Page 226 of Born of Blood and Ash

Nektas hesitated. “I suppose.”

“You don’t sound entirely convinced of my thought process,”I pointed out.

“You have a unique thought process.”

“That’s a nice way of putting it.”

“But I think it would be wise for our presence to go largelyunnoticed so we do not cause a scene,” he added, his voice carrying a hint ofamusement. “So, yes. Do not compel these guards by compelling them.”

I rolled my eyes.

“There is a third option,” he said. “Allow them to see you.As Ash said, they will know you are at least a god and would likely allow youto dance on their backs if that is what you wished.”

“Good point,” I muttered. “I keep forgetting that.”

“Understandable.”

I got myself moving. The gardens were quiet as I glancedback at Nektas, realizing only then that he wasdressed as he normally was—meaning he only wore loose black pants. No boots.And no shirt.

I hoped no parties were being held.

Lifting the tree’s lower branches out of the way for him, Iwalked out from the coverage, and the two guards came into full view.

Once again, I was happy to see that neither wore theobnoxious puffed waistcoats or pantaloons. Their tunics and breeches were stillplum-colored, but their new uniforms were leagues above the former.

“I’ll tell you what,” one guard said as he turned to lookover the garden. “That one is an odd snob—shit.” The guard reached forthe sword at his waist as he limped forward with a wince. Tension bracketed hismouth, turning the corners white. “Stop right there.”

“The fact that I made it to the steps without either of younoticing is kind of concerning,” I remarked, glancing at the second guard. Irecognized the fair-haired man in his third decade of life. Jamison was hisname. “Don’t you think?”

“Listen here, miss, I don’t know where you come from, but…”Jamison’s eyes went wide the moment Nektas appearedbehind me. His head tipped back as Nektas came up thesteps. “Dear gods, you’re…enormous.”

“Thank you,” Nektas replied.

“Enormous or not,” the other gaunt-faced guard cut in as Iopened my senses to him. His name came to me. Wil Tovar. That was all I allowedmyself to know about the slender, dark-haired mortal. “Where is the rest ofyour clothing, my man?”

“Mortals.” Nektas laughed softly.“Always so preoccupied by the flesh that they don’t see what is right in frontof them.”

“Mortals?” Jamison repeated with a chuckle, sharing a longlook with the other guard. “I think my man has been in his cups tonight.”

Tovar’s laugh faded as I reached the top of the steps andstepped into the light of the lamps lining the wall. Our eyes met, and the manstaggered back. “Good gods,” he gasped.

I smiled. I probably shouldn’t have seeing how Tovar paled,but it wasn’t often that I incited that kind of response.

I’d have to think long and hard later about why that amusedme.

“What is your problem?” Jamison frowned. “Maybe you’re deepin your cu—”

“Shut up, you prick,” Tovar hissed, bowing his head.

“Don’t call me a prick, you fuck.” Jamison moved towardTovar, his cheeks flushing.

“Look at her.” Tovar lowered himself, his face contorting ashe pressed a hand to his side. “Look at her eyes, you fool.”

Jamison turned to me as I arched a brow. He squinted andthen went rigid. “Oh…” His mouth fell open. “Shit.”

“The security here is impressive,” Nektasdrawled from behind me.

I almost laughed, except these two shouldn’t be entrustedwith guarding a bale of hay. “The bowing…” My lips pursed as they both droppedto their knees, Jamison moving much faster than Tovar—he seemed pained by hismovements. “Is not necessary.”

---