The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

Dark Ages that it took centuries and centuries for them to
claw out of. I bet you didn’t know that either.”
I shook my head.
“You wouldn’t. The history of all that was before has
been destroyed. Only a handful of structures survived,” he
stated, swishing the red liquid in his glass. “Unthinkable
sacrifices were made to ensure that their sickness could
never infect the world again, but obviously, mortals were
rightfully wary of the gods. We entered into a blood treaty
with them, one that ensured that only gods born within the
mortal realm could retain their powers there.” Quicksilver
eyes lifted to mine once more. “None of the gods can enter
the mortal realm without weakening greatly…and resorting
to what is forbidden to ensure their strength. That is why we
have not intervened. That is why my Consort sleeps fitfully,
Poppy.”
I jerked at the sound of my nickname. All of that
sounded like a reasonable explanation for why they hadn’t
become involved, but something stood out to me. “How…
how is a god born in the mortal realm?”
“Good question.” He smiled behind his wine glass.
“They should not be.”
I frowned.
His smile kicked up a notch.
And then it occurred to me—what he had said about
only a few Primal gods being among those who slept now. If
what Jansen had claimed was true, and Nyktos was already
a god before he became this… “Are you a Primal?”
“I am.” He stared at me. “And that means you have
Primal blood in you. That is what fuels that bravery of yours.
That is why you are so powerful.”
I took a drink then, swallowing a mouthful of the sweet
wine. “Does that mean my mother could’ve been mortal?”
“Your mother could’ve been from any blood, and you
would be who you are today, regardless. Unexpected, but…
welcomed nonetheless,” he said, and before I had a chance