Chapter 61

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

Ryker

When the giant edged toward the middle, the tree sagged a little more beneath his weight. "We might both take a bath by the time this is over," I told him.

The giant grinned at me; I didn't think this man ever stopped smiling, but it was easy for someone to find things entertaining when they could pummel everyone they encountered into the ground.

"I doubt it, Scourge."

"My name is Ryker."

"I know."

"And you are?"

"Ianto Klein."

"I'd like to say it's a pleasure, Ianto, but I think you're going to be wet soon, so it won't be for you."

Ianto's shaggy brown hair shook when he threw his head back and laughed. "I've already had my bath today, milord. It's you who will soon be dripping like a wet dog."

When he started bouncing on the log, I gave him a grim smile and adjusted my stance to keep from toppling off. It wouldn't be much competition if I fell off before it started.

Ianto edged closer with his feet braced apart and his staff ready while he twisted it between his hands. His supple movements revealed he had a lot of experience with wielding the weapon.

His warm brown eyes twinkled in the moonlight, illuminating his brown skin. With his broad nose, cheekbones, and strong jaw, I supposed he could be considered handsome, though I didn't like the idea of Ellery thinking him so.

I would make him less good-looking by the time this ended.

Stopping on the log, I studied how he moved his feet and staff. "What did your parents feed you as a kid?"

The corners of his eyes crinkled when Ianto laughed again. If it wasn't for Ellery finding him attractive and him being in my way, I might like this man.

He'd certainly be fun to share a drink or two with. It would probably take most of the alcohol in the bar to get him drunk, but I'd have a good time getting him there.

When Ianto took a lazy swing at my ankles, I hopped on the log before returning a similar blow meant for his thigh. He blocked it with ease.

"You're not the first to ask that question," Ianto said.

"I doubt I'll be the last. I'm assuming you were eating whole pigs by age five."

"I've survived on dragons and horses for most of my life," Ianto returned.

"I've stood near a dragon; I don't think they're big enough to feed you."

Ianto chuckled and swung at me again, but this one wasn't a lazy arc and had a lot more strength behind it. I danced back to avoid the blow, but though Ianto continued to smile, his eyes had ceased twinkling.

"What are you doing here, Scourge? Didn't your father just build a fancy new castle?"

"He did."

I darted forward and delivered a cracking blow against Ianto's shin. The man didn't flinch.

"Shouldn't you be in that castle, enjoying your life of luxury? Or maybe out exploring the realms like all the other aristocrats can still do?"

It was impossible to miss the bitterness in his voice. This man would probably be happy to stand against the king and nobles, but could we trust him enough to bring him into the small army Tucker and I were creating?

Despite being here to fight and him being more than willing to bash my brains in, I felt like I could trust him. The affable man was easy to like even while trying to break my bones.

You believed Ellery was trustworthy too.

That reminder caused me to inwardly wince. Before her, I would have completely trusted my instincts about anyone. They had never proven me wrong before and had saved me many times.

After her, I doubted them completely. I'd never seen her coming or detected any of the deceptions she wove.

The fact that she'd made me doubt myself was one more reason I couldn't shake my resentment of her, but I believed I could trust Ianto.

And you don't want to have sex with the giant like you did with her.

That was true, and while I'd desired and bedded many women throughout my life, Ellery had always been different than all of them. That difference had probably clouded my judgment as I'd focused on how right she felt.

Until it all went so wrong.

"I've never been one for luxury or exploring," I told him. "You don't find much of either while on the battlefield."

I managed to avoid another blow from Ianto, and he blocked my next swing.

"I suppose you don't, but the battle is over."

"Is it?"

Ianto's amusement vanished as he lobbed a blow at my head. When our staffs clashed, I felt the impact of it in my bones.

"How are the rest of the realms doing?" Ianto inquired.

I bounced on my toes as Ianto swung at my legs. I jumped over the staff and brought mine down on top of his.

The second our weapons connected, Ianto jerked up on his. When they both flew into the air, mine nearly hit me in the face before I stopped its backward momentum.

I didn't recover in time to avoid the blow he delivered to my side. Pain screamed through my battered body.

I gritted my teeth against grunting from the impact and slashed my staff across Ianto's ribs and back. This time, I at least got the giant to flinch.

"I wouldn't know how they're doing," I told him as we edged back to reassess each other.

The mountain no longer looked amused, and neither was I. There was no subtle testing of the waters when we went at each other this time.