The War of Two Queens (Blood And Ash, #4)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Whether she ruled over all the lands and seas or was the Queen of nothing but a pile of ashes and bones, she would—will—always be my Queen. Love is too weak an emotion to describe how she consumes me and what I feel for her. She is my everything.”

“What’s her name?” His smile vanished, and his features sharpened as he stared down at me from his perch. “Her name is a shadow in the ember, a light in the flame, and the fire in the flesh. The Primal of Life has forbidden us to speak or write her name.” Disbelief flooded me. “That sounds incredibly controlling.” “You don’t understand. To speak her name is to bring the stars from the skies and topple the mountains into the sea.”

“I cannot be the only person who’s sitting here thinking that the name Kolis is awfully similar to Solis,” Vonetta remarked.

“I was born with the flesh and fire of the Primal god in my blood. Make no mistake, with each passing day, I feel less like a mortal than I did the day before.”

“When it comes to the Consort and choice to act or not, she would weigh the concerns, toss them aside, hope no one was paying attention, and just do it.” Dusky lashes lifted as he gave me a sideways glance. “Sound familiar?” “No,” I muttered, and Reaver chuckled, the sound just as rough as the laugh.

“Shit.” Malik pitched to the side, coughing as he braced his weight on one arm. “That hurt more than any of his punches did. I think you cracked a few ribs.” “I’m about to crack your face if you say one more word,” I retorted. “Crack his face?” Casteel repeated, his brows flying up. “Yours, too,” I warned. A slow, bloody grin spread across his lips, and that stupid, godsforsaken dimple appeared. I just knew he was about to say something that would make me want to punch him.

“You’ll probably be concerned to hear this, but also not surprised,” Casteel said, and the smoky, spicy flavor in my mouth crowded out the taste of death. “But I found that wildly…hot.” “There’s something wrong with him,” Reaver muttered from behind us. “Isn’t there?” There most definitely was, but I loved him for it.

“Reaver,” I said. “There’s something I would like you to do for me, and you’ll be really happy about it.” The draken’s smile was bloodthirsty as he walked between Casteel and me.

“I call upon the essence of the goddess Bele—the great huntress and finder of all things needed. I ask that you guide me to what I seek to find, connected by blood, name, and belonging.”

I threw my head back and screamed the name. Not that of the King of Gods, but the Queen of Gods. The true Primal of Life.

My entire being focused on Isbeth. She stood behind the altar, almost transfixed. And the endless fury I felt from her joined mine. Her. Seraphena. The true Primal of Life. The one I’d gotten the gift of life and healing from. Not Nyktos. His gift was the shadows in my skin, the death in my touch, and the coldness in my chest. My will swept out from me, rushing over the Bone Temple and the grounds below and beyond. I took a step, and I did so as something infinite. Something Primal

I gave sound to my rage. To hers. The scream that ripped from my throat wasn’t just mine. It was ours

“I was once taught that all beings are worthy of an honorable, quick death. I no longer believe in that. For your death will be dishonorable and endless. Nyktos awaits the start of your eternity in the Abyss.”

Kolis is not the only one who has awakened. The Consort and Nyktos no longer sleep. That means the gods will be awakening all across the many Courts of Iliseeum and in the mortal realm, and many of their loyalties do not lie with the Primal of Life. The war you fought hasn’t ended. It has only just begun.”