I slept without dreaming of my lake or Ash. When I woke, things were better. Mostly. I was still sore, but the worst of the pain was gone.
And I was no longer laughing. That alone was a vast improvement.
What wasnโt good was that I wasnโt alone. Callum once more sprawled on the sofa. Heโd been there since breakfast, but he was far less talkative as I forced myself to walk the length of the cage. I had to get the soreness out.
Sitting wouldnโt help, but I wasnโt sure moving helped with the other pain.
The ache that had taken up residency in my temples. That was a bad, bad sign.
I quickly shoved what it signified to the back of my mind when Kolis entered the chamber. I stopped, immediately emptying myself of everything that made me who I was.
Because I knew what I had to do.
It was something Iโd thought about while forcing myself to eat and as I walked.
After everything, it was harder than before, but I had to. I needed to convince him to free Ash, which meant I had to behave as if nothing had happened the day before. That he hadnโt manipulated me into killing
Evander. Or forced Veses to do who knew what before finally putting an end to itโan act Iโd bet he believed erased everything that came before it. Like all abusers and users.
But that was okay.
Because I would be smarter than before.
As the false King approached the cage, Kolisโs smile told me Iโd won the wager Iโd made with myself. โHow are you feeling,ย soโlis?โ
I clasped my hands like the Chosen often did, ignoring the tightness in my arms. โRested.โ
โIโm relieved to hear that.โ His gaze swept over the golden gown I wore as he unlocked the cage. โYou look lovely.โ
โThank you,โ I said, my tongue withering as I recalled the Mistressesโ lessons.ย Become what they desire.ย With Kolis, it was more than being meek and submissive. I knew that now. It was all about making him feel justified in his actions. Most of all, it meant becoming what Callum had: a loyal lapdog whose sole purpose was to shower their owner with affection and gratitude.
โThere is something I wanted to say.โ
He halted at the open cage door. โYes?โ โIโฆI wanted to apologize for yesterday.โ Kolis stared.
So did Callum.
โEverything has been quite overwhelming for me,โ I began, seeing Kolisโs expression smooth out while Callumโs eyes narrowed. โA lot has happenedโhasย beenย happening. All of this is so unfamiliar to me. Iโm not
sure what I should or shouldnโt be doing, but none of that is a good enough excuse for how I behaved yesterday.โ
โYour behavior is understandable,ย soโlis.โ His eyes shone as Callum slammed his hands onto his hips. โYou have been through a lot.โ
โBut you have given me such leeway.โ I dutifully lowered my gaze. โAnd I have been disrespectful. Iโm sorry.โ
โItโs okay.โ His close voice was the only warning I got before I felt his palm on my cheek. He lifted my gaze to his. โYour apology is accepted.โ
Behind him, Callum appeared as if he were a second away from running headfirst into a wall.
I fought a real smile. โTruly?โ
โYes. Truly.โ Approval had settled into his features, causing his smile to become lopsided and more genuine. โCome. Letโs walk.โ
Considering how yesterday had gone, walking anywhere with him was the last thing I wanted to do.
But it was whatย heย wanted. And I would become that.
So, I joined him without protest. When he looped his arm through mine, I said nothing. As we left the chamber, Callum and Elias falling into step behind us, I nodded and smiled, my actions and reactions as hollow as his.
Kolis didnโt notice, though.
He was practically vibrating with joy when we crossed the breezeway and accessed the path that led to the colonnade. We entered the sanctuary, eventually passing alcoves full of breathy, heated sounds.
Kolis led us down the maze of halls, none looking familiar to me. We ended up passing through a pillared entryway and into a large sitting chamber of sorts with many ivory tapestries hanging on the walls.
โSit.โ Kolis extended an arm toward one of the gold satin divans.
Like a very good dog, I did as he instructed and took a seat, crossing my feet at the ankles.
Callum followed, staying near the entrance. He still looked like he wanted to run headfirst into something.
โThere is something I want to show you,โ Kolis announced as he entered. โIโd planned on doing it yesterday, butโฆwell, yesterday no longer matters.โ
As if he could simply decree such a thing. โIason. Dyses?โ Kolis called out.
I twisted toward what I had thought was a tapestry but was, in reality,
ivory curtains shielding an archway. The dark-haired draken Iโd spotted in the Council Hall came forward with the Revenant. Between them was a Chosen.
Wait. What had he said yesterday? That heโd planned to show me he was capable of more than just death?
My stomach dropped. I suddenly understood what he was about to do.
