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)
Later, Nyktos begins shaking and panting, scaring Sera awake. He makes her promise never to go after Kolis again.
The next day, Nyktos gathers everyone in the throne room and tells them that Sera tried to go after the King of Gods to protect the Shadowlands. He emphasizes that her bravery is unmatched and praises her willingness to sacrifice herself for them, believing she was the cause of the recent attacks. He whispers that none will harbor ill will toward her and will see her as she is: brave and daring. He then warns those in attendance that if they don’t, any negative thoughts about her will be their last. He says he’ll destroy them, no matter how loyal they are to the Shadowlands. Making sure she understands that he meant what he said, he reiterates: she’s brave and strong and a Consort more than worthy of them.
Nyktos joins Jadis, Nektas, and Sera after dressing down his guards, then cuddles Jadis for a moment before badgering Sera about eating. He says the Culling will weaken her, and if she doesn’t eat enough, she risks going into stasis.
He tells her that he wants to get the embers out of her, saying that if they can remove them, she’ll be like any godling entering their Culling, and his blood would ensure she survives the Ascension. He then tells her the alternative is unacceptable and alludes to the fact that she might Ascend into a god.
Nyktos reveals what Penellaphe said to him in private since it’s been nagging at him. She told him that Delfai would welcome Sera. He explains to Sera who that is.
When talk turns to how to find this Delfai and get more information, Nyktos tells Sera he moved the Pools of Divanash to the Vale, where neither he nor Kolis can go. That way, Sotoria could stay hidden. Sera projects her excitement, but Nyktos tells her he won’t allow her to go until after the coronation—for her protection. He can’t stop creatures or other Primals from attacking her until she’s officially claimed.
Sera then asks if removing the embers will have the same effects on her as it did when Kolis did it to Eythos. Nyktos tells her it won’t. The embers will go to him, and he’ll become what he was originally destined to be.
Nyktos explains to Sera what happened to Halayna, Nektas’s mate, and tells her that Nektas was the first draken, the one who helped Eythos create the mortals. Draken can live as long as Primals. Only the Arae are immortal, though the viktors are eternal in a different way given their constant reincarnation.
He tells her that only a few know of the plan to remove her embers—the usual suspects in the Shadowlands—and they know there’s more than one ember in her and support the plan…including her Ascension. Only Nektas knows about Sotoria’s soul, however. It would be too dangerous for others to know about that.
When talk turns to Kolis’s creatures, Nyktos says he doesn’t think the Revenants and the Craven are the same and hopes the missing Chosen haven’t been turned into either of them.
He then explains that if their plan works, he’ll Ascend again, and others will feel that Kolis isn’t the Primal God of Life any longer. And while he is the oldest Primal alive, and they may never be able to kill him, they might be able to weaken him enough to entomb him.
Sera once again asserts that she’s the key, but Nyktos denies it, stating he will never accept that as the truth.
They discuss the Rot, and he says he believes it will vanish if things work out as they hope.
Talk turns to the coronation and the fact that everyone needs someone to watch over them—even him.
Nyktos grabs the Book of the Dead, but before he can do anything, Saion interrupts and tells him there are Cimmerian at the gate. Nyktos asks Sera to remain inside and reminds her she has no protection until she’s crowned, even with the charm Vikter placed on her. He urges her not to push back about his directive.
Heading outside to assess the situation, Nyktos verbally squares off with Dorcan, realizing they must have come from Hanan’s Court because of Bele. A battle ensues, and he kills a Cimmerian who throws a dagger at Sera, then smiles when she kills one attacking him from behind.
He goes to her on the Rise, realizing she’s been injured—he can smell her blood. While he wants to taste her, he tells her to listen for once and stay on the Rise and then goes to deal with Dorcan.
Before he gets there, Saion informs him that Dorcan saw Sera. When they speak, Dorcan tells him that refusing Hanan will end badly for Nyktos. More will come. In answer, Nyktos beheads the Cimmerian.
Afterward, he heads to his office and scolds Sera for risking both her life and Saion’s since he was tasked with protecting her and keeping her out of trouble. Nyktos orders Rhain and Ector to get him some supplies to clean her wound and then tells Sera to listen to the instinct to value her life. He reminds her that it isn’t an insult; he’s just trying to understand how she became the way she is. He asks her what kind of life she led. When asked what he’s sacrificed—referring to what Ector said to Sera while Nyktos was outside—he refuses to answer.