31. No More Rules

CHAPTER 31

No More Rules

A low, steady beat hammered Brynleigh's ears. The Obsidian Palace was an assault on her senses. The lights were low, the music was loud, and the air pulsed with the heady scents of desire and lowered inhibitions.

Ryker's call had come in nearly half an hour ago. River had chatted with Brynleigh for a few minutes, but now she danced in the crowd. She had invited Brynleigh to join her, but the vampire had declined, wanting to finish her drink.

"Here you go, miss." The bartender handed Brynleigh another glass of blood wine. "Enjoy."

"Thank you, I will." Accepting the beverage, the vampire studied the throng of dancers.

River was easy to spot on the edge of the crowd, her bright dress standing out among all the black. Her partner was an elf with long, curling horns that reached for the sky. She seemed to be enjoying herself.

Nikhail, Ryker's black-haired friend, danced a few feet away with a redheaded fae. River and Nikhail hadn't spoken much, but Brynleigh had noticed them glancing at each other throughout the evening. That was interesting.

The Obsidian Palace wasn't Brynleigh's scene, a fact which became more apparent the longer she was here. She'd much rather be curled up in front of a movie right now, but she didn't want to pass up an opportunity to be with Ryker, especially after the day she'd had.

This morning, Jelisette had sent Brynleigh to an underground club in the Western Region to deal with a problem. Complications had risen, her mark had fought back, and the bloody task had taken her far longer than normal.

Brynleigh had showered for nearly an hour to scrub all the blood from her body before getting ready for tonight. Not only had her job been a lot, but Zanri had been hanging out at the safe house all day. Brynleigh itched to tell him the truth about River. Not so her handler could hurt the young fae but so someone else would know the truth.

Ultimately, she had decided it wasn't safe to share the information. Holding her tongue had been painful.

After the wedding, things would be easier. Surely, Brynleigh could make Jelisette understand why she couldn't kill Ryker. Besides, by then, they would be married.

Brynleigh planned to move out of the safe house and into Ryker's apartment when they returned from their honeymoon. With a few coats of paint and a couple of throw pillows, it would feel like home. Marlowe seemed to like her, giving her confidence that she'd fit right in.

As for work, Brynleigh would tackle that issue later. She assumed the law-abiding captain would probably take an issue with his wife killing criminals in her spare time, so she'd have to find something to do that was above the law.

But they would be happy, and that was all Brynleigh wanted.

Losing herself in daydreams about what their married life would look like, Brynleigh didn't notice Ryker's return until he stood in front of her.

"All done. Thank you for waiting, sweetheart." Ryker slanted his lips over hers, his kiss claiming and possessive.

Heat went straight to Brynleigh's core, and she clenched her legs together. Isvana help her, but she wanted him so badly. Waiting until the wedding night was torture. She replayed their stolen moments in the car over and over again. She reminded herself of the way his fingers felt deep within her and wondered what it would feel like when it was his cock .

"No problem," she murmured when their kiss broke apart. "Is everything alright?"

A shadow flickered across Ryker's face before he nodded. "Yes, just some trouble in the Northern Region. The rebels are being… difficult."

And the heat was gone.

Brynleigh frowned. "Are the rebels always this bad?"

She didn't remember them causing as many problems as they had over the past two months. Not that they weren't justified in their actions because the inequality in the Republic of Balance was impossible to hide, but their timing felt strange.

"No, usually…" Ryker sighed and palmed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry, love. I can't really talk about it. It's classified."

"I understand." And she did.

After all, Brynleigh had a world of secrets that she couldn't share with Ryker. She didn't even want to think of his reaction if he ever learned her true intentions in joining the Choosing. She'd be taking that truth to her grave.

Ryker smiled, and his eyes twinkled. "Thank you." His thumb brushed her chin. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?"

She chuckled. "You might have mentioned it."

Brynleigh didn't always enjoy wearing dresses, but this one was a favorite. It was comfortable, had pockets, and highlighted all her best assets. She had chosen it tonight specifically with Ryker in mind.