โYou donโt have to prove anything.โ Breaking with my dutiful hound act in a heartbeat, my overused muscles screamed in protest as I shot to my feet. โI believe you.โ
With a quick twist of his neck, Kolis cast an even, empty smile at me from over his shoulder. โYou lie.โ
I did, but that was beside the point.
โI do not fault you for believing such,โ he added. โThat is why you must know.โ
โYou could just tell me how theyโre Ascended.โ My heart lurched because I knew what he was going to do: create life by nearly ending it. Because this wasnโt the same as what Eythos did. โYou donโt have to go to any trouble.โ
โItโs no trouble.โ
Pressure clamped down on my chest as my head swung back to the three.
My thoughts raced. I had a plan to free Ash: earn Kolisโs favor and trust. With my failed escape attempt and literally everything else thatโd happened, I was doing a really shitty job at that. I needed to be careful and not incite Kolisโs displeasure, which I kept doing.
โThis really isnโt necessary.โ I tried again, hands spasming at my sides as I held myself back. The clap of Iasonโs and Dysesโ boots against the stone, and the silent steps of the Chosen, were now like thunder. Dyses looked somewhat bored, but the drakenโฆ
Iason stared straight ahead, almost as if he saw no one. Once more I thought of how many draken in Dalos had been forced into bonding with Kolis. Was Iason one of those who, unlike Nektasโs cousin, wouldโve chosenย notย to serve Kolis if given a choice?
โBut it is.โ Kolis turned to the Chosen. โCome,โ he coaxed, beckoning warmly.
Breathe in.ย My body went rigid. The Chosen crossed the remaining distance, gloved hands clasped before their waist.ย Hold.
โUnveil yourself,โ Kolis instructed.
Breathe out.
The Chosen lifted the veil, gradually revealing the fine features of a young man who couldnโt be much older than me.ย Hold.
โJove,โ Kolis spoke. A cowardly part of me didnโt want to learn his name. โHow are you?โ
โI am fine, Your Majesty.โ Jove smiled, and gods, it reminded me of my smiles whenever my mother sent me to deliver her messages: practiced but empty. Just as I had been.
Breathe in.
โToday, you will be blessed,โ Kolis said, cupping the manโs cheek. โGiven new life.โ
Jove bowed his head. โIt is an honor.โ
No. No it wasnโt. Because I heard his voice tremble. I saw the increasing thinness of his smile and the wideness of his deep brown eyes.
He was afraid.
I stopped with the breathing exercises and stepped forward. โKolis.โ The false Kingโs head cut in my direction. โYes?โ
โYou donโt have to do this,โ I repeated as the embers thrummed in my
chest. โIโฆI thought when you said you wanted to walk, it was to spend time with me. Alone.โ
โWe will.โ Kolis stared at me for so long, I thought maybe heโd changed his mind. โBut there are things I must see to. This is one of them.โ
Jove stood completely still, his hands clenched tightly as dread flooded my heart.
โThis is an honor,โ Kolis said, and I didnโt know if he was talking to me or the Chosen. โLife can still be created, even if imperfect. And it must be. For without it, the very fabric of the realms would rip apart.โ
I blinked. โW-what?โ
โClose your eyes, my son.โ Kolis fully shifted his attention to Jove.
The Chosen obeyed without hesitation. Kolis tilted the manโs head back, exposing the length of his neck.
He was going to bite him.
My hand went to my throat as the memory of the pain burned through me.
I couldnโt stand here and allow this.
Instinct took over, and I was suddenly moving toward Kolis and the Chosen before I was even fully conscious of what I was doing. Crossing the space, the essence built inside me as I reached outโ
I gasped as Kolisโs other hand snaked out, capturing my wrist. โI
understand,โ he said softly, his flat, cold stare locking with mine. โYouโve always had a kind heart,ย soโlis.โ
I shuddered.
And thenย sheย shuddered.
โEven now, under this sharp, rough, and often abrasive exterior, your heart is soft,โ he continued, my skin crawling from his touch. โYou are a good person. I admire that. I always have.โ
Kolis was wrong. I didnโt have a soft or kind heart. Nor was I a particularly good person. If I were, I wouldnโt have been able to do all the things Iโd done how Iโd done them. I couldnโt just stand by and watch this. There was a difference.
โYou need to understand why this is important. What is and has always been at risk,โ Kolis said. โHe is either recreated in the image of the gods, or he gives life to another who will be. That is up to you.โ
It took no leap of logic to know that giving life to another meant death for Jove.
