25. Welcome Home

CHAPTER 25

Welcome Home

" Y ou'll be at the big house for dinner tonight, right?" River gripped Ryker's hand with surprising force, and her painted black nails dug into his skin.

A week had passed since the bombing. Today, Ryker's sister wore an all-black ensemble with as many cut-outs as fabric. It was… a choice, to be certain. One that Ryker didn't necessarily approve of.

"We'll be there." He squeezed his sister's hand reassuringly. "Is being alone with Mom and Dad so bad?"

River frowned. "Yes, it is. If you're not there, Mom will yell at me about my piercings. Again."

Ryker's sister and mother had a tumultuous relationship, at best. He'd seen more than a few of their fights, which usually lasted for hours.

This morning, things had been quiet. Not because the women had worked out their differences but because the Chancellor had finally given them the go-ahead to leave The Lily.

"You know, if you stopped provoking her, things would be easier." It wasn't a secret that Tertia hated the way her daughter marked up her body. Ryker was fairly certain River did it to anger their mother. "Can't you get through a single dinner without fighting? "

"No." River shook her head. "We cannot. We clash at every turn. You know this."

River's aptitude for lateness was only overshadowed by her desire to argue with their mother. Her first word had been no, and she hadn't stopped since then. Cyrus had been the buffer, and now, the duty fell to Ryker.

"I do. I promise we will be there on time." He embraced his sister. "Have I ever let you down?"

River shook her head. "Never, not once."

"Exactly." Ryker kissed her forehead. "I'm taking Brynleigh to the apartment to meet Marlowe, and then we'll head over for dinner."

Ryker was completely done with hotel life. During the past seven days, the participants had been under constant guard—for their own safety, according to Chancellor Rose—so he and Brynleigh hadn't even had a moment alone together.

She had gotten her phone back from the guards, though, and they'd been texting daily. The messages had been short, but they were the highlights of his day… other than when they were together.

Being near his vampire and keeping his hands to himself was slowly killing Ryker. When he signed up for the Choosing, he knew about the laws that kept couples out of the bedroom until their wedding night—some archaic purity bullshit that had no real ramifications in this modern time—but he hadn't considered the effects it would have on him.

Delayed gratification was one thing, but this was pure torture. The sooner Brynleigh was his, the better.

"Good," River said sternly. "Don't be late."

Ryker bellowed a laugh. "That's rich, coming from you."

His sister's reputation for lateness was renowned. She'd have to figure out a way around that before she graduated and started working as a doctor. He couldn't imagine hospitals were very forgiving of tardiness, especially from their staff.

"I live with Mom and Dad," she said primly. "I can't be late to my own house."

"Debatable." If anyone could do it, it was River .

She wisely ignored his comment. "When I video-called Dad yesterday, I told him you were coming. He's going to be so happy to see you."

Ryker hoped so. He had held off introducing Brynleigh to his mother and sister because he wanted his fiancée to meet his entire family at once. He hoped they would love her as much as he did. She was his perfect match in every way.

"How is Dad? Are the new meds working?" Gods, he wanted that more than anything. The Stillness had been around for so long that it was practically the fifth member of the Waterborn family while it slowly stole their father's life. He fucking despised it.

River nodded slowly. "It seems that way." Her voice shifted, taking on an academic quality he was familiar with. For all her rebellious streaks, River excelled at science and medicine. "This new study is groundbreaking, and the treatment combines several drugs."

"Gods, if this works?—"

"It would be incredible," River finished, a small smile creeping on her face. "I agree."

Ryker took his sister's hand and drew her close. "Did you release some magic this morning?"

The last thing he wanted to do was bring Brynleigh into a potentially dangerous situation.

River sighed. "Yes, Ryker." She drew out his name, just like she had when she was younger. "I did it today like I have every single morning since… you know."

He knew exactly what she was talking about. "Good. Don't let it build up."

"I won't." A flash of pain went through her eyes before they shuttered. "I'll never forget, Ryker. Even if you don't remind me, I'll always remember. I live with it every day. All those people…"

She looked up at him with wide brown eyes, her unspoken words echoing in the air. It won't happen again .

Watching his sister wrestle with the burden of her magic pained Ryker. He helped as much as he could, but he knew River struggled with the weight of her gods-given gifts. Her piercings, her fashion choices, and even her attitude towards their mother were all ways of coping with the hand she'd been dealt .

River's phone rang, the upbeat, boisterous pop tune shattering the silence. Ryker didn't recognize the song. Moments like these reminded him that nearly two decades separated the two of them.

River glanced at the screen before shoving her phone in her pocket. The heaviness from a few moments ago dissolved as River stood on her tiptoes and kissed Ryker's cheek. "Got to go; my ride's here. See you at dinner."

