A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire 1)

“Having your blood in me has come in handy.” Nyktos’ gaze lowered, halting on my throat. His jaw hardened.

“Exactly how much does my blood let you feel of my emotions when I’m not around you?”

“Only if what you’re feeling is extreme.”

“Feels a bit intrusive,” I muttered.

Silvery, swirling eyes met mine. “Part of me is astonished and somewhat bemused that you could even feel anger about that right now.” A pause as his stare returned to my throat. “The other half is…” He didn’t finish, but thick tendrils of shadow spilled across the floor, forcing Ector to take a step back. The god’s head snapped in the Primal’s direction.

His reaction… Was he truly concerned? Did it matter if he was? Because I…I was valuable to him right now. No, not me. What I carried inside me was important. Of course, he would be concerned about losing the ember of life and whatever else his father may have done.

“Get me a towel.” Nyktos shifted, shielding my body with his, but there was so much hazy darkness gathering around him that I doubted either god could see much of anything. “Not that one,” he said as Saion neared, reaching for the one that had been on the stool. “One that hasn’t been touched.”

“Of course.” A moment later, Saion handed a towel over.

Nyktos whipped it around my shoulders, but he didn’t let go. He held the edges closed and brushed aside several more soaked strands of hair. The eather was all too bright in his eyes and in the streaks cutting through the shadows churning around him.

“He tried to strangle you?” Nyktos’ voice was soft—too soft.

“He tried,” I said, suppressing a shudder. “He failed, as you can see.”

That didn’t seem to ease the Primal as his fingers grazed my throat, the touch tender. “Your skin had better not bruise.”

My eyes shot to his. He’d said that as if he could somehow will it into reality, and I wasn’t sure why he cared.

“I’m okay,” I repeated, clasping the towel just below his hands. “I mean, I’m pretty sure I’ll never take another bath again in my life, but I’m okay.”

Nyktos stared at me, brows slightly pinched.

“That’s…that’s Hamid,” murmured Saion, and I caught a glimpse of him turning to where the man lay. “What the fuck?”

The name was familiar. It took a moment. “The…man who came to court to report Gemma missing?”

The man groaned, jerking my attention over Nyktos’ shoulder.

“He’s still alive,” Saion said at the same time Ector stepped forward.

Nyktos twisted away from me. “Don’t—”

It happened so fast…a bolt of silvery-white energy arcing across the bathing chamber to slam into Hamid. I sucked in a startled breath, jerking back. Nyktos folded an arm around my waist, catching me before I toppled over. He gathered me against his chest and stood, bringing me along with him. The aura of eather swallowed the man, crackling and spitting, and then there was nothing left but a fine dusting of ash.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to use this bathing chamber again,” I murmured, and Saion’s brows kicked up as he looked over at me.

Nyktos drew in a deep, forced breath as the shadows scattered away from him, retreating to the walls and corners. “You killed him.”

“Was I not supposed to?” Ector lowered his hand. “He tried to kill her, and for reasons, you are not too keen on that idea.”

“I would’ve thoroughly enjoyed his death after I spoke with him.” Nyktos pinned a glare on the god, and it was then that I realized the man hadn’t just been killed. His soul had been destroyed. “There will be no questioning him now.”

“Shit.” Ector apparently realized the same thing. He dragged a hand through his hair. “I might need to think before I act.”

“You think?” Nyktos snapped.

Ector cringed. “Sorry?”

“You’re cleaning up this mess,” Nyktos directed Ector then led me from the chamber.

“Gladly,” Ector remarked. “I think I’m going to need a bucket and a mop. Possibly a broom…” He trailed off under the Primal’s glare. “Or I could just use some towels and stuff.”

I started to look over my shoulder, but Nyktos led me toward the chaise as Rhain entered the bedchamber, drawing up short.

“Do I even want to know?” Rhain asked, sword in hand.

“Hamid just tried to assassinate Sera,” Saion answered from the doorway to the bathing chamber.

Confusion marked Rhain’s expression as he sheathed his sword. “Why in the hell would Hamid do that?”

“That’s what I would like to know.” Nyktos sat me down on the chaise. Flames roared to life from the quiet fireplace, causing me to jerk. My wide gaze slid to him. “Primal magic,” he said absently as if he’d only lit a candle. “Where is your robe?”

“I…I don’t know.”

He grabbed a throw blanket and then stopped. “You don’t need to let go of the piece of wood, but you do need to let go of the towel,” he said softly, and I blinked, realizing I was still holding the broken leg. “No one is looking.”