Then Ryker whispered Brynleigh’s name. The deep rumble of his voice was like silk caressing her skin. Talking on the phone had nothing compared to being in person.
She lifted her eyes, heart thundering as she met the fae captain’s gaze. How was it possible that he was even more handsome now than before?
The corners of his eyes crinkled. “Hi.”
A smile dug at her lips.
“Hey.” She stepped towards him, but the couch still stood between them. “How are you?”
His chocolate gaze held hers. “I’m… happy to be home. I’m happy to be with you.”
Did she imagine the way his voice deepened in the last few words? She hoped not. Gods, she hoped he was at least as fucking nervous as her, if not more.
“I’m glad you’re here, too. I kept the apartment clean and didn’t leave a mess. I wasn’t sure where you wanted me, so I slept on the couch. I hope you don’t mind, but I grabbed a pillow and blanket.” Brynleigh was blabbing, but like the pacing earlier, she didn’t know how to make it stop. “Was that alright? I did some laundry because there was some blood on my clothes, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted…”
Her voice trailed off as Ryker crossed the room like a swift current, moving with a speed she didn’t know he possessed.
Power rippled off him in waves, and darkness flickered through his eyes as they burned into hers.
“Why was there blood?”
Damn. Maybe she shouldn’t have mentioned that so soon after he arrived. It just slipped out.
Judging by the pinch of Ryker’s lips and the feathering in his jaw, he wasn’t pleased about it. Probably not the best way to kick off their reunion.
Brynleigh swallowed. “I… uh…”
His hands landed on her shoulders.
“Who hurt you?” he growled.
Well, if she was being technical about it, two people had hurt her.
First, Jelisette had almost decapitated her.Thathad been a wholly unpleasant experience. But the fight against The Crimson Shade hadn’t been much better.
However, Brynleigh didn’t think that’s what he wanted to hear.
She put her hands on his, reveling in the warmth that seeped into her.
“It doesn’t matter,” she half-whispered, half-pleaded. “I healed.”
A fierce, primal growl rumbled through Ryker.
Seconds later, Marlowe echoed the sound. It would have been cute if the moment hadn’t been drenched in tension.
“It fucking does matter,” Ryker bit out through clenched teeth. “Who hurt you? Don’t make me ask again.”
Her tongue darted out and wet her lips. She had to tell him something.
Deciding to save the information about her fight at Horizon for later, she admitted, “Jelisette.”
Had she thought Ryker was upset before?
No.
That was nothing compared to what happened next.
The temperature in the apartment plummeted. Frost crawled up the windows. Ice covered his hands, which remained on her shoulders.