“No.”
And that was the truth of it. I was still incrediblypissedat her for deceiving me, but also petrified for her and what the loss of her might represent to the realm.
She’d kept her secrets for all these years, but they had a way of coming out and already were. They had to stay buried until I could determine how to best use them.
I squashed the guilt tugging at me again. If all went well, and I managed to tear down the assholes running this realm, then Ellery and everyone in Tempest would be safer.
If she survives it.
She’ll survive. I’ll make sure of it.
I studied the palace that had swallowed her within its sprawling, opulent depths. While she knew what these men would do to her if they learned the truth, I didn’t think shereallyunderstood the depths of depravity some of them would achieve to keep control of their power and wealth.
If she falls into their hands….
I couldn’t think about it. She was already in their hands, devoured by that place of debauchery and cruelty; now, it was just a matter of her returning from it.
No matter how much a part of me hated her for what she did, a small part was starting to show its head a little more, and that part still cared for her. I loathed it almost as much as Ellery.
She couldn’t remain trapped in the palace and under the control of the aristocrats and king. Being a lightning bearer made her an unbelievable rarity; being able to control all five weathers made her aphenomenon.
And we need that on our side if we’re going to win.
I still couldn’t believe what she’d revealed. I couldn’t wrap my head around something I’dneverconsidered possible.
Ellery had proven to be afantasticliar, but then she’d been lying and keeping secrets for years. These secrets I understood; her parents were right to keep her hidden. They would have lost her otherwise.
She hadn’t shown me what she could do, but I believed her. There was no reason to lie about her abilities; it would be easy to disprove.
Shecouldcontrol all five weathers, but why and what did it mean? Would she be more powerful once she started using her abilities more or not? Was it all a fluke, or was there a reason she existed?
I wanted to believe it wasn’t a fluke, that it meant something and would help us win against our oppressors, but I could be wrong. No matter what, someone like her had never existed before, and I’d sent her into the hands of our enemies.
“Fuck,” I muttered as I paced into the woods.
The second I couldn’t see the palace, panic hit me, and I hurried back. Staring at the towering structure didn’t do anything to ease my anxiety, as I couldn’t see inside the walls.
“She could be in there for hours ordays,” Tucker said. “I doubt Ivan and your father will jump at the chance to see her.”
“I know.”
“Then you have to settle down because you’re making me nervous, and I don’t like it.”
He was right, but I wouldn’t draw an easy breath until I saw her again.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
Ellery
When I arrivedand asked to be granted counsel with the king, one of the harried-looking servants let me into the great hall. I’d seen it months ago when I was here for the king’s coronation.
Still, I couldn’t stop marveling over the splendor of the stories of balconies soaring high above my head, sweeping staircases, and the currently green marble floor shifting toward a darker hue. This place was opulent and beautiful and so much more than anyone else in this realm possessed… including the duke. I was sure that irritated him.
The servant led me to a bench and told me to wait there until the king was ready to see me. I adjusted the blue walking dress I’d worn, settled on the bench, kept my back straight, and clasped my hands in my lap while I prepared for a long wait.
I wasn’t disappointed as the twenty-foot-tall grandfather clock in the corner ticked away the minutes until they turned into hours. The sun shifted through the windows, and night descended without anyone returning to speak with me.
The small breeze drifting through the open windows tickled the leaves of the plants in the corners. Inside, tucked amongst the marble and open windows, the palace was cool and a small reprieve from the heat.
