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 is blasphemous,” Phanos stated blandly. “As is what you’ve done today.”
“You think this is blasphemous?” We needed to lure Phanos to our side, but disbelief and anger seized my tongue. “Did you not think it was that when Kolis killed Eythos’s wife simply because his brother refused to bring a mortal back to life for him?”
“A mortal he loved,” he argued. “Sotoria—”
“Do not speak of Sotoria.” Eather thrummed through me, and the corners of my vision turned silver-tinged gold once more. “You know nothing of her. And do not even dare defend his actions to me. What he feels for her is not love. It is a sick, twisted obsession.”
From the sky above, the deep, rumbling call of a draken could be heard.
I exhaled slowly, pushing the anger back down. “Was it not blasphemous when Kolis struck out against others in his anger, killing women and men? Children?” I waited for anyone to answer. “No? How about when he stole the embers from your King and installed himself as such?” My gaze swept over those below. “Was it not blasphemous when he snapped the necks of my family for no reason other than to lash out?”
“How about when you killed Embris?” Veses challenged.
My back stiffened. “I shouldn’t have done that. I lost control.”
The throne room went completely silent. No one, not even Kyn, had expected me to say that.
“And I will forever bear the shame of my actions. Not because I killed him. I cannot bring myself to care about him,” I said. “But I regret the consequences of my actions that were paid by the innocent.”
A muscle ticked in Kyn’s jaw when he folded his arms across his chest.
“I was told that Embris was a traditionalist,” I continued. “He did not care about tradition when Kolis stole the embers or when he lashed out at the mortal realm.”
“He did.” Phanos’s deep voice carried through the chamber. “But he was afraid.”
“As if you weren’t,” Kyn mocked.
The Primal of Sky, Sea, Earth, and Wind ignored him. “At that time, Kolis had taken the embers, and he would have been able to Ascend another Primal in place of any he struck down. We all knew that.”
I glanced at Attes. None of us has had much of a choice. That was what he’d said when it came to serving Kolis.
But once the embers faded in Kolis, the threat of death had passed for them, but not for the gods in their Courts, their draken, or anyone they may have cared for.
“Each of you did what was necessary to survive Kolis’s reign. You did what was necessary,” I repeated. The next words tasted of brimstone on my tongue. “I understand.”
“Just as you did whatever was necessary to survive?” Veses asked, her silver eyes pulsing.
My skin prickled all over. Breathe in. The curve of Kyn’s lips didn’t help. “I did what I could to survive him. Just as far too many before me were made to do,” I said, noticing Maia look at the floor. “And I hope each of you remembers all who didn’t survive him, though I fear most of you don’t.”
Maia’s eyes closed.
“Only because they have chosen to forget them,” Bele stated.
“Not all of us,” Maia whispered, lifting her head. Her eyes opened and glimmered. “Not all of us have forgotten. We couldn’t…” She shook her head, then lifted her chin. “You are right. Our loyalty was one born of fear, first for ourselves and then for those we cared about.” Her gaze moved from Ash to me. “That is not an excuse. It is just a truth. One that is the same for all of us.”
“You do not speak for me, Maia,” Veses snapped.
Maia’s laugh was dry, and one side of her lips curled up. “Ah, yes, you have never experienced pain or fear at Kolis’s hands.”
“Would you like to experience that right now?” Veses asked, moving toward the other Primal goddess.
Ash stepped forward and looked at her. That was all he had to do. Veses halted.
“You say Kolis hasn’t earned our loyalty,” Phanos said. “But neither have you.”
“You’re right. I haven’t.” I turned at the waist to Ash. “But I have earned his loyalty. I did so through blood and sacrifice. He knows me. I am worthy of his loyalty.” My gaze shifted to Rhain. His eyes were open. Breathe out. “I have earned the loyalty of those who’ve served him.”
Rhain smiled slightly. “Seraphena has.” He turned to the others. “She’s earned it through blood and sacrifice.” Rhain stomped his right boot.
I blinked, not expecting the clap of his heel against stone.
“We know her,” Saion spoke from where he stood to our left, slamming his booted foot down.
“Seraphena is worthy of our loyalty,” Rhahar said, ending with a stomp, and a thunderous sound of boots against stone echoed from the guards standing at the walls.