CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I woke to find myself half-sprawled across Ash's chest and feeling…strange.

And nauseous.

I lifted my head, glancing toward the balcony doors. The world outside still carried the darkness of night. Gods, I couldn't have slept that long after returning to our chambers.

I started to lay back down when the inside of my mouth filled with saliva, forcing me to quickly swallow. My eyes widened at the acidic taste in my mouth.

Oh, gods, I wouldn't vomit on Ash as he slept. Or anytime.

Carefully, I eased out of his lax embrace, not wanting to wake him.

I failed.

Before my foot even hit the floor, Ash stirred. " Liessa …"

"It's okay," I assured him, wincing at the churning in my stomach. "I'm just getting something to drink and going to the bathing chamber. I'll be right back."

"Hurry."

I smiled despite the nausea and quickly rose. Padding barefoot across the floor, I stopped at the small table and poured myself a glass of water. Taking a few quick sips, I glanced at the bed and made my way to the bathing chamber. Ash remained on his back, one arm curved against the pillow beside him and the other hand resting on the blanket gathered at his lean hips. Despite feeling queasy, heat pooled low in my core. As weird as it sounded, there was something decadently sensual about a sleeping man. I'd never noticed before.

Gods, I wanted to rip that blanket aside and straddle him.

A sleepy growl rumbled from Ash's chest, causing tight, fine shivers to race down my spine.

" Liessa ," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep and… I inhaled deeply, catching the scent of his arousal. "I can taste your slickness on my tongue."

My lips parted at the sharp pang of desire his words elicited.

The deep growl came again. "You should come back to bed now."

I was half-tempted to do just that, but until I was sure I wouldn't throw up, I figured it would be a bad idea. "I'll be right back."

His snarl of disapproval brought another smile to my face as I tore my gaze from him and entered the chamber. I drank as much water as I could, erasing the taste in my mouth before placing the glass on the vanity. Luckily, as I took care of personal needs, the nausea subsided. I felt completely normal.

Actually, that wasn't entirely true. I still felt strange. My skin prickled on and off. I figured it must have something to do with me using the essence earlier to restore the river.

I picked up the glass of water, drinking what was left—

I gasped, nearly dropping the glass as Ash appeared behind me in the mirror. He wordlessly reached around me, plucked the glass from my grasp, and placed it on the vanity. "Did you just shadowstep from the bed to the bathing chamber?"

"Maybe," he said, burying his face in the crook of my neck as he folded an arm around my waist and pulled me against his chest. His right hand rested on my belly, just above my navel. Even in the dim light of the bathing chamber, the contrast between my paler skin and his rich tones was stark. "I grew impatient."

He'd also grown hard.

My skin flushed at the feel of his thick length against my back. "I wasn't gone that long."

"We will have to disagree on that," he said, and I saw his hand sliding down in the reflection. I widened my stance, giving that wandering hand of his permission.

My heart thudded as I watched his other hand curl around my right breast. My already pebbled nipples hardened as he drew his finger across the peak. The breath I took caught as his lips coasted up the side of my neck, drawing forth blade-sharp anticipation of feeling his fangs against my skin and …an emotion I refused to focus on.

I bit my lip as he rolled the nipple between his forefinger and thumb. A tremor went through me. "Should we return to the bedchamber?"

"I'm too impatient to do so." He nipped at my ear as his hand delved between my thighs. One long, cool finger slipped inside, drawing a ragged moan from me. "And you know what you are?"

I watched the tendons of his hand flex as his finger— fingers —moved inside me. "What?"

"You're just as slick and wet as I tasted earlier."

Oh, gods.

A shudder of heat and desire went through me as my hips twitched against his hand. His fang scraped my earlobe once more as he withdrew his hand from my thighs and dragged his palm up my stomach, leaving a glistening trail in its wake.

"So very wet," he purred.

