CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER TWELVE

"I agree with what Ash said about keeping the address short and to the point," Rhain said, referencing the discussion we'd had on the way back from the Valley of Blood. "That would limit the probability of something being said that shouldn't be."

My brows pulled together as I glanced over Reaver to where Rhain sat on the antechamber couch. Exactly what did he think I would say that I shouldn't?

"And it also lessens the risks involved with going before so many people," he continued, looking down at the bound parchment resting in his lap. Jadis had torn off and almost consumed half the pages before Nektas took the little draken outside to play and work off some of her energy before supper.

With the way my knee was bouncing, it should be me out there working off unspent energy.

Reaver lifted his head from the cushion and placed it on my knee, peering up at me as if he had read my mind. I grinned down at him.

"I also think sharing what you did during our meeting would be wise. That it is your decision and choice for the realms not to be ruled by one individual," he said, drawing my attention to him. "I know we touched on that on the way back here but telling the people that it was your choice is important."

I nodded, my mind flipping over our prior discussion. Ash and I had decided that we would first assure the people they were welcome and we were doing everything in our power to provide for them, then move on to the whole Queen and King business. We'd decided to tackle that part together during the speech.

"Will I have to walk the aisle again?" I asked.

Rhain looked at me as if he couldn't believe that was a concern given everything we were discussing, but it was one long-ass aisle. "Do you not want to do that?"

"Not particularly."

"Okay." He scribbled something down. "I will announce you and then Ash. Once that is finished, you two can shadowstep onto the dais."

"Wait. Why would I be announced first? Where I'm from, it's always the King."

"That's because mortals operate in a very patriarchal society."

"As if this one is any different?" I retorted.

His lips pursed. "You have a good point there, but in this case, it has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with your Primalhood . You are the true Primal of Life, and even when ruling jointly, your Primalhood asserts supremacy. You will be announced first."

"Well, that doesn't sound very equal." I looked down at Reaver. "Does it?"

He chirped, and gods, it was still bizarre to hear his voice in my head. Even if it was one word, which was no .

"Moving on," Rhain said, sighing. "You two will then take your seats on the thrones."

I opened my mouth.

"And because I know you're going to ask why," he went on, "it is simply tradition."

"I wasn't going to ask."

Rhain sent me a bland look.

"Whatever," I muttered as Reaver huffed out a laugh.

"During this time, the people will have bowed. You will tell them to rise—and yes, it will be you."

I was so bored with this conversation I didn't ask why it had to be me. "Ash mentioned having wine provided for them. Will that be possible?"

"Yes." Rhain checked off what I could only imagine was annoy Sera from his list. "We have many barrels that can be used for such. Unfortunately, there isn't enough time to have food prepared."

"What about this?" Aios's voice floated out from the narrow hall adjoining the chambers. Gods, she had been going through the wardrobe for so long I'd forgotten she was even here. She appeared, holding a crimson gown draped from a hanger. "It's really gorgeous, isn't it?"

My gaze flicked over the dress as I idly stroked the top of Reaver's head. The gown was beautiful, and the crushed velvet looked soft, but for some reason, the color was a turn-off for me. "It is, but it doesn't feel right."

Aios lowered her arm until half the gown pooled on the floor. "This is the fourth gown that doesn't feel right. You don't have many more options."

"I know." I winced, feeling like I was wasting her time. Which I was, especially considering she had spent the better part of the day assisting with the birth Kye had summoned her for. When she offered to help me find something to wear, I should've told her to rest, but I was glad she wanted to help after how our conversation had ended this morning.

Aios eyed me for a moment and then nodded. "I think I know what the problem is. I will be right back."

I watched her spin on her heel and disappear back down the hall.

"I doubt she will be right back," Rhain commented as Reaver lifted his head and stretched.

"True." I leaned back. "Why can't I just wear what I'm wearing now?"

Rhain appeared positively aghast. "You should dress for the role."

