Page 209 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Sera—”

“It’s the truth.”

“Diaval knows.” Eather pulsedthrough his dark golden-brown eyes. “The damn drakenoverheard everything. I know what Kolis asked for in exchange for my freedom.”

Tonight, we’ll share the same bed.

I couldn’t feel my feet. “Nothing happened,” I insisted.“Kolis only wanted to sleep in the same bed. He didn’t try anything.” Theessence sparked within me, and I had to count to five to quell it. “It wasnothing, and that is the truth.”

“I…” Rhain swallowed and looked away. “It doesn’t matter ifthat is the truth when it’s not what others believe. Maybe that is wrong of meto say, but it’s reality. And maybe what I’m about to say is also wrong.” Hiseyes met mine. “Talk to Nyktos. Tell him beforesomeone takes what should be your words to share and weaponizes them.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE

Standing on the balcony outside the chamberconnected to our bedchambers, I felt Ash’s return from the Pillars as I watcheda draken with violet-tinged scales and two curledhorns fly over the courtyard. Based on Reaver’s description, I assumed it was Hymeria, one of the five female draken.She landed on the Rise beside Ehthawn, and the largerdraken brushed his head over hers like I’d seenReaver once do with Jadis. I pushed the damp hair from my face and then turned,grateful that Ash hadn’t come back when I’d been vomiting up Veses’ too-sweet, flowery blood.

I walked into the antechamber as the main doors opened,stopping at the side of the oval table. An aura of power flooded the space, andthe room seemed to shudder in the heartbeats before Ash entered.

Thin wisps of shadowy eatherswirled around his leather-encased legs as he stalked forward, his chin down.Strands of thick hair brushed the hard line of his jaw.

“I’m okay,” I was quick to assure him.

Ash said nothing, just stepped onto the dais. He crossed thedistance between us, clasping my cheeks and tilting my head back. “That is nottrue.”

“It is—”

His flesh began to thin. “There are red marks on your leftcheek that weren’t there before.”

I jolted, not having noticed that when I washed my faceearlier. It had to be from when Veses’ eather had skimmed my face. “They don’t hurt.”

“I’m relieved to hear that.”

Tiny bumps broke out all over my skin in response to thechill. “You sure about that?”

“Yes.” Eather lit up the veins in his jaw.

I folded my hands over his forearms. “I’m completely fine.”

“There is blood in your hair, Sera.”

“Shit,” I muttered. “I thought I got it all out.” Shadowsappeared beneath his skin, and I hastily added, “It’s not my blood. It’s Veses’.”

Ash’s eyes flashed pure silver as the shadows deepened andmoved faster. “So, that was the cause of what you felt?”

“What exactly did you feel?”

“Anger,” he growled as the room’s temperature dropped evenmore. “I tasted hot, acidic anger.”

My stomach churned. “That doesn’t sound pleasant.”

“What was she doing here?”

“She wanted to see you.” Little misty puffs punctuated mywords. I slid my hands to his chest, hoping to ease his anger. “Obviously, Ididn’t take too kindly to that, but…” I glanced at the wall beside us and did adouble-take. A fine layer of glittering ice spread across the sleek shadowstone. “Is that frost?” My gaze shifted backto Ash. Little of his bronze flesh was visible now. I grabbed his dark graytunic. “I’m completely okay. I promise. Veses, on theother hand… Not so much.”

His eather-drenched eyes searchedmine. “Honestly?”

“Yes.” I rose on tiptoe and kissed his icy lips. “There isno need to worry.”

A shudder went through him. “I feared it was…”

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