Page 69 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Exactly,” Ash confirmed. His teasing smile was gone now.“Kyn will know you are there.”

Hot, prickly anger swept through me, whipping up theessence. “That’s fine by me,” I said as Reaver lifted his head from my leg. “Iwould love to speak with him.”

Eather lashed through Ash’s eyes as our gazes connected. “Aswould I, liessa, but as much as it wouldplease me to rearrangehisinternal organs, we justdiscussed making no moves until we know who our potential allies may be.”

“We know Kyn isn’t one,” I stated.

“Agreed. But should your first act as Queen be one ofviolence?” Ash asked.

When it came to Kyn? Yes. But as I tore my gaze from his andfocused on the sunlight beyond the balcony doors, I thought about theconversation regarding the entombed gods. Kyn was a different story. But wouldthe other Primals understand that? Or would they viewme as just another violent, monstrous ruler?

“Gods, now I’m going to be logical,” Bele said as if it weresomething contagious. “You are a fledgling Primal, just like me. And you knowhow much I hated having to lay low, but I did it. I’m still doing it, untilthere’s no other choice but to take the risk.” Her gaze met mine. “I wantnothing more than to take my revenge on Kyn in any way I can, but I know doingso right now is too risky.” She exhaled heavily. “And yeah, I hate having to belogical about it. You may be stronger and stuff, and able to take on Kyn evennow, but why risk it over that piece of trash?”

My lips pinched as I sat back. She’d made her point. “Okay.I get it.” I turned to Ash. “But I don’t think you should go alone.”

“I can go with Nyktos,” Lailahoffered, drawing a look of ire from her brother and my rabid curiosity. “Andmake sure they both—”

“Behave?” I suggested. “Like two misbehaving toddlers?”

Now, it was Ash’s eyes that narrowed.

“I wasn’t going to use those exact words.” Lailah rested herclasped hands on the table. “But Attes will bereluctant to allow things to escalate with me there.”

“You have far too much faith in him,” Theon snapped andfisted his hand on the table.

“I can agree with that,” Ash murmured.

“And you never had enough faith in him,” Lailah shot back atTheon. “He’s not like his brother.”

“I can agree with the last part.” I tossed in my two cents,because why not when it felt like the meeting was about ten seconds fromdescending into chaos?

“Sure, he’s not like Kyn—thank the Fates.” The essencebrightened in Theon’s golden eyes. “But he’s no benevolent being. Every timehe’s near you, he spends each moment attempting to seduce you.”

I opened my mouth then closed it while Bele and the cousinswatched with avid interest. Rhain, however, appeared as if he wished to sinkthrough his chair and maybe even the floor.

“That’s not true,” Lailah hissed, her eyes turning luminous.“And do we really think this is an appropriate conversation to be having rightnow? On second thought…ever?”

“We have no problem with it,” Saion remarked. “Please,continue.”

Propping his elbow on the arm of his chair, Rhain drew hisfingers over his brow with a sigh.

“Lailah is welcome to join me if she wishes,” Ash cut in.“And while she makes sure I behave, I will do the same when it comes to Attes.”

My head just about spun off my shoulders as I turned to him.“You will only do that if that is what Lailah wants.”

“Of course. If that is what she wants,” Ashamended. “Which I imagine she would, considering how levelheaded she normallyis.”

Sitting back, Theon huffed as he crossed his arms. “Yeah,real levelheaded when it comes—”

“I swear to the Fates, if you finish that statement,” Lailahwarned, “I will knock you from that very chair and into the Abyss.”

Theon’s jaw clamped shut so tightly I almost expected him tosnap his fangs in half.

“So, it’s decided?” Rhain dropped his hand onto the table.“Ash will speak with Attes to summon the other Primals.”

Those at the table nodded in agreement. Even Reaver.

“We’ll want to ensure Attes is in Essaly first,” Rhain suggested.

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