My lips thinned. "And how should I be dressed?"

He gave me the most unsexual once-over I had ever received in my life. "Not like that."

"What's wrong with this?" I glanced down at my vest and black leggings. "Ash has no problem with it."

"I'm sure he doesn't," Rhain replied dryly, earning a confused head tilt from Reaver. "But it's not appropriate."

Aios reappeared, holding a dark gray tunic with silver embroidering that matched the design on the throne doors. Immediately drawn to it, I rose and went to her, passing the pillared dais.

Rhain sighed for what had to be the hundredth time. "That's a tunic."

"Never would've guessed that," I murmured as I took the lightweight garment from Aios .

"You should wear a gown," Rhain insisted.

My gaze cut to him as a wave of prickly heat swept over the back of my neck. I knew this was in no way the same as my time in Dalos , and none of the gowns Aios had brought out were even remotely transparent, but my skin still felt itchy and too tight. "A gown is not me," I said as Reaver launched himself off the couch and came to my side. "This,"—I thrust the tunic out—"is me."

"Is that you as a Queen?" he countered.

"I don't see why it can't be."

His chest rose with a deep breath, and I suspected another sigh was coming. "Let me ask this… Do Queens in the mortal realm dress as you are now?"

The tunic featured a stiff collar, giving it a more formal appearance. I liked the elbow-length sleeves. "I don't know every Queen in the mortal realm, but from what I saw, no. You know what I also saw?"

"Hmm?" he asked.

"A Queen who wore pretty silk gowns and glittering jewels." The image of my mother took form. "And, at the end of the day, she was a terrible Queen."

"I interact with the people of Lethe often," Aios said. "I don't think they will care if she wears a gown or breeches. And to be frank, I think less finery would also serve to show those who do not know her that she is not invested in fancy trappings like some Primals are."

The sigh came then.

"Plus," Aios continued, taking the tunic from me and holding it to my shoulders. One side of the garment ended up draped over Reaver's head, but the back of the top appeared as if it would reach just above my ankles. The front curved elegantly into a V-shape, coming together at the navel to create a flowing and elongated silhouette. "It is nearly as long as a gown and could easily be seen as such."

"I don't think anyone would mistake that for a gown."

Did he not remember what he'd seen me wearing while in Dalos ? This was more of a gown than I'd worn there.

"Disagree," Aios stated, letting me take the tunic again and crossing her arms.

He was quiet for a moment and then stated flatly, "I do hope pants are involved in this attire you must wear."

"No, I was planning to wear just this." I raised a brow as I saw his lips twitch. "Was that an actual joke?"

"I would never." He lowered his gaze, closing the leather folio over the bound parchment. "Anyway, I see the point you're making—the point both of you are making."

I sent Aios a grateful look. She gave me a barely noticeable nod, leaving me to wonder if she knew why I didn't want to wear a gown. She probably did.

"But when it comes to the meeting with the Primals ," Rhain said, "I suggest you consider something different. Those like Embris will expect you to present yourself in a certain way."

I couldn't give a barrat's ass about how Embris expected me to present myself, but Rhain wouldn't be happy with that answer. "I'll consider it."

Rhain eyed me as if he didn't believe for one second that I would, but I suddenly felt Ash drawing close. The sensation of a dozen birds taking flight filled my chest.

The doors opened moments later, and he entered. His gaze immediately found mine. "I would like some time…" His head tilted as a slight frown appeared. "Is that Reaver under the dress?"

"Ha!" I exclaimed. "Even he thinks it's a dress."

Rhain rolled his eyes.

"And yes, it's Reaver," I said, and the youngling popped his head out from under the garment. "He's helping."

Reaver nodded.

"Well, I hope he's done helping," Ash replied. "I would like to speak with my wife before supper."

My wife.

Those birds turned into giant, carnivorous-but-happy hawks.

"We were just finishing in here." Rhain rose, and Reaver looked up at me. I nodded, and he lifted into the air.

