Page 133

Sera learns that only Rhain, Ector, and Nektas really knew about what was going on with Veses and Nyktos. After thinking about it, Sera says that Ash shouldn’t feel shame over the blackmail, though she would feel the same.

Rhain asks her if she loves Nyktos, and Sera can’t answer. He tells her the hesitation is all the answer he needs, and says he was wrong about her. Sera suddenly realizes she does love Ash, and it makes her a little sick to her stomach.

Acknowledging one’s truth will sometimes do that.

Without thought, she blurts to Ector that she wants to be Nyktos’s Consort, stunning both him and her.

Rhahar, Rhain, Ector, Saion, and the twins escort Sera to the coronation. Aios and Kars—a guard—take her the rest of the way. Sera asks Aios if she’s ever been in love, and the goddess tells her that it doesn’t feel the same for everyone. She adds that, to her, it was like feeling at home in an unfamiliar place. As if you’re finally seen, heard, and understood. And when you think of what you would do for the person and realize it’s anything, that means it’s love.

That’s actually a wonderful way to put it.

Sera comes to realize why she paid the price for Ash in Dalos and why sex with him has felt like more—because it is. He’s always been Ash to her. Despite her wanting that to change given everything going on and all that happened, it never has. She’s most definitely in love with him.

Ash comes to her and takes her hand from Aios, telling Sera to breathe. He uses shadows to block them from view as she calms.

She notices Ash’s crown, and he tells her she won’t have to wear hers until after tonight. He reads her a bit, and she politely asks him not to. But she does open up to him, telling him that she still wants the coronation, calling him Ash to his face.

He confesses that counting her freckles has become a habit and relays that she has twelve on her back. It makes her feel warm, and she notices the embers buzzing in her chest. There was a feeling of rightness before with him, but this is different. Once again, more.

Sera sees her crown for the first time, and it’s beautiful. When Ash bows to her, she and the crowd are stunned. He’s the Primal of Death, after all. Ash crowns her and bestows her new title upon her: the One who is born of Blood and Ash, the Light and the Fire, and the Brightest Moon. A golden imprint suddenly appears on her right hand, and she asks Ash if he did it. He explains that the Arae must be acknowledging their union.

He tells her about the imprint and blessings, and she wonders if it’s because of the embers. He explains that the imprint only fades upon death. He also tells her about Keella and the other Primals. Sera asks if Keella knows about Sotoria’s soul, given she’s the Primal of Rebirth. He says he isn’t sure. After all, it wasn’t a rebirth. However, it is possible.

Sera realizes that her new title contains bits from the goddess, Penellaphe’s, prophecy. She asks Ash about it, and he tells her that his mind kept returning to thoughts of her hair and how it was like moonlight. He also tells her the different symbolism of blood and ash.

She discovers that nothing has happened in Vathi since she was last there and is relieved to hear that the Court didn’t come under siege after what she did with the young draken—bringing Thad back to life.

Ash insinuates that she’ll be involved in discussions to come, and it satisfies her, projecting it for him to feel. She explains that it’s nice to be included. Still, she wonders what Attes wants to talk to them about. Ash apologizes for contributing to her feeling of unimportance before. He says that she matters. Always. And kisses her temple.

Keella approaches the couple, and Sera feels a charge of energy skitter up her arm as the Primal holds her imprinted hand. She intuits that Sera’s title may be another blessing, just like the mark. The embers inside Sera hum in response to their exchange, and Sera notices Keella’s clever, knowing smile as she says things without really saying anything at all.

They go through the procession of Primal greetings and Ash keeps her grounded with a hand on her. Finally, their crowns are removed, and Ash tells her that he has soldiers making sure the road is safe. He asks her to sit with him and rubs her neck. She calls him Ash again when she thanks him, and then inquires if it bothers him. He admits that he missed it.

Ash comes clean about some things that have been on his mind. 1—Her calling him Ash in her coronation dress. 2—Seeing her out of the dress. 3—Seeing her naked on her new throne. And 4—Seeing her bare, with nothing but the crown. He then wonders if he’s worthy of exploring the above things that have quickly become obsessions. Running his hands over her body he finds her dagger and revises his list. He says that seeing her in nothing but the dagger has taken second place, and that thoughts of hearing her call him Ash when she comes have become the first. She replies that she’ll call him whatever he wants.

Sera gives in to the desire and tells him that she needs him inside her when she calls him Ash. Then, in a vulnerable moment, she admits that she doesn’t want to sleep alone—she wants to be with him. To talk or…whatever. He calls her beautiful, coaxing a smile.

He asks her what she thought of the coronation, and she goes on to ask him about the dakkais and Vathi. She reveals that she believes Keella knows Sera has Sotoria’s soul, and Ash says that the Primal of Rebirth is one of the few he somewhat trusts, though he doesn’t trust anybody completely when it comes to her.

Sera is both nervous and excited about going to Irelone and happy that Ash will finally be the Primal of Life he should have always been. He tells her that saving her life is the most important part of their plan. He then asks her what changed with her wanting to become his Consort. She sasses that she should be allowed to change her mind, and he tells her that she’s entitled to the realm, making her feel warm all over.

She goes on to explain that her emotions didn’t change, only how she wanted to proceed. She projects her feelings, but she can tell he doesn’t understand what he feels. And she knows why. It saddens her. She confesses to knowing about his deal with Veses and thanks him for his sacrifice. Still, she makes it clear that she’ll kill the Primal if he doesn’t.

Ash finally opens up about things with Veses, and Sera is furious to find out that she’s forced pleasure on him, too. The fact that the Primal actually wants Kolis and not Ash at all makes things even worse. When she discovers that the deal has been going on for three years, it incenses her. Ash calms her and says that he doesn’t regret keeping her out of Kolis’s hands, then thanks her for being her. He begins to tell her what he wishes but stops himself mid-sentence and simply kisses her instead.

Sera tells Ash to feed when he confesses that he’s hungry and realizes his reluctance is tied to his past and being forced to take blood. It makes her sad.

It makes me sad, too.

He indulges, and she wants to move beneath him but remembers how Veses used to push the limits, so she lets him have all the control. He takes her as he feeds, and his body warms. It’s something that’s beginning to bring a sense of pride to Sera. Once more, he starts telling her what he wishes but stops himself again.

They go to Irelone to meet with Delfai. This time, Sera doesn’t black out at all during the trip. She realizes the embers are getting even stronger. Projecting anxiety, Ash comments, and she finds out what the emotion tastes and feels like to him.

When they reach their destination, Sera sees how the guards react to Ash and his display of power and realizes how Kolis would have been greeted in the mortal realm—how Sotoria likely reacted to him.

She and Ash meet up with Kayleigh, and Sera asks about Delfai, telling the Princess what she knows about him. Kayleigh seems perplexed at the situation given the last time she saw Sera, but Sera decides she won’t tell her how she’s come to be with Nyktos. She fears that her true mortal identity—Kayleigh never knew she was a Princess—and her new title will cause problems.

Sera finds out that Kayleigh has been waiting to hear if she’d be forced back to Tavius and Sera feels bad. She wishes she had sent word about his death so Kayleigh could move on. As they chat, Kayleigh insinuates that Sera was no handmaiden to the Queen, and Sera refuses to acknowledge. Then, Ash tells the Princess the truth, utterly stunning Sera.