Page 410 of Born of Blood and Ash

I closed my eyes. We would have to ensure our sons never hadchildren. Maybe they would be lucky and would never want them, nor whomeverthey ended up falling in love with. Not everyone did, and it would be for thebest if they felt that way. But if they did want children? I shook myhead. It wasn’t right or fair. Neither was what had been done to Sotoria.

“We shouldn’t rely on them never procreating,” Attes said quietly.

“I know.” Ash finished off his whiskey and set the glassaside. “We need to look for Callum. In the meantime, plan for the day thateither fate or nature finds a way.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “She will notbe born all-powerful. No god or Primal is. She will be vulnerable untilAscension,” he said, each word filled with distaste. “Fuck.”

I stared at him, understanding what he was suggesting. Thatwould be a mark neither of us would bear because I didn’t think we wouldsurvive it.

“No,” I said, eather flooding myveins. I had to rein it back in. “If she manages to be born, she deserves tolive.”

Ash’s eyes met mine. “I agree. I do.”

“Stop there.” I rose, beginning to pace. “I understand whatit means if she’s born. But I also know that doesn’t mean the Ancients willawaken here. And yeah, I am damning the lands beyond the Primal Veil.”

Attes’s brow furrowed, and helooked up at me.

“And if they do awaken here, then we will do everything wecan to lessen the damage. And like those before us, put them back in theground,” I said. “Because I will not be a part of murdering a child or an adultof my blood,” I said. “And I know you would not be able to live after doingsomething like that, Ash, no matter if it was carried out by our words orhands.”

“No,” he said quietly. “I would not.”

“Neither of us would.” I idly rubbed my lower stomach.

“I’m not going to disagree with you two on this,” Attes said, leaning back. “But there is also the fact thatKolis will wake.”

“And if that happens, I will put the dagger in her handmyself,” I swore, repeating what I had told Kolis. “One thing I’m not worriedabout is her being corrupted.”

“Is that why you were smiling before Aydun left?” Attes asked.

“Power and consequence come from the will of the beholder,right?” I stopped behind Ash, placing my hands on his shoulders. “Both of youwere there when Holland said it. None born from my bloodline hungered forpower. None will.”

“Well, at least we don’t have to worry about that,” Attes remarked.

“No. That’s one good thing.” I squeezed Ash’s shoulders.“There is something else Aydun said. She will be born in a shroud. That meansshe’ll be born mortal.”

Ash’s head tilted back. “You’re right.” His eyes searchedmine. “But our sons will be born in the mortal realm.”

Damn it, I’d forgotten what Kye had said, but that wasn’twhat I was thinking about. “If the prophecy holds true, she won’t be born untila long time from now, and the whole born of the same misdeeds thing? Ihave a feeling she will believe herself to be mortal. That she will besurrounded by them.” Letting go of Ash’s shoulders, I walked around the couchand sat beside him. “Maybe I’m completely wrong about that, but Aydun said shewould call the name of the true Primal of Life.”

The skin between Ash’s brows creased. “He did.”

“Then we need to make sure no mortals know who the truePrimal of Life is.”

He stiffened. “Sera—”

“They can believe it is you. I will be known as the Consortor whatever,” I said in a rush. “If my name isn’t known, she cannot speak it.”

“We don’t even know what speaking your name will do, but itsure didn’t sound like it would stop the prophecy if she didn’t say it,” heargued.

“For Aydun to mention it, it has to mean something.”

“Yeah, the same Fate who failed to mention the eirini,” Attescommented. “But she has a point. It could be something small, but it issomething.”

Ash was shaking his head.

“The mortals don’t need to know about me. We can have othergods answer their summonses and have Rhain or Rhaharbe known as the—”

“It will mean you are never known,” he interrupted, eather piercing his eyes. “And you have lived long enoughwithout being known.”

“I know—”

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