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How Sotoria had reacted to him.
It was the same as those who stood before Ash now—those who would have likely wept with joyous tears if it had been Kolis who’d walked out of the Pinelands. They would have rushed to greet him and worship at his feet. They’d welcome a monster who presented himself as a savior, all because they believed him to be the Primal of Life.
A label. A title. A belief regarding what was good and what was bad changed everything. And it shouldn’t be that way.
“We’re here to speak with Princess Kayleigh.” I spoke then, drawing the guards’ stares. I had no idea what they thought when they looked upon me, if they believed me to be a god or not. “Is she in residence?”
“S-she is,” a guard said. “She a-always is. Prefers t-the manor over Castle Redrock.”
“Good.” Ash smiled, and I wasn’t sure if that put any of the guards at ease. “Will one of you take us to her?”
Ash displayed a new Primal power I hadn’t known him to be capable of.
Coin didn’t fall from trees as I’d once heard King Ernald tell Tavius, but coin did spring forth from the soil beneath Ash’s boots as we followed a stu
He said nothing as I glanced at him questioningly, but I knew he’d done it to make amends for the fright he’d given them.
Just as he had done for the guard who led us past the ba
Inside the sunlit-drenched space, the Princess sat on a couch, her legs tucked beneath the hem of a lilac day gown. She was reading from a book in her lap as she idly ran her hand down the back of a black and white cat curled up beside her, Kayleigh’s mass of brown hair piled into a knot atop her bowed head.
The cat noticed us first, lifting its furry head to give us a sleepy-eyed glare. The look gave the distinct impression that it was a
The guard cleared his throat, bowing deeply. “Princess Kayleigh, you have visitors.”
Kayleigh gave a little jerk at the sound of his voice, her head snapping up. The vision I had seen of her in the Pools of Divanash had been accurate. She looked healthy. Happy. Nothing like the last time I’d seen her in person.
And she looked right at me. Surprise widened her eyes. “My gods, is that you, Seraphena?” she said, her chest rising sharply as she closed the book in her lap.
I nodded. “It is.”
“How did you…?” She trailed off as she glanced at Ash. Blood drained rapidly from her heart-shaped face. “My gods, you’re a…” She rose so quickly the book fell from her lap to flop against the thick carpet. The cat gave an irritated thump of his tail off the now-vacant cushion. She started to lower herself—
“That’s u
Her forest green eyes were bright. “But—”
“It’s all right,” I jumped in. “He’s not the bow-to-me type of Primal.”
“Well, sometimes I am,” he murmured.
I shot him a look as Kayleigh stared in confusion. “We need to speak with you.” I flicked a glance at the guard. “In private.”
She nodded, swallowing. “Thank you for bringing them here, Rolio.”
The guard hesitated, but the Princess gave him a steady smile and a quick nod. Rolio backed out of the chamber, giving us a wide berth. He didn’t wander far, though, instead moving only halfway down the hall. I liked that he was loyal despite his fear.
“Am I in trouble?” Kayleigh asked.
“What?” I focused on her. “No. Why would you think that?”
She didn’t look all that confident as she glanced at Ash. “You’re a…a Primal god. I can tell by your eyes.” She swallowed. “Only the Primals that I’ve seen have silver eyes.”
My brows lifted. “How many Primals have you seen?”
“Enough,” she said, then briefly closed her eyes. I really hoped Ash kept what Primal he was to himself. “I’m sorry. I meant no offense.”
“None taken, Princess,” Ash replied, watching her intently. I knew he was reading her. “There is no reason to fear us. We are not here to harm you.”
She nodded, but distrust settled in her features as unease blossomed in me. I thought about what Ash had warned was already begi
Her lips parted on a short breath as she looked at Ash. “I…I know they can take great offense when respect is not given to them.”
“Respect is earned, even for a Primal. And I have not yet done anything to warrant honor or disrespect.” His tone had gentled. “We’ve only come to speak with a man we believe you know. He could possibly be going by the name Delfai.”
Kayleigh stiffened. “The scholar?”
“Perhaps,” I said and gave her a quick description.
“Yes. That’s Delfai. He’s been here for a couple of years now. He’s been teaching me how to read the old language.” Kayleigh clasped her hands together as her gaze bounced between us. “Is he in trouble?”
“No,” I whispered, my heart twisting. What had she seen the other Primals do? “We just want to speak with him.”
She nodded. “I believe he’s in the library just down the hall.” A brief, fond smile appeared. “He likes to file the ledgers and journals the way he feels they should be found. Drives my father mad when he comes here.” Kayleigh’s laugh was nervous. “I’m sorry. I’m just so utterly confused. I haven’t seen you in years, Seraphena, and now I’m standing before a Primal who wishes me not to grovel at his feet—” She cut herself off again. “I’m sorry—”
“Again, no need to apologize,” Ash assured her. “Not when it is I who obviously needs to apologize for the behavior of those of my ilk.”
Kayleigh’s lips formed a perfect circle. “You are…” She cleared her throat. “May I ask which Court you rule?”
“Uhhh.” I drew out the word.
Ash inclined his head. “I am Nyktos.”
The Princess stared. I didn’t think she took a breath in the several moments of awkward silence that followed. “You’re the Primal of…”
“Death,” he finished for her.
She nodded slowly, blinking rapidly as her head cut toward me. “How are you—?”
“With him?” I jerked my chin at Ash, and his brows furrowed. “It’s a long story.”
Interest sparked. “I like stories.”
I gri
“Of course.” She bent quickly, picking up the fallen book. The cat eyed her with impressive displeasure as she placed the book where she’d sat. She started forward, then stopped, staring up at me. “When I left Lasania, I never thought I would see you again.”
“I thought so, too,” I said.
She peeked at Ash. “I don’t think I thanked you for your…help.”
“You didn’t need to.”
Her mouth opened and then closed. “We received word some time ago that Princess Ezmeria had taken the throne of Lasania, but there was no word on Prince Tavius’s fate.”
“The former Prince of Lasania is most definitely no longer a concern—to you or anyone,” Ash said, his voice dropping to a near growl. “He spends his eternity in the Abyss.”
I tried to stop my smile and failed, wondering if I would ever feel bad about the twisted burst of pleasure that accompanied thoughts of Tavius’s fate.
Probably not, especially when I saw the relief skate over Kayleigh’s features, relaxing the tension around her mouth and eyes. “Oh, my gods. I…I was too afraid to believe that was the case, but…” She laughed, pressing her hand to her chest. “Gods, I shouldn’t laugh. That makes me seem like a terrible person, but I haven’t…” She squeezed her eyes shut. “Our betrothal had all but ended, but not in the eyes of many. As long as there was a chance that I was still promised to him, I have been, well…” Her eyes glimmered with tears. “Stuck in this waiting period of him becoming betrothed to another or…”