"Oh! I almost forgot," Aios said. "I ran into Erlina earlier. She wanted to come see you, but with everything going on, I told her you may be a little busy."

A bit surprised that the seamstress wanted to see me, a warm glow filled my chest. "The next time she comes by, I would like to see her."

Aios nodded. "Until tomorrow, then."

"Wait," I called as Aios passed Ash. "Will you all be having supper in the dining hall?"

"We normally do," Rhain answered.

"Since it's later, Bele and I will likely have our supper here," Aios said as Reaver hovered by them.

"Can we have supper in the dining hall?" I asked Ash.

"If that is what you'd like," he said.

"I would."

Ash turned to Rhain, whose eyes were slightly wide. "When will dinner be ready in the hall?"

He blinked. "In about an hour."

"We will see you three there then." Ash turned back to me.

Rhain was still standing there as if stunned. "Let's go." Grinning, Aios gave Rhain a light shove. "We need to make sure there are enough chairs in the dining hall."

"There are more than enough chairs," Rhain argued as Aios opened the door.

"Let's double-check," she suggested, following Reaver out.

"Was it just me, or did Rhain seem really surprised by that request?" I asked after the doors had closed.

"We haven't joined the others for many suppers," he said. "And before you, I didn't do so often."

Sadly, the last part didn't surprise me.

Ash plucked the hanger from my grasp and tossed the tunic onto the couch.

"I really don't need that wrinkled." I started toward it but didn't make it very far. Ash snagged me by the waist and turned me back to him. "Rhain will be very displeased if that ends up wrinkled—"

"He'll get over it." He tugged me to his chest.

"I'm not so sure about that," I protested, my gaze lifting to his. The heat in his molten-steel eyes sent fine tremors radiating through my limbs. I immediately stopped thinking about Rhain and the state of the tunic.

Clasping the back of my neck, Ash brought his mouth to mine. I was at once completely enraptured by how he kissed like a man starved and wasn't aware of what he was up to until he lifted me. His tongue delved deep as he stepped onto the dais and carried me toward the table, setting me down on the edge. I tasted whiskey on his tongue as he deepened the kiss. His fingers traced the outline of my collarbone before moving slowly downward. His touch was electric, sending jolts of pleasure throughout my body.

He nipped my lower lip, then lifted his head from mine. "Why were you surprised that Erlina wanted to see you?"

I sighed. "Was I surprised enough that I projected?"

"You did." He kissed the corner of my mouth. "Why?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I'm just not used to people wanting to see me," I admitted, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "That sounds kind of pathetic, doesn't it?"

"No, liessa , it doesn't. You grew up not being known by many. Being surprised is understandable." He drew his fingers down my cheek. "But you should probably start getting used to people wanting to see you."

I honestly didn't think I ever would, but I still said, "Yes, sir."

Chuckling, he planted his hands on either side of my legs. "I noticed something today. You grew incredibly anxious as we rode past the Dying Woods. Did you feel something?"

It took me a moment to think back. I had been nervous, and I hadn't been that affected before. I wasn't sure why. Well, that wasn't necessarily true.

I'd had a feeling .

One that made me think of the Shade I'd touched during my poorly thought-out plan to end Kolis. The creature had been nothing more than smoke and bone, but after a single touch, I'd seen organs and muscles form, almost as if I'd been restoring life to it.

Ash's chin brushed the curve of my jaw. "Sera?"

"Sorry." I started to tell him that nothing had disturbed me but stopped myself. Sharing thoughts was important, even the incoherent ones. "I was just thinking about that Shade I touched back when I was in the Dying Woods."

"Back when you last held a dagger to my throat?"

"Was that the last time?" I asked wryly.

He chuckled. "You're talking about the one that seemed to regenerate?"

"Yes." I ran my fingers along his. "I was thinking about how powerful my touch was that it could bring back a Shade, even then. Who knows how long it had been dead?"

