She kissed me again. “I love you too.”
CHAPTER NINETY-ONE
Ryker
Two weeks later
“Are you sure about this?” Ellery anxiously asked Scarlet.
Her friend smiled as she strapped a small sword to her side before sliding a dagger into the holster inside her boot. “I am.”
With Lillian strapped securely against her chest, Ellery hovered near her friend. She had her hand under the baby’s butt while she swayed back and forth.
Scarlet rose and rested her hand on Ellery’s arm before she leaned over to look at Lillian. She kissed the top of the baby’s head.
“I’m sure,” Scarlet said. “This beautiful little girl will know freedom.”
“Callan and Samael are going. You don’t have to leave too.”
“Yes, I do. I didn’t question your choices; please don’t question mine.”
“You questioned mine all the time,” Ellery retorted.
Scarlet sighed. “But I stood by you throughout all your insanity. You can do the same.”
Ellery clamped her mouth shut and inhaled loudly through her nose before releasing a resigned breath. “You’re right, but you also just admitted that this is insanity.”
Scarlet laughed as she stepped back. “It’s a lot less insane than you deciding to steal from the nobles. And it’s far less insane than you falling in love with one of the men you robbed.”
Ellery scowled at her, but she couldn’t deny Scarlet had a point. I grinned as I rested my hand on my wife’s shoulder. “She has you there.”
Ellery turned her glare on me. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“Says who?”
“The ring on your finger.”
I chuckled. “If those are the rules we’re enforcing, then you’ll always have to agree with me too.”
Her scowl deepened, but she refrained from saying anything more. Scarlet leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
“I’ll be fine,” Scarlet assured her. “I’ll be with Callan, and we won’t be gone long. I’m ready to leave Tempest for a bit. Please understand.”
Ellery squeezed her hand. “I understand. I wanted to run from here too after my father died.”
Scarlet gulped and bowed her head.
“I started stealing instead,” Ellery continued.
Scarlet chuckled. “You did.” Her smile fell away. “And it’s not just because he died.”
“I know.”
“I’ve never been out of Tempest before. I never thought we’d lose the ability to leave. If we don’t succeed in breaking the curse, this might be my only chance to see the realms and a dragon. You know I’ve always dreamed of seeing a dragon and a fairy. Maybe I’ll get to meet the queen of the shadow realms.”
“I hope you do.”
“Callan and I will keep each other safe, and I know you’ll look after my mother and Billy while I’m gone.”
