Page 237 of Born of Blood and Ash

My mother nodded after a moment. “I promise.”

A little relieved, I nodded.

“May we back up a moment? To Callum? I don’t understand. Imean, I do on a basic level that I will likely be thoroughly confusedabout later when I think about it more…” Ezra said, and a small grin appearedon Marisol’s face. “But if Callum serves Kolis, why would he tell anyone how tokill a Primal?”

“Trust me, I have the same question. And I plan to get theanswer from him.” That and the reason he was here just hanging out.

“That’s not the only thing I’m confused about,” Marisolsaid. “You said that gods loyal to Kolis were still answering the Templesummonses, but you’re the true Primal of Life—” She laughed nervously. “Andeven as bizarre as that sounds, I don’t feel all that surprised by it.” Sheshook her head as Ezra and I shared a quick glance. “Anyway, I’m guessing Koliswon’t remain the false King?”

“He won’t. And that is why I’m here.” I moved to a chair andsat. “I haven’t gone into much detail about the horrors Kolis has committed,but when I say he has little respect for mortal life, I am not exaggerating. Hecannot be allowed to rule.” I was very careful about what I said next. “Nyktos and I are doing all we can to prevent a majorconflict in Iliseeum.”

Ezra went still. “By conflict, do you mean a war?”

“Yes.” I leaned forward. “But no matter what, there will bea fight, and it will be felt in the mortal realm. You have likely already feltit.”

Marisol frowned. “There was a very bad storm a bit ago. I’dnever seen anything like it. We lost a few ships.”

I winced, guessing that had been a result of Hanan’s death.

“There was also what appeared to be a bad lightning storm,”Ezra added, her brows drawn. “One that seemed to linger only over the DarkElms.”

That was likely when I Ascended.

“You could see more of that,” I continued. “Maybe evenearthquakes and landslides.”

Ezra swallowed and then did what she always did. She pulledherself together and nodded. “That will be unfortunate.”

“Very much so.” I curved my hands over my knees. “I want youall to be prepared over the next couple of weeks—maybe even months.” I shiftedmy focus to Marisol. “I know this isn’t easy to plan.”

“It’s not.” Marisol took Ezra’s hand in hers. “However, wewon’t be blindsided. We can prepare by upping our food storage and movingfaster on our plans to improve the tenements.” Her gaze met Ezra’s. “They wouldbe most at risk in the event of an earthquake.”

“And we can begin creating temporary shelters,” Ezra saidslowly. “Winter is only a few weeks away, and while it will not be freezinglike in the north or east, the people here aren’t used to anything but hot andhumid weather. They’re enjoying things now,” she was quick to add. “Butwinter…”

Winter, even a mild one, would be difficult for those unusedto it.

Marisol’s gaze swung back to mine. “What about the otherkingdoms? Can we warn them?”

“We can send the missives all at once,” Ezra said, liftingMarisol’s hand to press a kiss atop it.

I had to fight my smile as I stared at them. They weren’tjust thinking of themselves but others—people they had never met and likelynever would.

“Are we allowed to do so?” Ezra asked.

I glanced at Nektas.

“You’re the Queen,” he replied. “You can do as you wish.”

“You sound like Nyktos,” Imuttered, shifting my attention to the two before me. “I don’t see why not, butI would advise against going into a lot of detail or bringing up Kolis. He canbe very vindictive, and I do not want anyone catching his attentionunintentionally.”

“We won’t,” Ezra assured, slipping her hand free ofMarisol’s. “But what of you? Will you be okay?”

“Yes,” I said. Not just because I didn’t want to worry herbut because I would be, damn it.

Ezra exhaled heavily. “Thank you for warning us.”

“I wish I could do more.”

“I know. And I also know that you must leave soon. But I dohave one more question.” Ezra clasped her hands together. “Though it’s not foryou.”

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