CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

"I really hope Kars and Rhahar didn't head to Vathi," I said as I slipped from Ash's embrace, a little breathless from the kiss. He had shadowstepped us back to his office in the Shadowlands.

"So, they knew where you were going?" he asked. The lock engaged with a metallic click. My gaze shot to Ash's. The intensity in his stare bore into me, causing my already erratic pulse to speed up.

"Yes." I backed up some more.

"Did they try to stop you?"

"They tried." I drew in a deep breath, catching the thicker, heavier scent of arousal.

Oh, gods.

"And failed." He prowled forward, each step fluid and precise.

"Would you expect anything less?"

One side of his mouth curled up. "Absolutely fucking not."

I inched back a step and bumped into his desk. "We need to talk."

"We do," Ash agreed. "That's why we're here."

I blinked hard, surprised. "Talking is clearly not what you're communicating."

"I suppose I need to work on that."

"Yeah—" I gasped.

Without warning, he closed the distance between us. He was right in front of me, one cool hand cupping my cheek and tilting my head.

His mouth returned to mine with unerring accuracy, interrupting my steady stream of questions—though he'd ask more questions than I did. There was nothing gentle or tentative about the kiss or my body's immediate response. The flick of his tongue along the seam of my mouth was like a lightning bolt to my senses, electric and intense. His touch was cool, but it evoked a rush of sultry heat.

Ash's lips lifted from mine, but not far. "You taste like sugar." A deep and dark growl rumbled from him. "I like."

"It's from the tea I had earlier." Or at least I thought it was. I couldn't be sure now. His kiss had scattered my thoughts, and he wasn't done doing so.

He kissed me again, and this time, his tongue parted my lips and swept inside, dancing with mine. "My brave, beautiful wife." His lips coasted over mine. "Still so frightened by a snake."

"That will never change."

"Good. I find it adorable." His other hand landed on my hip. "I know you were upset when you saw Attes's face, but I didn't hurt him too badly."

I gripped the front of his shirt. "You shouldn't have hurt him at all."

His lips brushed mine as he moved his large hand over the curve of my backside. "I enjoy the way you look in these pants." His fingers followed the thin seam over the center of my ass. "But I love the way your body feels in them."

Heart thumping, I lifted my gaze to his. "I can tell."

"Can you?" A wolfish grin appeared. A wicked gleam in his stare joined the devilish expression. "How about…?" His questing fingers dipped lower, dragging a ragged gasp from me. "Now?"

Raw, sharp sensation curled tightly in my core as my fingers splayed across the soft linen of his shirt.

His chuckle was like silk against my skin, and his kiss was more languid and intoxicating this time. I started to lean into him, wanting to give in to the captivating pulse of pleasure his kiss and touch elicited.

But we did need to talk.

Mustering up what little self-restraint I had, I lightly pushed against his chest. "Yes, I can definitely tell you're fond of these pants, but we need to behave responsibly at the moment. So you need to forget about them," I said, ignoring the breathy note in my voice. "What did Attes think about us wanting to meet with the Primals ?"

"He thought it was a good idea." The grip on my ass tightened as he dropped a quick kiss to the corner of my mouth and then my cheek. "If he heads out to the other Courts when he said he would, we'll hear from him within a day."

My stomach dipped once more. "That's quick."

"It is." He slid the hand from my cheek and down the side of my throat. His palm glided over the thick braid of hair, and his fingers skimmed the curve of my breast where it was lifted from the tight vest. I inhaled sharply. "I'm betting Lailah will go with him."

"Re—" I gasped as his thumb drifted over the tip of my breast. The layers of clothing provided little barrier to the coolness of his touch. "Really?"

"Mm-hmm," he murmured, bringing both hands to my hips. "Before you arrived, she offered to back him up in case of any problems." His lips found the hollow beneath my jaw, sending a tight—almost too tight—shiver down my spine. "Which he eagerly accepted."

"Oh, no." I drew my lip between my teeth as I stared at the ceiling. My heart felt like it was a trapped hummingbird. "Theon won't be pleased to hear that."

"I wasn't exactly pleased myself." Ash nipped at my chin. "But my Queen informed me that I was only to ensure that Attes behaved if Lailah wanted that, and it seemed to me that she had no interest in my intervention."

