Page 36 of Born of Blood and Ash

“There are.” He paused. “What made you think of that?”

I lifted a shoulder in a shrug. It wasn’t the first time ithad crossed my mind. “I just don’t think one or two people should ever rule.And perhaps some of what has happened here wouldn’t have occurred if the other Primals were more invested in the decision-making.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips. “And you think youwouldn’t make a good Queen.”

“Shut up,” I mumbled, my face warming because I couldclearly hear the pride in his voice. “Anyway, I brought this up because, as wesaid, the other Primals don’t know what it will belike if we rule. They don’t know that it can be better. So, why don’t weconvince them?”

His gaze sharpened. “You’re talking about summoning the Primals.”

It was a bold move. One that could pay off or end indisaster, and my mind immediately wanted to travel down the darker road,telling me that it would be impossible to convince most of the Primals that we would be a better option than the falseKing. Because some would only see me and choose to remain loyal to Kolis,simply because I was once mortal. Because I am a woman. Because the last timesome of them saw me, I was dressed in transparent gowns and seated at Kolis’sfeet. Because—

Stop.

I took a deep breath to ease the tightening in my chest andnodded. “But not Veses or Kyn. I have no interest inconvincing them of anything.”

“Neither do I.” Ash reached over and brushed a stray curlback. “I think we need to go over this with the Shadowlands gods, but if we canget the other Primals to side with us, taking Kolisdown will be far easier.” He fell quiet for a moment, eyeing me. “I must admit,I’m surprised.”

“By what?”

“You.” He reached for the bottle of wine and refilled hisglass. “I didn’t expect your response for how to handle Kolis to beso…measured.”

“Me neither,” I said. “It feels weird to be the practicalone in a situation. Honestly, I don’t like it.”

Ash let out a low laugh. “Welcome to my world.”

I cracked a grin. “Is it a bad thing? To be measured?”

“No.” His head tilted. “It’s just that I expected you to bemore of the attack-first-and-then-think-about-it type.”

“Well, that is my initial instinct,” I admitted, thinkingback to when I’d stood in the bathing chamber. “To go straight to Dalos and take out anyone who stands in our way.”

“And why aren’t we doing that?”

“Because that would be rash and impulsive. It’s not really aplan. And…” I set my glass down, unsure how to put what I was thinking intowords. “And it just seems like it would be a monstrous act.”

“I see,” he said, leaning back. “What happened with theriders has really gotten under your skin.”

There was no point in denying that. “I haven’t forgottenwhat we spoke about this morning.”

“You just don’t believe what I said to you about being amonster.”

“No, that’s not it,” I was quick to say. “I do believe it. Iknow I’m not like Kolis or Kyn, and I get that we are all a little monstrous.”I twisted toward him, dropping my hands to the robe’s velvety skirt. “I do. ButI also know that I am more…prone to giving in to that side of me and I amtrying to make a conscious effort not to do that.” I searched his gaze as myfingers curled against the soft material. “Is that wrong?”

“No, liessa.” He reachedbetween us, straightening the collar of my robe. “It’s actually very wise.”

“Good,” I said. “Because I think approaching this cautiouslywill benefit us. Kolis doesn’t want—” I frowned as a sudden awareness presseddown on me.

“Kolis doesn’t want what?”

“War,” I whispered, concentrating on the feeling. Itreminded me of what I felt when Primals were near,but this was different. The sensation didn’t center only in my chest. “Someoneis coming.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Ash tensed. “I don’t feel anything—” His headwhipped toward the doors. “You felt them before I did.” He faced me, a faintgrin on his face. “Your senses are progressing fast.”

A noise came no more than a heartbeat after he spoke. It waslight, barely audible. The sound of scratching. My gaze darted to the doors.

“We have visitors.” Dipping his head, Ash kissed myforehead. “Welcome ones.”

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