“No, you’re not,” Ellery said firmly. “I’ll keep him here until it’s safe for him to leave. He does have to meet his sister, though. I’ll go with him.”
“Ellery,” I groaned.
“I’m going, Ryker.”
Arguing with her was pointless, and I’d spent far too much time away from the earl’s. The battle had to be over by now; they would be looking for me.
“Where is this rock?” I asked. “If I can’t get back here before it’s time for you to leave, I’ll meet you there.”
“It’s at the edge of the Revenant Woods, off the main street. Most amsirah over the age of fifteen have nothing to do with it. Not only do we all grow up, but it becomes difficult to get inside. You wouldn’t be able to fit through the entrance, and you can’t open a portal into it because you don’t know what it looks like.”
After what they’d said about it, I could imagine what it looked like, but without knowing for sure, it could cause problems.
“We’ll be there at five,” she said.
“I’ll meet you there. How will I know if you leave it?”
“When it’s time for us to leave, with or without Luna, I’ll knock three times on the rock wall. You should be able to hear it.”
“Don’t come back here. Go to Tucker’s.”
“Will he be okay with that?” she asked.
“He’s going to have to be. You can’t harbor them here, and someone has to keep an eye on them… unless you’d prefer them dead.”
“Of course not.”
“Then I won’t kill them.”
“Thanks,” Callan muttered.
I didn’t acknowledge him as I remained focused on Ellery. “You’re going to have to claim your mother’s remains. They’ll expect you to return for them.”
She gulped as tears filled her eyes. “I know.”
“I’ll be there when you do.”
“Ryker, no.”
“Yes. I’m sure they’ve suppressed the rebellion by now, but if something goes wrong, Iwillbe there. Besides, I’m not letting you go through that alone. Even if we can’t be together, I’ll be there for you.”
Her shoulders sagged as she leaned into me a little. “She’s gone.”
Careful to avoid her injuries, I hugged her to me. “I’d give anything to change that for you.”
“I know.” She lifted her face to kiss me. “It’s time for you to go.”
I rested my forehead against hers. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Reluctantly, I untangled myself from her and rose. When my gaze fell on the musician, he shrank back in the seat. His earlier bravery was gone, and now he looked defeated.
“If you do anything to put her at further risk, if you try anything, or go againstanythingshe says, I’ll have you begging for deathlongbefore I finish with you; do you understand?”
He gulped before replying, “Yes.”
I hesitated before nodding. He’d saved her life, and I didn’t think he’d purposely put her in danger again, but I didn’t want to leave him here.