โBut make no mistake,โ Kolis said, drawing me to his side with just the curl of his arm. I swallowed hard, but it did nothing to ease the rising bile of the contact with him and the knowledge of what was to come. โBalance must be maintained.โ
There he was again, going on about his obsession with balance.
โThat is more important than anyone in this space, including you.โ He held my stare. โEven me. Because without balance, there is nothing.โ
What he said made little sense. I inhaled a mere wisp of air. โCan youโฆ can you make it not hurt?โ
The eather stilled in his eyes, and his skin thinned. Coldness drenched me.
Saying nothing, he let go of my wrist and thrust me away from him. I stumbled but caught myself as he turned his head back to Jove. A heartbeat passed, and then Kolisโs lips peeled back. I saw a flash of his fangs, and then he struck, piercing the flesh of Joveโs throat.
My body jerked at the exact moment Joveโs did. I tipped forward as the Chosen went rigid, his eyes and mouth opening wide. A tremor started in my legs. I knew what kind of excruciating agony he was likely enduring.
Frantically, I swiveled around, scouring my surroundings for a weapon. My
gaze landed on the swords of those who remained as the embers flared to life, reminding me thatโ
A moan swiftly yanked my attention back to Kolis and the Chosen.ย The soundโฆ My gaze went to where the Primal fed deeply from Jove. The Chosenโs lips were now only parted, his features slack and slightly flushed. I hadnโt heard a moan of pain.
It was one of pleasure.
Breathing raggedly, I pressed my hand to my stomach. A spasm jolted Jove as he exhaled another heated groan. Kolis wasnโt causing pain.
I watched, caught between surprise and agitation, as the Chosen gradually grew limp in the false Kingโs arms. I had known Kolis was capable of feeding without pain, but I also knew he was not kind. Heโd shown that over and over.
But the Chosen wasnโt in pain. Ecstasy soaked his features. Still, thisโฆ I swallowed down the bitterness of bile. This didnโt feel right. I took a step back, somehow even more disturbed by what I witnessed now than I would have been if Joveย hadย been screaming.
Iโd asked Kolis not to cause pain.
Heโd done this for me, but all I could think about was what Iโd thought when I first saw Orval and Malka and what I had been led to believe with the god from Keellaโs Court and Jacinta. All I could think about was how the last thing Iโd wanted to feel when Kolis bit me was pleasure.
Oh, gods.
Iโd asked Kolis to do this, and I knew this wasnโt okay, even if my
intentions had been in the right place. I just didnโt know how wrong it was. In this case, did theย meansย justify the end? I couldnโt answer that.
Arms shaking, I backed up until I was nearly behind the pillow. My fingers curled against my stomach as my hands started to warm.
Jove was pale. He was dying.
Kolis jerked his head back without warning. โThe process is fairly
simple,โ he said in a thickened voice that reminded me of the overbearing
summers in Lasania and how he spoke of his need. โThe blood must be taken from the Chosen right up to when the heart begins to falter.โ He paused, catching a drop of blood from his lower lip with his tongue. โThen they must be given the blood of the gods.โ
The act of Ascension for the Chosenย wasย the same as Ash had spoken of.
A transfer of blood. โYour Majesty.โ
Startled by Eliasโs voice, I turned sideways.
โCome, Elias,โ Kolis answered.
The guard passed me, not looking at me as he went to Kolisโs side.
Without saying another word, he lifted his wrist to his mouth and bit into his vein, drawing shimmery blood.
My gaze flew to Kolis as understanding dawned. Kolis couldnโt give the Chosen his blood, which was what Iโd figured when he took me to the ceeren instead of healing me himself.
But what I didnโt know was exactly why he couldnโt. Ash was a Primal of Death, and his blood healed. Could it be because Kolis wasย theย Primal of
Death?
I stood still as Elias placed his bleeding wrist over Joveโs mouth. The Chosenโs head was turned from me, but after a few moments, I saw his throat
bob in a swallow.
Shivering, I folded my arms around myself, barely feeling the sore pull of my muscles. I didnโt know how much time passed, but at some point, Elias had lifted the limp Jove into his arms.
โThat was and is how it is done,โ Kolis said.
As if coming out of a daze, I blinked. Elias carried Jove toward the curtained archway.
โCome.โ Kolis didnโt give me a chance to respond, just took my hand. โIโll explain more.โ
Every part of my being rebelled against his touch as he led us back through the doors. We returned the way weโd come in silence, arriving at the cage in what felt like heartbeats.
Kolis and I were alone.
