Page 201 of Born of Blood and Ash

The very auburn-haired god Rhaharhad just spoken about appeared in the doorway. I tamped down the wariness thatcame with his presence. It wasn’t his fault. It was mine. All mine.

“If you’re looking for Nyktos,he’s at the Pillars,” I told him as Rhahar faced theother god.

“I know.” Rhain cleared his throat. “I’m here to see if Rhahar wanted something for lunch.”

“You saved some for me this time?” Rhaharlaughed. “I’m shocked.”

“Next time, I’ll make sure I forget,” Rhain replied beforeglancing into the office. “What about you all?”

“I’m good,” I said, turning to the younglings. “I’m surethey’re hungry, though.”

Both Jadis and Reaver nodded eagerly. The former waved atRhain, and he smiled down at her, his dark amber eyes warming.

“All right. I’ll go grab something for you all.” He startedto turn away, then stopped. “I almost forgot. Just a heads-up, Thierran is staying in one of the rooms on the second flooruntil one of the insulas becomes available.”

I nodded.

“I doubt you’ll see much of him,” Rhain quickly assured me.

Realizing my thoughts showed on my face, I shook my head.“It’s not that. Did we not have space available for him in Lethe?”

“We have space, but we’ve been saving it for those we don’twant to put in a…” He glanced at the younglings. “Complicated situation.”

He meant a dangerous situation in case a war brokeout, which made me laugh.

Rhain’s brows rose.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “It’s just funny that we’re okay withputting Thierran in a potentially complicatedsituation.”

Rhahar snorted. “You met him,right?”

I nodded. “He seems nice.”

Both gods stared at me.

“What?”

Rhahar curtly shook his head.“I’ve just never heard anyone describe Thierran as nice.”

“Or any oneirou,” Rhainmuttered and then said louder, “but especially that one. You saw him when thatthing went down in the throne room. He was more worried about getting—” Hislips pursed as he realized Reaver was listening intently. “He was more worriedabout getting stuff in his wine.”

My lips curved up. “Yeah, he was.”

“And that amuses you.” Rhain coughed. “All right, then. Ithink I’ll leave now.” He turned, frowning at the glasses on the shelf.

“Oh! I have a tiny job for you.” I clasped my hands togetheras Rhain faced me. “Is there a small table or something we can bring in here toplace refreshments and stuff on? And have it not be removed like the othertables? I would do it myself, but I’m not sure I should randomly take a tablefrom another room.”

Rhain tilted his head. “I can find one for you.”

“Great.”

“Is that all?” he asked.

I nodded and then thought differently. “Maybe an additionalchair? Or two?”

Rhain stopped at the doors. “Two chairs?” he repeated, and Inodded. “Nyktos tends to be a minimalist regardingthe spaces he spends time in.”

Didn’t I know it. “The space is big enough, isn’t it,Reaver?”

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