“Is that you as a Queen?” he countered.

“I don’t see why it can’t be.”

His chest rose with a deep breath, and I suspected another sigh was coming. “Let me ask this… Do Queens in the mortal realm dress as you are now?”

The tunic featured a stiff collar, giving it a more formal appearance. I liked the elbow-length sleeves. “I don’t know every Queen in the mortal realm, but from what I saw, no. You know what I also saw?”

“Hmm?” he asked.

“A Queen who wore pretty silk gowns and glittering jewels.” The image of my mother took form. “And, at the end of the day, she was a terrible Queen.”

“I interact with the people of Lethe often,” Aios said. “I don’t think they will care if she wears a gown or breeches. And to be frank, I think less finery would also serve to show those who do not know her that she is not invested in fancy trappings like some Primals are.”

The sigh came then.

“Plus,” Aios continued, taking the tunic from me and holding it to my shoulders. One side of the garment ended up draped over Reaver’s head, but the back of the top appeared as if it would reach just above my ankles. The front curved elegantly into a V-shape, coming together at the navel to create a flowing and elongated silhouette. “It is nearly as long as a gown and could easily be seen as such.”

“I don’t think anyone would mistake that for a gown.”

Did he not remember what he’d seen me wearing while in Dalos? This was more of a gown than I’d worn there.

“Disagree,” Aios stated, letting me take the tunic again and crossing her arms.

He was quiet for a moment and then stated flatly, “I do hope pants are involved in this attire you must wear.”

“No, I was planning to wear just this.” I raised a brow as I saw his lips twitch. “Was that an actual joke?”

“I would never.” He lowered his gaze, closing the leather folio over the bound parchment. “Anyway, I see the point you’re making—the point both of you are making.”

I sent Aios a grateful look. She gave me a barely noticeable nod, leaving me to wonder if she knew why I didn’t want to wear a gown. She probably did.

“But when it comes to the meeting with the Primals,” Rhain said, “I suggest you consider something different. Those like Embris will expect you to present yourself in a certain way.”

I couldn’t give a barrat’s ass about how Embris expected me to present myself, but Rhain wouldn’t be happy with that answer. “I’ll consider it.”

Rhain eyed me as if he didn’t believe for one second that I would, but I suddenly felt Ash drawing close. The sensation of a dozen birds taking flight filled my chest.

The doors opened moments later, and he entered. His gaze immediately found mine. “I would like some time…” His head tilted as a slight frown appeared. “Is that Reaver under the dress?”

“Ha!” I exclaimed. “Even he thinks it’s a dress.”

Rhain rolled his eyes.

“And yes, it’s Reaver,” I said, and the youngling popped his head out from under the garment. “He’s helping.”

Reaver nodded.

“Well, I hope he’s done helping,” Ash replied. “I would like to speak with my wife before supper.”

My wife.

Those birds turned into giant, carnivorous-but-happy hawks.

“We were just finishing in here.” Rhain rose, and Reaver looked up at me. I nodded, and he lifted into the air.

“Oh! I almost forgot,” Aios said. “I ran into Erlina earlier. She wanted to come see you, but with everything going on, I told her you may be a little busy.”

A bit surprised that the seamstress wanted to see me, a warm glow filled my chest. “The next time she comes by, I would like to see her.”

Aios nodded. “Until tomorrow, then.”

“Wait,” I called as Aios passed Ash. “Will you all be having supper in the dining hall?”

“We normally do,” Rhain answered.

“Since it’s later, Bele and I will likely have our supper here,” Aios said as Reaver hovered by them.

“Can we have supper in the dining hall?” I asked Ash.

“If that is what you’d like,” he said.

“I would.”

Ash turned to Rhain, whose eyes were slightly wide. “When will dinner be ready in the hall?”

He blinked. “In about an hour.”

“We will see you three there then.” Ash turned back to me.

Rhain was still standing there as if stunned. “Let’s go.” Grinning, Aios gave Rhain a light shove. “We need to make sure there are enough chairs in the dining hall.”

“There are more than enough chairs,” Rhain argued as Aios opened the door.

“Let’s double-check,” she suggested, following Reaver out.

“Was it just me, or did Rhain seem really surprised by that request?” I asked after the doors had closed.

“We haven’t joined the others for many suppers,” he said. “And before you, I didn’t do so often.”

Sadly, the last part didn’t surprise me.

Ash plucked the hanger from my grasp and tossed the tunic onto the couch.

“I really don’t need that wrinkled.” I started toward it but didn’t make it very far. Ash snagged me by the waist and turned me back to him. “Rhain will be very displeased if that ends up wrinkled—”

“He’ll get over it.” He tugged me to his chest.

“I’m not so sure about that,” I protested, my gaze lifting to his. The heat in his molten-steel eyes sent fine tremors radiating through my limbs. I immediately stopped thinking about Rhain and the state of the tunic.

Clasping the back of my neck, Ash brought his mouth to mine. I was at once completely enraptured by how he kissed like a man starved and wasn’t aware of what he was up to until he lifted me. His tongue delved deep as he stepped onto the dais and carried me toward the table, setting me down on the edge. I tasted whiskey on his tongue as he deepened the kiss. His fingers traced the outline of my collarbone before moving slowly downward. His touch was electric, sending jolts of pleasure throughout my body.

He nipped my lower lip, then lifted his head from mine. “Why were you surprised that Erlina wanted to see you?”

I sighed. “Was I surprised enough that I projected?”

“You did.” He kissed the corner of my mouth. “Why?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just not used to people wanting to see me,” I admitted, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “That sounds kind of pathetic, doesn’t it?”

“No, liessa, it doesn’t. You grew up not being known by many. Being surprised is understandable.” He drew his fingers down my cheek. “But you should probably start getting used to people wanting to see you.”

I honestly didn’t think I ever would, but I still said, “Yes, sir.”

Chuckling, he planted his hands on either side of my legs. “I noticed something today. You grew incredibly anxious as we rode past the Dying Woods. Did you feel something?”

It took me a moment to think back. I had been nervous, and I hadn’t been that affected before. I wasn’t sure why. Well, that wasn’t necessarily true.

I’d had a feeling.

One that made me think of the Shade I’d touched during my poorly thought-out plan to end Kolis. The creature had been nothing more than smoke and bone, but after a single touch, I’d seen organs and muscles form, almost as if I’d been restoring life to it.

Ash’s chin brushed the curve of my jaw. “Sera?”

“Sorry.” I started to tell him that nothing had disturbed me but stopped myself. Sharing thoughts was important, even the incoherent ones. “I was just thinking about that Shade I touched back when I was in the Dying Woods.”

“Back when you last held a dagger to my throat?”

“Was that the last time?” I asked wryly.

He chuckled. “You’re talking about the one that seemed to regenerate?”

“Yes.” I ran my fingers along his. “I was thinking about how powerful my touch was that it could bring back a Shade, even then. Who knows how long it had been dead?”

“Based on the state of it, I’d say quite some time.” He kissed my jaw. “Likely several decades, if not longer.”