“I imagine he is somewhere.”
I didn’t believe him. And based on the tension in Attes, he didn’t either. Technically, saying that the Fate was somewhere wasn’t a lie. The stitches in the veil strained, letting a trickle of ice hit my veins. I cut it off. It didn’t matter. I only needed to get close to him. And if a Fate wasn’t here, that was better for me. Maybe I wouldn’t end up in stasis again. “Where is the woman who claimed to be Isbeth?”
“Your mother? She hasn’t returned from her visit with you.” He took a drink. “I do hope you welcomed her with open arms.”
My stomach twisted, and I barely managed to stop myself from asking if it had really been her. That also couldn’t matter right now.
Kolis’s gaze briefly flickered to my side, his smile thinning as he eyed Attes. “So, where is that…husband of yours?”
“You asked me to come,” I said. “Not him.”
“Actually, if I recall correctly, Isaidthat I would love for him and the wolven to come,” he replied, gaze snapping back to me as he lifted the goblet. “You didn’t obey.”
My skin prickled as if a swarm of biting ants had been unleashed. “That’s because Ichoseto come. I didn’t choose to obey you.”
Again, Attes sent me a look that screamed I needed to change tack. But based on how my last interaction with Kolis had gone, I doubted he would believe it if I came in fawning all over him.
“What choice did you have when I presented you with an option I’m sure you found distasteful?”
The veil was completely in place when I said, “You threatened the lives of people I don’t know. People who served the Blood Crown. I’m not here for them.”
A single eyebrow rose. “Really?”
“Really.”
Eyeing me, he took another drink. When his hand lowered, a sheen of crimson remained on his lips. “So, where is he?”
“I’m not here to discuss his whereabouts.”
One finger tapped off the side of his cup. “And what do you think you’re here for?”
“Apparently, to see exactly how far my patience can be stretched.”
The curve of his lips faltered as the air charged. “Sotoria—”
“My name is Penellaphe,” I cut him off as I forced myself to walk forward. “You may have known me as Sotoria, but if you have any interest in knowing me now, you will do so by knowing who I amnow.”
His head cocked in a fluid, serpentine manner that caused a chill to spiral down my spine. “You want me to get to know you as Penellaphe?”
I lifted a shoulder. “I want to survive.”
Kolis’s gaze flicked to Attes and then returned to me. “Is that so?”
“I know how this ends.” I took a few more steps forward, noticing the ones who tensed weren’t Revenants.Theyremained like statues. It was the gods who grew wary. “My soul won’t be reborn this time. That is,” I continued, speaking words that tasted bitter, “if I do what I’ve apparently done in the past.”
“And what is that?” he questioned.
“Fight this,” I forced my voice to remain level. “Fight you.”
Kolis went completely still. “This is quite the change in attitude since our chat on the Cliffs.”
“It’s not. Not really. What I told you is true. I know what you want.”
“You also said I would not get it.” He leaned back. “Then, you threatened to kill me.”
It wasn’t like I expected him to forget that. “I did.”
“You changed your mind that quickly?”