"I have so many questions about those two."

"They had a thing some time ago," he said. I'd already figured that much out myself. "It did not end well."

Concern took root. I grasped his cheek and guided his gaze to mine. "Is she safe with him?"

"A part of me wants to say no, just to see what you would do to Attes . I'm sure it would be bloody and violent." A quick, savage grin appeared as his fingers dipped under the band of my leggings. "But you said we needed to be responsible. Lailah is safer with him than she is with anyone else."

I was relieved to hear that. "You don't seem to be behaving all that responsibly right now."

"I'm being completely responsible." He nipped at my lower lip. "I was gone longer than I wanted to be. I missed you, liessa ."

A swelling motion filled my chest as I admitted, "I missed you, too."

His nose brushed mine. "Of course, you did."

My eyes narrowed as I stepped an inch or two away from the desk. "Let's back up a second—or five. You really shouldn't have hit Attes three times."

"It was four."

"You probably shouldn't have corrected that statement."

One side of his lips curved up as he drew my right hand from his chest. Kissing the center of my palm, he turned his head. His gaze slid to mine as his tongue flicked over the golden imprint. "It wasn't entirely intentional. My arm may have moved on its own at some point." He caught the tip of my finger with his teeth. The sharp prick and tight draw of his mouth conjured a heady mix of reactions that had my heart pounding in anticipation and—

Letting go of my finger, he lifted his head. " Attes deserved it." The essence stilled in his eyes as they met mine. "He knows that."

What Lailah had said about Attes choosing not to heal himself filled my mind. "But he can't keep deserving it every time you see him."

"Debatable."

"Ash." I sighed.

"The way your voice lowers when you're annoyed makes my dick hard," he countered. "I'm not sure that's the desired effect."

"It's not."

"You sure?" His body pressed into mine, inching me back against the desk, and I felt against my belly just how much he was telling the truth. "I can practically taste your arousal."

My blood heated as every single one of my nerve endings hummed.

"Sunshine," he murmured, threading his fingers through mine. " Attes and I talked things through and came to an understanding."

"But not forgiveness?"

"Forgiveness is nothing more than a benefit to the forgiver," he reminded me. "Because it is easy, it does so very little. Understanding is much harder. It allows for a chance to move forward, which is what we will do."

The next breath I took came a little easier. "I'm glad to hear that."

"I knew you would be. That is why I made an effort to understand."

"After punching him? A few times?"

"No." Ash smirked. "That happened after we came to an understanding."

"Oh, my gods."

"I know I should probably apologize."

"But you wouldn't mean it," I said, and he gave me another half-grin. "I think it's better if we stop talking about Attes ."

"Agreed," he murmured, nipping at another finger. "You said you had a feeling that drove you to Vathi? Was it the vadentia ?"

"I don't know. I mean, it had to be that, but it felt different. I'm not sure how to explain it. It started when I was talking to Penellaphe and Ward and realized—"

"Wait a second." Eather swirled in his irises. "You were talking to Penellaphe and that viktor ?"

"Yes. I tried to summon Holland."

Ash pressed a kiss to the golden imprint. "Was it because you missed him? Or was there another reason?"

My head tilted slightly. "Both."

"You're surprised." His lashes swept down. "It's cool against my throat."

I blinked. "I…I just didn't expect you to think of that. Of me missing him," I admitted.

His chest rose with a heavy breath. "Sometimes, I forget how lucky I am to have had a kind and involved father." His gaze lifted to mine. "I hate that basic consideration comes as a surprise to you. I wish I could change that."

"You are," I whispered.

"And I will continue to do so." Dipping his head, he kissed me. "I'm sorry he did not answer."

"Me, too," I whispered, my throat stinging like it had when I spoke with Penellaphe but for a different reason this time.

His stare pierced mine. "I am beginning to dislike Holland as much as your mother."

"It's not his fault. My reasons were personal," I said, defending him as Penellaphe had. "And since I summoned him directly, it could have been seen as favoritism if he'd come."

"That makes little sense," Ash said. "Therefore, it is likely true."

I cracked a grin.

His features warmed as he looked down at me. "What was your reason? Other than wanting to see him."

