor Rose was still in power, the Representatives were still in charge, and inequality still existed in the Republic of Balance.

Not all Representatives were bad, though.

That , perhaps, was one of the most surprising things Brynleigh had learned. They had met with Myrrah Challard again last week, and the witch had seemed amenable to working on removing the divide between the Representatives and the lower classes.

Not only that, but the code breakers had finally been able to crack the cipher. The book Brynleigh had retrieved from Jelisette's contained many things, including a list of rebel operatives within the Republic and overseas.

It provided several damning pieces of evidence that were being used to bring down half a dozen key members of the rebel organization. Finally, the government had solid proof against the Black Night.

"I'll relax when we get to leave." She elbowed Ryker in the side. "I still get my surprise, right?"

He grinned, and gods, it was a beautiful sight. Every time he directed a smile at her, she felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

"Absolutely." He squeezed her hand. "It's all set up. You'll get it as soon as we're done here."

A knock came on the door, and then it opened.

A human in her forties wearing a stylish maroon pantsuit smiled at them. "Mr. and Mrs. Waterborn, the Council is ready for you. Follow me, please."

Brynleigh drew in a deep breath and exchanged a look with Ryker. There was so much admiration and encouragement in his eyes that she knew she could do this. With him by her side, she could do anything.

What were a few Representatives when she'd defeated the Crimson Shade, survived the Black Night, and killed her Maker?

Holding her head up high, Brynleigh laced her fingers through Ryker's. Together, they trailed the woman down a short hallway and through an unmarked black door.

Bright lights illuminated the stage where they stood, but though the seated Representatives were hidden from view, Brynleigh still felt the weight of their gazes. She'd been to the Council Chamber before, but this was her first time on the stage, not in the testimonial box. Her stomach twisted as nerves threatened to erupt, but then, Ryker squeezed her hand.

The simple action grounded her, and she straightened her shoulders .

"Ah, the Waterborns are here." Chancellor Rose stood and strode onto the stage from the left, looking just as put together as she had the night of the Reunion.

Hallie had confided in Brynleigh that Valentina had broken down in the Hall of Choice after they'd left. She'd been inconsolable, and she'd since locked herself away to grieve for her husband.

Apparently, the Chancellor had only visited her daughter once.

Brynleigh hadn't thought someone could be as cold as Jelisette de la Point, but maybe in another life, the vampire and fire fae would've been bosom friends instead of mortal enemies.

"Come, come," Ignatia said. "We don't have all day, and there are more important matters to get to."

Like the rebels.

They were still a problem. They'd dealt with part of them, but Dimitri hadn't been in the building that night. The rebel organization was just so big. Brynleigh was certain this wasn't the last time they would cause problems in the Republic of Balance.

But at least for now, they'd been stopped.

An entire camera crew was present. Unlike the other times they'd been here, today would be televised.

Brynleigh had known the press would be here, but it didn't make standing in front of them any easier. After this, she hoped to never be on camera again in her entire life.

Hand in hand, she and Ryker strode to the middle of the stage.

"People of the Republic of Balance, it is my honor to come to you today with a story of bravery." Chancellor Rose reached out and placed a hand on Brynleigh's shoulder. Her touch was as cold as ice. "You may not know it, but several weeks ago, this courageous young vampire infiltrated a dangerous organization for the good of our country."

The Chancellor kept talking. She twisted the truth with impressive skill, making it seem like she had sanctioned and orchestrated Brynleigh's infiltration of the Black Night.

Brynleigh hated every second of this charade, but she didn't protest. This was the final price of her freedom. After this, they would be left alone for good. The Chancellor had promised to wipe the slate clean, and the legal documents were already drawn up and signed.

Knowing she was almost done, Brynleigh smiled, nodded, and shook the Chancellor's hand when the fire fae thanked her for helping her country.

And then, one last time, she turned to the camera and waved.

"Thank Isvana, that's finished." Brynleigh leaned against Ryker as they exited the elevator in the underground parking garage. She couldn't wait to get in the vehicle and remove her shoes. These damned heels were horrible, and the dress wasn't much better.

Ryker kissed her forehead. "You were amazing, and now, it's over."

Over .

One word had never sounded so good.

She could scarcely believe it. When she'd first entered the Choosing with the desire to avenge her family, she never imagined this would be the outcome.

Jelisette was dead, Brynleigh had married her mark, and despite the betrayal and hurt they'd inflicted upon each other, they'd come out stronger on the other side. The rebels were no longer an imminent threat, and Ryker's father was responding well to treatment.

