I would not think about Kolis pleasuring himself as I made quick use of the cage’s bathing chamber. I would focus on the knowledge that Ezra had likely successfully negotiated a deal with Terra.
It wouldn’t save them if Ash didn’t get the embers out of me, but it would help them survive for as long as they could.
A platter of cheese, fruit, and bread had been served, and I ate a few
pieces of each in silence, mulling over what Dametria had shared. She’d been at the coronation. So, did that mean she served within another Court? Or was she a member of the Court here, in Dalos?
I didn’t know, but she’d seemed so unlike the others, especially when she finally strutted from the chamber, tapping the rolled parchment off Elias’s armored chest.
Any thoughts about her slipped to the back of my mind when Kolis returned.
The false King looked a bit more at ease as he seated himself on the throne again, lending some credence to what Dametria had alluded to.
And that was far more disgusting than anything Uros had said.
A few more gods entered, but the sudden pulsing of the embers in my chest had me paying attention.
I saw no god beside Kolis as I turned to the doors. Then a tall, broad figure appeared, wearing deep brown leathers and a black tunic beneath armor that bore the emblem of a helmet.
I recognized the sandy-haired bastard immediately.
After all, the Primal of Peace and Vengeance was identical in appearance to his brother, except his features bore no scar.
Kyn was responsible for Ector’s death and many more. A rush of anger went through me as I tracked his movements.
“Kyn,” Kolis acknowledged, inclining his head. The Primal bowed. “Your Majesty.”
“I assume you have news for me?” News? My ears perked right up.
“I do.” Kyn stopped where Uros had ended up as slime on the floor. “Then have a seat.” Kolis extended a hand toward the chairs and settees
as the Primal of Peace and Vengeance finally looked in my direction.
Resentment was evident in his eather-filled eyes and the hard press of his lips.
Kyn did not like me.
I could understand that, even though his feelings were misplaced. Kolis had forced me to kill Thad, one of Kyn’s young draken, as punishment for Ash not seeking his approval for my coronation. I’d brought Thad back to life, but Kyn didn’t know that. Maybe if he did, his raging dislike of me would change.
But my seething anger would not. The embers throbbed in my chest as I held Kyn’s stare, more in tune with the Primal’s vengeance than life. I didn’t care if he had been manipulated or what his orders were. He’d attacked the Shadowlands. Killed those I’d come to care about. Whatever understanding existed in me had ended there.
“Perhaps this conversation is better held elsewhere,” Kyn stated, sending me a scathing glare that lingered. “As it has to do with the Shadowlands.”
A bolt of tension shot through me.
“Of course, it has to do with my least favorite Court at the moment,”
Kolis replied dryly. “We can discuss the Shadowlands openly in her presence. She is not going anywhere.”
This was one of those moments when I had to remind myself to keep my mouth shut.
Kyn hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “May I?” He inclined his chin toward the dark cherry-wood credenza.
“Of course,” Kolis murmured, his fingers beginning to tap idly. “Help yourself.”
“Thank you.” Kyn went to the sideboard, his long legs eating up the distance. “I spoke with one of Nyktos’s commanders regarding their presence along the Bonelands’ coast.”
I racked my brain, thinking about who he could be speaking of. It had to be one of those close to Ash.
“They are unwilling to heed commands,” Kyn continued, pulling the glass stopper from a large decanter full of amber-hued liquid. “They refuse to move their forces until Nyktos is released.”
Pride surged through me, and I had to fight not to show it because I could feel Kolis’s gaze on me.
“I expected that,” Kolis said. “Are the draken still with them?”
Pouring himself a glass of whiskey, Kyn nodded. “Yes. Three of them.” “Nektas?”
“Yes.” Kyn replaced the stopper.
My heart began thumping as I waited for him to say the others’ names.
The Primal took a drink, his lips peeling back, I had to assume from the
bite of the liquor. Even from where he stood, I saw the size of his fangs. They were massive.
“Nektas being there and them refusing to leave the Bonelands does not bode well for negotiations,” Kyn said, turning. His gaze flickered over me. “You know how the draken are with lands they believe sacred.”
Kolis hadn’t mentioned that.
