CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Thoughts of seeing his paintings vanished as those four words elicited a sudden throbbing in my upper jaw. Until that moment, I hadn't felt like I needed to feed.

My gaze dropped to his throat, and the ache moved to my chest and then my stomach, reminding me of hunger pains. Muscles tensed, and I could've sworn I saw his pulse beating beneath his flesh. My throat dried with the sudden need to feed. I started to lean forward, but my thoughts decided to go in an unwanted direction.

An image of Veses flashed in my mind—her at Ash's throat, taking from him as she straddled him. Used him.

I drew back, my heart thumping unsteadily. I didn't want to do that to him. "I feel fine," I said.

"I know you do." He cupped my cheek. "But we don't know how much essence you used against the kynakos . And even if you hadn't been in that fight, you would still need to feed every couple of days for a bit as your body continues to adapt to the Ascension," he reminded me as he smoothed his thumb across my cheekbone. "If you don't, you'll feel as exhausted as you did while in your Culling." His eyes met mine as he fixed my shirt. "I don't want to risk that."

"You're right. I remember. It's the whole baby-Primal thing."

His eyes searched mine. "Then why do you hesitate?"

"I…I guess I'm not used to it. I don't find it repulsive or anything," I quickly added. "It's just…"

"Different." He moved on to the vest, his fingers as nimble and quick as they had been when he unhooked the clasps. "That's understandable. It's not yet natural to you."

"But it will be," I murmured, running my tongue along the back of my teeth. The pulsing sensation returned, more intense than before.

Ash watched me, his eyes halfway closed. "I enjoyed it when you fed from me before. Thoroughly."

I stopped messing with my fangs.

"And when you were at my vein, it was only you I thought of."

I went completely still.

"I knew it was your fangs piercing my skin. Your mouth that moved against my throat," he continued. "I knew it was you I willingly gave my blood to. Not her."

A tremor ran through me. Gods, how had he known? I didn't think sensing what I felt could've filled in the gaps like that. A mix of emotions swirled through me. I was relieved that he hadn't thought about her when I fed from him and was clearly far better at dealing with certain things than I was. But that relief carried the bitter edge of guilt.

Eather pulsed brightly in his eyes. "Sera."

I squeezed my eyes shut. "I didn't want to, you know, make you feel like I'm using you."

"I would never think that, Sera."

"I hate that I even caused you to think of her," I whispered. "That's not what I wanted."

"I know." His lips brushed my forehead. "But I'm glad you did."

My eyes flew open. "You sure about that?"

"Yes." He drew back. "Because now I can make sure you know that when you feed from me, I'm not thinking of her." His fingers slid into the hair above my loosened braid. "When I'm with you, she doesn't even exist. That's what you do for me. And that is an exquisite gift. Let me do this for you."

I knew he spoke the truth, so when he guided my mouth to his exposed throat, I didn't resist.

I'd just come out of stasis the last time I fed from him. I'd been acting on pure instinct fueled by hunger. But nature did take over as soon as my lips brushed the steady beat of his pulse. My body knew what it was doing even though my mind wasn't exactly sure.

My head tipped, and my lips peeled back. My eyes fell closed once more, and instinct took over. I struck. His body jerked as I pierced his vein, and then mine did the same as the first drop of his blood rolled over my tongue.

Gods, the taste of him… The flavor of his blood filled my mouth and coursed down my throat. I swallowed, and it was like every cell in my body woke up and stretched in response. I took more of him into me.

" Liessa ," he said roughly. "Release your fangs."

I obeyed, pulling them from his skin.

"That's my Queen." Ash's hand fisted my hair. "Keep drinking."

I did.

My mouth sealed hungrily over the wound I'd created. Maybe I really had needed to feed. I drank deeply, my fingers pressing into the taut flesh of his waist. Gods, there was nothing like his smoky flavor and how the awe-inspiring power of his blood felt like a jolt to every sense, strengthening me. Empowering me.

But his blood was doing even more than that.

