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)
“Isn’t it usually?” Keella leaned forward and picked up a slice of cantaloupe. “But with prophecies, sometimes you must read between the lines.”
The thing was, though, Ward had been correct. This was what Eythos had planned. And that had to mean he knew exactly what the prophecy meant.
“You said that some of the prophecy is about Kolis?” Ash asked.
“Yes, but he is too arrogant to realize what role he’ll play in the end.”
My stomach hollowed. “In the end?”
“That is what the prophecy warns of,” she said, her voice dropping. “It is the end of all that is known. The rise of a Primal of Blood and Bone and the Awakening of the Ancients.”
Walking toward Ash’s office the following morning, I tugged on the lacing of my vest. For some reason, the top felt tighter. Either that or my breasts were way more sensitive than usual.
I stopped messing with it as I came upon the shadowstone pillars and heard Ash speaking with Attes. He’d sent word to the Primal last night to come when he could so we could share with him what we’d learned from Keella.
Attes rose from where he sat before Ash’s desk and faced me. “I didn’t get a chance to do this, but I need to apologize for my brother’s behavior—”
“Let me stop you right there,” I interrupted. “You’re the last person who needs to apologize for him. You’re not responsible for what he has done, and his behavior does not reflect upon you.”
Attes exhaled heavily, nodding. “Thank you.” He cleared his throat and returned to his seat. “Nyktos was just telling me you guys might have found an answer to one of our most pressing problems.”
“Yeah.” I sat on the edge of the desk, not liking the idea of talking to Attes’s back if I had chosen the settee. We really needed more chairs. “Is this the first you’ve heard of celastite?”
“It is.” Attes leaned back, resting one leather-encased ankle atop the other knee. “Kind of ironic that the location of where the Ancients first arrived can nullify their essence.”
“I’m sure it has something to do with balance and makes no sense,” I remarked.
“Saion is heading out to Oak Ambler today to see if he can locate the caverns,” Ash shared. “Crolee is going with him. If he can find them, he’ll see how deep they are.”
“We don’t want Kolis any place near the surface,” I added. “The last thing we want is for someone to stumble upon him.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Attes said. “I can send some of my gods to help if we need to go deeper.”
“That would be good. Thank you,” Ash said, and I was happy to hear those two words come out of his mouth.
Saion and Rhain showed up then, and Attes rose to leave and wrangle a few of his most trusted gods.
As Ash spoke with Rhain and Saion, I followed Attes out into the hall. I’d thought of something during our quick meeting—something I believed he could answer for me.
There was also something I wanted to say to him.
Attes raised an eyebrow as I fell into step beside him. “You do realize that your husband will likely make good on his earlier threat when he realizes you are out here with me.”
I smiled. “He wouldn’t.”
Attes sent me a knowing look.
“I won’t let him,” I amended. “There’s something I wanted to ask you. In private.”
As we walked, Attes ran his fingers over his chest. A faint ripple of silvery light washed over his sleeveless gray tunic, revealing a bronze-and-shadowstone chestplate when it receded.
“Neat ability,” I remarked.
“Isn’t it?” Attes stopped behind one of the chairs from the right side of the table. “It ensures that I am always prepared for battle. Figured it would be wise to don the armor just in case you’re not faster than Nyktos.” He smiled, but it was a little empty.
I looked up at him. There were deep shadows under his eyes, and I didn’t need the vadentia to tell me the cause. “I’m sorry.”
His head jerked toward me. “For what?”
“For your brother.”
Attes quickly looked away. “Fuck, Seraphena, don’t apologize for him.”
“I know Eythos still loved his brother. That was how Kolis was able to kill him.” I stared ahead. “And I know you still love yours, even though he’s a fucking asshole.”
He remained silent.
A lump formed in the back of my throat, and tears stung my eyes because there wasn’t a single part of me that doubted Attes’s oath to Ash and me, nor the very real likelihood that he would find himself facing off against his brother.
I cleared my throat. “There is something else I need to tell you about him.”
He inhaled sharply, his eyes flashing pure silver for a heartbeat. “Did he do something to you? Before Kolis believed you were Sotoria?”
I recoiled, taking a step back. “No. Gods, no. Why would—? Never mind. I know why you would ask that.” My voice was low as my stomach churned. “You know exactly who your brother is.”