Born of Blood and Ash

“Sotoria descends directly from that second daughter, born in a shroud. Chosen even before Kolis first saw her picking flowers for her sister’s wedding, just like every single second daughter of her bloodline afterward. Until you.”

“Your daughter is brave. More courageous than most. She is loyal, even to those who do not deserve such. And she cares deeply for others, even for those who, yet again, are not deserving.”

“You will say and do anything to avoid feeling or thinking about it, but eventually, you have to. Because no matter what, Sera, it wasn’t nothing.”

“Kolis will be aware of her from the moment she’s reborn. It may take him years after to free himself, but he will do so, and he will come for her. I doubt we will get lucky and have him only find her after she rises as this Primal.”

“I would’ve seen the realms burn if I lost you. You may not believe I would’ve allowed that to happen, just as you believe my decency extends beyond you, but it doesn’t. I would’ve gladly seen it all burn.”

“No Primal of Life and Death should exist, for such a being would have the very powers the Ancients split from themselves to create the Primals. It would not wake them all, but the shift of power would disrupt the stasis of enough of them that the damage to the realm would be the same.”

“I’m scared, too, Sera. Neither of us planned for this, and our lives are about to change in ways I cannot even begin to imagine. But I know we will love them just as fiercely as we love each other. And I also know we’ll figure everything out. We’ve got this, liessa.”

“The way your voice lowers when you’re annoyed makes my dick hard. I’m not sure that’s the desired effect.”

“Power and consequence come from the will of the beholder, right? Both of you were there when Holland said it. None born from my bloodline hungered for power. None will.”

“What did you think would happen? That he would accept your deal? That you would somehow rule? Win? You cannot win against Death. He is inevitable. Life is not.”

“How am I once again explaining what love is to a man who is fucking old enough to know better?”

“If you and Nyktos were to have a child, it’s quite possible they would have the same abilities as Nyktos, or even those of his mother’s father.”

“There was a reason Kolis was so drawn to her. Her bloodline is old and managed to carry just enough essence no matter how many generations passed. It’s the same reason you found yourself drawn to her.”

“I wish it could’ve been different for you. I’m sorry it wasn’t.”

“Go ahead. It won’t change what will come. It won’t change that you will both continue to risk the safety of the realms out of selfishness to bring two babes into the realm that will eventually have babes of their own until one of them is the cause of millions of deaths—”

“It doesn’t matter if that is the truth when it’s not what others believe. Maybe that is wrong of me to say, but it’s reality. And maybe what I’m about to say is also wrong. Talk to Nyktos. Tell him before someone takes what should be your words to share and weaponizes them.”

“I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to be as uncomfortable when being praised as you are. Accept the praise. You have earned it.”

“But you will never hunger for power. Even though those who came before you ruled, none hungered for it. It is not in your bloodline.”