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 took a deep breath and held it for the count of five as I turned my attention to the ancient, sprawling Temple on the bluff to our right. The thing was massive, the length the same as the House of Haides.
“It was one of the first Temples erected,” Ash said, following my gaze. “Where Ancients once greeted mortals.”
The Temple must have been a sight to behold. It was impressive even now, with its fractured walls and half-crumbling pillars bearing the scars of war and time. The defiant roof remained, as well as several halls and some inner walls of chambers.
Exhaling for the count of five, I looked past the ruins. “I hate waiting.”
“Never would’ve guessed that,” Ash remarked, his gaze piercing the horizon.
Time stretched thin and taut as we waited for the serpent to lift his head from his lair. I wasn’t sure how long we’d been here, but I knew it had to be past the time when Kolis agreed to meet.
Eather pulsed. “What if I was wrong?” I whispered in a voice barely louder than the rattle of leaves.
“You’re not.” Ash’s thumb swept over my marriage imprint. “You know that. He’s just trying to assert control.” His silvery gaze met mine. “But he has no control. Not over us. Not over what will happen.”
I nodded, forcing myself to inhale again. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m just—”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” he interrupted, squeezing my hand as he lowered his head to kiss me. “Being anxious is normal.”
My lips tingled when he returned his attention to the sea. I found myself staring at the ruins once more. The Temple was on the brink of collapse, sustained only by deeply rooted desperation and deception but very close to completely collapsing under one strong wind. It sort of mirrored Kolis’s reign, didn’t it? And Ash and me? We were the storm that would topple the false King’s dominion.
Tension charged the atmosphere as I cast my gaze to the horizon, where the seas disappeared into the sky.
“There they are,” murmured Ash.
My eyes narrowed as white-tipped waves formed and were replaced by quick bursts of color—vivid blues, glittering pinks, and intense greens. Line after line formed, their fins silently slicing through the water. They were fast, giving only seconds-long glimpses of their muscular arms and sleek bodies undulating in the water as sunlight filtered through the waves and glinted off shadowstone swords secured firmly to their backs. As they drew closer, I could make out cloth the color of the sea, partially covering their chests and tails.
Well, at least our forces would not have to fight against nude regiments. That seemed like it would be rather distracting.
A sudden pulse of thought, urgent and clear, reached me. Meyaah Liessa, Nektas called. We have spotted Phanos’s fleet.
My free hand fisted. “Phanos’s ships have been seen.”
Ash’s lip peeled back in a quiet snarl as he released my hand and stepped forward. Anger and bitter disappointment rose, stoking the eather. The corners of my vision turned white as I stepped up on the rock beside Ash.
I’d known that Kolis would not honor his word and come alone. We hadn’t. And I’d also known Phanos would show. None of that was surprising. Still, I couldn’t get past the fact that he stood with Kolis. That his fear of the Primal god was that great. Or maybe it wasn’t fear. Perhaps Saion and Rhahar were correct, and Phanos simply preferred that things not change. Static danced over my skin. It didn’t matter either way.
Ash turned, placing his hand on my cheek. Where I stood on the rock, put us at eye level. “Phanos made his choice,” he said, the timbre of his steady voice contrasting with the storm brewing within my very being. “And he will die today for it.”
He would.
Concentrating, I followed Nektas’s imprint. The moment they near the bay, let me know.
Will do.
Ash’s fingers found mine once more. Our hands clasped, entwined like the roots of the ancient trees surrounding us. I looked at him. His gaze met mine. There was so much love and strength there that I felt the eather rippling inside me. But there was also a pinch of concern to the line of his mouth as his other hand clasped the back of my head.
“There are no more lines to be crossed, liessa. If you need to use the essence, do not hold back,” he said, drawing his thumb over my pulse. “Unleash everything you have in you to protect yourself and our children. That will not make you the kind of monster you fear.” His eyes searched mine. “It will only make you a mother defending our babes’ lives, and that is all that matters. Understood?”
Drawing in a staggered breath, I nodded. “I will not hold back.”
“And you will not let any of it leave a mark,” he commanded, eyes lighting with eather.