My skin was burning, but it had little to do with how blatant my arousal was. His fingers dragged over my left breast as his lips brushed my temple—

Something cool and soft slipped over my calf, causing my body to jerk. I started to look down, but Ash folded his hand over the front of my throat. He tipped my head back, and I caught a brief glimpse of the silvery orbs of his eyes before he claimed my mouth with his.

The kiss was fierce, parting my lips with one sweep of his tongue as that cool, swirling mass of energy reached my knee. My pulse pounded as his tongue swept over my fangs. The rich, smoky taste of his blood hit my tongue as cool air kissed the area between my thighs. A shudder racked me as I felt another tendril curl itself around my upper leg, lifting it and spreading me open. Ash chuckled against my lips and then deepened the kiss, his tongue thrusting just as the essence did the same. I cried out, my back arching as his Primal essence filled me. His mouth left mine, but his hand stayed at my throat as my gaze flicked back to the mirror.

I was transfixed by what I saw, unable to look away as the thick, shadowy tendril wrapped around my right leg moved deep inside me.

"You're even wetter now." Ash's rough voice vibrated through the bathing chamber as he, too, was fixated on our reflection. "Even more soft and hot."

Gods, he was…

Ash was wicked .

I trembled as I felt crackling air spin itself along my right leg, the buzz of energy teasing and humming as it climbed. My breath stuttered as I felt his essence beneath my rear, lifting me until neither foot touched the floor.

"That's my pretty, wet pussy," he whispered in my ear. I moaned as the hold around my waist tightened. "I need to feel it on my cock."

"Yes, please."

His laugh was short and rough. The essence retreated, but before I could mourn its loss, Ash's cock was buried deep inside me.

"Oh, gods," I cried out, feeling all my tiny muscles clench around him.

Ash wasn't in the mood for sweet, tender lovemaking. Obviously. He fucked, and with the way he and his essence held me, how the pulsating strands of eather moved me back against him as he thrust into me, he had complete control. And that heightened my lust to the point where it was almost painful.

"You're so beautiful," he rasped. "So perfect."

My head fell back against his chest as he rocked against me—

A thin tendril danced over the curve of my ass cheek. My eyes flew open.

Ash's movements stilled. His gaze in the reflection snared mine. The wisp of energy slipped over where we were joined, teasing the empty, sensitive opening. "What do you want, meyaah Liessa ?"

I immediately knew what he wanted to hear me say. "Fuck me," I whispered. "Fuck my pussy and my ass, my King."

His chuckle was darkly sensual. The current of eather pulsed and then eased itself into me. The sound I made scorched my cheeks as the pressure filled me to the point where I felt like I would lose all sense. Tension curled so tightly there was a good chance I would come if he so much as twitched.

But he didn't. Ash was utterly still behind and in me.

"You forgot something," he chided.

"What…?" My eyes narrowed as I realized what he meant. "How about, fuck me now?"

"That's not it."

"I know."

The tendril expanded slightly, drawing out a ragged curse. "What do you want, meyaah Liessa ?" he asked again.

I could refuse, and if I did, I knew he'd still give me what I wanted, but he also knew it wasn't what I needed.

I turned my head toward his. "Fuck me." Our lips brushed. "Fuck me in my ass and pussy, Ash ."

He groaned. "As you wish."

And that is what he did. His hips and essence moved in perfect rhythm. The pleasure was all-consuming, almost too much, and I strained and twisted in his hold as the curls of tension built quickly. Ash thrust deep and hard, holding me tightly as I ground on him. The coil deep inside me spun and spun until I didn't think I could take much more. My entire body was too sensitive. I was too full.

The hand at my throat tipped my head back. "I love you," Ash whispered against my lips, kissing me.

Those three words sent me over the edge. The climax took me hard, rushing through me in pounding waves of ecstasy. My cries were lost in Ash's groan as he found his release.

I didn't know how long we stayed that way as sweet aftershocks fluttered through both of us, but my knees were still a little weak by the time he eased himself from me and placed me on my feet.

He kissed my temple. "Stay right there."

"Yes, sir," I murmured.

