More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Read between
September 24 - September 29, 2025
“The Ascended honor the gods by refusing the sunlight,” Forsyth shot back. “But you, being of a godless kingdom, wouldn’t understand that.” “The irony,” Emil drawled quietly, “is painful.”
Kieran gave me that wild grin as he straightened, only to stretch down to grasp a fallen spear scorched by the draken’s fire. “It’s about to get messy, meyaah Liessa.
“Find someplace to rest?” Emil looked over at me, his gold eyes wide. “And he chose that?” “That wasn’t exactly what I’d had in mind when I said that, but Reaver’s…going to be Reaver.”
Love Reaver
“Yes, that is your purpose. You are the Chosen, spoken of long before your birth. You were foretold. Promised.”
“Who is ‘birthed from the flesh and fire of the Primals,’” he finished. “And ‘will awaken as the Harbinger, the Bringer of Death and Destruction
“How? How has a Priest in Solis heard a prophecy spoken by a god eons ago?” Valyn pressed, even though he already knew. Isbeth. “A prophecy that only a handful of Atlantians have heard?” “Because we have always served the True King of the Realms.”
“Will you harm me? Threaten me with death? I fear no such thing.” “There are things far worse than death. Like her when she’s annoyed.” He jerked his chin in my direction. “She likes to stab things then. But when she gets angry? You’ll see exactly what a god is capable of.”
“Just like we all do,” the Priestess continued softly, joyfully, and her face lit up as if she spoke of a glorious dream. “As will you, the one whose blood is full of ash and ice.”
“She doesn’t like limitations either.” “Who?” “The Consort.”
“Why does the Consort sleep so deeply when Nyktos doesn’t?” Reaver looked down at his apple, not speaking for several long moments. “It’s the only way to stop her.”
“Stop her from what?” “From doing something she’d regret,” Reaver said, and my stomach lurched. “Both of her sons were taken from her. Neither may be dead, but neither are really alive, are they?” No. They really weren’t. “She’s angry. Furious enough to forget who she is. Enough to cause the kind of harm that cannot be undone.”
“Were you looking for me?” “What else would he be doing?” Reaver asked. Kieran’s eyes narrowed on the draken. “Literally anything that doesn’t include sitting in nothing but a sheet and eating an apple.” “So, not much, then?” Reaver quipped.
I’m fine. I would tell you if I wasn’t.” A muscle ticked along his jaw. “I have a feeling that’s a lie.” “Something I think we can agree on,” Reaver chimed in. “No one asked you,” I shot back. “So?” I exhaled slowly. “I think I like you better in your draken form.” “Most would agree with you on that.”
Perhaps it was also the Consort’s. She slept until at least one of her sons was returned to her because of what she might do if awake. In those strange glimpses I’d gotten of her, I’d felt her rage. Her pain. It’d felt like the kind that…undid things. And when I felt rage, I tasted death.
“But Vikter told me things that I couldn’t have known. Like a story about a god who had awakened long enough to prevent you from being harmed in the Skotos Mountains. He said that your suspicions were correct. That it was Aios who stopped you. He also told me it wasn’t just Nyktos who gave his approval for your marriage. That it was him and the Consort.”
“Okay.” I took a deep, shuddering breath. There was no way Tawny could’ve known all of that. “Was Vikter a spirit?” “No.” Tawny shook her head. “He’s a viktor
“A viktor is born with a goal—to guard someone the Fates believe is destined to bring about some great change or purpose. I got the impression that not all are aware of their duty, and they end up being there for that person anyway—like the Fates bring them together. I think other viktors are aware and are involved in the lives of the ones they’re protecting. Once they die, either while carrying out their purpose or from any other cause, their souls return to Mount Lotho.” “Where?” My brows lifted. “It’s where the Arae reside,” she explained. “Their souls return to Mount Lotho, where they wait
...more
from the desperation of golden crowns and born of mortal flesh, a great primal power rises as the heir to the lands and seas, to the skies and all the realms. A shadow in the ember, a light in the flame, to become a fire in the flesh. When the stars fall from the night, the great mountains crumble into the seas, and old bones raise their swords beside the gods, the false one will be stripped from glory until two born of the same misdeeds, born of the same great and Primal power in the mortal realm.’” She took a deep breath. “‘A first daughter, with blood full of fire, fated for the
...more
“That is much longer.” It was. “A first and second daughter? I’ve been called the second daughter, but who is the first? And in what context?” “I don’t know. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, me neither, but Vikter said that her name is power, and that to speak it is to bring the stars from the skies and topple the mountains into the sea.” I stilled as she basically repeated what Reaver had said. “But only when spoken by the one born as she and of a great primal power.”
“He told me you already knew her name.”
“What does he think he’s going to do buck-ass na—?” Kieran bit off as sparks of light erupted all over Reaver, and he shifted into his draken form. “Well, okay, he’s going to do that.”
“Afraid? Of you? The only thing about you that frightens me is your stench.” “So you say,” I murmured. “But I know the truth. Everyone here does. Your courage comes from keeping those stronger than you in chains.”
“I must confess something, my dear son-in-law.” Isbeth’s voice was a lash of flames. “You know what I never wanted to be? A Primal. I never wanted that weakness.”
