Page 89 of Born of Blood and Ash

“I see it.” His eyes were luminous pools in thegold-and-silver glow of the realm.

Along the road, blades of grass broke free of the top layersof soil and spread out, reaching the river and beyond. Fragile stems sprouted,stretching upward as leaves unfurled, and red buds formed.

“Poppies,” Ash breathed.

They grew along the road in clumps as the twisted treesshook out their gnarled limbs and straightened. Deep, violet leaves burstforth, filling the once-bare branches.

The glow of eather began to fade,and the energy left the air. Night fell once more. Starlight returned, and noneof us moved as we stood there, listening to the hum of rushing water and thewind shaking the leaves.

My gaze fell on the poppies. They opened, slowly revealingtheir crimson petals to the stars.

“I hope the poppies are in a good mood,” I said. “And don’tpoison us.”

Ash didn’t answer.

Heart thumping, I tore my gaze from the flowers.

Ash was staring at me with eyes wide and full of swirlingstreaks of eather, lips parted enough that I couldsee the tips of his fangs.

I touched his chest. “Ash?”

His throat worked on a swallow. “How are you feeling?”

“Normal. Fine.” I searched his features. He looked a littlepale. “How are you feeling?”

He shook his head silently as he lowered himself to one kneebefore me, my hand still held in his.

A jolt ran through me. This wasn’t the first time he’d donethis. I’d never forget how, upon learning that I carried the true embers of thePrimal of Life, he’d knelt before me. It still shocked me.

Crolee rocked back then, liftinghis head to the night sky. His call echoed Ehthawn’s—oneI heard in my bones and understood as Ash’s lashes lifted. Molten silver eyespierced the night.

“Awed,” he rasped. “I’m in fucking awe of you.” He bowed hishead, pressing his lips to my palm and the golden swirl of our marriageimprint. A faint tremble radiated from his hand to mine. “My Queen.”

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

I woke to find myself half-sprawled acrossAsh’s chest and feeling…strange.

And nauseous.

I lifted my head, glancing toward the balcony doors. Theworld outside still carried the darkness of night. Gods, I couldn’t have sleptthat long after returning to our chambers.

I started to lay back down when the inside of my mouthfilled with saliva, forcing me to quickly swallow. My eyes widened at theacidic taste in my mouth.

Oh, gods, I wouldn’t vomit on Ash as he slept. Or anytime.

Carefully, I eased out of his lax embrace, not wanting towake him.

I failed.

Before my foot even hit the floor, Ash stirred. “Liessa…”

“It’s okay,” I assured him, wincing at the churning in mystomach. “I’m just getting something to drink and going to the bathing chamber.I’ll be right back.”

“Hurry.”

I smiled despite the nausea and quickly rose. Paddingbarefoot across the floor, I stopped at the small table and poured myself aglass of water. Taking a few quick sips, I glanced at the bed and made my wayto the bathing chamber. Ash remained on his back, one arm curved against thepillow beside him and the other hand resting on the blanket gathered at hislean hips. Despite feeling queasy, heat pooled low in my core. As weird as itsounded, there was something decadently sensual about a sleeping man. I’d nevernoticed before.

Gods, I wanted to rip that blanket aside and straddle him.

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