"Based on the state of it, I'd say quite some time." He kissed my jaw. "Likely several decades, if not longer."

"That's…kind of creepy."

"Just be careful when touching dead things."

A grin tugged at my lips. "That's possibly the strangest advice ever spoken."

"Possibly." Dipping his head, he kissed my cheek. "Is that what made you nervous when we rode past?"

Again, my immediate response was to shrug it off, so I took a moment to put my thoughts into words. "I could feel the essence swelling inside me as we rode past and thought I could see them following us through the trees. I think they may have felt my presence, and I was glad we weren't going into the woods." I tipped my head back against his chest. "Because I feared I…I worried I may do something I shouldn't."

"Like return life to them?"

Pressing my lips together, I nodded. "What if I still can't control that?"

"But you have, liessa . More than once."

"I know, but there have been times when I haven't." I thought about what Aios and I had discussed. "Do you know how often your father brought people back?"

Ash was silent for a few moments. "I know my father struggled with that. I also know he used the ability far more in the beginning than he did toward the end," he said. "When people came to one of his Temples to plead for the return of their loved ones, it was hard for him to ignore it. Especially if the deceased was young and the death unexpected. He would almost always grant those requests."

"Even knowing that if he granted life—"

"Death is never cheated?" Ash finished. "Yes." A moment or two passed. "As I've said, my father wasn't perfect. Wanting to ease the pain of those suffering was only part of the reason. The act of granting life may have come from an altruistic place, but there were…personal benefits gained from such."

"He enjoyed the worship it brought him?"

"Yes." His lips grazed the corner of mine. "Once my father realized that he could not continue granting life as he was, he knew he couldn't personally answer the summonses. That's when gods began acting as the middle people between the summoners and the Primals . It started first with Eythos , and then the rest of the Primals followed suit."

My brows knitted. "But you can still feel the summonses, right? Eythos had with King Roderick. And I know Kolis did." I swallowed. "He heard my father's summons."

Ash slipped his hand from under mine and straightened in front of me. "What do you mean?"

I realized just then that I hadn't told him about this. There hadn't been much time to share things with him after we were finally free of Dalos . "The night I was born, my father knew what it would mean. He summoned Kolis, having no idea that Eythos had answered Roderick in the past."

"Why did he…?" Ash cursed. "He wanted the deal undone."

I nodded, my heart twisting for the man I'd never met. "He didn't want that kind of future for his daughter."

"What father would?" Ash stated, the respect evident in his voice. "If I were to have a child, I wouldn't want them to live a life of no choice, one where their future was already determined for them."

My stomach dipped again, this time solely due to the idea of Ash as a father. "You know what that means, right?"

"That Kolis always knew about you?" When I nodded, he sighed. "Yeah, I'm figuring that out."

I squeezed my eyes shut. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Because of everything you did to prevent Kolis from discovering me. What you've sacrificed." Anger boiled, stoking the embers as I drew in a deep, calming breath. "It was for—"

"It wasn't for nothing, Sera. I don't regret a damn thing I did to keep you safe," he said. "And it's not something you ever need to apologize for."

The calming breath did not help.

I placed my hands on the table. "How can you not be mad? You kept yourself away from me out of concern for Kolis taking notice of me. You had people watching me. Lathan died doing so."

"I haven't forgotten any of that."

Eather pulsed hotly through me as I rocked back. "You made a deal with Veses to keep her from telling Kolis about me, and there was no reason for you to do so."

Ash's gaze locked with mine. "Nor have I forgotten what I've done, Sera."

"Then why aren't you furious?" My fingers pressed into the tabletop, and power vibrated along my skin. What I had experienced was nothing compared to what he'd had to go through with Veses . Essence crept into the corners of my vision, the violent energy seeping out. The chandelier creaked as it began to sway. "I am."

"I never would've guessed that," he replied dryly. "You should calm down."