Not only that, but Ryker had petitioned the Chancellor to remove Victor, her torturer, and his sadistic friends from prison duty. He had assured Brynleigh that not only would they not hurt anyone else, but she'd never have to see them again. That meant more to her than any gift he could have ever given her.

Was this what it meant to be happy?

She must've said the last question out loud because Ryker chuckled as he opened the car door for her .

"Yes, love." He kissed her as she ducked inside the vehicle.

He walked to the other side and slid into the driver's seat. He turned on the car, expertly backed out of the space, and took her hand.

"This is exactly what happiness feels like."

Like warmth and sunlight and butterflies all mixed together.

Brynleigh had never known she'd been living in frigid darkness until Ryker cracked open her heart and showed her just how much she was missing.

She wouldn't have it any other way.

Buckling in, she pulled off her heels and beamed at her husband.

"So, my surprise." She wiggled her toes, grateful to be freed from the confines of horrible footwear. "Will you tell me what it is now? Another chess board?"

Since the rebels' attack, she and Ryker had played several chess matches together. She was currently winning by one game, but she wanted to extend her lead.

Ryker flashed her a grin as he navigated the car onto the highway.

"No, this is bigger than that."

He refused to say anything else, though. She tried to get information out of him, asking question after question, but he was skilled at evasiveness.

Eventually, Brynleigh gave up and stared out the windows. Like the apartment, the car had vampire-safe glass, and she admired the sun. The skyline slowly shifted, the industrial metropolis of Golden City giving way to sprawling golden fields and, eventually, sun-kissed forests. A companionable silence filled the vehicle, and Ryker's thumb stroked the back of her hand.

Peace as silent as a winter's night and as comforting as a heavy blanket settled between them.

This was right. This was where they were always meant to be. Just the two of them .

Eventually, Brynleigh's eyes grew heavy. She drifted off to sleep, anchored to reality by Ryker's fingers laced through hers.

She'd never let him go.

Lips brushed Brynleigh's forehead. "We're here, sweetheart."

She smiled as she woke, leaving a quiet, nightmare-free sleep. Her eyes fluttered open, meeting Ryker's.

"Where are we?"

They were parked in front of a single-story log cabin with a wooden wrap-around porch. In many ways, it reminded her of the small bungalow where he'd brought her after The Pit. Tall trees reached for the night sky, pine needles dusted the ground, and a still, blue lake was off in the distance.

"This is my cabin." The corner of Ryker's mouth tugged up as he reached over and unbuckled her seatbelt. "Well, our cabin."

"It's beautiful." She returned her gaze to him. "Is this my surprise?"

He shook his head. "No, your surprise is inside."

Intrigued, she followed him out of the car. She considered putting her shoes back on, but she took one look at the discarded heels and decided to leave them. The cold winter wind howled through the trees. There was no snow on the ground, but if the heavy clouds were any indication, a white blanket would cover the land come sunrise. She'd enjoy her bare feet while she could.

Ryker offered Brynleigh his hand and helped her up the steps. It was unnecessary but also ridiculously sweet, so she allowed him to assist her.

She thought he'd unlock the door, but instead, he knocked.

She shot him a quizzical look, but he just smiled and squeezed her hand. "Patience, love."

Footsteps came from inside, and then, the door swung open .

Brynleigh stared, blinking repeatedly. She opened and closed her mouth, but words were hard to find.

"I… This… Zanri?"

No matter how many times she closed and reopened her eyes, he remained standing in front of her. He looked… well, probably as good as she had when she'd first gotten out of prison. He was leaning on a cane, his skin was a collection of bruises, and he was far too thin.

But he was here.

Alive .

She turned to Ryker, her brows furrowed. "How?"

Her fae captain smiled and squeezed her hand. "After the Reunion, several teams searched Jelisette's safe house. They uncovered information about her nefarious dealings. She was blackmailing dozens of people, including Zanri. Once we had that, I petitioned the Chancellor to release him as an act of goodwill."

Silver lined Brynleigh's eyes, and she held a hand over her mouth. This was… it was… Unexpected. Generous. Considerate. She'd felt so horrible about leaving her friend in Moonwater Prison, especially after everything that had happened.

"Thank you, Ryker." Tears slipped down her cheeks. "Thank you so much."

She couldn't seem to think of any other words that would adequately convey the depth of her appreciation, but she'd show him later just how much this unexpected gesture meant to her.

Would this man never cease to surprise her?

He untangled their fingers and gently pushed her inside.

"Go ahead, catch up. I'll make some dinner and warm up some blood for you."

Ryker was so gods-damned considerate.

And he was hers.

Forever.