Page 134 of Born of Blood and Ash

Aydun took my hand instead of responding. Swirling mistsuddenly surrounded us as he shadowstepped to thecanopy of golden trees.

“Gods,” I hissed, my head feeling like it was spinning.“Didn’t I tell you that I would appreciate a heads-up next time?”

“I forgot,” he replied. “Do you want to know how I think themeeting went?”

Exhaling roughly, I turned to him. A beam of sunlight slicedacross his face. “Not particularly.”

He looked unimpressed with my answer. “I believe it went asexpected.”

“What part went as expected? Him offering a deal? Me havingto come up with one on the spot when I should’ve been warned of such before wegot here?” I asked, my frustration nearly boiling over. “Or him exploiting whathe did to—” I cut myself off and looked away, pressing my lips together.

“I was not certain that he would attempt to make a deal,”Aydun stated. “But even if I was, advising you of the possibility would’ve beenunfair.”

I had to take an entire step back before I did somethingregretful. “You know what’s unfair? Whatever the fuck your idea of balance andfairness is. Because to everyone but the Ancients, it really feels like none ofthat applies to Kolis.”

“That is not the case.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“Is it?” His unflinching stare held mine. “Does Kolis strikeyou as someone who is happy with their lot in life? Fulfilled?”

I opened my mouth but then closed it. The only time I couldremotely say that I thought Kolis appeared even somewhat happy was when hebelieved I was Sotoria.

“Kolis was not always like he is now,” Aydun continued aftera moment, a far-off look settling across his features. “He was not without hisflaws, but he was once fair and gentle. Kolis was feared, while his brother waswelcomed. Dreaded, while Eythos was celebrated.Isolated and lonely, when his twin was surrounded by many. And while the other Primals could enter the mortal realm and spend time amongthem to retain some semblance of humanity, he could only do so for shortperiods and without interaction to avoid spreading death. He is the true Primalof Death, and mortals have never been able to come to terms with the knowledgethat everything that begins must end. A millennium of that changed him. Whilemany others are unable to see that, you have been able to.”

My gaze cut back to him. Exactly how much were the Ancientsable to see? Know?

“And that is no excuse for what he has done to others andyou,” he said, and I sucked in a reedy breath. “But he has not gone unpunished,Seraphena. Anything he has ever wanted or needed hasbeen kept from him or eventually taken away.”

“Maybe that is true,” I started.

“It is,” he cut in. “We cannot lie.”

“Okay. So, that is true. He’s been punished, but none ofthat has deterred him.”

Aydun’s gaze lowered. “I cannot argue against that.”

It took me several moments to respond, and I only did sobecause I wanted to return to Ash. “How long do we have to answer whether ornot we accept the deal?”

“I assume that means you already know your answer?”

“I do, and it is no.”

Aydun nodded. “It is customary to give a full moon cycle.”

“By mortal or Dalos standards?”

“Mortal.”

So, a month. That was a long time to wait for an answer. Myfangs scraped my pursed lips. But didn’t I already know what the answer wouldbe? I lifted my gaze to the Ancient. “You said that preventing war was a threadnot seen. Has that changed?”

The Ancient laughed softly. “If it had, I could not tellyou, and you know that.”

I did, but that didn’t mean I had to like it. Shaking myhead, my gaze flickered over the golden leaves as I looked in the direction ofCor Palace. “Should I…?” I closed my eyes, not wanting to give the doubt avoice, but I couldn’t stop myself. “Should I have just accepted his offer?”

“Did instinct tell you to do so?”

I shook my head.

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