“Ry, I’m so close,” she moaned.
“Look at me,” he ordered.
She did, her body tightening as the pleasure she so desperately sought remained just out of reach.
His lips descended on hers again, and he held her gaze as his hand slipped between them. His thumb found her clit, and in a gruff voice, he ordered, “Come for me, love.”
That was all she needed.
Stars burst behind her eyes as her climax took her over like a storm. Wave after wave of pleasure ran through her, and then he came with a roar that she was sure could be heard through the entire building.
When they finally broke apart, Ryker brushed his thumb down Brynleigh’s cheek.
“I love you,” he whispered. “I will never let anything break us again.”
Sealing his promise with a kiss, Ryker showed her exactly how much he loved her. Again. And again. And again.
CHAPTER 40
Important Matters and Surprises
Brynleigh adjusted the hem of her black knee-length dress, shifting her weight from one heeled foot to the other. The small office where they’d been directed to wait had black-out blinds covering the windows, and it felt too much like a tomb for her liking. The sooner they got out of here, the better.
A hand smoothed over her lower back.
“Relax,” Ryker murmured in a low, soft voice. He wore a black suit and a crisp white shirt underneath, looking every bit of the Representative’s son he was. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. This will be different from the others.”
Brynleigh wasn’t scared, exactly. She just didn’t enjoy spending time surrounded by Representatives. Unsurprisingly, not much had changed on that front over the past few weeks. Chancellor Rose was still in power, the Representatives were still in charge, and inequality still existed in the Republic of Balance.
Not all Representatives were bad, though.
That, perhaps, was one of the most surprising things Brynleigh had learned. They had met with Myrrah Challard again last week, and the witch had seemed amenable to working on removing the divide between the Representatives and the lower classes.
Not only that, but the code breakers had finally been able to crack the cipher. The book Brynleigh had retrieved from Jelisette’s contained many things, including a list of rebel operatives within the Republic and overseas.
It provided several damning pieces of evidence that were being used to bring down half a dozen key members of the rebel organization. Finally, the government had solid proof against the Black Night.
“I’ll relax when we get to leave.” She elbowed Ryker in the side. “I still get my surprise, right?”
He grinned, and gods, it was a beautiful sight. Every time he directed a smile at her, she felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
“Absolutely.” He squeezed her hand. “It’s all set up. You’ll get it as soon as we’re done here.”
A knock came on the door, and then it opened.
A human in her forties wearing a stylish maroon pantsuit smiled at them. “Mr. and Mrs. Waterborn, the Council is ready for you. Follow me, please.”
Brynleigh drew in a deep breath and exchanged a look with Ryker. There was so much admiration and encouragement in his eyes that she knew she could do this. With him by her side, she could do anything.
What were a few Representatives when she’d defeated the Crimson Shade, survived the Black Night, and killed her Maker?
Holding her head up high, Brynleigh laced her fingers through Ryker’s. Together, they trailed the woman down a short hallway and through an unmarked black door.
Bright lights illuminated the stage where they stood, but though the seated Representatives were hidden from view, Brynleigh still felt the weight of their gazes. She’d been to the Council Chamber before, but this was her first time on the stage, not in the testimonial box. Her stomach twisted as nerves threatened to erupt, but then, Ryker squeezed her hand.
The simple action grounded her, and she straightened her shoulders.
“Ah, the Waterborns are here.” Chancellor Rose stood and strode onto the stage from the left, looking just as put together as she had the night of the Reunion.