Only because he feared I would do something reckless, but not exquisitely reckless.
“I can easily see why.”
“And I can see you’re nowhere near getting to the point before I run out of patience,” Nyktos warned. “And I’m almost there, just so you know.”
Good gods, the way he spoke to the other Primal was shocking. I knew there was a hierarchy to the Primals, with the Primal of Death and Primal of Life being at the top, but still. This was the Primal of War.
Attes’s stare sharpened, hardening the handsome angles of his face. “You killed my Cimmerian. Those who came to your Rise.”
The swift change of subject threw me as Nyktos said, “They were not your Cimmerian. They served Hanan. And if you had such concern for them, you should have taught them better than to serve such a coward.”
Tension poured into the chamber, even as Nyktos’s finger continued drawing short, idle lines over the flesh of my thigh.
“As much as it pisses me off to admit this,” Attes said after a long moment, “you have a point there. But you also killed Dorcan. I was under the impression that you two were fond of each other.”
Dorcan…he had called Nyktos an old friend. I hadn’t thought much of it, because Nyktos didn’t consider any of those close to him friends. But that didn’t mean they weren’t.
“I may have tolerated him. But whatever tolerance I may have for someone ends when they come to my Court, make demands, and attack my guards. None of the other Primals would’ve done anything less.”
“You are usually more lenient than the rest of us.”
“Perhaps you don’t know me as well as you think you do,” Nyktos said. “So, what have you come to do, Attes? Lecture me on my lack of leniency? If so, what did you do to your brother’s guards when they stepped out of line?”
“Kyn’s guards were pieces of shit.”
“From what I heard, they were simply intoxicated and celebrating that night.”
“Their inability to handle their spirits wasn’t why I gutted them.”
“It wasn’t?”
“No.” Attes tipped his chin toward me. “I assume your soon-to-be Consort is wise enough not to repeat what is discussed here?”
“His Consort is wise enough,” I snapped, yet again failing to control my tongue.
“I do hope so,” Attes replied. “I also hope you’re more careful with your tone. I may find your boldness refreshing. Alluring, even. Others will not.”
“Those who do not likely won’t live long enough to wallow in their insult,” Nyktos responded before I could.
“Because you’ll make sure they’re dead before they can?”
Nyktos laughed darkly. “Because my Consort will likely plunge a dagger into their hearts before I’m even aware of what has occurred.”
His words shocked me and sent my heart thumping. He’d made it clear that I was no damsel to be protected, and I liked that—maybe too much.
“So, I should take the earlier threat to feed my eyes to me more seriously?”
I smiled at the Primal.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Attes refocused on Nyktos. “You going to tell me how in the holy fuck a god Ascended here in the Shadowlands?”
My heart stuttered at the blatant callout, but Nyktos didn’t react. Nothing except for the swipe of his finger coming shockingly close to my thin undergarment once more. I bit the inside of my lip as a rush of slick heat answered the indecent touch. Attes’s gaze lowered again, and I knew from where he sat and from how Nyktos held me, he could see precisely what Nyktos’s hand was up to. With the Primals’ increased senses, it was also likely he could tell how much it affected me. Heat scalded my skin, but not from shame. It should’ve been. Or, at the very least, anger. And there was a little bit of that—just enough to clear some of the languid warmth invading my senses. Nyktos was putting on a show. Not for me, but for Attes.
“It had to be Kolis.”
Attes snorted. “Come the fuck on, Nyktos.”
“I don’t know who else it could’ve been.”
“If it was Kolis, why would he have finally chosen to Ascend a god? Here, in the Shadowlands.”
“You’d have to ask him that.”
“I guess I will have to.”
I didn’t think Attes planned to do that, because it didn’t seem like he believed Kolis was capable of such a thing.
“I know it was a god from Hanan’s Court,” Attes said after a moment. “The only one I know who is often found in the Shadowlands is Bele.”
“She is often here,” Nyktos confirmed while I willed my heart to calm.
“Well, Hanan is having a godsdamn fit right now at Dalos, convinced that you, the Primal of Death, have somehow managed to Ascend a god. The other Primals are worried. That if one god can Ascend to challenge their position, then so can another.”
“You don’t look all that worried,” Nyktos pointed out, and he didn’t.
“That’s because I don’t fear someone taking my place.” He sat back, dropping his hand to his knee. “None of us has forgotten who your father was.” Attes held Nyktos’s stare, and my stomach dipped at the insinuation. “Or who you were meant to be.”
“You think there are embers of life in me?” Nyktos laughed, stirring the hair along the back of my neck. “That it was not Kolis but me who did it?”
Oh, gods, what if they did? What if Kolis believed that? Pressure clamped down on my chest, and I held my breath as my heart started to race. Nyktos gently squeezed my thigh.
“If it wasn’t Kolis, then there would have to be embers of life here,” Attes replied. “And you haven’t denied that.”
“Nor have I confirmed anything,” Nyktos countered, and I heard the smoky smile in his words. “I’m beginning to wonder if you’re here because of your curiosity or if you came on Kolis’s behalf.”
Attes went still once more. “Both would be true.”
My insides went cold as Nyktos leaned into my back. That dark energy rose again. “Is that so?”
“It is. I am curious about what has been occurring here.” The aura in Attes’s eyes brightened. “And Kolis has tasked me with delivering a message to you.”
“I didn’t know that he was now using you for such things.”
“I believe he chose me because I’m the closest.” Attes paused. “And one of the few you’d be less likely to toss into the Abyss once you hear the message.”
“I wouldn’t put a lot of confidence behind that belief.” Nyktos’s voice had dropped. “What is the message?”
“Kolis is aware that you’ve taken a Consort.” A muscle flexed in his jaw. “And His Majesty has decided to deny your right to a coronation.”
Chapter 15
The very air in the room seemed to stop. Kolis could…he could do that?
“Has he now?” Nyktos’s voice was soft—too soft.
“He has,” Attes confirmed. “Since there hasn’t been a coronation in many years, he wants it to be more…traditional.”
“What does that mean?” I asked, my mouth dry.
Attes inclined his chin. “It means that Nyktos must gain Kolis’s permission to crown a Consort.” His gaze flicked to Nyktos.
My lips parted. “Son of a bitch.”
The wisps of eather swirled in Attes’s eyes as his grin returned. He dipped his head, dropping his voice. “Did you just call the King of Gods a son of a bitch?”
“Uh…”
Attes laughed even as Nyktos’s body went icy against mine.
“And when does he expect me to do this when the coronation is to be held tomorrow?” Nyktos demanded.