The false King sighed. “If they thought of every land containing the remains of those fallen in past battles thus, every piece of land would be sacred.”
“Yes, but the lands west of the mountains bleed into the mortal realm,” Kyn said. Was he speaking of the Skotos? “Where the Ancients—”
“I know what is in that land,” Kolis interrupted. “There is no risk of them encountering a mortal there. None have crossed the Skotos and entered the
Bonelands in eons.”
So, this land existing between the Skotos and another mountain range was actually in the mortal realm? It made more sense than what the mortals believed, which was that the realm simply ended east of the Skotos.
Kyn made his way back to the sitting area and took a seat. “They use the sea and skirt the mountains, which puts them within range to attack Dalos.”
“I’m also well aware of that.”
“We must make sure Phanos can assist if such a situation arises.” “That won’t be a problem.”
The fact that Kyn, a Primal of Vengeance, would even ask meant it could
be a problem.
“That is a relief to hear.” Kyn’s stare moved over me and then darted away, leaving my skin prickling. “Only half their forces are in the Bonelands. The other half is at my border.”
“You mean your and your brother’s,” Kolis corrected, his fingers still tapping. His gaze slid to the other Primal. “Unless they are positioned to the north of the Black Bay, where I believe your encampment lays.”
As far as I knew, they were east of Lethe, and that was Vathi—the brothers’ Court.
“They are at our border and have been,” Kyn said, not elaborating beyond that. “That is all that matters.”
“Have they attacked?”
“Not yet, but I imagine it is only a matter of time before they seek their vengeance.”
Part of me hoped they did. The other understood what that would lead to: an escalation of violence. War. Death.
Kyn’s gaze swept over me again, his upper lip curling slightly before he refocused on the false King. “Something must be done.”
A faint smile played on Kolis’s lips. “I’m sure you have suggestions.”
“I do.” Kyn leaned forward. “Let me take my forces and remove the threat to our east. I will destroy them, leaving their bones to rot with those who came before.”
Kolis laughed softly. “You said Nektas is with them. If you attempt that, you and your forces will do nothing but burn.”
Tension poured into Kyn’s body, charging the air. “Then allow me to finish what I started.” Silver eyes drilled into me, causing my muscles to coil like a spring. “Let me take the Shadowlands.”
“You had your chance to do that,” Kolis retorted, the reminder of how close the Shadowlands had come to destruction sending a whisper of cold dread over the nape of my neck.
“All I need is permission to take the chance again,” Kyn insisted. “I will not waste the opportunity a second time.”
My stomach hollowed as my gaze bounced between the two. Attes claimed Kolis had forced his brother to turn on the Shadowlands, but Kyn sounded far too eager to have another go at it for his actions to be rooted solely in the recent loss of one of his young draken. Either Attes didn’t
realize this, or he didn’t want to acknowledge it.
“You wanted a clear message sent. It can still be done.” Again, Kyn’s stare drifted over me. “And right now, a message is likely needed due to that.”
An ache began settling into my fingers because of how tightly I clenched my glass.
“And what does your brother think?” Kolis queried after a moment. “Does he feel a message should be sent?”
“My brother favors accord over war—that and fucking.”
“As if you are any different when it comes to the last part,” Kolis pointed out. My brows rose, and I…
I thought about why Attes had killed his brother’s guards. He said they’d been taking the young, those years away from their Culling, and bringing them back to their encampments. And as Attes had said, it wasn’t to protect them.
“With Nektas in the Bonelands, my draken and men will be able to make quick work of what forces remain in the Shadowlands,” Kyn reasoned.
Tangles of dread spread through my stomach as my tenuous hold on my tongue slipped and then disappeared altogether. “Then what?”
Two pairs of eather-filled eyes settled on me. Kyn’s were wide with surprise. I could detect nothing from Kolis’s stare nor tone when he asked, “What do you mean?”
My heart was somewhere in my throat as I repeatedly slapped myself in my mind. “If orders are given to destroy the Shadowlands,” I said, knowing I needed to proceed with caution given this was not my mother I was speaking to, “then what comes next? The forces in the Bonelands, including Nektas, will be even more motivated to strike Vathi.”