Each draw on his vein created a languid, thick heat. I pressed against him, skin tingling all over as I moaned. My fingers dug into his shirt. My blood hummed as it pounded through me. Heightened desire pooled between my thighs, and my body reacted. I strained to get closer to him, needing him.

"I know," Ash groaned, the arm around my waist tightening as he lifted me. "Don't stop feeding."

I drank, vaguely aware of him moving us to the settee. As he sat, I pushed on his shoulders, forcing him onto his back. A thick, husky chuckle stirred the hair at my temple and then ended in a moan as his rigid length parted my flesh.

I had no idea how we'd gotten turned around on the settee or when he'd ended up flat on his back. All I could concentrate on was the feel of his cock filling me as the power of his blood did the same. The combination drove me wild. I ground against him, keeping him deeply seated in me.

"That's it." His voice was a sensual snarl as one hand cradled the back of my head and the other fell to my hip. His fingers pressed into the flesh there. "Ride me."

His demand fanned the flames. I fucked him, drinking and drinking. And, gods, I wanted to keep drinking. I wanted to drown in his taste. I felt my release barreling down on me, but I knew where that could lead—even for a Primal. Especially a newly risen Primal.

Bloodlust.

Though it wasn't easy, I forced myself to lift my head. When I did, Ash wrenched my mouth to his. Our lips and fangs crashed together as I came, and he followed with a thrust of his hips.

"Do you need more?" he asked after a few moments, his voice richer.

"No." A fine sheen of sweat dampened my brow as I drew back and opened my eyes. Two small, angry red marks marred his flesh. Instinct took over once more. I nicked my tongue with a fang and then licked the wounds. Ash shuddered as I sealed the punctures.

My grip on his shoulders relaxed as I wiggled down, resting my cheek on his chest. "Thank you."

"I feel like I need to be the one thanking you," he replied.

A tired smile pulled at my lips as a faint quiver danced from muscle to muscle.

"I want you to make me a promise," he said after a moment. "That you won't run off and start searching every inch of the palace for my paintings the first moment you get."

"I wasn't planning to do that." I lied because that was likely exactly what I would do.

" Liessa ," he murmured, his voice heavy with knowing amusement.

"Whatever," I muttered. "I won't go searching for them."

"Thank you." He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I want to be with you when you see them."

The quiet way he said that and the fact that he wanted to be there when I saw them eased my impatience a whole lot. I smiled up at him. "I love you," I told him. "Even though I'm thoroughly jealous of this hidden talent of yours."

He laughed softly. "I'm sure I can help you improve."

"I wouldn't be so certain of that."

"Trust me," he murmured, smoothing his fingers over my hair. "I will have you drawing straight lines in no time."

Smiling, I turned my head and dropped a kiss onto his chest—his cold chest.

Concern sliced through the pleasant fog in my brain. I sat up. His eyes were open, and the glow of eather was bright behind his pupils. He looked the same. The hollows of his cheeks weren't stark. His features weren't drawn, but…

"Do you need to feed?" The moment the question left my lips, a messy mix of emotions swept through me once again. There was blade-sharp anticipation, partly due to the sensuality of the act itself but also because I wanted to give him what he'd given me. Power. Life. But there was something else beneath the longing. Something oppressive and choking.

Fear.

And it was so godsdamn ridiculous. I had no reason to feel it. Ash had taken my blood at my lake. He hadn't hurt me. He never had. And I hadn't thought about my time in Dalos then or what had been done to me. There was no reason to assume I would now.

Ash smoothed his hand up my back. "No, liessa ."

I swallowed, barely tasting him anymore. "I took a lot of blood from you when I awakened. And this wasn't a little bit either."

"My body will quickly make up for it," he told me.

I stared at him, uncertain. I knew that as long as he wasn't injured, consumed food, and rested, he would replenish what was lost. But I also knew that his body was still playing catch-up—and I knew that because I'd seen it before when Veses fed on him. I just hadn't known the cause then.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes, liessa ."

