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)
“I see what you’re attempting.” Attes pursed his lips. “You want some level of accord while knowing there will also be some level of war. That’s not impossible, but it is extremely difficult to achieve.” His stare rose. “And there’s still much to be decided.”
There was.
“I’m also about to give you another thing to consider,” Attes said. “As highly unlikely as it is, what if Kolis accepts the deal you offered? That is much like an oath, Seraphena. Breaking it would have consequences.”
“I know.” I took another deeper breath, knowing I had to own up to what I’d done. “It wouldn’t be what any of us wants, but I had to offer something. And if he does accept it? I will…” Bile gathered in the back of my throat. “I will honor it because my hatred of him and my need for vengeance cannot be greater than the lives of countless others. None of our anger can be greater than peace.”
A wistfulness filled Attes’s gaze. “You sounded so much like Eythos just then.” He shook his head. “When the Ancients created the Primals, they did so to protect the collective—all living beings—from themselves. That was our role. We were to be protectors. Guardians of men, gods, and all that is in between. And we were, for a time.” Attes’s gaze returned to the blue skies above. “I do not believe it was all emotions that changed it—changed us. I believe it was hatred, jealousy, and apathy.” His gaze lifted to mine. “Vengeance and retribution.”
“And that started with Kolis,” Ash stated.
Attes nodded. “And it’s a damn shame. Like my brother, he wasn’t always like this. I know it’s hard to believe, but neither he nor Kolis were like this before.”
“I believe you,” I said, feeling Ash’s stare. “I saw glimpses of who he was.”
Attes nodded slowly. “Your father believed Kolis could be saved.”
“And look what that got him.” Ash’s fingers stilled.
“I know,” Attes replied. “You’re not your father. Neither are you,” he said to me. “If Kolis accepts the deal and then breaks it, neither of you will give him another chance—or keep giving him chances. You will not falter like Eythos did.” He sighed. “Either way, I do not believe that any of the Primals who will potentially ally with us would fault you for attempting to make peace. Sacrifices should always be made for that. Our emotions and lives should never be greater than the collective.”
Some of the tension eased from my muscles. “That is a relief.”
Attes gave me a faint smile that didn’t reveal a dimple. “As I said, I doubt Kolis will accept the deal, but it does change things.”
I tensed. “Like what?”
“He didn’t accept or reject the deal, right? Neither did you?”
“Correct.” Ash frowned. “We have a little less than a month to make a decision.”
“That’s what I was afraid of.” Attes thrust a hand through his sandy hair. “We’ve now entered an eirini.”
“Fuck,” Ash spat, turning sideways.
Rhain leaned forward. “We haven’t entered into a truce, so how can there be an eirini?”
“But you did when neither deal was rejected or accepted,” Attes explained, tension bracketing the corners of his mouth. “I assume the Fate who oversaw the meeting didn’t remind you of the eirini?”
“No, he did not.” My fingers moved fast around the tail of my braid.
“Fucking Fates,” Thierran muttered, pouring what had to be at least his second glass of wine. Maybe his third. “There are rules during an eirini.”
The hair on the back of my neck rose as Ash cursed again. “For example, neither party is allowed to attempt to sway the other Primals and their Courts to raise arms against the other, which means Kolis didn’t order Kyn to use his Dogs of War.”
Attes’s upper lip curled. “Knowing my brother, he likely believed he could either capture or wound Nyktos, thus gaining Kolis’s approval.”
“I should’ve thought about that possibility.” Ash dragged a hand down his face.
“But an eirini has rarely been needed,” Attes said. “It’s understandable that it would be forgotten. It didn’t even cross my mind until Lailah mentioned the deal.”
“Yeah, but it’s more than just not being able to sway the other Primals.” A muscle ticked in Ash’s jaw. “The eirini mostly applies to the one who was first offered a deal.”
Attes nodded, and Saion shook his head. “Meaning you can’t do shit, while the same doesn’t apply to Kolis.”
My mouth dropped open. “That…that’s bullshit!” Eather hummed through me.
“Yeah, well, if you ask the Fates, I’m sure they’ll say it’s to keep the balance by ensuring that any deal is made in good faith,” Thierran said, sitting down.
I started to pace. “And I’m betting Kolis was fully aware of this.”
“I’m sure he was,” Attes said. “There’s even a chance he hoped that neither of you knew about the eirini. If you were to proceed with your plan to meet with the Primals, there would be consequences. And knowing the Fates, it would be something really fucked up.”