Kyn’s lip curled as he eyed me, but he said nothing until Kolis prodded, “And what do you have to say about that?”
“I’m not that worried about Nektas,” Kyn replied, taking a drink. Unable to stop myself, I laughed.
Kyn lowered his glass. “Did I make a joke?”
“It sounded like one to me,” I replied. “No one in their right mind
wouldn’t be worried about Nektas.” “Never said I was in my right mind.”
“Obviously,” I muttered under my breath.
Kyn’s eyes narrowed.
Resisting the urge to flip him off, I focused on Kolis. “You said you didn’t want to start a war. Destroying the Shadowlands will do exactly that.” A sour taste filled my mouth as I continued. “What we discussed before? Between you and me?”
Kolis’s fingers stilled as his entire focus zeroed in on me.
“How will any of that be possible if the realm goes to war?” I reasoned. “How will anything be possible then?”
The false King was silent as the other Primal’s eyes thinned into glowing slits. Seconds ticked by as fury and dread ate away at me.
“You’re brave, Kyn,” Kolis began. “And you’re loyal. For both, you have my gratitude.”
“You have more than that from me.” Kyn turned to the false King. “You have my army and my command.”
Kolis nodded. “Things have changed since we last spoke. Plans…have adapted.”
The look on Kyn’s face gave me the impression he knew exactly what had changed. “But you need those embers,” the Primal replied. I was a little surprised that Kyn knew I had them. “Because the reality of what must be
done or what is to come remains the same.”
Kolis nodded slowly. “I haven’t forgotten.”
Exactly what were they speaking of? Kolis wanted the embers so he could Ascend to become the Primal of Life and Death—a being with unfathomable power. If successful, he could wipe out all the Primals and rule over both realms. He wanted power—ultimate, unending power. Knowing the stability of the realms would no longer be impacted by their deaths, why would any other Primal support that?
“I’ve maintained the balance all these years,” Kolis said. “There is no reason that will cease to be sufficient anytime soon.”
The balance? What had he said about that before? Maintaining balance and giving life. He’d said the cold-eyed Ascended were the product of that.
“We will not make any further moves against the Shadowlands unless provoked,” Kolis instructed, pulling me from my thoughts with a wave of relief.
“And if provoked?”
Kolis leaned back, his fingers once more drumming on the arms of the throne. “Then I will do what must be done.” He glanced at Kyn. “I’m relieved to see you don’t look too disappointed by my decree.”
The Primal smiled. “I’m not.” “And why is that?”
Yes, why was that?
“Nyktos will likely be in a provocative mood once released.” He shifted his focus from Kolis. “Unless you plan to imprison him for a small eternity, he will be a problem.”
Kolis huffed out a dry laugh, causing me to tense. “He won’t be a problem.”
Oh, Ash would definitely be a problem. I felt my lips twitch— “She draws the eye, doesn’t she?” Kolis drawled.
Oh, gods, not this again.
Kyn gave a noncommittal grunt behind the rim of his glass. I doubted whatever the Primal said would end the way it had for Uros, but one could hope.
Kolis eyed the other Primal for several seconds.
“My dear?” he called, causing the muscles of my back to bunch. “Why don’t you come closer?”
I hesitated, and that odd smile of his faltered. Knowing I’d pushed my luck by engaging not once but twice with those who’d entered the chamber, I reminded myself of who was at stake. I took a breath, clearing my mind so I could become nothing again.
Empty. Unaffected. Then, I rose.
Too aware of their stares, where they lingered, and knowing I’d been able to see through Dametria’s gown in the light, I slowly walked toward the bars. I knew why Kolis had summoned me closer.
He wanted Kyn to look.
Just as he’d wanted Uros to do.
My heart started pounding. I couldn’t remember in the moment if this was something he’d done with his favorites—showing them off. Enjoying the
knowledge that others wanted what he’d claimed as his. It had to be,
considering he’d been well aware of how many of the gods had looked upon me. And he hadn’t said a word to them.
Well, except the one he’d killed.
But Kolis looked more pleased than murderous as Kyn lowered his glass and his gaze.