I didn't move as a different kind of need filled me and urged me to prove that I was being silly. That I wasn't afraid. That my time in Dalos wouldn't have any lasting effects on me.

That I was right.

Nothing had really happened to me.

My mouth felt dry. "Ash?"

" Mmm ?" His eyes were closed.

My heart thundered as I touched his chin. "I want to do for you what you did for me."

"I know, liessa ." He tilted his head and kissed the tip of the finger that had been on his chin. "But if I drink from you, I'm going to fuck you again."

Desire fisted deep inside me. "Sounds like a good plan to me."

A deep rumble radiated from him as he hooked his arm around me and pulled me back down to his chest. "If that happens, we'll end up breaking this couch, and I'd hate to have to explain how that happened."

Well, that would be awkward.

"We could always move to our bedchamber, where there is a very nice large bed," I suggested, unwilling to give in quite yet. "And maybe you could, you know, control yourself."

"Like you just did?"

"Touché," I murmured. "Sorry about that."

He chuckled. "Don't apologize, liessa . I love that greedy pussy of yours."

I choked on a laugh.

One side of his lips curled. "Plus, if I feed, we'll never make it to the Thyia Plains."

I nodded. "You're right.

"Always."

I laughed, but I didn't feel it as my stomach churned with the guilt that flared to life the moment I felt relief at Ash's refusal to feed.

We planned to leave for the Thyia Plains after sharing a quick meal.

But that didn't happen.

Attes arrived in the Shadowlands instead.

Concern grew as we neared the main hall, and it didn't help the churning in my stomach since I'd finished eating. There was no way Attes had finished with the Primals already. As Ash and I saw Rhain and Saion, he squeezed my hand. Just that small gesture calmed some of the worry.

"He's in the throne room," Rhain announced.

Ash sighed as we turned left. "What is he doing in there?"

"I have no idea," Saion said. "But he's not alone. Thierran is with him."

Ash stopped abruptly, his head cutting toward the gods. "What the fuck?"

Saion laughed. "That was pretty much my response."

"Who is Thierran ?" I asked.

A faint grin appeared on Ash's lips. "A walking nightmare, in both the literal and physical senses. He's an oneirou ."

I wasn't expecting that to be the answer. At all.

" Thierran has a lot of sway over the remaining oneirou , even though they tend to stay out of Court politics," Ash quickly explained. "Which is normally a good thing. But it also begs the question of why he is here with Attes ."

"Maybe Attes came upon him when he went to Lotho ," I suggested. "I assume he can be trusted?"

"Trusted in the general sense? Absolutely fucking not," Ash said as we began walking again. "But when it comes to Kolis? Thierran's never been a loyalist."

I wasn't exactly reassured by that, but I didn't think Attes would bring the god here if he believed he was dangerous.

We walked through the open double doors between two pillars and entered the throne room.

Thousands of candles jutted from the smooth, black walls of the vast, circular chamber, and hundreds more hovered above the main floor, scattered throughout despite the sunlight pouring in from the open ceiling.

My gaze immediately landed on the oneirou . Hair as dark as the shadowstone around us lay against his chin, shielding his face. He stood to the left of the center aisle, between the rows of benches, and was almost as tall as Ash. What held my attention was the sword strapped to his back, the daggers sheathed to his upper arms, and the hilt of another blade I saw tucked into the shaft of his boot.

Good gods, this god carried a small arsenal on him—one Bele would be impressed by.

He looked up then, turning his head slightly toward us, and my back straightened. The man appeared to be in his twenties—there wasn't a single crease or line in his skin, which was a color somewhere between sun-kissed and olive. His features looked like they'd been carved from some fine stone by a master sculptor. Every feature was perfectly symmetrical—the angular cheekbones and jaw, the blade-straight nose, and the dark, arched brows matching his sculpted lips and framing the most beautiful eyes I'd ever seen. They tapered upward at the outer corners and tipped down toward the bridge of his nose at the inner. The irises were a shade of bluish-purple so deep and dark it bordered on amethyst, and he looked like he'd come very close to losing both eyes.

