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)
I had no idea what she meant by transformed, and my intuition was silent on that. It was not for those outside of Arcadia to fully understand, but what she spoke of was like death. And it would feel like that to those of us who remained.
“You understand, don’t you, Nyktos?” she asked.
His hand moved in soothing circles on my back as he said, “I do.”
Keella smiled. “I’ve spent the last couple of years preparing Ione for what I knew would come. She will be loyal to both of you and do all she can to stop Kolis.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. Drawing in a shallow breath, I pulled myself together. Just as Ash and the others had done. I would have to mourn the loss of Keella. My lashes felt damp when I opened my eyes.
Ash’s exhale was heavy. “When will this happen?”
“I must attend to some affairs first,” Keella said. “But we will not want to wait long. Ione will need time to go through the Ascension.”
“Okay,” I said, my throat stinging. “When you’re ready, I will do what needs to be done.”
Tables and chairs had been brought into the throne room, along with drinks, as a good part of the evening was spent discussing our plans with our allies.
It felt strange to continue discussing plans after what Keella had shared, but here we were.
Moving on.
Maia had paled a little but said it needed to be done. Penellaphe had agreed, willing to do whatever was necessary to prevent further harm to the mortal realm.
Not gaining Phanos’s support was a disappointment. If he attempted to protect Kolis from us, he had the soldiers and the ceeren to fight on land and at sea. Maia had suggested that it was possible he could change his mind. Neither Saion nor Rhahar was convinced of such. I allowed a little bit of hope to spark, but he still had a choice to make.
Each Primal knew that what we planned would come fast and hard. One would think the knowledge would’ve left a somber pall over the group, but there were smiles and warmth. Perhaps they were used to this.
I wasn’t sure. But once we’d finished strategizing and Penellaphe shared that she had located Embris’s stash of bones—it wasn’t much, but it would help—what I had potentially discovered before the meeting surged to the surface.
My gaze fell on Maia. There was no way I was asking her.
I quietly excused myself. Ash wanted to step away with me, but I assured him that everything was fine, and I would return.
I made my way through the war room to the hall. I’d only gone a few steps before I heard Penellaphe calling my name. I turned, tangles twisting in my already knotted stomach. When I’d seen her last… I looked away, the back of my throat scalding with shame.
Penellaphe’s steps slowed. She cleared her throat. “I wanted to see how you were but didn’t want to ask in there.”
“I’m…” I started to tell her I was okay but had a feeling she knew better. She’d seen me immediately after what I’d done. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to meet her gaze. It was strange seeing her with the silver eyes of a Primal. “I’ve been better.”
A look of sympathy flickered across her features. Not pity. “I didn’t get a chance to say this before. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” I exhaled long and slow. “How are you?”
“I’m okay.” Her brow creased. “But I do feel a bit weird. Like I’m myself but…not.”
A half-grin tugged at my lips. “I know the feeling.”
She nodded. “Holland said it will eventually fade.”
“It does.” Mostly. But I figured I’d keep that part to myself. “I don’t think I really gave you much of a choice when it came to the whole Ascension thing.”
“It’s okay,” she was quick to say. “You knew me and weren’t familiar with the other gods of Lotho. Your decision to Ascend me made sense.”
“That wasn’t the only reason. I trust you, and Holland clearly loves you. That tells me you’re…well, a good person.”
“Holland does have good taste, if I do say so myself.”
I smiled at that. “I hope you are truly okay with this. It puts you in danger.”
“I have been in danger in one way or another for centuries, Sera,” she said. “But now I can do something about it instead of Holland or another. I couldn’t before.”
That made me feel better about cornering her into this role. “Will you be staying longer? There’s something I need to do really quick.”
“Yes. I’ll be around.”
“Okay.” I started to turn.
“Sera?” Penellaphe clasped her hands. “Holland mourns with you.”
My breath caught, and I couldn’t speak through the sudden burn in my throat.
Penellaphe’s smile was sad. “See you in a bit.”
I watched her turn and walk back to the throne room, then closed my eyes. It’ll get better, I told myself. I’ll get better. Opening my eyes, I began my search for Aios.