The Primal of Blood and Bone (Blood and Ash, #6)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Without the capability to love and hate, rejoice and mourn, gain and lose, there could be no balance. For every hardship, there must be prosperity. Hate could not exist without love. There could be no joy without knowing grief.

“You know, when you were taken captive, Poppy wanted to come straight to the capital and burn through the kingdom to get to you.” My lips curved up as I eyed her. That’s my girl. “She didn’t care about being a Queen or leading an army. Her only thought was getting to you,” he told me.

“You must be getting really tired of being the one to keep both Poppy and me in line.” Kieran chuckled as he approached. “Someone has to do it.”

“I don’t think I’ve told you this,” he began, his amber gaze sliding to mine, “but Poppy looks just as ravishing in armor as she does in her sleeping gown.” “Fucking gods,” I muttered. “You really don’t have any sense of self-preservation, do you?” He chuckled. “According to Netta, no.” My brows rose at the mention of Kieran’s sister. “Kieran is going to neuter you.” “Nah.” He grinned. “That would upset Netta.”

“She’ll need to feed. A lot.” “Emil is on standby for you.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m curious why it has to be him when others are available.” “Because it amuses me.” “Asshole,” I muttered.

“Get some sleep.” His mouth opened. “That’s an order from your King.” He huffed out a short laugh. “You’re already becoming a tyrant,” he muttered.

“I’m going to rip your hands off.” He stepped to the side just a few inches. “That’s not going to happen either.” I stalked toward him, the tips of my fingers stinging. “Then I’m going to beat you with your own fucking hands.” Reaver raised a brow, his lips moving silently as he repeated what I said. He chuckled. “That’s actually amusing to picture.”

“All I’m going to say—” “Is goodbye.” “Is that you two had better fix that nothing before she wakes and knows herself,” he said, meeting my glare. “Because the last thing she needs to deal with is you two being pissy with each other.” Pissy?

“Tawny.” That…name… “Hawke,” she replied, mimicking his bland, dry tone. For some reason, my lips tipped up. “Oh, I’m sorry. I mean…Casteel,” she continued as a sharp ache pierced the area behind my eyes. I breathed through it and squeezed my legs until my arms felt like they’d snap. “Or should it be Your Highness? Or do you prefer Your Excellency of Many Names? How about Your Majesty—?” “Cute,” the male interrupted. “Thank you.”

“I understand their reluctance,” the Primal said, snapping my attention back to him. “They should be wary. You?” His shrewd gaze roamed over me. “You don’t seem wary at all.” “I’m not,” I replied. “Because if you fuck with us or her, I won’t fuck with you back. I’ll rip your fucking heart out and then feed it to you.”

Okay hot

He would set his kingdom on fire for me, as I would for him. He had been, and always would be, my equal. He was my husband. My King. My heartmate. He was… “You’re my everything,” I swore to him. The earthy, fresh sense of relief flowed from him. “I could never not know who you are to me.”

“Poppy?” My breathing quickened again. There wasn’t an inch of space between our hips as his lazily churned against mine. “What?” “I’m waiting.” “Hard,” I snapped. “I was going to ask how you’re hard again—” “Poppy,” He feigned a gasp. “That’s an inappropriate question to ask.” “Are you fucking—?” He kissed me, capturing my lower lip as he ground his hips against mine. “I’m trying to.”

“You’re ridiculous.” “I think the word you’re looking for is horny.”

“They look more like they did before. They’re mostly green again.” “Really?” I blinked. “Are the other colors still there?” He nodded. “But they’re like flecks now instead of blotches.” “That sounds—” “Beautiful,” he interrupted, kissing the tips of my fingers. “And I think I know why.” “Do tell?” “I fucked you hard enough to change your eyes.” Another loud laugh erupted from me. “I’m sure that’s what did it.” The smile that tugged at his lips this time was wider, and the dimple in his right cheek winked to life. “Maybe it has to do with your current mood,” he said. “Although, I do prefer my original theory: that it was the power of my—” “Don’t finish that sentence,” I warned, the curve of my lips betraying my amusement.

