“I was only eight when he started making me do that.” I can hear the pain in his voice. “I wish I could say it was only that once, but that would be a lie.”
“I’m so sorry,” I offer quietly.
He finally turns back to me, and our eyes meet.
“I’m not perfect. I won’t pretend to be. But I would never use you for your power.” Guilt begins to settle in my chest and I’m suddenly wishing I had never asked in the first place. Ryder must pick up on it because he quickly attempts to lighten the mood. “Besides, I need you for more important things like keeping me from getting a big head.”
“If I had known what I was getting myself into, I would’ve stuck with Cylas.”
“Well, it looks like you’re stuck with me now.”
Chapter 11
“Any updates?” Ryder asks Artemus from across the table.
“Everyone in the realms is ready.”
“Perfect. They’re all on the list for the celebration, so they shouldn’t have any issues getting into the kingdom,” Ryder reports.
“And what about Kane and Slader?” I turn my attention to Ryder. “You said we would get them out.”
“I haven’t forgotten my promise. You will wear Cylas’ cloak to get down to the dungeons. Ramus will go with you disguised as a guard so that he can disarm their power dampeners.”
I look to the large, bearded man, and he only nods. The whole time I’ve been here, I think I’ve only heard him say five words. It makes mewonder what his backstory is.
“Once we get them freed, we’ll meet you in the Throne Room.”
Ryder doesn’t look too pleased, but he’s finally accepted the idea that I’m joining the fight whether he likes it or not. Of course, he only conceded once I agreed to follow his orders, no questions asked. If he tells me it’s time for me to leave, I have to do as he says. At least, that’s what I want him to think. I may have agreed, but if I have an opportunity to go after the king, even Ryder won’t be able to stop me.
“How’s her training coming?” Ryder directs the question to Artemus as if I’m not sitting right here.
“She’s come a long way. She’ll be ready in a month’s time,” he assures.
“How’s the letter going?” Ryder asks with a nod to the book he gave me weeks ago.
“I think I’ve found the right translation. I won’t know until I put it all together, though.”
“Good. Hopefully there’s something in there that can help us.”
“Have you been able to find anything else regarding the location of the island or how to access it?”
Ryder leans back in his seat, locking his hands behind his head.
“Unfortunately, no. I’m hoping Slader will be able to look into my memories and find something. I know when I was young, I had heard about it, but it’s been so long the memory is like a whisper in my mind.”
“You’d really let him into your head?” I ask with a raised brow.
“If it comes down to it, yes.” Ryder tilts his head back, looking up at the ceiling.
“Is Cylas—” I don’t finish the question. The look on Ryder’s face confirms what I already knew.
“My father has already replaced him with another Cyron representative.”
“That didn’t take long,” Roman snickers.
“What’s worse is my father declared him a traitor and spread word he had been executed for it.”
“Why would he do that?” I ask.
