“Two halves that make a whole. Heartmates,” Nektas said, drawing my gaze. He watched closely. “That’s what the Arae call it. It’s rare but real, and I never heard of it occurring between mortals. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. The loss of one’s other half can be…catastrophic. If your parents were heartmates, then I pity your mother.”
I wouldn’t gothatfar. Not after doing nothing to stop Tavius or making any real attempt beyond relying on me to better the lives of her subjects. Not anymore. She was lucky I hadn’t told Nyktos to take her into the Abyss.
“But it would make sense that your parents were that,” he said, leaning into the settee.
“Why is that?” I scratched Jadis under her chin, and she hummed, her eyes closing. My smile grew.
“Heartmates usually only occur between two people whose unions are linked to some great purpose.”
“Like how aviktoris assigned to watch over someone?” I asked, speaking of those who lived numerous mortal lives to serve as protectors or guides to those the Fates determined would be harbingers of great change and purpose.
He nodded. “Perhaps fate brought your parents together to make sure the embers of life were born as Eythos intended.”
“Perhaps.” I took a drink and then offered the juice to Jadis. She turned her nose up at it. “How much do you know about what Eythos did?”
“Everything.”
“Then you know I wasn’t being foolish last night. If I can make it to Kolis, I could be successful.”
“Maybe. But at what cost?”
“Does the price matter when we’re talking about stopping Kolis?”
“The price should always matter when it comes at the cost of a life,” he said.
The crack that had formed trembled deep in my chest. “But that’s a price I will pay either way.”
“You don’t know that.” Nektas glanced at the doors at the same moment I felt a warm buzz in my chest. “He comes.”
I busied myself by shoving half a slice of buttery bread into my mouth as Nyktos entered the chamber. I didn’t look up, but I felt his stare on the back of my head. Jadis had the absolute opposite reaction, whipping around in my arms and stretching up to look over my shoulder. She let out a loud, excited chirp right in my ear as she strained against me.
The Primal swooped her up out of my arms as he passed.
“Traitor,” I muttered, peeking up to see Jadis wrapping herself around him like a little tree bear, her eyes closed and tiny claws digging into where he had his hair pulled back into a small bun at the nape of his neck.
The scene was so sweet I was surprised my teeth hadn’t started to ache.
“Sera got her to eat off a fork,” Nektas announced.
“Really? And here I thought Jadis would be eating with her…” Rubbing the little draken’s back, he turned to us. He scowled as his gaze landed on the table. On me. “Is that all you’ve eaten?”
“It is.” I picked up a napkin.
“You can’t possibly be done,” Nyktos muttered, placing Jadis on the chair by his desk. She popped up, only one crimson eye visible above the back of the chair.
“You can’t possibly be monitoring my food intake,” I retorted.
“You two are entertaining,” Nektas murmured. His daughter jumped down and scampered across the floor. Nektas bent, picked her up, and placed her on the couch. She curled into a ball beside his thigh.
“If you find this entertaining,” I said as Jadis let out a loud yawn, “you must be bored.”
Nyktos huffed. “He is.”
The draken smirked.
“The only reason I was commenting on the food was because of the Culling. You don’t want to run the risk of weakening and falling into stasis.” His eyes met mine as he came forward and picked up a slice of bacon. “If you would like something else to eat, I’m sure I can have it prepared for you.”
“That’s not necessary.” I fiddled with the hem of thetablecloth. “Besides, I don’t think there’s enough food or sleep in either realm that will prevent what’s coming.”