Dressed in another gauzy gown, one cinched at the waist with a tasseled rope belt flecked with what I was beginning to think was real gold, I trailed behind Kolis.
After breakfast and being prepared for the day, Kolis returned and did as I requested.
He freed me from the cage. And took me outside.
I hadn’t dared to hope he would let me see Ash, and while that was crushing, being outside the cage gave me an opportunity to get a better handle on the layout of this supposed sanctuary of his.
My feet trod carefully on the marble pathway he’d willed into existence from the sandy soil beyond the breezeway.
Kolis’s crown had also appeared out of thin air. It was still difficult to look upon.
Not because of how bright it was but because I had a nearly
overwhelming desire to rush forward and snatch it from his head. Tearing out several strands of that golden hair in the process.
Smiling at the thought, I became aware of eyes on me. I glanced to my right.
Elias walked half a step behind me. There were no other guards that I could see but I suspected many were close.
The god eyed me as if he knew what I was thinking before I faced forward again.
We walked in silence. There were no bird calls or the rustle of animal life, just our footsteps as Kolis led us through a grove of palm trees that shielded
the faintly cracked walls of the sanctuary on either side.
Gods, the battle between him and Ash had even damaged structures within the City of the Gods.
What would an actual war between them do?
Shuddering, I looked up, noting that the blue of the sky was darkening, moving toward violet. It reminded me of the minutes before dusk arrived.
“Will it be night soon?” I asked.
“In about a week, it will be,” Kolis answered, the warm breeze lifting the strands of his hair from his shoulders.
“How long does the sun stay out here?”
“It’s only night once a month, which is equivalent to roughly three days in the mortal realm.”
It’s only night once a month… I nearly tripped, earning a sharp look from Elias. I steadied myself. “I’ve been here for three weeks?”
“Roughly,” Kolis replied, looking over his shoulder at me. “You seem surprised.”
“I… I had no idea that much time had passed.”
“After you decided to sightsee by yourself,” he said, “you slept for several days.”
Holy shit, I’d slept for days? I shot Elias a scathing look. After all, he had knocked me out.
The god quickly averted his gaze.
Eyes narrowing, I faced forward. That still didn’t account for all the other days. Gods, it had been hard to tell the passing of time, but I hadn’t realized it was that difficult. Still, how in the realms had I slept that long without going into stasis? It had to be because of what the ceeren did, but—
I now knew that I had been right about how Kolis had incapacitated Ash. Did that mean he’d kept Ash…impaled with a weapon crafted from the bones of the Ancients? Gods.
Anger simmered as a tall, diamond-encrusted marble wall came into view, similar to what Ash and I had seen before. Kolis moved to his left, and I saw a wide colonnade through the trees. As I turned, I finally caught sight of the sweeping, crystal towers of the rest of the city.
“It’s beautiful,” I’d said to Ash upon seeing the sprawling diamond-bright city for the first time.
“From a distance, it is,” he’d responded.
My skin chilled despite the warmth, just as it had when I first looked upon the city. The wind picked up, carrying the metallic scent of blood and the sickly-sweet stench of decay.
The embers faintly hummed. I couldn’t see the source of the smell, but I knew what caused it. I’d never forget the bodies I’d seen strung through the
trees and between the pillars of a colonnade just like the one before us.
“How many live within the city?” I asked, remembering what Callum had said.
Speaking of that asshole, where was he?
Kolis halted, turning back to where I stood. “Not that many.” “What happened to them?” I asked, even though I already knew the
answer. Still, I wanted to hear what he’d say.
“They died,” he stated bluntly. “But not by my hand.”
I shook my head at his back. Did Kolis accept responsibility for anything? “By whose, then?”
“The Fates.”
My brows flew up as he turned away. Was he seriously blaming the Arae?
I looked at Elias, but he stared at the many buildings dotting the landscape. The scent of blood and decay rose on the wind once more before fading.
I told myself to stay silent.
I didn’t listen. “And who is responsible for the stench of death?” Elias whipped his head to me.
“That was me,” Kolis answered with a hint of emotion. “They were gods who…disappointed me.”
I clamped my jaw shut as the embers stirred again. At least he owned up to that.
A golden-armored guard appeared in the archway of the sanctuary. “One moment,” Kolis said before striding forward.
