CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Guards adorned in violet-hued armor bowed as a godling led us through the wide, windowed hall. The male kept stealing glances behind him as we followed, his gaze often dipping to where Ash's hand was wrapped tightly around mine. I tried smiling at him, but when bright pink infused his cheeks, I wasn't sure it had helped.

The godling stopped before a rounded archway. "Her Highness is waiting for you inside."

"Thank you," Ash said.

He bowed his fair head as we walked through the archway and into a chamber open to the outside.

The Primal Goddess of Rebirth stood in the center of the room, her curly, russet-colored hair unbound and flowing over her shoulders and back.

"Your Majesty," she said, the length of the bluish-gray robes she wore pooling on the terracotta floors as she began to lower herself.

"Please, don't," I stopped her, lifting a hand. "That isn't necessary."

"But it is, Seraphena ," she replied.

I snapped my mouth shut as Ash gently squeezed my hand.

Keella placed one hand over her chest and flattened her other palm on the floor. Curls spilled forward as she bowed her head deeply. "It is an honor to bow before the Queen of the Gods."

My cheeks warmed as I shifted from one foot to the other, immediately thinking about the god, Evander—previously of the Thyia Plains, Keella's Court. I pushed those thoughts aside. "It…it honors me that you feel that way," I said, hoping that sounded like an appropriate response—because I meant it. "You may rise."

Keella did so with regal grace. The Primal goddess was nothing but pure, stunning elegance.

"And you do not need to do that again," I quickly added.

The corners of her full lips twitched. "Is that an order?"

"It is."

She gave me a small nod of acknowledgment. "I must say that your first order to me as my Queen is quite…refreshing."

"I'm sure it is," I said, thinking only the gods knew all the horrible things Kolis had ordered her to do in the past.

"We apologize that we were unable to make it yesterday," Ash said. "But thank you so much for making time to see us today."

"Of course." Clasping her hands, her quicksilver gaze moved to where Ash's hand still held mine, and a warm smile appeared. "I am so incredibly relieved to see you again—both of you," she said. "But especially you, Seraphena ." She laughed softly. "No offense, Nyktos ."

He chuckled. "None taken."

"You look very healthy and strong," Keella said, her smile broadening. "And so…" Thick, dusky lashes lowered. "So full of life."

Something about how she said that felt a little odd, but I couldn't quite put my finger on why.

"Come and sit," Keella offered, stepping aside to reveal a table between two settees displaying an array of refreshments. "I must admit I was surprised to hear that you two had sought to speak with me and not the remaining Primals ."

"We're in a period of eirini ," Ash said as we sat on one of the thickly cushioned settees. "Until it ends, we will not be summoning them."

A flicker of surprise skittered across the smoky, reddish-brown skin of her face. "So, some sort of deal of resolution has been offered between Kolis and you?"

"Between Kolis and us ," I corrected. "I do not rule alone. If I am the Queen, then Nyktos is the King."

A pleased look filled her expression. "I am curious to learn how the deal came about."

My gaze swept over the chamber as Ash gave her a short rundown of the meeting Kolis had initiated. The warm white walls were bare. Past another sitting area and beyond the parted gauzy curtains, I saw tall, violet-hued trees swaying in the sweet, heady breeze that filled the tranquil space.

"Interesting," Keella remarked once Ash had finished. "I wish I could say more, but I dare not tempt the Fates."

I raised a brow. "Neither do we. So, please excuse our vagueness about some of what we wish to ask you."

"Understood." She leaned forward and picked up a porcelain pitcher. "But I imagine I can guess what your answer will be at the end of the eirini ."

Ash smirked. "I'm sure you're right."

"Tea?" she offered.

"Thank you," I said as she poured three cups. "There are two separate things we were hoping you could assist us with."

"We don't want to take up a lot of your time or have the Fates get the impression we're doing something we shouldn't, so I think it's best if we get right to it."

"Agreed."

"We had a question about the Ancients," Ash said, deciding to start with what felt like the most important thing. "Other than Kolis, you would likely be the only one old enough to remember them and the war."

Curiosity filled her eyes. "Sometimes, I wish I didn't. That was a time of violence and bloodshed. A time best forgotten but necessary to remember." She took a sip. "What questions could you have about them?"

"I know that not all passed on to Arcadia," I said, swallowing. The tea was sweet, just the way I liked it. "And some that could not be forced to go were entombed."

There was a slight widening of her eyes.

"I learned that during my Ascension," I explained, and she nodded in understanding. I chose my words wisely so as not to violate the eirini . "Ancients are incredibly powerful, more so than any Primal, so I am curious as to how they were entombed."

