Page 40 of Born of Blood and Ash

And yes, it was a real, cold, cutting fear. Because nomatter how many gods or Primals decided to stand withus, I knew lives would be lost.

I did what I didn’t want to. I thought about Kolis. Therewere moments when he was like how he must’ve been before bitterness and envyrotted him from the inside. Before that fateful day on the Cliffs of Sorrowwhen he saw Sotoria. But whoever he had been thatallowed Eythos to continue loving him so irrevocablywas long gone. His rot had decayed him so thoroughly that it ruined even hisbest intentions.

He was truly a monster now.

Kolis wouldn’t bow out. He thrived on ultimate power andauthority. Got off on it. Without it, what did he have? Bitter truths andtainted memories?

But I knew Kolis wanted to avoid war. That was what I’d beenabout to tell Ash before the young draken arrived.Kolis wasn’t completely irrational. He knew what was at stake. He also didn’twant to fight in a war he believed he could lose.

And if we got the majority of the Primalsto back us? Would he back down then? Maybe a little. Perhaps just enough togive us a chance to take him down.

Ash’s shoulder brushed mine as he sat beside me. Jadis waspassed out against his chest, one of her scaled cheeks resting just above hisheart. I lifted a brow as I saw that the little drakenwas all but swaddled in what appeared to be one of Ash’s sweaters.

“Just in case she decides to shift into her mortal form.It’s been happening less and less, but I don’t think she’s quite grown out ofit,” Ash said, his voice low as Jadis wiggled in her sleep, managing to pokeone clawed foot free of Ash’s sweater as he glanced down at Reaver. “How he wasearlier? I haven’t seen him like that since his parents died.”

My attention shifted back to Reaver’s sharp features and theslight parting of his lips. “I promised him we would all remain safe,” Iadmitted.

“We will.”

I nodded as I smoothed my hand over the crown of Reaver’shead, but I knew I shouldn’t have made any promises.

There would be a fight.

Would it only be between us and Kolis, or would it becomethe war Attes spoke of and Kolis swore he wanted toavoid?

Either way, lives would be lost.

And we wouldn’t be able to keep everyone safe.

“You just missed Ash,” I said, holding the bedchamberdoor open for Nektas. “He took Jadis and Reaver tothe chamber they normally sleep in.”

“Ah,” he murmured, glancing down the hall. “I’m guessingthey were still asleep?”

“They were when they left, which kind of surprised me,” Iadmitted, having figured one of them would’ve woken when Ash draped them overhis shoulders.

His head tilted. “Younglings are deep sleepers. Once theyfall asleep, they’re out until morning.”

“Huh.” From what I knew, that was the complete opposite ofmortal children.

His attention shifted back to me. “I hope you got some restafter your eventful night.”

My thoughts flashed to the hours spent in bed with Ash.There had been some rest involved. “I did.”

“That’s good to hear,” he said. “You may feel stronger thanever.”

“But I’m a baby Primal and, therefore, need lots of naptime,” I said, eyeing him. “Why do I suspect that you knew exactly where yourdaughter and Reaver were?”

A faint smile tugged at Nektas’slips. “Am I that transparent?”

“Yes.” I stepped aside. “Would you like to come in?”

His chuckle was low and raspy as he walked in. “This isunexpected.”

“What is?” I asked as I closed the door.

“This,” he answered with a sweep of his arm.

I scanned the chamber and winced at the bed in completedisarray and the leftover food and clothing scattered about. “The place is abit of a mess, isn’t it? We had just finished dinner when Reaver and Jadis cameby.”

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