Page 162 of Born of Blood and Ash

Now that the shock of seeing Attes’sblack eye had faded, all sorts of messy emotions rose in me. I was happy to seehim. Attes had helped me when I was held in Dalos, but he had seen a lot, and that brought forth somuch anxiety it was no wonder I’d felt like I might vomit earlier. His presencealso stirred up shame. And no matter how much I knew I shouldn’t feel that, Icouldn’t stop my skin from feeling like it was crawling.

I looked away and drew in a shallow breath. “I feel the needto apologize for my husband’s ill-advised actions.”

“There is no need,” Attes said.

“That, we can agree on,” Ash remarked.

Attes stepped closer. “Your eyes.I’ve never seen anything like them.”

My ears prickled at the low rumble of warning coming fromAsh.

A gleam sparkled in Attes’s onegood eye, and it had nothing to do with the eather.“They are absolutely beautiful,” he went on as if completely oblivious to thedark energy ramping up on the veranda. “Stunning.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I guess they happened because there’snever been a true Primal of Life who was born mortal, so…” I gave aone-shouldered shrug.

“No,” Attes said, practicallypurring the word. “There has not.”

“You’re showing a little too much respect,” Ashadvised coolly. “Keep it up and you’ll find yourself neutered.”

I nearly choked. “Really?”

“Really.”

“That’s a painful process I hope not to experience.” Attes chuckled, and a deep dimple appeared on his rightcheek amid the bruises. The glint of devilry faded from his smile. It was thenthat I noticed the shadows under his eyes. A pang lit up my chest. He didn’tlook like he’d gotten a lot of sleep, and I figured that had to do with hisbrother.

His enemy.

He took my hand, and two things happened. A faint charge ofenergy passed between us. And the Primal behind me growled.

“Ash,” I snapped, exasperated.

“It’s all right. He’s only being protective of you. As heshould,” Attes said. I wasn’t sure I agreed withthat, especially considering Ash knew better. “I am glad to see that you arewell. When I saw you last…”

I swallowed thickly, nodding at what went unsaid. When wewere at the Primal Keella’s residence in the Thyia Plains, I’d clearly been dying. I hadn’t thought Iwould see him again, either.

“But here you stand, alive and the true Primal of Life. Icould not be happier.” He glanced at Ash. “And that is all because of you.”

Ash said nothing as he stepped up and slipped an arm aroundmy waist.

“And because of you.” I squeezed Attes’shand. “I don’t remember if I thanked you for your aid while I was in Dalos. But even if I did…thank you.”

“There’s no need.”

“There is,” I insisted. Ash’s cool chest brushed my back.“If you hadn’t taken the risk and told me I wasn’t Sotoria,I would’ve seriously tried to kill Kolis. And it wouldn’t have worked. Hewould’ve known the truth, and I would either be dead or…”

Or worse.

That also went unsaid.

Ash’s lips brushed my cheek. “She speaks the truth.”

Attes’s smile was small andheartfelt, but there, as he released my hand. “He already thanked me once. Noneed to do it again.”

Raising a brow, I looked over my shoulder at Ash. “Youactually thanked him?”

“Yes.” He kissed my temple. “I told you. We worked thingsout.”

“With your fists,” I muttered.

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