โWhen my brother did the Ascensions, the Chosen Ascended into
godhood.โ Kolisโs upper lip curled, and then his expression smoothed out.
โWithout the embers of life, they simply become the Ascended, as I told you before.โ
Raising my handโmy left handโto his mouth, he pressed a dry kiss to the top. โThose who are like gods but not. Sickness no longer plagues them. They may consume food, but it is not necessary. And they will survive most mortal injuries, susceptible to only a few manners of death,โ he told me, his voice carrying a hint of pride. โBut Iโve been working on a few drawbacks.โ
โLikeโฆ?โ I trailed off as he began leading me across the chamber, my heart spasming as we neared the bed. We passed it. He sat me on the divan, and I cleared my throat. โLike what?โ
โThey can become as strong as a god if given time, but so far, they have not been able to harness the eather.โ He walked over to the table. New
glasses and fresh pitchers had been brought in during our absence. โThey
have a strong aversion to sunlight.โ
I thought about how Gemma had said the Chosen who returned remained indoors during daylight hours. My gaze flicked to the doors. Was that why
the part of the sanctuary Iโd seen the last Ascended in had been so dark? โBut
the sun is still out, and Jove wasโโ
โThe aversion is not immediate. It takes a few hours.โ he cut in, running his fingers over the linen draped across the table. โWhile they do not need food, theyย doย need blood, and their hunger isโฆinsatiable in the beginning. Itโs difficult for them to control. Some do not learn such restraint. Any blood will suffice, but that which carries even a few drops of eather is preferred. It can help them manage the hunger.โ
The dull ache in my head returned, pulsing at my temples. โAnd if they cannot manage their hunger?โ
From where he stood on the other side of the table, his gaze lifted to mine. โThey are put down.โ
The way he said that, without any emotion, was more than unsettling. Gods.
โThat bothers you.โ He spread his fingers over the linen. โIt shouldnโt. It
is for the greater good.โ
Gods, my two most hated words, but hearing Kolis speak of theย greater goodย was, well, so absurd it was actually amusing.
โGods have been unable to control their bloodlust, too. They were also put down under Eythosโs rule,โ Kolis said, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his tone. โThe only difference is that neither he nor those the god served bloodied their hands.โ
โIt was you?โ I figured.
โI was the Primal of Death, after all,โ he answered with a hollow smile. โWho else would carry out such distasteful deeds?โ
He was still the true Primal of Death, and he knew it. But even I could admit that being tasked with such an act must have been terrible.
โLike Eythos, Iโm creating life, not death. And an Ascended left uncontrolled is exactly that: Death. I give them a chance to restrain themselves. I do,โ he repeated, his shoulders rising sharply. โBut if they fail? They will glut themselves on blood. And once theyโve fallen into bloodlust, they are almost always lost. They will kill indiscriminately, draining their victims, and what becomes of them then is nothing more than the living
deadโฆโ He pursed his lips. โIt is not an act I enjoy, contrary to what others may believe. But I do not pawn it off on others. An Ascended who has given in to bloodlust must be killed, and it should be done by their creator.โ
There was a whole lot of stuff there to process, starting with the fact that Kolis actually sounded as if he believed what he said: that he was creating life. And it seemed he trulyย caredย about that life. There was also the idea that he thought of himself as the creator of these Ascended. But was he? Heโd drained Jove, but Eliasโs blood would ultimately Ascend him. However, what he said happened to those the Ascended fed upon and killed prompted my next question.
โHow is an Ascended different than what you spoke of before? The Craven.โ
โWell, one is still alive, and the other is not. They are like the Gryms,โ he explained, and an image rose of the waxy-skinned once-mortals who had summoned a god and then offered their eternal lives in exchange for whatever they believed they needed so badly. โBut one whose bite spreads a very different kind of toxin. An infection of sorts that will turn whomever they bite or scratch into the undeadโif they survive the attack.โ
My mouth dropped open. โThatโs a pretty big drawback.โ
โYes, especially since those who are mortalโor more mortal than godโ are susceptible to turning Craven.โ A muscle ticked in his jaw. โWhich means newly-turned Ascended are a danger to the Chosen.โ
โIf they are so dangerous, why was an Ascended left to feed on a Chosen?โ I demanded.
Kolisโs eyes reverted to their cold, lifeless stare, sending a surge of alarm through me. โWell, because itโs not a danger weโre entirely unaccustomed to. What do you think happens if a god drains a mortal? Something similar. You could say itโs an even more virulent infection.โ
I thought about the seamstress. Madis had left her place right before I found her dead. The problem was, she hadnโtย stayedย dead. And she also hadnโt looked like the one Iโd seen here.
