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 can agree with that.” Aios laughed and leaned over to kiss Bele.
Grinning, I met Ione’s stare. She stepped around them so she could hear me when I spoke in a low voice. “Any luck?”
Ione had been attempting to catch what she called an impression of Sotoria’s soul. We weren’t even sure if it was possible since it was held in The Star.
She shook her head. “Not yet,” she said, clasping her hands. “I was thinking of entering the mortal realm and seeing if that helped.”
Instinct told me that Callum was likely in possession of her soul, and it would be wise of him to stay far away from Iliseeum. But how long could he get by in the mortal realm? Thierran had also been traveling through dreams to see if he could pick up on anything, which was highly disturbing to think about, but we weren’t even sure if whatever Callum was could dream. That was something I hadn’t considered until Thierran mentioned it.
“Let me know what you find out,” I said.
“Of course.” Ione watched the couples loop arms as they met in the middle.
“I’m not sure if you’re aware of this or not,” Bele said from behind the rim of her glass, “but Jadis is currently eating your hair.”
Ione did such a quick double-take that strands of dark hair smacked her chin. “Oh, dear.”
“I think she’s mostly nibbling on it,” I said.
“As if that is better,” Reaver said under his breath.
“I agree with that, little man.” Bele winked at him.
Reaver beamed up at her.
“Are you still hungry, honey?” Aios asked, reaching up and gently tugging my hair free from Jadis’s mouth. Her silver eyes were still a shock for me to see.
Eyes big and wide, Jadis nodded her little diamond-shaped head.
I wasn’t sure how she was still hungry since she had eaten at least two platefuls. “Then let us get you back to your father.”
Jadis gave my hair a tug of happy agreement, nearly jerking my head off my shoulders.
“Wow,” Bele murmured.
I would have a sore neck by the time this night was over.
Avoiding the dancing, I skirted the edges of the Hall’s floor. As I rounded the table, Ash’s gaze followed me. I had to bite the inside of my lip to keep myself from smiling.
I came up behind Nektas. “I have something for you.”
He shifted back and lifted his hands. Jadis reached for her father with one arm. “You need to let go of her hair.”
For a second, I didn’t think she would. Several strands were stretched across the space between me and where she was nestled against Nektas’s chest.
“I fear you will have little hair left on your head,” Rhain commented from the other side of Nektas. Beside him, Rhahar hid his snort behind his glass.
Nektas sighed, gently prying his daughter’s claws free. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay.” Catching sight of Attes as I smoothed the strands, I smiled down at Reaver. “Will you do me a favor?”
He nodded eagerly.
“Can you keep Ash company for me while I speak to Attes?”
Ash raised a brow but remained silent, sipping from his cup.
“I can.” He drew out the word, looking over his shoulder at Ash while Nektas chuckled under his breath. “But he’d probably enjoy your company more.”
One side of Ash’s lips curved up.
“Not true. He always enjoys your company.” Cradling the back of his head, I kissed his blond hair and met Ash’s gaze.
He gave me a subtle nod.
The moment I let go of Reaver, he darted past Nektas and scrambled into the chair I had occupied. I watched a smile break out across Ash’s face as he shifted his attention to the youngling. When I turned, Nektas caught my arm.
“He’s not doing great,” Nektas noted in a low voice, nodding toward the colonnade’s alcove as he rubbed the spot between Jadis’s wings. “Aurelia is worried.”
I glanced up to see the female draken perched on the pillars above where Attes stood in the shadows. “I know.”
I quickly passed the long table, spotting Saion with a deck of cards. I had no idea what was going on there, but the devious glint in the Primal’s eyes and the way Theon sat across from him, shaking his head, told me Saion would likely gain some coin before the night ended.
Picking up the lacy skirt of my black gown, I climbed the short set of steps and crossed into the alcove. Attes didn’t look at me as I approached, but he gave me an elaborate bow.
I shook my head at the gesture. “Surprised to see you standing in the shadows.”
“I know. It does seem like something your husband would do.” A quick grin appeared. There was no dimple. “There’s really no reason.”
I knew that was a lie as I studied his profile. In the last two months, there had been moments when Attes seemed more like his old self. He’d do his level best to annoy Ash. He’d laugh. He’d smile. But I only saw the dimples appear when he was driving Lailah mad about something. Then, there were all the other moments where he looked like he hadn’t slept in several days. What concerned me the most was that, more and more, his features were utterly impassive, like he felt absolutely nothing.