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I nodded. “I’m positive. When I touched it earlier, I…I knew his soul was in there.”

Ash’s entire body jerked. He stepped back, almost as if out of reflex.

I didn’t take my eyes off Ash’s. His were so bright I could barely see his pupils. “I need to get The Star for him, too.”

His throat worked on a swallow as his gaze flickered to the ceiling. “My father…” He shook his head as his gaze returned to mine. Tension bracketed his mouth, and his voice lowered as he said, “I don’t want you using the embers.”

“Ash—”

“Not for him. Not even for me. I will not have you risking your health and—” His voice…gods, it cracked. And so did my heart. Eather whipped through his irises. “I will not risk you.”

Shock rippled through me. “It’s your father’s soul, Ash.”

“I know. Fates, I know.” A tremor ran through him. “But I will not risk you.”

My chest swelled even as that fissure in my heart widened. Because how could Ash not be capable of love? His desire, his need to keep me safe, felt like something one would do when they loved another.

It was what I would do for him.

Which was why I had to do this.

“I’m okay.” Like the Great Conspirator, I was a good liar when I needed to be.

“Sera—”

“I’m okay,” I repeated. “I feel like I did before. I can do this.” I stretched up, guided his head down to mine, then kissed him softly. “I’m going to do this.”

Kissing him once more, I settled on my feet and then turned. Luckily, I didn’t stumble or sway. I lifted my hand as Kolis had done, concentrating on the embers. “Vena ta mayah.”

The essence thrummed weakly throughout my entire body, but it was enough. My temples throbbed, and the cluster of diamonds vibrated, making that high-pitched whirring sound.

Ash cursed from behind me. “Will you ever listen to me?”

“I’m sorry.” My heart skipped, and not in a pleasant way. It caused my breath to hitch. A faint tremor ran through me as I breathed through a rush of dizziness.

“No, you’re not.” Ash came up behind me, circling an arm around my waist.

There was a grounding, soothing quality to the feeling of him touching me that I’d missed so terribly. And it…it wasn’t fair that I experienced it again only now.

The glittering cluster morphed as it neared my palm, forming one diamond shaped like a star.

“I’ve got it,” I said, just in case either he or Attes thought to reach for it.

I didn’t know if they would see what I did, but I didn’t want anyone else witnessing it. Especially not Ash—not without any warning.

The diamond landed in my hand, sending a charge of energy up my arm. There were no sudden flashes of images this time, but that milky light—the soul—pulsed.

“That’s it?” Ash peered over me, clearing his throat. “The light? I can’t feel or sense anything.”

“I think so.” I knew we didn’t have much time, but there were some things I needed to know. “How…how do you think we can put Sotoria’s soul in this?”

“I can’t answer that,” Attes said.

Ash’s arm tightened around me. “Keella would know.”

“You think she’ll help?” I asked, suddenly remembering how she’d questioned Kolis. “She will.” Or at least I really hoped she would after what I’d done to Evander. I looked at Attes. “Can you get her?”

“Of course,” he said solemnly. “I’ll help Elias get Kolis out of here and then retrieve Keella.”