The Hall was suffocatingly silent as I stared ahead, seeing no one in particular. Other than Attes, what did the Primals think about seeing me? They all knew what Ash had done to Hanan, so they knew, or at the very least suspected, that Kolis had taken me. Phanos knew because Kolis had brought me to him when I was near death.

Servants entered the Hall from a door within the alcoves to our right. The women appeared as I remembered, their loosely fitted peplos gowns nearly transparent, their arms stacked with golden bangles from wrists to elbows, and their faces painted to form golden wings.

“What a happy surprise to see so many of you today,” Kolis said, his summery voice filled with warmth and friendliness. If I didn’t know Kolis, I would’ve believed what he said. “Please help yourselves to the refreshments before we begin.”

Begin what?

Long, wavy blond hair caught my attention. I looked to my left, past the still-sleeping draken, until my gaze collided with ruby-red eyes and familiar handsome yet smug features.

Diaval, the draken.

He leaned against a pillar, his arms crossed over his bare chest. Like Nektas favored, he wore loose linen pants.

Lips pursing, I watched him turn his attention to someone next to him. I didn’t recognize whoever it was, and I was sure I would’ve because the man…well, he was beautiful.

His skin reminded me of night-blooming roses, his cheekbones high and sharp, face perfectly symmetrical. His black hair fell over his shoulders and to the middle of his back in long, rope-like strands. Squinting, I could make out the faint imprint of scales across his shoulders as he nodded at whatever Diaval said.

I surveyed the Hall once more, finding another I suspected was also a draken. A black-haired male stood between two pillars to the right, where the servants hurried in and out. He was close enough for me to see ridges in the light brown skin of his shoulders.

He wasn’t alone either. Another male stood near him, dressed like Callum typically was, in a gold-flecked white tunic and pants. While his painted mask obscured many of his features, I saw eerie, lifeless blue eyes and suspected I knew who it was.

The Revenant, Dyses. The one who hadn’t stayed dead, even after Ash ripped out his heart.

I looked toward the back, where several guards and others stood near the pillars and between them. All were too far away to make out much detail about them. So, there were at least three draken here in their mortal forms, one very large draken still asleep, and the gods only knew how many Revenants. I felt that was something important to be aware of.

A servant approached the dais, halting to bow before slowly climbing the steps. The slender woman carried only two ruby-encrusted chalices on her woven tray and served Kolis first. When he took his glass, she turned to me and bent slightly, offering the remaining chalice.

“Drink,” Kolis ordered softly.

That heated pins-and-needles sensation increased as I reached for the glass. He hadn’t allowed me to choose for myself, which I would have. I could clearly see it was some amber-hued liquid and not the potent radek wine I had been told was an aphrodisiac.

“Thank you,” I murmured as a warm breeze drifted over the dais.

The pale-skinned servant didn’t meet my gaze as she nodded and then left without saying a word. Her movements were graceful as she navigated those who remained on the floor and hadn’t retreated to the seating area in the recesses of the Hall.

A sudden, soft clearing of someone’s throat caught my attention, pulling my focus toward the sound.

The Primal goddess Keella stood several feet from the dais.

Kolis’s fingers began idly tapping the arm of the throne. “Keella,” he acknowledged after a moment. “I am surprised to see you here today.”

“I know I didn’t indicate that I was in need of your time during Court,” she said, and I understood what this was now. Kolis was holding Court, a time for the gods—and I supposed the Primals—to make requests or air complaints. “But I hope I can appeal to your graciousness and speak with you before it starts.”

His graciousness? I almost snorted.

“You’ve always appealed to my gracious side,” he said, some of the warmth leaving his tone. “Whether warranted or not.”

I thought about how Keella had assisted Eythos with Sotoria’s soul and figured that was the dig Kolis delivered.

However, Keella showed no reaction to it as she stood, her spine straight and the clasp of her hands loose.

“So,” Kolis drawled, “what brings you today?”

Keella lifted her chin. “Her.”

My posture straightened in surprise.

“Of course,” Kolis murmured.

“She is the Consort of the Shadowlands,” Keella stated quietly. Attes and some of the gods turned to listen.

“Is she?”

“I was there at her coronation and marriage to your nephew,” Keella replied as my grip on the chalice firmed. “I know who she is.”

Air lodged in my throat as I angled myself to see both her and Kolis.

“You should know who she is.” Kolis’s smile, that well-practiced one, stayed in place. “Tell me, Keella, when you stood at her coronation, did you know?”

“I know her as Seraphena, the One who is born of Blood and Ash, the Light and the Fire, and the Brightest Moon,” she answered smoothly. “Nyktos’s Consort.”

So many things raced to the tip of my tongue, but this was one of those rare moments when I knew better than to speak and stayed silent instead.

“The Brightest Moon.” Kolis eyed me—my hair. “I can see why Nyktos came up with such a silly title.”

My fingers twitched. Stay quiet. Nothing about that part of my title was silly. I wasn’t even thinking about the reference to the prophecy. Ash had picked it because of my hair and how it reminded him of the moon. It was…meaningful. Sweet.

“And where is Nyktos?” Keella asked, causing my gaze to snap back to her.

“Where do you think he is?” the false King countered. “He killed your brethren.”

Wait. Was it possible that some of the Primals were unaware of Ash’s imprisonment?

“Did he do it to protect his Consort?” Keella’s arched brows rose. “If so, while I abhor such violence, his reaction is understandable.”

“Is it?” A palpable heat brushed against my skin on the heels of those two words. “His actions could’ve meant lasting, damaging consequences for the realms.”

“But they didn’t.” Keella had to feel Kolis’s brewing anger, but she remained undaunted. “Another has risen after all these many, many long years. One would consider that a blessing.”

“I’m sure Hanan would appreciate that sentiment,” Kolis remarked dryly. In any other situation, I would’ve laughed at that. “Nyktos is currently imprisoned, but he will be released soon. I do hope he shows more remorse for his actions than you have shown.”

I had a feeling Kolis would be disappointed.

“And what will happen then?” Keella pressed. “Will you cease…whatever this is? She is Nyktos’s Consort, Kolis.” Her voice lowered. “This is a breach of tradition and honor not seen since…”

“Since when?” Kolis asked softly.

Keella inhaled deeply but did not answer. Even I knew what she referenced. This type of behavior hadn’t been seen since Kolis killed Mycella in his rage. I glanced at Attes. Killed his children and many others.

Kolis shifted forward, his voice lowering. “I did not sanction the coronation you attended. It was a farce.”

I closed my eyes, my jaw clenching. I’d known what he planned to claim, yet it still made me want to scream.

“That is not the impression I was under,” Keella replied curtly.

There was a gap of silence, and then Kolis called for Kyn. My eyes snapped open.

The Primal of Peace and Vengeance approached without his twin, the silver cuff on his upper arm glinting as he held a less-adorned glass. “Yes, Your Majesty?”