"You're absolutely fucking stunning." His hands landed on her hips, and he drew her against him for a kiss.

His hard length pressed into her, and she gasped against his mouth.

Ryker groaned, and he kissed the shell of her rounded ear. "If we weren't in a room full of other people," he whispered, "I'd show you exactly what this dress does to me."

Gods, the mouth on this man.

Brynleigh blinked at him, trying to think of a clever response, but a hand wrapped around her wrist and tugged before she could.

"Come dance with me, Bryn!" River's cheeks were flushed, her hair mussed, and she wore a grin that spoke to her having enjoyed several alcoholic beverages in quick succession. "Just because Ryker has a stick up his ass doesn't mean we can't have fun. "

River didn't give Brynleigh a chance to refuse her offer. The younger water fae pulled her towards the crowd of moving bodies.

"I'm not a great dancer," Brynleigh admitted, shouting to be heard over the blaring music.

"You don't have to be!" River threw back her head and laughed. "Let the music speak to you."

Brynleigh was pretty certain that wasn't how it worked. However, she didn't want to say no to River. Not when the water fae reminded Brynleigh of her sister. Sarai would've spent all night on the dance floor, shaking her hips and letting the music move her.

For her sister, Brynleigh would dance. "Alright, I'll give it a try."

And she did.

The music blared, the beats were low, and the lights dim as they danced. Neither Brynleigh nor River spoke, letting the music guide their movements.

It surprised Brynleigh to realize she started enjoying herself sometime around the third song. Dancing to the pop music was a far cry from when she and Ryker had spun around the ballroom. It was easy. No one was looking at her.

For the first time in years, Brynleigh felt free. She was clumsy, but that didn't seem prohibitive with this style of music. Soon, she swayed her hips, her eyes hooded as she let the rhythm run through her. Her shadows danced in her veins, echoing the song.

This was… nice.

Several songs later, River looked behind Brynleigh and smiled. She nodded, then slipped away into the crowd of bodies.

Confused, Brynleigh went to turn around. Before she could, a pair of large, warm hands settled on her hips. The vampire tilted up her head, and a grin stretched across her features.

Ryker stood behind her, all broody and beautiful in his fae way.

"River said you didn't want to dance," Brynleigh murmured.

Ryker drew her against him, her back lining up with his front. He held her hips, and they swayed to the music as it slowed.

The captain's breath ghosted over Brynleigh's ear. "Sweetheart, it seems I'm breaking all my rules for you."

The shiver running through Brynleigh had nothing to do with the chill in the air and everything to do with the hardness pressed against the swell of her ass.

"Oh?" She twisted in his arms and gazed up at him.

Strobing lights cast Ryker in alternating blue and white, giving him an ethereal aura. His hands slipped around her and pressed against her bottom. "Yes." His head dipped, and he kissed the corner of her mouth. "I would do anything for you, Brynleigh de la Point."

Her heart pounded at his concession. Gods, how was it possible to care so much about someone in such a short period of time? Now that she knew the truth, Brynleigh could admit her true feelings to herself. She really liked Ryker, and there was nothing wrong with that.

Maybe she more than liked him. She would explore that thought when she was on her own. Either way, emboldened by her feelings, Brynleigh didn't wait for Ryker to kiss her properly. She threaded her hands behind his neck and pulled him towards her.

Their mouths slammed together in a passionate embrace. They remained like that for several minutes. Kissing. Swaying. Touching. Being together.

This was a moment Brynleigh would never forget. Right now, there were no more rules or games. No one watching or judging them. They were alone, and she allowed all the emotions rising within her to remain. She was… happy, and she loved it.

Eventually, the music shifted. The beat picked up, and the new song demanded they move their bodies.

So, they did.

Ryker's grip tightened around her hips.

Brynleigh ground herself against him, wishing there were no more barriers between them.

They kissed again and again and again. Hands explored. Her fangs ached. Her shadows throbbed.

They moved as one, dancing the night away until the sun was about to rise.

There were no rules, and it was good.