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)
Attes went still once more. “Both would be true.”
My insides went cold as Nyktos leaned into my back. That dark energy rose again. “Is that so?”
“It is. I am curious about what has been occurring here.” The aura in Attes’s eyes brightened. “And Kolis has tasked me with delivering a message to you.”
“I didn’t know that he was now using you for such things.”
“I believe he chose me because I’m the closest.” Attes paused. “And one of the few you’d be less likely to toss into the Abyss once you hear the message.”
“I wouldn’t put a lot of confidence behind that belief.” Nyktos’s voice had dropped. “What is the message?”
“Kolis is aware that you’ve taken a Consort.” A muscle flexed in his jaw. “And His Majesty has decided to deny your right to a coronation.”
Chapter 15
The very air in the room seemed to stop. Kolis could…he could do that?
“Has he now?” Nyktos’s voice was soft—too soft.
“He has,” Attes confirmed. “Since there hasn’t been a coronation in many years, he wants it to be more…traditional.”
“What does that mean?” I asked, my mouth dry.
Attes inclined his chin. “It means that Nyktos must gain Kolis’s permission to crown a Consort.” His gaze flicked to Nyktos.
My lips parted. “Son of a bitch.”
The wisps of eather swirled in Attes’s eyes as his grin returned. He dipped his head, dropping his voice. “Did you just call the King of Gods a son of a bitch?”
“Uh…”
Attes laughed even as Nyktos’s body went icy against mine.
“And when does he expect me to do this when the coronation is to be held tomorrow?” Nyktos demanded.
Attes’s grin faded. “There will be no coronation tomorrow. Instead, Kolis will summon you—both of you.”
It felt like the office disappeared around us. My heart started pounding. I attempted to rise, but Nyktos’s arm remained firm around me.
“When?” Nyktos bit out.
“When he is ready.” Attes smiled, but there was no warmth to the curve of his lips. No dimple. “That was all he said.”
“So, it could be tomorrow or a week or month from now,” Nyktos surmised.
“Basically.” Attes sat forward, his shoulders tensing. “You know, I think he would’ve done this even if a god hadn’t Ascended here. After all, you are his favorite.”
His favorite? I had a feeling Attes meant the exact opposite by saying that.
“Yeah.” Nyktos leaned back. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
“As do I.” The Primal of Accord and War rose. He looked at me. “It was a pleasure to meet you.” Primal eyes lifted to mine. “If you find you’d rather spend your time in a warmer bed and climate…”
I stared up at him, somewhat dumbfounded. “Thank you for the offer, but not interested.”
“Too bad.” A dimple appeared in his right cheek. “But if you ever change your mind, all you have to do is call for me. I will answer.”
“Leave.” The promise of violence hummed in that one word. “Before you have to be carried out of here.”
Attes bowed in our direction, then left. The doors closed behind him. Neither Nyktos nor I moved or spoke for several seconds, but the temperature in the room had dropped even further. The arm around my waist and the hand against my thigh hardened. Shadows had bled to the surface of his flesh, and the breath I exhaled formed a misty cloud once more. I thought I saw tiny bursts of silver light throughout the space.
Shivering as the frigid air seeped through the gown, I touched his arm. Like I had the night of the draken attack. “It’s…it’s cold,” I whispered, my lips beginning to tingle.
Nyktos’s hand slid out from between my thighs, but the arm around me tightened. “Argue with me.”
“What?” I whispered.
“Argue with me,” he repeated, his voice full of smoke and ice. “Distract me. Something to stop me from going after Attes and taking my anger out on him. That will not end well for the Shadowlands or Vathi, and that’s the last thing we need.”
I twisted toward him. His eyes were nearly pure silver orbs. His jaw was as hard as the shadowstone walls. Churning darkness had blossomed across his cheeks. Eather lit the veins beneath his eyes, and the hardness in the stare fixed on the doors beyond me told me that he wasn’t exaggerating in the least. So, I did the first thing that came to mind.
Clasping his now-icy cheeks in my palms, I did what he’d asked of me when he held me in the sweetly scented tunnels of the Luxe.
I kissed him.
His lips—cooler than before—were still that strangely enticing juxtaposition of soft and firm as his entire body jerked. He didn’t pull away, but he went completely rigid against me. He was as still as he’d been in the vine tunnel, and I did once more what I’d done then.
Catching his plump lower lip between my teeth, I bit him.