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)
“Do you think that some of the entombed gods have had a change of heart? Or were you just trying to make a point?” I asked.
“Not all the entombed gods committed unforgivable crimes, Sera. Some made bad choices. Some acted upon Kolis’s orders because they were given little choice.” Eather glowed faintly in his eyes, and I was reminded of Attes stating nearly the same thing. “A few were likely far less guilty than I am given the crimes I’ve committed.”
My heart twisted as I whispered, “Like what?”
His fingers stilled. “Kolis didn’t tell you?”
I shook my head. “He didn’t tell me anything about you, and that is the truth.”
Ash was quiet for a few moments, then dropped my hair. I wasn’t surprised he hadn’t elaborated, but I was disappointed. He never went into detail about the things he’d done. All I knew had been learned from others. But how could I hold it against him when I wasn’t sharing everything with him either?
I couldn’t.
“I can’t believe how different the Shadowlands already looks,” Ash noted, coming to the railing. “It’s a miracle.”
It did feel that way. “How long do you think it will take before all the grass comes back?”
“Not sure. Could be days. Maybe even weeks,” he said. “If the rivers return, it would be faster.”
“I imagine quite a significant rainfall would be needed for that to occur.” With more and more gods arriving in Lethe, I wasn’t sure we had the time to allow nature to run its course. A rush of something akin to restlessness surged through me. “Several rainfalls.”
Ash made a sound of agreement.
“And who knows when that will happen? Unless the Shadowlands once had a rainy time of year, and we are about to enter it.”
“We had one, but that season is months away,” he said as he briefly looked over his shoulder. “We’ll be encroaching upon winter.”
Stroking Reaver’s head, I remembered what he’d said about how the winters had once been full of snow, and while that would help fill the dried riverbeds, I doubted it would be enough. Plus, the grass would likely die again by then, this time naturally. Which meant we were months from seeing the Shadowlands truly come alive.
Disappointment filled me, even though there were far more important things to be concerned about. But seeing life return to the Shadowlands felt equally important. So much could happen between now and then. There was no guarantee that any of us would be in the right state of mind to enjoy the miracle of life returning. My chest tightened. Gods, there was no guarantee that any of those residing in the Shadowlands would even be here then.
Throat thickening, I looked at Ash, tracking the striking lines of his face. I wanted the residents of the Shadowlands to have that experience now. I wanted him to enjoy that beauty. But it felt like…more than that. As if there was another reason it was so important, but one I didn’t know.
Pressure immediately clamped down harder on my chest. The response was silly, but other than Aios, I hadn’t seen any of the other Shadowlands gods, and despite the honor they had shown me when they believed I was dying, I had no idea where I stood with most of them now. I hadn’t made the greatest first, second…or tenth impression with them. They would support me, but I was sure it was mostly because of their loyalty to Ash.
And it was more than just how they responded to me. I knew I was the Queen. I accepted that. But was I ready to behave as one?
“We don’t have to meet with them right now,” Ash offered, angling his body toward mine. “We can do it later tonight.”
A tiny part of me wanted to take him up on the offer, but that was cowardly. “I’m ready.”
Ash didn’t budge, so I pushed off the railing and went toward the doors on strangely weak legs. “I just need to find a comb and do something with this hair.”
Ash and Reaver followed. “They can come back later tonight or even tomorrow morning.”
“Just give me a moment to—” I squeaked in surprise as Ash appeared in front of me. “I’m so going to do that to you every chance I get,” I warned, trying to sidestep him.
“Looking forward to it,” he replied dryly. “We don’t have to meet with anyone right now.”
“I know.” I crossed my arms. “But I want to.”
Ash arched a brow.
“What?” I challenged as Reaver landed on the arm of the couch.
“I don’t think you realize how much you project.” He ignored the glare I shot him. “Your anxiety spiked.”
“My anxiety is always spiking.”
“It doesn’t need to be right now.” His eyes searched mine. “And you don’t need to be bothered right now.”
“It’s not a bother, Ash.”
Eather pulsed in his eyes. “We will have to disagree on that.”