"Especially when it would be difficult to keep a Primal in the ground for thousands of years," Ash added. "We thought you might know how that was done and would be willing to share."

"For curiosity's sake," I added, just in case a Fate was lurking unseen somewhere or the essence itself was listening in.

Keella's gaze drifted between us, and a slight grin briefly appeared before vanishing. "Yes, for the sake of curiosity," she said, clearing her throat. "I do remember. It was something that took quite some time to figure out, lengthening the war each time one of them broke free of the bonds of their brethren."

So, the bones of an Ancient were definitely involved.

"You see, the bones weakened them, but as you well know, the ground seeks to protect us—and them," she continued. "Neither shadowstone nor bone can block the strength of the eather that fills the very air we breathe and the soil we rest in. But there is something that acts as a…" Her nose wrinkled. "A shield of sorts." She inhaled deeply and slowly. "Other than Kolis, no other Primal alive today knows of it."

"What is it?" Ash asked.

" Celastite ," she said.

Ash frowned as he glanced at me. I had no idea what that was. My vadentia was silent as a tomb, which could only mean… Excitement sparked. My intuition wasn't working, so it had to be something.

"It's a naturally occurring mineral that can be found where the Ancients first slept and matured," Keella explained, and I knew she was speaking of where the Ancients had first fallen as stars. "There are many places, but they are all in the mortal realm."

"Really?"

She nodded. "There are at least a dozen entombed in the mortal realm that I can remember."

That such a powerful being could've been beneath Wayfair or some other place I'd been was unsettling.

Then the other thing she said struck me. At least a dozen? Good gods. I reached out and picked up a piece of sliced cheese.

Ash leaned forward. "So, these places where the Ancients are entombed must contain some kind of impact area."

She nodded. "Over the years, they became underground caverns. Recognizing one as such wouldn't be hard. You see, the celastite is oddly colored. It carries a burnt-red sheen."

Nibbling on the cheese, I nearly choked. "A burnt-red sheen?"

"Yes. The mineral often looks damp, as if it is weeping."

Ash eyed me. "Have you seen something like that?"

"I haven't seen it, but I do know of at least one place," I said. "In Oak Ambler." I twisted toward Ash. "It's near Massene —a port city." I stiffened. "I have heard of there being caves along the bluffs, and that Castle Red Rock was built from the stone mined from that area."

"Well, I guess we know where the castle got its name." Ash met my stare, and I knew what he was thinking. That we may have found a location. "What if an Ancient has already been entombed there?"

"You would feel it if they are there," Keella said. "It would bring upon a great sense of unease that even mortals would pick up on."

"That's good to know," Ash murmured.

"If you do get curious about these locations," Keella said, tilting her head, "I suggest you don't spend too long exploring them. They can weaken you. Just being inside one and near the celastite can affect you."

"We'll keep that in mind," Ash said. "Thank you."

Keella's smile was knowing. "Was there something else you wanted to ask?"

"Yes." I switched gears. "We wanted to ask you about a prophecy."

Keella's whole demeanor swiftly changed as she stiffened. It caused my skin to prickle.

"It is a prophecy spoken by Penellaphe ," I said. "And the last oracle."

"We've come to learn that my father knew about it," Ash said, leaning back and resting an ankle on his opposite knee. "And we suspect you are also aware of it."

Keella remained quiet.

" Penellaphe shared it with us, but when I was…" I took a quick sip of tea. "When I was in Dalos , Kolis told me there was a third part of the prophecy that Penellaphe didn't know about until I shared it with her recently." I then told Keella what I'd shared with Penellaphe . "She thinks Kolis has the prophecy in the wrong order."

"Apparently, he believes it is about him becoming a Primal of Blood and Bone," Ash said.

Keella snorted. "Of course, he would. After all, he thinks everything is about him."

A short, dry laugh left me. "So, the prophecy isn't about him?"

"Oh, it is. At least, some of it." Several moments passed, and a slight tremor ran up her arm as she took a sip of her tea. Her gaze rose to meet Ash's. "Your father shared it with me. It was one of the reasons I helped him when it came to Sotoria ." She lowered her cup to her lap. "I'm sure you can imagine the other reasons."

I took a drink. Despite the sweetness of the tea, it still soured in my stomach. Unfortunately, I could imagine the reasons.

"What does Sotoria have to do with this prophecy?" Ash asked.

"Everything," Keella said in a voice barely above a whisper. "She is, after all, the Harbinger and the Bringer."

"Of Death and Destruction?" My insides flashed cold. I wasn't expecting that. Nor did it feel right.

