Nyktosโs fingers continued to tap, matching the tempo of my heart. I tried to keep the awakening frustration at bay. If he didnโt answer, I wasnโt sure what I would do, but it would probably be loud and a little violent.
โTo openly speak of such a thing against the King of Gods,โ he finally said with a slight curl of his upper lip, โwould earn one, even a Primal, a sentence in the darkest parts of the Abyss, where even a god of death would not willingly travel.โ
And to speak of actively working against Kolis wasnโt? Like heโd done in the throne room? I smirked. โI doubt that has stopped you from planning just that.โ
โWhat do you think a war of Primals would entail?โ he countered instead.
โSomething unimaginable.โ
โThat would be accurate.โ He pushed off the desk and walked to the credenza. โNo Primal in their right mind would attempt to go to war against the King of Gods, false or not.โ
I watched him pull the tome Iโd seen him with before the Cimmerian showed closer. I knew I was right, and he wasnโt speaking the truth. He just didnโt want to talk about whatever plans he may have made or still plotted.
He didnโt trust me.
It wasnโt like I expected him to. Not after everything, but it stillโฆ bothered me. Stung. And the sting made me think of that unfamiliar thing againโa future. If Nyktosโs plans regarding the embers worked, I could be Nyktosโs Consort for hundreds of yearsโif not more. That was if we all survived Kolis. But would we continue this way once I was crowned in a dayโs time? Would we still live like this? Separate beds? Separate lives? A Consort in title only, uninvolved in the politics of Court and possible battles sure to come? Would I be left behind as he ruled as the King of Gods? A knot lodged in my throat. Or cast aside, no longer the Consort at all?
โWhat are you thinking about?โ Nyktos asked.
Jarred from my thoughts, I looked up. โJust your plan.โ โI donโt think thatโs true.โ
โWhy?โ
โBecause you just projectedโฆsadness.โ I stiffened. โI did not.โ
โTell me something, Sera?โ His head tilted. โWhen is it that you speak the truth?โ
โWhen Iโm comfortable doing so,โ I retorted.
An eyebrow rose. โI think that was actually the truth.โ He eyed me for a span of a few heartbeats and then opened the tome. โThere are things I need to attend toโฆโ
In other words, I was being dismissed. Without him even making a single reference to what had occurred between us last night. And, yeah, his refusal to acknowledge whatโd happened was a nonissue compared to everything else. But Iโd rather be frustrated with him over that than dwell on a future that may or may not come.
So, I welcomed the rising frustration. โWhen I first arrived, you said I could go wherever I wanted inside these walls and the courtyard. Does that still stand?โ
โIt does.โ He turned to a blank page.
โYouโre not worried about me making a run for it?โ
โNot when Iโve made it so every guard who patrols the Rise and the palace is sure to watch the gates.โ
My eyes narrowed on his bowed head. โSo I can go anywhere?โ Nyktos nodded.
I moved quietly toward him. โEven here? Your office?โ โIโm sure there are more interesting places to be.โ
โIโm beginning to doubt you actually live here if you think that.โ โI live here, Sera.โ
โWell, you said anywhere. And I choose here.โ I paused by the chair. โWith you.โ
The breath he exhaled practically rattled the walls as he looked up at
me.
Fighting a grin, I tilted my chin at the tome. โWhatโs that?โ โOne of the Books of the Dead.โ
My heartbeat tripped as I eyed the book as if it would leap from his desk and choke the life from me. โThe book that lists those who will die the day itโs opened?โ I whispered. โI was never sure it was real.โ
โItโs real.โ
โIs no one going to die today? The page is blank.โ โFor now. I have yet to write the names.โ
โDo you need something to write with?โ I glanced at his otherwise bare desk. โIโm sure I can get you something. I wouldnโt want to delay you from ripping people away from their loved ones.โ
โIโm not killing people when I write their names,โ he replied dryly. โThey would die with or without me doing so.โ
โThen whatโs the purpose of writing their names?โ I picked up several curls and began twisting the strands together as I edged around the chair.
โTheir souls cannot cross through the Pillars until I write their names.โ โYou left that part out when you told me that bodies do not need to be
burned for their souls to leave them.โ
โI didnโt think it was something you needed to know.โ His attention dropped and lingered where my fingers toyed with my hair.
