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)
When Veses arrives, Ector refuses her entry into Sera’s chambers and is thrown inside by her power, landing on and crushing a table.
Once he recovers, he rides outside Sera’s carriage with Saion on the way to the coronation, until the end, when he enters the carriage with her. He notices she’s pale and nervous and says she reminds him of his sister on her wedding day. He adds that he didn’t believe Bele when she told him that Sera was anxious. He tries to comfort her, telling her that nothing will happen to her, and is taken aback—and thrilled—when she blurts out that she wants to be Nyktos’s Consort.
After the coronation, Ector tells Sera that the cheers and shouts are for her and then stands by her side as the revelers greet her and Nyktos.
During the next big battle, Ector moves to protect Aios from the Primal Kyn and dies. Sera goes to save him, but Saion stops her when her power starts drawing the dakkais. She backs off, and the dakkais swarm him, drawn to the eather Sera released, leaving nothing of Ector behind but a mess.
Let me tell you, viewing that last battle and Ector’s tragic end was enough to bring even me, someone who has seen and experienced much, to tears.
BELE
Goddess of The Hunt (in Blood and Ash timeline)
Court: Sirta to The Shadowlands
Hair: Midnight black. Shoulder-length. Often braided.
Eyes: Became silver after Ascension.
Body type: Tall. Lithe.
Facial features: Light golden-brown skin. Round cheeks and chin.
Distinguishing features: Paints her fingernails black. Wears no bands on her arms like others.
Preternatural features: After Ascension, she can conjure a bow and arrow made of eather, and her bolts of eather kill rather than wound. Powers of prosperity and fortune in Blood and Ash timeline.
Personality: Nosy. Flippant. Nonchalant. A bit of a showoff.
Habits/Mannerisms/Strengths/Weaknesses: Doesn’t like crowds. Usually wears a short sword on her hip and a bow over her shoulder. Often speaks without thinking. Huntress of information. Has a knack for moving about unseen. Is often in other Courts trying to uncover information that might be useful. Helps the Chosen get out of Dalos. Has a thing for Aios. Loves fighting. Always armed.
Background: Knows many Consorts but none who are mortal. Was born after Eythos died. During her Culling, she shattered windows every time she got upset.
BELE’S JOURNEY TO DATE:
Okay, I’m just going to say it. I love Bele. She’s absolutely delightful. I only wish she played a more prominent part in my visions because I enjoy viewing her every time she appears.
When Sera comes to the Shadowlands, Bele is the first to bow to her and explains why it’s so important. She also reveals that some Courts are betting on how long Sera will live. After it’s shared how Sera killed Tavius, Bele is delighted, impressed, and a bit surprised that a mortal Consort has a violent side.
She gives Sera advice, like not to show fear during the coronation.
Once Sera brings Gemma back to life, Ector escorts Bele to the war room, where she stares openly at Sera. She says that no Chosen are Ascended because Kolis no longer has the ability to grant or create life, so he can’t Ascend them. She adds that he can’t stop the Rite, though. It’d raise too many questions, so the unstable balance shifts more toward death.
When they discuss Sera’s plan, Bele says that she doesn’t believe Sera thought becoming Nyktos’s Consort would save her people; she learned how to end the deal in the summoner’s favor.
The dakkais attack, and Bele reminds everyone that most Courts likely felt a ripple when Sera used her powers, and the attack is probably because of that. She, Saion, and Rhahar go to find out what’s happening. Later, they ride down the bluffs and engage the dakkais, Bele standing on her horse to fire her arrows as the others crouch. She punches a dakkai and it explodes, then follows another that made it up the bluff and into the city.
Bele doesn’t think that Sera should be going anywhere after Hamid’s attack, not even to see Gemma. She tells Sera that Nyktos is in Lethe dealing with an incident and then questions Gemma about how she knew Kolis was looking for Sera. When the word graeca is mentioned, Bele tells Sera it’s the old language of the Primals and means life. During discussions, Bele realizes that Hamid thought he was protecting the Shadowlands by killing Sera.
The goddess admits that she knows nothing about the Revenants but has been working hard to find out what happened to the missing Chosen. As talk turns to the Fates, she tells Sera they don’t know everything, though they do know more than most. She adds that the Primals cannot make demands of the Fates. They can’t even touch them—it’s forbidden in order to maintain balance. She says that it wouldn’t have even crossed Nyktos’s mind to go to the Arae—Kolis, either. And he has no respect for the rules.