Chapter 19

19

ARES

W hen I’d nearly reached my rooms, Hera slithered out of the shadows. She was fully dressed, her amber silken gown hugging every curve. A medallion hung heavily between her breasts, catching the light of the torches and bringing attention to her cleavage. I knew this trick—she’d used it on Zeus more times than I could count. I’d even heard her whisper about it with Aphrodite, who’d taught her how to get what she wanted without breaking a sweat.

Distract them with pretty things. They won’t notice what you’re really up to.

“I’m surprised to see you’re up in the middle of the day,” she said in a purr. “Why are you so wet?”

“It’s raining, if you hadn’t noticed,” I said curtly. We were only two doors down from my rooms. If she would just get out of my way , I could end this conversation before she asked too much.

“No, I hadn’t noticed. Because I don’t go traipsing around outside during daylight hours. The sun’s rays burn our skin, or have you forgotten?”

“Not really a problem in the middle of a storm.” I stepped to the side. Hera followed my move with one of her own. With a heavy sigh, I folded my arms. She was not going to let me pass without getting what she wanted. Which was…what, exactly? Knowledge of my comings and goings? She’d never cared before now.

“Except it is . A problem, I mean. Some sunlight still sneaks through rain clouds. We have an hour, tops, before it becomes too much. Most of us don’t think it’s worth the risk.” She edged closer to me, tipping back her head to glare into my face.

The lines of her face deepened, and her eyes sparked with hate. Like this, she looked nothing like the innocent, soft-spoken, wide-eyed sweetheart she projected herself as—whenever Zeus wasn’t around, that is. He brought out a different side to her. This side. The vicious vampire who gladly took her fill when offered human veins. She’d killed more mortals than most of us, but she certainly didn’t look like it.

She looked like someone who would rescue a mortal from danger and sweep them off to somewhere safe. Someone they could trust.

Just before she drained them dry.

“Where were you, Ares? Why were you outside?” she demanded.

“Why do you think?” I asked, snarling back at her. “Or have you already forgotten what we’ve lost?” My voice cracked. “ Who we’ve lost.”

Her throat bobbed, and she glanced away. Ah, so the brutal thing was capable of an emotion other than bitterness. I’d started to wonder if she might be the one behind it all. Zeus and Hestia had recently started fucking, much to my dismay. If anyone could have wanted her dead for reasons other than power, it would be Hera.

I took a good look at her. Her hair was dry. Her cheeks were pale. There was a glint in her eye, but nothing more than usual. If she’d been out in the storm, she’d show signs of it. Even so, I wouldn’t write her off completely.

It was almost disappointing. I had little love for Hera, and I wouldn’t mind if she turned out to be the traitor.

“I am sorry about Hestia,” she eventually said.

“Are you? I know you hate anyone who goes near Zeus.”

Her lips curled back. “It’s not them I hate. It’s him . Did you know—”

“Look, I want to get some rest. It’s been a long fucking night.” I started to move around her. This time, she let me pass, but I could feel her eyes on the back of my head as I opened my door and slipped through it.

Inside, I pulled off my soaked shirt and changed into dry clothes. Deep in thought, I crossed the room, cracked the balcony door, and gazed outside at the harsh rain still crashing down. This section of the palace was shaped like an L, and my room was at the very end of the building. It gave me a view of the balconies on the other wing.

Selene stood outside. She tipped back her head, letting the rain pour across her reddening cheeks. She shuddered against the chill, yet she didn’t venture back inside. Instead, she held her arms wide, enduring every moment of it—relishing the downpour.

I clutched the door, transfixed. Out by the sea, I didn’t know what had come over me. One moment, I’d been watching her fall, ready to bid my enemy farewell. If I let her fall, surely that was the same as killing her myself. The seas would consume her. The thirteenth crown could go to one of us.

My kingdom would be safe.

But then a sudden, inexplicable urge had clutched me by the throat. As if a man possessed, I’d torn across the sand and jumped into the sea to save her.

She’d demanded answers. Why had I done it? What had come over me? The excuse I’d come up with? Flimsy at best. Surely she’d seen right through it. Yes, I wanted to catch Hestia’s killer. And no, I no longer believed Selene had done the deed. But I didn’t need her help. And I certainly didn’t want to spend any time with her.

Thunder rumbled overhead. I dragged my gaze from Selene’s soaked body and closed the door on the storm.

I only did it to ensure the right fate. That was all. As much as I wanted her gone now, I couldn’t risk not killing her with my own hand. What if letting her fall hadn’t been enough? In the back of my mind, I must have clung to that thought, and that was why I’d saved her.

With a nod to myself, I moved toward the bed. I’d only saved my enemy to save my kingdom. And as soon as we got off this island, I would do what must be done. I had a duty to my people.