Page 143 of Born of Blood and Ash

Turning back to Kars, I spotted Saion. As he crossed thecourtyard, he cut a striking figure in a sleeveless, dark gray tunic. I wassurprised to see him since he had spoken of surveying some of the lands forcrops after the meeting with Attes.

An easy smile appeared on his handsome face as heapproached. “Heard you were looking to do some damage.”

Curious as to exactly how he’d heard that, I shifted my gripon the sword. “I wouldn’t say I was looking to do any damage.”

The curve of his lips kicked up a notch as he nodded at Karsand then focused on me. “Walk with me?”

The look of relief on Kars’ face didn’t pass me by. “Sure.”

Saion extended an arm toward the section of the Riseopposite where Jadis was. “You can leave the sword.”

Sighing, I thrust the blade into the grass. The god duckedhis chin, coughing faintly in a poor attempt to hide his laugh. I frowned asKars pivoted, practically running toward the rest of the guards as theygradually dispersed.

“I’ll be here,” Reaver announced, pulling yet another applefrom the bag. “Waiting.”

Nodding, I joined Saion and fell into step beside him. “Thathas to be his sixth apple.”

“Only six?”

My head snapped toward him.

“I’ve seen him eat fifteen in one sitting.”

“Good gods,” I murmured.

“Draken have crazy appetites,” he reminded me, tilting hischin. The sunlight glanced off his warm brown cheek. “Especially when they’rethis young. They’ll eat you out of house and home if you’re unprepared.”

“No doubt.”

“By the way, a little bird told me what you were up to,” hesaid, squinting as he turned his gaze to the pale blue sky.

“Uh-huh.” My lips pursed. “And does this little bird alsohappen to be a guard?”

“I’ll never tell.” He winked, and my eyes rolled. “But thechirping this bird did wasn’t out of malicious intent. Only concern.”

“Can we stop pretending that you were speaking to a bird?” Iasked. “And get to the point where I tell you I’m completely fine and capableof training, even though I just completed my Ascension?”

“Oh, I know you’re more than capable of training andfighting.” He stopped as we reached the shadow of the Rise. “The concern wasn’tregarding your well-being.”

“Kars?” When he nodded, my frown deepened. “Nyktos wouldn’t have done anything to him.” I saw the lookof doubt cross his features. “Okay. I wouldn’t allow him to do anything.”

“No, you wouldn’t allow that.” He rested a hand on the hiltof the sword at his hip. “But I’m not talking about Nyktos.”

“Then what…?” I stiffened. “You’re talking about me? Iwouldn’t hurt Kars.”

“You wouldn’t intend to hurt him,” he correctedgently. “But you could.”

I opened my mouth.

“You brought life back to the Shadowlands overnight. That ishow powerful you are now, and that kind of power will also affect youphysically. You don’t know your own strength, Sera. And that will take you abit to learn. The same goes for a god once they complete their Ascension.” Hisgaze met mine. “Even Nyktos didn’t train with godsfor a while after completing his Ascension. He had to make sure he fullyunderstood his strength. What feels like a soft blow to him is like a suckerpunch through the guts to one of us, and that’s not an exaggeration,” he said.“One hit from you, the true Primal of Life, and you would’ve likelybroken Kars’ arm.”

If not worse went unsaid.

“I…” I didn’t know what to say as my stomach sank. “I didn’tknow.”

“Probably just hasn’t been a topic that’s come up yet.”

I hadn’t mentioned thinking about training to Ash before heleft. He probably would have said something if I had, but… “It didn’t evencross my mind.” A bit of shame scalded my cheeks as I focused on the glossysurface of the Rise. I should’ve been more considerate. “And it should have,but I wasn’t thinking beyond occupying my time.” And my mind, Isilently added. But it was more than that. “Nyktosdoesn’t rely on the essence when fighting. None of you do. I want to make sureI don’t either.”

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