"She is not death and destruction," Keella said, putting her cup on the table. "At least given what Eythos and I understood of the vision."

Ash's eyes narrowed. "Then her being a harbinger and a bringer means she is…what? A warning?"

Keella's chest rose with a shallow breath. "Where she goes, death and destruction follow."

Tension crept into my muscles. "Kolis."

"He is the true Primal of Death, who often has a habit of creating destruction," Keella said. "Does he not?"

"Then neither Penellaphe nor Kolis was right about the order of the prophecy. Because Sotoria's time…" No, Sotoria's time hadn't truly passed. Her soul was still alive. She could be reborn. "Did you know there was more to the prophecy than what Penellaphe saw?"

She nodded. "Only because Eythos did."

"And how did my father come to learn the information?"

"He, like his brother, heard the dreams of the Ancients," she said, clasping her hands once more. " Eythos said it was all they dreamed until they stopped."

"Stopped dreaming?" I asked.

She nodded.

I placed my cup on the table but didn't sit back. "I'm not sure why that creeps me out, but it does."

"Do you know the order?" Ash asked as he began rubbing the center of my back.

"I do not speak it. Call me superstitious, but I fear doing so breathes life into it." She stood. "One moment."

We watched her go to a narrow cabinet along the wall and open a drawer. As she stood still, her hand moving quickly across a piece of parchment she had pulled out, Ash ran his hand up under my hair to clasp the back of my neck. I looked over at him.

"You okay?" he asked.

I nodded, thinking about what he had shared with me last night. I didn't want him to worry, so I smiled, even though my chest ached just thinking about what Ash had told me. What Kolis had put him through was unimaginable. And, gods, a part of me hoped he refused the deal because stripping him of power wasn't enough. It wasn't the kind of justice I wanted to dish out.

And that was a good indication that my whole our-vengeance-can't-be-more-important-than-the-lives-of-others speech was a whole lot of, well…bullshit.

Also, it was an on-the-nose example of why I wasn't cut out for the true Primal of Life stuff.

Because I also wanted to kill Kyn. Really badly.

Why did that bastard have to tell Ash what Kolis had offered when I was at Dalos ? Better yet, how could anyone find pleasure in doing so?

Ash dipped his head and kissed my temple.

Keella returned to us, holding the parchment. Dropping his hand, Ash took it and held it so we could both read it.

"Your penmanship is beautiful," I murmured.

"Thank you." Keella returned to her seat.

Taking a shallow breath, I began reading the prophecy.

From the desperation of golden crowns and born of mortal flesh, a great primal power rises as the heir to the lands and seas, to the skies and all the realms. A shadow in the ember, a light in the flame, to become a fire in the flesh. For the one born of the blood and the ash, the bearer of two crowns, and the bringer of life to mortal, god, and draken . A silver beast with blood seeping from its jaws of fire, bathed in the flames of the brightest moon to ever be birthed, will become one.

When the stars fall from the night, the great mountains crumble into the seas, and old bones raise their swords beside the gods, the false one will be stripped from glory as the great powers will stumble and fall, some all at once, and they will fall through the fires into a void of nothing. Those left standing will tremble as they kneel, will weaken as they become small, as they become forgotten. For finally, the Primal rises, the giver of blood and the bringer of bone, the Primal of Blood and Ash.

Two born of the same misdeeds, born of the same great and Primal power in the mortal realm. A first daughter, with blood full of fire, fated for the once-promised King. And the second daughter, with blood full of ash and ice, the other half of the future King. Together, they will remake the realms as they usher in the end. And so it will begin with the last Chosen blood spilled, the great conspirator birthed from the flesh and fire of the Primals will awaken as the Harbinger and the Bringer of Death and Destruction to the lands gifted by the gods. Beware, for the end will come from the west to destroy the east and lay waste to all which lies between.

I sat back, glancing at Ash as my heart pounded. "Kolis was wrong." I looked over at Keella . "And he didn't know the part about the two daughters."

The Primal goddess said nothing.

I rubbed my palms over my knees, suddenly feeling anxious. I should feel relief that Kolis had been wrong about the order of the prophecy, but that meant Penellaphe had been correct, and my suspicions regarding how it sounded might also be on point. "Kolis said that the part about the bearer of two crowns and the born-of-blood-and-ash part was about me."

The Primal goddess was quiet for several more moments. "I wasn't sure if it was referencing you," she said, holding her hands together so tightly I saw her knuckles bleaching of color. "Not until your coronation."