She bent to pick up her suitcases, but Ryker grabbed them before she could. What kind of man would he be if he let his little sister carry her own bags out of the hotel? "Go on, I've got them."

River grinned and grabbed her purse—black, like the rest of her outfit—before holding the door for him. She chattered as they rode the elevator to the main floor, explaining more about the new drug their father was on.

The captain helped his sister into the taxi and loaded the suitcases in the back. She smiled as she closed the door, opening the window to shout one final reminder to come to dinner tonight.

Slipping his hands into his pockets, Ryker strolled into The Lily. He felt lighter than he had in years. His sister was happy and safe; her magic wasn't causing any problems, and tonight, he would introduce Brynleigh to the family.

What could go wrong?

One of the first lessons Ryker had learned as a youngling was that staring was rude, but he couldn't seem to stop. Brynleigh sat beside him in the car, silently gazing out the window, and his eyes were locked on her.

His bride-to-be was stunning. Like him, she was dressed casually. Unlike him, she looked like she'd walked off the pages of a magazine.

She wore an oversized maroon sweater that fell to mid-thigh and black leggings that hugged her legs. There were two slits in her sweater, which he assumed was an accommodation for her wings, although they weren't visible. Her chin rested on her hand as she looked out the blackened car window. Her blonde hair hung over her shoulders, and she wore a minimal amount of makeup.

He couldn't believe she was marrying him. She was a goddess of the night, and he was… himself. Barely worthy of being in her presence. Gods, he loved this woman. Now that he had said the words, he couldn't seem to stop.

Ryker held Brynleigh's other hand, and he rubbed his thumb over the back of her palm. She hadn't spoken much since he'd helped her into the darkened vehicle half an hour ago. The silence didn't bother him. He was at ease in Brynleigh's presence, and the quiet lacked all traces of awkwardness. It was companionable, peaceful, and everything he had hoped for.

Davis, the driver Ryker's mother insisted on paying for, had picked the couple up in The Lily's underground parking garage to avoid the sun. Admittedly, it would take time for Ryker to get used to staying out of the sun, but he was willing to do whatever it took to keep Brynleigh in his life. If she asked him to become fully nocturnal, he would do it. He certainly wouldn't be the first person in history to alter his lifestyle for vampires.

Besides, what was a bit of change when the person you were changing for was your whole world?

And Brynleigh was Ryker's entire world. In the six weeks since they met, she'd catapulted into the first-place position in his life. He couldn't imagine living without her. Watching her bleeding out on the ballroom floor had solidified how important she was to him.

Brynleigh was meant to be Ryker's. There was something so profoundly right about the two of them. Their connection was deep and wasn't built on superficial things like appearances. He had the Choosing to thank for that.

He felt like he knew everything about Brynleigh. Her likes and dislikes. Things she missed (the sun, no surprise there) and things she enjoyed doing (playing chess.) He knew her birth family was dead, although she never spoke of what happened to them, and her Maker was her only real connection to the world.

He hoped she would come to see his family as her own .

Ryker had many dreams for the future, and they all revolved around the blonde vampire beside him.

The car slowed, and the familiar sights of Ryker's neighbourhood came into view. He tugged Brynleigh's hand. "We're here, sweetheart."

The car stopped in front of a ten-story apartment building complex surrounded by flourishing gardens.

Brynleigh looked out the window, then back at Ryker. "This is your home?"

"Our home," he corrected softly, squeezing her hand. "Or at least, it can be if you like it. If not, I'm sure we can find something else. It's just… this is a good location. We're halfway to the base and halfway to my family home. But if you want to move, we'll move. We can do whatever you want after we're married."

Something dark flickered in Brynleigh's eyes. It was too quick for Ryker to be certain, but he could have sworn he glimpsed intense longing and regret in her black gaze. But that couldn't be right. It was gone before he could decipher it.

"How long have you lived here?" She looked back at the apartment complex, but her grip tightened on his hand.

"Just over a decade."

He'd moved here after his Maturation, eager to have his own place. Tertia had protested, of course. She wasn't delighted by the idea of her son, a future Representative of the Fae, living in such "downtrodden" conditions. He hadn't given in. He needed his privacy.

Besides, it wasn't like Ryker lived in a shack. His one-bedroom apartment was nice and clean, and he could afford it on his military salary without dipping into the family coffers. It was in a good part of Golden City but not in the luxurious neighborhood where his parents lived.

Even though Tertia was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and believed everyone in her family should live in a mansion filled with servants, Ryker disagreed. He didn't hate how he grew up—on the contrary, he'd had a good childhood—but he loved his apartment. This, and his hunting cabin, were his safe spaces.

This apartment was his. Maybe, with some work, it could be theirs.

