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)
“He knows what happened when Eythos gave Kolis too many chances.”
His gaze tracked the strand of hair he threaded through his fingers. “Yeah, and I think he was more so reminding himself.”
“Possibly,” I murmured. A huge part of me childishly hoped that Kyn and Attes wouldn’t have to come up against each other, but the very real possibility weighed heavily on my mind and heart. I had to shift my thoughts to something else. “So, Thierran? There’s something…”
“Not quite right about him?” Ash suggested.
“Yes.” I grinned. “I tried to read him but saw and felt nothing.”
Ash’s fingers stilled in my hair. “I would strongly advise against attempting that again.”
My frown returned. “Well, after that dire piece of advice, I want to try it again.”
Ash sent me a look of warning. “The oneirou can do more than just invade someone’s dreams.”
“They can steal them.”
“It is more than that. They are known by another name: Sōl Eder.”
The translation caused my stomach to dip. “Soul Eater?”
“Yes. They can manipulate the emotions of their targets—including gods and Primals—both when they sleep and while they’re awake.”
My lips parted. “I think I know what kind of shit you were talking about now when you warned him.”
“They are the only gods that can mess with us if they catch us off guard,” he said, as serious as when he ripped out Kyn’s heart. “Most are smart enough not to try it. But if they catch you in their heads, it’s in their nature to do the same in return. And what they can do is far more than learning details about a person. They can create an emotion out of nothing, including manifesting and amplifying fear. They can drive someone mad in their sleep and send a god fleeing before a sword is even raised.”
What did it say about me that I thought that ability was kind of interesting? Creepy, but definitely interesting.
“You don’t fuck with them, Sera. Not unless you plan to end them immediately after doing so.”
I swallowed. “Message received.”
“Good.” He exhaled heavily.
“You were sort of fucking with him out there. In case you didn’t realize,” I pointed out.
“That’s because Thierran has just enough common sense to know I will do exactly as I warned without hesitation.”
“Oh.” My lips pursed. “I’m guessing they’re really good at blocking their minds from others?”
“Yes. Not even I can easily read their emotions without making it known that I am doing so. And I know what I’m doing.” His gaze met mine. “You’re still figuring out your abilities.”
“I said I wouldn’t.”
He didn’t look away. “And I also know you’re incredibly curious and impulsive.”
“I’m not—you know, I can’t even deny that,” I said, and Ash chuckled. “Do you think we can still go to the Thyia Plains?”
“I think so. We just need to be careful with what we say.”
I was relieved to hear that, and then I got a little distracted by all the sleek flesh on display. After he dried off, we talked a little about the eirini and what it meant. He stressed again that it wasn’t that big of a deal, but it made me feel like we were spinning our wheels. Then he briefly checked in with Rhain—something I felt was actually expected of me. I kept forgetting. When he returned, I had just finished readying myself for bed. I stepped out of the bathing chamber in a thin, silky nightgown that reminded me of the color of Aios’s hair.
Ash’s eyes flared to a heated silver as he crossed the chamber. “Beautiful,” he murmured, stopping near me.
He kissed the skin beside the gown’s thin strap. The tips of my breasts tightened, and I shivered at the touch. “I’ll be right back.”
I nodded as he entered the bathing chamber. Dragging my hair over my shoulder, I climbed into bed and pulled the blanket up.
Ash returned, drawing to a halt as he saw me. An eyebrow rose. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I frowned. “Why?”
“You’re holding the blanket to your chin.”
“Oh.” I looked down to see that I was, in fact, clutching the soft fur to my chin. I eased up on my grip as Ash undressed.
I expected him to join me, but he didn’t until he pulled on a pair of loose-fitting linen pants, keeping his back to me. That was odd. Or was it? He didn’t always sleep nude. Prodding at a fang, I watched as he settled in beside me.
He didn’t roll onto his side to face me, which also felt strange. I glanced over at him, my mouth opening and then closing. A knot lodged in my throat.
“I think we need to talk about Kyn.” Ash shattered the silence.
I tried to swallow as I quickly averted my gaze, but it was difficult. “About what happened earlier? I probably should’ve stopped you.”
Ash snorted. “You really think that?”
“Both Attes and Rhain asked me to.”