"The brightest moon," Ash murmured, still staring at the paper he held. "It was just something that popped into my head. And it made sense." He looked up then, his eyes meeting mine. "Your hair always reminded me of moonlight." He let out a rough laugh, his gaze moving to Keella . "That is why you said it made you feel hopeful."

Delfai , the God of Divination, had said the same thing. "Kolis also thought I was the silver beast, but…"

"‘ A silver beast with blood seeping from its jaws of fire, bathed in the flames of the brightest moon to ever be birthed, will become one,'" Ash read aloud. His throat worked on a swallow. "I'm the silver beast."

"And you have become one," Keella said.

Ash blinked, shaking his head. "It's crazy. I had…" He trailed off, clearing his throat. "Then this means the false one—Kolis—will be stripped. Will be defeated."

"That's not the only thing it says." I rose, unable to stay seated. "I've always thought the prophecy sounded like Kolis would be defeated but then return." I walked behind the settee. "That he was the false one and also the great conspirator. And we—" I stopped myself before I spoke about our plans.

Ash got where I was going with it, though. He nodded. "But this also sounds like the Primal of Blood and Bone will rise. If that's not Kolis, then who is it?"

I stopped walking as I reached the opening to the outside. A knot lodged in my chest. I turned back to where Keella and Ash sat. "What is that part again? After it says, ‘ as they become forgotten ?'"

Ash turned his attention back to the parchment. "‘ For, finally, the Primal rises, the giver of blood and the bringer of bone, the Primal of Blood and Bone. '"

"Will become one," I murmured. My breath caught, and my head snapped up. "Could that part about the giver of life actually be about me?" My heart lurched. "I mean, I had the embers of life inside me even before I Ascended. I was the giver of life. But I'm not the bringer of death."

"You're not?" Keella questioned. "You are the bringer of a death."

"Not Kolis," I whispered. "But…"

"Me," Ash finished.

I glanced down at the golden swirl on the top of my hand, and my chest hollowed. "Then could the prophecy mean that Nyktos and I are the giver and bringer of the Primal of Blood and Bone?"

"I believe so," Keella said. "I believe the prophecy was always speaking about you, Nyktos , and Sotoria . Eythos thought the same."

"But that doesn't make sense," Ash argued. "We are not truly one. And that doesn't explain who these two daughters are." He frowned, dropping the parchment onto the table. "I can't shake the feeling that the answer is right in front of us."

"Isn't it usually?" Keella leaned forward and picked up a slice of cantaloupe. "But with prophecies, sometimes you must read between the lines."

The thing was, though, Ward had been correct. This was what Eythos had planned. And that had to mean he knew exactly what the prophecy meant.

"You said that some of the prophecy is about Kolis?" Ash asked.

"Yes, but he is too arrogant to realize what role he'll play in the end."

My stomach hollowed. "In the end?"

" That is what the prophecy warns of," she said, her voice dropping. "It is the end of all that is known. The rise of a Primal of Blood and Bone and the Awakening of the Ancients."

Walking toward Ash's office the following morning, I tugged on the lacing of my vest. For some reason, the top felt tighter. Either that or my breasts were way more sensitive than usual.

I stopped messing with it as I came upon the shadowstone pillars and heard Ash speaking with Attes . He'd sent word to the Primal last night to come when he could so we could share with him what we'd learned from Keella .

Attes rose from where he sat before Ash's desk and faced me. "I didn't get a chance to do this, but I need to apologize for my brother's behavior—"

"Let me stop you right there," I interrupted. "You're the last person who needs to apologize for him. You're not responsible for what he has done, and his behavior does not reflect upon you."

Attes exhaled heavily, nodding. "Thank you." He cleared his throat and returned to his seat. " Nyktos was just telling me you guys might have found an answer to one of our most pressing problems."

"Yeah." I sat on the edge of the desk, not liking the idea of talking to Attes's back if I had chosen the settee. We really needed more chairs. "Is this the first you've heard of celastite ?"

"It is." Attes leaned back, resting one leather-encased ankle atop the other knee. "Kind of ironic that the location of where the Ancients first arrived can nullify their essence."

"I'm sure it has something to do with balance and makes no sense," I remarked.

"Saion is heading out to Oak Ambler today to see if he can locate the caverns," Ash shared. " Crolee is going with him. If he can find them, he'll see how deep they are."

"We don't want Kolis any place near the surface," I added. "The last thing we want is for someone to stumble upon him."

"Sounds like a plan," Attes said. "I can send some of my gods to help if we need to go deeper."

"That would be good. Thank you," Ash said, and I was happy to hear those two words come out of his mouth.

