Page 381 of Born of Blood and Ash

Ash huffed. “It’s really that simple?”

“Yes.” Holland looked at him. “Even though Primals are not absolute, the power you wield is enough totaint and infect. You both know that, but I do not fear that kind of power evercorrupting Sera.”

I stiffened. “You know that’s not true. It has.”

Ash looked at me sharply, but Holland spoke before he could.“What you did in Lasania was not due to anycorruption of power. It was pain, pure and simple. I do not fear corruptionfrom you because you do not want power. You never have.”

I shifted from one foot to the other. “That’s true. Itdoesn’t mean I won’t be a…a more responsible Primal of Life,” Iquickly added as I glanced at Attes and the others.“But I am better suited to be in battles than I am to decide them.”

“It’s not a question of you being better suited,” Hollandsaid. “It’s only what you have experience in. That will change.” He paused.“But you will never hunger for power. Even though those who came before youruled, none hungered for it. It is not in your bloodline.”

Tiny bumps erupted over my skin as I held Holland’s stare.My bloodline. It started with the Silver Knight. “Is my…bloodline special?”

“Your bloodline was chosen.”

I knew that from what Keella hadshared, but it made me think of future bloodlines. Our children. Theirchildren.

Suddenly cold, I shook those thoughts from my head. “What doyou think, Holland? Would you theoretically risk waking the Ancients to fixeverything Kolis has wrought upon the realms?”

Holland leaned back, running his hands over the thighs ofhis loose white pants. “I think you know the answer to that, Sera.”

I did.

Or at least I hoped I did and that he believed it was toomuch of a risk, but I didn’t tell him about our plan for Sotoria.I also hadn’t told him I was pregnant. Of course, he could already be veryaware of that, but a tiny part of me doubted I understood what Holland trulywanted. Because he, too, had intervened in ways.

“I know talk of the Ancients is concerning,” Holland began.

Ash laughed harshly. “Yes. It’s concerning.”

“But it is not your problem. Not yet,” he said.

My frown deepened. “That’s real reassuring.”

“Kolis is your problem. Left unchecked, he will continue toshift the balance. Then, what some of the Fates may or may not want won’tmatter.”

“Yeah, but if any of them are actively working against us,it is our problem,” Ash argued.

“Currently, there is only so much they can do.” Holland’sgaze moved between the two of us. “Like me, they must walk a fine line ofinterference because the essence has and will react on its own.”

I thought about Aydun. He had failed to mention the eirini, but he had also seemed to push me towardpreventing war. “And what exactly happens if a Fate crosses that line, and theessence decides to react?”

Holland’s eyes met mine. “It would use the eather inside us to destroy us, and yes, that has happenedbefore.”

My heart plummeted, along with any idea of asking Holland ifhe knew how to keep Kolis weakened and entombed for any real length of time.

Fear rose. “I know you say you walk a fine line when itcomes to interfering, but I don’t want you anywhere near that line.” My heartkicked up. “You shouldn’t even be here.”

“I’m fine. As I said, the realms would’ve let me know if Iwas crossing a line.” His smile caused the stars in his eyes to brighten. “ButI shouldn’t linger much longer.”

Another wave of disappointment rose, and I couldn’t stopmyself from asking, “We won’t ever be able to spend time together, will we?Like share a meal or just catch up?”

Holland’s smile dimmed, as did the brightness of the silverbursts in his eyes. He shook his head.

I inhaled sharply, closing my eyes. Sorrow swelled in mychest, the weight heavy and aching. When I exhaled, I felt Ash’s arm comearound my waist again. “I get it. I do,” I said as Ash pulled me close to hisside. I opened my eyes. “It’s just not fair.”

“It does feel that way,” Holland said quietly. “But thisunfairness ensures there can be fairness.”

Taking another deep breath, I pushed the sadness aside. Ihad to, but it was hard.

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