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)
“You have three Primal gods,” I interrupted, leaving out the Deminyen part.
Valyn’s head swung in Casteel’s direction.
“And I think that evens out the playing field,” I finished.
“You really think that?” Gayla asked, no challenge in her voice.
“Were you in Lowertown when the ceeren attacked?” When she nodded, Casteel smiled tightly. “Then you know what your Queen is capable of.”
“A god perished in Lowertown,” Aylard graciously reminded those within the sandstone walls.
“A god sacrificed himself for the realms,” I fired back. “And his name was Rhahar.”
“Fuck,” Valyn muttered, dragging a hand over his face. “Malik told me what happened in Lowertown, but I didn’t know it was Rhahar.” He lowered his hand and looked toward Casteel. “So, what does this mean for you?” He jerked his chin at Kieran. “And Kieran, I assume?”
Casteel smiled as he let the essence rise to the surface. There were several curses and gasps when the shadows made an appearance.
Malik sat up and leaned away. “Gods, fucking unnecessary,” he muttered.
Valyn simply stared, the paperweight nearly falling from his grasp. “That’s…unexpected.”
Smirking, Casteel turned his stare on Aylard. The Elemental quickly found the wall across from him very interesting.
“Wait.” Vonetta twisted toward her brother. “Are you telling me you can do that?”
“I got the other side of Poppy’s abilities.” His brows rose as he took a drink. “And no, I’m not into show-and-tell like Cas.”
For a moment, I thought Vonetta might punch her brother.
The eather within me suddenly rose, responding to the more intense pulse in Casteel. Kieran felt it, too. We both looked at him.
His jaw flexed as he attempted to calm the essence in him.
“Does Kolis know about you two?” Valyn asked.
“I don’t believe so,” Casteel said.
Eyeing his glass, Valyn nodded. “Then that is an advantage.”
“It’s not our only advantage,” I shared. “Another Primal god will be arriving soon. An old one.” I glanced at Valyn as I drew my lip between my teeth. “A god of war.”
Valyn’s knuckles had bleached white from how tightly he held the paperweight. One quick glance at Casteel and his brother revealed that both had noticed it.
“A Primal God of War?” Sven questioned. “Theon? Lailah?”
“No. A much older Primal god,” I said, quickly explaining that it was a Primal who’d abdicated his crown and Court upon going into stasis.
Sven knew what the Courts meant. Half the chamber did not. As I explained it, I noticed how Casteel watched his father. Valyn stared straight ahead, his hand closing and loosening around the paperweight. I opened my senses. He had his shields up, probably because of my presence since he didn’t know that Kieran or Cas could also read emotions now, but there were cracks in it. That surprised me. He was as hard as Casteel to pick up emotion from, but he was exhausted, and his mind was likely on many things.
What I picked up from him wasn’t exactly unease. Uncertainty, maybe? There was something under it, though. The nutty flavor of resolve or acceptance.
Valyn’s gaze met mine, and I could tell he realized I knew. I thought back to how Seraphena had suggested Casteel speak to his father about how she had interfered in the War of Two Kings. But did that mean Seraphena knew who Valyn was? What he was? How could she not?
“And when is this Primal god coming?” Gayla asked.
“Soon,” I said. “But that was all we were told.” I cleared my throat. “The Queen of the Gods also shared that she, and by extension Iliseeum, would give aid. There will only be so much they can do given the effect the Primal gods tied to Courts have on the mortal realm while in it, but we are not standing against Kolis alone.”
There were several nods from around the table, but I could easily sense the building unease.
“We need to decide what our next course of action should be,” Lizeth said, drawing my attention.
“I spoke with the King earlier regarding a public address,” Hisa stated from where she sat beside the female wolven. “After speaking with Sven and some of our commanders, I believe we can do that tomorrow.”
“I feel it’s important to assure the people that we will do everything we can to keep them safe and that they hear it from us,” I said when several pairs of eyes landed on me. “Especially after the attack on Lowertown. But regarding Kolis?” I glanced at Valyn. “Was there any indication what kind of shape Kolis is in?”
“No.” Valyn sighed.
I let out a frustrated breath. “And how long ago did Varus give you his message?”
The skin at the corners of Valyn’s eyes crinkled. “Close to two days ago.”
My gaze met Casteel’s as I opened the notam to him and Kieran. We’re not going to learn what kind of condition Kolis is in without going there ourselves.
Agreed, Kieran communicated. We need to decide whether we wait to see what Kolis’s next move is or make one ourselves.