Chapter 64

Ryker

"I wentto work on another farm," Tucker said. "I helped turn the fields, planted the seeds, and did everything necessary to keep it running. At the time, I was debating leaving Tempest for good, even though I had no idea where I'd go, probably Dragonia.

"I wouldn't have accepted help from Brokk and Kaylia either, but at least I had friends there, and I know there's work in the queen's guard. I'd go back to war for her, but there is noway I'd guard Ivan. If I ever got close to him, I'd kill him."

I glanced at Ellery to see how she was taking his words about killing her king, but she wasn't fazed by it. I hadn't expected her to be; she'd made her feelings for Ivan very clear.

She looked slightly confused, but she had no idea who Tucker was talking about and didn't ask. However, she knew where Tucker and all these amsirah lived and could bring others here.

She could report Tucker for treason but wouldn't. She'd offered her hand instead of Mouse's; it wasn't in her to hurt others, even if she needed the carisle.

"Why didn't you leave?" Ellery inquired.

"Tempest is my home, and I sacrificed everything for it. I wasn't ready to turn away from all that… even if this place is no longer the realm I loved so much."

"Understandable."

"Before I could decide what to do, the curse happened," Tucker continued, "and stole my choice about leaving Tempest. That's when I decided I wouldn't be Ivan's puppet. I packed up what little I had left and entered the Revenant Woods. After days of traveling, I came across a small group of men and a couple of families who had established a home here. I joined them and taught them how to hunt and fight better.

"We don't have much, but we have more food, water, and shelter than many others. Our numbers have grown since I arrived, and I'm sure they would be much larger, but many of those who enter the forest never make it this far."

"So many amsirah are suffering," Ellery murmured.

"That they are," Tucker agreed before focusing on me. A hopeful, eager gleam shone in his eyes. "Can you still leave the realm? There are rumors the curse didn't affect the aristocrats."

My hands fisted at the reminder of what my father had done. "The aristocrats involved in this can leave, but my father ensured I can't."

"That's more fucked than the ophidians' dungeon. What a bastard."

"That he is."

Tucker glanced around the clearing, but we were the only three near the fire. When his attention shifted back to me, he leaned closer while speaking. "They all have good hearts, but they're angry and have lost everything. They blame Ivan and his cohorts for that. They want revenge."

"As they should," I agreed.

"Mouse!" Ellery blurted.

I turned toward her, but she was already on her feet and striding swiftly across the clearing Tucker and his followers had created. A few amsirah turned to watch as she passed, but most were too busy to notice.

They didn't pay any attention to the young boy hovering at the edge of the woods. She was a few feet away from him when he rushed out of the trees, ran to her, and threw his arms around her waist.

The impact of his weight staggered her back a step before she recovered enough to hug him back. She lowered her chin to his head as they embraced.

"What the fuck?" Tucker muttered.

"She knows the boy."

"Obviously. I've been trying to get him out of the woods for weeks, but he's more skittish than a unicorn in a hurricane. Apparently, I just had to be pretty."

I smiled at his assessment. "That's one thing you aren't."

"Fuck off."

I chuckled as I watched Ellery with a smile I couldn't suppress; she had a way of making that impossible. She pulled Mouse away and talked excitedly as she surveyed him to ensure he was okay. The boy didn't speak, but he grinned back at her.

"That kid's a goner," Tucker muttered. Then his attention shifted to me, and a shrewd gleam entered his eyes. "Who is the girl?"

"Ellery Marian; her father also fought in the war and died."

"Ambrose Marian?"

"Yes, did you know him?"

"I did. We fought together at different times in the war. I'm sorry he didn't make it; he was a good man."

Ellery used her thumbs to wipe away some dirt on Mouse's cheek. It was pointless, considering dirt covered the kid, but it made her happy.

"His daughter is amazing," I muttered.

I felt Tucker's eyes boring into me. "I think the boy might be some competition for you."

I laughed, but I was surprised to realize his words bothered me. They didn't irritate me because I believed Mouse might be competition for her heart, but because she wasn't mine.

And I didn't want her to be mine. I didn't want anyone to be mine. I had far too much shit going on without the added complication of a woman who was anything more than a good fuck to pass the time with.

But Ellery… she'd be more than that. And while we'd mostly kept our distance since resuming our hunt, I'd never doubted I'd have her. I was waiting for the right time.

Or are you afraid that once you have her, you won't let go?

It was the first time I'd considered the possibility, and while I didn't like it, I couldn't deny it might be true. I liked the woman, and the peace she brought me the day we kissed was something I craved experiencing again, yet I'd kept my distance.

Why?