Page 272 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Anything. My mind was quiet,” I admitted. “It’s neverquiet.” I cleared my throat. “Anyway, I saw Bele and Aiosa little bit ago. I’m surprised they didn’t know I shifted last night. Iwould’ve thought the guards would have said something.”

“The guards saw nothing out of the ordinary last night.”

“Uh…”

“That is if they wish to keep their eyes and tongues,” headded.

My mouth dropped open. “You threatened them to keep silent.”

“I would never,” he murmured.

“Ash,” I said, my brows lifting. “There really wasn’t anyreason to do that. What bad things could they have said about seeing me in my notaform?”

“Nothing,” he said. “But if they talked, and those they toldtalked, you would hear about it. I know we haven’t had much time with eachother, but I know how your mind works.” He paused. “Mostly. But in this case,you would’ve worried that others were speaking about what they saw last night.You would begin thinking they somehow knew what caused it.”

“That’s not…” My lips pursed. “Okay. You’re completelyright.”

Ash smirked, looking back at the paintings.

“Thank you.”

“Not necessary.” He tipped up his chin.

But it was.

It was sweet and thoughtful of him to ensure that no onespoke about my wild run through the courtyard and beyond. I probably shouldn’tthink him threatening others was sweet, but he was protecting me, evenif just from words and speculation.

And gods, that made me feel like I wasn’t worthy of him—notin a self-deprecating way, but in how it made me want to be better inevery way.

And I knew how to start.

I’d always known.

Taking a deep breath, I looked up at him. I needed to talkto him. Ash watched me, the glow of eather vividbehind his pupils.

His mouth opened, but awareness throbbed through me, and afew seconds later, I saw that he felt it. “A Primal has arrived.” He glanced atthe door. “Do you know who it is?”

Clearing my mind took a few moments, but as I focused on thefading throb of awareness, the hazy image of the Primal of Accord and Warformed in my mind. “Attes.”

“Correct.”

“Huh,” I murmured. “So, that’s how you know who it is beforeseeing them. That’s shockingly easy.”

“It is if you give yourself time to pay attention,” heremarked.

I snorted. Meaning it would require a conscious effort fromme.

“I’ll see to him,” Ash said, then hesitated. His gazeflickered over my face. “I’ll find you afterward.”

A hundred different things rose to the tip of my tongue. Itwas all of that being-better stuff, but Ash dipped his head and pressed a kissto my cheek.

Then, he was gone.

CHAPTER FORTY

Ash went to meet with Attes,who likely wanted to update him on what he’d found in the Undying Hills, but Ididn’t leave the library. However, I wasn’t alone for long. This time, I heardthe footsteps nearing the chamber.

“Sera?” Bele’s voice floated in from the hall.

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