Callasta Isles – cah-LAS-tuh eyelz

Carcers [The] – KAR-serz

Carsodonia – kar-so-DON-uh

Cauldra Manor – kall-drah [manor]

Cor Palace – kohr pal-is

Creta - KREE-tah

Dalos – day-lohs

Elysium Peaks – ihl-LEES-ee-uhm peeks

Essaly – EHS-ah-lee

House of Haides – howz of HAY-deez

Hygeia – high-JEE-uh

Iliseeum – AH-lee-see-um

Kithreia – kith-REE-ah

Lasania – lah-SAHN-ee-uh

Lotho – LOH-thoh

Masadonia – mah-sah-DOHN-uh

Massene – mah-SEE-nuh

Oak Ambler – ohk AM-bler

Pillars of Asphodel – [pillars of] AS-foe-del

Skotos Mountains – SKOH-tohs MOWNT-ehnz

Sirta – SIR-ta

Thyia Plains – THIGH-ah playnz

Triton Isles – TRY-ton IGH-elz

Undying Hills – UN-dy-ing hillz

Vangar - VAN-gahr

Vathi – VAY-thee

Vita – VEE-tah

Vodina Isles – voh-DEE-nuh IGH-elz

Terms

Agna Adice - AYG-nah AY-dis

Agna Udex - AYG-nah OO-dex

Arae – air-ree

benada – ben-NAH-dah

ceeren – SEE-rehn

chora – KOH-rah

Cimmerian – sim-MARE-ee-in

dakkai – DAY-kigh

demis – dem-EEZ

eather – ee-thohr

eirini - ayr-EE-nee

eram - AYR-um

furie - FYOOR-ee

graeca – gray-kah

Gyrm – germ

imprimen – IM-prim-ehn

kardia – KAR-dee-ah

kiyou wolf/wolves – kee-yoo [wolf/wolves]

kynakos - KIGH-nah-kohs

lamaea – lahm-ee-ah

laruea – lah-ROO-ee-ah

lyrue – LIGH-roo

mayeeh Liessar – MAY-ah LEE-sahr

meyaah Liessa – MEE-yah LEE-sah

ni’mere - NIGH-meer

nota – NOH-tah

notam – NOH-tam

oneirou - AWN-eer-oh

por-na - POHR-nah

sekya – sek-yah

shrew – shroo

Sōl Eder - SOHL EE-der

so’lis – SOH-lis

sóls – sohlz

so’vit - SOH-veet

sparanea – SPARE-ah-nay-ah

stasi dato - STAH-see DAH-toh

stasi dato nori - STAH-see DAH-toh NOHR-ee

syhkik - SIGH-kick

te’lepe - TEL-ah-pee

tulpa – tool-PAH

unia - OO-nee-ah

vadentia - vah-DEN-chee-ah

NOTE TO THE READER

This book contains themes and/or discussions that some readers may find difficult to read. While there are no graphic scenes, there is mention of sexual assault, suicide, the death of children, and discussions of verbal, psychological, and physical abuse.

If you need to talk with someone about your experiences, there are people waiting to help.

Sexual Assault – General (RAINN) – 1-800-656-4673 or via their live chat

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org) - 800-273-8255

The Asher

Nyktos, also known as the Asher, the One Who is Blessed, the Guardian of Souls, the Primal God of Common Men and Endings, the Primal of Death, and, currently, the God of Being Really Fucking Impatient, didn’t want to be standing in the hall outside his bedchambers.

It was the last place Ash wanted to be when all he could think about was that his Queen—his mate of the heart, his wife, his entire world—was in their bed, waiting for him.

He’d only left her side a handful of minutes ago, but his flesh practically vibrated with the need to return to her. To look upon her. Touch her. Remind himself that she was safe, healthy, and alive. That her Ascension and the hours that’d followed hadn’t been just a wonderful sort of dream.

