And while we were now the most hunted amsirah in the realm, we were free to be with each other.We didn’t have to hide anymore and could openly fight those who would destroy us.
Things were going to be tough; I had no doubt about that, and today had beenawful, but I felt lighter than I had in months.Amsirah danced with abandon around us; they tapped their tankards together in celebration, laughed, kissed, and ate more.
They’d all lost so much, but tonight they had a reason to celebrate, and I rejoiced in it.We’d all lost so much, yet we’d gained something more within this forest and beneath these trees.
Scarlet danced with Ianto; she laughed as he spun her around, and her face lit with pure joy.As the night wore on, Ryker reluctantly released me to dance with other partners.
I danced with many of the amsirah who’d welcomed me with open arms into their encampment.We laughed as we danced together.
As I passed from one dancer to another, I glimpsed Ryker dancing with some of the others.They all smiled as he swung them around… including him.
His father had undoubtedly put ahugebounty on his head, but I couldn’t recall the last time I’d seen him look so happy.Their hesitance around him and their distrust had vanished.
They’d stopped shying away or eyeing him warily; they now welcomed him with open arms.The men thrust more ale into his hand while the women kicked up their feet and twirled around him.
By killing Ivan, he’d more than proven he was one of them.While I didn’t like seeing him dance with other women, I enjoyed their newfound trust in him and that none of them tried to get too close… just like none of the men had gotten overly close to me.
They respected our relationship, and I liked them more for it.
When Ryker reclaimed me, his smile shone from his eyes as they twinkled in the firelight.That smile was for more than me; he was happy to have finally been accepted.
He wasn’t someone who sought the approval of others, but even before he killed Ivan, he’d fought for these men and women and deserved their trust.They’d been reluctant to give it to him.
I didn’t know how long we danced, drank, and celebrated, but the stars were fading from the sky when Ryker led me away from the revelry.Almost everyone was still celebrating, but I’d had enough, and Ryker must have seen that.
He kept his arm protectively around my waist as we walked toward his tree house.“You must be exhausted,” he said.
I was, but I wasn’t ready to call it a night.They’d cleaned me before bandaging my injury, but I still felt dirty, and my clothes were gross.“I am, but I’d like to clean up first.I’m too filthy to sleep.”I glanced at my dirt and bloodstained shirt.“Unfortunately, I don’t have anything to change into.”
“We can fix that.Wait here.”
He left me standing beneath his tree house while he ascended the ladder.I watched his movements for any sign he was still hurt, but while he didn’t move with his normal, fluid grace, I saw no signs of his injury.
He vanished through the hatch in the floor and returned a minute later with some clothes and a bar of soap.When he reclaimed my hand, I followed him into the trees and on toward the river.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN
Ryker
I setthe clothes down a few feet from the river and placed the soap on them.For now, Ellery could wear one of my shirts.It was more than adequate to cover most of her.
Tomorrow, I’d talk to the women to see if they had any extra clothes they could offer her, as well as some of the other refugees.They would have to make new clothes, but that would take time, and Ellery’s were ruined.
She wouldn’t complain or ask for anything herself, but I wouldn’t have her going without.I had no problem asking for her.
With deft fingers, she unbuttoned her shirt and let it fall to the ground.Underneath, she wore a black bra that emphasized the enticing swell of her breasts.While not much of the human realm had made it into Tempest, their bras had replaced the bindings the women used to wear.I appreciated it.
When my cock stirred, I tamped it down.Ellery had been through so much today and was still recovering.
I was too, but my wounds had mostly healed, and I could fuck this woman on my deathbed.To keep my growing lust under control, I focused on the bandage around her torso.
When she pulled her pants down her hips with a little wiggle, I ground my teeth together as she revealed her black underwear, the curve of her thighs, and her shapely calves.She undid the knot keeping her bandage in place, unwound it, and dropped it on the ground.
My gaze shifted to the puckered red slice on her ribs.Stepping closer, my hands fell against her side as I examined the injury.
Aside from the redness surrounding the gash, and the slightly swollen skin, it was completely healed.She didn’t require the bandage anymore.
When I stroked her skin, her attention shifted to me.She glanced at the mark before freeing her mocha hair with its subtle hues of chocolate and chestnut.Tousled and tangled, it tumbled around her shoulders and down her back.