I drifted closer. โDo you need meโฆโ His gaze flew to mine. โTo retrieve something for you to write with?โ
โI have what I need.โ โIs it invisible?โ
โNo. I havenโt summoned it yet.โ He lifted his hand. A slender, shimmering swirl of silver-white energy appeared, and a second later, a thin black stylus lay in his once-empty palm.
My lips parted. โDid youโฆjust summon a stylus from thin air?โ โI did.โ
That was somehow more mystifying than watching him conjure Odin from his cuff. โWhat about ink?โ
โThe names of the dead are not written in ink. Theyโre written in blood.โ
โYour blood?โ Nyktos nodded.
My lip curled as he lowered the stylus to the bound parchment, and crimson appeared as he began to write. โDoes it hurt?โ
Nyktos shook his head.
I came even closer, stopping at the edge of his desk. I watched him in silence. He wrote name after name in neat, flowing lines of red until he turned the page and began to fill that one, too. โYour penmanship is beautiful.โ
โThank you.โ
He filled another page. Then a third.
โHowโฆhow do you choose who dies?โ
โI donโt.โ Another name. โThe names come to me as I write.โ
I leaned my hip against the desk, curling my leg just enough that the panels of the gown parted, revealing my leg from the calf to just above the knee. โWhat if you make a mistake?โ
He stopped writing, his gaze slowly sliding up the length of my exposed leg.
โWhat if youโre making names up and donโt realize it?โ I asked as I untwisted the strands of my hair. โOr what if you misspell a name?โ
โI donโt make mistakes.โ โEver?โ
โNot with this. In other things?โ he muttered, the edges of his fangs dragging over his lower lip as his gaze lingered on the curve of my hip. โFar too often.โ
โReally?โ
โI can think of a few right now.โ
โLike what?โ I asked, knowing I was being a brat and thoroughly enjoying myself.
โLike not having Nektas take you with him when he left.โ He returned to writing. โHe couldโve put you down for a nap. Iโm sure Jadis and Reaver wouldโve enjoyed the company.โ
I pressed my lips together to stop from laughing. โThat was rude.โ โWas it?โ
โYes.โ I watched him write several more names. Seconds ticked into minutes. Good gods, how many would die today? โPerhaps I shouldโve left with Nektas. I wonder if he wouldโveโฆenjoyedย putting me down for a nap. He did seem to like my gown.โ
That got his attention.
The stylus stopped moving. His chin lifted, and thundercloud eyes pierced with lightning met mine.
Very purposefully, I placed my hands on his desk and leaned forward.
The slight bend of the waist was enough to test the limits of the gown.
Nyktosโs eyes lowered. The stylus vanished from his palm. I hoped that meant he was finished.
โIโm sorry,โ I said. โAm I being distracting?โ
โYou donโt sound sorry at all.โ The line of his jaw flexed as he slowly drew his gaze to mine. โAnd you know exactly what youโre doing.โ
โWhatโs that?โ
โYouโre purposely being distracting.โ โI would never.โ
โAnd seductive.โ
โWhy would you think that?โ I asked, blinking wide eyes.
โYour breasts are inches from my face, Sera.โ His gaze dropped and then returned to mine. โI donโt think. I know. And itโs not going to work.โ
โYour failure to keep your eyes from straying to inappropriate places is not a reflection on my actions,โ I told him, tipping my head and letting my hair fall forward onto his hand. โBut if I were trying to seduce you,ย Your Highness, it would most definitely work.โ
โYou think so?โ
โI donโt think.โ I smiled then, bright and wide. โI know.โ
That muscle began to tick in his jaw. โWell, you would know how to be successful in that endeavor, wouldnโt you?โ
โOuch.โ My fingers pressed into the smooth surface of the desk. Iโd most definitely opened the door and walked right into that comment.
โDid that offend you?โ Those wisps in his eyes swirled.
โNot really. Itโs true,โ I said, glancing down. โI know all the ways toโฆโ My eyes narrowed on the book. I frowned. โCorrect me if Iโm wrong, but is it not odd that so many with the same exact name died today?โ
Nyktos said nothing.
A grin tugged at my lips. โYou were pretending to still be writing names, werenโt you?โ
โI thought youโd realize that I was busy and decide to be less distracting,โ he told me. โObviously, that didnโt work.โ
Losing the battle against a smile, I let out a throaty laugh. โMaybe I will find someone else toย distract,โ I taunted, pushing off the desk.
I didnโt make it far.
