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

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Every beginning has an end. But for every end, there must be a new beginning. That’s what the ten dreamed. The fall of ruin and wrath. And the rise of blood and bone.

I dragged my stare from her as Attes stepped around Kieran to join me. His footsteps made no sound. His eyes met mine, and then he looked down. He jerked back quickly, his face paling so rapidly I thought he might topple over. His lips moved, forming words too fast and low for me to catch as eather lit up his wide eyes.

The Queen of the Gods had answered my prayers.

“Are you trying to take a swim?” Casteel put an arm under mine and hauled me from the water. “Or are you trying to play with dead things?” “Neither,” I gasped, once more on my feet and racing back toward the shore. “Thank you.” Giving me a wink over his shoulder, he grabbed my hand and picked up speed as the dock collapsed behind us.

“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. It took a moment for his words to register, but when they did, my heart lurched, and my head jerked down. “Her?” “Yes. Her. The One who is born of Blood and Ash, the Light and the Fire, and the Brightest Moon,” he said. “The true Primal of Life and the Queen of the Gods and Common Man.”

Her lips curled up. “I should talk you out of whatever you’re thinking.” “But you’re not going to,” Reaver cast over his shoulder. Her smile widened. “Nope.” Now, my brows shot up. “Really? You’re the true Primal of Life.” “I’m also extremely petty and prone to acts of violence when angered,” she replied. “Well, now we know where you got that from,” Casteel murmured.

“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.

“Actually,” Seraphena interrupted. “I have stabbed Ash.” Poppy stopped fighting and turned to Seraphena. “You have?” “Yep.” “Must run in the family,” I muttered.

Wait. What? I looked back, and…yep, Malik had a growling Delano in a headlock. “Is Malik. And the very unfriendly, fluffy ball of fur is Delano,” he continued. My brows shot up. “And you.” He turned narrowed eyes on the Primal. “I’m going to pretend I don’t see your ass here.” Attes folded his arms. “Fine by me.”

I may have donned the veil, but I had not become the Maiden.

The Primal mist unfurled, revealing Kolis. His face was more bone than flesh, his eyes burning like hot coals. And he was a fucking mess.