“A god can be killed just like an Atlantian. Destroy the heart and the mind. But a Primal? You have to weaken them first. And do you know how you weaken a Primal? It’s rather cruel. Love. Love can be weaponized, weakening a Primal and becoming the blade that ends their existence.” A soft laugh echoed around me. Through me. “I wonder how much you even know about Primals. I must admit, I knew very little myself. If it weren’t for my Malec, I never would’ve learned the truth. I never would’ve known that a Primal could be born to the mortal realm.”
An ember of Primal life that could only ignite in the female lineage of the Primal of Life.”
“How was she partly mortal, Reaver?” There was a heavy sigh as if it were knowledge we should already have. “She was born with an ember of the Primal of Life in her.”
“Do not go all draken and start burning people, Reaver.” “Why not? It’s fun.” “That’s not fun for anyone—” “It is for me.” “Stay on your wagon,”
“I hope it doesn’t come to me having to make that choice, but I won’t be as noticeable as Mr. Burn Everyone over here if it does.”
“Can I burn them now?” Reaver asked as the remaining soldiers sprang into action.
I love him
Reaver crept in close, his voice only for me to hear. “Can I burn them
He didn’t move. That hand trembled. He shook. “I see it. I see her staring back at me.” “She must…he’s her viktor,” I heard Momma say in a voice that sounded wet. “Do you understand what that means? Please. She must…”
“Who is the golden one you speak of?” “Name’s Callum. He’s a Revenant. And there’s something really off about him.”
“I was here then. I feel like I’ve always been here,” she said with a sigh. “I’m old, Penellaphe. Almost as old as your King—”
No, it was the massive statue of the Primal of Life that had garnered the draken’s attention.
“I doubt Nyktos would be pleased to know his statue remains here,” I murmured. “That is not a statue of Nyktos.” Reaver’s words were a low rumble.
“Even in times of such uncertainty and fear, your faith in me has never wavered.” Kieran slowly turned his head to me. “I know,” I muttered. “And for that, I will not waver. And neither will the gods. Not in the face of a godless kingdom or the Harbinger
“‘The Harbinger and the Bringer of Death and Destruction to the lands gifted by the gods,’ has awakened,” the Blood Queen said,
“Unless you wish to alert the people to the fact that the Harbinger is among them.” My gaze shot to hers. “I’m not the Harbinger.” “You’re not.” She sent a pointed glance at the railing.
“They’re all perfect in one way or another. Beautiful.” Reaver scowled. “That’s the stupidest godsdamn thing I’ve heard in a while, and I’ve heard a lot of stupid.”
Isbeth eyed Kieran. “And you look as scrumptious as you did the last time.” Kieran’s lip curled. “I think I will vomit now.”
“Instead of fearing the false god in front of them? A demis who has stolen the essence of a long-forgotten Primal and used it to kill the King of Gods’ guards? Who sanctioned the slaughter of countless children in the so-called, honorable Rite?” I arched a brow at Isbeth. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I wonder how they will feel to learn that not even your name is real.” I laughed softly. “Fake, just like the Blessing. Just like the Rite and everything that makes up the Blood Crown. False, just like the god you believe you are.”
sparking. The air charged around me. “If anything happens to them, I will bring this entire castle down on your head, stone by stone.” “Goosebumps,” Callum murmured, lifting his arms. “You’ve given me goosebumps. Remarkable.” His gaze flicked to me. “I haven’t felt such power in, well…” The edge of his teeth dragged over his lip. “In a very long time.”
“I will make sure you die,” I promised. “And it will hurt.” “You know,” he drawled, leaning against the stone as he crossed his arms and jerked his chin toward Casteel, “he said the same thing.” “Then I’ll make sure he has the pleasure of witnessing it.”
but Poppy’s skin now had a faint sheen. A soft glow as if she were lit from within. I’d seen it before. What I didn’t remember was what I saw sliding and swirling under her cheek now. Shadows. She had shadows in her flesh.
“I need him to make my Revenants.” A ripple of understanding went through me. “You needed a god to Ascend the third sons and daughters. And you already had knowledge of Kolis’s essence and how to use it, thanks to Malec.”
mind couldn’t accept that this Handmaiden—this Revenant—was almost a mirror image of Poppy. But I couldn’t deny it. There was no way she wasn’t related to my Queen. “Who are you?” I choked out. “I’m the first daughter,” she said, and shit if that wasn’t another shock. “I was never meant to be. Neither was the second. But that’s neither here nor there at the moment. I prefer to be called by my actual name—Millicent. Or Millie. Either works.”
“You’re…her sister, aren’t you? Full-blooded.” “I am.” My thoughts raced. “Ires is your father, too.” She nodded.
“You’re a goddess.” Millicent laughed darkly. “I’m no god. What I am is a failure.” “What? If your father is—” “If you’re anything like your brother, then you think you know it all,” she remarked. “But, just like him, you don’t know what is and isn’t possible. You have no idea.”
“Then, her love for you will become one of the very, very few weaknesses she will have. You will be the only thing that can stop her then. If you don’t, Penellaphe will help end the realms as we know them, causing millions to lose their lives, and subjecting those who survive to something far worse. Either way, my sister can’t survive this. She will die in your arms, or she will drown the realms in blood.”