Figuring that meant I was supposed to stay put, I crossed my arms and watched Kolis climb the steps of the colonnade to join the guard. My attention shifted back to the glittering city, and I tried to imagine a time when it was teaming with gods—life.
“You should be more careful.”
Surprise flickered through me as I glanced at Elias. He’d actually spoken to me. I didn’t think when I was trying to escape counted, but the guards didn’t generally speak to Kolis’s favorites. They also weren’t allowed outside the gilded cage, at least as far as I knew.
Then again, I wasn’t just a favorite, was I? “About what?” I said, keeping my voice low.
“How you speak to him. What you question. His temper is easy to rile.” He watched Kolis, but then he glanced down at me—at the two faded pink marks on my throat. When he spoke again, his voice was barely above a whisper. “As I’m sure you’re aware.”
“Thanks for your words of wisdom,” I muttered, my face warming. I had no idea why this guard would even dare to risk said temper by speaking to me.
He probably worried he’d be caught in the crosshairs when—not if—I pissed Kolis off.
I smirked.
“Come,” Kolis called.
Washing the smirk from my face, I followed the false King inside.
Shadowy alcoves framed the gold-adorned hall we entered, similar to the
ones I’d seen during my escape attempt and at Cor Palace. My brows rose as breathy whispers and moans echoed from within.
A sudden low, throaty chuckle was like a sharp snap, pulling my unwilling attention to Kolis while grating on my nerves. He was, of course, watching me. “You look quite perplexed at the moment,” he said. “It’s
charming.”
No part of me was surprised to hear that a look of confusion was
charming to him.
“Please tell me what has caused such an expression,” Kolis said, facing forward as he began to walk.
I glanced at one of the alcoves, catching sight of deep, glistening skin and…rather firm buttocks. “There’s just a lot of…sex.”
Behind me, Elias made a quiet sound like a cough-covered laugh.
“Does that bother you?” Kolis’s steps slowed. “It did before. But then, you were innocent.” He sighed, and my upper lip curled. “You are not a maiden now.”
My eyes narrowed on his back. I absolutely refused to dignify that statement with a response. “It doesn’t make me uncomfortable,” I said—as long as it was all consensual. It sounded consensual, but sounds and even
looks could be deceiving. My palms dampened. “It’s just a lot of it.” “It is my presence,” Kolis said as we passed several more occupied
alcoves shielded by panels of gauzy gold curtains.
“Oh,” I murmured, frowning. The presence of Primals had a distinctive
influence that not even godlings or gods were immune to, but his claim didn’t
make sense. Now, if Maia, the Primal Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Fertility, were here, I would understand—
I held back a gasp of surprise as Kolis suddenly stopped and faced me.
His gaze flickered to Elias. The guard stayed back.
Kolis dipped his head, and I held myself completely still as he spoke in my ear. “I see no reason to lie about my abilities or limitations with you,
so’lis. What embers of life remain in me are weak and have little influence
over the gods or how I am able to impact those around me.” His breath against my temple made my skin crawl. “What do you think the living do when they are near Death? Not a Primal of Death, but true Death.”
I swallowed, more than a little caught off guard by his willingness to speak openly about what he truly was. But he was right. I knew the truth. There was no reason for him to lie to me.
“They give in to the desire to prove that they live,” Kolis answered in the silence. “And proving their hearts still beat and blood still courses through their veins, often involves engaging in activities that make them feel alive.
Very few things make one feel more alive than fucking.”
Kolis had a point, but hearing him speak about fucking made me want to find a dagger and plunge it into my eardrums.
Straightening, he gave me one of his polished smiles. Then he turned and started walking again. Exhaling a ragged breath, I followed him. After a
couple of moments, large, golden doors came into view, bearing the symbol of a wolf—the same prowling, snarling animal I’d seen etched into the floors of the atrium.
But these doors were far wider than what I’d seen Kolis enter through before. My steps slowed.
Kolis waited for me to catch up to him. When I did, Elias walked ahead, opening the doors to reveal a sliver of gold-plated floor and little else.
Glancing at the glowing crown upon Kolis’s head, I had a feeling we were
just outside the portion that had once been the Council Hall.