“Including saying yes to that smart-mouthed, arrogant husband of yours.” I was crying again but also laughing. “He’s not…” “You’re not really going to claim that boy isn’t smart-mouthed or arrogant, are you?” I opened my mouth, then closed it.

“She would’ve burned the whole realm. But you would not, and that is a good thing. You will never know the horrors of the devastation giving in to your anger can inflict.” I thought about Lord Mazeen and the guards on the Oak Ambler Rise and about how I felt less mortal each day. “I don’t know about that.” “Not on the scale that she’s painfully familiar with,” he said quietly, and my gaze flew to his. “But Casteel? He would burn through the realms for you.” The memory of the shadowy, crimson-streaked eather appearing in Casteel’s flesh had me going completely still. “And he would do so without remorse,” Lirian added. “Which is why Vikter was incorrect. It is not your presence here that worries the other Fates. It is your husband.”

“She’s married,” Holland announced. “Happily so.” Golden-brown hair brushed the pattern along his jaw as he dipped his head. “Is that so?” he asked, the silver flecks in his swirling eyes brightening. “How happily?” There was something about his voice. It had lowered and smoothed, yet it sounded like a whisper and a yell at the same— Mother. Fucker. My nails dug into my palms as I smiled up at him. “Happily enough to rip your dick off.”

“Have I mentioned,” Thorne said, glancing at Holland, “that I really like her?” “Yes, you have.” Lirian pushed away from the window, focusing on Thorne as Holland rolled his eyes. “Why are you even here?” “Why are you here?” Thorne countered. “I was here first,” the Ancient shot back. “That wasn’t an answer.” Thorne took a drink. “To what I asked.” “Oh, my gods.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. They were as bad as Kieran and Reaver.

“Your husband has the temper of a rabid cat,” Aydun said, striding toward the opening. Poppy’s head jerked back as her gaze swept over the Fate. “Uh…” Aydun gave me a one-finger salute as he entered the opening. Once he was through, the tear closed behind him with a faint pop. I hadn’t moved. I was cemented to where I stood, the air locked in my chest. Blinking, Poppy turned her head toward me. “Were his…nipples pierced?”

Buttons snapped and popped free as the sharp, harsh crackle of fabric tearing filled the chamber. The robe split along the shoulders and down the middle of her back and arms. Her mouth dropped open. “You could’ve just undone the tie.” I rocked back. “Too impatient.” “It probably would’ve taken the same amount of time,” she reasoned. “I think the robe belonged to—” “Guess what?” I shucked off my breeches faster than I ever had. “I don’t give a fuck, Poppy.”

“What was it like? The other realm?” “It’s called the Continents, and it was…strange,” she said after a moment. “There were so many people, and none sounded or dressed like us. I saw women in pants barely reaching their knees and tops showing their stomachs.” “Sounds like a magical place.”

“You look like you’re about to faint.” “What?” His upper lip curled as he shot his gaze to me. “I’ve never fainted in my life.” “That would be a lie, sir,” Casteel said. “There was that time—” “Shut up.” Kieran’s eyes narrowed. “That didn’t count.” I glanced between them, curious. “What didn’t count?” “Nothing,” he muttered. I turned to Casteel. “If you answer that question,” Kieran warned, “I’m going to break one of your bones to find out if I can heal it.”

“He’s right, Poppy.” Kieran crossed his arms. “If you’re anything like an Atlantian after they finish their Culling, then you will need to feed more than usual.” “It’s so annoying when you two tag-team me,” I muttered. Casteel opened his mouth as what sounded like a choked laugh came from Kieran. “What?” I frowned, and then my eyes widened, my face heating. “That was not what I meant!” “Good. Because I think you like that kind of—” “Casteel,” I hissed.

STOP TEASING US JENNIFER

“You just don’t like him because Kieran doesn’t.” Sitting back, I crossed my arms. “He’s been extremely helpful, especially while freeing you,” I reminded him. “And he’s also very—” “If you say he’s nice,” Casteel interrupted, “I’m going to have serious questions regarding your definition of the word.” “She thinks you’re nice,” Kieran tossed over his shoulder as he went to the door. “I already question her definition.” I snorted. “He has a point.”