He shot me a quick grin, then found a washcloth that he dampened. Returning to stand behind me, he kissed the corner of my lips as he gently swept the washcloth between my thighs. The act of him cleaning me up was so sweet I thought I might cry. Like seriously. Tears clogged my throat, and I rolled my eyes at myself. I had no idea why I was so emotional. I was going to blame post-orgasmic bliss.

"Coming back to bed?" Ash asked, tossing the washcloth into a hamper.

I nodded. "In a minute."

"Don't take too long." His lips brushed my forehead. "You've kept me up long enough."

"Me?" I laughed as he stepped away. "I was minding my own business in here, thank you very much."

"Yes, you were minding your own business walking around naked." He opened the door as he looked over his shoulder at me. A lock of hair fell across his face. "While being as wet as sin."

My mouth dropped open.

"What else was I to do?" he questioned, one side of his lips curving up.

I snapped my mouth shut as my eyes narrowed. He chuckled, turning away. "You know," I said, "it's inappropriate to point out things like that."

"One would also think having such a hungry pussy is also inappropriate," he replied.

A shocked giggle burst from my lips. "Naughty Ash."

"Naughty pussy, more like."

"Oh, my gods." I smacked my hands over my face. "I think we can stop saying pussy now."

Ash chuckled. "I'll be waiting for you."

I shook my head as he closed the door, even though I absolutely loved this dirty side of him. I thought back to what we'd just done. I really loved the dirtier side of him.

Figuring it would be best if I stopped thinking about that before I found myself once more in Ash's arms, I bent over the vanity and splashed cool water on my way-too-hot face. I plucked up the nearest clean towel to dry myself as my gaze drifted to the mirror.

Even in the dim glow of the lamplight, seeing my eyes still came as a shock, despite looking like my freckled self.

Well, not completely like myself. There was a slight golden glow to my skin that hadn't been there before I rose as a Primal. I lifted my upper lip until the tips of the two small fangs appeared.

What would Ezra think upon seeing them? Gods, she would have so many questions, and I…I wanted to answer them. My eyes closed as a pang of yearning ran through me. I wanted to see her and Marisol. Perhaps even my mother—

The sudden sensation of pins and needles erupted as the eather pulsed in the center of my chest and formed what felt like a cord. A connection . That link surged through me, pulling taut as it stretched beyond the palace and the Shadowlands. Essence swelled, flooding my veins. Behind my closed eyelids, I saw gold and silver. The intensity snagged the breath I took. I pressed my hand to my stomach as the rise of power crested and then steadied, leveling out.

It balanced.

Black washed over the silver-laced gold light. Black streaked with crimson.

Sucking in a sharp breath, my eyes flew open—

My heart lurched.

What I saw was brief and only lasted a heartbeat, if that, but I saw .

And it wasn't my eyes that met mine. It wasn't my reflection that stared back at me.

It was silver eyes streaked with red. It was the face I saw in my nightmares.

Kolis.

Ash once more shadowstepped into the bathing chamber. "What's wrong?"

I staggered forward, my mouth dry. What I saw now was my reflection. The same as before, except the freckles stood out more starkly. But I had seen him.

"Sera?" Ash was at my side, placing a hand on my lower back. "Talk to me."

"I'm okay," I said hoarsely. My heart pounded as I gripped the vanity, willing myself to calm. "I…I just need a moment."

He ran his hand up and down my back. "Take as many as you need."

The calming sweep of his palm helped push away the panic and confusion, clearing my thoughts enough for me to focus on what'd just happened. I knew Kolis hadn't really been here, but I also knew what that cord-like sensation meant. What it was telling me. It was either the vadentia or all the information I'd gained during the Ascension.

That link—that connection —had always existed between the true Primal of Life and the true Primal of Death. After all, Life could not exist without Death. They walked the realms side by side, and all that link meant was that Death had awakened. Had become conscious. Aware. That was why I hadn't felt it before, and I would also bet that it was the source of what had awakened me and left me feeling nauseous. Shockingly, Kolis had still been in stasis up until this very moment.

