Chapter 89

Ellery

My blood ran cold,and something must have shown on my face as a cruel smile twisted the duke's mouth. Ryker had already survived the ophidians; he couldn't be locked away again, and I had no doubt this man would do it.

He would imprison his son if that was what it took to finally control him.

My gaze darted to the curtain. It may have been centuries since the duke had beaten and locked Ryker away, but I had no doubt he would do so again if he could.

For now, he allowed Ryker to remain free because he did have some control over him in this realm. I didn't know what would happen if that changed, but I was sure Ryker did. He'd never let his guard down around this man.

My stomach rolled as a clammy sweat broke out on my nape. In the uncomfortable silence, a bead of it slid down my back.

"Do you understand me?" the duke finally asked.

I still couldn't form words. I didn't understand how someone could be so cruel, but this man excelled in it.

"My son can't stop me, you know." The duke sat back in his seat and stretched his legs before him. "And you do know that. He's a lightning bearer, but I possess the real power in this realm; he can't even leave it."

Breathing inside the shrinking space of the once roomy carriage was becoming increasingly difficult. This man started hating his son at six because that's when it became known that Ryker was a lightning bearer with more magical abilities than him.

Ryker could strike him dead, and so could I, but if I killed him, my mother would be slaughtered or forced into the woods, and I'd still lose Ryker. The duke didn't know that; I suspected things would be different if he did, and he might have killed me outright or locked me away instead of threatening me.

And I'd make sure he never learned the truth about me. Ryker hated this man, but I wasn't about to kill his father… unless he went after my mother.

"You and your family are trapped in Tempest and at my mercy. Now, you'll do as I say, or I'll make sure your mother never sees the sun again and that she's raped every day for the rest of her life."

I recoiled as bile rushed up my throat. After what Ryker had revealed about him, I knew the duke was a monster, but I hadn't expected this level of depravity from anyone.

I didn't know why this man was like this and didn't care as my gaze shot to the covered window. Terror curdled like sour milk in my belly as I tried to keep my breathing under control.

"My mother has nothing to do with this," I whispered.

"I don't care. I'll leave you free, all while knowing she's suffering because of you. And I always make good on my promises. Do you understand?"

Taking a deep breath, I looked at him again as I resisted grabbing the handle and plunging out of this too-stuffy interior. I wouldn't let him see me panic, but I was on the verge of doing so.

"Yes," I whispered.

"End things with my son, or I'll be the first one to fuck her, and I'll do it in my son's bed. Fair is fair, after all."

Before I could respond, he leaned forward and banged on the door. A second later, the footman opened it.

"Get out," the duke commanded.

I didn't say anything or look back as I squinted against the sun and hastily descended the stairs.

"Miss Ellery."

I braced myself before looking at the duke, who was leaning forward to stare at me from the doorway. I didn't realize we were still so close as his face hovered only inches from mine.

"If you decide to tell my son, let me assure you that I'll make sure he regrets ever learning your name. Everyone you love will suffer because of it. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good."

He leaned back, and the footman closed the door with a click. Without looking back, I walked stiffly toward where my mother and Scarlet waited.

Concern etched my mother's features, but when she moved toward me, I waved her away. I couldn't talk to either of them right now; if I did, I'd turn into a sobbing mess in our front yard, and the duke would relish it.

Instead, I strode woodenly past them, up the front stairs of the manor, and inside. Once there, I closed the door, leaned against it, and burst into tears.