Chapter 77

Ellery

I didn't haveto ask what he'd endured during those three months, or what those monsters did to him, it was written all over his body. I drew his hand to my chest and pressed it against my aching heart.

This man was a steel rod of strength I greatly admired. I would do anything to protect him, yet I was betraying him.

"I'm glad you broke free," I breathed.

This could only end in flames for us, but those were the truest words I'd ever spoken. Everything was a mess, but in his arms, I was happy, safe, and able to pretend nothing could tear us apart when so many things could.

In this small bubble we'd created, he wasn't the son of a duke, and I wasn't the Hooded Robber. We were just us, and everything was so simple.

"Brokk was the one who initiated our escape," he said.

"He's the dark fae prince, right?"

"Yes, he's also half vampire and the brother of the King of the Shadow Realms. He's a good man I'm proud to consider a friend."

I liked anyone who had helped him escape that place where those monsters put him to rot. "I'd heard there was a new Queen of the Shadow Realms, but it didn't matter much. It was good to know the mad Lord doesn't rule us anymore and we wouldn't have to worry about the dragons attacking… or at least I hope we won't."

"We won't."

"Good, but with everything falling apart around us here, a new queen didn't make much of a difference."

"I suppose it didn't."

He kissed the top of my head before nuzzling my temple. My eyes closed as he released my hand to wrap his arms around me. Safe. This is whereIbelong.

The certainty of that made me want to cry. It's where I belonged but could never stay.

"I watched the ophidians kill Leo," he murmured.

I stiffened as my head turned until our gazes met. Sorrow etched his features and filled his eyes. The lost, broken look on his face squeezed my heart. "Ryker?—"

"Brokk and the new queen raised an army to go after the ophidians and Leo. The dragons helped us fight, and we destroyed the ophidians, but not before the emperor beheaded Leo with his tongue.

"I watched my king, who was my best friend, fall. I watched his head bounce down the rocks toward me, while his body remained behind. I was there. I was so close to saving him, and I failed."