Ash nodded, his gaze straying to Attes. “Do you have any updates on the remainder of Kyn’s army?”

He nodded, staring at the glass Rhain had given him. “When I went back early this morning, I was informed that about ten thousand surrendered,” he shared stoically. “But their newfound loyalty to me isn’t something I’m willing to trust in battle yet.”

I hadn’t known Attes had returned to Vathi. I must’ve been asleep when he left and returned.

“Understandable,” Ash remarked.

“I assume we had defectors?” I said.

Attes nodded. “From what my generals could estimate, about ten thousand fell in battle.”

“Good gods,” I said.

His silvery gaze lifted to mine. “Yeah.” His throat worked on a swallow. “That means roughly twenty thousand are likely fleeing to wherever Kolis is.”

“That’s disappointing to…” I stiffened, eather throbbing acutely in my chest. Awareness pressed down on me, alerting me to someone powerful.

Someone Ancient.

“What is it?” Ash asked.

“I think the Fate is here.” I set the glass on the end table as everyone in the room went still. I rose, expecting a portal to rip open. When it didn’t, my frown increased. “But I don’t know where they are.”

A second later, a knock sounded on the office doors. Six heads turned in that direction.

“Well, we know it’s not Aydun since they actually knocked,” I murmured.

Ash snickered at that, putting his glass on the table behind him. “Come in.”

The door opened, and my mouth dropped open at who walked in. I almost couldn’t believe that he had answered.

Holland stood near the pillars as the door swung closed behind him, dressed in white. We were all staring at him, but it was my gaze he held with those eyes full of stars and churning colors. I was in shock, unable to move or speak. He was the very last Fate I’d expected to show. Even though I had Ascended Penellaphe, something he had clearly appreciated, I figured I would likely never see him again. That he wouldn’t want to see me again.

A fond, almost fatherly smile broke out across his handsome features, creating fine creases in his rich brown skin at the corners of his eyes. “Sera.”

The sound of his deep voice—the familiarity of it and the kindness in that single word—did something to me.

Ash tensed as I jerked forward, almost as if he wished to stop me, but held himself back. I crossed the antechamber but stopped in front of Holland, a lump forming in my throat as we continued to stare at each other.

Without saying a word, Holland lifted his arms, and I might’ve thrown myself at him. A soft grunt turned into a surprised laugh as his strong arms wrapped around me, one hand folding over the back of my head.

A shudder went through me as I buried my face against his chest, my eyes squeezed shut.

“Well, that’s not something you see every day,” Attes drawled under his breath.

“I don’t think you’ve ever greeted me in such a manner,” Holland said, his voice low and rougher than normal. “Not since you were a child. I wasn’t expecting that after…”

I inhaled deeply, soaking in the familiar scent of iron and earth. My thoughts felt a little bit messy. Even though I understood why, I was still angry with him for knowing that what happened in Lasania could’ve been possible and doing nothing, but I needed this hug from the man who was the closest thing to a father to me. I loved him, and gods, I was relieved to know that I still felt that way.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered hoarsely. “I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”

“I know, Sera.” His embrace tightened, and I knew that he recognized what I was apologizing for. “I know.”

Tears pricked my eyes as my fingers balled into the back of his tunic. “Do you…do you forgive me?” I asked, even though I knew I didn’t deserve it.

“Oh, Sera.” His chin lowered, and he spoke softly, “It is not my forgiveness you need, but you have it.”

The breath I exhaled was ragged as I held on to him tightly. Slowly, I remembered that we weren’t alone. Cheeks burning, I lifted my head.

Holland smiled and slid his hands to mine. He gently squeezed my fingers, and his stare lifted to where Ash stood, now only a foot behind me. “It is good to see you, too.”

“Same,” Ash replied with the level of enthusiasm Reaver had shown when speaking of practicing his letters.

“Ash,” I hissed.

Holland chuckled, unbothered. “It’s okay.” With one last squeeze, he released my hands. “He has a right to be wary of my presence.” Holland’s swirling, odd but beautiful gaze moved over the others, who all remained transfixed where they stood. “Hello.”

“Hi.” Saion drew out the word while a pale-faced Rhain raised a hand in acknowledgment.

Attes lifted his glass in greeting. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“We have not,” Holland replied. “But that is a good thing, is it not?”

My brows snapped together as Attes snorted.

Ash snaked an arm around my waist, guiding me back so he stood a hairsbreadth behind me once more.

I rolled my eyes, caught between being charmed and annoyed by him clearly stepping into his fierce protective mode.

Holland turned his attention back to me, his gaze briefly dropping to Ash’s arm. The smile widened again as he refocused on me. “How are you feeling?”

“Good. I mean, I feel stronger than I ever have.” I stared up at him, still somewhat shocked to see him and unsure how to answer. The last time we’d seen each other, well, it hadn’t been the time to exchange pleasantries. “I’m still getting used to the whole foresight thing.”

“It takes a while to grow accustomed to it, but you will soon truly be a know-it-all.”

My laugh was shaky. “And here I thought I already was.”

“So, I’m going to hazard a guess here and say you two know each other?” Attes stated.

I started to respond but stopped myself, unsure how much I could share.

“I’ve known Seraphena since she was a child.” Holland clasped his hands behind his back. “I trained her.”

“You…acted as her viktor, then.” Attes studied Holland from over the rim of his glass. “Didn’t know the Arae were allowed to get so hands-on.”

“There is much we’re able to do,” Holland replied. “As you are well aware.”

My gaze shot to Attes. The Primal had lowered his glass. Did he know what Holland truly was? Nektas hadn’t said none of the other Primals knew, only that he remembered the Ancients more clearly than some of the oldest Primals.

“I wish I could linger, but doing so would likely draw the ire of the others.” Holland cleared his throat, angling his body toward Ash and me. “You summoned a Fate?”

“That would be correct,” Ash replied.

I shot him a sharp look of warning over my shoulder.

Ash ignored it. “We appreciate the fact that you knocked. The last one didn’t.”

“That would be Aydun you speak of,” he replied. “He is not known for his decorum.”

“I can’t argue with that,” I said. “We wanted to set up a meeting with Kolis.”

Holland didn’t even bat an eyelash. “When and where?”

“In the Bonelands,” Ash said, naming the one place closest to Oak Ambler without being an inhabited place in the mortal realm. “And as soon as possible.”

Holland nodded as he clasped his hands together. “And the reason,” he said, catching my gaze, “you want to give for the meeting?”

I caught on to what he was asking. He wanted to know what we wanted Kolis to believe. He asked for the lie. “We would like to make a truce.”

One of the stars in his eyes brightened. “Is that so?”

I nodded. “If he agrees to meet with us, I’m willing to give him what he wants in exchange for coming to an agreement.”

Holland’s head tilted. “And do you request a Fate to moderate such a meeting?”

“No,” Ash answered.

“Without a Fate present, there is no guarantee of nonviolence.”

“We know,” I said. Without a Fate present, we also wouldn’t be obligated to make any deals that we would be held accountable for, which was the main reason we didn’t want a Fate there. We had no plans to offer shit to Kolis. Besides, even if we were truly attempting to enter into a new eirini, I already knew Kolis would no longer just accept Sotoria’s soul. He wanted our suffering. But I also knew he would do and risk anything to get his hands on Sotoria again. So, we were playing this game as dirty as he had because he would never see her again.