Total pages in book: 362
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
“He…he made this?” I asked, the piece of art blurring.
“He did,” Ash said. “Carvings and all. I asked him if he could the last time he was here.”
Wonder filled me as I shook my head. “Wow.”
He caught a stray curl and tucked it behind my ear. “I thought this one would be more personalized and symbolic.” His fingers lingered for a moment and then glided down my arm. “You’re the hand that wields the blade.”
My breath snagged. “‘A silver beast with blood seeping from its jaws of fire…’”
“‘Bathed in the flames of the brightest moon,’” he finished, his head tilting slightly. “Are you all right?”
Sucking in a shallow breath, I blinked several times. “Yes. It’s so beautiful, and I’m just…” I struggled to contain the riot of emotions building in me. “I don’t remember if I told you this or not, but I was never given gifts. Not during the Rites or for my birthday. It didn’t bother me before—or at least that was what I told myself.”
Ash had fallen silent as I spoke. I cleared my throat. “It seemed silly to feel bad about not getting gifts when so many people went to bed with empty bellies and no roofs over their heads, but I did care. Not because I wanted things. I just wanted to…”
“You wanted to be thought of,” he said.
I nodded, feeling my chest squeeze. “The shadowstone dagger you gave me before was my first gift. It will always be special to me.” Our eyes met. “Just as this one will be. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He dipped his head and kissed me. When his mouth lifted, he rested his head on mine. “Have I told you today how much I loathe your mother?”
“Not today.”
Ash was quiet for a moment. “Do you think you will see her later?”
“I…I don’t know. It all depends on if she is with Ezra.”
“And if she isn’t?” he asked. “Will you look for her?”
“I’m not sure.” Things were complicated between my mother and me. I hoped we could maybe repair our relationship someday, but Ash’s anger on my behalf went a long way to healing some of those long-festering wounds. Maybe that was a little messed up, but it was true. And it also made me want to be better—better at being Queen, the Primal of Life…at everything. But most importantly, his wife. His partner. I knew where to start. Well, I knew several ways to start.
“I promise I won’t throw this one at you,” I swore.
Ash let out a loud and deep laugh. “I don’t know if I should be pleased or disappointed to hear that.”
Careful not to touch the bone, I slid the dagger back into its sheath and put it and the wooden box on the table before turning to him. My heart was pounding even faster. “Do you need to feed?”
Thick lashes lowered. “No, liessa.”
The same messy mix of relief and disappointment hit me, leaving me feeling as if my skin was too tight. “Are you sure?”
“I am.”
I clasped his cheeks. His skin was cool but didn’t feel as cold as before. “Is it my imagination again, or does your skin not feel as cold?”
“It’s not your imagination.” Turning his head, he kissed my palm. “It’s just my blood regenerating.”
My brows knitted. “That’s faster than normal.”
“I believe it’s because of you rising as the true Primal of Life,” he explained. “The essence is already strengthening in me.”
Which meant it was already strengthening in the other Primals. Including Kolis.
There wasn’t much time to dwell on the realization that the Primals were all strengthening. Rhain and Nektas joined us soon after.
The god didn’t look all that thrilled by the news of where I was headed. I knew he was thinking about what had happened the last time we’d left for the mortal realm.
“I won’t be gone long,” I assured Rhain like I had last night with Ash.
He nodded from where he stood by the doors, his arms crossed.
“And I promise I won’t get into any fights,” I added, seeking to ease his obvious concern. “Or even tell anyone who I am now.”
“Liessa,” Ash drawled. “Any mortal who crosses paths with you will know.”
“Because they will sense it?” I figured.
“That,”—his lips twitched—“and your eyes.”
I frowned. “Oh, yeah.”
“Did you forget about that?”
“No.” I laughed.
Ash arched a brow.
“I didn’t. Anyway…” I drew out the word. “Are we traveling to the gateway?”
“You’re a Primal now.” Ash tucked the same curl behind my ear. “You don’t need to use the gateways. You can shadowstep.”
“Oh.” I smoothed my hands over my hips, suddenly nervous. My right hand moved lower, brushing over the hilt of the bone dagger. Ash had found a thigh sheath for me. Touching the grip calmed me a little. “Like when I shadowstepped into Vathi?”
“Wait.” Nektas stepped forward, his brow furrowed. “This will only be your second time shadowstepping?”