I lowered my hands to my sides. "I remembered something while you were gone." I paused as he lifted a hand from my hip. His fingers walked their way up the line of clasps on my vest. "It's about what Kolis said regarding the vision Penellaphe had."

A muscle flexed in his jaw—the only sign that he hadn't missed a word I'd said. "What was that?"

"Kolis said her vision wasn't complete. That there was another part, which he believed was the end of it, but—what are you doing?" I asked as he unhooked one of the clasps.

"Nothing." Another clasp came undone. Then another. "Please, continue."

It didn't seem like he was doing nothing , but I continued. This playfulness was still so rare, and the ease with which he now interacted with me, without any reservations or stiffness, showed how comfortable he was. He trusted me. And that made me feel…well, it made me feel like I was seen . Accepted. And about a hundred other things. So, I told him what I could remember of that part of the prophecy and how Penellaphe believed Kolis wasn't correct. By the time I finished, he had the top six clasps undone, and the vest had slipped a half inch or so. "There is a chance Keella knows about the prophecy."

"She's old enough to have knowledge of it." He moved on to the string at the collar of my blouse, loosening it. "And based on what she asked at the coronation," he added, following the same line of thought I had taken when I spoke about her earlier, "it seems like she's heard that phrasing before."

"That's what I…I was thinking." I gripped the edge of the desk as he drew the sleeves of my blouse down, inch by inch. "You are definitely up to something."

"I have no idea what you're speaking of." The sleeves gathered at my elbows as the blouse slipped. Cool air followed, teasing my skin. A husky sound rumbled from his chest. "Beautiful."

I looked down, my breath catching. Ash had bared my breasts, and with the vest positioned just below them, they were shoved up, boldly offering the beaded nipples to his perusal.

"My beautiful wife." One cool finger swept over a rosy peak. "My beautiful Queen." His lips parted, revealing a hint of fang. "We will need to speak to Keella about this."

Brows knitting, I lifted my gaze to Ash's. "What?"

"You're not paying attention."

"Yes, I am."

A brief smile appeared. "I said we will need to speak to Keella about the vision and her knowledge of it."

"Oh. Yes." My skin tingled. "That's not the only thing we discussed."

"Tell me." His hands returned to my hips.

I jumped as his fingers slid beneath the waistband. The sound he made told me he enjoyed how the movement caused my breasts to jiggle. "I'm trying to, but you're being very distracting."

Thick lashes lifted, and eather -streaked eyes met mine. "Your failure to maintain focus is not a reflection upon my actions."

I sucked in a short laugh at the obvious callback to when we'd been in this very office, and I'd been doing my level best—and succeeding—to distract him. "I see what sort of poor comparison you're attempting to make, but when you couldn't concentrate, I wasn't in the process of undressing you."

"This time you speak of…you had your lovely breasts shoved in my face," he countered. "How is that any different than now?"

My lips pursed.

"I've gotten better at multitasking since then." He kissed me. "I do love you in these pants." His lips brushed the curve of my cheek as he tilted his head, his mouth lining up with my ear. His voice was a silk-draped whisper as he said, "But do you know what I love more?"

Muscles coiled tight and low in my stomach. "No."

"You out of them."

A laugh burst from me. "I can't believe you said that."

"Believe it." Without warning, he whipped the leggings down to where they snagged on my boots, right below my knees. "Now, please continue with what else you discussed."

I gaped at him.

"Please." His fingers skated up my now-bare thighs. "Continue."

"It was about your father," I said, gasping as a cool finger slipped over my thin undergarment. "And what he planned for the embers and Sotoria's soul."

"What about it?" His fingers danced over the lace.

"Just that it was too risky and…" A taut, hot shiver curled deep inside me.

His lashes shielded his gaze again, but I felt the intensity of his stare upon my breasts and his hand between my thighs. "And?"

Throat dry, I struggled to remember exactly what had been said. "That none of it worked out as he planned. They agreed."

"Who wouldn't?" Ash questioned. "My father's plan wasn't well-thought-out. Clearly."

"But what if it was, and we were wrong about what he planned?"

Ash's exploring fingers stilled, and his lashes lifted.

"What if this—or at least some of this—is what he planned? For me to become the true Primal of Life."

