Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Ellery

"The duke took my mother!" I blurted. "He's had her imprisoned, and I have to get her back."

He blinked at me as my words sank in and he relaxed beneath my hand.

"His father came to me while Ryker was visiting his mother's property," I rushed to get out. I'd made a dent in Tucker's armor, and I would hammer at it. "He threatened me, my mother, and Ryker. The duke told me he'd imprison my mother if I didn't end things with Ryker.

"He told me he'd be the first to rape her and would ensure she continued to endure such brutality every day for the rest of her life. He also threatened to imprison Ryker. I couldn't let them suffer because of me, but he… he…."

When my voice broke, I cursed myself. I would not cry. I would not fall apart when I was closer than ever to finding Ryker.

"He took her anyway. The king's guards came, put her in one of those prison carriages, and took her to the palace," I said. "They want five thousand carisle to free her."

Tucker had been softening toward me, but at my words, confusion marred his brow. "Then it was the king who took her."

"No, it was the duke . I know it was him ."

Tucker's jaw worked back and forth as his eyes went from me to the forest and back again. "What do you expect Ryker to do?"

"I need his help to free her, and someone should warn him. If the duke broke his word and came for my mother, then… then… he could go for Ryker too. That man …"—I glanced at the woods as I couldn't look him in the eye anymore—"is a monster."

"There are many monsters in this realm."

I gulped and looked at him again. "You don't have to be one of them. I messed up with Ryker. No one knows that more than me, but he's the only one who might be able to help me. Where is he, Tucker?"

"So, you're after his money."

I struggled not to recoil as Tucker went for the jugular. I didn't blame him, but I was already bleeding. "You know I'm not."

"Then what would you call it?"

I'd had enough. I understood he was protecting his friend, but so was I… or at least I was trying to. "Do you think I want to be here? Do you think I wanted any of this to happen? What was I supposed to do after his father came to me? I did what I thought would keep us all safe; I was wrong. My mother is the one paying for that. Unlike me, she's innocent in all of this.

"I couldn't go to Ryker with what happened with his father because I was afraid of putting him in danger. I wanted to tell him; believe me, he's the only one I wanted to turn to with all this, but though he's a lightning bearer, we both know his father possesses the power in this realm. He's already trapped Ryker here with the rest of us when he could have made it so his son could leave the realm."

My voice broke, and tears burned my eyes again, but I wouldn't cry. All of that was true, but I also hadn't gone to Ryker because of my secrets and lies.

"You didn't go to Ryker when you lost your home," I reminded him. "He would have helped you, but you chose to live here instead."

Tucker stared at me for a minute before his shoulders slumped, his head bowed, and he ran a hand through his hair. "How long have they had your mother?"

"Five days. I'm not after his money; I need money to save her, but I'll do whatever it takes to get his money back to him, plus some."

"He's not going to take your money, Ellery."

"I don't care what he takes or demands from me, Tucker. I'll do anything to free her. If he doesn't help me, I'll give them our manor."

I'd hand myself over to them before handing over our home, but he couldn't know that. If I gave them our manor, then my mother and Scarlet's family would be homeless because of me, and I wasn't going to let that happen. This whole mess was my fault; I'd do anything to keep them from suffering too.

"What would you do without your farm?" he asked.

"I don't know. It would devastate my mother to lose it. It's all she has left of my father, and she's worked so hard to keep it running, but at least she wouldn't be in a dungeon. I'll offer to take her place in the dungeon first, but I don't think the duke will accept the trade. He wants me to suffer, and the best way to ensure that is to punish my mother."

"Offering yourself to them won't do anyone any good." Tucker tugged at his hair before sighing. "I'll take you to him, but he won't be happy to see you."

"I know."

"Wait here while I go get him."