Total pages in book: 362
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Two eerily straight lines had been gouged into his skin, starting at the center of his forehead and slicing through his eyebrows just before the arch, then running down his cheeks to end at the corners of his lips.
I could feel it happening—what I’d done when I looked into Vikter’s eyes. I was trying—albeit failing—not to do it whenever I pleased. My senses stretched out. In the back of my mind, I knew I shouldn’t be doing what I was—it was a huge invasion of privacy. But my curiosity got the better of me. Focusing on him, I tried to read him as I had with the viktor and…
Saw and felt nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
But I had the distinct impression that if I pushed, I could discover what I wanted to know.
One side of those almost-too-perfect lips curved up, creating a dimple that partly disappeared into a scar. I suddenly had the distinct impression that this stranger would like to see me try.
There was a challenge in his blue-purple eyes and he wore a grin bordering on a smirk.
He bowed gracefully at the waist and folded a black-gloved hand over his heart. “Meyaah Liessa.” He spoke in a velvety voice I was sure had led many down a path of very bad, yet fun, decisions.
I acknowledged his greeting with a nod as Attes looked over his shoulder.
“I’m trying to think of the last time I stood in this space and saw sunlight reflected off the thrones.” Attes stood in the center aisle, his back to us. “It was so long ago I can’t remember.”
My gaze followed Attes’s to the hauntingly beautiful thrones carved from blocks of shadowstone, their backs stretching into wings that touched at the tips.
“It’s been a little over two decades since the sun rose here,” Ash replied as Saion and Rhain closed the doors to the space.
“Yeah,” Attes replied. “But it has to be at least two centuries since I entered the throne room.”
Ash’s attention shifted to the god. “Thierran.”
The oneirou bowed again. “Asher.”
My attention sharpened at his response, but Ash merely gave a dry laugh. I relaxed—a little.
Attes turned to us then. Shadowstone armor covered his chest. That wasn’t the only thing different about him. His eye was no longer swollen, proving what Lailah had claimed about him purposely not healing it. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m back so soon and why I brought…a friend with me.”
“Yes,” I said. “But where’s Lailah?”
“I believe she returned to your training fields to take out her anger on some poor, unknowing soldier,” Attes replied. “Apparently, spending even a short amount of time with me incites such a need.”
“That it does,” Ash replied dryly, still focused on the oneirou. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
“As am I to be here.” Thierran shrugged. “But when I heard—”
“Heard?” Attes interrupted, his eyes narrowing.
Thierran flashed him a downright devilish grin. “When I figured out what Attes and Lailah were up to, I invited myself along.”
“And why would you do that?” Ash asked.
“Besides wanting to see the Queen in person?” His bright, bejeweled gaze drifted to me. “I have to admit,” he said, and I arched a brow at the purr in his tone, “one look, and I can safely say that serving you will be far more…pleasing.”
“Careful,” Ash warned softly.
Thierran chuckled, but the sound lacked humor. “I’m always careful.”
“And if I remember correctly, you’ve always been an opportunist, too,” Ash replied. “One who wields a sword when it benefits him.”
“That hasn’t changed,” Thierran acknowledged, standing unsettlingly still. With his black attire and hair, he looked like he was seeping into the shadowstone all around him. “Removing Kolis from the throne does benefit me.”
“True,” Ash said after a moment. “I imagine you will be lingering in Lethe, then?”
“Unless I want to face an untimely death, I will. Some of us aren’t so privileged as to have a Fate at our beck and call,” he said, clearly referencing Penellaphe—and, by extension, Holland.
“Fine,” Ash said after a moment. “You’re more than welcome.”
“Thank you.” Thierran inclined his head.
“But,” Ash continued, and I tensed, recognizing that too-low, too-level tone, “if you try any of your shit, I will do worse to you than Kolis could even imagine.”
Well, I was pretty sure I knew who had given Thierran those scars.
And I really wanted to know what his shit was.
“I don’t have a death wish,” Thierran replied, his gaze briefly flickering to me. “I’m the least of your concerns.”
Air lodged in my throat. Something about how he’d said that…
I shook my head. “Would either of you like something to drink?”
“I’m good,” Attes answered.
I looked at Thierran. “You?”
“I’ll never turn down an offered drink,” he said. “It’s bad manners to do so.”
Attes snorted.
“I’ll grab something from the dining hall,” Rhain said, jogging from the room.
I returned my attention to the oneirou. “Exactly how did you figure out what they were up to?”