Two eerily straight lines had been gouged into his skin, starting at the center of his forehead and slicing through his eyebrows just before the arch, then running down his cheeks to end at the corners of his lips.

I could feel it happening—what I'd done when I looked into Vikter's eyes. I was trying—albeit failing—not to do it whenever I pleased. My senses stretched out. In the back of my mind, I knew I shouldn't be doing what I was—it was a huge invasion of privacy. But my curiosity got the better of me. Focusing on him, I tried to read him as I had with the viktor and…

Saw and felt nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

But I had the distinct impression that if I pushed , I could discover what I wanted to know.

One side of those almost-too-perfect lips curved up, creating a dimple that partly disappeared into a scar. I suddenly had the distinct impression that this stranger would like to see me try.

There was a challenge in his blue-purple eyes and he wore a grin bordering on a smirk.

He bowed gracefully at the waist and folded a black-gloved hand over his heart. " Meyaah Liessa ." He spoke in a velvety voice I was sure had led many down a path of very bad, yet fun, decisions.

I acknowledged his greeting with a nod as Attes looked over his shoulder.

"I'm trying to think of the last time I stood in this space and saw sunlight reflected off the thrones." Attes stood in the center aisle, his back to us. "It was so long ago I can't remember."

My gaze followed Attes's to the hauntingly beautiful thrones carved from blocks of shadowstone , their backs stretching into wings that touched at the tips.

"It's been a little over two decades since the sun rose here," Ash replied as Saion and Rhain closed the doors to the space.

"Yeah," Attes replied. "But it has to be at least two centuries since I entered the throne room."

Ash's attention shifted to the god. " Thierran ."

The oneirou bowed again. "Asher."

My attention sharpened at his response, but Ash merely gave a dry laugh. I relaxed—a little.

Attes turned to us then. Shadowstone armor covered his chest. That wasn't the only thing different about him. His eye was no longer swollen, proving what Lailah had claimed about him purposely not healing it. "I'm sure you're wondering why I'm back so soon and why I brought…a friend with me."

"Yes," I said. "But where's Lailah?"

"I believe she returned to your training fields to take out her anger on some poor, unknowing soldier," Attes replied. "Apparently, spending even a short amount of time with me incites such a need."

"That it does," Ash replied dryly, still focused on the oneirou . "I'm surprised to see you here."

"As am I to be here." Thierran shrugged. "But when I heard—"

"Heard?" Attes interrupted, his eyes narrowing.

Thierran flashed him a downright devilish grin. "When I figured out what Attes and Lailah were up to, I invited myself along."

"And why would you do that?" Ash asked.

"Besides wanting to see the Queen in person?" His bright, bejeweled gaze drifted to me. "I have to admit," he said, and I arched a brow at the purr in his tone, "one look, and I can safely say that serving you will be far more… pleasing ."

"Careful," Ash warned softly.

Thierran chuckled, but the sound lacked humor. "I'm always careful."

"And if I remember correctly, you've always been an opportunist, too," Ash replied. "One who wields a sword when it benefits him."

"That hasn't changed," Thierran acknowledged, standing unsettlingly still. With his black attire and hair, he looked like he was seeping into the shadowstone all around him. "Removing Kolis from the throne does benefit me."

"True," Ash said after a moment. "I imagine you will be lingering in Lethe, then?"

"Unless I want to face an untimely death, I will. Some of us aren't so privileged as to have a Fate at our beck and call," he said, clearly referencing Penellaphe —and, by extension, Holland.

"Fine," Ash said after a moment. "You're more than welcome."

"Thank you." Thierran inclined his head.

"But," Ash continued, and I tensed, recognizing that too-low, too-level tone, "if you try any of your shit, I will do worse to you than Kolis could even imagine."

Well, I was pretty sure I knew who had given Thierran those scars.

And I really wanted to know what his shit was.

"I don't have a death wish," Thierran replied, his gaze briefly flickering to me. "I'm the least of your concerns."

Air lodged in my throat. Something about how he'd said that…

I shook my head. "Would either of you like something to drink?"

