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

“From a distance, it is,” he’d responded.

My skin chilled despite the warmth, just as it had when I first looked upon the city. The wind picked up, carrying the metallic scent of blood and the sickly-sweet stench of decay.

The embers faintly hummed. I couldn’t see the source of the smell, but I knew what caused it. I’d never forget the bodies I’d seen strung through the trees and between the pillars of a colonnade just like the one before us.

“How many live within the city?” I asked, remembering what Callum had said.

Speaking of that asshole, where was he?

Kolis halted, turning back to where I stood. “Not that many.”

“What happened to them?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Still, I wanted to hear what he’d say.

“They died,” he stated bluntly. “But not by my hand.”

I shook my head at his back. Did Kolis accept responsibility for anything? “By whose, then?”

“The Fates.”

My brows flew up as he turned away. Was he seriously blaming the Arae? I looked at Elias, but he stared at the many buildings dotting the landscape. The scent of blood and decay rose on the wind once more before fading.

I told myself to stay silent.

I didn’t listen. “And who is responsible for the stench of death?”

Elias whipped his head to me.

“That was me,” Kolis answered with a hint of emotion. “They were gods who…disappointed me.”

I clamped my jaw shut as the embers stirred again. At least he owned up to that.

A golden-armored guard appeared in the archway of the sanctuary.

“One moment,” Kolis said before striding forward.

Figuring that meant I was supposed to stay put, I crossed my arms and watched Kolis climb the steps of the colonnade to join the guard. My attention shifted back to the glittering city, and I tried to imagine a time when it was teaming with gods—life.

“You should be more careful.”

Surprise flickered through me as I glanced at Elias. He’d actually spoken to me. I didn’t think when I was trying to escape counted, but the guards didn’t generally speak to Kolis’s favorites. They also weren’t allowed outside the gilded cage, at least as far as I knew.

Then again, I wasn’t just a favorite, was I?

“About what?” I said, keeping my voice low.

“How you speak to him. What you question. His temper is easy to rile.” He watched Kolis, but then he glanced down at me—at the two faded pink marks on my throat. When he spoke again, his voice was barely above a whisper. “As I’m sure you’re aware.”

“Thanks for your words of wisdom,” I muttered, my face warming. I had no idea why this guard would even dare to risk said temper by speaking to me.

He probably worried he’d be caught in the crosshairs when—not if—I pissed Kolis off.

I smirked.

“Come,” Kolis called.

Washing the smirk from my face, I followed the false King inside. Shadowy alcoves framed the gold-adorned hall we entered, similar to the ones I’d seen during my escape attempt and at Cor Palace. My brows rose as breathy whispers and moans echoed from within.

A sudden low, throaty chuckle was like a sharp snap, pulling my unwilling attention to Kolis while grating on my nerves. He was, of course, watching me. “You look quite perplexed at the moment,” he said. “It’s charming.”

No part of me was surprised to hear that a look of confusion was charming to him.

“Please tell me what has caused such an expression,” Kolis said, facing forward as he began to walk.

I glanced at one of the alcoves, catching sight of deep, glistening skin and…rather firm buttocks. “There’s just a lot of…sex.”

Behind me, Elias made a quiet sound like a cough-covered laugh.

“Does that bother you?” Kolis’s steps slowed. “It did before. But then, you were innocent.” He sighed, and my upper lip curled. “You are not a maiden now.”

My eyes narrowed on his back. I absolutely refused to dignify that statement with a response. “It doesn’t make me uncomfortable,” I said—as long as it was all consensual. It sounded consensual, but sounds and even looks could be deceiving. My palms dampened. “It’s just a lot of it.”

“It is my presence,” Kolis said as we passed several more occupied alcoves shielded by panels of gauzy gold curtains.

“Oh,” I murmured, frowning. The presence of Primals had a distinctive influence that not even godlings or gods were immune to, but his claim didn’t make sense. Now, if Maia, the Primal Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Fertility, were here, I would understand—

I held back a gasp of surprise as Kolis suddenly stopped and faced me. His gaze flickered to Elias. The guard stayed back.

Kolis dipped his head, and I held myself completely still as he spoke in my ear. “I see no reason to lie about my abilities or limitations with you, so’lis. What embers of life remain in me are weak and have little influence over the gods or how I am able to impact those around me.” His breath against my temple made my skin crawl. “What do you think the living do when they are near Death? Not a Primal of Death, but true Death.”

I swallowed, more than a little caught off guard by his willingness to speak openly about what he truly was. But he was right. I knew the truth. There was no reason for him to lie to me.

“They give in to the desire to prove that they live,” Kolis answered in the silence. “And proving their hearts still beat and blood still courses through their veins, often involves engaging in activities that make them feel alive. Very few things make one feel more alive than fucking.”

Kolis had a point, but hearing him speak about fucking made me want to find a dagger and plunge it into my eardrums.

Straightening, he gave me one of his polished smiles. Then he turned and started walking again. Exhaling a ragged breath, I followed him. After a couple of moments, large, golden doors came into view, bearing the symbol of a wolf—the same prowling, snarling animal I’d seen etched into the floors of the atrium.

But these doors were far wider than what I’d seen Kolis enter through before. My steps slowed.

Kolis waited for me to catch up to him. When I did, Elias walked ahead, opening the doors to reveal a sliver of gold-plated floor and little else. Glancing at the glowing crown upon Kolis’s head, I had a feeling we were just outside the portion that had once been the Council Hall.

I halted, fingers twisting around the tassel of my belt as the embers thrummed stronger. I could hear the hum of voices. There could be gods in there, but there were definitely Primals. I felt them, and nausea rippled through me.

“So’lis?” Kolis spoke softly. “Are you all right?”

I didn’t feel okay, but I nodded.

“Do not lie. You’ve gone pale.”

Swallowing, I looked away from where Elias waited just beyond the doors. My eyes met Kolis’s. The concern in his stare was evident, and that was disturbing for a litany of reasons, but I could use it. “I’m nervous.”

“About?”