Well, I was pretty sure I knew who had given Thierran those scars.

And I really wanted to know what his shit was.

“I don’t have a death wish,” Thierran replied, his gaze briefly flickering to me. “I’m the least of your concerns.”

Air lodged in my throat. Something about how he’d said that…

I shook my head. “Would either of you like something to drink?”

“I’m good,” Attes answered.

I looked at Thierran. “You?”

“I’ll never turn down an offered drink,” he said. “It’s bad manners to do so.”

Attes snorted.

“I’ll grab something from the dining hall,” Rhain said, jogging from the room.

I returned my attention to the oneirou. “Exactly how did you figure out what they were up to?”

“Many of the Courts are abuzz with news of your Ascension—lots of talk about what it means, what will happen, and so on,” he said, each word rolling smoothly off his tongue. “Then Attes showed up in Lotho with a goddess linked to the Asher, and since I can’t remember a time he visited Lotho, it wasn’t hard to put two and two together.” He paused, and the grin returned. “That is if one is clever and pays attention.”

“Or snoops in others’ dreams,” Ash stated.

The other side of Thierran’s lips curled up just as Rhain returned with a bottle of wine and a glass. “That, too.”

My lips parted slightly. I had a feeling the latter had much more to do with Thierran putting two and two together than simply him paying attention.

“Though I can’t imagine why Attes would bother with Embris,” Thierran continued. “He’s so far up the King’s ass, it would take the Fates to remove him.”

I didn’t like the sound of that for several reasons. “You mean he’s so far up the false King’s ass since the true King is standing beside me.”

“Oh, really?” Eather pulsed through Thierran’s eyes.

“Yes. There is no just-a-Queen or just-a-King bullshit,” I said. “There is us.”

“I like you,” the oneirou said softly. “A lot.”

Ash’s narrowed-eye glare shot to the dream god.

“And I mean that in the most respectful manner possible,” Thierran corrected, bowing his head. “Meyaah Liessar.”

My King.

My lips curved into a smile as I looked up at Ash. “I really do like the sound of that.”

He returned my smile. “It does have a nice ring to it.”

“That it does,” Attes agreed, drawing our attention to him. “Bringing Thierran here isn’t the only reason I returned,” Attes began as the oneirou took the glass and bottle from Rhain. “Lailah and I got a later start heading to the Courts than anticipated.”

“Interesting,” I remarked, my eyes narrowing. “Does that have anything to do with why Lailah is taking her anger out on some innocent soldier?”

Attes started to grin but apparently thought better of it. “You’d have to ask her,” he replied smoothly. “I had just shadowstepped into Lotho when I ran into this fucker.” He jerked his chin at the god. “Then Lailah mentioned something you failed to tell me about.”

“And what is that?” Ash let go of my hand and crossed his arms.

“You forgot to tell me that a deal was offered.”

“I didn’t forget,” Ash replied. “I told you Kolis summoned her. I just never got to the point where details were shared.”

I glanced between them. “How much time did you spend punching him?”

Thierran glanced up curiously from the glass of wine he was pouring.

“Not enough,” Ash muttered, and I rolled my eyes. “Kolis offered her a bullshit deal, and she had to offer him one in return.”

Attes’s gaze flicked to me. “And what was that deal exactly?”

“That he had to abdicate the throne and agree not to seek vengeance,” I said. “Then he could live out the rest of his existence.”

Attes stared at me.

Unease slithered down my spine as I gripped the tail of my braid. I glanced at Ash. The eather had stilled in his eyes as he gave me a small nod. I took a deep breath. “We want to do everything we can to prevent as much bloodshed as possible. And I don’t believe Kolis wants an all-out war. A part of him understands that there are…bigger issues at hand than what he believes he’s entitled to.” I met Attes’s gaze. “Like the Ancients.”

A muscle ticked in Attes’s jaw. “When we spoke while you were still in Dalos, I told you I wanted to prevent the kind of war Kolis would wage.”

I felt Ash’s attention turn to me as I nodded. “I remember.”

“That is partly why. So, I agree with doing whatever we can to lessen the bloodshed. But then what?” Attes pressed. “What if Kolis refuses your offer? Because what Nyktos was able to tell me didn’t go past meeting with the other Primals,” he finished.

“The plan is to force him to accept a version of the deal I offered. One in which we keep him alive until we can take the embers from him and place them in Nyktos.”

Understanding dawned. “The Star.” His jaw hardened. “But that’s currently in use.”

“I know,” I said, once more uncomfortable with the idea of Sotoria being trapped in The Star. It bothered me as much as forcing her to be reborn did. “That leaves us with only one option. Just like the Ancients, Kolis needs to be subdued.”

“And you think he will willingly allow that?” Attes asked, glancing at Ash.

“No,” Ash answered, and the other Primal’s gaze returned to me.

“I don’t either. I know there will be a fight, but I want that to be a decision the Primals who support us are involved in,” I said. “And I want them all to agree that we cannot allow this to extend into the mortal realm. Whatever war we fight, we do among us.”

“I see what you’re attempting.” Attes pursed his lips. “You want some level of accord while knowing there will also be some level of war. That’s not impossible, but it is extremely difficult to achieve.” His stare rose. “And there’s still much to be decided.”

There was.

“I’m also about to give you another thing to consider,” Attes said. “As highly unlikely as it is, what if Kolis accepts the deal you offered? That is much like an oath, Seraphena. Breaking it would have consequences.”

“I know.” I took another deeper breath, knowing I had to own up to what I’d done. “It wouldn’t be what any of us wants, but I had to offer something. And if he does accept it? I will…” Bile gathered in the back of my throat. “I will honor it because my hatred of him and my need for vengeance cannot be greater than the lives of countless others. None of our anger can be greater than peace.”

A wistfulness filled Attes’s gaze. “You sounded so much like Eythos just then.” He shook his head. “When the Ancients created the Primals, they did so to protect the collective—all living beings—from themselves. That was our role. We were to be protectors. Guardians of men, gods, and all that is in between. And we were, for a time.” Attes’s gaze returned to the blue skies above. “I do not believe it was all emotions that changed it—changed us. I believe it was hatred, jealousy, and apathy.” His gaze lifted to mine. “Vengeance and retribution.”

“And that started with Kolis,” Ash stated.

Attes nodded. “And it’s a damn shame. Like my brother, he wasn’t always like this. I know it’s hard to believe, but neither he nor Kolis were like this before.”

“I believe you,” I said, feeling Ash’s stare. “I saw glimpses of who he was.”

Attes nodded slowly. “Your father believed Kolis could be saved.”

“And look what that got him.” Ash’s fingers stilled.

“I know,” Attes replied. “You’re not your father. Neither are you,” he said to me. “If Kolis accepts the deal and then breaks it, neither of you will give him another chance—or keep giving him chances. You will not falter like Eythos did.” He sighed. “Either way, I do not believe that any of the Primals who will potentially ally with us would fault you for attempting to make peace. Sacrifices should always be made for that. Our emotions and lives should never be greater than the collective.”