Chapter 86

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX

Ryker

From the window of the ale house, I watched Ellery and Scarlet with Gaius. I’d sat right by the door, in a position where I knew I could keep an eye on them and move quickly if it became necessary to intervene.

Fisting my hands on the table, I resisted rising to intervene, but if I interfered, it would get back to my father. If he learned what she meant to me, she’d be forced to hide in the Revenant Woods, and it was far better she remained free for as long as possible, but I wanted all of Tempest…

No, I wanted every immortal and mortal throughout all the realms to know she was mine . And one day, I would make it clear to everyone that if they didn’t stay away from her, they would die. Gaius would be the first to learn this.

I trusted her ability to handle this on her own, but I didn’t trust him. When Ellery and Scarlet walked away and entered a portal, I relaxed a little, and the server set a mug of ale before me.

I drank half of it while trying to calm the frustration and rage churning inside me. I’d just finished the drink when Gaius and Samael strolled inside.

From under lowered lids, I eyed the tall, lean man next to Samael. When the sheriff spotted me, he smiled before winding his way through the crowd to my table. I remained casual, with my legs stretched out before me, but inwardly, I thrummed with tension.

I’d prefer not to talk to either one of these assholes, but they weren’t going to give me that option.

At the bar, Ianto set his tankard down with a thud that drew the attention of those closest to him. Despite standing out from the crowd, he mingled easily with the locals as they gathered around him.

Maybe they believed his size would help protect them, or maybe, though he wasn’t smiling, they sensed his normally jovial nature. The alehouse was more subdued than normal, and a bleak air hung over it, but after what they’d all witnessed, I doubted there would be any laughter in here for days or weeks to come.

Sometimes, when I came here, someone would be singing or playing an instrument, but no one touched the harp in the corner, and the seat beside it was empty. No one felt like singing or smiling.

I contemplated joining Ianto and completely ignoring the two assholes coming toward me, but I had no reason to associate with the giant, and it would raise questions. My inability to do what I wanted, whenever I pleased, was infuriating, but it would all be worth it in the end.

I would bring these fuckers down, because if I failed… if this all ended up being for nothing…

No! I will not fail. That isn’t an option.

I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms over my chest as Samael and Gaius stopped beside my table. I smiled grimly at them while Samael rested his hand on the empty chair beside me.

“Mind if we join you?” he inquired.

I waved a hand at two of the empty seats as the server returned. “I’ll have another,” I told her.

Samael and Gaius ordered their drinks before settling into two of the empty chairs. The server eyed them warily before scampering away.

Ianto turned in his chair to look at us before facing away again. I kept my eyes away from the giant but saw him move in the mirror.

“That’s quite the show you put on,” I remarked.

“I think the residents of Nottingshire have gotten the point,” Samael said.

I hid my irritation over how casual he was about what they’d helped execute today. I wasn’t sure how many knew what happened to me in Doomed Valley at the hands of the ophidians, but I was sure Samael did.

That information would have spread throughout my father’s circles and most likely all the realm. It wasn’t something I’d ever discussed with my father, and I never would, but it was known what happened to the king of the Shadow Realms brother and all those who survived the ophidians with him.

I was one of those survivors, and Samael knew it. But I wasn’t about to reveal that what I’d seen today had released the many demons and memories I’d tried to bury.

“I’m sure they did too,” I remarked dryly before shifting my attention to Gaius. “Why haven’t I seen you with Samael before?”

Gaius shrugged as the woman returned with our drinks and set them down. He waited until after she left again before speaking.

“After the Ghoul War, I left Tempest to explore some of the other realms. I returned when I learned about the problems happening here again.”

“And how did you hear about that?”

“It didn’t take long for rumors to start once the other immortals learned they couldn’t open a portal into Tempest anymore.”

I lifted my eyebrows as his words piqued my curiosity. It was rare when any other immortal entered Tempest.

The last one, before the ghouls, had been the crazed lycan who had to be put down after losing his mate. Our realm wasn’t visited by many, but most amsirah stayed out of realms that weren’t theirs. Just arriving in a realm that wasn’t theirs was a good way to get oneself killed.

But if there were already rumors flying around, and immortals were already realizing Tempest was off-limits, had Brokk and Kaylia learned it too? Not like it mattered if they had heard it; my friends couldn’t do anything to help us.

If Ivan, or any other nobles allowed them to enter Tempest, they couldn’t take me with them when they left. Even if they could, I’d never leave the amsirah in Tempest to this fate.

However, I would get Ellery out of here.

“And what were those rumors saying?” I inquired.

“They spoke of another attack, of unrest, of a Civil War, or that the ghouls had invaded again. When I decided to return home, I didn’t expect it to happen, but I was surprised to discover I could open a portal into Tempest.

“I came back immediately to help my king. Upon my return, I went to Samael, who is an old friend of mine. He explained what happened and asked if I’d like to be his right-hand man. I agreed.”

I had to stop my eye from twitching at his irritating words. This man was far too zealous to do what he felt was right for the realm.

I suspected that beneath his calm exterior and enthusiastic words, something far more sinister lurked. Over the years, I’d dealt with my fair share of men and women who portrayed a shiny, happy exterior to the world. On the inside, they were a monster.

Gaius was one of these men, and I didn’t want Ellery anywhere near him.

“You came back to quite a mess,” I remarked.

“With time, we’ll stamp out the traitors. I’m certain of it,” Gaius said.

And he would relish every second of the misery he helped unleash. My gaze shifted to Samael as he sipped his drink while studying the crowd.

When I shifted my attention to the window, I saw the shackled amsirah on full display. They would remain there as a constant deterrent to anyone who might have a few drinks and start spouting off about rebelling against the king. Uprisings began in places like this.

“Gaius is one of the best swordsmen in the realm,” Samael said. “He’s an asset to our team.”

“Is that so?” I drawled.

“My father crafted some of the finest weapons in this land,” Gaius said proudly. “In exchange for some of them, he apprenticed me to some of the best swordsmen. I learned the art from many over the years. Plus, I received plenty of training during the Ghoul War.”

“Your father was Mayus Gisborne,” I stated.

“You knew him?”

“I purchased a sword from him once. He also supplied Leo and my father with more than a few weapons.”

“Anyone of worth has a sword my father crafted, and if they do, it’s the most exquisite one they’ve ever held.”

I’d held dark fae swords of finer quality but kept that to myself. Mayus had been a renowned swordsmith throughout Tempest, and everyone of any wealth and stature possessed one of his blades. I wouldn’t take that from the man.

“I heard he was killed during the Ghoul War,” I said. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Gaius bowed his head. “Thank you, milord. We lost too many good men during that awful time.”

A teenage boy entered the bar and scurried over to a man standing near Ianto. The man turned toward him and bent down as the boy whispered excitedly.

The man frowned, but when the boy held up something, the man’s brow cleared, and a smile lit his face. When his eyes darted nervously toward my table, his smile vanished.

The man took what the boy offered, shoved it in his pocket, and rose from his stool. When he said something to the man beside him, that man’s eyes widened, and excitement lit them.

I couldn’t hear what they said, but I knew what happened. The boy had found one of the purses.

Word of the Hooded Robber’s return was spreading throughout Nottingshire, and so was a flicker of hope.

I hid my smile, which was easy as my attention shifted back to the men across from me. Yes, I had to play the game, but at least there were some bright spots in it.