Page 191 of Born of Blood and Ash

“What was it like?”

“It was…it was when Kolis brought me to court. There wereChosen there who had shed their veils and acted as servants. Some were ratherfriendly with the gods, but it was hard to tell, you know? The gods would justgrab the Chosen.”

Ash said nothing as an image of Evander filled my mind, hiseyes widening with shock. “I got angry at the way the Chosen were beingtreated, and when Evander grabbed one—Jacinta—and bit her… It was right after—”I cut myself off with a shake of my head. “Kolis led me to believe that Evanderwas forcing himself on Jacinta and told me I could stop him. So, I did.” Thesight of the life fading from those shocked eyes filled my mind, and Iflinched. “Then Jacinta started screaming. That’s when I realized he’d playedme. Easily. Too easily. I should’ve known better.”

“How could you have?” Ash asked.

“Everyone speaks about how manipulative Kolis is. I saw itmyself.”

“That doesn’t mean anything, Sera. Every situation isdifferent, and I’ve seen him manipulate gods three times older than me.”

I didn’t want that to make me feel better because I hadtaken a life. Likely a purely innocent one.

“So, just like you’re sorry I experienced that,”—his headturned toward mine, and our eyes locked—“I’m sorry you experienced what youdid. Okay?”

The tears stung my eyes now. “Okay.”

He held my gaze for a moment and then looked away. Thelights flickered off, plunging the chamber into darkness. A moment passed, andthen the bed shifted as he rolled onto his side. His arm came around me. I felthis lips brush my cheek and closed my eyes against the rush of rising emotion,refusing to allow it to be freed. It wouldn’t help anything, and it would onlyworry Ash more.

I wouldn’t cry.

I wouldn’t.

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

Guards adorned in violet-hued armor bowed asa godling led us through the wide, windowed hall. The male kept stealingglances behind him as we followed, his gaze often dipping to where Ash’s handwas wrapped tightly around mine. I tried smiling at him, but when bright pinkinfused his cheeks, I wasn’t sure it had helped.

The godling stopped before a rounded archway. “Her Highnessis waiting for you inside.”

“Thank you,” Ash said.

He bowed his fair head as we walked through the archway andinto a chamber open to the outside.

The Primal Goddess of Rebirth stood in the center of theroom, her curly, russet-colored hair unbound and flowing over her shoulders andback.

“Your Majesty,” she said, the length of the bluish-grayrobes she wore pooling on the terracotta floors as she began to lower herself.

“Please, don’t,” I stopped her, lifting a hand. “That isn’tnecessary.”

“But it is, Seraphena,” shereplied.

I snapped my mouth shut as Ash gently squeezed my hand.

Keella placed one hand over herchest and flattened her other palm on the floor. Curls spilled forward as shebowed her head deeply. “It is an honor to bow before the Queen of theGods.”

My cheeks warmed as I shifted from one foot to the other,immediately thinking about the god, Evander—previously of the Thyia Plains, Keella’s Court. Ipushed those thoughts aside. “It…it honors me that you feel that way,” I said,hoping that sounded like an appropriate response—because I meant it. “You mayrise.”

Keella did so with regal grace.The Primal goddess was nothing but pure, stunning elegance.

“And you do not need to do that again,” I quickly added.

The corners of her full lips twitched. “Is that an order?”

“It is.”

She gave me a small nod of acknowledgment. “I must say thatyour first order to me as my Queen is quite…refreshing.”

“I’m sure it is,” I said, thinking only the gods knew allthe horrible things Kolis had ordered her to do in the past.

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