"I'm good," Attes answered.

I looked at Thierran . "You?"

"I'll never turn down an offered drink," he said. "It's bad manners to do so."

Attes snorted.

"I'll grab something from the dining hall," Rhain said, jogging from the room.

I returned my attention to the oneirou . "Exactly how did you figure out what they were up to?"

"Many of the Courts are abuzz with news of your Ascension—lots of talk about what it means, what will happen, and so on," he said, each word rolling smoothly off his tongue. "Then Attes showed up in Lotho with a goddess linked to the Asher, and since I can't remember a time he visited Lotho , it wasn't hard to put two and two together." He paused, and the grin returned. "That is if one is clever and pays attention."

"Or snoops in others' dreams," Ash stated.

The other side of Thierran's lips curled up just as Rhain returned with a bottle of wine and a glass. "That, too."

My lips parted slightly. I had a feeling the latter had much more to do with Thierran putting two and two together than simply him paying attention.

"Though I can't imagine why Attes would bother with Embris ," Thierran continued. "He's so far up the King's ass, it would take the Fates to remove him."

I didn't like the sound of that for several reasons. "You mean he's so far up the false King's ass since the true King is standing beside me."

"Oh, really?" Eather pulsed through Thierran's eyes.

"Yes. There is no just-a-Queen or just-a-King bullshit," I said. "There is us."

"I like you," the oneirou said softly. "A lot."

Ash's narrowed-eye glare shot to the dream god.

"And I mean that in the most respectful manner possible," Thierran corrected, bowing his head. " Meyaah Liessar ."

My King.

My lips curved into a smile as I looked up at Ash. "I really do like the sound of that."

He returned my smile. "It does have a nice ring to it."

"That it does," Attes agreed, drawing our attention to him. "Bringing Thierran here isn't the only reason I returned," Attes began as the oneirou took the glass and bottle from Rhain. "Lailah and I got a later start heading to the Courts than anticipated."

"Interesting," I remarked, my eyes narrowing. "Does that have anything to do with why Lailah is taking her anger out on some innocent soldier?"

Attes started to grin but apparently thought better of it. "You'd have to ask her," he replied smoothly. "I had just shadowstepped into Lotho when I ran into this fucker." He jerked his chin at the god. "Then Lailah mentioned something you failed to tell me about."

"And what is that?" Ash let go of my hand and crossed his arms.

"You forgot to tell me that a deal was offered."

"I didn't forget," Ash replied. "I told you Kolis summoned her. I just never got to the point where details were shared."

I glanced between them. "How much time did you spend punching him?"

Thierran glanced up curiously from the glass of wine he was pouring.

"Not enough," Ash muttered, and I rolled my eyes. "Kolis offered her a bullshit deal, and she had to offer him one in return."

Attes's gaze flicked to me. "And what was that deal exactly?"

"That he had to abdicate the throne and agree not to seek vengeance," I said. "Then he could live out the rest of his existence."

Attes stared at me.

Unease slithered down my spine as I gripped the tail of my braid. I glanced at Ash. The eather had stilled in his eyes as he gave me a small nod. I took a deep breath. "We want to do everything we can to prevent as much bloodshed as possible. And I don't believe Kolis wants an all-out war. A part of him understands that there are…bigger issues at hand than what he believes he's entitled to." I met Attes's gaze. "Like the Ancients."

A muscle ticked in Attes's jaw. "When we spoke while you were still in Dalos , I told you I wanted to prevent the kind of war Kolis would wage."

I felt Ash's attention turn to me as I nodded. "I remember."

"That is partly why. So, I agree with doing whatever we can to lessen the bloodshed. But then what?" Attes pressed. "What if Kolis refuses your offer? Because what Nyktos was able to tell me didn't go past meeting with the other Primals ," he finished.

"The plan is to force him to accept a version of the deal I offered. One in which we keep him alive until we can take the embers from him and place them in Nyktos ."

Understanding dawned. "The Star." His jaw hardened. "But that's currently in use."

