“How could you have?” Ash asked.

“Everyone speaks about how manipulative Kolis is. I saw it myself.”

“That doesn’t mean anything, Sera. Every situation is different, and I’ve seen him manipulate gods three times older than me.”

I didn’t want that to make me feel better because I had taken a life. Likely a purely innocent one.

“So, just like you’re sorry I experienced that,”—his head turned toward mine, and our eyes locked—“I’m sorry you experienced what you did. Okay?”

The tears stung my eyes now. “Okay.”

He held my gaze for a moment and then looked away. The lights flickered off, plunging the chamber into darkness. A moment passed, and then the bed shifted as he rolled onto his side. His arm came around me. I felt his lips brush my cheek and closed my eyes against the rush of rising emotion, refusing to allow it to be freed. It wouldn’t help anything, and it would only worry Ash more.

I wouldn’t cry.

I wouldn’t.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Guards adorned in violet-hued armor bowed as a godling led us through the wide, windowed hall. The male kept stealing glances behind him as we followed, his gaze often dipping to where Ash’s hand was wrapped tightly around mine. I tried smiling at him, but when bright pink infused his cheeks, I wasn’t sure it had helped.

The godling stopped before a rounded archway. “Her Highness is waiting for you inside.”

“Thank you,” Ash said.

He bowed his fair head as we walked through the archway and into a chamber open to the outside.

The Primal Goddess of Rebirth stood in the center of the room, her curly, russet-colored hair unbound and flowing over her shoulders and back.

“Your Majesty,” she said, the length of the bluish-gray robes she wore pooling on the terracotta floors as she began to lower herself.

“Please, don’t,” I stopped her, lifting a hand. “That isn’t necessary.”

“But it is, Seraphena,” she replied.

I snapped my mouth shut as Ash gently squeezed my hand.

Keella placed one hand over her chest and flattened her other palm on the floor. Curls spilled forward as she bowed her head deeply. “It is an honor to bow before the Queen of the Gods.”

My cheeks warmed as I shifted from one foot to the other, immediately thinking about the god, Evander—previously of the Thyia Plains, Keella’s Court. I pushed those thoughts aside. “It…it honors me that you feel that way,” I said, hoping that sounded like an appropriate response—because I meant it. “You may rise.”

Keella did so with regal grace. The Primal goddess was nothing but pure, stunning elegance.

“And you do not need to do that again,” I quickly added.

The corners of her full lips twitched. “Is that an order?”

“It is.”

She gave me a small nod of acknowledgment. “I must say that your first order to me as my Queen is quite…refreshing.”

“I’m sure it is,” I said, thinking only the gods knew all the horrible things Kolis had ordered her to do in the past.

“We apologize that we were unable to make it yesterday,” Ash said. “But thank you so much for making time to see us today.”

“Of course.” Clasping her hands, her quicksilver gaze moved to where Ash’s hand still held mine, and a warm smile appeared. “I am so incredibly relieved to see you again—both of you,” she said. “But especially you, Seraphena.” She laughed softly. “No offense, Nyktos.”

He chuckled. “None taken.”

“You look very healthy and strong,” Keella said, her smile broadening. “And so…” Thick, dusky lashes lowered. “So full of life.”

Something about how she said that felt a little odd, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why.

“Come and sit,” Keella offered, stepping aside to reveal a table between two settees displaying an array of refreshments. “I must admit I was surprised to hear that you two had sought to speak with me and not the remaining Primals.”

“We’re in a period of eirini,” Ash said as we sat on one of the thickly cushioned settees. “Until it ends, we will not be summoning them.”

A flicker of surprise skittered across the smoky, reddish-brown skin of her face. “So, some sort of deal of resolution has been offered between Kolis and you?”

“Between Kolis and us,” I corrected. “I do not rule alone. If I am the Queen, then Nyktos is the King.”

A pleased look filled her expression. “I am curious to learn how the deal came about.”

My gaze swept over the chamber as Ash gave her a short rundown of the meeting Kolis had initiated. The warm white walls were bare. Past another sitting area and beyond the parted gauzy curtains, I saw tall, violet-hued trees swaying in the sweet, heady breeze that filled the tranquil space.

“Interesting,” Keella remarked once Ash had finished. “I wish I could say more, but I dare not tempt the Fates.”

I raised a brow. “Neither do we. So, please excuse our vagueness about some of what we wish to ask you.”

“Understood.” She leaned forward and picked up a porcelain pitcher. “But I imagine I can guess what your answer will be at the end of the eirini.”

Ash smirked. “I’m sure you’re right.”

“Tea?” she offered.

“Thank you,” I said as she poured three cups. “There are two separate things we were hoping you could assist us with.”

“We don’t want to take up a lot of your time or have the Fates get the impression we’re doing something we shouldn’t, so I think it’s best if we get right to it.”

“Agreed.”

“We had a question about the Ancients,” Ash said, deciding to start with what felt like the most important thing. “Other than Kolis, you would likely be the only one old enough to remember them and the war.”

Curiosity filled her eyes. “Sometimes, I wish I didn’t. That was a time of violence and bloodshed. A time best forgotten but necessary to remember.” She took a sip. “What questions could you have about them?”

“I know that not all passed on to Arcadia,” I said, swallowing. The tea was sweet, just the way I liked it. “And some that could not be forced to go were entombed.”

There was a slight widening of her eyes.

“I learned that during my Ascension,” I explained, and she nodded in understanding. I chose my words wisely so as not to violate the eirini. “Ancients are incredibly powerful, more so than any Primal, so I am curious as to how they were entombed.”

“Especially when it would be difficult to keep a Primal in the ground for thousands of years,” Ash added. “We thought you might know how that was done and would be willing to share.”

“For curiosity’s sake,” I added, just in case a Fate was lurking unseen somewhere or the essence itself was listening in.

Keella’s gaze drifted between us, and a slight grin briefly appeared before vanishing. “Yes, for the sake of curiosity,” she said, clearing her throat. “I do remember. It was something that took quite some time to figure out, lengthening the war each time one of them broke free of the bonds of their brethren.”

So, the bones of an Ancient were definitely involved.

“You see, the bones weakened them, but as you well know, the ground seeks to protect us—and them,” she continued. “Neither shadowstone nor bone can block the strength of the eather that fills the very air we breathe and the soil we rest in. But there is something that acts as a…” Her nose wrinkled. “A shield of sorts.” She inhaled deeply and slowly. “Other than Kolis, no other Primal alive today knows of it.”

“What is it?” Ash asked.

“Celastite,” she said.

Ash frowned as he glanced at me. I had no idea what that was. My vadentia was silent as a tomb, which could only mean… Excitement sparked. My intuition wasn’t working, so it had to be something.

“It’s a naturally occurring mineral that can be found where the Ancients first slept and matured,” Keella explained, and I knew she was speaking of where the Ancients had first fallen as stars. “There are many places, but they are all in the mortal realm.”