Page 189 of Born of Blood and Ash

I swallowed. “Message received.”

“Good.” He exhaled heavily.

“You were sort of fucking with him out there. In case youdidn’t realize,” I pointed out.

“That’s because Thierran has justenough common sense to know I will do exactly as I warned without hesitation.”

“Oh.” My lips pursed. “I’m guessing they’re really good atblocking their minds from others?”

“Yes. Not even I can easily read their emotions withoutmaking it known that I am doing so. And I know what I’m doing.” His gaze metmine. “You’re still figuring out your abilities.”

“I said I wouldn’t.”

He didn’t look away. “And I also know you’re incrediblycurious and impulsive.”

“I’m not—you know, I can’t even deny that,” I said, and Ashchuckled. “Do you think we can still go to the ThyiaPlains?”

“I think so. We just need to be careful with what we say.”

I was relieved to hear that, and then I got a littledistracted by all the sleek flesh on display. After he dried off, we talked alittle about the eirini and what itmeant. He stressed again that it wasn’t that big of a deal, but it made me feellike we were spinning our wheels. Then he briefly checked in withRhain—something I felt was actually expected of me. I kept forgetting.When he returned, I had just finished readying myselffor bed. I stepped out of the bathing chamber in a thin, silky nightgown thatreminded me of the color of Aios’s hair.

Ash’s eyes flared to a heated silver as he crossed thechamber. “Beautiful,” he murmured, stopping near me.

He kissed the skin beside the gown’s thin strap. The tips ofmy breasts tightened, and I shivered at the touch. “I’ll be right back.”

I nodded as he entered the bathing chamber. Dragging my hairover my shoulder, I climbed into bed and pulled the blanket up.

Ash returned, drawing to a halt as he saw me. An eyebrowrose. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I frowned. “Why?”

“You’re holding the blanket to your chin.”

“Oh.” I looked down to see that I was, in fact, clutchingthe soft fur to my chin. I eased up on my grip as Ash undressed.

I expected him to join me, but he didn’t until he pulled ona pair of loose-fitting linen pants, keeping his back to me. That was odd. Orwas it? He didn’t always sleep nude. Prodding at a fang, I watched as hesettled in beside me.

He didn’t roll onto his side to face me, which also feltstrange. I glanced over at him, my mouth opening and then closing. A knotlodged in my throat.

“I think we need to talk about Kyn.” Ash shattered thesilence.

I tried to swallow as I quickly averted my gaze, but it wasdifficult. “About what happened earlier? I probably should’ve stopped you.”

Ash snorted. “You really think that?”

“Both Attes and Rhain asked meto.”

“Why didn’t you?”

I lifted a shoulder and peeked over at him. “I didn’t wantto.”

“I’m glad you didn’t. I thoroughly enjoyed shutting thefucker up.” One side of his lips curled up, but it didn’t soften the tensionaround his mouth. “But I thought for a moment that I might kill him. He’s notHanan, but I was angry enough to do it—at least, it felt that way.”

I pressed my lips together.

“What he was saying?” Ash’s voice was level, but my essencethrobbed in response to the angry rise in his tone. “About Kolis offering youto him? That wasn’t the first time I heard that.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, knowing where he’d heard it, eventhough I did my best to forget it. Kolis used to talk to Ash when he visitedhim in the Carcers. So did Kyn.

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