Page 165 of The Primal of Blood and Bone (Blood and Ash #6)

“You really think so?” he asked. “Like he said, it is another lie, Penellaphe.”

“It’s a lie I believe he understands. And I think Malik will, too.”

Valyn was quiet for a moment. “I can only hope you are right and Eloana will also understand.”

The mention of his wife reminded me of what Seraphena had said once again. Unfolding my arms, I glanced at the empty path and swallowed a curse. Casteel had forgotten, too. I turned back to Valyn. “Seraphena was here.”

He frowned.

“The true Primal of Life,” I elaborated as I opened my senses. His confusion felt genuine. “That is Seraphena. She is the Queen of the Gods.”

He still looked confused.

“The reason that is not known is a long and complicated mess we really don’t have time for,” I told him. He looked like he wanted to argue that point. I couldn’t blame him. “But I think you know her as Nyktos’s Consort.”

He sat straighter when I said Consort. His gaze trailed to the statue behind me. “I’m guessing she told you we’ve crossed paths?”

“She did, but only said it was during the War of Two Kings. She said I needed to ask you about it.”

“I don’t know why she didn’t just tell you—actually, I suppose I can imagine why.

It’s probably something she doesn’t want to think about.

” He rubbed the knee of his outstretched leg.

“It was after the battle at Pompay. It was chaos, so many dead and dying on both sides. And Jasper…he was gravely wounded and unconscious.”

My lips parted, but I stayed quiet.

“I was trying to get him to safety. I couldn’t lose him when we had all already lost so much.

I—” He squinted. “My focus was on him. I knew better, and Jasper…he would’ve kicked my ass if he’d known how distracted I allowed myself to become.

” He shook his head. “He was on me before I even realized he was there.”

I had a sudden, sinking suspicion that I knew who he spoke of.

“Drove a sword through my lower back.” Valyn let out a rough laugh. “It wasn’t a killing blow, but that was on purpose. He was many things…” His jaw tightened. “But Malec still had some level of honor.”

Gods, I wished I wasn’t right.

“He still believed that a man should look another in the eye when he delivered death. We fought, but I was wounded even before he stuck me like a pig. So was he. But Malec…he was stronger and faster. Got the upper hand.” A distant look crept over Valyn’s face.

“I can still see him lifting that sword, aiming it right at my throat. I hadn’t accepted death.

Couldn’t. Not with Eloana at home and knowing what would happen if Malec succeeded.

He would’ve taken back Atlantia and…well, I’m sure you can imagine what would’ve happened next. ”

I could.

“We’d thought the gods were asleep by then—or, at the very least, most of them.

So, when she showed, appearing out of nowhere between Malec and me, I didn’t realize who she was.

” His hand stilled on his knee. “Malec came so close to striking her. I swear the blade kissed the skin of her throat. And he… I’d never seen a man look like he had then.

Horrified.” He was quiet for a moment. “He said one word. Mother.”

I suddenly wanted to sit.

“Then she knocked his ass out.” He laughed as my mouth dropped open. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I had the same reaction. She saved me. Saved Atlantia.” Wonder crept into his features as he shook his head. “Thus choosing the realm over her son.”

And she had chosen the realm. Because if Malec had succeeded, Solis would’ve been even worse off.

Gods, I…

I didn’t know what to say.

Even with what Seraphena had told us, I was shocked.

And again, I couldn’t imagine how hard it must have been for her to stand against her son not once but twice.

The kind of loyalty to duty that took was unthinkable.

But if she hadn’t stopped Malec? Eloana would’ve likely met Malec’s wrath for trying to kill Isbeth.

Neither Malik nor Casteel would’ve been born. Nor would I have.

I didn’t think Seraphena knew what she was doing when she intervened or what that decision would instigate. It set in motion a chain of events that led to the one thing she’d attempted to prevent when she helped Eloana entomb Malec.

“That…yeah. That used to haunt my thoughts,” he shared quietly. “For decades. Until I managed to accept it as something I’d never fully understand and made myself forget. I didn’t think about it again until we learned about your bloodline.”

It took me a few moments to find my words. “Did anyone else know?”

“Eloana. But like me, she believed it was the Consort.” He scratched his jaw and drew his leg back, bending it at the knee. “She put her hands on Jasper. I remember seeing her do that before I passed out. I think I know why now.”

Good gods…

Seraphena had healed Jasper—maybe even saved him. And she could because she was the true Primal of Life. If she hadn’t, and she’d only saved Valyn, there was a chance Kieran wouldn’t be here. There would’ve been no Joining.

The ramifications of Seraphena’s choices left my head feeling like it might spin off my shoulders.

“Thank you for telling me,” I said, stepping back. “You will speak to Malik?”

“I will do so as soon as I leave this garden.”

Nodding, I started to turn.

“Penellaphe.” Valyn stopped me. “The message that was given? There was more.”

I slowly faced him.

“I thought it best I not share this part in front of my son,” he said. “Or any of the others.”

My stomach knotted as I worked to keep my expression indifferent. “Well, this should be pleasant.”

“The god that met us at the Rise. Varus? He said you need to return so you can serve at Kolis’s side.” He let out a ragged breath, and then his jaw tightened. I felt greasy, cloying disgust. “Or refuse and serve…beneath him.”