"Fuck," I whispered, and Ash's hand momentarily halted before continuing. Opening my eyes, I faced Ash. "It's Kolis."

The tendrils of eather stilled in his eyes as he curved one of his hands around mine. "Talk to me," he said.

"I sensed Kolis."

Those wisps of eather brightened as intensely as stars. "I'm going to need more details."

As I told him what happened, his jaw clenched and became as hard as the shadowstone around us. "It was weird, but I know he's been in a stasis until now."

"Do you still feel him?"

"No." I frowned as I thought twice. "I mean, I don't technically feel him."

Frigid air blew off Ash. "What does that mean, Sera? Do you hear him? Feel anything?" His flesh thinned as his head dipped until we were at eye level. "Please, do not lie to me about this. I beg of you."

"It's more an awareness of him, of him being conscious," I quickly clarified. "And that is all." I squeezed his hand. "I swear."

His chest rose with a heavy breath. "I didn't know that was possible."

"I didn't either. Well, I did but didn't realize I knew," I said, knowing that made little sense. "There's a lot of stuff in my head. Too much, really. But it's quite possible that no one else knew about that, not even Nektas ."

Ash nodded, his flesh gradually thickening. "If he did, he would've said something." His jaw loosened. "Well, now we know why he has been so silent. Stasis was the true cause of his absence and lack of action."

I wanted to deny it, but it would be foolish to do so.

"This doesn't change our plans." He cupped my cheek.

"I know."

"You done in here?"

I nodded, and worry started to fester as Ash led me from the bathing chamber. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that nothing had changed. We'd been operating as if Kolis had been awake this entire time anyway.

But even I knew that was a whole lot of bullshit because Kolis was awake, and that changed everything .

The following morning, I knew I should be with Ash as the security for today's speech was discussed, but instead, I was on the Rise, walking toward the wall facing Lethe. It was the easiest way for me to see the Dying Woods. Something had occurred to me.

The Shades.

The slight heels of my leather boots clapped softly on the stone as I glanced down, seeing lush grass filling the courtyard and Rhahar's lurking figure just beneath me. He wasn't alone. Kars, the fair-haired and muscular guard who had once offered to train me, was with him. They had been following me since the moment Ash left.

Something odd had happened when I'd spotted Kars as I climbed the Rise. I'd never been able to tell before if he was a god or a godling—the child of a mortal and a god—but I'd known right then that he was one of the rare godlings who entered the Culling and survived. It was similar to what had happened when I saw the guard on the Rise yesterday.

The vadentia sure was strengthening quickly.

However, the embers inside me since birth had already matured to an extent, which likely explained why things were happening faster for me.

But that rapidly developing ability wasn't why I was on the Rise.

When I used the essence to fill the riverbed, I'd been focused on bringing water back to the Shadowlands. But I'd restored a lot more than that.

The Shadowlands were virtually unrecognizable.

A pleasant breeze swirled along the Rise, lifting a stray curl as I continued on. I thought I had a good idea how this had happened. When I tapped into the essence, I had also willed life to return to the Shadowlands. That was how the fields of poppies and grass had appeared. How the trees along the road into the Shadowlands straightened and sprouted glossy violet and green leaves. It was why the soil was a rich, dark brown. I did more than I had intended to. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, except that there were dead things moving about in the Shadowlands.

The Shades.

Had my will impacted them?

The eather stirred restlessly as my steps slowed. The sea of vibrant crimson thinned, and the twisted, bare, ashen trees appeared, scattered at first and then becoming more crowded as the woods thickened.

I stopped at a parapet to scan the Dying Woods. A gloom clung to the trees where the forest was the thickest, obscuring everything below the tops of the thin, gnarled branches. My gaze traveled to the thinnest part of the Dying Woods. I could see the dull, lifeless ground through the stagnant fog gathered midway down the trees.

