A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire 1)

My stomach flipped as I slowly shook my head. Hanan was the Primal of the Hunt and Divine Justice. “I don’t know what to say.”

“There’s nothing to be said. You brought her back.” Nyktos approached me, stopping a few feet away. The wisps of eather in his eyes were faint tendrils. “Thank you.”

I opened my mouth but came up empty for several moments. “Is she…she’s okay still?”

“She sleeps. I’m beginning to think that’s common after such an act, as Gemma did the same.” His gaze lowered. “You haven’t cleaned up?”

Nyktos had ordered that I be placed here, so that’s where I’d been. He seemed to remember that because he stiffened and then looked at Ector. “Can you grab me a clean towel and a small bowl of water from the kitchen?”

Ector nodded, pushing away from the desk. Nyktos remained where he stood. “Aios is with Bele, but she told me what Gemma shared with you all.”

“Good.” To be honest, I had already forgotten everything that Gemma had shared and what I’d realized afterward. “Did she tell you about Odetta?”

“She did.”

“Can we speak with her?”

“She passed too recently for that,” he said, and disappointment seized me. His features softened. “Her death and new beginning are far too recent. It could cause her to yearn for life, which would disrupt her peace.”

“I understand.” A bittersweet emotion swept through me. I would’ve liked to have seen her, but I didn’t want to risk her—wait. My eyes narrowed on him. “You’re doing it again.”

“Sorry,” he murmured, turning as Ector returned, carrying a small white towel and a bowl. “Thank you.”

The god nodded. “I’ll wait for Nektas.” He pivoted and then stopped, turning back to me. His gaze met mine as he placed his hand over his heart and bowed at the waist. “Thank you for what you did for Bele. For all of us.”

I went completely still.

“You’re surprised by his gratitude?” Nyktos asked, placing the bowl on the table beside the untouched glass of whiskey someone had poured for me. “And I’m not reading your emotions. Your mouth is hanging open.”

I snapped it shut as I watched him wet the end of the towel and then kneel in front of me. “What are you doing?”

“Cleaning you up.”

“I can do that.” I started to reach for the towel as Saion moved to stand by the door.

“I know.” He knelt in front of me. “But I want to do it.”

My heart—my foolish, silly heart—leapt. And if I were alone, I would’ve punched myself in the chest. This desire of his was likely born of gratitude. Not forgiveness. Not understanding. I lowered my hands to my lap. “So…um, why is Ector waiting on Nektas?”

“Because just in case Odetta did know something, I summoned the Fates—the Arae.”

My heart skipped. “I thought the Primals couldn’t command the Arae?”

“That’s why I’ve summoned them. They may not answer, and if they don’t, I cannot force them to.”

I exhaled slowly. “Do…you think Odetta knew something? That the Fates were involved?”

“It’s possible.” He carefully brushed aside the half-undone braid. “The Arae usually move unseen, but…”

I peeked up at him. His jaw had hardened, and the eather burned brighter in his eyes. He stared at my throat, lines bracketing his mouth.

“He will burn in the Abyss for all eternity.” His gaze flicked to mine and then shifted away as he gently dabbed at the wound. “Odetta could’ve known something about the Fates being involved.” He refocused. “As we’ve witnessed recently, stranger things have happened. Either way, we’ll know within a couple of hours if the Arae will answer.”

I desperately tried to ignore the brush of his fingers and his fresh, citrusy scent. “How do you think Kolis or Hanan will respond to this ripple of power?”

Nyktos appeared to mull that over. “Honestly? Kolis had to know that Taric and the other gods had come. By now, I’m sure he realizes they are dead. Bele’s Ascension will probably have left him and the other Primals…unsettled.”

“She doesn’t like that word,” Saion commented.

I shot him an arch look.

Nyktos moved onto a new section of the towel, dunking it into the water. “I think Kolis may hold off for a bit until he can figure out what he is dealing with.”

“And Hanan? How do you think he will react?”

“Hanan is old. He knows the truth about Kolis and my father.” He brushed the towel over the wound, and I jerked a little at the fleeting burst of biting pain. His gaze flew to mine. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I whispered, feeling my cheeks warm. “It’s nothing.”

Nyktos stared at me for a long moment and then returned to cleaning the blood from my neck. “Hanan keeps to himself. I don’t know his thoughts on Kolis, but it is unlikely that he will be thrilled by what he felt. Bele will be a threat to him. The other Primals will worry about the possibility of something occurring to them, as well.”