Page 96 of Born of Blood and Ash

We did.

Ash wore a sleeveless, black tunic trimmed in the samesilver brocade. It stretched across his broad shoulders and was perfectlytailored to his tapered waist. He looked magnificent.

“Great minds think alike,” he murmured, bending to kiss me.

Reaver groaned. “You two do that a lot.”

Ash chuckled as he straightened. “One day, you willunderstand why.”

“Nuh-uh,” Reaver denied, his lip curling in disgust.

“I’ll be sure to remind you of that when the day comes.” Ashreached over, the silver band on his upper arm glinting in the sunlight as heruffled Reaver’s mop of blond hair. “Mestra will be here shortly to take youback to Mount Rhee.”

Reaver had briefly mentioned the other drakenI had yet to meet. Besides Jadis and Reaver, she was the youngest of the draken, a little over a century old.

“I’d rather go with you all,” Reaver said.

“I know,” I told him. Reaver had mentioned wanting to gowith us no less than two dozen times since we decided to talk to the people.“When you’re older, I’m sure it will be fine for you to be with us.”

He wrinkled his nose. “Why am I not old enough now? You twoare just giving a speech.”

“Yes, we’re only giving a speech, and nothing shouldhappen,” Ash said, his tone gentle. “But you are too important to take thatrisk. Understand?”

Reaver nodded, clearly unhappy, and I felt for the littleguy. Considering what he’d been through, it was no wonder he wanted to stickclose to our sides.

“Rhain wanted to show us something.” Ash offered me hishand. “He’s waiting for us downstairs.”

“Hopefully, it’s not an example of appropriate attire,” Imuttered, taking Ash’s hand.

Reaver snickered.

“What?” Ash’s brows knitted.

“Nothing.” I shot the draken alook as Ash pulled me to my feet. “Did he say what he wanted to show us?”

He shook his head. “Only that it was important.”

“Probably has to do with gowns,” Reaver commented.

Ash’s head tilted as he tugged me to his side. “I feel likeI’m missing something.”

“You are,” I confirmed. “But it’s nothing interesting.”

“I’ll have to take your word for that.” He looked back atReaver. “You’re walking us down, right?”

The smile that came across Reaver’s face was brief butbeautiful before he ducked his head and the sheet of golden hair obscured hisface.

“Lead the way,” Ash instructed Reaver, keeping his handwrapped firmly around mine.

I grinned as Reaver took Ash’s request very seriously,skirting us. “Can you give Ash and me a moment, though?”

Reaver stopped in the doorway, crossing his arms over hischest. “You guys are going to have a serious conversation you don’t want me tohear.”

“Now, why would you think that?” Ash questioned.

“Because every time something serious needs to be said thatno one wants me to hear, I’m either sent from the room, tasked to look afterJadis, or others speak in a weird way like they’re leaving out words andstuff.”

Note to self: Reaver is far too observant. “Weweren’t going to talk,” I told him. “I was planning to do more kissing.”

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