I halted, fingers twisting around the tassel of my belt as the embers thrummed stronger. I could hear the hum of voices. There could be gods in there, but there were definitely Primals. I felt them, and nausea rippled through me.
“So’lis?” Kolis spoke softly. “Are you all right?” I didn’t feel okay, but I nodded.
“Do not lie. You’ve gone pale.”
Swallowing, I looked away from where Elias waited just beyond the doors. My eyes met Kolis’s. The concern in his stare was evident, and that was disturbing for a litany of reasons, but I could use it. “I’m nervous.”
“About?”
“Whoever is out there.” I nodded toward the doors. “Crowds make me anxious, especially when they consist of gods and Primals.”
“You have no reason to be.” Kolis smiled. “I will protect you.”
In my mind, I pictured myself repeatedly kicking him in the face. “I know.”
Kolis seemed pleased by my response, enough that his smile became
uneven—more genuine—as his gaze moved over me. “I didn’t tell you this earlier,” he said, “but you look very lovely today.”
My smile became more brittle. “Thank you.” Then my tongue loosened, and I wasn’t all that sure why I said what I did next, nor why the thought
even popped into my head. “But you prefer the way I looked before.”
The uneven curve of his lips faded. Several heartbeats passed. “I do.” His gaze shifted to my hair. “It was such a stunning shade of red—a color like the richest wine.” He blinked. “We’ll have to do something about that.”
My brows snapped together.
“Come,” he said again, as if I were a slow-moving hound. “They await us.”
They.
Those who stood not long ago and watched me be crowned as the Consort of the Shadowlands and marry Ash, would now watch whatever it was Kolis demanded of me.
The last time I’d stood before those behind the doors, I’d been dressed in silver lace and glimmered like the distant stars winking to life above.
Now, I was adorned in gold, and I would have to…
I needed to behave as if I at least tolerated Kolis. Wanted to be here. My mouth dried. I didn’t care what they thought of me, but I did care what this would mean for Ash and whatever support he’d attempt to gain from them.
An anxious restlessness surged within me, twining with tendrils of
sorrow. It was a potent mix, a swirling maelstrom of emotions belonging to both Sotoria and me. I felt the essence swelling inside me and knew that if I just let go, it would burst forth, casting the devastation I felt inside me onto all those beyond the doors.
Gods, a small part of me wanted to let it happen. Wanted all of them to know what I felt like inside. To experience the yawning hopelessness and bitter desperation. All the suffocating fear and soul-shattering shame. I
wanted them to suffer as Ash was—as so many countless others had. I wanted to take all the pain and make them drown in it.
My body tingled.
And, gods, the inherent knowledge that came from the embers knew if I just let go, what I wanted would become reality. I could do it. I could drive Kolis to the ground. The potential left me breathless—
Jerking, I blinked rapidly. What was I thinking? My heart pounded as I fisted my hands. Good gods, I was experiencing delusions of grandeur. The embers may be powerful, but not enough to take on who knew how many gods and Primals and Kolis.
The embers throbbed as I drew in a long, deep breath. I cleared my mind just as I would when my mother sent me on her errands. I had a job to do.
The opinions the Primals would surely have about me didn’t matter. Only
securing Ash’s freedom did. I would get through this and then ask Kolis about Ash. I quickly pulled some unbound curls forward, shielding the healing bite and providing some coverage for what the gown didn’t hide. When I followed Kolis, my steps were steady despite not feeling the floor beneath my feet.
Conversation quieted under the open ceiling of the grand hall. As the humming in the embers slowly faded, my gaze flickered across the sweeping marble and gold pillars lining the massive circular Council Hall that had to be at least half the size of the one in Lethe.
The pillars bore faint cracks.
Torches had been lit on every other one, casting a fiery glow into the recesses beyond them, where the fading sunlight couldn’t penetrate.
Numerous long, ivory-draped couches and chairs were scattered, no longer
occupied. Dozens stood at the foot of the dais, their bowed heads a blur as I tracked the gold veining in the marble floor to the other side of the Hall—
To where an enormous draken lay, its wide jaw and flat, broad nose resting on the floor. Several horns sprouted from its head, curving back. They had to be the length of one of my legs, if not longer. The draken’s scales were the color of shadowstone, and each one appeared as if it had been dipped in crimson. Wings were tucked close to its sides, and a long, spiked tail twitched as a guard cautiously stepped over it.
