Page 222 of Born of Blood and Ash

“He…he made this?” I asked, the piece of art blurring.

“He did,” Ash said. “Carvings and all. I asked him if hecould the last time he was here.”

Wonder filled me as I shook my head. “Wow.”

He caught a stray curl and tucked it behind my ear. “Ithought this one would be more personalized and symbolic.” His fingers lingeredfor a moment and then glided down my arm. “You’re the hand that wields theblade.”

My breath snagged. “‘A silver beast with blood seeping fromits jaws of fire…’”

“‘Bathed in the flames of the brightest moon,’” he finished,his head tilting slightly. “Are you all right?”

Sucking in a shallow breath, I blinked several times. “Yes.It’s so beautiful, and I’m just…” I struggled to contain the riot of emotionsbuilding in me. “I don’t remember if I told you this or not, but I was nevergiven gifts. Not during the Rites or for my birthday. It didn’t bother mebefore—or at least that was what I told myself.”

Ash had fallen silent as I spoke. I cleared my throat. “Itseemed silly to feel bad about not getting gifts when so many people went tobed with empty bellies and no roofs over their heads, but I did care. Notbecause I wanted things. I just wanted to…”

“You wanted to be thought of,” he said.

I nodded, feeling my chest squeeze. “The shadowstonedagger you gave me before was my first gift. It will always be special to me.”Our eyes met. “Just as this one will be. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He dipped his head and kissed me. When hismouth lifted, he rested his head on mine. “Have I told you today how much Iloathe your mother?”

“Not today.”

Ash was quiet for a moment. “Do you think you will see herlater?”

“I…I don’t know. It all depends on if she is with Ezra.”

“And if she isn’t?” he asked. “Will you look for her?”

“I’m not sure.” Things were complicated between my motherand me. I hoped we could maybe repair our relationship someday, but Ash’s angeron my behalf went a long way to healing some of those long-festering wounds.Maybe that was a little messed up, but it was true. And it also made me want tobe better—better at being Queen, the Primal of Life…at everything. But mostimportantly, his wife. His partner. I knew where to start. Well, I knew severalways to start.

“I promise I won’t throw this one at you,” I swore.

Ash let out a loud and deep laugh. “I don’t know if I shouldbe pleased or disappointed to hear that.”

Careful not to touch the bone, I slid the dagger back intoits sheath and put it and the wooden box on the table before turning to him. Myheart was pounding even faster. “Do you need to feed?”

Thick lashes lowered. “No, liessa.”

The same messy mix of relief and disappointment hit me,leaving me feeling as if my skin was too tight. “Are you sure?”

“I am.”

I clasped his cheeks. His skin was cool but didn’t feel ascold as before. “Is it my imagination again, or does your skin not feel ascold?”

“It’s not your imagination.” Turning his head, he kissed mypalm. “It’s just my blood regenerating.”

My brows knitted. “That’s faster than normal.”

“I believe it’s because of you rising as the true Primal ofLife,” he explained. “The essence is already strengthening in me.”

Which meant it was already strengthening in the other Primals. Including Kolis.

There wasn’t much time to dwell on the realizationthat the Primals were all strengthening. Rhain and Nektas joined us soon after.

The god didn’t look all that thrilled by the news of where Iwas headed. I knew he was thinking about what had happened the last time we’dleft for the mortal realm.

“I won’t be gone long,” I assured Rhain like I had lastnight with Ash.

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