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)
“We shouldn’t rely on them never procreating,” Attes said quietly.
“I know.” Ash finished off his whiskey and set the glass aside. “We need to look for Callum. In the meantime, plan for the day that either fate or nature finds a way.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “She will not be born all-powerful. No god or Primal is. She will be vulnerable until Ascension,” he said, each word filled with distaste. “Fuck.”
I stared at him, understanding what he was suggesting. That would be a mark neither of us would bear because I didn’t think we would survive it.
“No,” I said, eather flooding my veins. I had to rein it back in. “If she manages to be born, she deserves to live.”
Ash’s eyes met mine. “I agree. I do.”
“Stop there.” I rose, beginning to pace. “I understand what it means if she’s born. But I also know that doesn’t mean the Ancients will awaken here. And yeah, I am damning the lands beyond the Primal Veil.”
Attes’s brow furrowed, and he looked up at me.
“And if they do awaken here, then we will do everything we can to lessen the damage. And like those before us, put them back in the ground,” I said. “Because I will not be a part of murdering a child or an adult of my blood,” I said. “And I know you would not be able to live after doing something like that, Ash, no matter if it was carried out by our words or hands.”
“No,” he said quietly. “I would not.”
“Neither of us would.” I idly rubbed my lower stomach.
“I’m not going to disagree with you two on this,” Attes said, leaning back. “But there is also the fact that Kolis will wake.”
“And if that happens, I will put the dagger in her hand myself,” I swore, repeating what I had told Kolis. “One thing I’m not worried about is her being corrupted.”
“Is that why you were smiling before Aydun left?” Attes asked.
“Power and consequence come from the will of the beholder, right?” I stopped behind Ash, placing my hands on his shoulders. “Both of you were there when Holland said it. None born from my bloodline hungered for power. None will.”
“Well, at least we don’t have to worry about that,” Attes remarked.
“No. That’s one good thing.” I squeezed Ash’s shoulders. “There is something else Aydun said. She will be born in a shroud. That means she’ll be born mortal.”
Ash’s head tilted back. “You’re right.” His eyes searched mine. “But our sons will be born in the mortal realm.”
Damn it, I’d forgotten what Kye had said, but that wasn’t what I was thinking about. “If the prophecy holds true, she won’t be born until a long time from now, and the whole born of the same misdeeds thing? I have a feeling she will believe herself to be mortal. That she will be surrounded by them.” Letting go of Ash’s shoulders, I walked around the couch and sat beside him. “Maybe I’m completely wrong about that, but Aydun said she would call the name of the true Primal of Life.”
The skin between Ash’s brows creased. “He did.”
“Then we need to make sure no mortals know who the true Primal of Life is.”
He stiffened. “Sera—”
“They can believe it is you. I will be known as the Consort or whatever,” I said in a rush. “If my name isn’t known, she cannot speak it.”
“We don’t even know what speaking your name will do, but it sure didn’t sound like it would stop the prophecy if she didn’t say it,” he argued.
“For Aydun to mention it, it has to mean something.”
“Yeah, the same Fate who failed to mention the eirini,” Attes commented. “But she has a point. It could be something small, but it is something.”
Ash was shaking his head.
“The mortals don’t need to know about me. We can have other gods answer their summonses and have Rhain or Rhahar be known as the—”
“It will mean you are never known,” he interrupted, eather piercing his eyes. “And you have lived long enough without being known.”
“I know—”
“I cannot allow that.” His hand cut furiously through the air. “Your name will be known, as well as all you have accomplished and sacrificed. There will be stories and songs written about you. People will celebrate your name. The name that brings others joy. You will not be unknown—”
“Ash,” I whispered, cupping his cheek and blinking back tears. I knew why he wanted to deny this. And gods, it made me love him even more.
“You cannot tell me you will not be hurt by this, Sera.” His cold fingers curled around my wrist. “You won’t only be unknown. You will eventually be forgotten.”
Hearing that did make my stomach drop. I couldn’t deny it. Being forgotten was almost the same as never existing, and Ash understood how much it had hurt not to be known by anyone. How it had made me feel like a specter among the living. But something struck me in that moment. That was then. It wasn’t me now.