Chapter 76

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX

Ryker

“Why not me?” I asked.

“You’re the son of the duke and the only lightning bearer in Tempest,” Luna blurted. “You have it all. Why would you be here? Is it just for power? Are you looking to assume the throne if, by some chance, you manage to overthrow Ivan?”

She was wrong about me being the only lightning bearer, but Tucker and Ellery were the only others who knew that. “I’ll remove Ivan from the throne but won’t sit on it afterward. The next ruler will be elected.”

I felt Tucker’s gaze on me, but I didn’t look at him. I was sure they all assumed I’d be the natural choice to take over.

It wasn’t going to happen.

If we survived and succeeded, I planned to slip away to live a simple life full of love and children with Ellery at her manor or my mother’s property. We deserved that peace.

“Then why are you here?” Luna pressed.

“I’ve shed a lot of blood for this realm, and so has Tucker. We’re not going to stand by and watch while Ivan and my father destroy it,” I told her. “But we need an army to fight them first.”

“Then why don’t you leave and go somewhere else to find an army? You have powerful friends. It’s rumored you know the queen of the Shadow Realms.”

“I do, and I’m good friends with her brother-in-law, Brokk, but I can’t leave Tempest. My father didn’t bestow that ability on me when he helped the other aristocrats fund the curse. I’m as trapped here as you.”

“Oh,” Luna breathed.

“Oh shit,” Callan murmured.

“How are the two of you involved with each other ?” Luna asked.

“That’s a story for a different day,” I said brusquely.

I’d had enough of this conversation, and Ellery needed a break. She was keeping it together extremely well after everything she’d endured, but her exhaustion and sorrow beat against me.

“Tucker can show you around the encampment,” I told the siblings.

I looked at my friend, who nodded in agreement. Keeping Ellery’s hand in mine, I rose and helped her to her feet.

“If you’ll excuse us,” I said to the others. “We’ll see you later.”

Ianto rose too and clasped Ellery’s arm before releasing it. She smiled wanly at him as I slid my arm around her waist.

I held her against my side as we walked toward my tree house together. She didn’t speak but kept her head high.

We were almost to the ladder hanging from the bottom of my home in the encampment when Mouse darted out of the forest. He dashed in and out of the other amsirah before colliding with Ellery and throwing his arms around her waist.

She let go of my hand to embrace the child with both arms. Mouse buried his face in her belly as his shoulders trembled. Closing her eyes, Ellery rested her cheek on top of his head.

“You’ve heard about my mother.”

It wasn’t a question, but the boy nodded in response. Ellery released him, and when she went to her knees, he flung his arms around her neck and sobbed.

Some of those in the clearing turned to watch, but many looked away again. Callan and Luna got to their feet and came toward us as Ellery tried to soothe Mouse’s tears.

“It’s Mouse,” Callan whispered.

Luna grasped her brother’s arm as they stopped only a few feet away. They stood awkwardly to the side until Mouse stopped crying and peeled himself away from Ellery.

With a small smile, she used her thumbs to wipe the tears from his dirt-streaked cheeks. “It will be okay,” she assured the boy. “Will you stay here now? It will be safer for you. Between the robbery and the rebellion, the king is really pissed.”

Mouse looked around before his gaze settled on Callan and Luna. His eyes widened a little.

“Hi, Mouse,” Luna greeted. “It’s good to see you. It’s been a while.”

Callan offered him a small wave, and the boy returned it with a tremulous smile.

“Callan and Luna are going to stay,” Ellery said. “Will you?”

Mouse threw his arms around her waist again before pulling away and sprinting into the forest. Ellery’s hands fell to her knees. “Damn it.”

“He’s good at caring for himself,” I assured her.

“I know, but he shouldn’t have to.”