Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 231436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1157(@200wpm)___ 926(@250wpm)___ 771(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 231436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1157(@200wpm)___ 926(@250wpm)___ 771(@300wpm)
Ash wonders what her life was like after he rejected her and learns that a knight trained her in weaponry and hand-to-hand combat so she could defend herself. He’d hoped she would just carry on with her life after his rejection. When she asks why he didn’t return, he tells her that the Priests would never summon him again and tries to get her to understand that what happened wasn’t personal.
Oh, it was personal, all right, but not at all what she thought. It was so much more. And so much sweeter yet heartbreaking.
Ash tells her that she didn’t do anything wrong when he rejected her and explains what he felt from her that day—that she was afraid and felt she had no choice—thus revealing that he can sense and taste her emotions. He tells her that he saw her as brave but still felt anguish and hopelessness—someone forced to fulfill a promise they didn’t make. He had no need of a Consort forced to marry him, and so he told her as much.
She emerges from the bath, and he dries her and tells her he knows what she feels when he touches her—the sounds she makes aren’t forced; she lets him touch her because she likes it. He explains that he reads her body language, though; he doesn’t delve into her emotions.
Being more than interested in certain parts of their union and agreement, he pleasures her again, telling her that he thinks about her and their time at the lake every time he takes himself in hand. He then applies ointment to her back and insists he’s still the same man she met, despite her knowing more about him now and who he really is. He tells her that he revealed things to her he’s never told others, and he never lied to her.
When Sera asks about those she saw impaled on the Rise as they entered, he’s stunned that she thinks he did it. He explains about the politics of Iliseeum, which leads to him revealing that he didn’t make the deal with her ancestor. His father did.
Ash goes into how all powers, responsibilities, and deals transferred to him when his father died, Ascending him into his Primal status. He relays that his parents loved each other very much, and his father was a widower when he made the deal with Roderick. Eythos died loving his wife, so Ash was always confused why he made the deal at all.
Neither he nor Sera consented to the agreement, which is something they have in common. He tells her that he considered coming to her and telling her everything well before now and the events that played out, but felt it was better if he limited contact. He didn’t want to expose her.
The discussion turns once again to the murders, and Ash tells Sera that he doesn’t think they’re connected to her. He explains things about Lathan better, and when she asks why he kept an eye on her given there were no consequences for him regarding the deal, he tells her he isn’t sure and insinuates that perhaps he should have left her be. While she may have been killed by Madis and his crew, dying may have actually been a better fate for her. At least then his enemies wouldn’t also become hers.
Word comes in that Shades are loose in the Dying Woods, so Ash leaves Sera to go and deal with them. When he gets back, he has breakfast with her.
As they discuss the dynamics in the House of Haides, he explains that keeping her in her chambers is a necessary evil, but if she thinks that’s what being held against her will feels like, she has no idea. He admits that he’s unfortunately well-acquainted with the feeling, referring to his time in Dalos.
I hate that she will experience that for herself soon enough.
Ash returns the dagger he gifted her, now with a sheath, and apologizes for upsetting her and keeping her sequestered.
Talk turns to feeding, and he explains how it works and why being weakened comes into play, admitting that he doesn’t feed anymore. Ever. He just makes sure to never get that weak. When she asks if he was a prisoner before, referring to what he’d said about being well-acquainted with the feeling of being a captive, he tells her that he’s been many things, leaving it at that and not elaborating. She tries to get him to say more by offering up that they should learn more about each other. Ash admits that he doesn’t want them to be strangers and would very much like them to be as close as they were at the lake. However, he isn’t willing to discuss his imprisonment.
He quickly changes the subject, and they talk about the draken. Ash explains that he’s been around them long enough that he can understand them, even while they’re in their draken forms. He feeds little Jadis some bacon and admits that Nektas will likely burn him alive if he finds out Ash is giving it to her.