Chapter 36

Ellery

"Ryker and Iwere discussing how you could split the reward if you were to find the thief," my mother said.

The look in her eyes and her desperation for me to understand we needed that money tore at my heart. For the first time, I questioned if things were worse at the manor than I'd realized.

She rarely kept things from me, but she would seek to protect me, as I was trying to protect her from my secret. That reward money could solve her problems; she had no way of knowing we could never find the thief and collect the reward.

If things were worse at the manor than I knew, she could have accepted Ryker's offer to pay me for my help, but her pride wouldn't allow her to do so… mine wouldn't have either.

I could turn myself in, but I doubted they'd give her the reward afterward. I was pretty sure they'd confiscate our manor and everything we owned. They'd also probably throw her in the cell next to mine. Even if they didn't, it would destroy her if she lost her only child.

"Splitting the reward makes for a good partnership," Ryker said.

It took me far too long to realize they were staring expectantly at me. I took another gulp of alcohol before speaking again.

"But we have the manor to care for."

My mother gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "We've planted the crops and can care for the foaling mares. We can spare you until you catch the Hooded Robber."

They were both staring at me again… waiting. When the sounds of the room rushed in to pound against my eardrums, I realized I'd shut out the din of conversations, laughter, and clink of silverware against golden plates.

I winced as it suddenly all became too loud… too much. I couldn't hear myself think. As the seconds ticked into a minute, their expressions became more confused as they stared at me.

Say something. Speak. Say ANYTHING!

"That sounds like a great idea."

Not that, you idiot! Anything but that!

But it was too late; the words were already out of my mouth, and truth be told, I couldn't think of anything else I could have said. They'd backed me into a corner.

A flat-out no would have upset my mother and might have aroused Ryker's suspicions. Maybe if I hadn't been put on the spot and drank two… no, make that three glasses of alcohol in less than ten minutes, I could have come up with something better.

Neither of those things had happened, so I was trapped and apparently on the hunt for me with a man who would gladly kill me if he ever discovered that interesting tidbit.

"Wonderful," Ryker stated. "My father and I are staying here for three more days." He didn't look at all pleased about this. "I'll come to your manor after, and we'll start our search."

I didn't say anything. I didn't trust myself to open my mouth again. If I did, I'd probably shove my big, fat foot into it once more.

"That sounds like a good plan," my mother said.

"Yeah," I muttered.

"Good day, ladies. Safe travels home."

I stared miserably at the floor as Ryker walked away.

"Can we please leave now, Mother?" I asked.

She rested her hand on my arm. "King Ivan hasn't arrived yet; we can't leave without saying our goodbyes and thanks for inviting us."

I closed my eyes against the disappointment filling me and finished my drink. I lifted another glass of the orange liquid from a passing server.

Maybe being drunk would somehow make this all better. I doubted it, but being sober certainly wasn't going to do it, so I might as well start seeing double.

I leaned against a glass pane while waiting for the esteemed King of Tempest, the man destroying it, to arrive.