His hand snapped out, closing around the nape of my neck. My breath caught as my gaze locked with his. โI want to make one thing perfectly clear, Seraphena.โ
The pressure he used was slight, only enough to force me to place my hands on the desk as I bent until we were at eye level, our mouths inches apart. My pulse skittered recklessly. His hold wasnโt painful. I could slip out of it if I wanted to, but I didnโt. Iโd wanted his attention, and now I had it.
โAs long as youโre my Consort,โ he said, his tone deceptively soft, โyou will be very selective about how you spend your time with others.โ
โI assume when you referenceย howย I spend time with someone, youโre speaking of what typically comes after the act of seduction?โ
The Book of the Dead slammed shut and slid across his desk. Neither of his hands had moved. โYou know exactly what Iโm speaking of.โ
โThen Iโm confused,โ I said in the little space between us. โYou said I was to be your Consort in title only.โ
His gaze dropped again, just for a brief second, but I knew where he looked. โI did.โ
The breath I inhaled was all him. My blood heated and my skin flushed. โThen what of my needs?โ
โYour needs?โ he repeated, his voice smoothing to a decadent drawl that I wasnโt even sure he was aware of.
โIntimacies. Touching. Skin-to-skin contact. S*x. Fucโโ โI think I get it.โ
โSo, what of them?โ
He curled his arm, and it stretched me even farther. There was a really good chance my breasts would exit the gown. His head tilted. It was only a slight move, but it lined up our mouths perfectly. If either of us leaned forward an inch or two, our lips would meet. โIโm sure you can resist those desires or handle them yourself.โ
โBecause you watched me do it.โ I wet my lips. Nyktos said nothing, his gaze now on my mouth. โYou watched me last night. Youย touchedย me,โ I whispered, feeling a faint tremor in the hand on the back of my neck. โI felt you. Inside me. That was highly inappropriate of you.โ
โMore inappropriate than you fucking your fingers while you knew I was watching?โ
The breath I took went nowhere as liquid heat flooded my veins. The way he saidย โfuckingโ conjured images of silk sheets and tangled limbs. โWhat wouldโve been more inappropriate was if you hadnโt taken care of it, and I had to do it myself.โ
His nostrils flared.
โWhy did you come to my bedchamber last night?โ โArmโs reach,โ he murmured. โRemember?โ
โI remember, but was it truly that? Or did you sense my need? My want? Of you.โ I inched forward, half-expecting him to retreat. He didnโt. When I spoke, my lips brushed the corner of his, and I felt a faint zap of static. โI was thinking of you when I fucked my fingers. Imagining that it was your touchโbefore I even knew you were in the chamber.โ
โSera,โ he warnedโor begged. It sounded like both.
โJust thought you should know.โ I drew back, stilling when his molten silver eyes locked onto mine. โI can take care of my desires, but that only goes so far.โ
โYouโd better make it stretch as far as it can go,โ he ordered softly. โAnd if I donโt?โ
โWhat I did to those gods in the throne room will pale in comparison to what I do to whoever satisfies your needs.โ
A jolt of surprise shot through me, quickly followed by a really twisted dose of pleasure at his jealousy-fueled threat. Anger was right behind it, though. I had no intention of satisfying my needs with anyone. But what he demanded went beyond arrogant when he claimed to want no such thing from me. โLet me make one thing perfectly clear toย you, Nyktos. If you want me as your Consort in title only, then you have no say overย whatย I do or withย whom, from this point until I take my last breathโwhenever that may be.โ
โIf? You speak as if there is another option.โ My pulse skipped. โBecause there is.โ
โAnd what is that?โ His head moved, and his lips brushed the corner of mine.
โWe satisfy each otherโs needs.โ I was a little surprised as I spoke the words, but they were theย right nowย Iโd been thinking about earlier. โYou donโt needย fragileย trust, nor do you really even have to like someone when you have attraction.โ
His fingers curled into my hair. โI donโt dislike you, Sera.โ
An unwanted emotion swelled in my chest, leaving me off-kilter and making me nervous. I tried to put distance between us, but his hold prohibited it. โThere is no reason to lie. I know where we stand with each other. Iโm not offering myself for whatever meager affections you or anyone can give.โ
A muscle ticked in his jaw. โThen whatย areย you offering yourself for?โ โPleasure.โ
The wisps of eather went wild in his eyes. โThat is all?โ
โWhy does it have to be anything else when itโs whatย Iย want?โ I said, and that was the truth. Maybe there wasย moreย behind it, but I knew better than to pry too deeply into that. โEither way, I will not play the I-donโt- want-you-but-no-one-else-can-have-you game. With you or anyone.โ
โThere is no one else, Sera.โ His hand landed on the center of my back, causing me to jump.