Ash didn't speak for a long moment. "If he believed you would be Sotoria reborn, it would make sense. You would be a true weapon and able to fully stand against Kolis."

"Ward thought there was a chance Eythos wanted you to become the true Primal of Death. That it would be possible by using The Star," I told him, watching a crease form between his brows. "But that's the part that didn't go as planned. I'm not Sotoria , and The Star…"

"Is already in use," he finished.

My gaze searched his features as seedlings of concern rooted themselves. "How does that make you feel? The possibility that he might not have intended for you to be the true Primal of Life."

The skin between his brows smoothed. "I feel nothing."

Doubt crept into my tone. "Nothing?"

"Nothing," Ash confirmed, and the furrow returned. He studied me. "Did you think I would be disappointed to learn that?"

"I don't know. Maybe? It should—"

"You're no longer allowed to say that." Essence streaked through his eyes.

I snapped my mouth shut, mostly out of surprise.

"And I mean that as respectfully as possible," he tacked on. "It never mattered to me if it was my birthright. What did was stopping Kolis. That was all that mattered to me."

"Mattered? As in past tense?"

"Yes, liessa , as in past tense. Because you are the true Primal of Life, and stopping Kolis is no longer all that matters to me," he said. "You do."

My lips parted on a soft inhale as I stared up at him.

"And I do mean that, Sera. Everything else is now a byproduct of that. Not a single part of me gives a fuck if that's wrong. Besides, it sounds to me like we need to transfer his embers to me. With the exception of those embers being death instead of life, that's what I planned. Yeah, it's complicated since The Star is in use, but it was complicated before."

True.

"We need to entomb Kolis until Sotoria is reborn. Then we'll take the embers."

My heart sped up. "So, that's the plan?" It was the most sensible one. But releasing Sotoria's soul to be reborn meant she wouldn't have control over her future. Just like before. Just like me. I exhaled slowly. "Then you will be the true Primal of Death. And I, the true Primal of Life."

Ash nodded. "Yes."

We were in agreement, but I didn't want that for Sotoria .

"Glad it's decided," he said, his voice lowering as he ran a long, cool finger along the edge of my undergarment. "What I don't understand is how this led you to Vathi."

It took me a moment to think past how that featherlight touch sent pleasure dancing up and down my spine. When I did, the passion cooled in the rise of unease. "You're a Primal of no Court."

His exploration ceased, and his gaze lifted to mine. " Liessa …"

A knot lodged in my chest. "You know what that means. You've always known what that would mean."

"Sera," he began.

I gripped his shirt again. "Kolis knows we have The Star, Ash. And he also knows what can be done with it."

"That doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does. Kolis is clever enough to expect us to use The Star in the same way he did. And he has to know that you could take the true embers of death. That makes you a target." My heart felt like it had stopped—just like when I realized it before. "You can be killed without any huge impact on the mortal realm, and I know you realized that. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why would I make you worry?" His eyes searched mine. "Over nothing."

"Nothing?" I nearly screeched the word. "Confidence is sexy, Ash, but not when it becomes idiotic. You're a target. That's when I got the feeling that something bad was about to happen. And I was right. What just happened with the Dogs of War is evidence of that. If not Kolis, then another Primal will come for you."

A lock of hair fell against his cheek. "I've always been a target."

"But this is different—"

"You're right. It is different now," he cut in. "Because of you . Because of us ." He cupped my cheek. "Do you really think I would allow anyone to take me out when I have you to fight and survive for? That I would allow anything or anyone to steal our future? That's never going to happen, Sera. Never." Strands of eather spun as he held my stare. "I am a Primal of Death. You are the fucking true Primal of Life. No two beings in any realm are safer than we are. Because I also know that you won't allow that to happen. Or am I wrong?"

"No," I whispered, anxiety swirling.

His eyes flashed pure silver for an instant. "Say it like you mean it, Sera."

"I do…" I stopped and took a deep breath. Ash was right. He wouldn't allow it. Neither would I. None of that meant I would suddenly cease worrying about something possibly happening to Ash—that wasn't in my personality. But determination was. Resolve poured in, crowding out the fear as eather hummed through me, turning the corners of my vision white. " No ."

