I couldn’t move, and my breath caught in my chest as I stared at the magnificent, awing sight. In all my many years, after all the things I’d seen and endured, this was the one thing Ineverthought I’d see.
Afemalelightning bearer.
It had never happened before.How has it happened now?
I didn’t have an answer, but there was no denying the truth. She controlled lightning as effectively as me, meaning…sheistheHoodedRobber.
The truth was a blow to my gut. It radiated up into my chest and gripped the air in my lungs.
Shewasthe one who’d taken my money and led me on a hunt through the woods, all while knowing it washerI sought. She claimed to have fallen in love with me, but she’d made a fool of me.
This woman had worked her way into my heart while knowing she was lying to me. Before her, I was so battered by the war, the ophidians, and the loss of my best friend, King Leo, that I’d believed it impossible to care for anyone again.
She’d helped me heal before tearing apart the pieces and throwing them away. And the whole time we were together, she’d known she’d have to tell me the truth or walk away… she’d chosen to walk away.
My father had been the escape she’d been trying to figure out, and she leapt at the chance.Shit.
I hadn’t believed it possible to hurt any more, but she’d proven me wrong… again.Fuck!
I almost doubled over to rest my hands on my knees while I tried to get my tumultuous emotions under control, but I couldn’t fall apart here. Not in front of her.
But the true depth of her betrayal was sinking in. I’d been plotting ways to have a future with her, and she was lying to me…the whole time.
She’d always known she’d end up walking away and never said a word… until now, when she sought something from me.
Everythingbetween us was a lie.
“I am the Hooded Robber,” she stated.
No shit.But I didn’t speak as I tried to process this. However, there was no figuring it out.
I had to get away from her. I couldn’t stand to be near her anymore.
“I don’t fucking care.”
With that, I turned and walked away.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
Ellery
I’d never felt more defeatedor broken as I trudged up the stairs to my home. It wouldn’t be my home for much longer.
My shoulders hunched forward, my head pounded, and my heart felt like someone had pulverized it with a hammer. I couldn’t get the look on Ryker’s face out of my mind.
The betrayal, shock, and anguish he’d felt were etched onto every nuance of his countenance. It had been clear for me to seeI’ddone that to him.
Every time I was sure I couldn’t hate myself more, I was proven wrong. I’d hurt him, which would always be my biggest regret.
I couldn’t fix it. He wouldn’t let me, and I didn’t blame him. I hated myself too; how could I expect him to give me a chance to try to fix it when I didn’t know how.
I’d broken things between us beyond repair, but I could fix things for my mother and Scarlet’s family. I could ensure they remained safe, had a home, and were taken care of.
I wouldn’t offer the manor to the king or duke, but I would offer myself. There was no reason for them to suffer when I could ensure they didn’t. A lightning bearer was valuable to the rulers of Tempest; a female lightning bearer might be priceless.
I opened the door to the same musty, empty scent that had met me every day since they took my mother. The curtains remained closed over the windows.
I didn’t want the light; my world was dark now. It had been that way since I put on the Hooded Robber outfit.
