Born of Blood and Ash

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

I held Reaver’s hand and cradled Jadis against my hip as we walked under the twinkling lights strung across the City Hall.

I considered it practice for the future as I smiled at those we passed.

The little girl I carried was in her draken form, which meant her claws were buried in my hair, and I was pretty sure some of it was in her mouth based on how Reaver looked up at her with narrowed eyes.

Both draken had insisted on coming with me, although I had a feeling Jadis only wanted to go because Reaver had taken my hand.

The whole time I’d spoken with Erlina, I’d felt Ash’s gaze. He wasn’t the only one who watched my every move. So did Rhain and Nektas. Ash and I had shared with Rhain a month ago that we were expecting so he could assist Kye and Aios in gathering information. Of course, I wanted the others to know, but things hadn’t been entirely peaceful over the last two months. There were outbursts of violence in several of the Courts once ruled by those loyal to Kolis. The ceeren numbers had been severely depleted, but they were still out there, with only a few swearing allegiance to Saion. We knew we hadn’t rounded up all the Revenants, but we would. Then there were the draken loyal to Kolis. Not all of them had perished, and it wasn’t until a few days after entombing Kolis that I thought of Sax, the draken who’d once served Eythos. When I asked Nektas if he had sensed Sax in the Bonelands, he’d shared that he hadn’t. He hadn’t joined the fight, and we didn’t know if that meant he was dead or not. We were looking for him.

But once we were sure the last of those loyal to Kolis were dealt with—or, at the very least, no longer posed a great risk—we would share the news with everyone.

I could feel their eyes on me even now as I made my way back to our table placed before the dais. We hadn’t eaten on the dais like two supreme rulers looking over everyone. Only Ehthawn was stretched out before the thrones, watching over everything. My heart panged for the loss of Crolee and the other draken—for Kars and all those we’d lost.

Well, not everyone.

While I was still conflicted over Veses, I wasn’t exactly sad. My gaze swept over the smiling faces and moved to the colo

Attes.

I’d seen him often these last two months. When he wasn’t in Vathi assisting Lailah with establishing her rule and preparing Theon, he was in the Shadowlands. Ash had said it was because being in Vathi reminded him too much of his brother.

Reaver squeezed my hand. “Sera?”

“Yes?”

“Why are you sad?” he asked, and Jadis stopped tugging on my hair.

That damn notam.

“I’m just thinking about those we miss,” I told him.

He nodded, his small lips pinched. “I think about my parents sometimes,” he said after a moment. “I don’t remember much about them, but I miss them.”

“Does thinking about them make you sad?” I asked as I led them past a group of young godlings with wide eyes.

One of his shoulders lifted. “Yes, but Nek told me once that it’s a good kind of sadness to have because it means you remember them, and memories will keep them alive with you.”

I thought about that. Nektas was right. Ezra, Marisol, and my mother lived on in my memories, even if it hurt right now. And someday, I would visit them and my father. “That is very true.” I glanced over at Jadis, who most definitely had my hair in her mouth. “Your father is very wise.”

She chirped but I heard her soft voice say daddy.

My lips curved up as we neared the group of Primal goddesses. I’d never heard her call him that before. It was adorable.

The drumbeat rose, and the tempo of the music picked up. When I reached the Primals, I saw partners separating, forming two lines that faced each other.

“You all aren’t dancing?” I asked.

Bele snorted. “I’d rather not have broken toes by the evening.”

Aios rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her emerald gown. “I’m not that bad of a dancer.”

“There are many reasons I love you, so’vit,” Bele said as Ione gri

“I’m sure the same can be said about your tact,” Ione commented.

“I can agree with that.” Aios laughed and leaned over to kiss Bele.

Gri

Ione had been attempting to catch what she called an impression of Sotoria’s soul. We weren’t even sure if it was possible since it was held in The Star.

She shook her head. “Not yet,” she said, clasping her hands. “I was thinking of entering the mortal realm and seeing if that helped.”

Instinct told me that Callum was likely in possession of her soul, and it would be wise of him to stay far away from Iliseeum. But how long could he get by in the mortal realm? Thierran had also been traveling through dreams to see if he could pick up on anything, which was highly disturbing to think about, but we weren’t even sure if whatever Callum was could dream. That was something I hadn’t considered until Thierran mentioned it.

“Let me know what you find out,” I said.

