“I know. I’m sorry. How is everything here, Jackson?” She weaved her fingers through his as they walked.
He shook his head. “I’m no king.”
She stopped short, the tug on his hand keeping him from leaving the chamber.
He stood in front of the closed door but made no move to face her.
“Look at me, Jackson.”
Biting back a small sigh, he relented and turned to her. Her eyes burned with…something he couldn’t quite place. Anger? Fear? Pride? Maybe a little of each.
“You are the King of Cymmera now.”
If he only had half his father’s strength, wisdom and courage, he might stand a chance. As it was…
She lifted a skeptical brow. “Is there anyone more suited to take your father’s place?”
Was there? Who knew? Elijah, maybe. The prophet had an important role in the kingdom, but he would often disappear for days at a time to meditate or do research.
“Jackson.” Ryleigh held his gaze.
He couldn’t look away.
“You can do this. You’re father trusted you to lead his kingdom in the event of his death. You bear the mark of the king.” She rubbed his shoulder where the tattoo marking him as a Death Dealer was crossed with a red slash marking him as the king.
“It would be so much easier if you would stay here with me. I still haven’t chosen a second in command or an advisor.” He gripped her hands tightly in his.
She started to pull away, but he held her firmly in place.
“You are meant to be my queen. You say I wear the mark of the king, but do you mention you wear the mark of the queen? How can you tell me to shoulder my responsibilities, while you shirk your own?” He was being too hard on her. It wasn’t fair, and yet he couldn’t stop.
“You know why I ca—”
“I know.” He released her and stepped back, held his hands up, palms toward her. A gesture of surrender. “I know, Ryleigh. And I understand. I even agree. When I’m not being a jerk.”
A corner of her mouth lifted, but her eyes remained serious, the deep blue turning an almost turbulent gray.
“It’s just…” Jackson had to move away. He paced, unable to remain so close and not touch her. How could he explain the wild range of emotions pummeling him? Emotions he barely understood, emotions that had been buried for hundreds of years until…Ryleigh.
Resisting the urge to claim her was proving harder than he’d expected. A constant pressure nagged at him, torturing him. One kiss. That’s all it would take to make her his forever. One kiss, while the ancients chanted the timeless ritual that would bind them as one. Make her his for eternity. He shook off the compulsion, the intense need to have her beside him.
His thoughts turned darker. Kai. His father’s most trusted advisor, his second in command. Jackson’s mentor. The man who’d turned his back on his kingdom, orchestrated the ambush that killed King Maynard. Kai’s betrayal cut deep into Jackson’s soul. His fists clenched on their own, and he lowered his voice. “I don’t trust anyone but you.”
Ryleigh lowered her gaze.
A stab of guilt prodded him. “Look, I’m s—”
The heavy wooden door to his chamber slammed open with a bang against the stone wall.
Jackson turned, stepped in front of Ryleigh, and unsheathed his sword, all in one smooth motion.
Chayce stood in the doorway, lips pressed firmly together, and let his gaze play over what he could see of Ryleigh. “Well, well, well.”
Jackson stiffened. Jealousy burned a hole in his gut. He tightened his grip on the sword. Ridiculous. Chayce was his brother. Even though they’d been having problems since just before their father’s death, they’d always been close. Jackson had to get his emotions into some kind of balance if he was going to rule even halfway effectively. Which was not looking too promising. He loosened his fingers and sheathed the sword, then leashed his anger. “What’s wrong, Chayce?”
His brother’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? What’s wrong?” His laughter held only sarcasm. “Let’s see. First I looked for you in the throne room, but only found my father’s empty throne collecting dust. Then I searched the Council Chambers. Of course, they were empty as well.”
Jackson started to seethe. It began as a slow burning in the pit of his stomach. Instead of standing by his side and offering support, Chayce had whined constantly since their father’s death. No matter what Jackson did, what decisions he made, Chayce disagreed.
“Let me ask you something, brother.” Chayce clenched and unclenched his hand around the hilt of his sword, his black gloves creaking with each movement. “Do you ever plan to avenge our father’s death? Or are you just going to continue playing with your girlfriend?” He gestured toward Ryleigh, a look of pure derision crossing his face, an instantaneous loss of control before he once again schooled his features.
Bile crept up Jackson’s throat. The burn fueled the fire his runaway emotions had already sparked. “My girlfriend is your queen.” Sort of. “You would do well to remember that and show the proper respect.”
Chayce’s words had held such passion. The desire to avenge their father an almost palpable need. Yet his eyes held nothing of that passion. Instead of the rage or pain he expected, Jackson found only emptiness. A black abyss.
Chayce stepped forward, stood toe to toe with Jackson. “I will not wait much longer, Jackson. If you will not accept your role, I will take the Cymmeran Guard and search for Kai myself. My father’s death will be avenged.” He poked a finger into Jackson’s chest. “You are a pitiful excuse for a king. You make us look weak. Incompetent. No wonder Kai—”
Fingers splayed against Chayce’s chest, Jackson slammed him against the wall. Even though Jackson’s conscience screamed at him to release Chayce, his hand had a mind of its own. “That will be all, Chayce.” Apparently, so did his mouth. “I have been patient with you since our father fell. I’m done. Whether you like it or not, I am now the ruler of this kingdom. You don’t have to agree with everything I say and do, but you will respect my title. If you have a problem with how I run things, call a council meeting, and we’ll all discuss it. Until then…” He gripped Chayce’s shirt and pulled him closer, until no more than an inch separated their noses. “Back off.” With one last shove, he finally eased his grip.
Chayce held his gaze. Then he smoothed his tunic, turned, and walked out.
Jackson ignored the instinct to call his brother back, to make things right with him. Most Cymmerans no longer had the capability to feel. And yet…Chayce’s words betrayed some leftover—
A soft touch on his shoulder pulled him from his contemplation.
“Are you all right?” Ryleigh stared at him, her eyes filled with concern.
“I’m fine.” Reality slapped him in the face. “He’s not wrong, you know.”
She frowned. “What do you mean? You send regular patrols to search for Kai. What more can you do, if you can’t find him?”
He hesitated, knowing she wouldn’t like his answer. “I could send the Guard to invade Argonas. Seize control.”
Ryleigh’s eyes went wide “You can’t just decide you want to rule a realm and take it over…can you?”
“Of course, we can. Especially since the leader of that realm was killed. With Daygan gone, someone has to take control. If I don’t do it…” He shrugged. “Someone else will.”