That idea made Ryker smile. Raising his fist, he rapped on the roof. Davis would understand his signal. The car started moving again, and they rolled into the underground parking lot, where the sun's deadly rays couldn't touch Brynleigh.

The vehicle stopped, and the door slammed, signifying Davis's departure. Ryker reached over and unbuckled Brynleigh's seatbelt. Earlier, he'd told Davis they would be here for several hours. The driver was meeting a friend nearby for lunch and would return to take them to Waterborn House.

But for now, they were alone.

Ryker tugged Brynleigh across the seat and over to him. She didn't protest as he cupped her cheeks, his gaze searching hers.

"I love you," he murmured. "And I'm so glad you agreed to marry me."

Brynleigh seemed to wrestle over her words for a minute before her fingers tightened around his. "Me too," she breathed, licking her lips. "I… I'm looking forward to our wedding."

Her voice cracked on the last word, but he assumed she was as anxious for their marriage as him. He just wanted to get it over with, to finally claim her as his in every way.

"So am I," he whispered.

Her fingers gripped his as if she never wanted to let him go.

Ryker would gladly remain with her. He laid a hand over hers and inched closer. "I want to kiss you, Brynleigh."

This was the moment he'd been waiting for. The cameras were gone, and for the first time, they were truly alone.

She hitched a breath, and her mouth opened, giving him a peek at her fangs. Gods, the sight of those sharp teeth sent a bolt of want through him. He had always noticed the unnatural beauty of vampires, but none of them had ever affected him the way Brynleigh did.

"You do?" Brynleigh's cheeks heated, which only added to her beauty.

He loved that she was flustered because of him.

"Yes," he breathed. He moved closer but still gave her room. "Is that okay?"

Her eyes searched his for the longest moment until she dipped her head in the briefest of nods .

Ryker had dreamed of this moment. Some nights, he had barely slept because his desire to taste her was so strong. And now, he finally could. Holding her gaze, his hand slipped behind her neck as he drew her close. His heart sped up and his entire being focused on Brynleigh.

He slanted his mouth over hers. Their lips met in an embrace that was at once gentle but powerful.

But it was… one-sided.

This wasn't the kiss he'd dreamed about. Brynleigh was a frozen statue next to him. She didn't move, let alone breathe.

His heart stalled in his chest. Had he done something wrong? Had he misread her consent?

Those beautiful eyes stared at him, unblinking. There was something in the depth of her gaze that he didn't understand. Dark. Strange. A flicker of… fear? Was she scared of him? Gods, he hoped that wasn't the case. He would never do anything to hurt her.

She was his.

Again, Ryker moved his lips tentatively over hers.

She still didn't react.

This was not how he thought this would go.

Ryker was about to pull away, to apologize and ask what was wrong, when Brynleigh muttered something that sounded awfully similar to "Fuck it" under her breath.

He had no time to be confused because whatever decision she reached meant she was no longer frozen beneath him. She transformed in the blink of an eye. No longer a stone sculpture, now she was a living flame, destined to burn him from the inside out. She returned his kiss with an urgent, fiery passion they had yet to explore.

By the fucking Sands, yes. This was the kiss he'd dreamed of. Brynleigh slid onto Ryker's lap, straddling him. She threaded her fingers through his hair and moaned his name against his lips.

Fuck, that sound went straight to Ryker's cock. He abandoned his confusion and held her close. He needed her now more than ever.

Evidently, Brynleigh felt the same. Their mouths fused in an ardent embrace. She kissed him like he was the air she needed to breathe; like she was dying and he was the only way she'd survive; like he was a bad decision that she couldn't keep herself from making .

He couldn't tell where his mouth ended and hers began. Their kiss deepened. She embraced him in a way that no one else ever had, and by the Obsidian Sands, he loved each and every moment.

Ryker would never get enough of this—of her.

His hand slipped from her neck to her hip, and he wrapped his other arm around her and held her close. She moaned, rubbing herself against his hardening length.

"Gods, Brynleigh," he groaned against her lips.

Their clothes were an unwanted barrier between them. He wanted to rip off each offending piece of fabric and lay her bare before him.

"I want you," she breathed against his mouth. "I know we shouldn't, but…"

"I want you, too." He could barely remember how to form words; her scent was so intoxicating. "Fucking archaic laws."

Whose damned idiotic idea was it to keep couples apart until their wedding night? It was completely moronic.

And Ryker liked rules. A lot. It pained him to acknowledge how ridiculous this one was.

Still, even without the law, Ryker knew their first time together wouldn't be in the back of a car. He had far bigger plans for them than that.

"It's horrible." She embraced him again, and they both lost themselves to the passion burning between them.