โOnly if there is you,โ I said, fully aware that I had no plans of easing my needs with anyone else at the momentย orย in the foreseeable future. Not because of anything heโd said, but because it simply didnโt appeal to me.
But he didnโt need to know that.
โSo, thatโs the deal. Between us. Not between your father and some ancestor of mine.โ
His eyes flashed, the eather seeping into the veins just beneath them as his mouth came within inches of mine once more. โPleasure for the sake of pleasure?โ
โYes,โ I whispered as I felt a strange warming in my chest.
โYouโre so reckless.โ His hand slid from my back to my hip, leaving shivers in its wake. โYou have your dagger on you?โ
My brows pinched at the unexpected question. โYes?โ
โMake sure it stays hidden,โ Nyktos warned. โBecause a Primal has arrived.โ
The heat in my blood immediately cooled. โWere you expecting one to visit?โ
โNot at all.โ Without warning, Nyktos hauled me across his desk and onto his lap. His strength and the feel of his body against and beneath mine was a shock to the senses. โThereโs not enough time for you to leave, so thereโs no avoiding this. No matter what I say or do, youโll stay right where I have you. Do you understand?โ
I nodded.
Nyktos brushed my hair over my shoulder. โIโm being serious, Sera.โ
โI know.โ I turned my head to him. โI know when to be reserved and not reckless.โ
โGood. Just donโt forget how to be so exquisitely reckless later.โ His gaze flicked to the closed doors. โI apologize ahead of time for how Iโm about to behave. I have a feeling you will not appreciate it, considering what we just discussed.โ
Before I could respond to any of what heโd said, a charge of energy swept through the chamber, dancing over my skin before I could even formulate a response. Tiny bumps broke out across my skin. The breath I exhaled formed a faint, misty cloud. Gripping the arm across my waist, I stiffened as every part of my being reacted to the power pouring into the air. โRelax,โ Nyktos murmured in my ear as his hand settled against my hip, squeezing gently. โWhat youโre feeling is me. Iโm basically showing
off.โ
I wasnโt sure if that was supposed to make me feel better, but I forced the air out of my lungs and my fingers to relax.
The doors to his office swung open, and a tall figure filled the entryway. The sword at the hip was a wicked, curved one, the kind crafted for beheading. Light, blondish-brown hair framed high cheekbones and a chiseled jaw as hard as the thin layer of shadowstone armor worn over a broad chest and shoulders. A shallow scar ran from his hairline and across the bridge of his straight nose, then down his left cheek, the healed wound a shade of pale pink.
What in the world could leave that kind of scar on a Primal?
My fingers pressed into Nyktosโs arm as the Primal came to an abrupt stop, armored boots in line with the breadth of his shoulders. The way he stood thereโthe frenetic, violent energy brimming just beneath his flesh and the glow of essence pulsing behind his pupils said one thing.
He was aย warrior.
The Primalโs silver gaze slowly drifted over us as the corners of his lips tipped up. A deep divot in his right cheek appeared first, and then an identical one in his left. โAm I interrupting?โ
Nyktosโs chin grazed the top of my head, startling me enough that I jumped a little. โWhat does it look like, Attes?โ
Every muscle in my body locked as I realized who stood before us. Iโd been right on the mark, but he wasnโt just a warrior. He wasย theย warriorโ
the Primal of Accord and War. The one people prayed to on the eve of any battle to not only grant armies his deadly skill but also the cleverness to outwit all who tried to outmaneuver them. A Primal who could incite agreement between warring kingdoms or all-out, bloody violence with his mere presence.
Nyktosโs fingers suddenly moved along my hip, sliding out and into his palm, pulling me from the downward spiral of my thoughts.
โIt sure looks like I am.โ Attesโs gaze came back to me. His unblinking stare was nearly as intense as Nyktosโs could be, drilling into me until I was sure he could rattle all my secrets out into the open.
It took everything in me to hold still and not squirm or react. Instinct told me that if I showed discomfort or fear, he would do what any predator would when they scented bloodโattack.
