Page 330 of Born of Blood and Ash

They knew.

“That’s impossible,” Phanosargued.

“It’s not,” Keella said. “It wouldsimply be joining the two Primal essences together, as it was when the Ancientsruled.”

“As the Primal of Life and Death, he would not need any ofyou. Anger him, and he would simply kill you and Ascend another,” I told them.“He still planned on doing it—taking the embers. He was only waiting until myCulling ended. But he was ready to end every one of you and every mortal rulerwho did not swear absolute obedience and fealty to him.”

“That is not the only concern.” Penellapheturned to face the others. “If Kolis had Ascended as the Primal of Life andDeath, he would’ve awakened the ones who went to ground. The Ancients.”

“You all know what will happen if those in the groundawaken,” Keella warned. “It will not be just themortal realm that burns.”

Most had gone quiet then, left uneasy by the mere thought ofthe Ancients waking.

Veses stared straight ahead, herfeatures pinched. “As long as the balance is maintained, which Kolis has donedespite the fact that most of you would not give him credit for such, theAncients will stay where they belong. In the ground.” Her slim arms folded overher waist. “Him rising as such a Primal would not change that.”

“But it would,” I said. “No Primal of Life and Death shouldexist, for such a being would have the very powers the Ancients split fromthemselves to create the Primals.” My brows knitted.“It would not wake them all, but the shift of power would disrupt the stasis ofenough of them that the damage to the realm would be the same.”

“Kolis wouldn’t risk it then.” Phanos’sbreath was ragged.

I looked at Kyn. “Would he risk it?”

Kyn only smirked.

“Fates,” Maia whispered. Horror filled her beautifulfeatures. “He could’ve doomed us all—more than he already has.”

“If you feel that our King has doomed us, why have you notsaid anything, Maia?” Veses shot back. “You have hadcountless opportunities to speak your mind.”

I hated to admit it, but Vesesalmost had a point. “Every single Primal in here could’ve saidsomething—done something to stop Kolis.” I could feel Attes’sstare boring into me, and I knew he was thinking about the conversation we’dhad while I was in Dalos. “But what would that havegained any of you but punishment and horror?”

“As we’ve said, each of us has had to survive,” Ash spoke,his gaze sweeping over those below. “We are giving you the chance to do morethan simply survive.”

“And to do that,” I said, “we have no intention of ruling asKolis or even Eythos did.”

That got everyone’s attention.

Veses lowered her hand. “What’sthat supposed to mean?”

“I will not be the only one making decisions, deciding thefuture of the realms and the lives of everyone within them.” My heart skipped abeat. “I will not rule with a Consort at my side. I will rule with a King at myside.”

Phanos’s arms unfolded, and Maia’smouth dropped open.

My eyes met Ash’s. “We will rule together as King andQueen.”

“Wow,” Veses exclaimed, clappingher hands. “What a novel approach. So groundbreaking.”

I tried counting again. I didn’t even make it past one. “Iswear to the Fates, Veses, I am doing everything inmy power not to slam you face-first through a wall, but you are really testingme.”

Veses’ red-painted lips parted.

“I strongly advise you to rethink whatever is about to dripfrom your tongue.” Shadows rose along Ash’s legs as he stared down at Veses. “Seraphena likes you evenless than I do. You piss her off, and I will not stop her until she nearlydestroys you.”

It took every ounce of maturity I had not to smile as Veses shut her wretched mouth.

“You say you’re trying to be a better person,” Phanos cut in. “Combined with what you’ve already done,that threat doesn’t sound like you really mean it.”

“Seraphena said she wastrying to be a better person,” Ash replied coolly. “I did not.”

Phanos stiffened. “Then let merephrase my question. How would ruling as a King or Queen be any different ifonly one of you shows restraint?”

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