Page 238 of Born of Blood and Ash

I glanced between her and Marisol. “Okay.”

Ezra’s head turned to the rounded archway of the door. “Youare not a god, are you?”

My eyes widened slightly.

“I am not,” Nektas said.

“How did you know he wasn’t a god?” I asked.

“His skin,” she explained. “When we were in the dining hall,I saw…ridges appear in his flesh in the shape of scales.”

“You’re too observant for your own good,” Nektas remarked.

“I do not believe one can ever be too observant,”she countered, and I saw the corners of Nektas’s lipsrise. “Are you a draken?”

Marisol gave a full-body jerk, and for a second, I fearedshe might end up on the floor like her mother.

“I am the first draken,” Nektas stated.

Ezra’s mouth formed a perfect circle.

“Okay. Well, that’s enough for today.” I rose, knowing therewere likely a hundred questions forming in Ezra’s mind right now.

And I was right. “But—”

“I will return,” I interrupted. “As soon as everything issettled. You can ask all your questions then.”

Ezra huffed out an irritated breath. “You swear?”

“Did I not promise that I would return the last time?”

“You did.” Ezra rose. “Do not break the promise this timebecause I will have a written list of questions ready for you.”

I laughed. “You likely will.”

“Your laugh.” Ezra stepped toward me and then stopped. “Ihave never heard you laugh like that before.”

“Really?” I felt my cheeks warming.

Her eyes glimmered. “You and Nyktos?He called you his wife.”

“He did.” Now my cheeks were really burning. “Weare married.”

“And you love him?”

“I do.”

Ezra smiled. “That is lovely to hear when he’s clearlybesotted with you.”

Then Ezra shocked me.

She reached between us and took my hand in hers. Iexperienced a rolling tremor as I felt her warm skin against my palm.

“I am happy for you, sister.”

Sister.

“Thank you,” I said hoarsely.

---