“What do you think now?” Kolis asked politely as if speaking about a painting.
Kyn’s jaw tightened as his perusal swept over me.
Holding myself still, I wanted to feel absolutely nothing, but that wasn’t the case. There was still too much of me present, which meant I hadn’t
become a blank canvas. In truth, Kyn was ogling my chest to the point where I wouldn’t be all that dismayed if my breasts withered and fell off.
“She does draw the eye,” Kyn muttered.
“I know,” Kolis said. “You don’t want to think that, but you do.”
My gaze darted back to the false King. A glow of eather pulsed around him, and as it had with Uros, his attention was fixed on the other Primal.
But he seemed different this time. The tension was gone. He appeared relaxed.
“What would happen if she wasn’t in that cage?” Kolis let that question linger in the silence between them. “If she weren’t mine?”
The Primal’s chest rose with a deep breath, and his lips parted. Clearly, he could imagine it.
And I was imagining slitting his throat to the bone.
Kolis watched the other Primal, a sort of feverish look settling into the flesh of his cheeks and the gleam of his eyes. “You’d be between those lovely thighs or in that equally lovely ass of hers.”
Kyn smirked as I inhaled sharply. Like hell, he would. If I weren’t in this cage, I would have both their cocks lying bloody on the floor.
Holding that image in mind, I returned Kyn’s smirk.
The Primal’s eyes went bright as he stiffened. “If she’s not who you believe her to be? Your graeca?”
My nostrils flared. So, Kyn was aware of who Kolis believed me to be.
Exactly how many knew about Kolis’s obsession? Everyone?
“If she’s not?” Kolis’s fingers tap, tap, tapped… “You can have her when I’m done with her.”
A wave of prickly heat swept over me as I stared at the Primal of Peace and Vengeance. The nothingness in me swelled. It wasn’t embarrassment over them discussing me as if I were nothing more than cattle, nor was it fear.
It was rage.
“Yeah.” Kyn’s smile widened, showing his fangs as the embers thrummed. “Yeah, I’ll take her.”
He wanted to.
There was no mistaking the lust in his gaze and the few words spoken since Kolis had begun this game once more, but there was also a lot of
loathing, and I knew in an instant what would happen if Kolis discovered the
truth about Sotoria’s soul and I survived all he’d do.
I wouldn’t survive what Kyn would do.
I wouldn’t want to. And Kolis knew that.
“Good.” Kolis’s gold-flecked gaze swept back to me. “It’s a deal.” “Honored,” Kyn murmured. “Your potential…gift moves me, Your
Majesty.”
I hoped Nektas burned Kyn to a painful crisp.
Turning to Kolis, the Primal of Peace and Vengeance smiled. “I’m glad I came with one to give you.”
Kolis’s brow rose. “You did?”
“One moment.” The Primal twisted in his chair. “Diaval,” he called, setting his glass on a small table. “I hope you don’t mind that I had your draken assist me.”
“Not when it involves a gift,” Kolis replied.
My brows knitted as my gaze shot to the door. A heartbeat passed. Then another.
A tall draken with long, wavy blond hair entered. A jolt of recognition went through me. It was the one I’d tossed across a hall, the one who’d knocked me out. But at the moment, I couldn’t care less. Every part of me focused on his gift.
Diaval’s hand clasped the bound arm of someone whose head was covered in a burlap hood. The man’s black leathers and tunic were torn in several places, revealing slivers of bloodied flesh.
My heart thundered as they drew closer.
“Here you go.” Diaval shoved the captive forward.
The man stumbled. I held my breath. He went down, his knees cracking off the shadowstone tile. He made no sound as he swayed forward, his chest rising and falling in quick, shallow breaths.
“My gift…” Kolis cocked his head. “Is quite battered and bloodied.” Kyn rose. “It required some convincing.”
The false Primal smirked. “I can see that.”
I knew—gods, I knew as Kyn rose and walked behind the kneeling man that this was no gift.
It would be a nightmare.
Kyn gripped the back of the burlap sack and ripped it off, revealing a shock of reddish-gold hair matted with dried blood.
My heart stopped.
It was Rhain.
