She didn’t have to stay here though, with all these eyes on her. While I couldn’t see them, I sensed the others watching us. Thankfully, they kept their distance, probably because they were nervous she’d electrocute their asses if they got too close.
I rested my chin on her head as I ran my hand down the silken length of her mocha-brown hair. The fading glow of her light illuminated the beautiful hues of chestnut and chocolate in her hair.
Her hair remained in a braid, but some strands had fallen free. Her enticing apple scent mingled with the aroma of fear and the sharp ozone odor of lightning.
Slowly, her light diminished until nothing more remained. With the crackle gone, a hush descended over the clearing. I didn’t hear so much as the chirrup of an insect as everything seemed to hold its collective breath at once while they waited to see what would happen.
CHAPTER SIX
Ryker
From far offin the trees, something screamed, and a few amsirah jumped. I kissed Ellery’s head before lowering my mouth to her ear. “Are you okay?”
“Ye... ye… yes,” she answered tremulously.
“I’m sorry.”
When she turned her head toward me, her lips brushed mine as she spoke. “For what?”
“Inevershould have put you in that position.”
When she pulled a little away to look at me, I was relieved to see the beautiful blue-green color of her cyan eyes again. Cradling her cheeks, I drank in the magnificent sight ofher.
On that roof, floating in the air, she’d been awe-inspiring and frightening. Now, she was simply a beautiful wonder to behold.
“I put myself in that position,” she said. “Ichoseto be there.”
“But you were there because of the choicesImade.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of her full lips. “And you’re here because of the choicesImade.”
I couldn’t stop smiling as I used my thumb to wipe a smudge of dirt from her cheek. She was right about that.
I’d like to think I would have eventually stopped drowning my memories of Doomed Valley in women and booze to take note of what Ivan and the nobles were doing to the realm, but it would have taken a while for me to decide to fight against their tyranny. Being robbed by Ellery had certainly sped up the process.
Damn, I loved her. I hadn’t believed it was possible to feel this deeply for another, but she’d become a part of me… the best part.
“Are you okay?” she whispered as her fingers touched the healing gash in my neck.
“I’m fine,” I assured her. “Thanks for saving my ass.”
Her eyes twinkled when they met mine, but worry still clouded them. “It’s too nice of an ass to see destroyed.”
I chuckled as I cupped her cheeks in my palms. “Too true. Are yousureyou’re okay?”
“I’m fine. That was a little… ah, weird.”
“We’ll work with your powers more. That will help you control them better.”
I hoped that was true, as I’d never seen or experienced anything like it before. But then, I’d been raised to use my ability and trained myself to wield it.
To keep her safe, her parents raised Ellery to keep her ability hidden. Now she was finally setting it free, and even with all the training we’d been doing, she still wasn’t prepared to use it; we could work on that.
Or at least I hoped that was true. She was also an anomaly, stronger than anyone else in this realm, and could prove me wrong. She had many times before, but I had faith in her abilities and strength.
The crack of a stick drew my attention to the others as some crept closer while the rest remained planted where they were. The way they all gawked at Ellery caused my mouth to curl into a sneer as I surveyed them.
She’d saved their lives, and while I understood they had no idea what to make of her and were stunned to learn of her existence, they could close theirfuckingmouths. Across the way, the giant leaned against a tree, his mouth agape.
