I’d ruined the best thing that ever happened to me. I loved this man more than I ever could have believed possible on that day when I offered my hand in place of Mouse’s.
Then, I’d considered him an indifferent asshole. Over time, I’d seen how good his heart was and learned all the abuses and horrors he’d endured.
I was just one more thing to add to the wrongs he’d endured. Tears pricked my eyes, but I blinked them away; this wasn’t the time to cry.
I yearned to have those strong arms around me again, cradling me as he held me protectively against him. The look on his face said he’d prefer to see me dead.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “No matter what, you have to know I’m sorry for everything that happened; I never expected things to get this out of control, and I never planned to… to…”
To fall in love with you,but I couldn’t say that. Those words might infuriate him, and I was too raw to expose myself further.
“I never expected anything to happen between us. I never could have seen that coming.”
He showed no reaction to my words. “Who is it, Ellery?”
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Ellery
“I’ll tell you;I’ll even take you to them, but first, you have to promise that, no matter what, you’ll get my mother out of the palace.”
“I don’t have to promise you anything.”
I fisted my hands as my frustration built. Yes, I’d messed up really,reallybad, but he didn’t have to make this so difficult. “And I don’t have to tell you anything.”
Lightning crackled higher up his arms as it rose to encompass his elbows. It snapped at the air and filled his eyes.
I’d never seen him so livid before, and the fact it was because ofmeonly made me feel worse.This isn’t about you.
That was so true. Pushing aside my growing distress that this was all about to blow up in my face, I continued. “I’m going to ensure my mother’s safety. She shouldn’t suffer because ofmychoices.”
“But bringing suffering to others is what you do best, Ellery.”
I recoiled from his words and couldn’t stop from taking an involuntary step back. The knife that plunged into my heart upon seeing him with that woman twisted deeper.
Is that what he thinks of me now? Is that who he thinks I am?
I lifted my face to the trees as I struggled not to cry.Is that who I am?
I’d never seen myself as cruel—reckless sometimes and impulsive, yes, but never cruel… at least not purposely. However, my actions had stomped all over Ryker and now my mother. Maybe I wasn’t intentionally cruel, but I wasn’t good.
I was the villain in his mind, the monster. And I should be because Iwasthe monster who’d brought all this misery down on the two immortals I loved most.
“I never meant to hurt anyone,” I whispered. “It all started because I was trying tohelp. I never expected you to get involved, and I certainly never expected to care for you. I never expected us to talk again after that day with Mouse, and Ineverexpected to end up hunting the Hooded Robber together.”
He waved a hand absently through the air. “None of that matters. Tell me who the Robber is.”
“Not without your promise to make sure my mother’s released. I don’t care if you have me tossed into the same cell she vacates, or killed, or whatever it is you decide to do with me, but shehasto be free. I swear to you, Ryker, she’s innocent in this.”
He didn’t speak as the power around him swelled, and I felt the crackle of his electricity against my skin. From deep within, my lightning ability swelled toward the surface as it sought to draw on the electricity coursing around me.
Rather than letting it go, like I longed to do, I suppressed it as I’d so often done throughout the years. Ryker would learn the truth soon, but I required his promise about my mother first.
A muscle twitched in his clenched jaw. “I’ll see that she’s freed.”
My shoulders sagged as I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
“Make no mistake, I’m not doing it for you. If you’re telling me the truth about her innocence?—”
