Page 149 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Does it really have to be one or the other?” I countered,glancing between the two. “Because I’m not like Kolis. I don’t need my egorepeatedly stroked.”

“Kolis is greeted as such out of fear.” Rhahar’shand fell to the hilt of his sword. “And because he demands it. We address youas such because it is owed. Deserved.”

I started to argue that I hadn’t done anything as theirQueen to deserve such, but Reaver tugged on the sleeve of my tunic.

“Yes?”

“You are respected,” he said in that quiet,far-too-wise voice for one as young as he was. “And Nek told me thatacknowledging the thoughts and emotions of others is how you repay theirrespect with yours.”

I stared at the youngling, my lips pursing. The fact that aten-year-old was giving me sage advice was probably a good indication that Ihad a lot of maturing to do.

“Okay,” I said, turning back to the two guards. “I won’tcontinue to complain.”

Rhahar ducked his chin, but notbefore I saw a look that said he didn’t quite believe that.

Couldn’t blame him.

I faced the other guard. “I don’t believe we’ve met before.”

“No, we haven’t,” she said, her bright amber gaze meetingmine. “I’m Iridessa.”

“That’s a pretty name,” I said.

“Thank you.” Pink blossomed on her cheeks, spreading acrossthe small bridge of her nose. She was clearly as good at accepting complimentsas I was. “Some visitors are quite insistent that they speak with you.”

Rhahar’s expression hardened atonce. “Who is it?” he asked before I could.

“It is the goddess Penellaphe,”answered Iridessa. “And a man named Ward.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

My summons had worked.

Kind of.

The goddess Penellaphe had notonly spoken large portions of the prophecy, but she was also intimatelyinvolved with Holland, and Vikter Ward was, well, I wasn’t quite sure exactlywhat he was other than the first viktor—thosewho guarded someone the Fates believed would fulfill some purpose or bringabout great change. Even mortals bound to commit terrible deeds could end upwith a viktor, as messed up as that was, butthe Arae used them to aid without upsetting their precious balance.

I still didn’t see how sending in a viktordidn’t upset the balance. Seemed like a loophole large enough that anentire kingdom could fall through it.

They weren’t Holland, but as Reaver—in his draken form—and I were led to a chamber in a wing of thepalace opposite Ash’s office, I doubted their visit was coincidental.

Iridessa brought us to the space near the chamber that Jadishad almost burned down—one I doubted had been used in decades. I couldn’t helpbut think about how Ector used to keep them clean despite their lack of use so Eythos could be remembered.

I supposed hiring someone to keep them clean was a way wecould honor Ector.

As Iridessa opened the double doors and then stepped aside,bowing toward me before taking her leave, I swallowed the knot of sadnessbefore it could expand.

Two figures sat on the ivory-cushioned settee. The male viktor placed something dark and squareonto the thin table behind him as they rose. I wasn’t sure what it was, but mygaze immediately went to the goddess. It was impossible for it not to.

Penellaphe stood out in starkcontrast to the bare shadowstone walls and sterilewhite furniture. Everything about her was vibrant. The gown reminded me of theblades of grass now growing in the Shadowlands. She had long, honey-hued hairand bronzed skin, and her sea-blue eyes were nearly the same as the man’s who hadtraveled with her.

Ward appeared as he had when he placed the charm on me, likea mortal who had seen several decades. Sending Reaver, who had flown in behindme, a wary look, he moved to stand beside the goddess.

They both began to lower themselves into deep bows. “Youdon’t need…” The skin below my ear began to tingle as I stared at thesandy-haired male. It happened so fast, I couldn’t even stop it. Thoughts beganto form, coming together to answer what I hadn’t known moments before.

“You were created,” I blurted out.

Penellaphe’s head lifted slightly.“Excuse me?”

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