Page 21 of Born of Blood and Ash

“You have these knee-jerk reactions when it comes to yourwell-being,” he said. “Reacting first and thinking about all the possibleconsequences afterward.”

I started to frown because none of that really sounded likea good personality trait.

“But you don’t when it concerns others,” he said.

That wasn’t always true.

“You thought about it,” he continued, “taking what you feltand what the realms may need, and met it halfway. That is how you have earnedrespect and loyalty from the gods here, Sera. You’ve done so by fighting besidethem to defend the Shadowlands more than once and risking yourself to keep themand their home safe.”

“I only did what any halfway-decent person would do.”

“Most people, be they god or mortal, say they would be thehero and ignore their instinct for self-preservation to rush in and defendothers. Even good people believe that about themselves. But the truth is, theirinstinct for self-preservation is too great. What they say they would do is notwhat they will do. It’s only what they have convinced themselves.” Hetouched my cheek. “So, no. You didn’t do what any half-decent person would do.You did far more despite the monstrous parts you may have. You always have.”

I looked away, feeling my cheeks warm at his unwarrantedpraise. The way he saw me was a version of myself I wanted to live up to.

“I’m going to ask you what you asked me before,” he said,pulling me from my thoughts. “What will you do about the Chosen?”

“Seriously?” I asked.

“Yes. Seriously. The Chosen were something you were clearlyconcerned about before. You are now in a position to change how things are doneonce Kolis is dealt with.”

I opened my mouth to answer, but the realization that I wouldbe able to do something about the Chosen struck me silent. He wasn’t asking tohear my irrelevant, at-the-end-of-the-day opinion.

Gods, this felt far more real than being summoned to provemyself worthy to the riders.

I tightened my arms around my legs as my mind bounced allover the place. “I…I saw some of the Chosen while in Dalos.Some appeared to be in positions where they served the gods. They still worewhite and remained veiled. Others didn’t.” I could still see Jacinta and thegod, Evan, that Kolis had manipulated me into killing—easily. He’dmanipulated me. I swallowed. “Kolis said he gave the Chosen a choice: remaincloistered and be Ascended, or not. Those who chose not to act as servantscould spend time with others. I didn’t see any being forced to be intimate, butI also knew they weren’t valued. I saw Callum kill one without hesitation. So,I know that just because I didn’t see anyone being treated poorly, it doesn’tmean it wasn’t happening.”

“I believe Kolis spoke the truth about giving them achoice,” Ash said. “But I’ve seen the limitations of that choice with my owneyes.”

I nodded. Too many had seen it for themselves. And thenthere was Gemma, one of the Chosen Ash had rescued. She had been so traumatizedby what she’d experienced in Dalos that afterspotting a god from there, she’d panicked and run into the Dying Woods, nearlylosing her life. Actually, she did lose her life. I’d brought herback.

A lot of evil happened in Dalosthat I hadn’t been able to see.

“But it will not be that way under your rule,” Ash pointedout. “If you choose to continue with the Rite.”

I thought about it. “My immediate answer is to end it. As Isaid before, what the Chosen go through before they are brought to Iliseeum is bad enough. But you said it wasn’t always thatway.” I lifted my gaze to him. “Right?”

“Right,” he confirmed. “When my father ruled, the Chosenwere not prevented from interacting with others, and they only went to theTemples the year of their Ascension, where they were taught the customs of Iliseeum.”

Customs of Iliseeum? I hadn’treally seen any of them, but I figured they were something else that went outthe window during Kolis’s reign. “You also said that the purpose of bringing inthe Chosen and Ascending them to godhood was to ensure there were always godsserving in each Court that remembered what it was like to be mortal.”

Ash nodded.

“And that is necessary.” I folded an arm across mynow-unsettled stomach. “So, I think I would continue with the Rite, but only ifthe third sons and daughters choose to be Ascended.” A thread of excitementwove its way through me. “Like they would have until the year they would’veentered the Temples under your father’s rule to decide if that is what theywant.”

“Okay.”

“And they could change their minds at any time,” I added.“Well, up until the point they Ascend—wait.” My eyes widened. “That means Iwould have to Ascend them.”

“It does.”

“Do you know how your father Ascended them?” I asked,wondering if what Kolis had said was true.

“The same way I Ascended you,” he answered.

Another thing Kolis hadn’t lied about.

“As for the Rite, that’s how I thought you would answer,”Ash said. “That is also why I know you will do right by Iliseeumand the mortal realm,” he said. “I will not be the only one who sees this.”

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