They kissed and kissed. Hands wandered. Their bodies rubbed against each other. Lust was a blazing fire between them.

Ryker gave Brynleigh control for a few minutes, even though letting someone else lead wasn't in his nature. Eventually, though, he needed more. He swept his tongue over the seam of her lips, and a groan ran through him as she parted them, granting him access.

At his first taste of her, his hand on her hip tightened. The rightness of the moment flooded him. Brynleigh tasted like shadows, the night, and the subtlest hint of oranges.

She tasted like she was always meant to be his.

His tongue swept through her mouth and grazed her fangs. The sound that left her lips was utterly delectable, and she ground herself against him wantonly .

At that moment, Ryker knew he would never kiss another woman again. How could he?

This was it for him— she was it for him.

Any control he might have had snapped when she nipped his bottom lip. It wasn't strong enough to draw blood, but it didn't matter.

His fingers slipped beneath the waistband of her leggings, seeking the warmth hidden between her legs. She moaned, her head arching and exposing the column of her neck as he ran the back of his knuckles against her sensitive flesh.

"Ry, don't tease me." She shifted in his lap.

He kissed her. "What do you want?"

He knew what he wanted but wouldn't do anything without her consent.

Her eyes darkened as they met his. "Touch me."

Those words. He'd fantasized about hearing her say them since their very first date. How could he deny her?

Capturing her lips with his once more, Ryker swept aside her underwear and ran his fingers over her. Touching. Teasing. He went everywhere except that warm heat that beckoned to him.

Brynleigh bucked. "Please, Ryker."

It was all the encouragement he needed. He slid one finger into her inviting warmth, letting the heat from her core envelope him. He groaned against her lips. She was so tight and wet and fucking perfect.

Gods, she would feel so good against his cock. It was that thought that had him adding another finger. He crooked them in a beckoning motion, and she gasped.

He kissed her mouth, her jaw, and her neck as his fingers thrust in and out of her heat. She writhed against him, begging him for more.

Each time his name fell from her lips, each moment she asked for more, his love for her deepened. The sounds Brynleigh made would forever be imprinted on his mind.

His thumb found her clit, and he rubbed it. She screamed.

He captured the sound with his mouth, swallowing her cries as he brought her closer and closer to the edge. Her fingers dug into his hair as if she was afraid that he would disappear on her and leave her wanting.

Never. He wouldn't leave her .

He added another finger, and she moaned. Her walls fluttered against him.

"I'm so close," she gasped, her words little more than air.

"Let go," he told her. "I've got you."

He held her, his fingers bringing her closer and closer to the precipice of oblivion until she shattered with a final scream. Still, he didn't move, letting her ride out of the waves of pleasure on his hand.

Brynleigh gripped his shoulders, panting as she came down from the high of what they'd just done. Only then did he remove his fingers from her warmth, sliding her leggings back into place.

Brynleigh's beautiful black gaze watched him as he lifted his hand. He opened his mouth and licked his fingers.

"By the Sands, you taste so good," he groaned, nearly losing the last strands of his restraint.

He licked every last bit of her off him. This was but an appetizer, he reminded himself. She was his, and this was their first moment of many to come.

Ryker couldn't wait to have Brynleigh spread out on the bed in front of him, naked and glistening. He would spend an eternity between her legs, feasting on her. She would be all he needed.

The only thing stopping Ryker from carrying Brynleigh upstairs to have his way with her, rules be damned, was that Atlas and Marlowe were waiting for them.

With a groan that reverberated through his entire body, Ryker lifted Brynleigh off him. Their chests heaved, and the air was thick with the scent of desire as they stared at each other.

Long, endless seconds went by.

"We should go inside." He didn't want to.

She studied him, running her tongue over her bottom lip, before nodding slowly. "Alright."

There was a rasp to her voice that made him feel alive. He did that to her. No one else. This moment was theirs and theirs alone.

It took every ounce of strength Ryker had to get out of the car. He held the door for Brynleigh and extended his hand. She adjusted her leggings and took his hand, their fingers sliding together as he helped her out of the vehicle.

"Who knew you were such a gentleman, Ry?" she teased, letting go of his hand to straighten her sweater.

He grinned, closing the car door behind her. Davis would bring up his suitcases later. "Perhaps I'm a man of many secrets."

Not a lie. Between his job and looking after his family, Ryker was the caretaker of more secrets than he'd like. Hopefully, in the future, he could share those with Brynleigh. He wanted his wife to be his partner in every way, someone who could help carry his burdens and share every aspect of his life.

"Is that so?"

"It is."

"It so happens I like secrets." She brushed her hair over her shoulder and slid her hand into his. "Take me home, Captain Waterborn."

Gods, he loved the sound of that. "With pleasure, sweetheart."