The Dying Woods hadn't changed.

Movement drew my attention toward the heavier parts. The gloom there had thickened, and it moved . Eather throbbed, pressing against my skin.

Shades.

I sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. My hands spasmed and then fisted. Wispy gray forms slunk around tree trunks, creeping toward the edges of the Dying Woods. I closed my eyes, pushing down the swell of eather as my fingers tingled. The Dying Woods remained as it had always been. That was good news. A part of me had been half-afraid that I'd brought all the Shades back to life.

And I was a little sad.

Not all the Shades were evil—well, now they were, but they hadn't all started out that way. Some had just been afraid when they came upon the Pillars of Asphodel, terrified that they would be sentenced to the Abyss for stealing, telling lies, forgery, or adultery. Bad things, but sometimes necessary. Mistakes. Actions that hadn't damned them.

Until now.

Now, they were lost.

And I knew why that bothered me. I'd spent the better part of my life fearing where I would end up after my death. Even after Ash, I had been afraid. I didn't know if the Fates would intervene, preventing Ash from judging me kindly. The worst part was that I knew where I deserved to go. It wasn't the Vale, yet I was the Agna Adice .

The Great Condemner.

And how messed up was that?

A lot. The answer was a lot.

But why hadn't my will affected the Shades and the Dying Woods? Opening my eyes, I saw that the Shades were closer, gathering near the edge of the trees. The sensation of fingertips along the nape of my neck hit me as the answer to my question formed.

The Dying Woods belonged to Death, as did the Shades. Just like they were mostly prevented from leaving the Dying Woods, I was blocked from bringing life to that stretch of land. But…

I frowned. But neither life nor death was absolute. My thoughts raced. There was something about that. The wards that trapped the lost souls in the woods sometimes weakened, and I had almost brought one back. I had been in the Dying Woods then, touching the Shade. That was the difference.

Death couldn't break the bond of Life's touch. That kind of power? It was the same as I'd displayed last night.

I turned away from the Shades and knew that what I had done last night had awakened Kolis.

After spending an ungodly amount of time trying to decide whether to wear my hair loose or in a braid, I finally decided to leave the curls free. Ash liked it that way, and I loved that he did.

I stepped back so I could see myself in the mirror attached to the wardrobe door. The tunic Aios had picked out was fitted at the breasts, almost too tightly, like the measurements might have been off just a little bit, but the cut was flattering, and the stitching Erlina had done was beyond beautiful. I couldn't remember if I had thanked her for her hard work, and even if I had, I wanted to do so again.

I'd followed Aios's suggestion and paired the tunic with black leggings, and I didn't think Rhain would have any reason to complain.

I took a deep breath, nodded at myself, and then walked through the bathing chamber. Tiny knots of anxiety bounced around in my stomach as I headed down the narrow hall to the antechamber. There, I found Reaver in his mortal form, seated on the couch with a pad of parchment.

He looked up as I entered. "You look nice," he said, and a hint of pink appeared on the cheeks I could actually see through his hair.

"Thank you." I approached. "Hopefully, Rhain agrees."

A grin appeared, but it quickly disappeared. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm just anxious. That's all." I smiled, hoping it eased his concerns as I glanced at the paper in his lap. "Are you drawing something?"

Pale hair flopped over his forehead as he looked down. One shoulder lifted. "I'm supposed to be working on my letters."

My lips twitched. "And you're not?"

Wordlessly, he lifted the parchment and showed me. There were letters written in surprisingly fine, sophisticated lines. About half as many as there should be. The rest of the page was filled with swirling ink strokes I quickly recognized. "You're drawing the design on the throne doors."

"Trying to," he mumbled, kicking feet that didn't reach the floor.

I peered down at the paper. He'd captured the leaves on the ivy-like vines that adorned the throne room doors and decorated my tunic. "I think you're doing a good job."

"Thanks." Another splash of pink traveled across his cheeks. "I don't think Liora will be happy, though."

"Liora?" I sat beside him.

