Born of Blood and Ash

There was also something I wanted to say to him.

Attes raised an eyebrow as I fell into step beside him. “You do realize that your husband will likely make good on his earlier threat when he realizes you are out here with me.”

I smiled. “He wouldn’t.”

Attes sent me a knowing look.

“I won’t let him,” I amended. “There’s something I wanted to ask you. In private.”

As we walked, Attes ran his fingers over his chest. A faint ripple of silvery light washed over his sleeveless gray tunic, revealing a bronze-and-shadowstone chestplate when it receded.

“Neat ability,” I remarked.

“Isn’t it?” Attes stopped behind one of the chairs from the right side of the table. “It ensures that I am always prepared for battle. Figured it would be wise to don the armor just in case you’re not faster than Nyktos.” He smiled, but it was a little empty.

I looked up at him. There were deep shadows under his eyes, and I didn’t need the vadentia to tell me the cause. “I’m sorry.”

His head jerked toward me. “For what?”

“For your brother.”

Attes quickly looked away. “Fuck, Seraphena, don’t apologize for him.”

“I know Eythos still loved his brother. That was how Kolis was able to kill him.” I stared ahead. “And I know you still love yours, even though he’s a fucking asshole.”

He remained silent.

A lump formed in the back of my throat, and tears stung my eyes because there wasn’t a single part of me that doubted Attes’s oath to Ash and me, nor the very real likelihood that he would find himself facing off against his brother.

I cleared my throat. “There is something else I need to tell you about him.”

He inhaled sharply, his eyes flashing pure silver for a heartbeat. “Did he do something to you? Before Kolis believed you were Sotoria?”

I recoiled, taking a step back. “No. Gods, no. Why would—? Never mind. I know why you would ask that.” My voice was low as my stomach churned. “You know exactly who your brother is.”

“I know exactly who he has become,” Attes corrected softly.

I wanted to apologize again, but I didn’t think it would make anything easier. “I didn’t get a chance to say something before, but I swore an oath that Kyn would face justice for what he did to the people here.”

Attes stopped near the main hall, his eyes closing.

“Is that why you didn’t stop Nyktos?” he asked quietly.

I considered lying. “No. I simply wanted to see Kyn hurt.”

His chin lowered. “I get that.”

“I won’t try to carry through on that oath during the eirini.”

He glanced over at me. “But you will eventually.”

“I will.” I crossed my arms. “I felt like I needed to tell you that.”

Attes’s chest rose with a heavy breath. “I can understand such an oath being made, Seraphena.”

“That’s why I’m sorry,” I said. “And you can call me Sera.”

His jaw worked as he nodded. Swallowing, he opened his eyes. Only a faint glow of eather pulsed behind his pupils. “Is telling me this why you’re currently risking getting my balls cut off?”

I arched a brow. “Yes, but there are other reasons. I wanted to ask you about Sotoria.”

It seemed impossible, but Attes stiffened further. “What about her?”

“I assume you have The Star somewhere safe?”

“I do.” He was silent for a moment. “And I assume you want to be in possession of it.”

I nodded. “But I think it’s better if you keep her. I’m sure Kolis believes I have The Star, so she’s safer with you. I know you will protect her.”

Something flickered across his face, too fast for me to read. “I will.”

I glanced back toward the chambers. “When I was in Dalos, the Star diamond was above me. It looked different then,” I said, even though Attes knew. “But I often saw this light moving around inside it. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, but it was Eythos’s soul. He was…active. Aware. I was wondering if it’s the same with Sotoria.”

“Does the vadentia not tell you?”

I shook my head. “I think it’s because her soul was in me.”

Two lines formed between his brows. “I ca

“I hope that means she’s like…asleep,” I said. “That’s how she was most of the time she was inside me.”

“I hope that, too.” He cleared his throat. “At least, that is what I tell myself.”

Neither of us liked the idea of her being trapped in The Star, but that was better than her being reborn and Kolis getting his hands on her.

“There is also something else Kolis said,” I continued. “And I think he spoke the truth, but I don’t understand why.”

Attes folded his arms across his chest. “What was it?”

I glanced down the hall. It was empty, but I still lowered my voice. “Kolis said it was Eythos who caused Sotoria’s second death.”

Attes’s gaze flew to mine. A moment passed. “Your suspicions regarding that are true.”

I knew they were. But hearing Attes confirm it still felt like a gut punch. “Why?

“Because it was what she wanted,” Attes stated flatly. “Sotoria asked him to do it.”