Page 75 of Secrets of Ruin

Brokk knew his words didn’t matter, but he had to say them, and maybe, one day, Ryker would come to believe them. “You couldn’t have stopped what happened here. You had hundreds of other immortals on this mission with you. We all failed.”

Ryker didn’t speak as he watched the myriad of colors spreading across the sky. Brokk looked to Kaylia as shadows spread around her; he had to get her out of here.

“They were collecting a ransom on him; I never thought they’d kill him,” Ryker muttered.

“Neither did I. He was a good king.”

“He was a great king. He was my friend and….” Ryker’s voice trailed off as he glanced at Leo’s body. “He was more of a father to me than my father ever was. He taught me everything I know about fighting for what’s right. He’s dead because I failed him.”

“We all did.”

Ryker glanced at him before he shifted his attention to the sky again. His nostrils flared as anger boiled beneath his surface.

After another minute, Ryker spoke again. “The shadows can go through portals.”

“Yes, and they communicate with my brother.”

Ryker ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the ends of it. “Shit.”

“Yeah… it’s… interesting.”

“And frightening.”

“Yes.”

And Ryker had never seen Cole spiral out of control as he had. That was terrifying.

“I don’t know if Prince Ivan will swear fealty to the queen. He’s a selfish, greedy idiot.”

“Prince Ivan is…?”

“Leo’s brother and our future king. Leo had no children; in our realm, birthright is what decides our leaders and rulers.”

That was far from the best way to decide who had the right to determine the course of a realm, but Brokk didn’t say it. He was sure Ryker already knew that.

“That means Leo’s brother will become king, and I have no idea what he’ll do when it comes to Lexi or our realm. He’ll likely try to shut Tempest off from the other realms, as he always told Leo to do that. He believes the king should have complete control over his realm.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah.”

“That never works out for anyone who’s not a king.”

“No, it doesn’t. Our realm will suffer because of it.”

“That also takes a lot of power to do. Do you think he’ll find it?”

“I don’t know.”

“What will you do now?”

Ryker glanced at Leo again before shrugging. “I’ll return home. I have no reason to stay away anymore and nowhere else to go.”

Brokk suspected the reason he’d stayed away from Tempest was more than seeking to get his king back, but he didn’t question Ryker about it. They’d grown close over these past few months; it was impossible not to get to know him better when they were trapped together, but they weren’t the kind of friends who shared intimate details of their lives.

“You’re always welcome in Dragonia. Even if Ivan doesn’t swear fealty to Lexi, you, Tucker, and any other amsirah looking to escape are welcome there. We could always use more allies… especially if those allies are also friends.”

Ryker’s small smile didn’t reach his silver eyes. “Thank you, and if you ever need me, you know where I’ll be.”