Seraphena’s eyes met mine. “That’s what I’m saying.”
“That is…” I shook my head as incredulity gave way to anger. “That’s utter bullshit.”
Seraphena grinned, but it was brief. “You know it’s true. Thevadentiashould confirm it.”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t change that it’s still, as he said, bullshit.” Poppy’s face scrunched up. “I can’t believe that’s the other way to kill a Primal.”
“Primals were never meant to love. They were to be beyond such…mortal needs and desires and, therefore, unable to be swayed one way or another by such emotions,” she said. “But along time ago, during Eythos’s reign as the Primal of Life, and before his brother betrayed him, a Primal did the unthinkable and fell in love.”
“The unthinkable?” Poppy muttered, crossing her arms.
“Unthinkable to the Arae, at least.”
Poppy rolled her eyes. “Of course, they are involved in this.”
“Supposedly, the discovery that a Primal could love was one of the times they decided to intervene in fate.” Seraphena lifted her shoulders. “They worried that love, held within the heart of a Primal, could become a weapon.”
“Love can’t become…” Poppy trailed off, then shook her head. “It’s not love that becomes the weapon. It’s the Primal because of their love.”
“Is there really a difference?” Seraphena countered. “Either way, the Fates intervened, thinking that if falling in love could destroy a Primal, they would be less likely to do so.”
“And how did that work out for them?” I lifted a brow.
“Not great, since many still fell in love,” she replied. “But from the moment the first Primal did, each one does, knowing that the one they cherish above all others could become the sword to end their existence.”
“That’s messed up,” Poppy murmured. “Why wouldn’t thevadentiatell me this?”
“Likely for the same reason the Arae made it so. Balance.”
Poppy’s eyes rolled. “Well, Casteel would never harm me,” she said. “So…whatever.”
“I would hope not,” she replied, her gaze sliding to me. “Because if he did, he would not live for long afterward.”
Poppy blinked.
“If I ever hurt her, you wouldn’t have to worry about coming after me.”
“Good.” Seraphena inclined her head. “You don’t sound surprised by that.”
“I’m not.”
Poppy whirled on me. “You’re not?”
I felt tension forming brackets around my mouth. “Isbeth said something about never wanting the weakness Primals had. I didn’t understand until Millicent mentioned it.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” Poppy reached over and pushed me slightly, earning a raised brow from Seraphena.
I easily caught her hand and pulled her to my chest, wrapping an arm around her waist. She stared at me for several minutes, squinting. “You’re not going to kill me.”
One side of my lips curved. “No shit, Poppy. That’s why it wasn’t at the top of my list of things to discuss.”
Her eyes narrowed as she placed her hands on my waist. “It’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Agreed.” My eyes searched hers. “So, why do you appear angry with me?”
“I’m not!”
My brows rose.