Saion and Rhain showed up then, and Attes rose to leave and wrangle a few of his most trusted gods.

As Ash spoke with Rhain and Saion, I followed Attes out into the hall. I'd thought of something during our quick meeting—something I believed he could answer for me.

There was also something I wanted to say to him.

Attes raised an eyebrow as I fell into step beside him. "You do realize that your husband will likely make good on his earlier threat when he realizes you are out here with me."

I smiled. "He wouldn't."

Attes sent me a knowing look.

"I won't let him," I amended. "There's something I wanted to ask you. In private."

As we walked, Attes ran his fingers over his chest. A faint ripple of silvery light washed over his sleeveless gray tunic, revealing a bronze-and- shadowstone chestplate when it receded.

"Neat ability," I remarked.

"Isn't it?" Attes stopped behind one of the chairs from the right side of the table. "It ensures that I am always prepared for battle. Figured it would be wise to don the armor just in case you're not faster than Nyktos ." He smiled, but it was a little empty.

I looked up at him. There were deep shadows under his eyes, and I didn't need the vadentia to tell me the cause. "I'm sorry."

His head jerked toward me. "For what?"

"For your brother."

Attes quickly looked away. "Fuck, Seraphena , don't apologize for him."

"I know Eythos still loved his brother. That was how Kolis was able to kill him." I stared ahead. "And I know you still love yours, even though he's a fucking asshole."

He remained silent.

A lump formed in the back of my throat, and tears stung my eyes because there wasn't a single part of me that doubted Attes's oath to Ash and me, nor the very real likelihood that he would find himself facing off against his brother.

I cleared my throat. "There is something else I need to tell you about him."

He inhaled sharply, his eyes flashing pure silver for a heartbeat. "Did he do something to you? Before Kolis believed you were Sotoria ?"

I recoiled, taking a step back. "No. Gods, no. Why would—? Never mind. I know why you would ask that." My voice was low as my stomach churned. "You know exactly who your brother is."

"I know exactly who he has become," Attes corrected softly.

I wanted to apologize again, but I didn't think it would make anything easier. "I didn't get a chance to say something before, but I swore an oath that Kyn would face justice for what he did to the people here."

Attes stopped near the main hall, his eyes closing.

"Is that why you didn't stop Nyktos ?" he asked quietly.

I considered lying. "No. I simply wanted to see Kyn hurt."

His chin lowered. "I get that."

"I won't try to carry through on that oath during the eirini ."

He glanced over at me. "But you will eventually."

"I will." I crossed my arms. "I felt like I needed to tell you that."

Attes's chest rose with a heavy breath. "I can understand such an oath being made, Seraphena ."

"That's why I'm sorry," I said. "And you can call me Sera."

His jaw worked as he nodded. Swallowing, he opened his eyes. Only a faint glow of eather pulsed behind his pupils. "Is telling me this why you're currently risking getting my balls cut off?"

I arched a brow. "Yes, but there are other reasons. I wanted to ask you about Sotoria ."

It seemed impossible, but Attes stiffened further. "What about her?"

"I assume you have The Star somewhere safe?"

"I do." He was silent for a moment. "And I assume you want to be in possession of it."

I nodded. "But I think it's better if you keep her. I'm sure Kolis believes I have The Star, so she's safer with you. I know you will protect her."

Something flickered across his face, too fast for me to read. "I will."

I glanced back toward the chambers. "When I was in Dalos , the Star diamond was above me. It looked different then," I said, even though Attes knew. "But I often saw this light moving around inside it. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, but it was Eythos's soul. He was…active. Aware. I was wondering if it's the same with Sotoria ."

"Does the vadentia not tell you?"

I shook my head. "I think it's because her soul was in me."

Two lines formed between his brows. "I cannot say for sure, but there is a light—her soul—inside the diamond. It doesn't move around, though."

"I hope that means she's like…asleep," I said. "That's how she was most of the time she was inside me."

"I hope that, too." He cleared his throat. "At least, that is what I tell myself."

Neither of us liked the idea of her being trapped in The Star, but that was better than her being reborn and Kolis getting his hands on her.

"There is also something else Kolis said," I continued. "And I think he spoke the truth, but I don't understand why."

Attes folded his arms across his chest. "What was it?"

I glanced down the hall. It was empty, but I still lowered my voice. "Kolis said it was Eythos who caused Sotoria's second death."

Attes's gaze flew to mine. A moment passed. "Your suspicions regarding that are true."

I knew they were. But hearing Attes confirm it still felt like a gut punch. "Why?

"Because it was what she wanted," Attes stated flatly. " Sotoria asked him to do it."