Total pages in book: 222
Estimated words: 213974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1070(@200wpm)___ 856(@250wpm)___ 713(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 213974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1070(@200wpm)___ 856(@250wpm)___ 713(@300wpm)
But Kolis didn’t want to hear that.
It wasn’t what he needed from me.
I watched the bubbles in the water fizz as I racked my brain for what I knew about Kolis. It wasn’t much, but I did know why he’d frightened Sotoria so badly that she fell from a cliff in her attempt to escape him.
“Relate to him,” the Mistresses of the Jade had instructed. “Form a shared commonality. Be sympathetic, but do not show pity.”
“I…I was never wanted as a child, not beyond what my mother believed I could do for her kingdom,” I said slowly, hoarsely. “You likely already know that, but I was an outcast in my own home and avoided. Some even feared me. No one wanted to touch me.”
The glass I’d given Kolis sat untouched on the table. He watched, not even blinking.
“I suppose we have that in common,” I said. “And maybe from that commonality, love can blossom.”
His head twisted sharply to the side, away from me. “But only if I first release the man you already love?”
“Yes.”
Kolis’s chin dipped an inch, his voice a whisper of nightmares. “Do you think I’m a fool?”
A niggle of fear found its way in, but I squashed it. “If you weren’t, then I’d know you’re not in love with me. Being in love with someone makes you do incredibly idiotic things.”
“Idiotic enough to forget that you tried to kill me already?” he asked.
“I’ve stabbed Nyktos,” I shared. “So…”
Kolis blinked. “You stabbed Nyktos?”
“Yep. Held a dagger to his throat, too.” I took a drink as the false King openly gaped at me. “I’ve also threatened him more times than I can even begin to recall.”
He gave a slow shake of his head. “You are…not what I expected.”
I snorted. “You aren’t the first to say that.”
His frown deepened. “What will happen exactly once I free Nyktos? What will that change?”
Hope sparked, but I would not let that little fucker grow. “I won’t fight you.”
“Explain,” he ordered impatiently.
“I won’t try to escape.” That was a lie. “I won’t run from you.”
He inhaled sharply. “You will…submit to me?”
The feeling of thorns pricking my skin went up and down my body. I tried to get my mouth to form words, but I couldn’t. Well, I’d been wrong again. My canvas wasn’t as blank as I needed it to be. Apparently, even I had my limits. “I will not fight you, Kolis.” I finished off the bubbly water. “Do we have a deal?”
The false Primal of Life studied me intently and a little warily. “We do.”
Relief almost took me to my knees—almost.
“But only if you speak the truth about Sotoria and how you feel. I will find out. All your truths.” He smiled. “And if you’re lying?” He retrieved his glass. “I believe you know what will happen.”
My throat dried. I remembered what he’d said. “There will be no end to the atrocities committed upon me and those I care about.”
Kolis’s smile spread. “In both life and for you in death,” he said. “I will take your soul, and it will be mine.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
It was the following afternoon—or was it early evening? I couldn’t be sure. Sunlight had filled the windows when I fell asleep, and it was there once more upon waking.
I hadn’t dreamt of Ash again or the lake. I hadn’t dreamt at all.
Now, I was seated at the small dining table, staring at the platters of food. A bowl of soup and a heaping plate of eggs and crisp vegetables had been brought to me earlier, but an entire feast had been laid out now—beef, chicken, and roasted duck, sitting among bowls of vegetables and fruits dusted with sugar. There were also pitchers of three different types of refreshments. Another line of quiet, veiled Chosen had served the food while Callum supervised. Then, the Chosen left.
Callum did not.
He sat in the sitting area outside the cage, reading a book, and all I could think about was the Chosen he’d so callously and cruelly murdered.
My fingers tightened around my fork as I pictured myself plunging the sharp tines deep into his throat. A small smile tugged at my lips. Harming Callum wouldn’t help me gain Kolis’s trust, but I had told him I would kill him.
And I would honor that promise somehow.
As I forced my hold on the fork to loosen, I thought of what Aios had said about how Kolis’s favorites were treated. Few were allowed to interact with them. For Callum to be in here several times now—alone—it had to signify something about him. No other Revenant spent any time in here.
My gaze flicked from the Revenant to the doors. When they were open, I’d seen two guards framing the entrance. I recognized the dark-haired one.
I had no idea where Kolis had disappeared to after reiterating his promise to make my life—and apparently, my afterlife—a living nightmare.