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)
“It would make me happy,” she said. “Especially if you two don’t start fighting.”
The draken sighed. “Whatever.” He pivoted on his heel.
“Hold on,” I told him. “I want to talk to you really quick.” Ignoring whatever Reaver said under his breath, I turned back to Poppy. “I’ll be right back.”
Surprisingly, she nodded. I’d expected her to demand to know why I wanted to speak with Reaver privately, but then again, her mind was likely elsewhere. Dipping, I kissed her cheek. “I’ll only be gone for a few moments.”
Pulling myself away from her was hard. I didn’t like leaving her when she was like this, but there was something I needed to address.
They’ll come for her.
Drawing the bedchamber doors partially closed, I turned to where Reaver waited. “Keep walking.”
Hands fisting at his sides, he turned. “Lead the way, then.”
Brushing past him, I walked us into the Solar. I had no idea how good Poppy’s hearing was now, and I didn’t want her to overhear. Glancing around, I spotted the balcony doors and started toward them.
“Are you going to try to throw me off the balcony?” Reaver asked.
I opened the doors. “Don’t tempt me.”
Reaver’s chuckle was raspy. “You do realize I would just shift if you did.”
“I’d make sure you couldn’t,” I replied as we stepped into the dim, gray light of dawn. Cold air curled around us, drawing a frown from me. “Fuck, it’s colder than it should be…” I squinted as something drifted past my face. Several small, white flakes. “Is that snow?”
“Yeah.” Reaver stood with his back to the railing, his arms crossed. “I’m guessing this isn’t a normal weather pattern here?”
“No.” It should be warm at this time of year. Not as hot as in the summer months, but it never snowed in Carsodonia. Not even on the coldest days of what was winter here. I inhaled sharply. The imbalance Aydun had warned about was rearing its head again.
Pushing that aside, I turned my attention to Reaver. “How much do I need to worry with her coming here?”
Reaver frowned. “As I told Poppy, she has nothing to worry about. She is of Seraphena and Nyktos’s blood.”
“Not sure how much weight that carries,” I told him. I was confident she’d answered my prayers, but I wasn’t willing to risk Poppy’s safety or well-being on the assumption. Especially not after what Aydun had said would happen if Poppy proved to be an…issue. They’d come for her. “Nyktos wasn’t all that friendly when we met him.”
“He can be that way.”
“And the way Nektas talked, there was a chance that neither of them would be especially welcoming of Poppy because of who she has become.”
Reaver frowned. “Seraphena would rather slit her own throat than harm her son’s child.”
“That doesn’t mean she won’t.”
He frowned. “No, I suppose it doesn’t. If Poppy proves to be a threat.” His gaze met mine. “Same goes for you.”
Tension crept into my muscles. I didn’t give a fuck about me when it came to them. It mirrored what Aydun and Attes had said way too closely. The Fate had said more, though. “Whether she is a Primal or a mortal, Poppy is good to the core. She will not be a threat.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about.”
“And if you’re wrong?” I held his stare. “I don’t give a fuck what or who she is. If she goes after Poppy, I will destroy her.”
The essence hummed in my blood as I held Reaver’s stare. He didn’t like what I’d said. Too bad. “And I have a feeling that’s not an impossible task.”
His lips thinned. “Possibly not, but even with there being a Primal of Life and Death, such an act would cause the kind of destruction you’ve been blessed to have never seen.”
“You think that would stop me?”
“No.” He lifted his chin. “But if you so much as lift a hand against her, you’ll have Nyktos to contend with. As well as Nektas.”
I remembered what he’d said about Seraphena and Nyktos being family. “And you?”
He held my stare. “You can count on it.”
“And?”
Reaver stared, then chuckled under his breath. “Well, it appears we’re on the same page then.” He inclined his head. “I’ll go find your wolf.”
I didn’t stop him when he turned. I waited until he had crossed the Solar and then entered.
They’ll come for her.
My hand fisted at my side as I stared at the large, oval table. They. Aydun had been talking about Seraphena and Nyktos. And the other reigning Primals.
And if they did?
The Ancients Aydun had warned about—those who slumbered in this realm and Iliseeum—would be the very least of their problems. Not even Kolis would be a threat they needed to be concerned about.
I would be their problem.
CHAPTER 34
CASTEEL
When I entered the chamber, Poppy was still on the bed, staring at her hands. I wasn’t even sure she was aware of my return.