โAnd newly made Ascended are always under watch,โ he continued in a tone that sounded like each word was chiseled out of stone. โHowever, a certain someone attempted to escape.โ
Me.
He was totally talking about me.
โAnd those responsible for watching over the Ascended were drawn away,โ he said. โIronically, if theyโd remained at their post, the Ascended wouldnโt have killed, and you still wouldโve been captured. But they have been dealt with.โ
I had a feelingย being dealt withย didnโt mean theyโd simply been reprimanded. I should probably feel a little bad about that, but I couldnโt muster the energy when I still didnโt know how to process what had been done to Jove.
He wouldnโt die, but he hadnโt chosen to live as an Ascended either. It had been decidedย forย him. Maybe he wouldโve chosen to live no matter what, but he couldโve decided to die instead. I would never know. But what if he
was one of those who couldnโt control his hunger? And were the Ascended good or bad? Somewhere in the middle?
My brows knitted as I thought of something. Ash could go longer than he probably should without feeding. Was it the same with these Ascended? โWhatโฆwhat if an Ascended chooses not to feed?โ
โThey will weaken over time, becoming akin to mortal once more.โ
I felt a skipping motion in my chest. โSo, in a way, this kind of Ascension can be undone?โ
โNo.โ His head tilted as he frowned. โBeing akin to mortal is not the same thing. If they take no blood, their bodies eventually give out. The process of that isโฆโ His frown deepened. โAdmittedly, quite disturbing.โ
Clearly, it was something heโd seen before. โThere have been Ascended who refused to feed?โ I surmised, the ache increasing.
โThere have.โ โWhy?โ
Deep grooves formed between his brows. โThey were not grateful for the
blessing bestowed upon them.โ
I stared at him, somewhat dumbfounded.
He straightened, drawing his hand from the table. โWhat? It is clear youโre thinking something. I want to know.โ
I really needed to learn how to control my facial features. โItโs just thatโฆ Well, I was thinking that maybe they werenโt grateful because they didnโt want to become something that could turn into an indiscriminate killer.โ
He laughed under his breath. โAll gods are capable of becoming thus,
soโlis, and mortals are no different.โ He sent me a long, knowing look. โAnd from what I know of your life this time in the mortal realm, you were no different.โ
My shoulders stiffened at the truth of his words. He was right. Iโd been no different.
I still wasnโt, which was kind of funny, considering the embers within me.
โEverything that is created or born has the potential to become an indiscriminate killer,โ he tacked on.
I saw what he was trying to get at. โOkay.โ His eyes narrowed. โItโs not okay.โ
โI said it was.โ
โI may not always be able to tell when you lie, but most of the time I
know,โ he remarked, and I stiffened. โWhile I am not the Great Conspirator
spoken of in the prophecy, I am a Deceiver, a teller of lies. I recognize many of yours. This is one of them.โ
He was the only being whoย couldย be the Great Conspirator, and maybe he could sense my lies, but as long as he didnโt recognize the really important oneโฆwhatever. My head hurt. โAll right, then,โ I said, taking a breath. I could deal with a headache. โI see what you mean about everyone having the potential to be a killer, butโโ
โThere is no but. I am right.โ
I took a deep breath. โNever mind, then.โ
He stared at me, his head lowering. โNo, continue.โ
โThere is no point in continuing if you will automatically dismiss what Iโm saying before I even finish saying it.โ I took a breath. โGods were born knowing they would Ascend one day. They have their entire lives to prepare for it. The Chosen do not.โ
โThey donโt?โ His brows rose. โThey are given to the Temples at birth and raised as Chosen. They spend their entire lives preparing to serve in Iliseeum and to Ascend. The only difference is they do not Ascend into
godhood.โ
First off, that wasnโt the only difference. But not all of them were being Ascended. Some were being killed or turned.
But I could argue until I was blue in the face, and it wouldnโt change what Kolis believed, nor would it answer what I wanted to know.
โAnd you have to do this because of balance,โ I said. โWhat exactly is this balance?โ
โThe balance is everything,ย soโlis. Without it, there is nothing.โ
โI know.โ I beat back my rising frustration. โYou said that. But you havenโtโโ
โThe balance is everything,โ he repeated. โAnd there is balanceย inย everything. Or that is what the Fates say, at least. I tend to think their idea of balance is a bitโฆunbalanced.โ Anger crept into his features. โDid you know the Primal of Death is expected to remain distant from anyone whose soul may one day pass before them for judgment?โ
My eyes widened.
