Shannon’s Reviews > The Choosing Chronicles: Ryker and Brynleigh's Duet > Status Update

The fae captain was beginning to feel the same way, although he didn’t say that. One of the first rules of leadership was looking confident, even if one didn’t feel that way on the inside. And inside, he wasn’t calm. He needed to get out of here. A thousand-pound weight was pressing down on his chest, and he wouldn’t be able to rest until he saw Brynleigh with his own eyes.

The vulnerability in her words shot straight to his heart. “I love you, and I need you like I need blood. When I first fell in love with you, I was frightened. I didn’t understand what was happening. But now… now I know I was finding the other half of my soul.” Ryker’s chest warmed. He’d never known love like this existed. He’d experienced familial love, but that was incomparable to the way he felt…

Every inch of him was fucking perfection. It was as though the gods had sculpted him by hand. Ryker was a gorgeous fae male and he was hers. Her wedding band marked him as such but she didn’t need a piece of jewelry to know he belonged to her. For as much as she was admiring him, he was studying her. His eyes trailed over every part of her like she was an exotic creature and he was memorizing her for further study.

“That is an impossible task when one’s children are such disappointments.” What a loving mother. Unfortunately, Tertia wasn’t done.

A grin stretched across Ryker’s lips as Brynleigh curled up next to him. River stretched out on the floor, pointing out her favorite players as they ran across the screen. Atlas and Nikhail claimed the armchairs, and Marlowe dozed by the door. Ryker’s cheeks hurt from grinning… This was where he was meant to be, the life he was meant to live, and it felt right.

Brynleigh drew in a deep breath, and she dipped her head. “Alright, I’m ready.” The captain didn’t do her the disservice of questioning whether that was true. He didn’t really think anyone could be ready for what awaited them, but his vampire was strong. If anyone could handle this, it was her. And if she couldn’t, he’d be here for her. Just like he promised.

“I’m the one who should be begging for your forgiveness,” he said gruffly. “I never should’ve let them take you to The Pit. I’m so sorry for what was done to you.” Brynleigh hadn’t realized how badly she needed to hear him say those words until that moment. They sank deep into her soul, the broken pieces of her heart coming together and forming a new creation. Her chest warmed, and hope blossomed…

A bulb flickered overhead, casting waning light over the shifter. A blinking security camera sat above the door. Cigarette butts littered the broken, cracked pavement. Disgusting. She kicked at one with her booted toe. Why did people insist on sullying the land where they lived by throwing their trash on the ground? If Brynleigh were an Earth Elf, she’d be horrified by how some people treated this world.

“If the love you share is true, never give up.” Myrrah stood, and Ryker followed suit. The witch’s eyes crinkled, lines creased her forehead, and suddenly, she looked much older. “Whatever you do, Captain, don’t let her go. You never know when your last day might be upon you. Cherish every single one you’ve been given.” Ryker wasn’t sure. Either way he stored the advice deep in his soul. “I will.”

Brynleigh wished Ryker’s words didn’t hurt. But she couldn’t turn back the hands of time any more than she could heal their relationship. “I understand… After all, I’m just an asset, right?” He sighed. “No, Brynleigh. It’s not that simple.” Except it seemed it was. She was an asset, he didn’t trust her, and they were both hurting. Gods damn it, where was her box of emotions when she needed it?