Chapter 63

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

Ryker

By the time I dragged myself from the water, I was a soaked mess. I collapsed on the shore and spat sand and water out of my mouth. Beside me, Ianto hit the ground and lay there, greedily gasping for air while still clasping his balls.

My chest and back ached from where the man had fallen on me. Thankfully, he was already sitting when he did; I'd probably be a pancake otherwise.

When I felt a little stronger, I used my fingers to claw at the earth as I pulled myself further away from the water. When my feet were out of the river, I rolled over and flopped onto the sand.

Stars shone down from above, and two of the moons were visible in the inky black sky as the river swept onward. I was tempted to lay there until morning but pushed myself up instead.

Where is Ellery?

I didn't have to look long before I spotted her on the opposite side, smiling while she waved at me. "Are you okay?" she called.

Unable to do much more, I gave her a thumbs-up and almost fell back onto the sand, but I couldn't take my eyes off her. The giant grunted as he pulled himself closer to me before rolling onto his back.

"I won't be able to fuck for a week," he muttered.

"There are women who can take you?"

The giant laughed before groaning and gripping his nuts again. "You're kind of funny for a spoiled rich boy."

"I may be rich, but I'm far from spoiled."

Ellery brushed aside the strands of hair the breeze blew across her face. Standing on the other side, bathed in the light of two moons, she was almost ethereal as the sun-kissed complexion of her skin stood out against the shadows surrounding her and her black clothes.

I didn't like the sensation it created, especially not in these woods where outsiders became ghosts. Needing to be closer to her, I rose and walked to the riverbank.

As hard as I tried, I couldn't stop limping when I moved. I was fairly certain the giant had cracked one of my vertebrae, but it would heal soon enough.

"You broke the bridge!" Ellery called across the river.

"I'll come over."

"No need."

I didn't get a chance to respond before she removed her boots and shoved her socks into them. She wiggled out of her pants and tied the bottom of her shirt into a knot that revealed her simple, black underwear and shapely thighs.

"What the fuck?" I growled.

"Maybe I was wrong about not being able to fuck," Ianto said.

I shot him a look over my shoulder. "I'll kill you if you try."

Ianto looked from me to Ellery and back again. "I thought she wasn't your anything."

"She's not."

She's my everything.

I hated those words as soon as they entered my mind, yet I couldn't deny their truth. I couldn't be with her, but she was the most important thing to me.

With her boots and pants held high, Ellery waded into the water. It rose to her waist before lowering again as she trudged onto the riverbank.

Her gaze ran over me. "Are you okay?"

"Get dressed."

She stiffened, and her eyes narrowed. "It's good to see you too, Ryker. I'm glad you survived."

My scowl deepened as a twig cracked in the woods and branches clacked together. I searched the forest for danger before spotting a member of Ianto's group.

A few seconds later, a couple of young men emerged from the trees. They slung their bows onto their backs and hurried to his side. The giant waved them away when they offered him help.

A couple of young women emerged from the woods next. They glanced at Ianto before focusing on us; wariness shone in their eyes.

I studied the young group as I tried to ascertain what this behemoth of a man was doing with them. None of them looked over eighteen.

"Did you take over an orphanage?" I asked.

Ellery showed no interest in putting her clothes on as she stepped toward the giant and teens. When the young men's attention shifted to her, I bared my teeth at them as I moved in front of her to block their view.

"Ryker," she hissed.

"Get dressed," I commanded.

I could feel her glaring at my back, but I didn't look at her as the giant pulled himself into a seated position.

"No." Ianto winced as he rose. Some relief washed over his face when he braced his legs apart. "Someone set fire to an orphanage in Carthaway; these are some of the survivors. Many died in the inferno, including all those who took care of them. Some of the children managed to escape into the town or Revenant Woods. I found some of those who ran into the woods, but the others were all killed before I got to them. I have no idea what became of the ones who entered the town."

"How awful," Ellery breathed. "Who would do such a thing?"

"They weren't wearing colors, but the children say they moved like they were members of a guard, and they were all wearing all-black uniforms."

"Are you saying the aristocrats or king did this?" I demanded.

"I'm not saying anything, but you know your kind better than me. Do you think they're capable of such a thing?"

At the reminder of my aristocratic blood, the children glowered at me. I chose to ignore them as I pondered Ianto's question.

"Yes," I said. "They're capable of doing it, but why? What would any of them have to gain by destroying an orphanage?"

Ianto shrugged. "You would know better than me."

"No, I wouldn't."

"We're not lying," a teen boy said defensively. "I know what I saw."

A young girl spoke up. "Me too."

"I'm sure you do," I assured them. "But that doesn't help me understand why they did it."

"Because the aristocrats and king are vicious, murdering bastards who'd like nothing more than to see us all ground beneath their heels," Ianto said.

I studied the teens before shifting my attention to the giant and the thunderous expression on his face. Ellery had rattled my confidence in my instincts regarding others, but my gut screamed that I could trust this man.

He would make a powerful ally not just because of his size but also his big heart and hatred for those who ruled us. Many wouldn't have bothered to find any of the children, yet he had, and he was keeping them alive in this place where many perished.

Ultimately, I decided to trust my instincts when it came to him. Yes, Ellery had fooled me, but, at heart, she was a good person willing to sacrifice everything for those she loved and the realm. In the end, I had to trust that my instincts were right about that when it came to her.

"I think we have a lot to discuss," I told him.