โAnd yet you still stand here,โ Nyktos said. โWithout invitation, I might add.โ
A faint curve of the lips appeared as Attesโs gaze remained fixed on me. He glanced at my arms, sensing the charm. โSo, this is her? The mortal who has so many of the Courts abuzz with gossip.โ
โI didnโt realize you were the type to entertain gossip,โ Nyktos replied, his tone one of chilly indifference as he slowly slid his hand over my lower stomach. I tensed. His hand made its way to my thigh, leaving a path of tiny shivers in its wake. โBut, yes, this is my Consort.โ
Nyktosโs touch had thrown me. I had no idea what had gotten into him, and, for a moment, I wasnโt sure what he expected of me. Was I to be quiet and meek? Or do the normal thing when introduced to someone? I decided on the latter and managed a steady, โHello, Yourโโ My breath snagged as Nyktosโs hand slipped under the panel of the skirt, his fingers spreading wide across theย bareย flesh of my upper thigh. There was no way Attes missed the possessive placement of Nyktosโs hand. I cleared my throat. โYour Highness.โ
Attes inclined his head in greeting as he continued studying me, his smile returning. โSoon-to-beย Consort,โ he corrected Nyktos softly.
โI also havenโt missed that sheโs no mere mortal.โ His gaze dropped to the swell of my breasts above the too-tight bodice. โShe carries aโฆmark. An aura.โ
My eyes narrowed slightly. I had no idea exactly what type of mark he thought he saw in the general vicinity of my breasts. I twitched as Nyktosโs
finger began moving along the skin of my leg, back and forth in a straight, slow line. And I didnโt know what to think of his sudden affectionโsuddenย sensualย affection. I wasnโt used to being touched so casually or so openly.
โSheโs a godling on the cusp of her Culling,โ Nyktos stated so smoothly that I was impressed. His finger stilled on my skin. โAnd if you keep looking at her like that, Iโll cut your eyes from their sockets and feed them to Setti.โ
My eyes went wide.
Attes laughed deeply, and the sound was niceโnot as nice as Nyktosโs, but deep and throaty. โMy steed prefers alfalfa and sugar cubes over eyes.โ He brushed his fingers across the silver band on his biceps. โBut he appreciates the offer.โ
โIโm sure he does.โ Nyktosโs finger returned to tracing that line.
Attes adjusted his sword as he helped himself to the seat in front of the desk. โIs she a godling who already called Lethe home?โ
Irritation burned on my tongue. To sit and be spoken about as if I were not in the room was the height of infuriating.
โNo,โ Nyktos said.
Attes raised an eyebrow. โThen where did you find her?โ
Iโd just told Nyktos that I knew when to be reserved. This was one of those moments. A Primal sat before us. That alone was a precarious position to be in. So, I kept reminding myself of that as I searched for the veil of emptiness inside me, the one that allowed me to feel nothingโnot even angerโand to justย exist. Iโd worn it so often that it almost felt like it had truly become who I was. But I struggled to find it.
I had a feeling it had to do with the hand on my leg. โI found her in a lake.โ
Attesโs brows snapped together. โIโm really hoping youโll elaborate on that.โ
โIn my lake.โ I spoke then, unable to stop myself. โHe wasโโ I inhaled sharply as Nyktos shifted his legs, drawing my backside more fully against his lower stomach. Nyktosโs finger began to move, drawing a short line along myย inner thighย now.
โHe wasโฆ?โ Attes prodded, his gaze lowering to where Nyktosโs hand had disappeared. Suddenly, I knew why Nyktos had felt the need to apologize ahead of time for his behavior. Everything he was doing was in plain sight of Attes. Nyktos was making it very clear that I wasย his.
The problem was, I didnโt entirely mind it.
Which presented another problem since my lack of disgust over this meant there was truly something wrong with me, and I would really need to think long and hard about that later.
โHe was trespassing while I was swimming,โ I managed.
A brow rose as Attes glanced between us. โI think I need to visit more lakes in the mortal realm.โ
โYou should,โ Nyktos suggested. โThough I doubt you will find such unexpected treasure as I did.โ
Treasure? There was a silly jump in my chest that happened before I could remind myself that if I took away the embers, aย treasureย was the very last thing Nyktos thought I was.
โSadly, I think you may be right,โ Attes said after a moment. โI doubt I shall find a treasure asโฆunique.โ
Nyktosโs finger halted. There was something in Attesโs tone and the slight, almost secretive smile that graced his lipsโsomething that caused tiny balls of unease to form in the pit of my chest.
โWhatโs your name?โ Attes asked, his thumb tapping the arm of the chair.
