“You are usually more lenient than the rest of us.”

“Perhaps you don’t know me as well as you think you do,” Nyktos said. “So, what have you come to do, Attes? Lecture me on my lack of leniency? If so, what did you do to your brother’s guards when they stepped out of line?”

“Kyn’s guards were pieces of shit.”

“From what I heard, they were simply intoxicated and celebrating that night.”

“Their inability to handle their spirits wasn’t why I gutted them.”

“It wasn’t?”

“No.” Attes tipped his chin toward me. “I assume your soon-to-be Consort is wise enough not to repeat what is discussed here?”

“His Consort is wise enough,” I snapped, yet again failing to control my tongue.

“I do hope so,” Attes replied. “I also hope you’re more careful with your tone. I may find your boldness refreshing. Alluring, even. Others will not.”

“Those who do not likely won’t live long enough to wallow in their insult,” Nyktos responded before I could.

“Because you’ll make sure they’re dead before they can?”

Nyktos laughed darkly. “Because my Consort will likely plunge a dagger into their hearts before I’m even aware of what has occurred.”

His words shocked me and sent my heart thumping. He’d made it clear that I was no damsel to be protected, and I liked that—maybe too much.

“So, I should take the earlier threat to feed my eyes to me more seriously?”

I smiled at the Primal.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Attes refocused on Nyktos. “You going to tell me how in the holy fuck a god Ascended here in the Shadowlands?”

My heart stuttered at the blatant callout, but Nyktos didn’t react. Nothing except for the swipe of his finger coming shockingly close to my thin undergarment once more. I bit the inside of my lip as a rush of slick heat answered the indecent touch. Attes’s gaze lowered again, and I knew from where he sat and from how Nyktos held me, he could see precisely what Nyktos’s hand was up to. With the Primals’ increased senses, it was also likely he could tell how much it affected me. Heat scalded my skin, but not from shame. It should’ve been. Or, at the very least, anger. And there was a little bit of that—just enough to clear some of the languid warmth invading my senses. Nyktos was putting on a show. Not for me, but for Attes.

“It had to be Kolis.”

Attes snorted. “Come the fuck on, Nyktos.”

“I don’t know who else it could’ve been.”

“If it was Kolis, why would he have finally chosen to Ascend a god? Here, in the Shadowlands.”

“You’d have to ask him that.”

“I guess I will have to.”

I didn’t think Attes planned to do that, because it didn’t seem like he believed Kolis was capable of such a thing.

“I know it was a god from Hanan’s Court,” Attes said after a moment. “The only one I know who is often found in the Shadowlands is Bele.”

“She is often here,” Nyktos confirmed while I willed my heart to calm.

“Well, Hanan is having a godsdamn fit right now at Dalos, convinced that you, the Primal of Death, have somehow managed to Ascend a god. The other Primals are worried. That if one god can Ascend to challenge their position, then so can another.”

“You don’t look all that worried,” Nyktos pointed out, and he didn’t.

“That’s because I don’t fear someone taking my place.” He sat back, dropping his hand to his knee. “None of us has forgotten who your father was.” Attes held Nyktos’s stare, and my stomach dipped at the insinuation. “Or who you were meant to be.”

“You think there are embers of life in me?” Nyktos laughed, stirring the hair along the back of my neck. “That it was not Kolis but me who did it?”

Oh, gods, what if they did? What if Kolis believed that? Pressure clamped down on my chest, and I held my breath as my heart started to race. Nyktos gently squeezed my thigh.

“If it wasn’t Kolis, then there would have to be embers of life here,” Attes replied. “And you haven’t denied that.”

“Nor have I confirmed anything,” Nyktos countered, and I heard the smoky smile in his words. “I’m beginning to wonder if you’re here because of your curiosity or if you came on Kolis’s behalf.”

Attes went still once more. “Both would be true.”

My insides went cold as Nyktos leaned into my back. That dark energy rose again. “Is that so?”

“It is. I am curious about what has been occurring here.” The aura in Attes’s eyes brightened. “And Kolis has tasked me with delivering a message to you.”

“I didn’t know that he was now using you for such things.”

“I believe he chose me because I’m the closest.” Attes paused. “And one of the few you’d be less likely to toss into the Abyss once you hear the message.”

“I wouldn’t put a lot of confidence behind that belief.” Nyktos’s voice had dropped. “What is the message?”

“Kolis is aware that you’ve taken a Consort.” A muscle flexed in his jaw. “And His Majesty has decided to deny your right to a coronation.”

Chapter 15

The very air in the room seemed to stop. Kolis could…he could do that?

“Has he now?” Nyktos’s voice was soft—too soft.

“He has,” Attes confirmed. “Since there hasn’t been a coronation in many years, he wants it to be more…traditional.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, my mouth dry.

Attes inclined his chin. “It means that Nyktos must gain Kolis’s permission to crown a Consort.” His gaze flicked to Nyktos.

My lips parted. “Son of a bitch.”

The wisps of eather swirled in Attes’s eyes as his grin returned. He dipped his head, dropping his voice. “Did you just call the King of Gods a son of a bitch?”

“Uh…”

Attes laughed even as Nyktos’s body went icy against mine.

“And when does he expect me to do this when the coronation is to be held tomorrow?” Nyktos demanded.

Attes’s grin faded. “There will be no coronation tomorrow. Instead, Kolis will summon you—both of you.”

It felt like the office disappeared around us. My heart started pounding. I attempted to rise, but Nyktos’s arm remained firm around me.

“When?” Nyktos bit out.

“When he is ready.” Attes smiled, but there was no warmth to the curve of his lips. No dimple. “That was all he said.”

“So, it could be tomorrow or a week or month from now,” Nyktos surmised.

“Basically.” Attes sat forward, his shoulders tensing. “You know, I think he would’ve done this even if a god hadn’t Ascended here. After all, you are his favorite.”

His favorite? I had a feeling Attes meant the exact opposite by saying that.

“Yeah.” Nyktos leaned back. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”

“As do I.” The Primal of Accord and War rose. He looked at me. “It was a pleasure to meet you.” Primal eyes lifted to mine. “If you find you’d rather spend your time in a warmer bed and climate…”

I stared up at him, somewhat dumbfounded. “Thank you for the offer, but not interested.”

“Too bad.” A dimple appeared in his right cheek. “But if you ever change your mind, all you have to do is call for me. I will answer.”

“Leave.” The promise of violence hummed in that one word. “Before you have to be carried out of here.”

Attes bowed in our direction, then left. The doors closed behind him. Neither Nyktos nor I moved or spoke for several seconds, but the temperature in the room had dropped even further. The arm around my waist and the hand against my thigh hardened. Shadows had bled to the surface of his flesh, and the breath I exhaled formed a misty cloud once more. I thought I saw tiny bursts of silver light throughout the space.

Shivering as the frigid air seeped through the gown, I touched his arm. Like I had the night of the draken attack. “It’s…it’s cold,” I whispered, my lips beginning to tingle.

Nyktos’s hand slid out from between my thighs, but the arm around me tightened. “Argue with me.”