“Why,” he said, his voice low but light with amusement, “must you touch everything?” My lips pursed. “As I’ve said before, I’m a tactile person.” “If you need to feel something up, I have something you can get all kinds of tactile with later,” he remarked, causing my cheeks to flame. “And I believe you know exactly what I’m talking about.”

“There are no expectations, Poppy.” My breath stalled in my throat. He rested an arm on the wide ledge of the tub. “I know the Joining was…intense.” Intense was one word to describe what had happened along the banks of the River Rhain. I wondered if I would get to meet the god. And why, in all the realms, was I thinking about that now?

“A bond comes with a Joining. A deep connection between those who partake in the act. It’s intense.” I nodded. “I…I know.” “It’s hard for there not to be with that level of intimacy—one where our hearts move in the same beat, and we can more easily feel what the other is experiencing.” Wait. Did that mean—? “And just like with the act of a Joining, that can get…intense.” “You need to find another word,” I muttered.

“Who’s misbehaving?” Kieran asked, entering the main chamber. “Our Queen, per usual,” Casteel replied. “What? I was just standing here,” I said, turning in his embrace. “I was being responsible,” Casteel continued as Kieran handed him a glass of whiskey. “And she attempted to steal away my virtue.” Kieran’s lips pressed into a flat line as his gaze flicked over him. “I wasn’t aware you had any of that left.”

“Right now,” I muttered, stepping around him, “I dislike both of you.” “You, Cas, and I all know that’s not even remotely true,” he replied.

“Are you smiling?” “Kind of,” he replied, his golden eyes twinkling with amusement as he straightened his two broken fingers. I blinked slowly. “You are all so dysfunctional.” “Well, you know you can’t spell—” I spun on Casteel. “Do not finish that sentence.”

“Setti’s been keeping secrets,” she said. “Secrets?” My brows lifted. I knew people were waiting for us, but I had to ask. “My…horse has been keeping secrets?”

“I don’t expect you or anyone else to do what I am unwilling to do myself.” His mouth opened and then snapped shut, his nostrils flaring. “That’s the most idiotic ideology ever.” “Really?” I said dryly. “Because I learned it from you.”

“Gianna made sure nothing happened to me,” she was quick to say. “I know you don’t like her—” “I never said I didn’t like her,” I cut in, frowning. Pulling away, Tawny crossed her arms. “Did you or did you not threaten to tear her apart, limb by limb, and feed her—” “To a pack of hungry barrats if she had feelings for me,” Casteel finished for her. “The answer would be yes.” I pursed my lips. I had.

“That’s a red flag,” Tawny murmured. “I’m a walking red flag,” he replied with a grin that brought out his dimple. Tawny looked over at him for a moment and then laughed. “There is something wrong with you.” “I have been saying that since I met him,” I said. “You love my wrongness,” he retorted.

“I’m fine,” I insisted. “Ya almost passed out before you fixed up Harland,” a different mortal said, an older man with deep lines in his features. “I saw ya.” He coughed and winced. “Never thought I’d see a god pass out—” “I wasn’t about to pass out.” “She was,” Hisa argued, and my eyes widened on her. She cringed, a rare expression for her. “Sorry, but you need to rest.” “Traitors,” I muttered. “I’m surrounded by traitors.”

“You’re going to get cleaned up. Then, I’m going to feed you,” he said, straightening. “And then you will sleep.” “What happened to fucking?” I asked. Casteel’s eyes flared to a bright amber. “The only thing I want more than that is for you to be healthy and strong.” He held on to me as I stepped into the tub. “The fucking can—and will—commence later.”

“Once you settled from the nightmare, you started wiggling your ass against me,” I told her. “And I, being thoughtful and not wanting to wake you—” “Really?” she said dryly. “Yes. Really. I tried to move away. But then you grumbled at me, sounding like an angry, feral cat.”

“Motherfucker.” Reaver stretched his neck from side to side as the ridges of scales appeared in his flesh and deepened in color. “We don’t have time for this, but if you want to do this, then we’ll do this.” “No one is doing anything!” I crawled forward. “Stop! Stop it right now, Casteel Hawkethrone Da’Neer.” I don’t know why I thought using his full name would make a difference. It didn’t.