My chin dipped. "Hearing that makes me want to do the exact opposite."

"My apologies," he drawled, the essence flaring brightly behind his pupils.

I inhaled sharply, my eyes narrowing. "I'm choosing to ignore the lack of sincerity in your tone."

"And I'm choosing not to let anger over something I cannot change consume me."

My fingers lifted from the table as a scorching, pulsating energy coursed through them. A hot, stinging power throbbed, and the very air itself seemed to cling to my skin and then contract as I stared down at Ash. "Then I choose to be angry for the both of us."

"How about you choose not to levitate?"

"How about— what ?"

"You're levitating." Full lips twitched. "As in, you're rising into the air—"

"I know what levitating means." I glanced down, and…yep, I was definitely doing that. My ass was no longer on the table. Like, not even remotely. My legs were straight, and I was several feet above Ash. The shock of seeing that dampened my anger, and I immediately started to drop with a yelp.

Ash caught my arms and lowered me to the table. "Steady."

Looking up through strands of hair, I cursed. "I didn't even realize I was doing that."

"It happens," he said, like floating into the air wasn't a big deal. He curled his hand around the nape of my neck, bringing our faces together so we were only inches apart. "I don't want you to be angry for both of us, Sera."

"But Veses —"

"She's not worth it." His gaze caught and held mine. "Neither of us can change the past—undo the decisions we've made. I'm not saying it isn't fucked up. It is," he said, smoothing the hair back from my face. "But I refuse to allow anger over what is already done and over with to rot inside me." His gaze searched mine. "The deal I made doesn't matter."

We'd have to disagree on that.

"Please tell me you understand," he said.

I did…and I didn't, because his lack of regret didn't change the fact that he had forfeited his autonomy to keep me hidden from Kolis. Still, I nodded.

But what he'd said struck something in me. If he could move past what Veses had done to him, then why not do the same with Kolis?

As soon as that thought formed, I realized how shortsighted it was. Veses ' actions paled in comparison to Kolis's.

Either way, Veses would pay for her role. That was another vow I made to myself.

"Anyway," I said, quickly kissing him, "these summonses can be felt?"

Ash was quiet for a few heartbeats. "Not like before. Only the strongest and truest pleas reach us now."

I frowned. "What does that even mean?"

"Pleas made while feeling extreme emotion," he explained, running his fingers up under the sleeve of the blouse I wore under my vest. "Those reach us."

"How does it feel?"

"It's hard to put into words." His thumb swept over my elbow. "It feels like a calling—a pull that demands your attention. You feel it here." He placed the palm of his other hand between my breasts. "The tugging sensation is very similar to what I feel when I am summoned to the Pillars. I imagine it's sort of like your foresight demanding you do something."

I drew a wavy line across his arm. "And what…what do you do then?"

"It is up to you."

"Well, that's not a helpful answer."

He chuckled. "It's the truth. You can… choose ," he said, and I rolled my eyes, "to answer or not."

I turned my head to the side. "You do."

A tight, icy smile appeared. "Only because anyone who summons a Primal of Death does so at their own risk."

I remembered him telling me that before. Anyone summoning a Primal of Death usually wanted something terrible.

"There is no wrong or right way to handle it. Only what you're comfortable with," he added as my gaze lowered. "And you can change your mind at any time. You will, however, need to assign gods you trust to act on your behalf."

I nodded, thinking things over. Obviously, the smartest thing to do would be to not answer the summons in person. That way, I could be more objective and…responsible.

And possibly prevent a Kolis-type situation down the road.

"It is rare for the summonses to reach us," Ash added. "It does take the type of desperation most are lucky not to feel." He looped his other arm around me. "I imagine you don't have the highest opinion of my father after hearing that."

