Page 157 of Born of Blood and Ash

My breath caught. The way she said that—so simply. As if itwere the only reason needed.

And it was.

It really was.

“Attes said the Fates could’veintervened and made it so Sotoria and I were not oneand the same as a way to restore the balance,” I said. “But I got theimpression that Holland believed I was Sotoria.”

“As did I,” Penellaphe admitted,creases forming in her brow again. “But if he knew or even suspected that what Eythos did hadn’t worked, and depending on what that kindof knowledge may have impacted, he would not have been able to say anything.”

My jaw tightened. “I don’t like it, but I get it. Especiallyin this situation where both Eythos and Kolis did anumber on fate and balance.” I was rather proud of my response. What came outof my mouth next ruined it, though. “It’s still fucking annoying.”

Penellaphe’s lips twitched.

“Her soul?” Ward cut in, drawing my attention. Tensionbracketed his mouth. “Does it still remain in you?”

“I didn’t want her soul in me when it came time for Nyktos to take the embers,” I shared. “I thought I wasgoing to die, and her soul…”

“It would’ve been lost,” Penellaphefinished, her voice troubled. “She would’ve been lost.” Her eyeswidened. “You found The Star. Is that…?” The goddess blanched as if shecouldn’t bring herself to say it.

“Yes. Her soul is in there. For now.” Rubbing the heels ofmy palms over my knees, I thought everything over. I had more questions thanI’d had before. Frustration rose, but I knew it wasn’t Penellaphe’sfault. “Which means using The Star to transfer the embers anytime soon is outof the question.”

“Back to the part about Eythos’splan,” Ward began after a moment, stretching out a long leg. “I know I don’tknow much.”

“That’s not true.” Penellaphe’ssmile turned fond. “You often figure things out before I do.”

“We’ll have to disagree on that,” he replied, and I had tothink, for someone who lived as long as he had and would, there waslikely a lot he knew. “But what if we’re wrong about what Eythosactually planned? Sometimes, we start off thinking one thing and stick with itdespite new information or evidence that points to the contrary of what webelieve.”

Reaver eyed him and then lifted his head, listeningintently.

“And in this case?” Ward dragged the back of his hand overhis chin, the creases at the corners of his eyes deepening. “We believe that Eythos planned for you to become this weapon, armed withthe embers and Sotoria’s soul. But what if we werewrong about what he intended?”

Penellaphe twisted toward him.“What do you mean?”

“I have to admit, I, too, have a hard time wrapping my headaround all the risks Eythos took. Though I never metthe man.” His gaze flicked to the goddess before returning to me. “I heard hecould be impulsive,” he continued, and I thought about the lyruehe’d created. “But he was also very smart. This plan we believe to be his? It’sfull of so many holes I could fall through it.” Ward dropped his hand to histhigh. “What if this—or a part of this— is what he intended all along? Thateither you or Sotoria Ascended as the true Primal ofLife, therefore truly making you the weapon he intended? One that could go toeto toe with Kolis and make sure another could take on the embers.”

Like Ash? Could Eythos haveintended that for his son instead of him becoming the true Primal of Life?

“This,” Ward repeated, his sea-blue eyes meeting mine,“could’ve been his plan all along.”

And if it was, then…

Kolis knew how The Star worked, and he knew we had it. He’deven said that Ash would be clever enough to figure out its importance. Koliswould expect us to use The Star against him, and for Ash to take the truePrimal of Death embers.

My heart felt like it stopped as my gaze fell on themarriage imprint. Although Ash and I hadn’t discussed the fact that he was aPrimal of no Court, I hadn’t forgotten that realization.

I wasn’t a threat to Kolis.

Ash was.

And that put a target on him.

Shooting to my feet, I startled the goddess and the viktor. “I need to go.”

Reaver rocked back on his hind legs, lifting his wings. Herose into the air and followed me.

“It’s all right,” I told him, not wanting him to worry.

“Is it?” Penellaphe asked.

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