"She's like me," he said, shading a tiny leaf. "But older. She doesn't leave Mount Rhee much, but she did come by while you were asleep. All the draken did." He frowned, appearing to search for a word. "We all felt you rise as the true Primal of Life," he said, speaking as if that were something entirely normal.

And I guessed it was since I had basically felt Kolis do the same.

I clasped my knees. "Is Liora who watches you and Jadis sometimes?"

He nodded.

"Maybe you should finish the rest of your letters for her," I suggested. "You're almost halfway done."

"I will." Dragging his lip between his teeth, he glanced over at me. "Do you want to draw? It helps me when I'm anxious."

"Drawing makes me anxious," I joked. "But thank you." My gaze flickered over him. "Why are you anxious?"

"I'm not."

I raised my brows. "You just admitted to drawing when you're anxious," I pointed out. "So, why are you anxious?"

His little nose pinched as he looked away. "I'm anxious because you are."

I drew back. "What?"

"You're meyaah Liessa . I…I can sense it," he said.

"Oh, gods. I didn't know that." Uncomfortable, I shifted in my seat. Actually, I did know that. It was just lost in all the other stuff I suddenly knew. "The notam ."

Reaver nodded.

It was the bond all draken had with the true Primal of Life. "So, all the draken can feel when I'm anxious?"

Swinging his feet, he nodded. "The older ones know how to block it out. I just haven't learned how to do that yet."

"What about Jadis?"

"I don't think she can feel anything yet," he answered. "She's too young."

That was kind of a relief, but not really. I didn't want my almost constant state of anxiety affecting Reaver. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." He tilted his pointy chin up. "It's not real bad."

I wasn't sure I believed that, which meant I needed to get my anxiety under control.

"I think you'll do fine today, by the way. The people already like you, and after what they saw this morning? They have to love you. So, you have no reason to be anxious," he said earnestly and with a seriousness far beyond his age.

"Thank you." I ran my hands over my knees. My anxiety at the moment had little to do with the speech, but I was sure that would rear its head sooner or later.

Once Reaver finished his letters, we moved out to the daybed on the balcony. He was telling me about Mount Rhee and some of the draken I hadn't yet fully interacted with when I felt Ash near the bedchamber.

He joined Reaver and me, striding out onto the balcony, the hair at his temples damp.

"You two kind of match," Reaver said, kicking his feet off the base of the daybed.

We did.

Ash wore a sleeveless, black tunic trimmed in the same silver brocade. It stretched across his broad shoulders and was perfectly tailored to his tapered waist. He looked magnificent.

"Great minds think alike," he murmured, bending to kiss me.

Reaver groaned. "You two do that a lot."

Ash chuckled as he straightened. "One day, you will understand why."

"Nuh-uh," Reaver denied, his lip curling in disgust.

"I'll be sure to remind you of that when the day comes." Ash reached over, the silver band on his upper arm glinting in the sunlight as he ruffled Reaver's mop of blond hair. "Mestra will be here shortly to take you back to Mount Rhee."

Reaver had briefly mentioned the other draken I had yet to meet. Besides Jadis and Reaver, she was the youngest of the draken , a little over a century old.

"I'd rather go with you all," Reaver said.

"I know," I told him. Reaver had mentioned wanting to go with us no less than two dozen times since we decided to talk to the people. "When you're older, I'm sure it will be fine for you to be with us."

He wrinkled his nose. "Why am I not old enough now? You two are just giving a speech."

"Yes, we're only giving a speech, and nothing should happen," Ash said, his tone gentle. "But you are too important to take that risk. Understand?"

Reaver nodded, clearly unhappy, and I felt for the little guy. Considering what he'd been through, it was no wonder he wanted to stick close to our sides.

"Rhain wanted to show us something." Ash offered me his hand. "He's waiting for us downstairs."

"Hopefully, it's not an example of appropriate attire," I muttered, taking Ash's hand.

Reaver snickered.

"What?" Ash's brows knitted.

