Chapter 65
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
Ryker
“Oh, honey, I’ve been there and done that with the dark fae, but I’m still standing,” Tucker said.
“I’d rather fuck a hole,” someone else muttered.
“You have nothing to offer us, Bria. So why don’t you run along, get back on your knees and suck Veni’s dick again, because he’s the only one who has any use for you.”
I didn’t acknowledge the guards behind her; they’d do whatever she asked, but if they opened these doors to come at us, I’d gladly kill them.
“I am part dark fae and can control air, earth, fire, and water as well as the shadows,” she snarled. “I could kill you.”
“No, you couldn’t. You’re not strong enough for that, and even if you were, Veni would hunt you down and rip you to shreds. He’s already killed all of Leo’s other children. If I were you, I’d run far and fast from here.”
Fury shone in her eyes before she suppressed it. And it was then I realized Veni hadn’t granted her the ability to leave Tempest. No wonder she wanted Ellery dead so badly that she risked coming here.
“You’re as trapped here as the rest of us,” I said.
Power swelled in the air as the flames in the torches flickered. With these chains, I was helpless to deflect anything she might throw at me, but I didn’t move away from the bars or shift my casual position.
Even if she unleashed her wrath, it would be nothing compared to everything I’d endured over the years. Plus, the duke would know she was here, or someone was, if he returned to find me burned.
I lifted my left hand and wiggled my fingers at her. “There’s nothing you can do to me that hasn’t been done before. This finger is the least of it. You think I haven’t endured burns, lashings, stretching, the rack, and every other torture imaginable?”
“I could kill you.”
“And then what would you tell Veni? That you were visiting me out of the kindness of your heart and you accidentally set me on fire? He’s not an idiot; I’m sure he already knows you’re plotting against him, but if you confirm it, he’ll throw you in here with my dead body. And that will just be the beginning.”
Her nostrils flared, but she reined her power back in. She was a power-hungry bitch, but she wasn’t stupid.
“And if you don’t trot on out of here like the good little puppet you are, we might have to let Veni know about your visit,” I told her.
Her eyes widened as that possibility sank in. She’d truly believed I’d be so desperate to protect Ellery that I’d tell her exactly where to go and be thankful for it.
“You wouldn’t do that to Leo,” she retorted.
“I will if you don’t leave. Go, Bria, and don’t come back.”
She glowered at me before turning on her heel. “Let’s go!” she snapped at the guards.
She stormed past the other cells with the guards following wordlessly behind her like the mindless idiots they were.
“Well, isn’t she a delight?” Tucker murmured after the door slammed shut and we were cast into darkness again.
“That’s Leo’s daughter?” Callan asked.
“Yes,” I said as my shoulders slumped and I retreated to my cot.
“She’s a peach.”
“The duke isn’t to know she was here. She’s a snake, but she is Leo’s daughter, and revealing that she was here won’t do us any good. They’re still going to torture and maim us.”
“We have so much to look forward to,” Callan muttered.
“Don’t say anything,” I said again.
A murmur of yeses came from the other cells before they all grew quiet again. I didn’t like Bria, but I owed it to Leo to keep his last living child alive; it was my last obligation to the man who’d been my king and best friend.
After this, I’d be free of the debt I felt I owed him for failing to save his life. I’d sever all ties to my past life; now, I’d build a new life with Ellery… if I ever got free of this place.
I rested my elbows on my legs and bowed my head. I tried not to think about the fact that the next time the dungeon door opened, it might be Veni leading Ellery in.