Page 82 of Born of Blood and Ash

“But I do think we have time for an appetizer.”

Ash drew back, his brows furrowing as I slid off the tableand lowered myself to my knees in front of him. “I’m not sure what you on yourknees has to do with an appetizer.”

One side of my lips curled up as my innuendo failed to land.It was easy to forget his lack of experience when he was such a quick, adeptlearner.

“You’ll see,” I said, sliding my hands up the front of histhighs and then inward.

He sucked in a ragged breath as my palm dragged over hisrigid length. “I think I’m starting to understand.”

“Good.” I undid the flap of leather and then shoved hispants down, baring him to me. I took in the sight of him—thick, hard, andstraining. I licked my lips. “Yum.”

“Fuck,” he groaned.

Grinning, I encircled him with my fingers, awed by how hisentire body reacted, and then I took him into my mouth.

I carried through on what I’d said. I showed him my thankswith my mouth and tongue.

And there were no complaints.

I sat in the middle of the mattress, staring at thesmall wooden box as Ash readied himself for bed. I could hear the splashing ofthe fresh water that had been brought up after supper.

I was restless.

Again.

Every couple of moments, my muscles tensed as if I wereabout to leap to my feet and…do something. What? I had no idea.

I drew my legs to my chest, my gaze tracking the delicatecarvings along the lid of the box. It felt like a sense of urgency, but Ididn’t know what for.

I poked at a fang with my tongue, my brows furrowing. Ithought I recognized the feeling. It was the same as the year I’d forgottenEzra’s birthday. On and off throughout the day, I’d kept feeling like I wasforgetting something, but the what had danced just out of my reach.This restless urgency was similar to that. There was something I needed to door remember. Something important. And this wasn’t the first time I’d felt thissince waking from stasis after my Ascension. It had steadily increased as the daypassed, though.

Resting my chin on my knees, I closed my eyes. The only timeI hadn’t felt the restlessness had been during our utterly perfect supper.I hadn’t said much during it. I’d just sat back and listened to theconversations around me. Honestly, doing something as simple as sharing dinnerwith Ash and the people I was beginning to consider family had been somethingI’d only dreamed of as a child.

But as soon as the meal and conversation ended and my mindquieted, restlessness surged through me. Exactly like when I’d been with Rhainand Aios earlier. It had nothing to do with Kolis. Ididn’t think it had anything to do with tomorrow’s speech or Ash’s upcomingtrip to Vathi. Or our plans to go to Keella. Itwasn’t about us. Not really. Maybe it had something to do with Lethe or theShadowlands in general. Perhaps it had to do with all the new arrivals to Letheand how long it would be until crops—

Wait.

My eyes went wide as I lifted my head. When Saion had spokenduring the meeting about surveying the land for crops, I’d been thinking abouthow I should be able to help speed that process along.

Not should…

The bathing chamber darkened as Ash strolled out. The sightof him was a distraction. My gaze eagerly tracked the drops of water coursingdown the sculpted lines of his chest, and the nape of my neck tingled. A suddensense of knowing seized me. Eather throbbed from deep within me as if it werewaking up.

I could do something.

I shot to my knees, sending my hair falling over myshoulders. “I’m the true Primal of Life.”

Ash stopped at the side of the bed, his brow beginning tofurrow and then smooth out as his gaze dropped. “I do hope you’re not justrealizing that now. If so, I don’t think summoning the Primalstomorrow is a good idea.”

“Why would I just now be—?” I pressed my lips together. Hewas teasing. I squinted. “Anyway. I can restore life, and while waterisn’t really something alive, it’s—” My thoughts were racing so fast I couldbarely make sense of them. I shook my head. “There is life to waterand to everything.” My nose scrunched as I tried to grasp that piece ofknowledge because I knew it was important and would lead to something even moreso. But I shook my head, refocusing. “I was able to restore life with eather before. I was able to heal—are you even payingattention?”

Ash dragged his teeth over his lower lip and nodded. “Ofcourse.”

“You are definitely not.” Leaning forward, I grasped hischin, guiding his attention away from my sheer nightgown. “You’re staring at mybreasts.”

“You’re right. I am.” He pulled back, kissing the tip of myfinger. “They’re beautiful.” His gaze dropped again. “But like this, with thegown and your hair spread across them?” The featherlight touch of his fingersbetween the strands of hair drew a shiver from me. “I cannot help myself, liessa. I’m eager for dessert.”

“I’m flattered.”

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