Page 331 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Both would show restraint if you all would shut the fuck upfor five seconds,” Attes retorted.

Kyn’s head jerked in his brother’s direction.

“However, unlike them, I have no need for restraint.” Attes looked over his shoulder. “Think about that beforeyou say something to me.”

Kyn’s jaw jutted, and he faced forward, crossing his arms.

Attes smirked.

Keella cleared her throat. “So,you two would rule equally?”

Taking a step back, Ash lifted my hand to his mouth. Hepressed a kiss to the top as his eyes met mine. “Yes and no,” he said, loweringmy hand and letting go. My heart practically melted. “We would rule equallywith the other Primals.”

A hushed sound went through the throne room, and not asingle Primal before me didn’t look shocked. They hadn’t been expecting that,and their stunned silence had to be a good thing. It had to be.

Phanos recovered first. “Whatexactly are you saying?”

“I don’t think any one person should rule all, nor do Ibelieve that two people should control everything,” I said, keeping my hope incheck. “There needs to be a…balance. And all of us need to have a vestedinterest and shared responsibility in all decisions. There needs to befairness, and I think this is the only way.”

“That is not the way the Courts were established.” Phanos sounded incredulous.

“So?” I said. “Just because it hasn’t been done doesn’t meanit can’t be.”

“But it does,” he insisted. “That’s not what the Ancientsintended.”

“I hate to sound repetitive, but…so?” I replied. “There isno law prohibiting such a thing.”

Phanos’s eyes widened as if I hadsuggested we set fire to all the Temples in the mortal realm.

“Do any of you think Kolis would offer to share power withyou?” Ash asked. “True power that comes without conditions?”

“Does serving you come without conditions?” Phanos asked.

I opened my mouth but stopped, shaking my head. “Siding withus isn’t exactly free of conditions, but we would never ask you to sacrificeyour people. And I”—I swallowed hard—“I am truly sorry for what you had togive.”

Phanos lowered his gaze, his jawhardening.

“Nyktos and I are not perfect. Ihave already made grave mistakes, and I am sure we will make more, but we willnever ask you to kill someone who displeased us or punish someone you care forbecause we’re unhappy with you,” I continued. “We will not slaughter innocentsto prove some irrelevant point or assuage some perceived insult. We will notstrike out against you because of a difference of opinion.” I glanced at Veses. “We will not seek to humiliate you to assert poweror for amusement.”

Veses’ features sharpened until Isaw shades of gray beneath her flesh.

“We will not imprison people for our twisted pleasure, andwe will not play you against one another.” My chin lifted. “We don’t want a warthat will spill over into the mortal realm. We don’t want to leave Iliseeum soaked in the blood of gods and draken. All we ask is that you stand with us againstKolis.”

Silence greeted my words.

“There is just one more thing each of you needs to be awareof before you choose,” Ash said. “Two of you will not get the opportunity tomake that choice.”

“Oh, I wonder who those two are.” Kyn barked out a laugh andmoved forward a few feet. A smug smile twisted his handsome features. “I’drather be fucked by one of my hounds,” he said, making Veses’lip curl, “than swear allegiance to either of you.”

My lips curved into a small smile as I met his glare. Ididn’t look away when Ash drifted to the edge of the dais.

“You can go ahead and leave, Veses,”he said.

The Primal Goddess of Rites and Prosperity’s brows flew up.“So, that’s how this plays out? You’re not even going to ask for my support?”

I rolled my eyes.

“No,” he answered. “We already know where you stand, andeven if you offered it, we don’t want it.”

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