Page 4 of Ravaged Devotion

He could do that.

He could keep himself whole for a little while.

His eyes found his brother’s face once more behind the fogged glass, nails digging into his own palms hard enough to break skin.

Rue would return and tell him everything was going to be all right, and Ryker would believe him.

Because Rue never lied, and Ryker always believed him.

Because for years now, Rue had been the only speck of color in an otherwise frozen wasteland of a life that Ryker, and his brother, had been living in.

“Where did you go?” he asked the empty room.

His brother didn’t answer.

Rue didn’t answer because Rue wasn’t here.

Ryker waited for him.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Chapter 1:

Two Years ago

Rue clung to the hem of his suit jacket, trying his hardest not to search for the one person he was hellbent on avoiding.

The ceremony had been held in the East gardens, with the reception taking place behind the main building of Hart Estate. The weather was perfect for a celebration, sun shining brightly, white fluffy clouds floating listlessly through a pale blue sky. The smell of spring flowers filled the air, sweeping in on a light breeze from every direction.

The party hummed with vibrant excitement, everyone who was everyone on the planet Usurn in attendance. It was said to be the event of the decade, a merger between two great houses, the Harts and the Vadims.

In the center of the outdoor seating area, Rhys Hart had his arm wrapped affectionately around his new bride’s waist, the two of them laughing at something the semi-circle of people regaling them had said.

Probably something elitist and unoriginal.

Nothing even remotely worth the boisterous guffaw Rhys was giving.

Or the bride, who joined in right away, shameless in her pursuit of power and grandstanding.

Eulalie Vadim.

Rue’s mother.

In many ways, Rhys and her were a match made in heaven. Frankly, it should come as a bigger surprise that it’d taken the two of them this long to realize it. They came from massive wealth, sat on the same board of trustees that helped run the capital city, and had joined hands in Hart Holding years prior to expand galactically.

They cared about social status and appearance more than anything, including the happiness and wellbeing of their offspring.

And they’d both been single for years, since the sudden deaths of their spouses.

A waiter came by, offering flutes of champagne on a silver platter, but Rue gave a curt shake of his head, dismissing him. He knew better than to drink. Had to keep his wits about him.

Had to remain strong.

This was the first time he’d returned home in a year, and only because he’d had to. Missing his mother’s wedding was inexcusable, and since he was still in college and reliant on her money, he’d been forced to comply with her request that he attend.