I was sure others wondered if I was ashamed of her and intended to keep our relationship hidden because she was beneath me in social standing. They were wrong, but I didn’t know how to convince them of that.
When I met Ianto’s gaze, I saw the concern in his eyes. He needed me to dosomething, they all did, but I wasn’t sure how I could make them trust me and my feelings for her.
I could propose to her; I planned to do it anyway, but I couldn’t ask Ellery to marry me just to appease this crowd. That would be a private, special moment between us, and wewouldhave it.
And then I knew what would deepen their loyalty to her and possibly make them stop questioning my intentions with her. “Not only is she a lightning bearer, but she’s also the Hooded Robber… or at least she’s the original one. She’s the first Robber to steal money and disperse it to other amsirah. Ellery’s the one who stole fromme.”
I knew how this revelation would go over for Ellery, and I wasn’t disappointed as the crowd shifted their stunned gazes to her before they started to laugh and cheer. More came forward to slap her on the shoulder, shake her hand, and thank her.
While I still sensed her uneasiness over all this attention, Ellery handled it well as she accepted their thanks. I eyed each of them as they came forward.
When I revealed Ellery was the Hooded Robber, I’d expected this kind of reaction forher, but I hadn’t known what to expect forme. At one time, I hated Ellery for what she’d done, the lies she told, and how she made me look so foolish.
Now, I’d revealed that the woman I loved more than anything had stolen my money and played me for a fool. She’d then pretended to help me look for the Hooded Robber.
I wasn’t sure how many of them knew about that last part, but more than a few would know how I’d hunted for the Hooded Robber with her at my side. It wouldn’t take long for that revelation to spread throughout the camp.
When I’d made this revelation, I’d hoped it would make me seem a little softer to them. I was the Scourge of the Ghouls, yet Ellery, who was more like one of them than me, had gotten the better of me. She’d tricked me, and I’d forgiven her.
I also hoped they would realize that, no matter how much power she had, I’d never be with a woman who’d done that to me if I didn’t love her.
When Ellery looked up at me, some of her tension eased as she beamed at me. I smiled back as my heart warmed; putting her on display like this irritated me, but it was for the greater good andherfuture.
They were already amazed by her; once they got to know her more, they’d love her too. And they’d fight for her, just as I had for Leo.
Tucker moved around Ellery to stand beside me. “Maybe she should train with them with a bow and arrow.”
I opened my mouth to say no before closing it again. I’d much prefer to end this so Ellery could relax, but if she trained with them, she’d have a chance to work with them more. Plus, they’d see she was a fighter who could defend herself.
The setting sun created deepening shadows amongst the trees. “Let’s light the torches,” I said.
Tucker grinned at me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Ellery
At first,all the amsirah’s attention was overwhelming, and I wasn’t sure how to handle it. Once Tucker handed me a bow and a quiver full of arrows, my anxiety eased as he gave me something familiar to focus on.
Amsirah brought out torches and placed them in the ground around the targets near the woods line. The flickering glow of the flames illuminated the targets and brought an air of coziness to a forest that was anything but inviting.
A jovial air, that the screams of the creatures hunting the Revenant Woods couldn’t douse, seized the establishment. Someone brought drinks forth, and those who weren’t setting up to train with me celebrated while they consumed the alcohol.
At some point, Farley and a couple of other poltergeists drifted into the clearing. They floated amongst the crowd, surveying the action as some slapped sticks against their palms. Close to their bodies, their arms were shorter than they’d been in life, and their hands smaller.
Though they held weapons, they didn’t wield them against the amsirah. Despite this, some residents shied away from the ugly, see-through blobs with burning red eyes.
Having died in the Revenant Woods, the poltergeists were trapped here and loved nothing more than to scare and terrorize any who entered the woods. I’d never seen them in Tucker’s encampment before, but I spent far less time here than the amsirah who lived here.
“Do the poltergeists often come here?” I asked Ianto.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen them here.”
I frowned at his response as Farley glided along the backs of the amsirah shooting at their targets.
“What are you doing here, Farley?” I asked when he floated closer.
“Is that any way to greet an old friend, Ellery?” he retorted. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”
