A Fire in the Flesh (Flesh and Fire, #3)

“Sure,” I muttered, but I didn’t resist when he lifted me into his arms. To be honest, I wasn’t sure I could’ve made it to the top.

And that truth didn’t only make me feel pathetic.

It also scared me a little.

Ash reached the main floor of the Temple within a few heartbeats, immediately placing me on my feet as Bele strode past, dropping Elias by one of the pillars. I half-expected her to make a comment, but she said nothing, her features pensive as she stopped at what appeared to be the base of a statue that must’ve once stood proud. I scanned the Temple floor, seeing several blocks of marble in varying stages of ruin, leading to the far side of the Temple, where there was an enclosed space.

“Thank you,” I whispered under my breath.

Ash pressed a kiss to my cheek then straightened as several figures appeared along the back columns, passing the enclosed portion of the Temple. As they crossed the floor, my shoulders tensed in recognition of most of them.

Saion and his cousin Rhahar walked together, their similar, striking features a rich brown in the sunlight. Both wore silver armor over their chests, and like Bele, all manner of weapons were visible on them.

Both drew up short, stopping at the Temple stairs. Behind them, the fair-haired god Kars that I knew as one of the Shadowlands guards appeared, along with another god I remembered seeing in the training fields.

Saion was the first to break free of the small group and approach Ash. I could’ve sworn the god’s dark eyes glimmered as Ash moved to clasp his forearm. Saion didn’t stop there, though. He pulled the larger man forward, into a one-armed embrace.

Surprise rippled through me. I’d never really seen anyone but Nektas get close to Ash, let alone touch him. And anytime they saw me touching him, it seemed like they were witnessing some sort of magic.

Ash hesitated, clearly not expecting the response. I bit down on the inside of my cheek, waiting and hoping he returned the embrace. These people. Saion, his cousin, Bele—all of them—were Ash’s friends, even if he hadn’t allowed himself to acknowledge that since Lathan’s death. Even if he wasn’t supposed to form bonds with any of them, they already had them. In my mind, not being able to see the journey of a soul or impact where they went wasn’t more important than what one experienced while alive.

So, I disagreed with the Arae. Eternal afterlife wasn’t more valuable.

A shudder of relief went through me as Ash finally moved, folding an arm around Saion’s shoulder. “It’s good to see you,” Ash said roughly.

“Same, brother.” Saion’s voice was no less hoarse. He clapped his back. “Same.”

Rhahar quickly replaced Saion the moment his cousin stepped back. I then saw Lailah making her way forward, her long braids swept back. Her lips curved into a smile, and my gaze shifted to who walked just behind her. It wasn’t her twin, Theon.

It was Rhain.

Gods, he looked leagues better than when I’d last seen him. Gone was the blood and the bruised, mangled flesh.

Rhain’s gaze landed on me. His steps faltered at the same moment my heart did. I looked away, lifting my free hand to Aios’s necklace.

Ash was getting a lot of hugs in, so I focused on that. A faint grin tugged at my lips. I could’ve sworn his cheeks were a deeper shade by the time Rhain made his way to him. It was good seeing this—seeing Ash accepting them and their obvious love for him. The next breath I took was easier and steadier.

Ash wouldn’t be alone.

Breathing through a sudden slice of pain in my temples, I went to where Elias had been dumped. Kneeling beside him, I brushed a lock of brown hair back from his face. A thin trickle of blood cut through the golden paint. He was still out. Lifting my head, I looked across the expanse.

From where the Temple was positioned. I could see beyond the tips of the trees to the bumpy, uneven hills dotted with darker shades of green that led to the sandy dunes Kolis had spoken of.

There were large outcroppings of dull white rocks there, some long and slender, and others rounder. They didn’t look like bones to me, but as my gaze lifted to the sparkling blue waters of the cove, I saw ships. Dozens of large vessels, their black sails down. Movement to the right of them caught my eye. On the bluffs on the other side of the cove, another black and brown draken lifted its head. Was that Crolee? Ehthawn and Orphine’s cousin? I hadn’t seen the other draken since I’d first arrived in the Shadowlands.

My gaze lowered to the dunes below, focusing on the deep shadows under the bluff. I squinted, seeing movement. Every so often, something silver glinted in the sunlight. Armor. Soldiers.

I rose and turned, swallowing a gasp.

Saion was right in front of me, bowing deeply. “Consort, we’ve missed you.”

My grin turned wry. I didn’t think he lied. I liked to believe that Saion and I had moved past the threatening-my-life part of our relationship, but the only thing the gods had probably missed was the absence of the drama my presence caused.

“We are also glad to see you here.” Rhahar joined his cousin. “We knew Nyktos wouldn’t return without you.”

“More like she wouldn’t return without me,” Ash corrected, having appeared beside me in that silent, quick way of his.

Rhahar’s brows lifted. “Is that so?”

“It was she who took Kolis down for the count,” Bele chimed in, having hauled herself up onto the stone base. She was carving a…where had she gotten an apple? “Not our esteemed, fearless leader.”

My lips pursed.

“Damn,” Lailah murmured, her hand resting on the hilt of her broadsword. Eyeing Ash, her smile spread. “I’m going to need details.”

“She also freed me,” Ash told them. “I stand here because of her.”

“As do I,” a quiet voice added.

Kars turned, stepping to the side to reveal Rhain as he said, “I don’t think many of us would be standing here if not for you.”

Feeling like my face was likely the color of Rhain’s hair, I shifted from foot to foot as I heard several shouts of affirmation.

“That is still something we all have questions about,” Kars stated.

My gaze shot to Rhain. He hadn’t told them about the deal? My grip tightened on the diamond as relief swelled inside me. Rhain hadn’t been conscious when Kolis made his demands, but it would take no leap of logic to work out what it likely entailed.

“It…it was nothing,” I said, unsure of what I was responding to or whom. “I only did what any of you would do.”

Rhain nodded as he looked away. My gaze snagged on Ash. He watched me in a way that further confirmed my belief that he knew.

“Okay. I think we need storytime. Oh!” Bele swallowed a piece of apple. “Still haven’t found any boots. Not a lot of opportunities around these parts.”

“It’s all right,” I told her.

Ash’s head cut to the right. “Storytime will have to wait.”

“Got to be Attes,” Bele said, frowning as she eyed the horizon. “Feels like more than just him.”