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CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX

Ellery

When September gave way to October, the leaves started changing, and the Revenant Woods came alive with the colors of fire as the days grew shorter and the nights longer.

We still had no reason to use the small stoves assembled for the tree houses, but it was only a matter of time, as the canvas remained in place over the tree house door and the windows were closed at night.

The small home was built for Ryker, but since we’d started living here, it had become ours, and I cherished it. It was our cozy nest in the trees where we could retreat from the curious eyes of the amsirah who watched us so carefully.

We’d been so busy rebuilding and hunting since the magnetic storm that we rarely got time to ourselves outside the tree house. Sometimes, we could slip away, like today, as Ryker took my hand and asked me to walk to the river with him.

I should be helping Scarlet with some sewing, but I agreed to go. Spending an hour away from the camp wouldn’t harm anything, and I couldn’t resist the twinkle in his eyes as he took my hand.

Leaves the color of flames fell around us as we walked through the woods toward the river. They created a colorful, crunchy path down to the water’s edge.

Before we reached the river, the trickling sound of it running over rocks drifted through the woods; it brought a smile to my lips.

I didn’t kid myself into thinking winter wouldn’t be brutal in these woods, but I’d found peace and happiness here.

We couldn’t hide amongst the trees forever, yet I was content.

However, it was only a matter of time before the duke came after us. For now, he was content with stealing children and making the townsfolk miserable. That wouldn’t last.

And as much as I enjoyed the bubble of serenity we’d created here, we couldn’t leave all those amsirah to suffer. I could barely live with myself after leaving the gargoyles behind; I’d never sleep at night if we abandoned our mission.

At the water’s edge, I closed my eyes and inhaled the crisp scent of the river mingling with the decaying aroma of the leaves. Those dying leaves smelled so good.

Their scent brought memories of jumping in piles as a child and laughing while Scarlet and I rolled through them, tossing them in the air and throwing them at each other. They reminded me of simpler times and the pure joy I wanted my children to experience one day.

I was still taking valovay to prevent pregnancy, but one day I’d have a family who knew only freedom and the security I’d grown up with.

My parents and Scarlet’s family surrounded me with love, and as much as I knew my children could be happy in these woods, a life here with things that could so easily eat them and with parents who were the most hunted amsirah in the realm wouldn’t be the same.

They should also experience all of Tempest and not one piece of it. I didn’t care what I had to do; I’d make sure that happened.

When Ryker released my hand, I opened my eyes to discover him on one knee before me. At first, I blinked at him, unsure what he was doing or why.

The look on his face, so hopeful yet vulnerable, confused me. Then he held out his hand, and the sun glinted off a metal band with a polished, clear purple stone in the center. My heart did a strange flip-flop that probably would have killed me if I was mortal.

“I kept telling myself that when this was over and we were free of the aristocrats and my father, we’d marry, but I can’t wait another day.

I love you, Ellery, and I want to be your husband.

I want everyone in this realm to know how much you mean to me.

When we win this, and we will win, I want it to be as husband and wife, if you’ll have me. Will you marry me?”

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from that simple metal band with the beautiful stone and couldn’t close my mouth. I knew what we were to each other, what we would always be, but I hadn’t expected this.

I’d assumed this day would come eventually, but I thought it would be a day in the future, when our lives were more secure and we were free to roam Tempest again. But I couldn’t wait that long either.

Tearing my eyes away from the ring, I met his hopeful gaze as tears flooded my eyes and joy overwhelmed me. Barely able to speak, I croaked out, “Yes.”

The big, beautiful smile that lit his face caused my heart to expand further… something I hadn’t believed possible as it felt ready to explode from the love filling it.

Ryker slid the ring onto my finger, rose, and swept me into his arms. He clasped me against his chest, and I draped my arms around his neck, laughing as he spun me in a circle.

When he stopped, I leaned back to grin at him before he kissed me. It was a leisurely, easy kiss full of love and joy as he held me closer.

I didn’t notice the crisp October air against my skin as our clothes slipped away and he took me to the ground at the riverbank. He climbed on top and entered me in one hard thrust.

I gasped at the wonder of his body filling me as I arched beneath him. Clasping the sides of his face, I examined his contoured angles and natural beauty.

He was savage yet gentle, broken yet stronger than anyone I’d ever known… and he was mine .

When he kissed me again, I wrapped my legs around his waist and drew him deeper into me. Beneath the trees, I lost myself to my fiancé.