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)
Ward nodded.
Something occurred to me then. “If we are somehow unable to prevent Sotoria from being reborn? A viktor will likely be involved.”
The breeze ruffled his sandy-brown hair as he tilted his head. “I can’t say for sure, but she would usher in great change.”
“She will do more than just that.”
His gaze lifted to mine.
“Holland said that none in my bloodline has ever hungered for power,” I said after a moment. “Even those who held power. I imagine that will hold true, be they mortal, god, or Primal.”
Ward was silent.
“If she is reborn and given a viktor, I want it to be you. I plan to get a message to Holland to let him know that I have requested this. I don’t think he’ll refuse. I feel like he owes me.”
Ward’s sea-blue eyes shot to mine. “I—”
“If not for you, I would not be standing here today. You saved my namesake and likely my life in Lotho,” I said quickly. “I trust you.”
“You barely know me.”
“I know that you would not kill a child,” I replied.
He closed his mouth, but I swore I saw relief in his eyes.
I looked closely at him. “What did you think I was going to ask?”
Ward didn’t answer immediately. “What my last Queen asked of me.”
My brows flew up. “I would never ask you to kill a child.”
“I do not mean to insult you with such a suggestion,” he said. “But she will not be just a child, whether she hungers for power or not. She will wake the Ancients.”
“I know.” My fingernails pressed into my palms. “But until then, she will be a child. One day, she may become a great and powerful being, but she…” Pressure clamped down on my chest, and I had to count to five. “Kolis will be aware of her from the moment she’s reborn. It may take him years after to free himself, but he will do so, and he will come for her. I doubt we will get lucky and have him only find her after she rises as this Primal.” I absolutely hated what I said next because it made me feel like I was aiding in history repeating itself. That I was taking part in what I wanted to prevent Sotoria from ever experiencing again. “She will have no real memory of herself—or of Kolis and what he will do to her. And I assume the Fates will demand that nobody warn her in order to keep the balance.” I spat the last word. “She needs to be trained to defend herself.”
I held my breath for five more seconds. “Just as you trained the Silver Knight. Just as Holland trained me.”
Ward was silent for several moments. “Okay.” He nodded. “I will do as you ask. I will serve as her viktor with honor, and I will not fail you.” His chin lifted. “I will not fail her.”
Ash held my hand, running his thumb over the golden swirl as cups at the table were continuously refilled, and laughter mingled with the music.
I threaded the fingers of my free hand through Reaver’s soft hair. He was half-lying on Attes with his head in my lap. Jadis had left her father to wind herself around Ash’s shoulders. Why she liked that so much was beyond me.
My gaze flickered over those before us. I smiled at seeing Bele and Aios finally dancing, holding each other as they slowly swayed completely off-beat with the lively music. Lailah had joined Theon, both moving to sit opposite Attes. For once, Theon wasn’t looking at Attes like he wished to punch him. They were actually having a conversation. I think that had a lot to do with the god sitting next to Lailah. It turned out he wasn’t an asshole. He was one of Attes’s generals. Farther down the table, Thierran had joined Ione and Penellaphe. Ward was with them, and they were watching a card game between Saion and Rhahar that had grown to include Rhain.
I glanced up at the colonnade. Aurelia was gone. Now, she sat on the other side of Nektas, having donned a linen gown that reminded me of what Jadis often wore.
It was the first time I’d seen her in her mortal form.
Aurelia had an earthy beauty to her and a husky, infectious laugh. I caught Nektas’s lips curving up at the sound of it more than once as we all…as we all simply enjoyed one another’s company.
Family.
That was what all of them were to me. To Ash. Family. With them, I would always be seen. Accepted. With them, I knew it would one day be easier to accept and live with the terrible things I’d done and experienced. That’s what family did.
And I would do everything in my power to protect them. Just like we would do everything we could to ensure that a powerful being like a Primal of Blood and Bone wasn’t created from our union. Our sons would, too. They had to.