"I know," I said, once more uncomfortable with the idea of Sotoria being trapped in The Star. It bothered me as much as forcing her to be reborn did. "That leaves us with only one option. Just like the Ancients, Kolis needs to be subdued."

"And you think he will willingly allow that?" Attes asked, glancing at Ash.

"No," Ash answered, and the other Primal's gaze returned to me.

"I don't either. I know there will be a fight, but I want that to be a decision the Primals who support us are involved in," I said. "And I want them all to agree that we cannot allow this to extend into the mortal realm. Whatever war we fight, we do among us."

"I see what you're attempting." Attes pursed his lips. "You want some level of accord while knowing there will also be some level of war. That's not impossible, but it is extremely difficult to achieve." His stare rose. "And there's still much to be decided."

There was.

"I'm also about to give you another thing to consider," Attes said. "As highly unlikely as it is, what if Kolis accepts the deal you offered? That is much like an oath, Seraphena . Breaking it would have consequences."

"I know." I took another deeper breath, knowing I had to own up to what I'd done. "It wouldn't be what any of us wants, but I had to offer something. And if he does accept it? I will…" Bile gathered in the back of my throat. "I will honor it because my hatred of him and my need for vengeance cannot be greater than the lives of countless others. None of our anger can be greater than peace."

A wistfulness filled Attes's gaze. "You sounded so much like Eythos just then." He shook his head. "When the Ancients created the Primals , they did so to protect the collective—all living beings—from themselves. That was our role. We were to be protectors. Guardians of men, gods, and all that is in between. And we were, for a time." Attes's gaze returned to the blue skies above. "I do not believe it was all emotions that changed it—changed us . I believe it was hatred, jealousy, and apathy." His gaze lifted to mine. "Vengeance and retribution."

"And that started with Kolis," Ash stated.

Attes nodded. "And it's a damn shame. Like my brother, he wasn't always like this. I know it's hard to believe, but neither he nor Kolis were like this before."

"I believe you," I said, feeling Ash's stare. "I saw glimpses of who he was."

Attes nodded slowly. "Your father believed Kolis could be saved."

"And look what that got him." Ash's fingers stilled.

"I know," Attes replied. "You're not your father. Neither are you," he said to me. "If Kolis accepts the deal and then breaks it, neither of you will give him another chance—or keep giving him chances. You will not falter like Eythos did." He sighed. "Either way, I do not believe that any of the Primals who will potentially ally with us would fault you for attempting to make peace. Sacrifices should always be made for that. Our emotions and lives should never be greater than the collective."

Some of the tension eased from my muscles. "That is a relief."

Attes gave me a faint smile that didn't reveal a dimple. "As I said, I doubt Kolis will accept the deal, but it does change things."

I tensed. "Like what?"

"He didn't accept or reject the deal, right? Neither did you?"

"Correct." Ash frowned. "We have a little less than a month to make a decision."

"That's what I was afraid of." Attes thrust a hand through his sandy hair. "We've now entered an eirini ."

"Fuck," Ash spat, turning sideways.

Rhain leaned forward. "We haven't entered into a truce, so how can there be an eirini ?"

"But you did when neither deal was rejected or accepted," Attes explained, tension bracketing the corners of his mouth. "I assume the Fate who oversaw the meeting didn't remind you of the eirini ?"

"No, he did not." My fingers moved fast around the tail of my braid.

"Fucking Fates," Thierran muttered, pouring what had to be at least his second glass of wine. Maybe his third. "There are rules during an eirini ."

The hair on the back of my neck rose as Ash cursed again. "For example, neither party is allowed to attempt to sway the other Primals and their Courts to raise arms against the other, which means Kolis didn't order Kyn to use his Dogs of War."

Attes's upper lip curled. "Knowing my brother, he likely believed he could either capture or wound Nyktos , thus gaining Kolis's approval."

"I should've thought about that possibility." Ash dragged a hand down his face.

"But an eirini has rarely been needed," Attes said. "It's understandable that it would be forgotten. It didn't even cross my mind until Lailah mentioned the deal."

