Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1185(@200wpm)___ 948(@250wpm)___ 790(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1185(@200wpm)___ 948(@250wpm)___ 790(@300wpm)
“You may do as you like.”
Nyktos guided me to the settee, returning us to the same position as before with me placed in the vee of his legs. I turned my head, but Kolis watched. Stared. At us. At me. And it was only then that I allowed myself to feel any sort of relief.
I didn’t look like Sotoria. Because Kolis didn’t recognize me.
A faint tremor went through me as Kolis returned to his throne upon the dais, tendrils of golden eather trailing behind him. Nyktos gently squeezed my side as I exhaled heavily, resting a hand on his knee. Nektas had been right. Luck was, for once, on our side. At least, with this. Everything else? I wasn’t so sure.
Kolis was still watching me, staring, his head tilted, yet the crown not slipping an inch as his fingers rapped on the gilded arms of his throne. “My feelings are hurt, Nyktos,” he began. “I would’ve thought you would have sought my approval for such a…joyous event—your union with the fiery Seraphena.”
“I didn’t think you’d have much interest in such an event,” Nyktos replied as he dragged his thumb back and forth on the side of my waist. “I figured you were far too busy for such a request.”
“You figured wrong.” Kolis gave a close-lipped smile. “It is a show of respect that you, of all people, should’ve known was due me.”
“Then I apologize,” Nyktos said.
He didn’t sound even remotely genuine.
Kolis’s tight smile said he sensed the same. “We shall see how sorry you are, I’m sure.”
Ice coated my insides, but there wasn’t even a minor hitch in the slide of Nyktos’s thumb.
“But there is something else we must discuss,” Kolis added.
“If you’re speaking of the vassal I encountered upon my arrival…” Nyktos’s tone was lazy, partly amused, and it reminded me of how he’d spoken when we’d been at my lake. “I didn’t like his tone.”
Kolis snorted. “It is not Dyses I’m speaking of. He’ll be fine.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think he will be,” Nyktos said. “Considering I removed his heart.”
The false King’s smile grew then, flashing teeth, and my unease ramped up. “Yes, well, we will see about that, too.” He leaned back as Nyktos’s fingers halted for a brief moment in their path on my waist. “I’m sure you’re aware of why else I summoned you, Nephew.”
My fingers pressed into Nyktos’s knee. I decided right then that I hated how Kolis made a point of reminding Nyktos of the blood they shared.
Nyktos’s thumb resumed its idle movements. “Is it because Hanan believes I have knowledge of how a god was Ascended or who it was?”
Primal Hanan’s head turned in our direction. “It is not what I believe. It is what I know.”
“I didn’t give you permission to speak,” Kolis said, his gaze remaining on us. “Did I, Hanan?”
Hanan stiffened where he sat. “No, you didn’t. I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“Do not force me to make an unfortunate impression on the lovely Seraphena by angering me,” Kolis warned.
“That wasn’t my intention,” Hanan quickly said, bowing his head. “I just don’t appreciate that he would attempt to speak falsely to you about something so serious.”
“I’m so sure that’s what motivates you to speak so freely,” Nyktos purred, the words rumbling against my back.
Eather sparked from Hanan’s eyes as he glared at Nyktos, but Kolis raised a hand, silencing Hanan. “The power to Ascend a god is one felt by all. It is a power that should not exist beyond this Court,” he said, knowing damn well that likely everyone in the chamber—besides me—knew the power no longer existed in Dalos. “But it does?”
“It does,” Nyktos confirmed.
The tendrils swirled at the base of the throne as Kolis’s head cocked once more. “And that is all you have to say?”
“It is all that I can say, Uncle,” he said, and I tensed upon hearing him refer to Kolis as such. Still, he kept moving his thumb in those slow, comforting swipes. “I felt it myself. Felt it before in the mortal realm, though less powerful. I, too, have searched for it. I have found none in the Shadowlands who could’ve been responsible for such a burst of power.”
Hanan practically vibrated with his need to speak, but he waited until Kolis nodded. “And how would that be possible?”
“Is that a serious question?” Nyktos countered as Attes dragged his fangs over his lower lip, barely concealing his smirk. “Whoever was responsible is clearly no longer in the Shadowlands. I assumed that it was our King.”
I almost laughed, but I was far too impressed by how calm Nyktos was, how convincing. And was also too dumbfounded by all of this. Kolis had sent his dakkais as a warning that he was aware of the embers of life. He could’ve possibly sent his draken, despite Nektas not recognizing the one that attacked. He had to know that Nyktos didn’t, not for one second, believe it was him. Something wasn’t right here.