“No.”
“I’m confused.”
“I have a temper. I often say things I don’t always mean.”
Kolis took another drink.
“And I said you wouldn’t get what you wanted,” I continued. “Which is a fight where you get to destroy cities and people.”
Lowering his goblet, he dragged his fangs over his lower lip. “And whatdoI get?”
“My submission.”
Kolis’s chest rose, and it didn’t lower. “Your submission?”
I nodded.
“And what part of today has been an act of submission?”
“I didn’t say my submission would come easily,” I told him.
He stared at me and then laughed. “Why would I believe this? When that one joins you?” His idle smile faded. “I know Attes. He would not go along with this.”
“I don’t trust you,” Attes answered. “That’s why I’m here.”
“As if I didn’t know that already. But I didn’t ask you.” The idle grin returned. “I’m waiting.”
My breath hitched as my heart turned over. Kolis’s low chuckle screamed what he thought of Attes’s reason. It was pitiful. We really should’ve fleshed that out.
Attes was closer. “I just told you—”
“I would suggest you allow her to answer,” Kolis stated, his tone easy—friendly even. His smile increased, and it…creeped me out. It wasn’t real. It reminded me of mine as I stood beside the Teermans. It was practiced. Fake.
“Sotoria?”
“Penellaphe,” I growled, my mind flashing to what Casteel had said. Oh, gods, if I was wrong, this would blow up in my face while also being incredibly embarrassing. “It’s because he loves me.”
Kolis’s smile faltered as his gaze darted to Attes.
“Right?” I said, rushing on. “He doesn’t want me to get myself killed or…”
Kolis’s eyes snapped back to mine. Strands of dark eather swirled in them. “Or what?”
“Or worse.”
Kolis’s jaw rolled. “I must admit, I am caught off guard.” He paused. “Did you tell her?”
“Yes,” Attes answered before I could.
“And what did that make you feel?” Kolis asked of me.
Fucking gods, I couldn’t even answer that if I wanted to. All I could do in that moment was convince myself that Attes was simply going along with what I had said. “Nothing,” I said. That also tasted bitter. “I don’t know him.”
“Interesting.” His jaw loosened. “I’m sure that stung, Attes.”
The Primal had no response to that.
“I know you never summoned a Fate.” I filled the silence. “If you had, they would be here. So, I’m guessing you wanted me to come, and you wanted to force my hand by threatening or harming those I care about.”
