Chapter 96

Ryker

"It's about time you returned," my father said when a servant led me into his private solar.

I was far from in the mood to deal with his bullshit, but this had become our familiar song and dance whenever I made my return trips. He sat in his usual high-backed, plush red chair near the fireplace.

Magical flames danced within the hearth; their colors shifted from red to orange to blue and back again. It was the only light in the room, as shadows obscured most of it.

"Where have you been this time?" he inquired.

"Making my rounds through the whorehouses. I can't have the ladies getting lonesome."

He rolled his eyes as he sipped his drink and leaned back in his chair. With a wave of his fingers, he beckoned another servant from the shadows while I settled into the matching chair across from his.

The servant bent low so my father could whisper something in his ear. The man bowed before leaving the room.

"I suppose you've heard about the king being robbed," my father said.

I leaned forward and poured myself a glass of cartha. "I've heard the rumor."

"It's not a rumor."

I leaned back in my chair and sipped my drink. His eyes twinkled, and the corners of his lips twitched toward a smile. He'd be apoplectic if someone robbed him, which I had every intention of doing, but Ivan's misery amused him.

"Poor Ivan," I muttered.

"Yes, poor Ivan indeed. A roaming band of degenerates has made a fool of him, but let's not become a liar, son; you have no care what happens to him."

"I have no love for Ivan, and he knows it."

"And he has no love for you."

"What does he plan to do about the robbery?"

"He's sent out numerous parties to hunt for the thieves."

"I hope he finds them, but if they prove as elusive as the Hooded Robber, he'll soon be as frustrated as me."

"Are you still looking for that man?"

"I am."

"He's making a fool of you; give it up."

I swirled the liquid in my glass. "Ivan and I will be fools together then."

"If anyone learns about you still hunting for that… that… degenerate and failing to find someone so much lesser than us , it will be humiliating."

"Oh no, we can't have that, can we, Father?"

"You're prolonging this hunt on purpose."

"I'm doing it because I'm going to catch whoever stole my money."

If he ever learned it was Ellery and that I knew it, he would throw a fit loud enough for the rest of the realms to hear. I smiled over the image of his flushed face and sputtering fury.

"Then stop fucking whores and do it!" he snapped.

"Now, what fun would that be?"

I thought he might start sputtering with rage, but he took a deep breath and composed himself again. "I'm sure Ivan will have more luck than you."

"Let's hope so; he has far more men and women helping him than me. How much money did the thieves get?"

"I have no idea. I doubt Ivan knows. They succeeded in stealing a carriage, so I would guess it was a fair amount, but it wasn't enough to damage his coffers."

It wasn't, but it was a start. "How many thieves were there?"

"The guards have no idea. Some said thirty, others said six. I doubt they'd tell the truth even if they knew it; Ivan had them thrown in the dungeon for their incompetence."

I didn't respond; there was nothing more I wanted to know or had to say to this man. Instead, I sipped my drink and waited for him to continue or dismiss me.

"We leave for the earl's party tomorrow morning," my father said. "We'll ride together."

"Why?"

"Because we are Lockes; we will display a united front."

"United against what?"

"The thieves and rebels who seek to destroy our realm. And the other aristocrats in the kingdom; your power makes us a level above them, and they must realize that."

"Are we having a tiff with the other royalty?"

The possibility amused but didn't surprise me. Many licked my father's boots, but I doubted anyone liked him.

He smiled as he set his glass on the table beside him. "Of course not, that would be beneath me. However, things in Tempest aren't as stable as they were under Leo's reign, so we must portray strength."

"Maybe things would be more stable if you hadn't trapped everyone here. I doubt few are pleased that they can't leave Tempest."

"You would know."

When my father smirked, I restrained my hands from clenching. "I've found my own entertainment here. Who isn't content with booze, women, and revenge?"

His smile slid away. "That must come to an end."

"And why is that?"

"Because you are the future Duke of Locksley; you have a duty to me and your position in this realm. And that duty does not include constantly running off to fuck whores. What happens if you impregnate one of them?"

"Don't worry, Father, I figured out birth control centuries ago."

"You never know what could happen."

This statement piqued my curiosity; we'd never discussed anything like this before. "Are you speaking from your own experience?"

He huffed. "Of course not. I'm not so foolish or reckless, but you, my boy, care little about your responsibilities."

It was more like I cared little for him or anything he wanted me to do.

"Are we done?" I inquired.

"You're to stay here tonight; we'll leave at sunrise."

I bristled against the command but could still open a portal to meet Ellery tonight and return later. Besides, I had to attend this party; I planned to make the earl's coffers a little lighter before leaving.

"Whatever you say, Father."

I rose as one of the doors leading into the solar opened. A servant stepped back, bowed gracefully, and waved his arm to usher someone in.

A woman with black hair swept into the room. Her skirt swirled around her ankles as she glided toward us with her shoulders back and chin high.

My father smiled as he rose and held out his arms. "Ah, here she is."

When the woman was close enough, he clasped her hands and leaned down to kiss each cheek. "Hello, dear; I'm so glad you could join us."

"Of course, milord," she murmured in a demure, husky voice.

"I'd like to introduce you to my son."

When they both turned toward me, I gave my father a questioning glance. I couldn't remember the last time he'd greeted anyone so warmly.

I didn't trust it.

My attention shifted to the woman, and when it did, something about her caused a strange tension to coil in my belly. There was something strangely familiar about her, but I'd never seen her before.

Her high cheekbones, fair skin, and black hair were striking. Her tall, willowy build reminded me of the dark fae, but if she had ciphers, the dark fae's marks of power were hidden by her modest dress.

I was certain I'd never seen her before, and it took me a moment to realize her warm, brown eyes were what made her so oddly familiar. A memory teased at the edges of my mind as I studied her.

"My lovely, Brianna, this is my son, Ryker," my father said.

The woman gave a small curtsy while still holding my father's hands. When she rose, he released her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, milord," she told me.

When she lifted her head to look at me again, it felt like a horse kicked me in the chest as everything came to a screeching halt. Those brown eyes…

Holy shit!

A memory of eyes just like them swam before me, and I finally realized how I knew her, but it wasn't her I knew.

It was her father .

The only similarity between them were those eyes, but I had no doubt who this woman was. My father grinned at me as he moved to stand beside Leo's daughter.

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