Chapter 80

CHAPTER EIGHTY

Ellery

Ryker spent the entire day in my home while I worked the farm, and he slept beside me that night. Nothing could ever replace the hole my mother’s passing had created inside me, but knowing he was there helped ease some of my melancholy; feeling his arms around me helped lull me into a fitful sleep, and he soothed the tears that came at night.

When I woke the following morning, I snuggled into him and held him close. I’d seen his tender side before, but not like this.

I loved him even more for his patience, understanding, and unwavering support. He helped me find the strength to get up and face another day, which I did with laborious steps and a heavy heart.

Ryker waited for me until I finished helping Scarlet and her family care for the animals. When we finished, Scarlet returned to the manor with me, and from there, I opened a portal for the three of us to travel to Tucker’s encampment. It was time Scarlet learned where it was so she and her family had a safe place to run if necessary.

When we arrived, the establishment was alive with activity. Training sessions were in full swing, hammers pounded nails into the new tree houses being assembled, and livestock called to each other.

Ryker went to gather Tucker and Ianto. Scarlet and I waited near the tree line for them to return.

“This place is impressive,” Scarlet murmured as she surveyed the immortals hustling around and the children playing.

“They’ve worked to make this a safe place,” I said.

“I hope it remains that way.”

“So do I.”

When Ryker and the others returned, we entered the forest and strode toward Ianto’s old encampment. The forest was oddly hushed, but we encountered a few ghosts who floated lazily between or through the trees.

A poltergeist dive-bombed us from a tree, screaming as he threw rocks at us, but no one acknowledged it, and the blob-like creature soon grew bored. A few animals scurried through the underbrush, but none of them emerged.

Once we were far enough away, Ianto opened a portal to his old encampment where we’d stashed the money we’d stolen from the king. When we arrived, the five of us stood in a circle while we debated how best to distribute the funds.

None of us were wanted criminals, or at least the king didn’t know he wanted us… yet. But it might not be a good idea to have all five of us in Nottingshire at the same time. However, we all insisted on going.

“Nottingshire is a big town,” I said when I grew tired of running in circles with them over this. “We can all enter at different times and make our way through various areas, but if we all go, we can get the money distributed faster, and then we can get out of there.”

“More of us means a better chance of one of us getting caught. I know I’m fast, but I’m not so sure about you, big guy.” Tucker nudged Ianto in the ribs.

“I’m nimbler than I look,” Ianto said.

“That is true,” Ryker agreed.

“Okay then,” Tucker said. “We should go in at staggered times and into different areas. We’ll be able to distribute more money that way too. Let’s get this over with and make a lot of amsirah happy today.”

“I want you and Scarlet to go to Prury Street,” Ryker told me. “The rest of us will go to Main Street.”

Prury Street was a side road in Nottingshire. It was filled with homes and usually very quiet.

“Scarlet and I should go to Main Street,” I said. “We’ve done this before and have experience with it.”

“It’s too risky.”

“No, it’s not.”

When Ryker’s eyes narrowed, I planted my hands on my hips. I wouldn’t be relegated to some side street when Scarlet and I were the ones who knew how to do this.

“I’m trying to keep you safe,” Ryker said.

“I don’t need to be kept safe from this. We should all go to Main Street. Prury Street doesn’t get as much foot traffic; we’re more likely to stand out or be caught there. No one will pay attention to us on Main Street if we’re all minding our business or shopping for supplies.

“Everyone goes into Nottingshire for something. We have to make sure we buy something while there so we don’t stand out… especially Ianto. You stand out without trying.”

Ianto grinned as he folded his arms over his chest and rocked back on his heels. “It’s a blessing and a curse, but I can distract some of the attention from all of you… if we’re on the same street.”

Ryker shot Ianto a look. He wasn’t happy about my determination to go to Main Street, and Ianto wasn’t helping his cause.

“Ellery, you’ve had a rough couple of days,” Ryker said.

“Don’t do that!” I snapped. “Don’t use what happened to my mother against me. I’m here, I’m still fighting, and you won’t stop me.”

When we glowered at each other, the others shifted uncomfortably. In a contest of wills, I wasn’t sure who was more stubborn, Ryker or me, but I wouldn’t lose this one.

“I’m not using it against you,” he said. “I’m simply stating a fact. Your head might not be completely in this, which could cause a problem. It’s not a bad thing to sit on the sidelines once in a while.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m going to Main Street.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Ryker growled.

“I hate to interrupt, but the rest of us would like to go before the sun sets,” Tucker said. “Besides, it probably is best to go to Main Street. We’ll blend in with the crowd better, and, with so many amsirah around, it will be less likely someone will notice us dropping the purses.”

When Ryker glared at him, Tucker gulped and pulled at the collar of his forest green tunic. “See, Tucker agrees with me,” I said.

Ryker’s scowl deepened, and Tucker groaned. “Are you trying to get me killed?”

“Of course not. I’m just pointing out that you agree.” I smiled brightly at Ryker. “So now that we’ve settled everything, we should leave. Scarlet and I will go together.”

Scarlet looked between me and Ryker before edging closer to me. We’d always done this together, but she looked hesitant to draw Ryker’s attention.

“There is another problem,” Ryker said.

I was sure he would try to find another reason to try to make me stay behind.

“What is it?” Tucker inquired.

“They plan on moving the prisoners into Nottingshire today.”

“When?” Ianto asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Will they… will they beat them today?” I asked hesitatingly.

“Probably.”

I exchanged glances with the others before focusing on Ryker again. “We have to get this money out to the townsfolk. They need help, and if we don’t know when they’ll do it, we could put it off today only to have it happen tomorrow.”

“We could,” Ryker agreed.

“We have to go,” Tucker said. “The money has to get out.”

“Are you sure this is something you want to risk seeing?” Ryker asked me. “Once we’re there, if the beating starts, they won’t let anyone leave.”

This was one more way for him to try to make me stay, but we had work to do. Besides, they wouldn’t hide from this, and neither would I. “Yes.”

“Ellery—”

“We have to get the money out, and I’m not going to live in fear of something that might happen.”

He stared at me for a minute more before looking at Scarlet. “I’m with Lery,” Scarlet said.

Ryker blew out a loud breath. “Okay, this is your choice. I’ll open a portal and go first.”

Despite still being slightly irritated with him, I stepped closer, rose on my toes, and kissed him. “Be careful.”

Before I could move away, he dragged me against his chest and claimed my mouth in a kiss that left me breathless.

“Aww,” Ianto sighed. “They’re so cute when they’re not contemplating killing each other.”

Tucker snorted a laugh as Ryker released me. I swayed on my feet a little before smiling stupidly at him.

He kissed the tip of my nose. “You be careful too.”