"No, that's not the case. I mean, I honestly don't know what to think of any of that," I admitted as I traced a circle on his forearm. "I can't exactly judge him. It would be difficult to ignore the pleas of the mourning when you could do something to ease their pain." Once more, I thought about my conversation with Aios . "And I was thinking earlier about how one decides when to grant life and when not to—like, obviously, the ability would not have been shared if the Ancients hadn't wanted it to be used. And that can never be an easy decision to make." I tipped my head back. "It was one I never wanted to be in charge of making."

He kissed my brow. "Most would not want that responsibility."

"I was also thinking that maybe how someone dies plays a role," I told him. "Like if the death is unnatural or…unjust."

"I don't think my father ever figured out for sure when it was and wasn't right to do so, but I don't think you'll struggle as much as he did."

"Why is that?"

"Because you don't have his ego."

I snorted. "Really?"

"Let me rephrase that," he said. "You don't want to be worshipped."

"You're right about that, and also wrong."

"You don't want to be worshipped by anyone but me."

"Exactly."

He kissed my temple and then settled beside me. "Are you sure you're ready to go in front of the people tomorrow?"

"I am." My stomach tumbled a bit. "I mean, I'm nervous about it. I've never done anything like it. But I am ready."

"Okay." His fingers slid back down my arm. "I just don't want you to feel overwhelmed."

"I know." His consideration reminded me of something. "I didn't get a chance to thank you."

"For what?"

I smiled. "For starting the meeting when I couldn't."

"You don't need to thank me for that."

"Yes, I do," I insisted. "You stopped me from looking more unprepared than necessary."

" Liessa ," Ash began.

"I'm being serious." I placed my hands on his chest, feeling his cold skin beneath his shirt. "Look, I'm not being too hard on myself. I panicked a little, which I'm sure you picked up on."

Ash raised a brow.

"You jumped in without making it a big deal," I continued. "And that gave me time to find my footing."

"I get what you're saying, but I only did what I needed to do for you," he replied, tucking the hair that had fallen forward behind my ear. "I only did what I should do. That is never something you need to thank me for."

My lips pursed. "I'm still going to thank you when you do things you ‘ should ' have done."

"Figured," he stated blandly.

"Perhaps instead of vocalizing my thanks, I could show you?" I suggested.

Eather brightened in his eyes. "As long as you're still using your mouth, I'll have no complaints."

A small, shocked giggle snuck free. "Pervert."

"Been called worse."

Laughing, I clasped his cheeks and kissed him. His cool breath mingled with mine, creating an intoxicating blend. A rush of desire surged, sending a current of pulsing pleasure through me that seemed to travel from my mouth to every inch of my body.

"How much time do you think we have before supper?" I asked.

"Not nearly long enough to do what I want." The smoky arousal in his voice caused muscles low in my stomach to curl. "Which is to strip you down and fuck you on this table."

My entire body flushed at the prospect. "That's too bad."

"Yes." His lips coasted over mine.

"But I do think we have time for an appetizer."

Ash drew back, his brows furrowing as I slid off the table and lowered myself to my knees in front of him. "I'm not sure what you on your knees has to do with an appetizer."

One side of my lips curled up as my innuendo failed to land. It was easy to forget his lack of experience when he was such a quick, adept learner.

"You'll see," I said, sliding my hands up the front of his thighs and then inward.

He sucked in a ragged breath as my palm dragged over his rigid length. "I think I'm starting to understand."

"Good." I undid the flap of leather and then shoved his pants down, baring him to me. I took in the sight of him—thick, hard, and straining. I licked my lips. "Yum."

"Fuck," he groaned.

Grinning, I encircled him with my fingers, awed by how his entire body reacted, and then I took him into my mouth.

I carried through on what I'd said. I showed him my thanks with my mouth and tongue.

And there were no complaints.

I sat in the middle of the mattress, staring at the small wooden box as Ash readied himself for bed. I could hear the splashing of the fresh water that had been brought up after supper.

I was restless.

Again.

Every couple of moments, my muscles tensed as if I were about to leap to my feet and…do something. What? I had no idea.

