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)
“Fates,” Rhain rasped.
Attes hung his head in shame that didn’t belong to him.
“I will no longer risk the lives of those I care for,” I told them. “If any forces are perceived as a threat, destroy them.”
Saion nodded, anger mixing with the disbelief in his expression. “Understood and agreed.”
Lailah joined him, thumping her fist off her chest. “We will gladly follow those orders.”
I inhaled through the burning in my throat and eyes.
“Bele,” Attes said. “You need to protect your Court’s boundaries.”
Bele’s nostrils flared. “I need to protect my Queen—”
“You will be doing just that by making sure your Court doesn’t fall into Kolis’s hands,” I said.
Bele’s jaw flexed, but she nodded. “I promise that will not happen.”
“I know.” I forced a swallow. “Kolis is wounded. He will be out, but I don’t know for how long. And I assume Kyn isn’t in much better shape.”
“He’s not,” Attes confirmed.
“But we should plan for either of them to make a move at any point,” I continued, glancing at Rhain. “We need to send forces to Sirta to back up Bele.”
There were several nods.
“I will also send a division.” Attes tugged on my waist. “Come.”
Kars moved away from the pedestal and stopped in front of us. He lowered himself to one knee and bowed his head. “I am sorry for your loss,” he said, his voice thick. “May your family be welcomed into the arms of those waiting for them in the Vale.”
Tears clogged my throat and stung my eyes. I felt myself begin to shake and crack further. “Thank you.”
I had no idea how I ended up in my bedchambers, whether I had walked or Attes had shadowstepped us—for all I knew, he could’ve carried me. But we were there.
I looked around the space. Everything looked different now.
Attes stood in front of me and took my left hand in his. “Sera—”
Closing my eyes, I immediately regretted doing so. All I saw was the fear on the Chosen’s faces. The bodies of my family, strangers, and gods—bodies I had left in my wake.
I sucked in a short breath, stumbling back a step as I freed my hand from his grasp. “Dametria,” I gasped.
Attes frowned. “What?”
Part of me didn’t want to ask because if I’d done something to her… “Was she in Dalos? At Cor Palace or the Sanctuary?”
Understanding flickered across his features. “No, she was not. She has not been harmed.”
Thank the gods.
Attes inched closer. “You still haven’t closed this wound. It will not heal until you do.”
“Really haven’t had time.” In truth, I had completely forgotten about it.
“You need to close your wound.”
I stared at the ragged puncture wounds, feeling Nektas draw closer. There was so much blood on my arm, I had no idea who it actually belonged to.
“I swear to the Fates, Sera, if I have to force your mouth open to do so, I will,” Attes growled. “I’m giving you one more chance to do it yourself because Nyktos doesn’t need to return to see your wrist torn half-open.”
Nyktos.
Ash.
Hearing his name pierced my chest far more painfully than any arrow or dagger tonight. Gods, what would he think of me now? Would he still say that I was kind and loyal? That I thought of others before myself? That I wasn’t a monster? And the panic he must’ve felt while I fought Kolis… A shudder ran through me as I lifted my wrist and sealed the wounds.
“Thank you.” Attes thrust his hand through his hair and then dropped it. “Sera, I…” He briefly closed his eyes and then shook his head. “Nyktos will punch me three times more than last time for being in your bedchambers with you,” he joked, but the teasing didn’t reach his eyes or his tone. He exhaled heavily and then clasped the back of my neck. “I’m sorry, Sera. I’m so fucking sorry about everything.”
Everything.
I didn’t want to hear that because how could I apologize to all those who’d lost people they cared for today? I stepped away from him, my throat tightening.
“Kolis said none of this would’ve happened if I had given him Sotoria.”
Attes’s features tensed. “Sera—”
“You need to make sure she’s safe,” I said, my breath thinning. “If he gets to her, then all the deaths will have been for nothing.”
Eather streaked across his eyes. “He will not have her.”
Nektas pushed open the balcony doors. He crossed the distance, his long hair streaming behind him.
“Meyaah Liessa.”
I flinched at the sound of his gravelly voice. Gods, I didn’t want to see him right now. I didn’t want to see anyone because I knew I needed to keep it together. Kolis could attack at any moment. I had to be ready while Ash dealt with all those souls—some of which I had sent his way. The next breath I took got stuck.
The draken’s gaze swept over me. The blue in his eyes turned luminous. “You’ve been injured.”