Chapter 61

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

Ryker

“What the fuck does that mean?” I snarled.

Callan’s eyes widened, but determination shimmered in them as they held mine. “It doesn’t seem like you have her best interests in mind by keeping her your dirty little secret. I’m guessing your father wouldn’t approve?”

I had to admit that, for a musician, the man had giant balls. It was too bad I was about to rip them off.

When I growled and started to rise, Ellery placed her hand over my heart to stop me.

“Ryker, don’t,” she whispered. “We’re not fighting here and not now. Please.”

The please did me in, but I didn’t relax into the sofa again as I glowered at the lute player until he lowered his eyes.

“It’s not like that, Callan,” Ellery said. “You don’t know all the details, but I promise you, it’s not like that.”

“You don’t have to promise him anything,” I growled.

“Ryker,” Ellery breathed.

I finally tore my attention away from the musician to her. “It’s unsafe for him to stay here.”

“But this is where he’s going to stay,” she stated. “I don’t think anyone will come. I was one of the guests, and my mother was killed, so why would they come here?”

“Someone else might have seen him pulling you off that floor. They might think you were together.”

“If they did see us and ask me about it, then I’ll tell them I escaped him, as many others did. If someone comes here, I’ll open a portal into the Revenant Woods for him before I open the door. We’ll have plenty of time for that, and once he’s free of here, he’ll stay where I lead him to.”

She looked pointedly at Callan, who said, “I’m certainly not wandering around the woods on my own.”

“No, you’re not,” Ellery said firmly. “I’ll keep him here until it’s safe for him to leave. He does have to meet his sister, though. I’ll go with him.”

“Ellery,” I groaned.

“I’m going, Ryker.”

Arguing with her was pointless, and I’d spent far too much time away from the earl’s. The battle had to be over by now; they would be looking for me.

“Where is this rock?” I asked. “If I can’t get back here before it’s time for you to leave, I’ll meet you there.”

“It’s at the edge of the Revenant Woods, off the main street. Most amsirah over the age of fifteen have nothing to do with it. Not only do we all grow up, but it becomes difficult to get inside. You wouldn’t be able to fit through the entrance, and you can’t open a portal into it because you don’t know what it looks like.”

After what they’d said about it, I could imagine what it looked like, but without knowing for sure, it could cause problems.

“We’ll be there at five,” she said.

“I’ll meet you there. How will I know if you leave it?”

“When it’s time for us to leave, with or without Luna, I’ll knock three times on the rock wall. You should be able to hear it.”

“Don’t come back here. Go to Tucker’s.”

“Will he be okay with that?” she asked.

“He’s going to have to be. You can’t harbor them here, and someone has to keep an eye on them… unless you’d prefer them dead.”

“Of course not.”

“Then I won’t kill them.”

“Thanks,” Callan muttered.

I didn’t acknowledge him as I remained focused on Ellery. “You’re going to have to claim your mother’s remains. They’ll expect you to return for them.”

She gulped as tears filled her eyes. “I know.”

“I’ll be there when you do.”

“Ryker, no.”

“Yes. I’m sure they’ve suppressed the rebellion by now, but if something goes wrong, I will be there. Besides, I’m not letting you go through that alone. Even if we can’t be together, I’ll be there for you.”

Her shoulders sagged as she leaned into me a little. “She’s gone.”

Careful to avoid her injuries, I hugged her to me. “I’d give anything to change that for you.”

“I know.” She lifted her face to kiss me. “It’s time for you to go.”

I rested my forehead against hers. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Reluctantly, I untangled myself from her and rose. When my gaze fell on the musician, he shrank back in the seat. His earlier bravery was gone, and now he looked defeated.

“If you do anything to put her at further risk, if you try anything, or go against anything she says, I’ll have you begging for death long before I finish with you; do you understand?”

He gulped before replying, “Yes.”

I hesitated before nodding. He’d saved her life, and I didn’t think he’d purposely put her in danger again, but I didn’t want to leave him here.

Unfortunately, I had no choice. And if push came to shove, Ellery could kick his ass.

“I’ll open you a portal,” Ellery said.

“No, I’ll go out the back and open one,” I told her.

“It would be safer if you let me do it inside for you.”

“You’ve already opened one, and we have no idea what more will happen today. You should conserve your strength in case you have to create more.”

“You’ve already opened one too.”

“I’m not harboring a fugitive.”

She bit her bottom lip before responding. “Okay.”

Rising, she followed me to the back door, where I kissed her again before checking to ensure no one was out there. When I was sure we were alone, I stepped outside.

It felt like a week had passed since I first arrived at the earl’s, but it was still night, and the sky wasn’t showing any signs of dawn yet. It was still a few hours away.

“Wait until the sun is up before you return to the earl’s,” I told her. “I’m sure the rebellion has ended by now, but just in case.”

“I will.”

I descended the stairs and walked a few feet away before opening a portal. I didn’t look back; if I did, I’d never leave her.