Page 182 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Fucking Fates,” Thierranmuttered, pouring what had to be at least his second glass of wine. Maybe histhird. “There are rules during an eirini.”

The hair on the back of my neck rose as Ash cursed again.“For example, neither party is allowed to attempt to sway the other Primals and their Courts to raise arms against the other,which means Kolis didn’t order Kyn to use his Dogs of War.”

Attes’s upper lip curled. “Knowingmy brother, he likely believed he could either capture or wound Nyktos, thus gaining Kolis’s approval.”

“I should’ve thought about that possibility.” Ash dragged ahand down his face.

“But an eirini has rarelybeen needed,” Attes said. “It’s understandable thatit would be forgotten. It didn’t even cross my mind until Lailah mentioned thedeal.”

“Yeah, but it’s more than just not being able to sway theother Primals.” A muscle ticked in Ash’s jaw. “The eirini mostly applies to the one who was firstoffered a deal.”

Attes nodded, and Saion shook hishead. “Meaning you can’t do shit, while the same doesn’t apply to Kolis.”

My mouth dropped open. “That…that’s bullshit!” Eather hummedthrough me.

“Yeah, well, if you ask the Fates, I’m sure they’ll say it’sto keep the balance by ensuring that any deal is made in good faith,” Thierran said, sitting down.

I started to pace. “And I’m betting Kolis was fully aware ofthis.”

“I’m sure he was,” Attes said.“There’s even a chance he hoped that neither of you knew about the eirini. If you were to proceed with your plan tomeet with the Primals, there would be consequences.And knowing the Fates, it would be something really fucked up.”

I walked toward the dais, needing space. How could Aydunforget to mention this? Better yet, why hadn’t the vadentiawarned me? It had to be because it didn’t work when it came to my actions. “So,what are we supposed to do? Sit around and do nothing?”

Attes turned. “You can do anythingthat does not involve calling Primals to arms.” Hepaused. “And you cannot attack during the eirini.”

“Of course,” I spat, stopping at the dais. “Haven’t wealready broken the eirini? By involvingyou?”

“No, because I pledged allegiance to you before the eirini,” Attes answered.“The rule doesn’t apply to me.”

“What about him?” I nodded at Thierran.

“You asked nothing of me.” Thierranpropped his boots on the bench in front of him. “I invited myself along.” Hetook a drink. “And I’ve never been what one would consider loyal to Kolis. Andhe knows that.”

“How have you managed to stay alive with Kolis knowingthat?” I questioned.

“Because he knows if he tries to come at me, I’ll do worseto him,” Thierran stated, eatherburning behind his eyes.

I raised my brows. “Worse than death?”

He smiled. “I’ll take his dreams.”

Air whooshed out of my lungs as I held Thierran’sstare. I suspected that was worse than death because Kolis likely onlydreamed of one person.

Sotoria.

“Real convenient of Aydun to fail to mention any of this,”Ash gritted out. “Considering how understandable it is that an eirini would be forgotten.”

“Yeah.” I leaned against the dais and let my head fall back.Why did it almost always feel like the Fates were actively screwing us over? Itdidn’t make sense. Aydun wanted me to avoid war, but why didn’t he ensure Iknew the rules? “Shit.”

“It’s not a big deal,” Attesbegan.

I laughed.

“It’s really not,” he insisted as Ash approached the dais.“You just cannot involve the other Primals or attack.That’s it.”

“He’s right.” Ash stopped in front of me, taking my hands.“We can still proceed with figuring out how to entomb Kolis.”

“There’s really only one option for that,” Attes said, sitting on one of the benches opposite Rhain.“You will definitely need the bones of an Ancient.”

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