Page 75 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Will I have to walk the aisle again?” I asked.

Rhain looked at me as if he couldn’t believe that was aconcern given everything we were discussing, but it was one long-ass aisle. “Doyou not want to do that?”

“Not particularly.”

“Okay.” He scribbled something down. “I will announce youand then Ash. Once that is finished, you two can shadowsteponto the dais.”

“Wait. Why would I be announced first? Where I’m from, it’salways the King.”

“That’s because mortals operate in a very patriarchalsociety.”

“As if this one is any different?” I retorted.

His lips pursed. “You have a good point there, but in thiscase, it has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with your Primalhood. You are the true Primal of Life, and even whenruling jointly, your Primalhood asserts supremacy.You will be announced first.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound very equal.” I looked down atReaver. “Does it?”

He chirped, and gods, it was still bizarre to hear his voicein my head. Even if it was one word, which was no.

“Moving on,” Rhain said, sighing. “You two will then takeyour seats on the thrones.”

I opened my mouth.

“And because I know you’re going to ask why,” he went on,“it is simply tradition.”

“I wasn’t going to ask.”

Rhain sent me a bland look.

“Whatever,” I muttered as Reaver huffed out a laugh.

“During this time, the people will have bowed. You will tellthem to rise—and yes, it will be you.”

I was so bored with this conversation I didn’t ask why ithad to be me. “Ash mentioned having wine provided for them. Will that bepossible?”

“Yes.” Rhain checked off what I could only imagine was annoySera from his list. “We have many barrels that can be used for such.Unfortunately, there isn’t enough time to have food prepared.”

“What about this?” Aios’s voicefloated out from the narrow hall adjoining the chambers. Gods, she had beengoing through the wardrobe for so long I’d forgotten she was even here. Sheappeared, holding a crimson gown draped from a hanger. “It’s really gorgeous,isn’t it?”

My gaze flicked over the dress as I idly stroked the top ofReaver’s head. The gown was beautiful, and the crushed velvet looked soft, butfor some reason, the color was a turn-off for me. “It is, but it doesn’t feelright.”

Aios lowered her arm until halfthe gown pooled on the floor. “This is the fourth gown that doesn’t feel right.You don’t have many more options.”

“I know.” I winced, feeling like I was wasting her time.Which I was, especially considering she had spent the better part of the dayassisting with the birth Kye had summoned her for. When she offered to help mefind something to wear, I should’ve told her to rest, but I was glad she wantedto help after how our conversation had ended this morning.

Aios eyed me for a moment and thennodded. “I think I know what the problem is. I will be right back.”

I watched her spin on her heel and disappear back down thehall.

“I doubt she will be right back,” Rhain commented as Reaverlifted his head and stretched.

“True.” I leaned back. “Why can’t I just wear what I’mwearing now?”

Rhain appeared positively aghast. “You should dress for therole.”

My lips thinned. “And how should I be dressed?”

He gave me the most unsexual once-over I had ever receivedin my life. “Not like that.”

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