“A lot of energy is created when Primals fight, which builds up in the area,” he answered instead of asking why I had been thinking of that in the middle of the night. “It disperses, spreading throughout the realms. Just using the eather in the mortal realm can have an impact, depending on how much is expended.” His cold hand moved over the blanket and across my hand in smooth, slow circles. “Iliseeum is heavily warded and has been since the time of the Ancients. Those wards are tied to the Primal of each Court. As long as the Primal remains standing, the Courts are mostly protected, but the area where the Primals fight will sustain damage.”

“Like in Dalos,” I said, remembering how both fights had cracked walls and leveled trees. “And the mortal realm?” I knew the answer. I knew the answers to all of these questions. “It can manifest in several ways.”

“The release of energy, if big enough, can create tsunamis, earthquakes, and violent storms,” he said. “The severity depends on how intense the fight is. If a Primal falls without another being able to rise? You’re looking at all of those things but amplified.”

“Gods.” The muscles in my neck tightened. “Where would the impact hit? Across all the kingdoms?”

His hand stilled briefly. “Your foresight didn’t tell you what would happen?”

“No,” I whispered. There was nothing but silence then. My throat dried. “I don’t know why. It has nothing to do with me or the Fates unless…”

Ash was silent for a moment. “Unless it does.”

I closed my eyes. “Meaning it will happen.”

“We don’t know that.” Ash’s hand began to move again. “Remember what Holland said about threads. There is more than one way things can play out.”

I knew that, but the fact that it was even a possibility horrified me. As did the knowledge that every decision, action, reaction, and inaction, no matter how small, could drastically change things.

“Nothing is set in stone, liessa.” His lips brushed my temple. “We are proof of that. Don’t forget.”

“I won’t, but there is still a chance. And I want to warn Ezra. Because even if we prevent a war…” I didn’t need to finish. Ash knew there would be a fight, no matter what. “Lasania is a coastal kingdom.”

“You’re the true Primal of Life.” Ash’s leg curled under the blankets. The short, rough hairs of his leg tickled mine. “If you wish to warn the mortal realm, you can.”

“I know, but I want your advice,” I told him. “Being in a position to make these kinds of decisions is new to me. And even if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t—I don’t—want to be the only one deciding. Especially since my desire comes from a purely emotional place. Plus, even though warning them feels right, what if it causes unnecessary panic?”

“I think that is a risk, but you have to weigh that against what you already know. There will be disruption to the mortals’ lives,” he said. “I think it’s fine to warn them.”

Relieved that he thought so, some of the tightness eased from my muscles. “When do you want to do it?”

“When do you want to do it?” he countered.

“Tomorrow?”

Laughing under his breath, he pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Then do it.”

Excitement filled me, and it kind of felt wrong to feel that, considering what message I had to share. But I would get to see Ezra and maybe even my mother.

“But,” Ash added, and my anticipation wilted, “we both cannot go. With everything that is happening, one of us needs to remain here. And that should be me.”

I pressed my lips together. “That makes sense, especially considering what happened the last time we returned from the mortal realm.”

Ash stiffened against me. “That’s not going to happen again.”

I wanted to believe that, but the mere fact that we both couldn’t leave said differently.

“I don’t want you to go anywhere without me. And yeah, I know how that sounds, and I don’t care.” Ash relaxed a little against me. “I’m going to be…”

I knew how it would be for him while I was gone. He’d be sick with worry, as would I.

And the fact that he didn’t want me to go without him didn’t bother me. It didn’t come across as overbearing or overprotective because I knew he had a real reason to be concerned, but I also knew he wouldn’t prevent me from going.

“I know you can take care of yourself, but I want Nektas to go with you.” He paused. “And I will ask Attes to be here while you’re in the mortal realm, just in case.”

Just in case things went sideways, which was always possible. “Okay.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem unless it becomes a problem. Meaning Nektas will do anything and everything to protect you, including taking on his true form.”

My brows lifted as I imagined everyone’s reaction to seeing a draken. Or tried to. It would be pure chaos. A tiny, evil part of me wanted to see that.

I shook my head at myself. “I understand. I won’t be gone long. I promise.”

“I know.” His lips touched the corner of mine, and they felt colder than they had earlier. “Anything else on your mind?”

“No,” I lied.

“Then you’re going to sleep?”

I nodded.

His lips found mine for a quick kiss. “Good night, liessa.”

“Good night,” I murmured.

Ash settled beside me, the slow, comforting circles of his hand slowing and then stopping altogether after a few moments. I concentrated on where our skin met. His leg felt colder, didn’t it? So did where his chest met my shoulder.

My heart kicked around in my chest. He’d given me so much blood since I’d awakened. My throat dried as anxiety rose, but I pushed past it. He needed to feed, and I needed to provide for him. “Ash.”

“If you’re saying my name, you can’t be sleeping.”

“I haven’t fallen asleep yet.”

“No shit,” he replied dryly.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not a guy. I can’t close my eyes and fall asleep in five seconds.”

“Have you thought about trying?”

“You’ll be shocked to learn I have, but that’s not what I’m thinking about.”

“So shocked,” he drawled.

I took a deep breath and exhaled loudly.

Ash ignored it.

I stared at the ceiling once more. Several minutes passed. “Ash?”

“Close your eyes.”

My lips turned down at the corners.

“And go to sleep.”

My eyes narrowed. “It’s important.”

“No, it’s not.”

I turned my head toward his. “You just said that whatever was important enough to keep me awake was important enough to keep you awake.”

“What you’re thinking about now is not important.”

My frown deepened. “And how do you know what I’m thinking?”

“I’m all-knowing.” Ash snuggled in closer, working a cold thigh between mine. “It’s a new ability.”

“Uh-huh,” I muttered, then my eyes widened. “Wait. You’d better be joking.”

“I’m all-knowing when it comes to you,” he amended with a chuckle.

“You’re not funny,” I grumbled.

“And you’re not sleeping.” His arm tightened around me. “You need your rest, liessa, and I’m prepared to ensure you get your sleep.”

I huffed out a short laugh. “And exactly how are you going to do that?”

“Quite easily.”

“Whatever.” I sighed obnoxiously. A few moments ticked by. “You know, I’m thinking about you—” I squeaked as Ash rolled atop me. My wide eyes locked with his. Bright streaks of starlight swirled wildly in them. “What are you doing?”

“What I said I’d do,” he answered. “I’m going to ensure you get your much-needed rest.”

“How?” I tried to move my arms, but his chest trapped them against me. “By squishing me to sleep?”

“No.” His lips coasted over mine. “I’m going to fuck you so hard that the only thing you can do afterward is sleep.”

My mouth dropped open, but he captured whatever I was about to say with a stroke of his tongue, and then he did as he warned.

Ash fucked me hard, face-to-face, and then flipped me onto my belly, driving into me until I was limp and sated. And he was successful.