My confusion only rose as I saw Lailah and Theon, joined by a purplish-black-scaled draken that reached the height of their knees. It was strange seeing Reaver in his draken form when he’d looked like a boy of ten with shaggy blond hair, an elfin face, and solemn, too-serious eyes the last time I’d seen him. Then I looked at the dais.
Nyktos stood before the empty thrones, dressed in a loose shirt and dark pants. Even from a distance, his eyes found and held mine. My heart started pounding as I stood there.
“Come.” Orphine motioned for me to follow.
As if I’d fallen under a spell, my feet moved. Guards and gods parted as we walked forward, the room so quiet I feared they could hear the thundering of my heart as I reached the rounded steps. I truly had no idea what was going on, but I didn’t think Nyktos had brought me before all of these people to yell at me. He had to know how poorly that would go for him, Primal or not. I stopped again because Orphine had, and…
Because Nyktos’s intense stare was still locked on me and my hair, which I’d left down. That choice had had nothing to dowith his fascination with it or that he’d once said it reminded him of moonlight. Not at all. The back of my neck tingled as I slowly climbed the short set of steps.
“It’s okay,” Nyktos said in a voice that was barely above a whisper. Candlelight glinted off his cuff as he extended his hand to me. “Take my hand.”
Too confused to deny him, I did as he ordered. Nyktos gave a nod as I turned to face those below. The guards at the doors closed them as Reaver prowled out from the mass of people. Talons clicking softly as he crossed the shadowstone floors, he climbed the steps. I didn’t see Nektas, but I saw Aios standing near Paxton, the young mortal boy that Nyktos had brought to the Shadowlands after he’d tried to pickpocket him. The confused pinch to her features mirrored what I felt.
Nyktos placed his other hand on my shoulder, the chill of his fingers bleeding through the sweater, serving once more as a reminder of what I’d done to him. “Those gathered here are some of my most trusted allies,” he continued quietly. It struck me then how he never referred to his guards or the gods under him as servants. He only spoke of them asequals. “They have sworn to protect the Shadowlands and stand against Kolis and those who support the false Primal of Life.”
My stomach gave another tumble as Reaver crouched by my legs.
“All of them have done so with the knowledge that their oath will likely end in death. And yet, they actively work to restore Iliseeum to what it once was—a realm of peace and fairness to all. They’re all brave, almost to a fault,” he said, his voice rising. “Just as you are.”
Air whooshed out of my lungs.
Nyktos squeezed my hand as he lifted his gaze to the crowd. “Any of them would have done as you did the other night,” he spoke, allowing his voice to carry through the throne room. “Any of them would sacrifice themselves if they thought that would protect the Shadowlands and those who seek shelter here.” He lifted his head as Reaver leaned against my legs, stilling the faint tremor that had begun there. “Seraphena has taken no oath, sworn no loyalties, nor does she yet wear the crown of the Consort. She has not been here long, but she was still willing to risk her life to protect all of you—all of those within theShadowlands and beyond. Believing that she was the cause of the recent attacks, she planned to turn herself over to Kolis. Though she is not the cause,” he said, the slight lies rolling off his tongue smoothly. “Her bravery is unmatched, even among all of you.”
There were no dismissive laughs as shock rippled through the faces of those I recognized and those I didn’t. And I…I was just as surprised as I stood there. I didn’t know if I should throttle Nyktos or hug him. Because no one—utterlyno one—had ever recognized anything I’d ever done in such a public way. I heard a low murmur as my gaze swept over the crowd, stopping on Aios. The blood had drained from her face.
Nyktos’s thumb brushed across the inside of my palm, causing me to jerk. “Seraphena will be a Consort more than worthy of the swords and shields each of you will wield to guard her. One the Shadowlands will be honored to have.”
I felt dizzy as I stared at Aios, then movement caught my attention. Ector stepped out from the throng, withdrawing his sword. He crossed it over his chest as he lowered himself to one knee. “Then we will endeavor to be deserving of such an honor.”
I jerked again, bumping into Nyktos as Reaver lifted his wings and stretched his neck, letting out a staggering, high-pitched call. Nyktos steadied me as Saion did the same as Ector, then Rhahar and the twins. Then shouts echoed Ector’s vow as swords were lifted, and gods and guards alike knelt.
“None of them will harbor any ill thoughts toward you now. They will see you as you are. Brave and daring.” Nyktos had lowered his head, speaking so only I could hear him. His cool breath danced over the shell of my ear, sending a shiver over my skin. “And if they still harbor any ill thoughts, they will be the last ones they ever have. No matter how loyal they are to the Shadowlands, I will destroy them.”
I stiffened.
There wasn’t a single part of me that doubted the sincerity of his threat. It was in the shadows of his voice, and I…well, I was still torn between wanting to strangle Nyktos and maybe kiss him.
He obviously hadn’t forgotten what I’d said about his guards. This speech accomplished two things. It gained favor with those displeased with me and, in the process, checkmated me in a rather impressive way.
Because Nyktos had just ensured that all in the room would be highly unlikely to aid me in any future attempts to go to Kolis. Something Nyktos may have never considered if I hadn’t opened my big mouth and told him how his guards would’ve been happy to see me gone. Not only that, they’d be watching me even closer now that they knew what I was capable of attempting.
I looked over my shoulder at him, my eyes narrowing. “Clever bastard,” I whispered.
One side of his lips curved up. “I know.” The essence brightened in his eyes as he tipped his head down to mine, bringing our mouths so close I thought for a moment he might actually kiss me. “But I meant every word I said. You are brave and strong. You will be a Consort more than worthy of their swords and shields.”
Dampness rushed to my eyes, and I quickly looked away. I had to. Ragged, raw emotion swelled. What he said meant the realm to me, because every word he’d spoken had been aboutmeandmyactions. Not what he believed about me. Not what I or the embers could do for him, but whatIhad chosen to do. And for the first time in my life, I felt like I was more than a destiny I’d never agreed to. More than the embers I carried within me.
I felt like…more.
Chapter 9
Orphine had led me off the dais, through the war room, and into the narrow corridor that led to the east wing and Nyktos’s office, then left me standing in the shadowy alcove, still dazed by Nyktos’s actions. Doubting that I was being left alone, I opened the door and halted mid-step.
What I saw was not at all what I’d expected.
Nektas sat on the settee across from a small table with a covered dish and a pitcher of juice, his long legs stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles. His arms were folded across his chest, stretching the material of his black shirt. His eyes were closed and his head tipped back, exposing the coppery flesh of his throat. His long, dark hair streaked with red fell over one shoulder where…
In her draken form, his daughter lay on her back beside him, her hind legs pressed into the cushion of the settee as she batted at the strands of Nektas’s hair with her front talons.