Nyktos said nothing behind me, so I took that as permission to answer. โSera.โ
โSera,โ he repeated in a low voice. โNo last name?โ
It was doubtful that he could find many in the mortal realm who would recognize my first name. The last would be an entirely different story. I gave a coy shrug.
โIntriguing,โ he remarked. โI think the others will understand why youโve taken a Consort once they see her.โ The Primal gave a slow grin, showing off that dimple in his right cheek. He winked at me. โI have a feeling many of them will find themselves wishing to adorn themselves with such an alluring accessory.โ
Anger gathered in my chest for a second before Nyktosโs arms gave a warning squeeze. Iโd likely projected that emotion right down his throat. Becauseโฆanย accessory? There wasnโt enough common sense in the entire realm of Iliseeum for me to keep my mouth shut. โI doubt you prefer the taste of eyes more than your steed, but refer to me as anย accessoryย again, and it will be you who feeds on them.โ
The moment those words left my mouth, I almost regretted them. The Primal of Accord and War went impossibly still in the same way Nyktos often did. His glowing, silver eyes fixed on me. Icy, dark energy ramped up, brushing against my skin as it built fromย behindย me. I was suddenly unsure which Primal Iโd angered more.
Attes smiled, revealing straight teeth and fangs. โThis one has bite.โ
โYou have no idea,โ Nyktos murmured, and my head whipped toward him. His eyes briefly met mine as that damn hand slippedย deeperย between my thighs. His thumb gave a swipe, nearly brushing the thin undergarment there. โBehave.โ
I drew back, my restraint cracking again. โHas Veses seen her yet?โ
Veses. My attention snapped back to Attes as the memory of the Primal touching Nyktos filled my thoughts.
โNo,โ Nyktos replied, his tone cool enough to chill my skin.
โWell, that will be a complication, will it not? One I would not envy.โ
I opened my mouth, but Attes continued. โAnd youโve had a lot of complications of late, it seems. I heard you had quite a few entombed gods escape on you.โ
โI assume you had nothing to do with that.โ
Attes smirked. โYou should know me better than that. If I had a problem with you, I wouldnโt send one of my draken, nor would I unleash those entombed here.โ
โNo, youโre not the type to plunge the sword into someoneโs back.โ โNeither are you.โ
โGlad we have that in common,โ Nyktos replied, but he didnโt sound glad at all. โWhat is it that you want, Attes?โ
โThere are many things I want, and very few of those things are available to me.โ Attes stretched out a leg. His gaze dropped to where Nyktosโs hand was. โIโve never seen you quite soโฆengrossed with another before.โ
I almost laughed.
โYou havenโt.โ Nyktosโs lips brushed my cheek, causing my pulse to skitter in surprise. โI prefer to have her within reach.โ
Only because he feared I would do something reckless, but not
exquisitely reckless.
โI can easily see why.โ
โAnd I can see youโre nowhere near getting to the point before I run out of patience,โ Nyktos warned. โAnd Iโm almost there, just so you know.โ
Good gods, the way he spoke to the other Primal was shocking. I knew there was a hierarchy to the Primals, with the Primal of Death and Primal of Life being at the top, but still. This was the Primal ofย War.
Attesโs stare sharpened, hardening the handsome angles of his face. โYou killed my Cimmerian. Those who came to your Rise.โ
The swift change of subject threw me as Nyktos said, โThey were not your Cimmerian. They served Hanan. And if you had such concern for them, you should have taught them better than to serve such a coward.โ
Tension poured into the chamber, even as Nyktosโs finger continued drawing short, idle lines over the flesh of my thigh.
โAs much as it pisses me off to admit this,โ Attes said after a long moment, โyou have a point there. But you also killed Dorcan. I was under the impression that you two were fond of each other.โ
Dorcanโฆhe had called Nyktos an old friend. I hadnโt thought much of it, because Nyktos didnโt consider any of those close to him friends. But that didnโt mean they werenโt.
โI may have tolerated him. But whatever tolerance I may have for someone ends when they come to my Court, make demands, and attack my guards. None of the other Primals wouldโve done anything less.โ
โYou are usually more lenient than the rest of us.โ
โPerhaps you donโt know me as well as you think you do,โ Nyktos said. โSo, what have you come to do, Attes? Lecture me on my lack of leniency? If so, what did you do to your brotherโs guards when they stepped out of line?โ
โKynโs guards were pieces of shit.โ
โFrom what I heard, they were simply intoxicated and celebrating that night.โ
โTheir inability to handle their spirits wasnโt why I gutted them.โ โIt wasnโt?โ
โNo.โ Attes tipped his chin toward me. โI assume your soon-to-be Consort is wise enough not to repeat what is discussed here?โ
โHis Consort is wise enough,โ I snapped, yet again failing to control my tongue.
