Page 151 of Born of Blood and Ash

“With the last King Lesly, who only had a daughter. Aprincess married to…” I swallowed, unable to say it because it was toounbelievable. “After the marriage, King Lesly was overthrown by the Lords ofthe Vodina Isles, and a new King was installed.”

“That is what I heard.” His eyes searched mine. “You knowwho that princess was? Who she became?”

“I do,” I said, my voice hoarse. “My mother.”

“But you’re wrong about the name of Ronan’s mother. She wascalled Phena,” Ward continued after a moment. “But that was a pet name the Kingcalled her. Her full name was Seraphena. Yournamesake.”

I knew this. I’d seen it. Heard it. But still, my eyesclosed tight. It took me several moments to speak. “I…I didn’t know that mymother had named me after her great…whatever.”

“Then she did not tell you what Seraphenabecame known as?”

I gave a curt shake of my head and opened my eyes.

“The Silver Knight,” he said. “The warrior Queen who foughtalongside her husband and her people in battle. Her name, even now, issynonymous with honor and duty. A name that was never repeated throughout theannals of time until Calliphe, the once Princess of Vodina, named her only daughter such.” A faint smileappeared. “And that is why I was rewarded all those years ago. By saving herand Ronan, I ensured that another bearing her name would eventually be born—onethat would usher in great change.”

Pressing my hands to my sides, I tried to speak but didn’tknow what to say.

I was shocked and wasn’t sure which was more confounding.That Ward had become the first viktorbecause he’d saved my ancestor, ensuring that I was born generations later? Orthat my mother had named me after someone who had clearly been a badass.

A murderous badass.

But the other Queen kind of had it coming.

“May I rise now?” Penellapheasked.

“Oh, gods,” I gasped. “Yes. I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize.” Penellaphestraightened, smoothing her hands over the waist of her gown. “I see the Primalforesight is developing in you.”

“When it wants to.” I glanced at Ward. “I feel like I shouldthank you.”

A faint smile appeared on his weathered face. “There is alsono need for that. It’s not like I knew what would come of the act. I just didwhat I felt was right.”

“So few people do that,” I murmured, thinking about…well,myself.

Penellaphe smiled. “You may wonderwhy we’ve come, but I must say something first. Before you tried to summonHolland, I felt…a ripple of power. Of life.” She clasped a hand overher wrist. “I knew it had come from here, from you, so I expected somethingupon arriving. But I was still unprepared for what I saw here. I’m sure mostpeople expect the Court ruled by death to be a dark and gloomy place, but thatwas never what the Shadowlands was. It’s not what death is supposed to be. Ithas always been a place of beauty, even in its darkest corners. Part of mefeared I would never see the Shadowlands as it was before.” Her eyes glimmered,and her voice thickened. “But you restored it.”

I didn’t know what to say as I glanced between the two.Saying ‘thank you’ felt weird. I shifted uncomfortably as Reaverwatched me. “I just did what I felt I needed to,” I finally said, clearing mythroat. “And I didn’t even know everything that would happen. I just wanted torestore the river.” I cleared my throat. “Anyway, I assume Holland sent you?”

Penellaphe nodded. “He was unableto answer but hoped we may be of aid.”

It was hard to extinguish the spark of annoyance anddisappointment that Holland hadn’t come himself, but Rhain would be proud tohear that I managed to find my manners. “Would either of you like something todrink?”

“That would be much appreciated,” Penellapheanswered. “Shadowstepping always makes me quitethirsty.”

“And me nauseous,” Ward remarked.

“I will make sure refreshments are sent,” Rhahar announced and bowed curtly.

“Thank you.”

The god turned, looping an arm around Kars. The godling wasimmobile, staring wide-eyed at Ward. Sending me a wink, Rhaharall but dragged Kars from the chamber as I wondered about Kars’ reaction toWard. It was a little odd.

As the doors clicked closed behind us, I faced the two. Bothremained standing. I swallowed a sigh. “You can sit if you want.”

“Thank you.” Penellaphe returnedto the settee, and Ward joined her. “I know there must be something you wish toknow, but I need to ask how you are doing first.”

“Other than being slightly unprepared for my new…place inthings?” I said as I moved to the settee situated across from them. Sitting, Ipatted the cushion beside me. “I am well.”

---