Like I gave a fuck what his name was.
The look on his face left me wondering if he could somehow hear my thoughts.
“You ready to behave yourself?”
I clamped my jaw tight.
“I’ll take your silence as a yes.” He winked.
It was like someone had snipped the invisible strings holding me in place. Control came rushing back, and I stumbled forward, catching myself as the fur receded and my teeth and fingers returned to normal.
“Huh.” He studied me. “Now that I can see your features…”
I forced myself to take a deep breath, reminding myself of what was at stake. If I provoked him and he lashed out, Poppy would inevitably pay the price. “What about them?”
“You know exactly what. You met saidwhat.”
“Attes,” I guessed. Considering this guy was a Fate, I shouldn’t be surprised to learn that he knew I’d had a meet-and-greet with the Primal.
“I can tell you’re going to be as problematic as him.” His gaze flicked away. “Your Queen did a very, very bad thing.”
Tension returned to my muscles. “What do you thinkmy wifedid?”
Aydun huffed. “She crossed the Primal Veil.”
My brows snapped together. “The fuck?”
His eyes rolled, and with those churning colors, it was a strange sight to behold. “Do you think this realm—the one that holds Solis, Atlantia, and even Iliseeum—is the only one? If so, I’ve truly underestimated the arrogance of the Atlantians.”
“Can’t say I ever gave it much thought.”
“Of course not.” He gestured at the other chair. “Have a seat.”
“I’m good.”
“It wasn’t a request.”
“I know.” I remained right where I stood. “Arae or not, I don’t trust you.”
The colors in his irises spun and then settled. “I did not come here to harm you. The last thing I want to deal with on top of the messyour wife’sAscension caused is said pissed-off wife.”
“Her Ascension—”
“Don’t lie to yourself,Casteel. Or to me.”
My hands fisted. I wasn’t surprised that he knew my name. He was a Fate. But I didn’t like hearing him say it. “So, Kolis is awake. That’s not her fault.”
“You’re correct. It’s not.” He extended the other leg. “But that’s not the mess I’m talking about. What I’m speaking about is what is beyond the Veil. What your wife’s Ascension caused.”
I fought the urge to claim that she hadn’t caused anything. But that wouldn’t get me answers or tell me where my wife was. “She felt pain and death in a way I’ve never seen her experience it before.”
“She felt the pain and death of thousands—tens of thousands. And then some,” he stated, causing my entire body to jerk. “When the loss of life is that great, a Primal of Life will always be drawn to it. Being that she is a true Primal of Life, she was not immune to the need. Neither was Seraphena, but she couldn’t cross the Primal Veil as easily as yourwifeapparently can. Seraphena was stopped. Your wife could not be.”
I probably shouldn’t have felt pride at hearing that, but I did.
“Luckily, I was able to keep you from making the same mistake. Though imagining Holland dealing withbothof you?” A grin appeared. “That would’ve been entertaining.”
“Are you…?” My chest hollowed. “Are you saying she is in some land beyond a Veil with someone named Holland?”
