Chapter 46

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Ellery

Over the next couple of weeks, I spent my mornings working the farm with my mother and Scarlet's family. My mother was starting to forgive me, but things were still tense between us.

Every night, I went out and worked with Ryker for a few hours. He always took me to a different section of the woods to practice.

After our argument that first night, we didn't talk about anything other than my training. We were there to strengthen my powers, and our business relationship was moving steadily onward.

It was depressing.

The worst part was, though he could barely look at me some nights, I still yearned for him. I dreamt of him every night and couldn't wait to get back to him while we were apart, even if it was a few hours of him mostly staying as far from me as possible.

It was both wonderful and horrible to be so close yet unable to touch him or experience the pleasure he gave. I hungered for the security of his arms and the warm look that once shone in his eyes. Instead, I received only the cold detachment I'd grown to hate.

I had no idea what he did during the day, as we didn't discuss it, but I was sure plenty of other women were experiencing the things I'd forsaken. I hated myself and him for it.

Every time we met, we explored new areas of the woods as we tried to go undetected. We encountered numerous creatures I'd never seen before; some were harmless, but others would destroy us if given the chance, and they certainly tried.

In the new section we'd entered tonight, the towering trees intertwined with each other to create a thick canopy cascading over a few acres of forest. With my head craned back to take them in, I marveled at the knotty branches overhead.

Those limbs climbed ever higher as they encircled each other. It was as if they were holding hands, and I sensed their desperation not to let go.

The ground beneath the trees was completely clear of debris. It was as if their growing together had strengthened them so much that they never lost a leaf or branch. During the day, they blocked the sun so nothing else grew beneath them; this was their section of the woods.

"Amazing," I breathed.

Ryker studied the trees before glancing at me. "This is the perfect place to get some training in."

"No. I'm not touching these trees. We'll go somewhere else."

Ryker's head tilted to the side, and irritation flickered across his features, but I didn't care how annoyed he was with me; I wasn't going to throw a lightning bolt into one of these trees. I had a feeling if I hurt one, I'd hurt them all, and I couldn't bring myself to do it.

"Fine," he relented.

I rested my fingers against the bark of a tree; it was deep and hewed, with lines running up and down the trunk—thick knots, sometimes a couple feet high and wide, marked all the trees.

Their red and green leaves blended with the night until I could barely distinguish the different hues, but the colors were spectacular. I caressed the bark, tracing the grooves as I leaned closer to rest my cheek against it.

Power flowed through these trees; it thrummed through them and into my veins. I'd never experienced anything like it before. There was something about these things, something that called to me, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Leaning back, I kept my palm flat against the bark while examining their twisted branches again. Nothing stirred the leaves, but I had the uncanny sensation something was watching me… maybe the trees themselves.

A shiver worked its way through me, but though I longed to step away from them, I kept my hand against the tree. What secrets are you hiding?