“No.” I settled back. “I threw a bone at both of you.”
The unknown Fate turned back to where I sat with a frown. “Is that how you usually greet guests?”
“I’ve done worse.”
Aydun snorted. “Don’t we know.”
“You’ve been watching?” I asked, inclining my head. “Again?”
“We’ve all been watching,” he replied.
I sent him a smirk. “Have you all been entertained?”
“Entertained is…one way to put it,” the unknown Fate answered. “Disturbed—” The ravens returned, their croaks echoing from above. “Is another.”
“And who are you?” I asked.
“You may call me Kyriel.”
“I call him Ky,” Aydun announced, like I gave a fuck.
My head straightened. “Would you also say you were afraid, Kyriel? It’s okay, you know.” I smiled. “To be afraid.”
Aydun snorted. “We are not afraid.”
“Thought you all couldn’t lie.” I arched a brow. “Ah, but you and the rest of the Arae aren’t Primals. You’re something else entirely, and those rules don’t apply to you.”
“Careful,” Aydun murmured.
Propping my elbows on the arms of the throne, I leaned forward and whispered, “Ancient.”
The ink along the side of Aydun’s face throbbed in tune with his jaw. “I see our little chat had little impact on your choices.”
“Our little chat?” I huffed out a dry laugh. “Which part?”
“The one where he said you were her weakness,” Kyriel answered.
Cold essence throbbed in my chest.
The marks along Aydun’s face deepened in hue, becoming a darker russet. “Was I wrong?”
I said nothing, letting the essence appear along the sides of my face in the same pattern.
Both of their eyes narrowed.
Grinning, I sat back. “Why are you two here?”
Neither answered immediately. Kyriel stared at me with marked interest while Aydun eyed his surroundings. That eyebrow of his rose once more as his gaze traced the vines encircling the pillars. “This place sure has changed.”
“Do you like what I’ve done with it?”
“Not particularly.”
My stare slid to Kyriel. “And do you like what you’re staring at?”
One side of Kyriel’s lips rose. “You should’ve talked to her.”
My fingers spread across the left arm of the throne. “I see he was eavesdropping on our conversation.”