“I really need to speak to the two of you,” Reaver said from the other side of the door a second before it swung open. Casteel sighed, and my lips twitched. Reaver really had no sense of self-preservation. “You okay?” Casteel asked me. “Don’t mind me,” the draken said dryly. “I’m just standing here staring at your naked ass.”

“If you keep looking at my dick like that, I’m going to have to kick Reaver out of this chamber.” “I would like to stop looking at your dick,” Reaver commented. “You sure about that? I think you like staring at my dick.” Shaking my head, I stared at the canopied bed top. It was way too early— “That would be the wolf,” Reaver replied. “Not me.”

“Leave,” Casteel growled. “We’ll let you know when you have actual permission to enter.” “You’d better make it quick,” Reaver said. “I doubt either of you wants to be mid-coitus—” “Coitus?” Casteel huffed out a low laugh. “The first time you meet her,” Reaver finished.

“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.”

“Well, that’s not as bad as me staring at…” Her gaze flicked to Casteel, lingering for far too many seconds before sliding to Kieran, who was staring at her like…well, like he was staring at the actual person responsible for the creation of his people. “Who, I assume, is your husband.” Her arched brows rose. “Or husbands?” I did not hear her correctly. There was no way. Casteel or Kieran—possibly both—made a sound similar to a choked laugh.

“Did the three of you complete a Joining?” That was the very absolute last question I wanted my grandmother to ask me. I could feel the heat creeping into my cheeks as I forced my voice to level. “Yes. It was, um, a very run-of-the-mill type of Joining.” “Run-of-the-mill?” Casteel murmured under his breath. I ignored him. “It seems to have had some…” Kieran tilted his head to the side. “Unexpected results.”

“Aydun?” she repeated. Reaver stopped and faced us. “The…Fate, Aydun?” “If we’re speaking about an Aydun who has his nipples pierced,” Casteel replied as I scanned the hall—nothing looked different, “then yes.”

“He did sound like he was familiar with you and Nyktos,” Casteel commented. “And he eats more than that draken does.” “Reaver is still a growing youngling,” Seraphena said, and my eyes tracked the pink staining his cheeks before he faced forward again. “He needs to eat often.” “Aww,” Casteel mocked, an amused smirk playing across his lips. “Does Reaver-butt also need extra nap times?” Reaver’s head snapped around, and his upper lip peeled back. A low rumble started from deep in his chest— “He does need extra sleep,” Seraphena answered. Casteel’s smirk spread. “And does—?” I smacked his chest with the back of my hand. “Ouch.”

“He was always…amicable toward me.” Casteel huffed. “He has a way of being infuriating while being civil.” “True.” I paused. “I did kill him once for annoying me.” Seraphena laughed. “That makes my heart happy to hear.” That was kind of disturbing. But so was the fact that her statement made me grin.

“You two remind me of Ash and me,” Seraphena commented. “Really?” I drawled. “Have you stabbed Nyktos?” “Casteel!” Poppy exclaimed, smacking my chest. “Because she has stabbed me,” I continued. “Oh, my gods!” she hissed, swinging her hand again. I caught her wrist as I lowered my mouth to her ear. “So incredibly violent,” I murmured, then added for just her, It makes me incredibly hard. “You are so incredibly dysfunctional,” she hissed. “You know what I think?” I drawled. “That you forgot you can’t spell dysfunctional without—” “Don’t—” “Actually,” Seraphena interrupted. “I have stabbed Ash.” Poppy stopped fighting and turned to Seraphena. “You have?” “Yep.” “Must run in the family,” I muttered.

“You told me to ask you later why you care about your life,” I reminded him. “It’s later.” Seconds ticked by in silence. I peeked at him. Our eyes met, and I felt like I could fall into the pools of amber. Then he said one word. “You.” My lips parted on a sharp inhale. “It was meeting you,” he continued, my heart picking up speed, thumping heavily.

“Nothing,” he cut in, clasping my cheeks. His voice dropped and thinned until it became a shadow against my lips. “Absolutely fucking nothing will ever change what I see when I look at you or feel when I think of you.” Words failed me as I stared up at him. “And I never see you as just Poppy,” he continued. “Not when all I can see is my everything. My world.”