โI do hope so,โ Attes replied. โI also hope youโre more careful with your tone. I may find your boldness refreshing. Alluring, even. Others will
not.โ
โThose who do not likely wonโt live long enough to wallow in their insult,โ Nyktos responded before I could.
โBecause youโll make sure theyโre dead before they can?โ
Nyktos laughed darkly. โBecause my Consort will likely plunge a dagger into their hearts before Iโm even aware of what has occurred.โ
His words shocked me and sent my heart thumping. Heโd made it clear that I was no damsel to be protected, and I liked thatโmaybe too much.
โSo, I should take the earlier threat to feed my eyes to me more seriously?โ
I smiled at the Primal.
โIโll keep that in mind.โ Attes refocused on Nyktos. โYou going to tell me how in the holy fuck a god Ascended here in the Shadowlands?โ
My heart stuttered at the blatant callout, but Nyktos didnโt react. Nothing except for the swipe of his finger coming shockingly close to my thin undergarment once more. I bit the inside of my lip as a rush of slick heat answered the indecent touch. Attesโs gaze lowered again, and I knew from where he sat and from how Nyktos held me, he could see precisely what Nyktosโs hand was up to. With the Primalsโ increased senses, it was also likely he could tell how much it affected me. Heat scalded my skin, but not from shame. It shouldโve been. Or, at the very least, anger. And there was a little bit of thatโjust enough to clear some of the languid warmth invading my senses. Nyktos was putting on a show. Not for me, but for Attes.
โIt had to be Kolis.โ
Attes snorted. โCome the fuck on, Nyktos.โ โI donโt know who else it couldโve been.โ
โIf it was Kolis, why would he have finally chosen to Ascend a god?
Here, in the Shadowlands.โ
โYouโd have to ask him that.โ โI guess I will have to.โ
I didnโt think Attes planned to do that, because it didnโt seem like he believed Kolis was capable of such a thing.
โI know it was a god from Hananโs Court,โ Attes said after a moment. โThe only one I know who is often found in the Shadowlands is Bele.โ
โShe is often here,โ Nyktos confirmed while I willed my heart to calm.
โWell, Hanan is having a godsdamn fit right nowย atย Dalos, convinced that you, the Primal of Death, have somehow managed to Ascend a god. The other Primals areย worried. That if one god can Ascend to challenge their position, then so can another.โ
โYou donโt look all that worried,โ Nyktos pointed out, and he didnโt. โThatโs because I donโt fear someone taking my place.โ He sat back,
dropping his hand to his knee. โNone of us has forgotten who your father was.โ Attes held Nyktosโs stare, and my stomach dipped at the insinuation. โOr who you were meant to be.โ
โYou think there are embers of life in me?โ Nyktos laughed, stirring the hair along the back of my neck. โThat it was not Kolis but me who did it?โ
Oh, gods, what if they did? What if Kolis believed that? Pressure clamped down on my chest, and I held my breath as my heart started to race. Nyktos gently squeezed my thigh.
โIf it wasnโt Kolis, then there would have to be embers of life here,โ Attes replied. โAnd you havenโt denied that.โ
โNor have I confirmed anything,โ Nyktos countered, and I heard the smoky smile in his words. โIโm beginning to wonder if youโre here because of your curiosity or if you came on Kolisโs behalf.โ
Attes went still once more. โBoth would be true.โ
My insides went cold as Nyktos leaned into my back. That dark energy rose again. โIs that so?โ
โIt is. I am curious about what has been occurring here.โ The aura in Attesโs eyes brightened. โAnd Kolis has tasked me with delivering a message to you.โ
โI didnโt know that he was now using you for such things.โ
โI believe he chose me because Iโm the closest.โ Attes paused. โAnd one of the few youโd be less likely to toss into the Abyss once you hear the message.โ
โI wouldnโt put a lot of confidence behind that belief.โ Nyktosโs voice had dropped. โWhat is the message?โ
โKolis is aware that youโve taken a Consort.โ A muscle flexed in his jaw. โAnd His Majesty has decided to deny your right to a coronation.โ