Page 54 of Born of Blood and Ash

“You are my King—the King. I decreed it. That meansit’s not just me making decisions. I don’t have supreme power or whatever.”

“That is right.” His silver eyes glimmered.

“I’m beginning to think you didn’t forget that and justwanted to hear me say you’re my King.”

One side of his lips tipped up. “Maybe.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously in love with you.”

My heart felt like it tripled in size, and I wanted so badlyto show him, with words, my body, and even my tongue, just how much I lovedhim. The desire to do just that was strong, but I had to be stronger.Responsible. I also didn’t want to traumatize poor Reaver.

“Do you think that some of the entombed gods have had achange of heart? Or were you just trying to make a point?” I asked.

“Not all the entombed gods committed unforgivable crimes,Sera. Some made bad choices. Some acted upon Kolis’s orders because they weregiven little choice.” Eather glowed faintly in his eyes, and I was reminded of Attes stating nearly the same thing. “A few were likely farless guilty than I am given the crimes I’ve committed.”

My heart twisted as I whispered, “Like what?”

His fingers stilled. “Kolis didn’t tell you?”

I shook my head. “He didn’t tell me anything about you, andthat is the truth.”

Ash was quiet for a few moments, then dropped my hair. Iwasn’t surprised he hadn’t elaborated, but I was disappointed. He never wentinto detail about the things he’d done. All I knew had been learned fromothers. But how could I hold it against him when I wasn’t sharing everythingwith him either?

I couldn’t.

“I can’t believe how different the Shadowlands alreadylooks,” Ash noted, coming to the railing. “It’s a miracle.”

It did feel that way. “How long do you think it will takebefore all the grass comes back?”

“Not sure. Could be days. Maybe even weeks,” he said. “Ifthe rivers return, it would be faster.”

“I imagine quite a significant rainfall would be needed forthat to occur.” With more and more gods arriving in Lethe, I wasn’t sure we hadthe time to allow nature to run its course. A rush of something akin torestlessness surged through me. “Several rainfalls.”

Ash made a sound of agreement.

“And who knows when that will happen? Unless the Shadowlandsonce had a rainy time of year, and we are about to enter it.”

“We had one, but that season is months away,” he said as hebriefly looked over his shoulder. “We’ll be encroaching upon winter.”

Stroking Reaver’s head, I remembered what he’d said abouthow the winters had once been full of snow, and while that would help fill thedried riverbeds, I doubted it would be enough. Plus, the grass would likely dieagain by then, this time naturally. Which meant we were months from seeing theShadowlands truly come alive.

Disappointment filled me, even though there were far moreimportant things to be concerned about. But seeing life return to theShadowlands felt equally important. So much could happen between now and then.There was no guarantee that any of us would be in the right state of mind toenjoy the miracle of life returning. My chest tightened. Gods, there was noguarantee that any of those residing in the Shadowlands would even be herethen.

Throat thickening, I looked at Ash, tracking the strikinglines of his face. I wanted the residents of the Shadowlands to have thatexperience now. I wanted him to enjoy that beauty. But it feltlike…more than that. As if there was another reason it was so important, butone I didn’t know.

Pressure immediately clamped down harder on my chest. Theresponse was silly, but other than Aios, I hadn’tseen any of the other Shadowlands gods, and despite the honor they had shown mewhen they believed I was dying, I had no idea where I stood with most of themnow. I hadn’t made the greatest first, second…or tenth impression withthem. They would support me, but I was sure it was mostly because of theirloyalty to Ash.

And it was more than just how they responded to me. I knew Iwas the Queen. I accepted that. But was I ready to behave as one?

“We don’t have to meet with them right now,” Ash offered,angling his body toward mine. “We can do it later tonight.”

A tiny part of me wanted to take him up on the offer, butthat was cowardly. “I’m ready.”

Ash didn’t budge, so I pushed off the railing and wenttoward the doors on strangely weak legs. “I just need to find a comb and dosomething with this hair.”

Ash and Reaver followed. “They can come back later tonightor even tomorrow morning.”

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