Chapter 65

Ryker

But I knew why.There was a time when I'd been a whole man, one who might have been able to care for another and give them what they deserved, but that was many years ago.

The war and, especially, the ophidians had broken and molded me into someone else. I couldn't give anyone what they deserved anymore, much less Ellery.

Plus, I had my vow to Leo to keep, and I couldn't let anything get in the way of that. I'd failed him too many times; I wouldn't fail him again.

"How do you know her?" Tucker asked.

"I met her years ago when a magnetic storm created a blizzard that made it so my father and I had to stay at her manor. I ran into her again recently when she was trying to save that boy's hand. She offered her own in place of his."

"Oh, so she's crazy like you."

My mouth twitched toward a smile, but I couldn't tear my gaze away from Ellery and Mouse. "I would never offer that."

"You would have done anything for your men; I know, I was one of them."

And I'd failed so many, but I kept those words to myself. Tucker had endured everything I did, and upon returning to the realm that should have showered him in riches for his sacrifices, he was tossed out of his home, yet he wasn't sitting here pitying himself.

He also wasn't in charge of the troops who died. He doesn't have their lives on his conscience.

"Why is she in the forest with you?" Tucker asked.

"Her manor borders the Revenant Woods. She's spent a lot of time in them over the years, and she's helping me track the Hooded Robber."

"I think you should let that go. I understand he robbed you—I still don't understand how and I doubt it was because you were reading—but the Robber is doing some good in this realm. So few others are."

"I have plans for him that don't involve a jail cell and death."

"Do you care to tell me what they are?"

"Not yet. I haven't fully figured it out for myself."

"How did he manage to steal from you?"

I shifted my attention away from Ellery. She was too far away to hear anything we said. "I was getting my dick sucked and more focused on that than my money."

As Tucker laughed and slapped his knee, some ale sloshed out of his mug. "That will do it every time, especially if it's by someone as gorgeous as her." He jerked his head in Ellery's direction.

Unexpected anger flashed through me, and I gritted my teeth as I growled. "Don't. It wasn't her, and I won't tolerate anyone talking about her like that."

Tucker's laughter faded. "Oh, you've got it bad."

"I don't have anything. I can't give her anything. That part of me died in a dungeon… if it ever existed."

Tucker didn't speak as Ellery and Mouse approached the fire. She held one of his hands in both of hers.

"We're so broken," Tucker muttered before downing the rest of his drink.

"That we are," I agreed.

But still, I couldn't stop smiling as Ellery and Mouse joined us. "Can I have some food for him?" Ellery asked Tucker.

"Of course," Tucker said and rose. "I've been trying to get him out of the woods for weeks."

"Mouse has trust issues."

"Don't we all?" Tucker asked.

He didn't wait for a response before walking away.