"Nothing." I shot the draken a look as Ash pulled me to my feet. "Did he say what he wanted to show us?"

He shook his head. "Only that it was important."

"Probably has to do with gowns," Reaver commented.

Ash's head tilted as he tugged me to his side. "I feel like I'm missing something."

"You are," I confirmed. "But it's nothing interesting."

"I'll have to take your word for that." He looked back at Reaver. "You're walking us down, right?"

The smile that came across Reaver's face was brief but beautiful before he ducked his head and the sheet of golden hair obscured his face.

"Lead the way," Ash instructed Reaver, keeping his hand wrapped firmly around mine.

I grinned as Reaver took Ash's request very seriously, skirting us. "Can you give Ash and me a moment, though?"

Reaver stopped in the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest. "You guys are going to have a serious conversation you don't want me to hear."

"Now, why would you think that?" Ash questioned.

"Because every time something serious needs to be said that no one wants me to hear, I'm either sent from the room, tasked to look after Jadis, or others speak in a weird way like they're leaving out words and stuff."

Note to self: Reaver is far too observant. "We weren't going to talk," I told him. "I was planning to do more kissing."

There was no hesitation. Not even a second. "I'll wait in the hall." Reaver pivoted and disappeared in a heartbeat.

"Wow," I murmured. "I didn't think it would be that effective."

"Well, I, for one, am not disturbed by the idea of more kissing."

"I hate to disappoint you," I said, "because Reaver was right. It's something I didn't want him to hear."

"What is it?"

"Something I realized this morning," I said. "I think I figured out what woke Kolis—no, I know. It was me."

Ash's eyes searched mine. "I'm sure you had nothing—"

"I didn't do it on purpose," I cut in. "It's what I did last night when I brought the river back and, well, everything else. That power? It was a lot."

"Yeah," he said, straightening the collar of my tunic. "It was."

"And I'm sure it was felt all across Iliseeum . That's what woke him from stasis. He felt it."

Ash appeared to think about that for a moment. "If that is the case, do you regret what you did?"

"No," I said without hesitation.

"Then it is what it is," he said softly. "It's not your fault he woke."

"I don't…" I fell silent upon his knowing look. "I don't regret it, but I do feel a tiny bit responsible."

"I get it," he said. "But you know he would've woken eventually."

"Would've been nice if he still remained in stasis, though."

"Maybe." He tucked a curl back behind my ear. "But I personally enjoy knowing that it was you being a powerful Primal that possibly woke him sooner than he would've naturally."

My brows lifted. "I hadn't thought of it that way."

"Now, you have," He dipped his head and kissed me.

"We should join Reaver before he becomes traumatized by something we're not even doing."

That brought a faint grin to his lips, and by the time we joined the youngling, he appeared calmer.

"How are you feeling about the speech?" Ash asked as we entered the hall with Reaver several feet in front of us.

"I'm good." I paused and then admitted, "And a little nervous."

"You'll do perfectly," Ash assured, dipping down to press a kiss to the top of my head.

"That's what I told her," Reaver called from the top of the staircase, where he waited.

"She should start listening to you, then," Ash responded and then glanced down at me. "You look beautiful, by the way."

"Thank you." I smiled up at him. "You don't look too bad yourself."

Ash chuckled. "I believe you're underplaying how extraordinarily handsome you find me right now."

"Perhaps."

I could see Rhain waiting for us beneath the crystal chandelier as we reached the second floor of the grand staircase, and then Reaver shocked the hell out of me by doing the most childlike thing I'd ever seen him do. He hopped from the next to last step to the floor. When we followed suit, minus the hopping, I caught sight of Rhahar waiting near the vacant marble pedestal with Kars.

I frowned at that damn pedestal. I really needed to find something to put on it.

"You said there was something you wanted to show us?" Ash asked, drawing my attention back to the god.

Rhain nodded, and this time, there was no stopping the concern from taking root at the sudden tension hardening his features. "It's the crowns."