The draken was…it was napping.
Nektas was the largest draken, but this one had to be a close second or equal.
Who was that?
Kolis approached the edge of the dais. I stopped at the throne, drawing my gaze from the draken to what I stood beside. The thing was bigger than the one in Cor Palace, somehow more golden yet not as gaudy as the one in the atrium. Diamonds glittered in the twilight, sparkling on the arms and the back shaped into many things.
The backrest of the throne was a large sun full of tiny diamonds, its rays ending in points that became symbols. At the center was a large crescent moon. To the right of the moon was a helmet, a trident, a scalloped shell, and from the last ray, a set of antlers carved from the gold. To the moon’s left, the rays ended in a cluster of many branches and leaves, a serpent-wrapped branch, another helmet, and, finally, a small jade tree.
Those symbols were nearly identical to the crowns I’d seen on the Primals. The jade tree must represent the Callasta Isles—Veses’ Court.
The embers vibrated gently in the center of my chest as I looked at the throne. Instinctually, I knew it represented unity among the Courts of Primals and gods. I also knew it was the throne Eythos had ruled from.
I looked down. There were deep grooves in the gold tiles and even places where chunks of the floor had broken off.
A shudder rolled through me. I stood where another throne had been.
Likely where Ash’s mother, Mycella, had sat beside her husband.
Now, there was nothing there but destruction and…me.
“Rise,” Kolis ordered as I remained where I was, having no idea what I was supposed to do.
Those below rose, and as I scanned the crowd of several dozen faces, one heated silver glare snagged mine.
Kyn.
Our stares locked as I thought about my dream, how Ash had spoken as if Kyn had seen him while imprisoned. Of course, my mind would make up something like that. I didn’t want Ash to know that I’d promised Kolis anything in exchange for Rhain’s release because he would think the absolute worst.
Did Kyn know that Kolis’s gift was no longer on the table? I hoped he did, and it pissed him off.
I also hoped his dick shriveled up and fell off.
With that in mind, I smiled tightly at the Primal. He stepped forward as if he knew I was picturing his cock being torn apart by oversized barrats and planned to do something about it.
A hand clasped his shoulder, drawing his attention and mine to a figure in black beside him. My gaze flicked to his side.
Attes.
The Primal didn’t look at me as he spoke quietly to his brother.
Kolis turned then, going to the massive, golden throne I stood by. I didn’t know what to make of Attes’s presence, but I trusted him. At least, I thought I did.
Looking away from the brothers, my gaze then collided with another’s. I felt the air leave my lungs in an unsteady rush.
Keella, the Primal of Rebirth, stood with her hands clasped at the waist of her ivory gown. There was nothing but sadness in her stare.
Blinking, I quickly looked away as my heart thumped heavily. Did Keella realize that what she had helped Eythos do hadn’t gone as planned? That Sotoria’s soul was trapped inside me? Attes could’ve told her, or possibly Ione, who’d seen the truth in my memories.
My gaze skipped over faces of gods I didn’t recognize and those who stood along the walls. I saw Phanos toward the back, the glow of the sconces gleaming off the smooth, umber skin of his skull. Neither he nor the other
three Primals wore their crowns, and I didn’t see any from other Courts.
Embris, the Primal God of Wisdom, Loyalty, and Duty, was not present. Nor was the Primal goddess Maia, or that bitch Veses, the Primal Goddess of Rites and Prosperity. Hopefully, that meant she was still locked beneath the House of Haides.
And starving.
Callum ascended the dais, and for a moment, I was distracted by his presence—and one screaming thought. This motherfucker was Sotoria’s brother. Then I saw what he carried. A large, golden floor pillow, which he placed at Kolis’s feet.
I couldn’t be expected to sit there.
The Revenant’s eyes lifted to mine as he straightened, his hair shielding a smug smile.
Son of a bitch.
“Come, my dear,” Kolis called, motioning to the pillow. “Sit.”
A hot, prickly sensation crawled up the back of my neck. Feeling the others’ stares, I conjured up the sound of Ash’s voice as I moved to the
pillow. Breathe. That was all I had to do as I lowered myself to the golden cushion, trying to figure out the best way to sit as the slits in the gown left little option. Breathe. Chest constricting, I sat with my knees to the side, all too aware of the exposed length of my leg and lower hip. Breathe.
