Page 376 of Born of Blood and Ash

Stopping at the door, my stomach dipped as I met his stare.“What?”

He closed his mouth and shook his head. “Nothing.” Hisattention turned once more to Aios. “I’ll be downwhen we’re ready.”

I hesitated. Had he been about to ask if I was pregnant? Iwas probably jumping to conclusions, but we’d have to tell everyone sooner orlater. I knew they would be happy, even Rhain, who I imagined would probably bemore of a nervous wreck than me.

We would tell everyone once Kolis was dealt with, and it…itwould be something to celebrate. We just had to get to that point.

I stopped on the second floor to check in on Lailah again. Ihad sat with her last night for a little while. I had no idea if she would beout longer than Aios since their Ascensions weredifferent, and I hadn’t been here when Bele rose as a Primal. As I neared thechamber, I felt a Primal nearby.

Cracking open the door, I saw that Lailah was still asleep.A chair was next to the bed that hadn’t been there when I’d spent time with herlast night. I leaned in a little farther, spotting a pair of dark boots tuckedunder the bed. I tilted my head, hearing the faint splash of water. Curiosityrose as I let my senses concentrate on the Primal presence.

Attes.

Nibbling on my lower lip, I stepped back and quietly closedthe door. Normally, I wouldn’t be too keen on the idea of him helping himselfto the chambers Lailah was resting in, but I knew she was safe with him, andconsidering what he’d been through, I really couldn’t make myself be angry athim.

I went downstairs, passing several guards in the foyer andmain hall. They bowed in a wave along both sides as if their lives depended onit as Rhahar stepped out of the hall leading to Ash’soffice. “That’s not necessary,” I told them.

Rhahar’s lips twitched as hepivoted on his heel and fell into step beside me. “It’s charming how you keeptelling them not to bow.”

“At some point, I’m hoping they’ll listen,” I said, nearingthe office.

“Or, at some point, you will accept how they choose to showyou respect,” he countered.

“It is unlikely either thing will happen,” Ash’s voicetraveled from the office. He rose from where he was seated and stepped aroundhis desk, the charcoal tunic he wore fitting the breadth of his shoulders toperfection. “Can you give us a moment, Rhahar?”

The god nodded, closing the door behind me. Ash extended hisarm. I crossed the chamber and placed my hand in his. He pulled me to hischest, dipping his head to kiss me. It was such a soft and tender thing, but itstill left me a little breathless when our lips parted.

“Sorry I wasn’t with you when you woke this morning.” Ashsmoothed a stray curl back from my temple. “I was at the Pillars.”

I rested my hands against his chest. “That’s what Ifigured.”

“Did you eat breakfast?” he asked.

“Yes, and I drank juice, too.” I paused. “A full cup.”

Ash grinned, running the tips of his fingers down my cheek.“How were you feeling this morning? Any nausea?”

“None today.”

“That’s three days in a row,” he said. “Hopefully, you won’thave any more spells.”

“I hope so.” I breathed in his fresh, citrusy scent andnuzzled his chest, rubbing my cheek against him like a cat seeking…wait. Iblinked, wondering if I was somehow developing the tendencies of my nota.

Man, would I start clawing up the furniture?

“Have you had a chance to check in with Aiosor Lailah?” he asked, drawing me from my bizarre thoughts.

“They’re both still asleep,” I said, keeping Attes’s current whereabouts to myself as I stepped back,smoothing my hands over the hem of my blouse. “I should probably go ahead andtry to summon a Fate so we can get the others here.” Attempting to set up ameeting with Kolis was the only way we’d be able to lure him out of whateverhole he’d crawled into.

Ash nodded as he turned to his desk, reaching for a pitcheron a tray. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

Ash poured two glasses of berry-infused water, and I took adeep breath and cleared my mind. Unlike last time, I didn’t think of Holland asI summoned the eather. “Fates,” I said as the essencepulsed through me, reverberating through my voice. “I request a meeting withone of you.” I paused and then tacked on a surly, “Please.”

Ash snorted. “The please was a nice touch.”

I grinned as I took the water from him. “I guess we justwait now.”

He nodded, leaning against his desk as he eyed me. “Youstarted to turn golden when you summoned the Fate. It was hot.”

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