Total pages in book: 222
Estimated words: 213974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1070(@200wpm)___ 856(@250wpm)___ 713(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 213974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1070(@200wpm)___ 856(@250wpm)___ 713(@300wpm)
“It’s not pronounced—” I stopped myself with a curt shake of my head. “Yes, I’m speaking of that one.”
“Not particularly.”
Disappointment swept through me.
“Though several of those who left offerings at the Sun Temple were from Lasania,” she said. “They mostly asked for good fortune with their work within Terra.”
Could that mean that Ezra had successfully strengthened the relationship between the two kingdoms? It must. Because while Terra had land, they didn’t have the labor Lasania did. A shudder of relief swept through me. “Thank you,” I said, sitting back.
The goddess started to speak.
“Dametria.” Elias filled the doorway, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. I silently mouthed her name, committing it to memory. “Out.”
My eyes narrowed on the guard.
“I’m leaving,” the goddess said, returning her attention to me.
“It does not appear as if you’re doing so,” Elias pointed out. “His Majesty will return soon.”
“Yes. Yes. He will when he’s done pleasuring himself.”
“Fucking Fates,” Elias muttered, and my lip curled in disgust.
“At least that is what I expect he’s doing based on what I saw.” Dametria’s voice lowered. “By the way, I know the rumors are true.”
I stilled.
“Dametria,” snapped Elias.
The goddess stepped back, her next words barely audible. “I was there when you were crowned.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
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.