Chapter 34

Ellery

When the next day arrived,I didn't think I'd ever been more excited to pack my bags and order our carriage readied. I didn't belong here—last night made that abundantly clear—and I couldn't wait to escape.

My mother wasn't in quite the same rush as me, and while I was out talking to the stable hands about our carriage, she went to breakfast with all those who were feeling well enough to dine with King Ivan after celebrating until dawn. Unable to sleep, I'd listened to the distant sound of the revelry until early morning.

They didn't serve breakfast until ten in the morning, and by then, I was crawling out of my skin to go home. My mother insisted on dining and saying her goodbyes.

I didn't argue with her, but I could barely contain my excitement about leaving this vile place behind. My steps were much slower on the way back to the palace than on my travels out to the stables.

Breakfast was in the lower atrium beneath one of the many stone bridges arching across the sky from one section of the palace to another. Clouds drifted past the bridges, obscuring some of the stones.

I strode between two of the towering buildings with their gold-topped turrets that pierced the sky. Lightning rods jutted from those towers.

The eight interconnected buildings surrounding the center area I'd entered all had glass doors lining the lower floor. I didn't see anyone behind those doors, but I felt like amsirah stood behind them… watching and judging.

I tried to remain casual while my overactive imagination urged me to go faster. To keep my mind from the fantasies filling it, I focused on the architecture, sweeping bridges, and numerous windows with the sun glinting off their glass.

It was a beautiful place, quiet and breathtaking. It was too bad it harbored such monsters.

When I started down a hill, the glass atrium came into view. A group of amsirah stood outside it; they sipped drinks from thin glasses as they gazed at the lake behind the atrium.

The sun glinting off the blue water was so dazzling it was nearly blinding. Horses and unicorns grazed by the water's edge as fish jumped from the lake.

Phoenixes and other multicolored birds flitted from the branches of the tall trees surrounding the lake. Some of their branches dipped into the water, and their leaves bobbed on its surface.

My steps slowed as I took in the splendor of this place. Tempest was my home, a place I loved beyond measure. It was a realm of beauty and bounty, and it was being sucked dry by idiots.

I sighed as I tore my attention away from the lake to slip past the group gathered near the arched entrance of the crowded atrium. More amsirah had fled the palace this morning and returned home, or at least that's what I considered their leaving, but the atrium was still teeming with immortals looking to kiss King Ivan's ass… except the king wasn't there.

I was sure he'd make his grand entrance soon, but he wouldn't be the first to arrive. He expected his followers to gather and eagerly wait for him before he deigned to enter.

Smiling over the possibility we might get away without seeing that prick again, I searched the crowd for my mother. Despite the sun beating down on the glass atrium and shimmering across the white marble floor with flecks of green, the open windows facing the lake allowed a breeze to flow through; it prevented the atrium from becoming too hot.

Standing on my toes, I searched the crowd for my mother. My smile vanished when I saw her standing with Ryker, drinking something orange and beaming while they talked.

No, no, no, no.

I had no idea what they were discussing, but it couldn't be anything good, and I had to stop it. My heart raced as I weaved in and out of the crowd with more speed than I'd displayed on my entire walk over here.

I was almost to them when I forced myself to slow down. I couldn't rush up to them, sputtering and looking hectic; I would look like an idiot… or suspicious.

Smoothing my dress, I patted the hair I'd pulled into a simple ponytail and grabbed a drink from a passing servant. I didn't know if I was more nervous about their conversation or seeing Ryker again. I'd hoped to avoid him for at least another six years after last night.

The crisp, fruity taste pleased me when I sipped the orange concoction. As its warmth spread through me, it eased some of my anxiety.

And then their conversation drifted to me, and I chugged the rest of my drink before claiming another. I placed my empty glass on the server's tray and tried to calm myself enough to intervene without looking like I was losing my mind.

"That Hooded Robber nonsense," my mother scoffed. "What kind of amsirah are you if you steal from your fellow countrymen?"

The king and aristocracy, I thought, but the derision in her voice gave me pause. I'd never deluded myself into thinking she would approve of what I was doing, but to hear her absolute disgust for a character I'd created was a blow to my heart.

I gulped more of my drink. She could never know it was me.

She'd never stop loving me or turn against me, but I couldn't stand to see the disappointment in her eyes if she learned the truth. It was one more reason to hang up the hood.

"I'm going to find him, but searching the Revenant Woods has proven difficult," Ryker said. "I did find him once, but he got away."

Panic shot my heart into my throat. Please don't mention that the Robber threw your lightning back at you. PLEASE don't say it!

If he revealed the Hooded Robber was also a lightning bearer, my mother would know the truth then. I had to move, but my feet remained planted as Ryker continued speaking.