Page 115 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Do not start with that thread bullshit,” Ash snarled.

The Ancient’s head snapped toward Nektas.“I understand he cares for her. I know what that bond between them incites whenthe other is threatened, but you need to get him under control before I do.”

I shot forward, stopped only by the arm Nektasflung out. Essence rushed through me, hot and violent. “You will do no suchthing.”

“For fuck’s sake.” Nektas edged meback. “Clearly, you don’t know what that bond incites if you threaten either ofthem because you just did it.”

“They are testing my patience,” Aydun spat. “And I have beenfar too tolerant of both of them. So, get the one who is technically a Primalof no Court under control while I try to reason with the Primal who shouldn’teven be a godsdamn Primal.”

Ash lurched forward, but Nektascaught him. My head swung toward the draken as heshoved Ash back. “Stop,” Nektas ordered.

Ash tried to sidestep him, knocking the table over. Glassescrashed. Pieces of eggs and bacon spilled across the floor. Nektaswas on Ash, pushing him back again. The settee went flying as Nektas caged Ash in. The sound that came from the Primalwould’ve sent anyone running as he bared his fangs at the draken.

Every part of me focused on Nektas.I knew he wouldn’t hurt Ash. He would never do that. But the purely instinctivepart of me didn’t like it.

Energy was ramping up in Ash, causing the air to charge.Static crackled over my skin as the essence rose in response. One of the lightbulbs exploded, sending fine shards of glass in every direction.

“Stop it,” Nektas repeated,backing Ash up until he had him pinned to the wall by the credenza with hisforearm across his chest. “You need to calm down.”

A sound came from somewhere in the chamber. A hiss that wasdistinctively feline as I stepped toward Nektas andAsh, my hands opening and closing at my sides.

“For the sake of gods everywhere,” muttered Aydun, “why didI have to be the one who answered the summons?”

“I need you to calm down before neither of us has a choicein you doing so.” The muscles in Nektas’s back flexedas he struggled to hold Ash back. “And preferably before the claws come out andSera tears into me.”

Claws come out…?

I jerked to a stop, only realizing then that I was just feetfrom Nektas, and my hands…felt weird. They tingled. Ilooked down, and my eyes went wide.

My nails had lengthened and sharpened. “What the…?”

“I know you’re angry. I know you’re scared,” Nektas said, and that last part caught my attention. “Butyou go at that fucker over there and you know what will happen.”

“Fucker?” muttered Aydun while I stared at Ash and Nektas. “That was uncalled for.”

Whatever was happening with my hands fell to the wayside asa great sense of foreboding rose. Tiny bumps broke out across my skin. If Ashattacked Aydun, the Ancient would strike back. Nektaswould defend Ash. So would I. But the Ancient…

Dread built as I looked at him. He would kill Nektas. My stomach pitched. He could kill Ash because, asAydun had said, Ash was now the Primal of no Court. His death would impact Iliseeum and the mortal realm, but nothing as severe aswhat a death of any other Primal would cause.

Fear slammed into me, nearly taking my knees out from underme as the lights flickered wildly. “Ash,” I whispered. “Please.”

Ash’s pure silver gaze shot to me. Our eyes locked. A tenseheartbeat passed, and then the shadows under his flesh thinned out. “I’m good.”

“You sure about that?” Nektasstill held him back. “Because I’m going to be really disappointed if I let goof you and you go at him.”

“I won’t.” His eyes never strayed from mine. “I’m level. Ijust need to talk to Sera. Alone.”

“The summons needs to be answered—”

“A couple of minutes isn’t going to hurt anything,” Nektas cut the Ancient off.

Aydun’s jaw hardened as he looked away. “They have fiveminutes. That is all.”

I bit my tongue, focusing on Ash. The dark tendrils of eather had mostly disappeared.

Nektas released Ash and slowlystepped back. He didn’t take his eyes off the Primal as Ash pushed away fromthe wall. Neither did I as he stalked forward and clasped the nape of my neck.He pulled me to him, dropping his chin to the top of my head. My arms encircledhis waist, and I held him tightly as tremors coursed through him.

“Outside,” Nektas ordered.

---