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)
“That isn’t going to help us,” I said, relieved to see Jadis plop down beside Reaver…or half on top of him. She managed to get her head on his back, causing him to peer up at me with resigned exasperation. Poor guy.
“She’s being logical again,” Bele stated. “I’m not sure how I feel about it.”
I shot her an arch look, feeling the awareness of…another draken. But it was different this time. Stronger. In my mind, I saw Nektas. I shook my head, refocusing. “You sound like I normally run around being illogical.”
“Well,” she drawled, her silver eyes dancing with amusement as a large shadow fell over the balcony.
Sending Bele one more look of warning, I focused on Ash. “Then I will go with you.”
“Now, that wouldn’t be wise,” Ash replied, sipping from his glass. “You will remain here.”
His tone and demand stoked my temper like it always did. “You want to know what’s not wise?”
“I’m sure I can guess.” His gaze flicked to me. “You were about to say me making demands of you is unwise.”
“Since you know that, why do you think it’s more unwise for me to go to Attes than you—who wants to skin him alive?”
Bele’s lip curled up on one side. “Thank the Fates, I feel like something very illogical is about to occur—”
“Something illogical always occurs around you, Bele.” Nektas entered through the balcony doors, his long hair resting against his bare shoulders.
Huh.
I had been right about it being him. Had I actually sensed it, or was his presence just a logical conclusion? No. Instinct told me I had sensed it was Nektas.
Eyes that shimmered with ethereal brilliance swept across the table, finding mine. His broad jaw softened with a smile. Stopping behind Theon and Lailah, Nektas placed a fist over his chest and bowed his head and upper body. He spoke in that raspy voice of his. “Meyaah Liessa.”
“She doesn’t like to be called that,” Saion advised.
“I know, but she will allow it of me.” Nektas straightened.
“I will.”
Bele’s lips pursed. “Rude.”
Nektas inclined his head toward Ash and strode around the table. His steps slowed as he spotted his daughter asleep half on top of Reaver. “I hope Jadis hasn’t been too much of a handful?”
I took a drink, raising my brows as several others averted their gazes. Images of Jadis tearing at Ash’s hair and tugging on Lailah’s braids danced in my mind.
“Oh, yeah. She’s been a real peach.” Bele’s tone was as dry as the desert lands near Massene.
“Of course, she has,” Nektas replied with all the confidence of a parent whose child was the apple of their eye. He reached down and scooped up his daughter. She let out a little murmur and wiggled before flopping over his shoulder. He gave her scaled back a tender pat and said, “I feel like I may have walked into the middle of an argument.”
“I would say it’s more of a…heated exchange,” Saion replied.
Raising a brow, Nektas sat on Ash’s other side and leaned back, propping one foot on the table. “About?”
“Sera and I,” Ash said, lifting an arm. A second later, a small ivory blanket shot between Rhain and Saion, coming from somewhere in the chamber. It landed in his hand. “Are not in agreement.”
“As unsurprising as that is,” Nektas began, taking the blanket from Ash and laying it over Jadis, gently tucking it around her wings, “whose side am I supposed to be on?”
“Mine,” Ash and I answered at the same time.
Nektas smirked.
“Ash has suggested using Attes to issue the summons and thinks it’s appropriate for him to speak with Attes, even though he wants to rearrange the Primal’s internal organs,” I explained. “Meanwhile, he thinks I should remain at the palace, polishing the swords or something.”
Rhahar coughed and then took a long swallow of his drink.
“That is not what I expect you to do.” Ash dragged his teeth over his lower lip, sending me a sidelong glance. “I feel rather confident assuming the only thing you would do with a sword is use it.”
“Want to find out?” I suggested with syrupy sweetness.
“Later, when younglings aren’t present,” he replied with a smoky, midnight smile. “I’d love to.”
“Oh, dear,” murmured Bele.
I shot Ash a glare.
He winked.
He actually winked at me before turning his attention back to Nektas. “But I haven’t gotten to the point yet where I explain why it would be wise for her to remain behind.”
“Because she’s newly awakened,” Nektas suggested, jerking his head to the side as Jadis worked a wing free. “And the moment she enters Vathi, her presence would be sensed.”
I opened my mouth.
“Exactly,” Ash confirmed. His teasing smile was gone now. “Kyn will know you are there.”
Hot, prickly anger swept through me, whipping up the essence. “That’s fine by me,” I said as Reaver lifted his head from my leg. “I would love to speak with him.”