Page 70 of A Tempest of Shadows

Her jaw dropped. “Why?”

I couldn’t tell her that I was considering finding the man, beating the ever-loving shit out of him, and then asking him to join with me against Ivan and the aristocrats. As lightning bearers, we had the most powerful abilities in the realm.

Those abilities wouldn’t do much against all the aristocrats and their armies, but it was a start. I was sure not all their fighters were happy to have been trapped here too.

They stayed to guard the assholes who had taken their freedom because they needed to eat too. Many had families to support, and the aristocrats provided security, shelter, and food. No one could blame them for seeking to protect themselves and their families.

With enough money, we might be able to grow our forces or get them to turn against their bosses. If we succeeded, the aristocrats would probably flee Tempest, leaving the rest of us trapped here, but if we could capture at least one of them, we could compel them to open a portal and let us out.

My father would probably be the best option for this, as he was the one I’d like to make beg, but I required an army behind me to make that first move. It would be difficult to get him as I doubted he’d ever be alone with me again; he had a contingent of guards with him the last time we spoke.

The man was arrogant but not stupid.

If I could get an aristocrat to open a portal for us, I could find the warlocks and pay them to break the spell. With what money, I didn’t know yet as I was sure they would demand more than I had, but it would be a start to regaining freedom for the amsirah trapped here.

I could ask Brokk, whose brother was the king of the dark fae and the king of the Shadow Realms, for help. I hated to involve Brokk in this when he was expecting a child, and I wouldn’t have before the warlocks cast their spell, but I had to save my realm.

Despite my hatred of Ivan, I’d been determined to respect his rule until he pulled this shit. The man had betrayed Leo and would get no loyalty from me. I planned to destroy him… somehow.

I’d promised Leo I would look over Tempest, but so far, I’d failed him. I was ready to fight again. With his abilities to wield lightning and move like a wraith to steal from unsuspecting passersby, the Hooded Robber might be able to help.

I couldn’t tell Ellery this. If I did, I’d involve her in treason, and while she harbored no love for Ivan, things were difficult enough without adding that extra burden to her.

“I have a feeling that reward money will be necessary soon,” I told her instead. “And I’d like your help to get it. Besides, what else is there to do?”

I could tell she wanted to protest, but her mother silenced her words when she rested her hand on Ellery’s shoulder. Their eyes met before Ellery gulped.

Neither of them would admit it, but they needed that reward money. I couldn’t tell her she’d never get it as I didn’t plan to hand the Hooded Robber over for execution.

He either agreed to help me, or I killed him to keep my plan safe. There was a chance the man would turn on me and reveal my plan to Ivan and the aristocrats, but we would each have collateral over the other, and I had to hope that would be enough to keep the thief’s mouth shut.

Besides, even if I resented that he’d stolen my money, the Hooded Robber had good intentions as he’d given the money to the poor of Nottingshire. I had to trust that someone who would do that would also be willing to help me stop what was happening here.

I’d pay more than she would have received from the ransom for helping me and for not saying anything when I didn’t turn the thief in. And unlike the Hooded Robber, I knew I could trust her to keep my secret. She had a big heart, was good and honest, and would be willing to help free Tempest from Ivan’s tyrannical rule.

Ellery closed her eyes before responding. “I’ll help you.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

Ellery

We spent the next two weeks in the Revenant Woods, hunting the Hooded Robber. An increased movement of amsirah in the forest made the woods louder and more crowded than before, but it didn’t matter as I was only pretending to hunt.

We encountered a few amsirahs searching for somewhere safer than the towns that were once their homes. The fact they believed they would find that in the Revenant Woods spoke volumes about their desperation.

My heart broke for all those trying to escape King Ivan and the aristocrats’ ruthless hold. There was nowhere for them to go. The towns and the forest were both full of death.

Last week, King Ivan circulated more posters declaring no one should worry, we would all be safe, and that shutting Tempest off from the other realms was good for us. No one could invade us again.

With the delivery of the posters, they gave each household member five carisles. That pitiful amount of money was an insulting drop in the bucket compared to all we’d paid since they captured King Leonidas.

The poster promised more to come if we all remained calm. I’d gone to The Hollows after the poster and money arrived. No one there was happy about it, but they were all too defeated to fight anymore and had few options.

They pocketed the money and went about their lives the best they could. I hadn’t returned since; I could do nothing for them anymore.

I was sure some of the occupants of Tempest had bought King Ivan’s propaganda about closing the realm to keep us safe, but not many. They could do nothing to change what happened or fight against it.

They could only hope his promise of more money came true.