The Hall was suffocatingly silent as I stared ahead, seeing no one in particular. Other than Attes, what did the Primals think about seeing me? They all knew what Ash had done to Hanan, so they knew, or at the very least suspected, that Kolis had taken me. Phanos knew because Kolis had brought me to him when I was near death.
Servants entered the Hall from a door within the alcoves to our right. The women appeared as I remembered, their loosely fitted peplos gowns nearly transparent, their arms stacked with golden bangles from wrists to elbows, and their faces painted to form golden wings.
“What a happy surprise to see so many of you today,” Kolis said, his summery voice filled with warmth and friendliness. If I didn’t know Kolis, I would’ve believed what he said. “Please help yourselves to the refreshments before we begin.”
Begin what?
Long, wavy blond hair caught my attention. I looked to my left, past the still-sleeping draken, until my gaze collided with ruby-red eyes and familiar handsome yet smug features.
Diaval, the draken.
He leaned against a pillar, his arms crossed over his bare chest. Like Nektas favored, he wore loose linen pants.
Lips pursing, I watched him turn his attention to someone next to him. I didn’t recognize whoever it was, and I was sure I would’ve because the man…well, he was beautiful.
His skin reminded me of night-blooming roses, his cheekbones high and sharp, face perfectly symmetrical. His black hair fell over his shoulders and to the middle of his back in long, rope-like strands. Squinting, I could make out the faint imprint of scales across his shoulders as he nodded at whatever Diaval said.
I surveyed the Hall once more, finding another I suspected was also a draken. A black-haired male stood between two pillars to the right, where the servants hurried in and out. He was close enough for me to see ridges in the light brown skin of his shoulders.
He wasn’t alone either. Another male stood near him, dressed like Callum typically was, in a gold-flecked white tunic and pants. While his painted
mask obscured many of his features, I saw eerie, lifeless blue eyes and suspected I knew who it was.
The Revenant, Dyses. The one who hadn’t stayed dead, even after Ash ripped out his heart.
I looked toward the back, where several guards and others stood near the pillars and between them. All were too far away to make out much detail about them. So, there were at least three draken here in their mortal forms,
one very large draken still asleep, and the gods only knew how many Revenants. I felt that was something important to be aware of.
A servant approached the dais, halting to bow before slowly climbing the steps. The slender woman carried only two ruby-encrusted chalices on her woven tray and served Kolis first. When he took his glass, she turned to me and bent slightly, offering the remaining chalice.
“Drink,” Kolis ordered softly.
That heated pins-and-needles sensation increased as I reached for the glass. He hadn’t allowed me to choose for myself, which I would have. I could clearly see it was some amber-hued liquid and not the potent radek wine I had been told was an aphrodisiac.
“Thank you,” I murmured as a warm breeze drifted over the dais.
The pale-skinned servant didn’t meet my gaze as she nodded and then left without saying a word. Her movements were graceful as she navigated those who remained on the floor and hadn’t retreated to the seating area in the
recesses of the Hall.
A sudden, soft clearing of someone’s throat caught my attention, pulling my focus toward the sound.
The Primal goddess Keella stood several feet from the dais.
Kolis’s fingers began idly tapping the arm of the throne. “Keella,” he acknowledged after a moment. “I am surprised to see you here today.”
“I know I didn’t indicate that I was in need of your time during Court,” she said, and I understood what this was now. Kolis was holding Court, a
time for the gods—and I supposed the Primals—to make requests or air complaints. “But I hope I can appeal to your graciousness and speak with you before it starts.”
His graciousness? I almost snorted.
“You’ve always appealed to my gracious side,” he said, some of the warmth leaving his tone. “Whether warranted or not.”
I thought about how Keella had assisted Eythos with Sotoria’s soul and figured that was the dig Kolis delivered.
However, Keella showed no reaction to it as she stood, her spine straight and the clasp of her hands loose.
“So,” Kolis drawled, “what brings you today?” Keella lifted her chin. “Her.”
My posture straightened in surprise. “Of course,” Kolis murmured.
