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Surprise shot through me. I hadn’t really expected any answer, let alone that.
Callum looked up with a smirk. “What? You thought I’d say it was when Sotoria died her second death? Yeah, that had an impact on him, but he…” He clamped his mouth shut, a lock of blond hair falling over his face as his gaze returned to the floor.
Wincing, I shifted slightly to straighten my toes. “But what?”
“He loved Eythos,” he said quietly. “Even then. Even after everything.”
I stared at him, somewhat dumbfounded. I knew that Kolis had loved his brother at one time, but Callum was speaking of after he’d taken Eythos’s embers and killed his wife. I didn’t believe that was possible, and I sure as hell didn’t think it was now.
Have you no honor?
He’d questioned my honor when his idea of punishment was ordering the rape of another. And even if Veses had gone along with whatever Kyn dished out, that was exactly what had occurred in the Council Hall. It didn’t matter that she was guilty of the same behavior.
Damn it. As much as I hated the woman and would gleefully celebrate her death, even I could understand that it wasn’t right.
But not Kolis.
His treatment of Veses had little to do with defending me against pathetic insults that didn’t even inflict a scratch upon my skin and everything to do with Veses’ supposed failure with something utterly irrelevant.
Kolis’s actions were all about reminding everyone he had the power.
And his reactions were all about being the wronged party—the victim. It was almost like he thrived on it.
A muscle flexed in Callum’s jaw. “He never would’ve allowed such a thing before Eythos’s death, nor would he have kept his…pets,” he said, speaking of Kolis’s favorites. “He didn’t do that until after Eythos died.” The Revenant’s gaze returned to mine. “You don’t believe me.”
“Maybe you’re speaking the truth,” I said after a moment. “But he’s like that now. And he’s been like this, right? With the other gods and Primals? With the favorites he grew disappointed with—?”
“With you, once he realizes this is one great façade?” he interjected.
Anger stirred. “With me right now.”
Callum’s lips smashed together.
“And you know what? You’re no better,” I bit out. “You know what happened in the Council Hall and the gods only know how many other times is wrong, yet you stood by and did nothing.”
“Unlike you?”
I glared at him.
“No one else spoke up. Those who were not thrilled with what was occurring left. You’re better than them? Gods, Primals, draken, and Revenants alike?”
“Yes!” I said without hesitation. “Anyone who would at least attempt to stop that is better than the lot of them.”
Callum smiled. “I’m sure Kolis would be thrilled to hear you say such treasonous things.”
“And I’m positive you’ll tell him,” I hissed. “Like the loyal lapdog you are.”
“I am loyal. I will always be loyal to him. He forgave me for failing to keep my sister safe.”
“That wasn’t your fault,” I blurted. It was the truth. He hadn’t caused his sister’s death.
Callum stiffened. “It was my fault,” he stated. “And he did forgive me. He also gave me eternal life.”
I rolled my eyes.
“And he’s the only thing keeping this realm together.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I muttered. Callum had likely been decent before his unfortunate run-in with Kolis, but now he was… “You’re just as delusional as he is.”
