Chapter 75

Ellery

The next morning,our day started as it ended, but when we parted again, I felt impossibly shy and insecure. They were two things I wasn't used to experiencing.

I was usually so damn certain about what I was doing, where I was going, and what I had to do… even when I was making incredibly bad decisions. I had no idea what this meant or what would happen once we left this tree house, and I hated it.

I suspected we would go back to business as usual. I would help him hunt for someone who didn't exist anymore, and he would barely acknowledge my existence as he had with the blonde from the carriage.

Jealousy caused my teeth to grind together as I tugged on my socks. Why did I have to think of her now when I was already feeling completely uncertain about everything?

I hadn't expected this sudden turn of events to create so much chaos inside me, but I hadn't expected to feel so right in his arms. I couldn't lose that.

I couldn't ask Ryker about any of it. Immortals had fun with each other and parted ways without regret; it was what we did, what I was supposed to do and had always planned on doing when I finally found someone to share this experience with.

I liked being free to do as I pleased. I'd never wanted to be tied down by anyone for at least a few more centuries, but I couldn't walk out of Ryker's life, and I didn't want him to leave mine.

It was inevitable we would one day have to part ways. His father would never allow us to be anything more, and our society wouldn't be thrilled about it either.

You're anidiot. If Ryker knew the truth, we'd never speak again and might drag me to King Ivan or kill me himself.

No, it would be best if we parted ways today and never looked back. I would have an amazing memory to recall over the years, and he could return to the aristocrats, where he belonged… sort of.

Birth had made him one of them, but he was different from the monsters who had trapped us all here.

I followed him down the ladder and tried not to smile when he grasped my waist and plucked me from the bottom. When he set me on the ground, his thumb stroked my waist before he released me. He strode across the clearing to where Tucker stood with a small group of amsirah practicing with bows.

They didn't have arrows; I could see why as they dropped their bows, spun them awkwardly around, and had trouble keeping the strings back. Even with targets only ten feet away, I wouldn't have given them any arrows either. They'd probably shoot themselves or each other.

I understood why they didn't fire more arrows when they confronted us in the forest; they couldn't. Tucker had a lot of work cut out for him with this motley crew, but they would get it… they had to.

While Ryker spoke with Tucker, I stood a few feet away with my hands clasped as I searched the woods for Mouse. I'd hoped he would come to say goodbye, but I didn't see him.

He's all right. He has a way of surviving.

I wouldn't let myself think his luck might run out one day. I might scoop him up the next time I saw him and lock him away somewhere to keep him safe. Mouse required his freedom, and I couldn't take that away, no matter how much I yearned to protect him.

When Tucker and Ryker turned to me, Tucker extended his hand, and I took it. "We're trusting you with our secret," he told me. "Ryker assures me you'll keep it, and I have complete faith in him."

I had no doubt they had complete faith in each other. No one went through what these two did together without forging a special bond. I didn't look for scars on Tucker, but I was sure they were beneath his clothing.

"I'd never tell anyone about this place," I vowed.

"Good."

"Mouse will show up around my manor again, but he'll return here too now that he's been treated kindly. Can you make sure newcomers know to look out for him? He's a sweet boy who's had a terrible loss."

Tucker clasped both my hands in his and squeezed. "I promise the boy will be safe here."

"Thank you."

Tucker jerked his head toward Ryker as he grinned at me. "And you'll take care of him?"

I didn't know how to respond, and I could feel Ryker's gaze boring into me, so I nodded. Ryker clasped my elbow and gently drew me away from Tucker. They embraced one more time before Ryker turned and led me away.

"I'll open a portal to your manor," he said as we walked across the clearing. "I think, after yesterday, we could both use a day off from searching to rest."

I was both grateful for a reprieve, more tired than I'd realized, and dreading being alone after knowing the peace of this place and the wonder of Ryker. Would he return after he left today?

Yes, he still wanted to find the Hooded Robber, but would he still seek my help finding the thief? He might decide he was better off on his own without the possible added complication of me.

It would probably be better if he decided against returning for my help in the woods. We could separate now, without him ever learning the truth, and eventually, he would give up on finding someone who didn't exist anymore… or get himself killed.

I shuddered at the possibility and gulped. My fingers involuntarily twitched; I felt too jittery and terrible about all this.

Then tell him the truth and face the consequences of your actions.

It was the most sensible thing for me to do. It would end his hunt and ensure his safety while getting rid of my insecurities because he would walk away afterward.

If it weren't for the distinct possibility I might end up dead, I would tell him. But I wasn't ready for death, and the loss would destroy my mother. I couldn't do that to her just to end the misery I'd created for myself.

When he opened the portal, we walked through and emerged at the roadside across from my home. The familiarity of it and the love that always descended over me when I returned home didn't come. I was far too jumpy and confused to have anything calm me today.

"I'm going to return home to shower and change. I'll return tomorrow," Ryker said.

"Yes, of course. I'll see you then."

I started to walk away, but he grasped my arm and pulled me back. Startled by the action, I didn't have a chance to recover before he clasped my face and kissed me.

I gripped his forearms as his muscles flexed beneath my touch while his tongue caressed mine. I was starting to forget all my uneasiness when he ended the kiss.

"Tomorrow, Ellery," he whispered against my mouth.

Unable to respond because his kiss had stolen my breath, I smiled. He searched my face for a second more before kissing the tip of my nose and releasing me.

Beneath the trees, the sun's rays fell over him to cast him in and out of shadow. I savored the sight before turning and jogging to my home and up the steps.

My lips still burned from his kiss, and I had to resist the impulse to touch them as I opened the front door. When I glanced back, I couldn't see Ryker in the forest.

Disappointment and a sense of loss descended over me when I stepped inside. It was too soon for my mother to have returned from her trip, but with everything going on, I'd half expected her to be here.

The hush encompassing my home told me she wasn't. My shoulders slumped as loneliness overwhelmed me.

I was sure Scarlet and her family were somewhere on the property, but for now, I was on my own. Normally, I enjoyed that, but today was not a good day to be trapped in my head with all its turmoil.

When I started to shut the door, something behind me stopped it. My heart leapt into my throat, and I spun as I prepared myself to find a member of the king's guard standing there, waiting to take me away.

Instead, Ryker leaned against the doorway with his hand on the door. I blinked at him as his gaze leisurely surveyed me, and a smile curved the corners of his mouth.

He looked casual, but I sensed the predator beneath the surface, waiting to attack, and I was his prey. I'd never wanted to be the hunted; now, I craved it.

"I can always bathe here, can't I?"

I couldn't stop smiling back at him. "We don't have any clothes that will fit you."

"That's okay; I don't plan on wearing clothes."

My breasts tightened in anticipation as his smile faded and his silver eyes burned into mine. I should tell him to go home. I should tell him that what happened in the tree house was a one-time thing that couldn't continue, but it would only be another lie on top of my pile of them, and I couldn't bring myself to utter it.

At least my other lies were ones of omission; I would utter this one right to his face. Even if it was for the best, I didn't want him to leave.

I stepped back to let him enter. He uncoiled from the doorway and closed the door behind him before prowling toward me.