“She is the Consort of the Shadowlands,” Keella stated quietly. Attes and some of the gods turned to listen.
“Is she?”
“I was there at her coronation and marriage to your nephew,” Keella replied as my grip on the chalice firmed. “I know who she is.”
Air lodged in my throat as I angled myself to see both her and Kolis.
“You should know who she is.” Kolis’s smile, that well-practiced one, stayed in place. “Tell me, Keella, when you stood at her coronation, did you know?”
“I know her as Seraphena, the One who is born of Blood and Ash, the Light and the Fire, and the Brightest Moon,” she answered smoothly. “Nyktos’s Consort.”
So many things raced to the tip of my tongue, but this was one of those rare moments when I knew better than to speak and stayed silent instead.
“The Brightest Moon.” Kolis eyed me—my hair. “I can see why Nyktos came up with such a silly title.”
My fingers twitched. Stay quiet. Nothing about that part of my title was silly. I wasn’t even thinking about the reference to the prophecy. Ash had picked it because of my hair and how it reminded him of the moon. It was… meaningful. Sweet.
“And where is Nyktos?” Keella asked, causing my gaze to snap back to her.
“Where do you think he is?” the false King countered. “He killed your brethren.”
Wait. Was it possible that some of the Primals were unaware of Ash’s imprisonment?
“Did he do it to protect his Consort?” Keella’s arched brows rose. “If so, while I abhor such violence, his reaction is understandable.”
“Is it?” A palpable heat brushed against my skin on the heels of those two words. “His actions could’ve meant lasting, damaging consequences for the
realms.”
“But they didn’t.” Keella had to feel Kolis’s brewing anger, but she remained undaunted. “Another has risen after all these many, many long years. One would consider that a blessing.”
“I’m sure Hanan would appreciate that sentiment,” Kolis remarked dryly.
In any other situation, I would’ve laughed at that. “Nyktos is currently imprisoned, but he will be released soon. I do hope he shows more remorse for his actions than you have shown.”
I had a feeling Kolis would be disappointed.
“And what will happen then?” Keella pressed. “Will you cease… whatever this is? She is Nyktos’s Consort, Kolis.” Her voice lowered. “This is a breach of tradition and honor not seen since…”
“Since when?” Kolis asked softly.
Keella inhaled deeply but did not answer. Even I knew what she referenced. This type of behavior hadn’t been seen since Kolis killed Mycella in his rage. I glanced at Attes. Killed his children and many others.
Kolis shifted forward, his voice lowering. “I did not sanction the coronation you attended. It was a farce.”
I closed my eyes, my jaw clenching. I’d known what he planned to claim, yet it still made me want to scream.
“That is not the impression I was under,” Keella replied curtly.
There was a gap of silence, and then Kolis called for Kyn. My eyes snapped open.
The Primal of Peace and Vengeance approached without his twin, the silver cuff on his upper arm glinting as he held a less-adorned glass. “Yes,
Your Majesty?”
“You were present when Nyktos came to Cor Palace and asked permission to take Seraphena as his Consort,” Kolis said, and a jolt of
surprise went through me upon hearing him say my name. He hadn’t since I’d told him I was Sotoria. “Did I give my permission?”
Kyn raised a brow as he took a drink. “No.” He glanced at me then, his handsome features apathetic. “You did not.”
I took in a small breath as my stomach clenched. Of course, Kyn would lie, but it was yet another shock for some damn reason and sent hot, pulsing anger through me.
“So, as you can see, she is no Consort.” Kolis nodded at Kyn. “Thank you.”
Kyn bowed curtly, the twist of his lips mocking as he turned, drinking deeply from his cup.
Bastard.
“Then is she here until Nyktos is released?” Keella asked. Kolis chuckled. “She will not be returning to Nyktos.”
His statement felt like a blade to the chest, causing the glass in my hand to tremble.
The Primal goddess said nothing for several moments. “So, she is here of her own free will?”
A moment passed.
My heart sank because I sensed what was coming. “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”
Keella’s gaze shifted to mine, the eather in her eyes swirling while Kolis’s stare drilled into me. I wanted to scream, “No!” But the deal…Ash’s freedom. The taste of vomit filled my throat as I said, “Yes. I’m here by…by choice.”
