Page 184 of Born of Blood and Ash

Essence flooded my body in a hot rush as I stepped forward.I didn’t rein the power back in. Gold-tinged silver filled the corners of myvision. A glow pulsed around me, and several strands of hair began lifting offmy shoulders. “Don’t even think it, Kyn.”

He slowly turned his gaze to me. Our eyes locked asbrilliant strands of gold-and-silver eather streakedfrom my legs. One side of his lips curled up. “Weren’t you in a cage the lasttime I—”

“Finish that sentence, and I will rip out your tongue andthen feed it to you,” Ash growled, his shadows snaking out and streamingbetween the rows of benches.

Holding Kyn’s gaze, I smiled. “Finish it.”

Kyn’s nostrils flared.

“Don’t finish that sentence,” Attesintervened, holding up a hand as he glanced over his shoulder at Ash and me.“Let me handle this.”

The hazy outline of wings appeared behind Ash’s back,stretching out. “If by handle this, you mean removing him from mysight, then you’d better do it quick.”

“I want payment for my hounds,” Kyn demanded, glancing towhere Rhain stood. “He’ll do. We have some unfinished business to attend to,anyway.”

“Try it.” Rhain’s nostrils flared as Saion moved closer tohim, his hand going to his sword.

“Stop it.” Attes blocked hisbrother. “Fucking Fates, what are you thinking? You shouldn’t be here.”

“Neither should you,” Kyn retorted. “And you definitelyshould not have freed her.”

“He didn’t,” I said, fingers twitching. “I freed myself.”

“Congratulations.” Kyn blew me a kiss.

“I’m going to fucking disembowel you,” Ash promised.

“Can’t wait.” Kyn turned back to his brother. “You should bebefore our King, begging for his forgiveness after the shit you pulled.”

“That’s not going to happen.” Attesmoved toward his brother.

“Preferably on your knees.” Kyn ignored Attes.“Something I’m sure some of you are well versed in.”

Anger pumped through me. “Your insults are only slightlyless amusing than Veses’.”

Kyn huffed out a laugh. “What’s going to be amusing isseeing you try to repeat that with a dick in your—” He grunted, sliding backseveral feet before catching himself. Eather lit up the veins in his cheeks,and his head jerked back toward me.

I stood several feet from where I’d been standing before. Myreaction had been immediate, the eather rising tomeet my will seamlessly. “Watch your mouth.”

Kyn straightened. “That was a cute parlor trick.”

“Did you see what I did to Kolis?” I asked, lowering my handas I felt the throbbing awareness of a draken. “Wasthat a cute parlor trick?”

“No, that was what we like to call an act of treason.” Hefocused on his brother. “And that is exactly what you’re doing by being here.”

“Actually, it’s not, considering I no longer recognize Kolisas my King,” Attes replied. “And I didn’t long beforeshe Ascended.”

“You…you fucking idiot.” Kyn’s jaw throbbed, and he inhaledsharply. “You’re endangering your Court, Nyktos.”

“Is that so?” Ash replied in a voice that was too quiet.

“Kolis won’t stay my hand now.” A glint of eagernesssharpened his features. “He will order your Court to be returned to dust.” Hisgaze shot to the dais as the door leading to what I called the war room opened.“Along with your draken.” He let out a cutting laugh.“Even you.”

“Sure, he will.” Nektas crossedthe dais and jumped down. He exchanged a look with Ash and then planted himselfbefore me.

My narrowed-eye gaze landed on Ash. We would have to talkabout that later—like after the trash had been dealt with.

“Kyn,” warned Attes, creepingcloser to his brother, “you need to leave. Now.”

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