Page 37 of Whispers of Ruin
He didn’t care what it took; he’d save his future sister-in-law. Besides, Ryker couldn’t use anything he planned to reveal against her or Cole.
“Lexi is the last living arach, and we helped her reclaim the throne that was rightfully hers,” Brokk said.
He filled Ryker in on as many details as the man required. When he finished speaking, the hut remained silent as everyone absorbed his revelations.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN
“There’s no more Lord,”Allegra breathed. “The realms are…free.”
“Yes, but if we don’t get the crudue vine to Lexi, then someone else could try to take that throne, and it will all start over again.” Brokk held Ryker’s eyes as he said this.
Ryker glanced at the vine before shifting his attention back to Brokk. “We’ll take you to the vine and get you as much as you need to save the queen, but, in exchange, I want your help… no, I wantherhelp freeing Leo afterward. Dragons would go a long way against the ophidians and accomplish much more than we have.”
“Lexi will help you,” Kaylia vowed.
“Are you able to speak for her?”
“Noonecan speak for her, but we’re looking to build allies to solidify peace in the realms,” Brokk said. “We’re all tired of the fighting. If you think King Leonidas would agree to pledge his allegiance to her, I’m sure she would help.”
“I don’t see why he wouldn’t,” Ryker said. “As long as she doesn’t turn on everyone like the Lord and start slaughtering anyone who stands in his way.”
“And even those who don’t,” a guard muttered.
“Lexi would never do that,” Kaylia said. “That throne is hers by birth; it won’t corrupt her as it has the previous rulers who didn’t belong on it.”
Ryker pinned her with his gaze. “As you said, power corrupts.”
“I’ll never say that couldn’t happen; we can’t know the future, but she’s strong, caring, and has a lot of immortals who love her to keep her grounded. Sheisthe rightful ruler of the realms, and not just because of her birth.”
“I’ll take your word for that. How did you end up in the middle of our fight with the ophidians?”
“We were in a mirror realm and emerged from a tree into the middle of your battle.”
“That’s unfortunate luck for you.”
Kaylia looked pointedly at the crudue vine. “Or good luck, depending on how you look at it.”
“Very true. There are many mirror realms here; I’ve lost more than a few men to them. I’m not sure if they ever emerged again or not.”
“We encountered gremlins there but were able to avoid them. I suspect there are more monsters there too.”
“Most likely.”
Ryker ran his hand tiredly over the thick stubble lining his face. Brokk studied the man as he tried to ascertain his thoughts. He’d never encountered an amsirah before, as they mostly kept to themselves, and he’d never had a reason to travel to their realm.
“What areyoudoing here?” Brokk inquired. “I understand these creatures have your king, but how did that happen? The amsirah rarely leave Tempest.”
Ryker lowered his hand. “About two years ago, an army of ghouls invaded Tempest. During our last battle with them almost a year ago, we finally succeeded in driving the monsters from Tempest, but that victory came at a steep price. The ghouls captured our king and handed him over to the emperor of Doomed Valley; they knew how difficult it would be to free him from here. King Leonidas has been a prisoner ever since, and Iwillget him back.”
“You’ve been here for almost a year,” Kaylia said.
“Yes. We’ve returned for supplies and more fighters when necessary, but I haven’t left Doomed Valley since they brought Leo here, and it’s been almost six months since we returned for anything.”
“No wonder you don’t know about the Lord.”
“Why are the witches here?” Kaylia asked as she glanced at Allegra.
The witch wasn’t quite as hostile as she was before Brokk told them their tale, but she still shot him a look before clasping her hands before her. She stared at the wall while she spoke.
