The air in the apartment shifted, and Brynleigh stepped out of his embrace.
“It’s because she’s a Representative. You can’t hide things from them. This isexactlywhat Jelisette was talking about earlier.”
Ryker stiffened. “Your Maker isn’t sane. You know that.”
That was the wrong thing to say. Instead of calming Brynleigh down, the words seemed to incense her.
“No, but even a broken clock is right twice a day.” Brynleigh’s voice was cool, and shadows slipped from her palms. “It always comes down to this.”
“What does?”
“This. Us.” She waved between them. “Every single fucking time I think I can forget about the things dividing us, something else comes up. There’s the Representatives and everyone else.”
Ryker frowned. “I know there’s some division, but?—”
“Some? No. ‘Some’ implies a relatively small amount. There’s a canyon standing between the Representatives and the rest of the world.”
He reached for her. “Brynleigh?—”
She ducked away from him, her wings appearing and curling around her protectively. “No, don’t. Not right now.”
His heart ached. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?” She laughed bitterly, shaking her head. “This is what Jelisette was saying. The Representatives rule this land, and obviously, I don’t agree with the rebels, but something needs to change.”
On that, they were in agreement.
Ryker slowly nodded, picking his words with care. “So… what do you suggest?”
A drawn-out moment passed as Brynleigh studied Ryker. Her eyes softened, the anger shifting and her lips slanting into a frown.
“I don’t know.” Sad eyes met his. “I just know that everything is out of balance. Life isn’t fair.”
“I know that.”
“Do you?” She canted her head, and a long moment stretched between them. “Then tell me, Ryker, what would’ve happened to River if she hadn’t been your mother’s daughter?”
A protective growl rumbled through him despite himself. “Don’t bring my sister into this.”
“She’s already in it,” Brynleigh said softly. “She’s been in it since she destroyed my town six years ago.”
Ryker stepped back. “Brynleigh, I don’t want to?—”
“Tell me,” she insisted softly. “What would’ve happened to River if she had destroyed Chavin and hadn’t been tied to a Representative?”
His hackles rose. Why was she pushing him like this? His fae instincts urged him to protect his family at all costs, and he balled his fists.
“Don’t do this. Don’t make me talk about this.”
Of course, she didn’t listen.
“It’s a simple question,” Brynleigh whispered sadly. “What would’ve happened to River if she hadn’t been related to a Representative?”
“Why does it matter?”
“Because we need to discuss it.” Her eyes met his. “We can’t just ignore it forever. Otherwise, it’ll just grow and fester between us.”
Really? Because he’d done a pretty good job of not thinking about this over the past six years.