Ash nodded. “That, it is.” He turned his head to me. “And we have Seraphena to thank for that.”

Joyous shouts rose, sweeping over the coliseum and drawing a faint smile from Ash.

I lifted a hand, and they quieted so quickly I was a little taken aback. “It is not just I who is to thank for that. It is also Nyktos.”

There were more exclamations, and they came in a great roar that brought a smile to my lips.

“I would not be here if not for him,” I continued. “Our King.”

It seemed like the entire crowd froze. If I had Ash’s ability, I’d likely be drowning in shock.

“The realms will no longer be ruled by only the true Primal of Life,” I announced. “That has ended. The realms shall thrive under the joint rule of a King and Queen.”

“That will not be the only change. Iliseeum and the mortal realm will no longer suffer under tyrannical rule or cruel indifference,” Ash said, his voice carrying. Ash wasn’t threatening per se, but he was sending a message. “We will see Iliseeum as it once was under my father’s rule. But better, where one can move among Courts without fear of punishment or leaving family and loved ones behind.”

“We will have a future where mortals do not tremble in fear upon sight of us.” I lifted my chin. “Or are treated as little more than sources of entertainment.”

“These changes will not come easily. There will be resistance. Blood will be shed,” Ash told them. “But we promise we will not give up until that future becomes the present.”

Then Ash lifted our joined hands, the swirl of the golden imprint on the top of his left glittering in the sunlight.

A frenzy of cheers erupted across the coliseum floor, causing Nektas to lift his head. Their feet came down hard, thudding on the stone, matching the tempo of my heartbeat. My gaze flew to Ash’s.

“I think they approve,” he said as those in the crowd waved their arms in wild excitement. Voices clamored in unison, chanting…mayeeh Liessa.

Our Queen.

And shouting mayeeh Liessar.

Our King.

Blinking, I scanned faces filled with surprise. People were embracing one another, others wept as they pressed their hands to their cheeks or chests—women and men. My eyes widened in awe at the feverish outpouring of emotion from the crowd. My throat tightened but with good things instead of panic as I took in the joyful, beaming faces.

Ash tugged on my hand, drawing me to his side. I looked up, and his gaze swept over my face with intensity. “Thirty-six,” he said, cupping my cheek with his other hand. “Just making sure they are all still there.”

Then he kissed me.

And gods, there was no restraint or suppression of desire as I gripped the front of his tunic. Our tongues twined in a sensual dance as his sharp fangs grazed my lips. He kissed me as if it were just us, and for that fleeting moment, it truly was. But we weren’t alone. Bawdy whistles and raucous shouts pierced the air.

I laughed against his lips, my face warming.

“I think they liked that even more,” he said, folding his arms around me. As he held me, I swore the entire realm must have heard the cheers.

Closing my eyes, I rested my cheek against Ash’s chest and soaked in the sound. I really hadn’t known how today would go or what our reception would be. The possibilities had been endless. But I never expected this.

Though I probably should have. Most of those here knew that I had fought against the dakkais alongside Ash and had changed the landscape of the Shadowlands overnight. And I was, after all, the true Primal of Life, and Ash was beloved by his people. Of course, they would be ecstatic.

However, I’d never experienced anything like this in my entire life. I had not been known to my kingdom. I’d been nothing but a specter not fully formed yet drenched in blood. I wasn’t that here. I was seen. Welcomed. Known.

When I pulled away, I peeked over my shoulder. Nektas was watching us. He huffed with a shake of his large head as Saion approached us.

“Your face is so red,” Saion told me before addressing Ash. “The barrels of wine you had us bring are about to be rolled out.”

“Perfect.” Ash’s hand slid down the center of my back.

“This went really well,” I said as several soldiers began moving the large barrels out from the alcove of the colonnade.

Saion smiled. “Of course, it did.”

Bele jogged down the dais steps, and something struck me as I looked over the mass of gods, godlings, and mortals. “No one is wearing masks like many did during the coronation.”

“There is no need,” Saion replied as the hum of string instruments reached my ears, the notes drifting through the air.

Faces blurred as I nodded. They hadn’t felt the need to conceal their identities, not just because there were no other Primals in attendance but because they felt safe. Gods, that meant more to me than the cheers or being known.

And I would do everything to ensure they never lost that sense of security.

I let out a slow breath as the beat of drums joined the melodic dance. The rhythm grew louder, infusing the coliseum with infectious energy as I found Bele in the crowd. All I had to do was follow the wave of bows as the masses parted for the Primal goddess. She joined Aios, who stood with a petite woman dressed in a hooded, white gown with long sleeves who surveyed the revelers in front of her. It was Erlina.

The once-Chosen now had her own life, one where she wasn’t subjected to the whims of another. I reminded myself that the others in Dalos and the other Courts would soon have that choice. Now, we just needed to meet with the Primals. Hopefully, that went as well as this had.

I wouldn’t bet on it, but I also wouldn’t dwell on it right now. There would be plenty of time for that tomorrow.

Nightmare.

Bars.

I was staring at bars made of gilded bones.

Soft material brushed against my legs as I staggered back a step, my feet sinking into soft fur. I looked down at the swath of ivory gauze and saw the darker pink tips of my breasts through the transparent garment.

“No.” My heart thudded heavily as my head jerked back around.

The golden chests.

The golden divan.

My head swung to the other side as pressure clamped down on my chest. I saw the large bed draped in gold blankets and white furs.

“I’m not here,” I whispered hoarsely, my gaze slowly tracking to the bedposts and the floor at the foot of the bed.

Chains.

The air I breathed thinned as my eyes locked on the throne beyond the gilded cage set directly in front of the bed.

No. No. No.

This wasn’t real.

“I’m not here,” I repeated, closing my eyes. I wasn’t here. I’d escaped. I was free. I wasn’t here. I was safe.

Air stirred around me, raising the tiny hairs all over my body. Lilacs. I smelled stale lilacs.

“I have been so damn lonely, so’lis.”

Every part of my body went rigid at the sound of that summery voice. I’m not here. I held myself completely still, keeping my eyes tightly closed. I’m not here. I’m not—

Arms tightened around me like a vise, digging into my sides. Against my back, his heart pounded faster than mine.

“I just need to hold you,” Kolis pleaded.

“No,” I said—I know I said it. I felt the word rattle from my chest and claw at my throat. I felt my mouth move.

But I could no longer hear my voice.

I made no sound.

Nothing.

Suddenly, I wasn’t standing anymore. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, and I was in his lap, my feet dangling above the floor. That single word shook my chest again and scratched my throat. My mouth moved once more, but I still had no voice.

Sweltering heat bore down on me as my fingers splayed.