โOf course, you wouldnโt know that. The Primal of Death is not to have friends, confidants, or lovers among anyone who may need to be judged. The Arae believe that forming close bonds could ultimately skew judgment,โ
Kolis stated. โThat means any being that is not a Primal or a draken.โ
I hadnโt known that. Did that also play a role in why Ash kept a wall up between him and Rhain, Saion, and all the others? Why hadnโt he shared this with me? Then again, there hadnโt been much time for me to learn the more intricate details of his duties when I spent half the time Iโd been with him attempting to keep myself from growing close to him. It reminded me of when Iโd asked him about his armies and plans. He hadnโt keyed me in on any of it because, at that point, I hadnโt expressed any real interest in becoming his Consort. Regret surged through me, joining what was sure to
become a long list.
โAnd yet, this was not expected of the Primal of Life,โ Kolis continued. โThere were no limitations, as if being in the Primal of Lifeโs favor couldnโt lead to poor judgment, even though the Primal godโs abilities were a collection of the other Primalsโโa medley of the othersโย goodnessย that could be exploited. Do you know how?โ
I shook my head.
Kolisโs smile was more of a smirk. โMy brother could bring rain to lands parched, but he could not wash those lands into the sea as Phanos can. He could help foster love between two individuals, but he could not twist it into hate as Maia is wont to do. He could capture souls, but he could not direct their path as Keella can.โ His nostrils thinned. โHe could grant fortune but not curse those with misfortune like Veses can. And he could ensure that a
huntโbe it for animal or the missingโwas successful, but he could not weaken the bow or hide what one seeks as Hanan was able to do. When asked for advice, Eythos could stir duty within the most slothful character, but he couldnโt inspire blind loyalty as Embris can. He could breed peace and accord, but not war and vengeance.โ
Kolis tipped back his head. โHe could change any mortalโs or godโs life for the better if he wanted to, in whatever way he saw fit. But the Fates did not see that as something forming bonds with them could influence.โ
โThat doesnโt sound fair,โ I said after a moment. โIt actually makes no sense.โ
Kolis eyed me, some of the eagerness easing from his features. โThen you and I are in agreement.โ
That was a disturbing thought.
โBut to the Arae, it does make sense, and ensuring that emotions would never sway me was how they believed those who hadnโt earned their paradise or punishment would keep from being rewarded with such. To them, eternity was far more important than what they saw as a temporary life, despite how shortsighted that belief was.โ
More like howย long-sighted it was. It was like looking upon the forest and being unable to see all the trees within it. โAnd neither you nor Eythos could talk to them about this?โ
โFor what purpose? To change their minds?โ Kolis laughed, the sound bordering on mocking. โYou do not change the Fatesโ minds.โ
Okay, maybe he was right. What did I know? Absolutely nothing when it came to any of this. โBut what does this have to do with what you just did with that Chosen?โ
โBecause that, too, creates balance. One designed only to be known by the Arae, the true Primal of Life, and the true Primal of Death,โ he said. โA balance that was established when the Ancients created the realms.โ
Headache forgotten, I stared at him. โI thought Eythos created the realms.โ
Kolisโs smile was harsh. โHe created some, but he didnโt createย theย realms
โall the lands and oceans that allow life to foster and grow. The Ancients did. And contrary to what is told and believed, the Ancients were not the first of the Primals, nor will any Primal become an Ancient, no matter how old they become.โ
I opened my mouth, but then it struck me. If the dragonsโthe ancestors of the drakenโwere here, something had to create them. It hadnโt been
Eythos since they already existed when heโd become so fascinated by them.
โAnd they also decreed that there must be death and vice versa. Just as every action has a reaction, one cannot exist without the other. And it would not be as simple as there only being life if there was no death, or only death if there was no life.โ Kolisโs eyes flashed. โSo, there must always beย theย Primal of Death andย theย Primal of Life, even if nothing more than a spark of embers
remains in them. Even if they are in stasis orโฆโ His gaze flickered over me. โOr hidden within a mortal bloodline. As long as the embers exist in some fashion, and life is created and taken, the balance is maintained.โ
โOh,โ I whispered, staring ahead but not seeing him.
He studied me. โI see you now understand the importance of life, even if it is undesirable to you. And that you see what I personally risk by not taking those embers.โ
I nodded, but he mistook my shock. Iโd always known what would happen if the embers of life were extinguished. It was what heโd unintentionally shared that shook me.
Kolis couldnโt be killed.