Page 43 of Born of Blood and Ash

No, this isn’t real.

“That you would even speak his name.”

I couldn’t get air into my lungs as I stared into pools ofgold-flecked eather.

This isn’t real.

I’d escaped.

I’d freed myself.

His lips peeled back, baring elongated fangs.

No. No. No—

“Sera.”

Upon the sound of my name—the sound of his voice—Icould breathe again. Air poured into my lungs. The stale scent of lilacs gotwashed away by fresh air and citrus. Kolis faded away, dissipating like smoke.The gilded cage collapsed, crumbling into nothing.

The nightmare disappeared into a gray, tranquil void, andthis time, I thought I felt the cool touch of Ash’s lips against my brow. As Islipped further into the void of sleep, I thought I heard Ash’s voice again,telling me that it was only a dream. That I was safe, now and always. That hewas there and would watch over me. Keeping the nightmares at bay.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Standing in the center of the bedchamber, Ismoothed my hands over the fitted black vest and simple, quarter-sleeve shirtof the same color I’d found in the pile of clothing by the wardrobe. Afterbeing forced to wear transparent gowns for weeks, I had immediately grabbed apair of leggings. There were other tops in my size, too, one that reminded meof the style Ash and his guards wore, but it seemed too…fancy for right now.

A curl toppled forward as I looked down at myself. Gods, Iwas so happy to be wearing clothing of my choosing again. But as I stood there,it suddenly struck me why I hated the gowns Kolis forced me to wear.

Not having a real choice was a huge part of it, but it wasalso that they reminded me of my failed presentation as the Consort—the gownI’d been forced to wear when I was first taken to the Shadow Temple. It, too,had hidden absolutely nothing and put me and nearly every inch of my body ondisplay.

How I hadn’t made the connection until now was beyond me.

My stomach roiled so suddenly and sharply that I smacked myhand over my mouth out of fear that the breakfast Ash had scrounged up for usmight come right back up. Closing my eyes, I waited for the wave of nausea topass, half-afraid that it wouldn’t. But it did after a couple of minutes.

Gods. I needed to get a grip.

I blew out a long breath as I glanced over the bare wallsand the scant pieces of furniture, still a little rattled by how vivideverything was. The space contained only the necessities: a long, tall wardrobeand several chests, the small, round table by the couch, and the newcharcoal-gray armchair sitting near the bed. I’d heard Nektas’svoice when I was in stasis.

Was that where he’d sat?

Nektas was right lastnight, I thought as I took in the rumpled blankets, discarded clothing,and used dinnerware on the table. The chambers did looked lived in. There waslife here now. Not much, but enough that it had started to chip away at thekind of existence Ash had had for a little over two centuries due to Kolis’sfar-reaching and toxic influence. One that allowed for no warmth and no time ordesire to form attachments, bonds, or even interests.

But that was changing. And it would continue tochange.

I turned to the doors. After eating, Ash went backdownstairs to check on things. When he returned, it would be time to meet withthe others and go over what Ash and I had discussed last night.

I swallowed, shifting from one foot to the other. I knew Ididn’t have to wait for him to return. I could go downstairs now. I could goanywhere I wanted. Well, mostly. But given how my heart pounded, you would’vethought a pit of forked-tongue vipers waited just beyond.

Feeling foolish—and not in a good way—I let my head fallback. I couldn’t believe that I was hiding in my bedchamber because the idea offacing anyone without Ash stressed me out. Especially not after everything I’dbeen through—all I’d done.

That didn’t mean Ash’s pep talk had gone into one ear andout the other. I just wasn’t getting a grip yet. I would before we met with theShadowlands gods.

Thinking about that caused a small spike of anxiety as Iturned. A thin line of light between the balcony door’s curtains caught myattention. I started toward them as I sensed the presence of another drawingnear. A god but not…

A series of quiet knocks jerked my head toward the chamberdoors. Knowing Ash wasn’t who I’d felt and that he wouldn’t do that whenentering his own chambers, I hesitated as I wrapped my hand around the doorhandle.

“Sera?” A soft, muffled voice came from the hallway. “It’s Aios.”

Now, I understood what I had felt. Aioswasn’t just a goddess, nor was she a risen Primal. She was somewhere in betweensince I’d brought her back.

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