"That's my wife." He kissed me and then drew back, his gaze lowering. "This is such a pretty slip of lace. Did Erlina make you many of these?"

I blinked, caught off guard by the subject change. "I think so."

"Good." With a quick jerk of his hands, he tore the undergarment in half.

"Ash," I gasped.

"I'll make sure to pay her double if you find yourself in need of more." Grasping my hips, he lifted me with shocking ease and placed me so my ass was on the edge of his desk. He cupped my nape and guided me so my hips were angled upward. " Liessa ?" His lips made their way to my ear. "I want to fuck you."

Oh, gods.

"I have wanted to fuck you from the moment you shadowstepped into Vathi." His cool breath against the skin beneath my ear sent a taut, enticing shiver coursing through me. "And I definitely wanted to fuck you when you took out the kynakos . You were so powerful. So beautiful. Fucking glorious," he said. "But I need to taste you first."

A full-body shudder took me. I watched him draw back, and my chest tightened, but for the most delicious reasons.

"And speaking of things I've wanted to do…" He dropped to his knees before me. Seeing him like that always left me breathless. "When you sought to distract me as I wrote names in the Book of the Dead?" he said, tugging off my boots and then my leggings. "I wanted to toss that gown up and get between your thighs."

I was going to melt. Right here. "I wouldn't have stopped you."

"You should have." Spreading my thighs, he looked up at me. A lock of chestnut hair fell forward, softening the brutal hardness of his jaw. "I wasn't as deserving of you then."

Before I could protest, he was on me. His mouth. His tongue. His fangs. He licked and sucked, drawing my hips off the desk, and when his tongue dipped, the most needful sound rumbled from deep within him.

Ash was… insatiable .

He tasted me—no, he feasted —and all I could do was hold on to the edge of the desk and try to keep my precarious balance. Tension coiled tight with each plunge of his tongue, drawing me closer and closer to the edge of release. I shook with need, caught on an almost painful precipice as he lifted his head.

"Sunshine," he murmured, his lips glossy as he kissed my inner thigh.

He rose with the quick grace of a wolf hunting its prey, and as he shoved his pants down, I wanted nothing more than to be devoured.

"Ash?"

His hand halted, and his eyes flashed to mine. " Liessa ?"

"Are you going to fuck me now?"

Shadows appeared beneath his flesh, swirling as madly as the eather in his eyes. "Nothing will stop me."

Pure want made me a little dizzy. "Prove it."

An inhuman growl came from him—a sound no mortal could make. Probably not even most gods. It should scare me. But it only excited me as he freed his thick, rigid length. A small bead of liquid glistened at the tip.

Then his hips were between my thighs, spreading them. Deep, sharp pleasure twisted inside me as I felt the cool pressure of his cock. Sliding an arm around my back, he clasped my hip with his other hand. A stuttered heartbeat later, the way he held me kept me from sliding backward under the force of the deep, hard thrust. I cried out, shaking as my body opened for him.

There was no space between our bodies. Seated fully inside me, he didn't move as I curled my legs around his hips. Even as his arm trembled, he held himself still for a moment. And then another.

"Ash?" I whispered against his lips, my pulse thumping erratically.

He lifted his head. Our eyes locked. There was a sudden wildness in his silvery gaze. My breath stalled a little.

I touched his chest, concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." The eather brightened, whirling through his irises. His hand left my hip, and he caressed my cheek. "I just sometimes remember how close I came to losing you."

My heart ached. "But you didn't."

"And I won't." He drew his thumb across my lower lip. "Not ever. That is the promise we're making to each other."

Ash began to move then, thrusting deeper into me, filling me up. His pace increased until it became a frenetic tempo I thought might tear me apart, given the pleasure.

Then he suddenly lifted me off the desk, his large hand cradling the back of my head. I gasped, stunned by his sheer strength as his hips plunged upward. I grasped his shoulders, my senses overwhelmed.

Potent desire spread through me. I arched in his embrace, my body aching and tense.

"Please," I heard myself whisper—beg.

Ash answered without hesitation, knowing what I wanted. Needed. He moved faster, grinding against me as he took me right to that slick edge and then over it. I let out a scream as hot, tight spasms shook me.

