“I want to know everything I can about it, and he has carisle that he blackmailed from Leo. It belongs to Tempest.”
She stiffened. “Don’t do anything foolish, Ryker.”
“Never.”
She didn’t look at all appeased by my promise. “Please.”
“I won’t do anything foolish; I promise. I’m just returning to learn more, gather some things, and show my face.”
“Be careful.”
I smiled at her. “Of course. Maybe you should stay here today instead of returning to the manor. If you’ve finished the harvest, then you can take a break.”
“We’ve finished the biggest part of the harvest, but it’s time to start working with the foals more. A few years ago, we would have handled them much more than we already have. We should have already started to wean some of them, but we no longer have the help for that, so we’re behind with the horses.”
“You can take a day off. Youalldeserve it. Plus, we need to work with you and your ability more.”
“Just because we deserve a break doesn’t mean it will happen. We will, once things settle down at the farm.”
“That could be a while.”
“I know, but I can only do one thing at a time. Next month.”
I wasn’t sure we had that much time left, but I kept that to myself. She had enough pressure on her without me adding more.
“Besides, I doubt Gaius will return today,” she said.
I wasn’t as convinced as her.
“He’s the new head of Ivan’s guard, and they have a female lightning bearer to hunt; Ivan won’t let him wander off whenever he wants,” she said. “He was there yesterday for his money; he has it. Ivan knows it’s too soon for the foals to be ready, so he’ll keep Gaius busy with other things until then.”
She did have a point there. Samay had been at Ivan’s beck and call before the king slaughtered him. I doubted Gaius knew the full extent of what he’d gotten himself into when he accepted his new position.
“I’ll send word to the palace to let him know the foals will be ready for a new home in two months. That should keep Gaius at bay for a little while,” she said.
“It will help,” I reluctantly admitted. “I don’t like you going back there.”
“I know, but I’ll be okay, and next time, I won’t be so startled if he tries something; I’ll shock the shit out of him.”
“That might happen if you give him a good enough blast.” When she smiled at me, I rubbed her cheek with my thumb. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“With what happened? Are you okay?”
Her smile slid away. “Yes. I hate him, and I’m mad about being so helpless yet so powerful, but I’m okay. One day, he’ll learn the mistake he made.”
“Yes, he will,” I vowed.
She kissed me before leaning back. “I should go. Scarlet’s family will rise soon.”
“Soon, but not yet.”
Slipping my hand around the back of her head, I pulled her down for a kiss. As soon as our lips touched, she melted against me.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Ryker
