Chapter 38

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Ellery

"You can't blame your son for fucking her, Veni," the king remarked.

I somehow managed to keep my jaw from dropping as I recoiled from this crass statement uttered so carelessly in front of the servants. A few looked toward me, but most remained focused on their tasks as they set up platters of food for the king and duke.

The duke's mouth twisted into a sneer as his gaze raked me once more. "We have all traversed the slums a time or two, milord."

Laughing loudly, the king slapped his knee. "That we have! Personally, I believe that's where the fucking is best. They're always so eager to please."

"That's because they're stupid enough to think if they please us, we might keep them around afterward, but that's never going to happen. The stupid fools."

My eye twitched. His comment was meant for me, but I somehow kept my face composed throughout their horrific exchange.

They considered me less than them, yet I'd never talk about other living beings in such a way. Plus, I certainly wasn't wealthy, but I was far from the slums .

There wasn't a single woman in Tempest I would consider the slums , not even the one who so happily gyrated on Ryker's lap while I tried talking to him. However, I'd gladly punch her and him for it.

I had no right to be jealous, but the memory caused my skin to prickle. Now wasn't exactly the time to be pissed off; I had to remain calm if I was going to get my mother out of this, and I'd promised to help Ryker, even if the two of us working together was a terrible idea for my battered heart.

Being beside him every day and not being able to touch him would be as bad as roasting in Hell. Except, instead of being dead, I'd have to endure this torment while alive and for however long it took Ryker not to require my assistance.

Being here was the start of my ordeal; it was about to get much worse. I could only hope that one part of my suffering would come to an end today, and they'd let me get my mother out of here… after a whole lot of humiliation, of course.

"Come closer, woman," the king commanded.

I kept my shoulders back and my hands clasped before me as I strode toward them. Stopping a few feet away from them, I lifted my dress and curtsied before rising again.

This time, when the king looked me over, he licked his lips. If this man touched me, I would throw up bile on him, as that's all I had left in my stomach.

Short of unleashing my lightning, there was nothing I could do to stop him if he decided he would have me. If I tried to kill him, they'd destroy my mother. If I didn't….

I suppressed a shudder at the idea of what would happen if I didn't fight him. My mother would live, but a part of me would die.

Sweat beaded across my forehead and slid down my nape as the sun beat down on me. My heart raced as terror churned in my belly.

I hadn't considered the possibility the king might not let me leave. I'd been focused on them possibly keeping my mother or the possibility that my offer wouldn't be enough for them. Being trapped here had never crossed my mind.

No, I couldn't do it. I couldn't stay here.

I'd packed a bag that still sat by my front door with the intention of becoming their captive. But standing here, faced with these grotesque men, I realized how awful my life with them would be.

The king was attractive enough with his dark brown hair and pale blue eyes. He wasn't as handsome as the duke or Ryker, but he was far from ugly.

The idea of him on top of me and touching me in the way Ryker once did, caused bile to rush up my throat. My mother's life was at risk, but I couldn't submit to these vile men; I'd strike him down with lightning before I allowed that to happen.

Maybe I could do that and still get to my mother. The servants bustling around and fanning him might not jump me, but the guards standing a few feet behind him would.

I had no idea what the duke would do. From what I knew of him, he was a bully, which meant he was probably a coward.

I almost smiled as I pictured him running screaming toward the lake but caught myself. These men would not enjoy my amusement.

"Yes," the king murmured, "I remember you."

I didn't know what to say, so I remained unmoving, my hands clasped and my head slightly bowed as I waited to hear what decision they'd make for my life. Would it continue or end here?

Panic clawed at my throat and twisted through my insides at the idea of not leaving here. I wanted to hug my mother again, to go home, and see Ryker… even if he'd prefer not to see me.

"Ellery, is it?" the king asked.

"Yes, milord."

"Why have you come to speak with me today, Ellery?"

I almost reminded him that I'd come three days ago to talk to him, but I bit back the retort. It wouldn't do anyone any good if I came this far only to end up in the dungeon too.

"They arrested my mother, milord. I was told five thousand carisle would free her."

"Your mother failed to pay her taxes."

I lowered my head further as if this shamed me. I didn't know if this was true or something they made up so they could take her, but I figured I should look despondent over his revelation.

"I'm sorry, milord, I didn't know that."

"Have you brought me five thousand carisle?"

"We do not have it, milord. Instead, I have come to offer you half our crops for the season. We have two hundred acres growing nicely; they should yield fifty thousand carisle at harvest."

The duke snorted. "You have so much, yet your mother failed to pay."

It was so much at one time, but the price of crops had gone down, the costs of running the manor had gone up, we didn't have the workers we once did, and our generous profit had shrunk considerably. Taxes and the Ghoul War had taken their toll on everyone in Tempest.

"We still haven't recovered from the Ghoul War and the loss of my father, milord." And your ridiculous, out-of-control taxes. But those words were a sure way to get me in trouble.

The king sighed. "Yes, those atrocious ghouls. Dreadful creatures, all of them. They're one of the many reasons why I closed off Tempest. It is the best way to protect you all from such monsters."

The sickeningly sweet way he said this made my mouth twitch toward a sneer. I bit my tongue against calling bullshit; that's not why he did it at all.

I yearned to tell him how awful he was, how little I thought of him, and exactly what his decision to protect us had done for the amsirah. I loathed this man almost as much as the duke.

Instead of telling him where to shove his good intentions, I said, "It was a wise choice, milord."

The words were bitter on my tongue, and I questioned if I sounded as disgusted by them as I felt. I must not have, as the king continued speaking like everything was fine.

"So, you're willing to give me one hundred acres worth of crops in exchange for your mother; what do you think, Veni? Should I take the deal?"

My teeth ground together, and my stomach rumbled loudly enough for them to hear, something the duke proved by smirking at me. I had no doubt this man was why I sat on that bench for three days.

"If they can offer so much, why not take more?" the duke inquired.