"Yeah, but it's more than just not being able to sway the other Primals ." A muscle ticked in Ash's jaw. "The eirini mostly applies to the one who was first offered a deal."

Attes nodded, and Saion shook his head. "Meaning you can't do shit, while the same doesn't apply to Kolis."

My mouth dropped open. "That…that's bullshit!" Eather hummed through me.

"Yeah, well, if you ask the Fates, I'm sure they'll say it's to keep the balance by ensuring that any deal is made in good faith," Thierran said, sitting down.

I started to pace. "And I'm betting Kolis was fully aware of this."

"I'm sure he was," Attes said. "There's even a chance he hoped that neither of you knew about the eirini . If you were to proceed with your plan to meet with the Primals , there would be consequences. And knowing the Fates, it would be something really fucked up."

I walked toward the dais, needing space. How could Aydun forget to mention this? Better yet, why hadn't the vadentia warned me? It had to be because it didn't work when it came to my actions. "So, what are we supposed to do? Sit around and do nothing?"

Attes turned. "You can do anything that does not involve calling Primals to arms." He paused. "And you cannot attack during the eirini ."

"Of course," I spat, stopping at the dais. "Haven't we already broken the eirini ? By involving you?"

"No, because I pledged allegiance to you before the eirini ," Attes answered. "The rule doesn't apply to me."

"What about him?" I nodded at Thierran .

"You asked nothing of me." Thierran propped his boots on the bench in front of him. "I invited myself along." He took a drink. "And I've never been what one would consider loyal to Kolis. And he knows that."

"How have you managed to stay alive with Kolis knowing that?" I questioned.

"Because he knows if he tries to come at me, I'll do worse to him," Thierran stated, eather burning behind his eyes.

I raised my brows. "Worse than death?"

He smiled. "I'll take his dreams."

Air whooshed out of my lungs as I held Thierran's stare. I suspected that was worse than death because Kolis likely only dreamed of one person.

Sotoria .

"Real convenient of Aydun to fail to mention any of this," Ash gritted out. "Considering how understandable it is that an eirini would be forgotten."

"Yeah." I leaned against the dais and let my head fall back. Why did it almost always feel like the Fates were actively screwing us over? It didn't make sense. Aydun wanted me to avoid war, but why didn't he ensure I knew the rules? "Shit."

"It's not a big deal," Attes began.

I laughed.

"It's really not," he insisted as Ash approached the dais. "You just cannot involve the other Primals or attack. That's it."

"He's right." Ash stopped in front of me, taking my hands. "We can still proceed with figuring out how to entomb Kolis."

"There's really only one option for that," Attes said, sitting on one of the benches opposite Rhain. "You will definitely need the bones of an Ancient."

"We know," I said.

"And we also know we need more than just that," Ash said, turning as he slid between me and the dais. He looped his arms around my waist. "But regarding the bones, Kolis has most—but not all—of the stash."

"He does," Rhain said, squinting.

"Most of it was in the Carcers ," Attes said. "I doubt it still is."

"Damn it." I closed my eyes. "When I destroyed the prison Ash was being held in, I likely destroyed all the Ancient bones there, too."

"We wouldn't need a lot, right?" Saion set his glass on one of the stone benches. "Enough to make chains and probably some spikes."

"As you said, Kolis has most of it. But not all. The Primals who've stayed in his favor have bone weapons. I have a spear. So does Kyn. And I know he has at least one chain. I'm betting Veses has some, too. Maybe even Embris ."

"Are you suggesting we just go to their Courts and take it?"

Attes met my stare from where he sat. "If it comes to that, yes."

My stomach dipped as I started to respond, but the sudden throb of an arriving Primal snapped my attention to the doors. The feeling was intense, meaning the Primal was close. Too close—

"Son of a bitch," Ash growled, and Attes shot to his feet.

"No," rasped Attes . "He can't be this fucking idiotic."

The doors to the throne room swung open, and the Primal God of Peace and Vengeance entered.