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)
“Well.” Kolis chuckled, lifting his goblet. “I must be as transparent as glass, Penellaphe.”
I had no idea if him using my name was good or bad.
Kolis finished off what was likely something best not thought about and then leaned forward, drawing his leg from the arm of his throne. He set the goblet down and straightened. “Leave. Everyone but Penellaphe and Attes.”
I dared to take a deep breath as the vampry on the stage scurried off. Doors opened behind us, but I didn’t look. I kept my eyes on Kolis as he stood. His gaze didn’t leave mine as footsteps hurried across the stone. He didn’t speak until the doors had closed.
“Tell me something, Penellaphe.” He walked to the edge of the dais. “What if I don’t believe you?”
I’m not afraid, I told myself as an icy slicing motion cut through my chest. He does not scare me. “What can I do about that?”
“I have a few ideas.” He reached the edge of the dais.
“If it requires the death of the only person besides us in this Hall, we’re already going to have problems.”
He lifted a brow.
“I may be submitting, but that doesn’t mean I’m for senseless killing.” I held his stare. “You’re the true Primal of Death. Not a psychotic murderer.”
“Really?” he drawled. “You may be the first to think that in…gods.” He laughed. “How long, Attes?”
“A long fucking time,” the Primal muttered. “But as you can see, she still has some of her original…qualities.”
I stiffened, telling myself not to focus on that. I’d have to ask about it later.
“That she does.” Kolis’s voice dropped, and it took everything to suppress a shudder. “What if I wanted a little senseless killing?”
“Depends on the killing.”
“Like?”
“If it involved a Fate or two, I wouldn’t mind.” I said the first thing that came to mind.
Real surprise shot across his striking features. “Really?”
“I’m not exactly fond of them. For a multitude of reasons,” I said, then decided for some extra realness to add. “Especially Lirian.”
Kolis barked out a short laugh. “Interesting.”
I watched him as he moved along the edge of the dais. If he would just get down here…
“What if I needed proof of your willingness to…submit?” he said, stopping directly above me. “What if I wanted to fuck you in front of Attes?”
A low growl rumbled out of the Primal as I went numb. Completely, utterly numb. My heart thudded. I couldn’t—wouldn’t—let things get anywhere close to that happening. “If you want that, then I misjudged you. And you might as well prepare.”
“For what, Penellaphe?”
“For a fight.” I let the eather surface just enough that I knew he felt the heat of life and the coldness of death. “I may not win, but I know I will hurt you. Badly.”
He went still again, his gaze unflinching. “You haven’t misjudged me.” Without warning, he jumped down, making me jolt. “I would never do such a thing with a woman I loved.”
Something in the words chilled me straight to the bone.
It made me think of what Casteel had said.
“I don’t know, Penellaphe.” Kolis stood several feet from me, the closest he’d ever been in the flesh. “I’m not sure if you can fulfill the offer you’re making.”
His statement caught me off guard. “What do you mean?”
“You’re kind. You always have been. And yes, I know this. I’ve known you for your entire life.”
Yeah, I was going to ignore that. “Do not mistake my kindness for weakness.”
“You see the good in the most rotten beings, demand fairness for the least just, and believe in second chances for those who would only waste them. You’re not like Seraphena.” He spat her name with venom as a foot of space disappeared between us. “You’re not conniving. You don’t seek retribution. You’re not a murderer like she is. So, do not act as if you are.”
A sharp, stifled burst of air escaped from my nose.
His crimson-streaked gaze narrowed. “Is there something you find funny?”
“You think you know me.” I spoke as I crossed my arms so my left hand was near the hook on the forearm sheath. “Clearly, you do not.”
“Do tell?”
“I do tend to see the good in those others only see the worst in.” I flicked the hook. “I do demand that even those who are unjust are due fairness. And yes, I refuse to live in a world that doesn’t believe people can be better and change if given a chance to do so.”
He leaned back with a low laugh. “It sounds like I do, in fact, know you.”
“But I can also see when there is no good left. I demand justice for the wrongs committed by those who thrive on inequality. And I believe second chances are earned, not freely given.”
Kolis arched a brow in challenge. “And?”
I stepped forward. Only two feet left between us. I slipped my fingers under my sleeve. “But when I do seek retribution, I am more vengeful than those whose blood I share.”