Ash was desperate to remind himself that, despite everything he’d done to keep himself closed off from others, even going so far as to have his kardia removed, they’d still fallen together, cracking the thick shields they held close to their chests and shattering the barriers they’d erected to keep each other out. The sheer strength of Ash’s will had defied fate. They had defied fate.

All because of what was most unpredictable.

The unknown and unwritten.

The only thing more powerful than the Fates…

True love of the heart and soul—mates of the heart.

But this conversation with Nektas was important. It needed to happen.

So, he would be patient.

Or, at the very least, tolerant of the interruption.

“The realm is quiet,” Nektas shared, his voice low.

“For now.”

“For now,” the draken agreed, crimson-streaked black hair sliding over a shoulder. “The borders between the Shadowlands and Vathi are quiet. As well as the skies. There hasn’t been any movement by Attes or Kyn, either.”

Ash wasn’t concerned about Attes—not that he didn’t want to flay the skin from the bastard’s bones. His hand fisted at his side. No. It was the Primal of Accord and War’s brother that he planned to slowly, painfully eviscerate, starting by taking a strip of his flesh for every word he’d spoken to Ash while he’d been imprisoned—whether true or not.

“His Majesty was gracious enough to offer her to me once he tires of her.” Kyn’s eyes gleamed with a particular brand of sadistic joy as he got right up in Ash’s face, thinking he was completely subdued. “Don’t think she liked hearing that.” He laughed. “Doubt she’ll like feeling my cock in her ass either, but she’ll come to enjoy it. Even beg for—” His words ended in a gurgle of blood and curses.

Ash had stretched the bone chains just enough to lift his arm and dig his fingers into the fucker’s throat. Lost half the skin and a chunk of bone in the process, but he hadn’t cared. He’d gladly do it again and again. That was how strong his fury was.

It was still that strong.

Just banked.

Eyes the color of polished sapphires locked onto Ash’s. He was still unused to how the draken’s eyes appeared now, but he recognized the look of understanding. Nektas knew where his mind had gone. He needed no bond for that. Not when the eldest draken was like a father and a brother to him.

Nektas’s gaze slipped past Ash to the bedchamber doors. “Kolis remains hidden.”

Shadows pressed against Ash’s flesh, and the light from the wall sconces flickered wildly all along the hall. The mere mention of his uncle’s name incited a rage so visceral it made what Ash felt toward Kyn seem…not so bad.

Because Ash knew.

Kolis had also liked to talk when he visited Ash. The difference was that he was smarter than Kyn and made sure to keep a safe distance from Ash as he spoke about Sera like she was his. Ash’s jaw clenched, and the lights flared brightly.

“Ash,” Nektas warned softly, stepping into the Primal’s space. The blue of his eyes burned just as brightly as the lights on the wall.

“I’m level,” Ash drawled, taking in a breath and forcing the violent, dark energy down.

An eyebrow rose. “You sure about that?”

He needed to be. “Yeah.” He cleared his throat, and the lights dimmed around them. “How long do you think he’ll be down for?”

“Hard to tell. A couple of days? A week?” Nektas’s gaze flicked once more to the bedchamber doors. “I figure Sera is well?”

She was more than well. She was utter perfection. Still, he nodded. “She is.”

“I’m relieved to hear that.” Nektas paused. “Even if you did threaten my life the last time I knocked.”

Ash felt warmth creeping into his face, clearly remembering telling Nektas that he would kill him if he didn’t get the fuck away from the door. Then again, Ash had just eased his fingers from Sera’s sweetness. “Yeah.” He cleared his throat again. “Sorry about that.”

Nektas chuckled. “No need to be. I remember what it’s like…”

The light in the draken’s eyes dulled, and man, Ash felt that in his chest harder and deeper than he had before. Because even with all the loss he’d experienced—his parents and those he cared for—it was nothing compared to losing one’s other half. Their everything.

And Nektas had experienced that loss.