My gaze shifted back to Kolis. He was shirtless and wearing only white linen pants. A gold band encircled his right biceps.
“Poppy.” Attes’s voice carried a warning.
It struck me then that I didn’t sense a Fate.
“Nice of you to join me, Sotoria.”
Every muscle in my body tensed. Kolis still hadn’t looked at me. “I told you not to call me that.”
“And I told you it’s your name. It is how I knew you.” His head finally turned toward us.
The similarity to Nyktos, his nephew, was clearly seen in the carved jaw and high cheekbones, but Kolis’s symmetrical features were almost…delicate. Perfectly pieced together.
As we stared at each other, it made sense that Death would be crafted to be beautiful. It served as a comfort when death came and a lure when one fought to live.
“You didn’t come with who I hoped,” he said.
“I didn’t.”
Kolis’s eyes were a bright crimson as they drifted behind me. One side of his full lips curved up. “Should’ve expected it would be you.”
Attes moved to the side and into my peripheral vision. “Where is the Fate, Kolis?”
“Around.”
“Bullshit,” the Primal replied.
“You will not speak to the King like that,” a voice rang out.
My gaze snapped to a tall, slender male with hair as pale as Delano’s and eyes the color of an Elemental. But he wasn’t an Atlantian.
He was a god.
“Who the fuck are you?” I demanded as I glanced around the Hall, picking out what had to be at least a dozen or so Revenants dressed in crimson breeches and tunics. I didn’t see a gold or pale-blond head. No Callum. No Millicent. So far.
“Language,” Kolis chided.
My head shot toward him, and his smile widened.
“Varus,” Attes answered. “Varus of Kithreia. Can’t believe you’re still alive.”
“Same goes for you.” The god crossed his arms. “That won’t hold true if you speak to the King that way again.”
“It’s all right.” Kolis tilted his head. “Attes has every right to be…displeased.”
My brows rose.
“Has he told you why he hates me, Sotoria?”
“One could easily guess,” I retorted and saw Attes send me a look that said he was wondering if this was my idea of seduction. “And do not call me that.”
“I bet you couldn’t guess,so’lis.”
“I don’t care,” I said, which wasn’t true. I wanted to know. I just didn’t care to hear it from him.
“Ah, yes. You want to get down to business.” He leaned forward slightly, and I saw faint shadows slide across his neck and bare chest. He lifted a golden goblet from the floor. “To find out why I summoned you.”
“I would like to know where the Fate is,” Attes stated.
