Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Kolis.
He sat in a lazy sprawl at the other end of the Hall on the dais, one leg draped over the gleaming red arm of a throne—a throne made of rubies and maybe garnets. Its seat was wide, and dark-red wings stretched out on either side.
The only source of light was artificial. Windows were blocked by crimson curtains. The dome had been constructed of stone, and I suspected we were surrounded by Ascended, but I knew there were gods here.
Many.
I could feel them in my blood.
The Hall had gone quiet except for the heels of my boots as I walked down the short set of steps. My eyes narrowed on the figure who remained seated, golden hair shining under the bright light of the chandelier. He was looking left, so I only saw the profile of one broad cheekbone and half of a sculpted jaw. But it was enough.
I recognized him.
Maybe from stasis. Perhaps from before. It didn’t matter. The fucker was still looking to his left. I sent a quick glance in that direction. A woman stood before him, draped—unsurprisingly—in crimson silk. Her arms were stretched above her, back bowed to pull the material taut against her nearly exposed chest. She appeared to be dancing. And she wasn’t the only one in the wings of the dais. Others were dressed the same, their skin displaying the pale and smooth quality of the Ascended.
My gaze shifted back to Kolis. He was shirtless and wearing only white linen pants. A gold band encircled his right biceps.
“Poppy.” Attes’s voice carried a warning.
It struck me then that I didn’t sense a Fate.
“Nice of you to join me, Sotoria.”
Every muscle in my body tensed. Kolis still hadn’t looked at me. “I told you not to call me that.”
“And I told you it’s your name. It is how I knew you.” His head finally turned toward us.
The similarity to Nyktos, his nephew, was clearly seen in the carved jaw and high cheekbones, but Kolis’s symmetrical features were almost…delicate. Perfectly pieced together.
As we stared at each other, it made sense that Death would be crafted to be beautiful. It served as a comfort when death came and a lure when one fought to live.
“You didn’t come with who I hoped,” he said.
“I didn’t.”
Kolis’s eyes were a bright crimson as they drifted behind me. One side of his full lips curved up. “Should’ve expected it would be you.”
Attes moved to the side and into my peripheral vision. “Where is the Fate, Kolis?”
“Around.”
“Bullshit,” the Primal replied.
“You will not speak to the King like that,” a voice rang out.
My gaze snapped to a tall, slender male with hair as pale as Delano’s and eyes the color of an Elemental. But he wasn’t an Atlantian.
He was a god.
“Who the fuck are you?” I demanded as I glanced around the Hall, picking out what had to be at least a dozen or so Revenants dressed in crimson breeches and tunics. I didn’t see a gold or pale-blond head. No Callum. No Millicent. So far.
“Language,” Kolis chided.
My head shot toward him, and his smile widened.
“Varus,” Attes answered. “Varus of Kithreia. Can’t believe you’re still alive.”
“Same goes for you.” The god crossed his arms. “That won’t hold true if you speak to the King that way again.”
“It’s all right.” Kolis tilted his head. “Attes has every right to be…displeased.”
My brows rose.
“Has he told you why he hates me, Sotoria?”
“One could easily guess,” I retorted and saw Attes send me a look that said he was wondering if this was my idea of seduction. “And do not call me that.”
“I bet you couldn’t guess, so’lis.”
“I don’t care,” I said, which wasn’t true. I wanted to know. I just didn’t care to hear it from him.
“Ah, yes. You want to get down to business.” He leaned forward slightly, and I saw faint shadows slide across his neck and bare chest. He lifted a golden goblet from the floor. “To find out why I summoned you.”
“I would like to know where the Fate is,” Attes stated.
“I imagine he is somewhere.”
I didn’t believe him. And based on the tension in Attes, he didn’t either. Technically, saying that the Fate was somewhere wasn’t a lie. The stitches in the veil strained, letting a trickle of ice hit my veins. I cut it off. It didn’t matter. I only needed to get close to him. And if a Fate wasn’t here, that was better for me. Maybe I wouldn’t end up in stasis again. “Where is the woman who claimed to be Isbeth?”
“Your mother? She hasn’t returned from her visit with you.” He took a drink. “I do hope you welcomed her with open arms.”
My stomach twisted, and I barely managed to stop myself from asking if it had really been her. That also couldn’t matter right now.
Kolis’s gaze briefly flickered to my side, his smile thinning as he eyed Attes. “So, where is that…husband of yours?”