Page 300 of Born of Blood and Ash

Part of me didn’t want to ask because if I’d done somethingto her… “Was she in Dalos? At Cor Palace or theSanctuary?”

Understanding flickered across his features. “No, she wasnot. She has not been harmed.”

Thank the gods.

Attes inched closer. “You stillhaven’t closed this wound. It will not heal until you do.”

“Really haven’t had time.” In truth, I had completelyforgotten about it.

“You need to close your wound.”

I stared at the ragged puncture wounds, feeling Nektas draw closer. There was so much blood on my arm, Ihad no idea who it actually belonged to.

“I swear to the Fates, Sera, if I have to force your mouthopen to do so, I will,” Attes growled. “I’m givingyou one more chance to do it yourself because Nyktosdoesn’t need to return to see your wrist torn half-open.”

Nyktos.

Ash.

Hearing his name pierced my chest far more painfully thanany arrow or dagger tonight. Gods, what would he think of me now? Would hestill say that I was kind and loyal? That I thought of others before myself?That I wasn’t a monster? And the panic he must’ve felt while I fought Kolis… Ashudder ran through me as I lifted my wrist and sealed the wounds.

“Thank you.” Attes thrust his handthrough his hair and then dropped it. “Sera, I…” He briefly closed his eyes andthen shook his head. “Nyktos will punch me threetimes more than last time for being in your bedchambers with you,” he joked,but the teasing didn’t reach his eyes or his tone. He exhaled heavily and thenclasped the back of my neck. “I’m sorry, Sera. I’m so fucking sorry about everything.”

Everything.

I didn’t want to hear that because how could I apologize toall those who’d lost people they cared for today? I stepped away from him, mythroat tightening.

“Kolis said none of this would’ve happened if I had givenhim Sotoria.”

Attes’s features tensed. “Sera—”

“You need to make sure she’s safe,” I said, my breaththinning. “If he gets to her, then all the deaths will have been for nothing.”

Eather streaked across his eyes. “He will not have her.”

Nektas pushed open the balconydoors. He crossed the distance, his long hair streaming behind him.

“Meyaah Liessa.”

I flinched at the sound of his gravelly voice. Gods, Ididn’t want to see him right now. I didn’t want to see anyone because I knew Ineeded to keep it together. Kolis could attack at any moment. I had to be readywhile Ash dealt with all those souls—some of which I had sent his way. The nextbreath I took got stuck.

The draken’s gaze swept over me.The blue in his eyes turned luminous. “You’ve been injured.”

A strangled sort of laugh escaped me. He was worried aboutme? Me?

Nektas stopped in front of me andgrabbed my right hand. The flesh there was still pink and raw. He leaned in,sniffing, and growled low in his throat. “You’re bleeding.”

“What?” Attes demanded. A momentlater, I felt his hands running up my back, searching for a wound.

“I’m fine.” I pulled myself away from them.

Nektas’s eyes narrowed. “No,you’re not. You haven’t healed completely.”

“That doesn’t make sense.” Worry filled Attes’stone and stare. “Were you wounded by Ancient bone?”

“No. I don’t think so.” The room felt too small with themhere. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Disagree,” Nektas stated.

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