I drew my legs to my chest, my gaze tracking the delicate carvings along the lid of the box. It felt like a sense of urgency, but I didn't know what for.

I poked at a fang with my tongue, my brows furrowing. I thought I recognized the feeling. It was the same as the year I'd forgotten Ezra's birthday. On and off throughout the day, I'd kept feeling like I was forgetting something, but the what had danced just out of my reach. This restless urgency was similar to that. There was something I needed to do or remember. Something important. And this wasn't the first time I'd felt this since waking from stasis after my Ascension. It had steadily increased as the day passed, though.

Resting my chin on my knees, I closed my eyes. The only time I hadn't felt the restlessness had been during our utterly perfect supper. I hadn't said much during it. I'd just sat back and listened to the conversations around me. Honestly, doing something as simple as sharing dinner with Ash and the people I was beginning to consider family had been something I'd only dreamed of as a child.

But as soon as the meal and conversation ended and my mind quieted, restlessness surged through me. Exactly like when I'd been with Rhain and Aios earlier. It had nothing to do with Kolis. I didn't think it had anything to do with tomorrow's speech or Ash's upcoming trip to Vathi. Or our plans to go to Keella . It wasn't about us. Not really. Maybe it had something to do with Lethe or the Shadowlands in general. Perhaps it had to do with all the new arrivals to Lethe and how long it would be until crops—

Wait.

My eyes went wide as I lifted my head. When Saion had spoken during the meeting about surveying the land for crops, I'd been thinking about how I should be able to help speed that process along.

Not should…

The bathing chamber darkened as Ash strolled out. The sight of him was a distraction. My gaze eagerly tracked the drops of water coursing down the sculpted lines of his chest, and the nape of my neck tingled. A sudden sense of knowing seized me. Eather throbbed from deep within me as if it were waking up.

I could do something.

I shot to my knees, sending my hair falling over my shoulders. "I'm the true Primal of Life."

Ash stopped at the side of the bed, his brow beginning to furrow and then smooth out as his gaze dropped. "I do hope you're not just realizing that now. If so, I don't think summoning the Primals tomorrow is a good idea."

"Why would I just now be—?" I pressed my lips together. He was teasing. I squinted. " Anyway . I can restore life, and while water isn't really something alive, it's—" My thoughts were racing so fast I could barely make sense of them. I shook my head. "There is life to water and to everything." My nose scrunched as I tried to grasp that piece of knowledge because I knew it was important and would lead to something even more so. But I shook my head, refocusing. "I was able to restore life with eather before. I was able to heal—are you even paying attention?"

Ash dragged his teeth over his lower lip and nodded. "Of course."

"You are definitely not." Leaning forward, I grasped his chin, guiding his attention away from my sheer nightgown. "You're staring at my breasts."

"You're right. I am." He pulled back, kissing the tip of my finger. "They're beautiful." His gaze dropped again. "But like this, with the gown and your hair spread across them?" The featherlight touch of his fingers between the strands of hair drew a shiver from me. "I cannot help myself, liessa . I'm eager for dessert."

"I'm flattered."

His gaze returned to mine, and he lifted a brow.

Sighing, I rolled my eyes. "Okay, I'm really flattered. Thank you. And you can show me how beautiful you find them later."

The tips of his fangs appeared. "Oh, I very much plan to do so." His head dipped, and his lips glided over my cheek. "You had an appetizer earlier, but I haven't had dessert yet."

Muscles low in my stomach tightened, and it took a lot for me to ignore that, but I had to. "Ash."

" Liessa ?"

"We don't have to wait for it to rain or for the snow to fall and then melt," I told him. "I can restore the rivers and lakes in the Shadowlands."

That got his attention.

He was no longer checking out my breasts. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Or at least I thought so. "I can do it." Resolve filled me, and Ash either saw it in my stare or sensed it, because the line of his shoulders became rigid. "I can do it now ."