Page 107 of A Tempest of Shadows

“You and your family are trapped in Tempest and at my mercy. Now, you’ll do as I say, or I’ll make sure your mother never sees the sun again and that she’s raped every day for the rest of her life.”

I recoiled as bile rushed up my throat. After what Ryker had revealed about him, I knew the duke was a monster, but I hadn’t expected this level of depravity from anyone.

I didn’t know why this man was like this and didn’t care as my gaze shot to the covered window. Terror curdled like sour milk in my belly as I tried to keep my breathing under control.

“My mother has nothing to do with this,” I whispered.

“I don’t care. I’ll leave you free, all while knowing she’s suffering because of you. And I always make good on my promises. Do you understand?”

Taking a deep breath, I looked at him again as I resisted grabbing the handle and plunging out of this too-stuffy interior. I wouldn’t let him see me panic, but I was on the verge of doing so.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“End things with my son, or I’ll be the first one to fuck her, and I’ll do it in my son’s bed. Fair is fair, after all.”

Before I could respond, he leaned forward and banged on the door. A second later, the footman opened it.

“Get out,” the duke commanded.

I didn’t say anything or look back as I squinted against the sun and hastily descended the stairs.

“Miss Ellery.”

I braced myself before looking at the duke, who was leaning forward to stare at me from the doorway. I didn’t realize we were still so close as his face hovered only inches from mine.

“If you decide to tell my son, let me assure you that I’ll make sure he regrets ever learning your name. Everyone you love will suffer because of it. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

He leaned back, and the footman closed the door with a click. Without looking back, I walked stiffly toward where my mother and Scarlet waited.

Concern etched my mother’s features, but when she moved toward me, I waved her away. I couldn’t talk to either of them right now; if I did, I’d turn into a sobbing mess in our front yard, and the duke would relish it.

Instead, I strode woodenly past them, up the front stairs of the manor, and inside. Once there, I closed the door, leaned against it, and burst into tears.

CHAPTER NINETY

Ellery

I’d been looking forward to Ryker’s return, but now dreaded it. I constantly swayed back and forth about what I should do… end it or tell him the truth.

My decision changed from one second to the next until I felt on the verge of a complete breakdown. If I told him the truth, I had to reveal all of it and would most likely lose him anyway.

And then there was my mother. If I told him about his father coming here, I was putting her life at risk, and I couldn’t do that.

No matter how much I loved Ryker, I had to let him go for my mother’s safety, mine, and his. I’d always known it would end between us; I just hadn’t expected it to be this soon or in this atrocious way, and I wasn’t ready for it.

That was me being selfish again, and I had to stop. I’d helped create this mess and would end it… in the most cowardly way possible.

When Wednesday arrived, I came to a conclusion I’d been trying to deny. I couldn’t end things with him to his face; it was impossible.

I’d break down, and the whole awful truth about everything would spew out of me. All that would accomplish was for Ryker to hate me more than he already would after today.

It would also put him and everyone I loved at risk if he took out his rage at me on his father; I couldn’t allow that. I’d contemplated telling Ryker about his father’s visit, but the duke was right; Ryker couldn’t do anything to stop him.

Yes, Ryker was stronger, but his father wielded more power politically in this country, and King Ivan would side with the duke. The only way Ryker could stop his father was to kill him, and no matter how vile that man was, I refused to be the reason a son killed his father.