Page 371 of Born of Blood and Ash

I ran my fingers over Reaver’s head as Nektashanded Jadis off to Aios. The youngling immediatelywent for the goddess’s hair. I turned to Ash and asked in a low voice, “Youokay?”

The rigidness of his jaw was starting to fade. Nodding, hefolded an arm around my waist, and I saw Reaver approaching Saion, cautiouslynudging the god’s leg with the top of his head. I guessed that was the draken’s way of apologizing.

“Ready?” Nektas asked, approachingus.

“Yes.” Ash looked at the others. “Remember, Kolis is awake.Everyone needs to be on high alert.”

There were several nods of agreement, and as the mist beganto swirl around us, I saw Aios stretch a hand towardReaver. I didn’t like leaving any of them while Kolis was awake, but I remindedmyself that the younglings would soon return to Mount Rhee.

The smell of brine reached me before the bright lightpenetrated the fading mist. We were facing the sea. Sunlight glittered off theendless water, creating a stunning tapestry of sparkling diamonds. Squinting atthe surface, I immediately thought of the ceerenwho’d given their lives for me.

Gods, I really hoped Phanos madethe right call—actually, speaking of Phanos… Istarted to step back—

Ash caught my arm as Nektascursed. My gaze flew to his. “Careful,” he said. “You’re about to step on a lamaea.”

I spun around and looked down, quickly wishing I hadn’t.

The pale gray creature wiggled and slid across the sand. Thefleshy smack of its flopping fins and the slippery slide of its dragging tailscould fill a bucket of nightmares. I was so shocked by the sight of it that Icouldn’t even concentrate enough to allow my vadentiato tell me what I was looking at. “What…what is that?”

“Another of my father’s ill attempts at creating new life,”he answered. “A lamaea.”

The creature’s almost mortal head and beady black eyesnarrowed at Nektas. The drakengave the lamaea a wide berth.

“No offense,” I murmured, “but your father really needed tostop trying.”

“None taken.” He stepped forward as if to walk in front ofthe creature.

My grip tightened on his hand, and I dug my boots into thesand. “Do you think that’s wise?”

“They’re harmless,” he replied as the thing reared up on itsfins, waving its tail arms. There was a distinctive fishy smell.

That was a whole lot of nope.

“Is it…waving at us?” I asked.

Ash grinned. “I believe so.”

I gave a short, awkward wave back. The lamaeamade a deep, chortling sound before flopping back to the sand. Somewhatdumbfounded, I watched it make its way to the shore and then disappear into thedazzling water.

“Damn it,” Nektas growled, drawingmy attention. He had one foot lifted, and the sole was covered in somethingthick and glossy. “I stepped in lamaeaslime.”

My lip curled as nausea rose so violently that I had to clapmy hand over my mouth while Nektas charged up a shorthill to where some leafy palm trees swayed in the breeze.

“Maybe you should wear shoes,” Ash commented as he led mearound the trail of…goo.

Nektas frowned as he dragged hisfoot over the grass. “Shoes are cumbersome.”

Ash snorted, glancing back at me. Concern immediately filledhis gaze. “You okay?”

Nektas looked up when I nodded andforced a swallow. “Yeah, I just don’t need to be thinking of gooey stuff rightnow.”

“You and me both,” the drakenmuttered.

I trudged through the sand, a fine sheen of sweat breakingout across my forehead by the time we joined Nektasunder the palms. I really should’ve worn one of those sleeveless tunics insteadof the quarter-length-sleeve gray one. It was hot under the bright sun.

Wiping my forehead, I looked up and caught sight of theivory-and-blue-painted limestone palace. The entire second- and third-floorwalls were made of glass. “There’s no Rise?”

“Phanos once said he didn’t wanthis view of the ocean obstructed,” Ash said as we crossed onto stone paverscarved into the shape of bivalve shells.

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