Page 25 of Born of Blood and Ash

“You mean the blond-haired fucker?”

My lips quirked. “You mean the one with the prettiest hairI’ve ever seen? That fucker? Yes. When I tried to escape, he was with Eliaswhen I got caught,” I said, thinking about the guard who had been spying for Attes. “I hit Diaval with eather like I did to you in the Dying Woods. Knocked himback several feet. I think he was too shocked to really react to it.”

A slow smile spread on his lips. “That’s my girl.”

My grin kicked up several notches. “There was another Inever interacted with. I only saw him in passing, but something about himstruck me as different than the others. He had light brown skin, and his hairwas in braids.”

“That’s Sax,” Ash told me. “He’s the quietest of Kolis’s draken.”

“What do you mean by quietest?”

“I’ve never heard him speak. Not once.” Ash looked over atme. “Diaval and Nab always belonged to Kolis. Theywere with him when he ruled the Shadowlands.” He paused. “Sax was one of myfather’s draken.”

Meaning he had been forced to bond with Kolis and was givenno choice but to defend the Primal to the death. Gods, that sickened andangered me to the core. I fiddled with the edge of a napkin. It wasn’t right.“What happened with Nab?”

“I was mouthing off to Kolis, and, like I said, I thoughtNab was asleep. He wasn’t, and when I stepped toward Kolis, the draken swiped out with his claws. He got me in my face—mychin and nose.” Ash gestured with his knife at the fainter scar on the bridgeof his nose. “And then my throat. Almost severed half my damn head.”

“My gods,” I whispered, my stomach clenching. “And all youhave are those two little scars?”

“It’s where his claws dug in. They did most of the damage. Ilooked a mess for a couple of days afterward.”

I stared at his throat, stunned that the fingertip-widthscar on his chin and the faint nick on his nose were all that remained of whatmust have been a nightmarish injury. And that he’d only looked a mess for a fewdays.

What Attes—the Primal of Accordand War—had said about the vulnerability of a newly Ascended Primal resurfaced.My new odd sense of knowing didn’t spew any answers. “So,” I said as Ashreached across the table and picked up a fork. My gaze flicked back to his faceas he moved a chicken breast onto a plate. “I’m basically a baby Primal now.”

“A what?” Ash’s laugh tugged at my lips and heart. “A babyPrimal?”

“Attes said that newly Ascended Primals are weaker than normal and used the word fledglinginstead of baby, but that makes me think of birds for some reason.” I saw hisjaw tense at the mention of the Primal. “You’re still mad at Attes.”

Ash said nothing. He didn’t need to.

“He swore to me that he would support you, no matter what.Besides that, your father trusted Attes enough totell him what he planned to do with the embers and Sotoria’ssoul,” I gently reminded him as I fiddled with the bottom of thecharcoal-colored robe I’d donned. “At some point, you need to realize that Attes didn’t betray us.”

“I’ve realized that, liessa.”

My lips pursed as he angrily diced the chicken breast intopieces small enough for a young child. “I feel like there’s a butcoming.”

“But that doesn’t mean I can forgive him for placing you inKolis’s hands.”

“He did it to protect the Shadowlands, Ash.”

A strand of hair slipped free, falling against his cheek.“You’re really defending him?”

“I wouldn’t say I’m defending him. I’m justpointing out that there were reasons behind what he did.”

He stared at me. “How is that not defending him?”

“Because I, too, was ticked off at him.” I picked up theglass of water. “Part of me still is. But his brother was about to lay waste tothe entire Court, leaving only the Pillars of Asphodel and beyond. Attes did what he could at the time to stop Kyn.”

“I get that.” Ash placed the knife aside and scooped up aheaping helping of steamed cauliflower.

“Then you have to understand that he was only trying toprevent that.”

“What I understand is that I would’ve prevented Kynfrom destroying the Shadowlands.” His eather-streakedgaze found mine. “And if not, the Shadowlands would’ve fallen, but you would’vebeen safe. And that is all that matters.”

My breath snagged as his gaze held mine. Even withoutforesight, I knew in my soul that he spoke the absolute truth. If it came downto the Court he’d spent the last two centuries guarding or my safety, he wouldchoose me.

“That shouldn’t surprise you, liessa.The dream or vision—whatever you want to call it—that I had the night you wereborn would’ve come to fruition.” A charge of energy left Ash, causing thechandelier overhead to sway slightly. “I would’ve seen the realms burn if Ilost you. You may not believe I would’ve allowed that to happen, just as youbelieve my decency extends beyond you, but it doesn’t. I would’ve gladly seenit all burn.” He flattened one palm on the table. “I’m sorry if that disturbsyou. I truly am. But it’s the truth.”

---