But Dyses had been out in the sun, and Gemma had said that those things only moved about at night. And that Kolis needed hisgraecato perfect them.
Kolis smiled as he looked up at Dyses, but the expression faded as his gaze settled on Hanan. “Just because I chose not to restore life or to Ascend a god does not mean I will not, when one is deserving. It is not my fault that most lack such blessings,” he said, lifting his chin. “Do you think I’m unaware that my vassals have sworn their loyalty to me but question my strength? That I do not know that you and a few of your brethren doubt I am as strong as I was the moment I Ascended to rule as your King?”
“I… I…” Hanan stuttered, his skin paling several shades. “I didn’t mean to imply that you were incapable. You didn’t say it was you—”
“Why would I need to tell you that?” Kolis countered.
Hanan went silent.
There was nothing hecouldsay.
Because Kolis had him in a corner. If Hanan admitted that he believed it was someone else who’d Ascended a god, something thatshouldbe impossible, then itcouldmean that he believed Kolis wasn’t capable of doing so. Thinking something was completely different than saying it.
“I would advise you to be more thoughtful in voicing your concerns, Hanan, lest you find yourself falling out of my favor.” Kolis echoed Nyktos’s earlier words. “And it would be considerably unwise to do so when there is another who could take your place.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Hanan said, clearly shaken.
“Leave my sight.” The tendrils spun along the dais. “And do not return until I summon you.”
The Primal of the Hunt and Divine Justice rose, bowingstiffly before turning and leaving the atrium without acknowledging those left in the space.
Silence fell, and then Kolis said, “I apologize that you had to bear witness to such absurdity, Seraphena.”
I jolted, my gaze flying to his. His words. His behavior. None of it fit with what I knew of Kolis. “It’s…it’s okay.”
The false King smiled. “You have a kind, forgiving nature.”
Nyktos’s fingers halted, and seconds ticked by—moments filled with the knowledge that we knew he hadn’t Ascended Bele. And that whatever stood beside him wasn’t quite right. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Attes glance at the guards, and I wondered if he was thinking what I—and likely Nyktos—was.
How many of these guards were ones reborn under Kolis—a Primal who shouldn’t be able to restore life?
“Both of you seemed surprised to see Dyses alive and well.” Kolis glanced between Attes and Nyktos. “Have you two shared the same concerns as Hanan?”
“I have not seen you bestow the honor in a long time, Your Majesty.” Attes shrugged. “It’s just a surprise to see you do such a thing.”
Kolis nodded, then his attention shifted to Nyktos. That smile of his deepened, tightened. “And you?”
“It is unlikely that Hanan and I share any concerns,” he replied smoothly. “I, too, am surprised for the same reasons as Attes. And for the dakkais you sent to my lands shortly after the energy was felt.”
A shiver tiptoed down my spine as I braced myself.
Kolis leaned forward, letting a hand drop over the arm of the throne. The crown glimmered as brightly as the sun. “Why would you think those two things are related?”
“They’re not?”
“No.”
“Bad timing, then?”
“Yes, bad timing.” Kolis’s head tilted in a…a serpentine manner. “I was displeased with your failure to announce your intentions to take a Consort. I am still not pleased that you sought to hold a coronation without my approval.”
I stilled.
So did Nyktos.
That was bullshit, and I doubted that Nyktos believed him.I wasn’t even sure Kolis thought we believed him. Unease ratcheted up. This felt like a game where the rules were kept hidden.
“You know what happens when I’m displeased, especially with you.” Kolis’s voice slipped and slithered across the atrium, coating my skin in oil. “And yet it seems you take great joy in doing so. I have been so very tolerant, but you disrespected me, and that cannot go unpunished.”