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Ash was completely still behind me. I didn’t even feel him breathe. “I do.”
Briefly squeezing my eyes shut, I leaned against Ash’s chest. There was so much I wanted to say, but most of it would only make things worse. I knew that.
I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry about Orphine.”
“As am I.”
Glancing at Ehthawn, I wished there was more I could say than that, but there truly weren’t words in any language that could capture the sorrow felt after a death. “How…how is Jadis? Reaver?”
Nektas’s handsome features softened. “They are good. Safe. Reaver has asked for you, and my daughter often searches for you.” His smile was sad. “I think she misses sleeping on your legs.”
My lips trembled, and I pressed them together as Ash folded his other arm over my chest. Would Jadis even remember that? What about Reaver? The knot tripled in size. My nose burned, and it took several moments for me to speak. “I…I’ve missed that,” I rasped. “I miss both of them.”
“I know,” Nektas said solemnly.
I met his gaze and tried to say more. What, exactly, I wasn’t even sure, but I couldn’t get anything out. The draken’s face blurred, and I tried to find that veil of nothingness because I didn’t want Ash feeling any of what I was. I didn’t want Nektas seeing it.
Nektas reached for me. His skin was so warm as he placed my hand between his palms. He said nothing as he drew it to his chest, pressing it over where I felt his heart beat—felt two beats, almost side by side. Then he returned my hand to Ash’s. His cool fingers threaded through mine. I blinked a couple of times, letting my head fall back against Ash’s chest.
Nektas turned to the doors and rose as Keella walked out onto the veranda, followed by Attes.
Icy air blasted off Ash when he saw Attes.
“I don’t want to intrude,” Attes announced, his steps slowing.
“But you’re going to,” Ash replied coolly.
“I wouldn’t if I could.” Attes approached us as Keella stayed back. My gaze dropped to the leather saddlebag gripped tightly in his hand. “How are you feeling, Seraphena?”
Ash couldn’t be more rigid if he tried. “I’m okay,” I said.
His smile was more of a grimace. “Why do I have a feeling you say that when it’s not true?”
“Because she does.” Ash’s palm flattened against my hip. “But knowing that won’t stop you.”
“Unfortunately, no,” Attes admitted quietly. “We need to take care of Sotoria’s soul.”
“I don’t give a fuck about that soul,” Ash snarled, shadows pressing against the flesh of the arm he had around my waist.
“But you need to care,” Attes began.
Ash’s head whipped toward the other Primal. “Was I not clear?” His voice vibrated with rage—his entire body did. But he held me so carefully, as if I were made of nothing more than fragile, spun glass.
“Ash,” I said, twisting toward him.
“I know she’s important.” Attes inched closer, speaking before I could continue. “I know she’s very important to you.”
The churning wisps of eather stilled in Ash’s eyes. He lifted his gaze from mine and slowly turned his head to the Primal. The look he gave the Primal of War and Accord could freeze a soul.
Attes was undaunted. “And I remember what that’s like. It fucking haunts me,” he said. I thought of the children he’d lost. “I’ve been told you had your kardia removed. In all honesty, I find that hard to believe, all things considered.” He shot a pointed look at Ash. “However, if that’s true, you know what will happen.”
A low rumble of warning started in Ash’s chest.
“And I’m sorry. I really am,” Attes was quick to add. “I like Seraphena. She…” He glanced at me, his sad smile not quite reaching his eyes. “She amuses me.”
The growl coming from Ash deepened.
Attes’s attention shifted back to Ash. “But the soul in her is far more important.”