Ash's head kicked back as he drew me down on his cock. A roar of release escaped his throat while he held me tight to his chest. It was a sound that must have shaken the walls of the palace.

One last shudder ran through my body as I clung to him, trembling with aftershocks of pleasure. Moments passed, and I became aware of the fact that he'd lowered me to the edge of the desk again, but was still deep inside me, cool and throbbing.

He kissed me. The one before had been that of unyielding need. This was a gentle and languid benediction.

His fingers trailed down my cheek as he eased himself from me and stepped back. Wavy strands of hair fell against a slightly flushed cheek as he pulled his pants up, his chin pointed downward.

Was he blushing?

I thought so, and there was such a sweetness to it that I felt my heart do several little skips.

Leaving his pants unbuttoned, he looked over at me. Only the thinnest streaks of eather were visible as one side of his lips curled up. "I wish to paint you," he said, crossing the distance between us. "With you like this."

I glanced down at myself. "You wish to paint me topless— wait ." Surprise jolted me. "You can paint?"

One shoulder lifted. "I used to when I was younger. Can't say I was any good at it."

I gaped at him. "What have you painted?"

"Landscapes—mostly Mount Rhee," he said while pulling my blouse sleeves back up, referencing where the draken resided. "And how the meadows would look if filled with poppies. Sometimes, I did portraits."

My mouth was still hanging open. "I can't believe you're just now telling me you can paint."

"It's not something I honestly thought of before." He tugged some hair free from under my shirt collar. "Truthfully, it's not something I even thought of until now. I haven't painted in years."

Years likely meant decades. All I could do was stare at him in stunned silence. Honestly, I shouldn't have been surprised. Those long fingers of his were talented, and I'd always thought they were far too graceful for someone who had only ever handled a sword or dagger. I knew—

"Portraits?" I asked. "You said you've painted portraits?"

Ash nodded.

A sudden sense of knowing filled me. "You painted the portraits of your parents."

He didn't answer immediately. "I did."

I was once more staring open-mouthed at him.

"When Kolis killed my mother, he also ensured that all traces of her were destroyed," he said after a moment. "My father was too preoccupied with a babe he never planned on rearing alone and grieving to stop it."

A bitter knot of grief settled like a stone in my chest.

"So, there were no portraits of her. When my father was killed, there was nothing left behind of him either. I already had no real image of my mother in my mind, and I knew that as the years passed, I would forget what my father looked like, too. I didn't want that." His forehead creased. "I painted him first—when the memories were still fresh. Then, with Nektas's help, I painted my mother. It was the last time I painted."

Sadness mingled with awe as I murmured, "My gods."

Grabbing hold of the sides of my vest, Ash's gaze met mine. "What?"

"It's just…beautiful and tragic," I said, breathing through the sting in the back of my throat. "I wish I had better, more eloquent words."

He paused to kiss me. "Your words are always good enough."

Actually, his were. Mine were poor imitations. "You can paint, Ash."

He gave me another half-shrug.

"Seriously," I insisted. "Your mother looks real."

Pausing, he frowned. "That's because she was real, liessa ."

"I know. That's not what I meant. I never would've guessed that someone who hadn't seen her—who only had the memories of another to go from—was the one who had painted her. That takes real skill. You're not just good," I told him. "You're really, really good."

Ash was quiet.

"And I'm not just saying that because I can't draw a straight line."

His lips twitched. "I'm sure you can draw a straight line."

"No, I can't. If you don't believe me, ask Ezra the next time we see her." As soon as I said her name, I yearned to see her. It was hard to move past it. "She's witnessed my poor attempts at doodling. I'm bad, like really, really bad."

A grin finally appeared. "I wish to see just how bad you are at drawing."

"No, you don't." I eyed him, suddenly thinking about all the bare walls in the many chambers. "Do you still have those other paintings?"

He nodded.

"Where are they?"

"In one of the chambers you apparently haven't entered yet," he answered.

"Take me to them. Right now," I demanded. "I want to see them."

"I would be glad to. But not right now."

My eyes narrowed. "Why not?"

He chuckled as he came back to me. "Besides the fact that you remain without pants," he murmured, nipping at my lower lip, "you need to feed."