“Of course.” Ione watched the couples loop arms as they met in the middle.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware of this or not,” Bele said from behind the rim of her glass, “but Jadis is currently eating your hair.”

Ione did such a quick double-take that strands of dark hair smacked her chin. “Oh, dear.”

“I think she’s mostly nibbling on it,” I said.

“As if that is better,” Reaver said under his breath.

“I agree with that, little man.” Bele winked at him.

Reaver beamed up at her.

“Are you still hungry, honey?” Aios asked, reaching up and gently tugging my hair free from Jadis’s mouth. Her silver eyes were still a shock for me to see.

Eyes big and wide, Jadis nodded her little diamond-shaped head.

I wasn’t sure how she was still hungry since she had eaten at least two platefuls. “Then let us get you back to your father.”

Jadis gave my hair a tug of happy agreement, nearly jerking my head off my shoulders.

“Wow,” Bele murmured.

I would have a sore neck by the time this night was over.

Avoiding the dancing, I skirted the edges of the Hall’s floor. As I rounded the table, Ash’s gaze followed me. I had to bite the inside of my lip to keep myself from smiling.

I came up behind Nektas. “I have something for you.”

He shifted back and lifted his hands. Jadis reached for her father with one arm. “You need to let go of her hair.”

For a second, I didn’t think she would. Several strands were stretched across the space between me and where she was nestled against Nektas’s chest.

“I fear you will have little hair left on your head,” Rhain commented from the other side of Nektas. Beside him, Rhahar hid his snort behind his glass.

Nektas sighed, gently prying his daughter’s claws free. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.” Catching sight of Attes as I smoothed the strands, I smiled down at Reaver. “Will you do me a favor?”

He nodded eagerly.

“Can you keep Ash company for me while I speak to Attes?”

Ash raised a brow but remained silent, sipping from his cup.

“I can.” He drew out the word, looking over his shoulder at Ash while Nektas chuckled under his breath. “But he’d probably enjoy your company more.”

One side of Ash’s lips curved up.

“Not true. He always enjoys your company.” Cradling the back of his head, I kissed his blond hair and met Ash’s gaze.

He gave me a subtle nod.

The moment I let go of Reaver, he darted past Nektas and scrambled into the chair I had occupied. I watched a smile break out across Ash’s face as he shifted his attention to the youngling. When I turned, Nektas caught my arm.

“He’s not doing great,” Nektas noted in a low voice, nodding toward the colo

I glanced up to see the female draken perched on the pillars above where Attes stood in the shadows. “I know.”

I quickly passed the long table, spotting Saion with a deck of cards. I had no idea what was going on there, but the devious glint in the Primal’s eyes and the way Theon sat across from him, shaking his head, told me Saion would likely gain some coin before the night ended.

Picking up the lacy skirt of my black gown, I climbed the short set of steps and crossed into the alcove. Attes didn’t look at me as I approached, but he gave me an elaborate bow.

I shook my head at the gesture. “Surprised to see you standing in the shadows.”

“I know. It does seem like something your husband would do.” A quick grin appeared. There was no dimple. “There’s really no reason.”

I knew that was a lie as I studied his profile. In the last two months, there had been moments when Attes seemed more like his old self. He’d do his level best to a

“Please, don’t,” he said, his eyes meeting mine.

“Don’t what?”

“Ask if I’m okay.” He sighed, his gaze leaving mine again. “I am.”

“I won’t ask it,” I said. “But I also know you’re not.”

He took a swig of what was likely whiskey. I followed his gaze, realizing he was watching Lailah dance with a man I didn’t recognize. Her braids were down and flowed around her shoulders bared by her white gown.

“She looks beautiful tonight,” I commented.

“She does.”

My gaze roamed over the tall, dark-haired male as he lifted her and spun, sending the hem of her gown billowing. I sensed the man was a god, but I stopped myself from seeing more. “Who is she dancing with?”

“Some jackass.”

I looked at him. “Then why aren’t you dancing with her?”

“Because I’m a worse jackass.” He gri

“Oh, no,” I teased lightly, even though I had a good idea exactly what he had been thinking about.

Attes’s smirk was halfhearted. “I think it’s time.”

I drew in a breath that stung my throat. “When?”

“Tomorrow.”

My eyes fell shut. Tomorrow?

“I’ve stayed longer than I pla