Chapter 8

8

SELENE

C irce’s Palace hunkered on the highest point of the island, a levelled ridge with a view of the pristine sea, now a limitless midnight blue beneath the darkened sky. Built from sandstone and white marble by Circe herself, the palace was a majestic structure whose front was lined with eight impressive columns covered in twisting vines. A set of curving stairs led to a marbled archway decorated with frescoes that depicted the birth of the Titans and the moment when Gaia had tasked Circe with the protection of this place.

Of course, Circe was now long gone from the Isle of Aiaia. At the command of Erebus, the Olympians had seized control of the land, banishing her from stepping foot on its soil ever again. The god had wanted to use it as a temple for the yearly sacrifices, and so Nekros had begun.

The guard slowed at the base of the steps and motioned at the darkened archway. “Welcome to The Palace of Blood, Your Majesty.”

I gave the guard a wry smile. “The Palace of Blood. How creative of them.”

“I think you’ll find it’s an apt title,” he said solemnly, his voice muffled by the plated helmet.

I cocked my head, wishing I could see his face. It was entirely unsettling. Vampires had no need for armor after sundown—not even Olympians, who’d never known immortality like the Titans had. The Olympians only had three weaknesses, curses brought upon them by the three gods they didn’t serve. The Olympians could not bear children, they could not walk in sunlight, and they would die if their hearts were pierced with wood.

Nothing else could harm them—permanently, at least. Fire could have nasty effects, but they’d eventually heal.

“What is your name?” I sniffed and scented the musky aroma of vampire on him. He was one of them, likely created by a monarch to ensure complete loyalty. While the Olympians couldn’t give birth, they could certainly sire new vampires through the magic of shared blood.

“My name is Achilles,” the guard answered.

“Why do you wear that armor, Achilles? It’s past nightfall now.” I lifted my eyes to the black sky, where dense clouds covered most of the full moon’s silvery light.

“Your Majesty, it is by Zeus’s command,” the guard said, lowering his head.

Zeus . I fought a scowl. If only we could meet beyond the shores of this island, outside the confines Nekros cast, and far from his loyal fellow Olympians…I would be tempted to murder him, just as he’d murdered my mother.

The guard cleared his throat. I blinked and pressed down the front of my gown, conjuring an expression of growing impatience. “Very well. Let’s get on with it. I would like to be shown to my rooms.”

“You must go straight to the megaron, where you will meet the other monarchs and take part in the welcome feast,” Achilles said in a flat voice.

I frowned. “I’ve only just arrived and would like a few moments to freshen up and change into an appropriate gown.”

“I am afraid Zeus insists on your immediate company.”

“My advisor and human sacrifice need—”

“They will be escorted to the appropriate quarters.”

“But—”

“There is no room for argument.”

I bristled at his commanding tone. “I am the High Queen of Troy, the last remaining Titan on this earth and the fleshborn daughter of an original vampiric god. You cannot order me around.”

Achilles went still, and a moment passed in tense silence. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Orpheus watching me, and I swore there was a glint of pride in his eyes. Even though he had always been my mother’s advisor and not mine, he had essentially helped raise me. And after the way Ares had ambushed me, it was good for me to show some strength.

“I am not the one commanding you, Your Majesty,” Achilles eventually said. “Is it your intention to refrain from the rules surrounding Nekros? If so, I must take my leave and inform Zeus of your decision immediately.”

“That is enough, Achilles. You may go,” a slurred voice called from the darkened archway.

Achilles’s armor creaked as he turned toward the voice. A tall, slender vampire strode out onto the steps, his wine-stained mouth twisted into a wicked smile. He wore a white ruffled shirt unbuttoned to his naval and golden rings on every finger. His crimson eyes burned bright.

“Your Majesty,” Achilles bowed to the new arrival. “Zeus asked me to personally see to Selene’s arrival, and she is—”

“Just go, Achilles. I’ll take it from here.”

Achilles hesitated.

The new arrival rolled his eyes, traipsed down the steps, and nudged the vampire guard out of the way. He stuck out a hand, his fingers pale and slender and as sleek as his long dark hair. “I’m Dion. You must be our new High Queen of Troy.”

Ah, Dionysos. My mother—and Orpheus—had told me many tales about him. He was prone to revelry and enjoyed wine as much as most vampires loved blood. And while he was an Olympian, he didn’t have a lot of affection for Zeus.

I shook his hand, eyeing him warily. Despite being a potential ally, I knew better than to trust any of these monarchs. “Yes, my name is Selene.”

“Selene is a lovely name. Just as lovely as your hair.” He cast me a lopsided smile.

“Is that wine?” I pointed at the chalice he held at his side, sloshing a red liquid onto the marble floor. It definitely wasn’t blood—I would be able to scent that—but the spicy tang didn’t smell much like the wine back in Troy, either.

He held up the cup, grinning. “Oh, yes. Hephy made it from his kingdom’s grapes. Far stronger than the normal stuff. Strong enough to make a vampire feel drunk.”

Hephaestus was another monarch, though rumor had it he preferred to sit in his forge creating weapons. That and wine, apparently.

“Would you like some?” Dion held out the chalice until it was only an inch from my mouth.

I gently pressed against the golden lip. “Thank you for the offer, but I’d rather get settled into my rooms first.”

“Well, you might as well drink up because you won’t be going to your rooms until after the feast. Achilles is annoying, but he’s right. Zeus’s orders trump all else, and he’s ordered the feast to start immediately upon your arrival.”

I let a heartbeat pass before answering. “Right.”

He handed me the chalice, then motioned toward the archway leading into the palace. “After you. But…before you walk into that den of vipers, mind if I give you some friendly advice?”

Friendly or hostile? I knew better than to assume it was the former just based on his jovial personality. Orpheus had told me to view Dion as a potential ally. He’d been friendly with my mother for many years. But he was the only Olympian she’d told about her loyalty to Gaia.

So it seemed possible that he’d been the one to tell Zeus.

He leaned close without waiting for my reply, and he whispered, “Be careful in there. Those Olympians don’t like Titans. And when they don’t like something, they bite.”

You’re an Olympian , I wanted to say, but I held my tongue. If he wanted to play at ally, I’d join the game.

“Then surely I shouldn’t dull my nerves with wine,” I replied.

“Ah, but a little will soothe them.” He dropped his voice even lower. “Your face is a mask of calm, but I can hear your heart beating. It was smart to feed on a human before docking your boat, but the blood is heightening your emotions. And if I can hear it, Zeus will, too, the second you step foot in that megaron.”

He pressed the chalice into my hands, then stepped back.

I flicked my eyes to the darkened archway, wondering if he was trying to trap me into saying something. But I could see no one. I couldn’t smell anyone else, either. Only the scent of Achilles lingered in the salt-thick air.

“You’re right to be suspicious,” Dion said. “One of us just went to a great deal of trouble to ensure your mother’s death, but trust me when I say Zeus and I are not the same.”

“You’re an Olympian.”

“Against my wishes.” He rubbed his thumb against the base of his neck, closed his eyes, and sighed. “But you need not bother yourself with that. Just drink the wine, Selene.”

I arched a brow. “One might wonder why you’re so intent on having me drink this mysterious liquid that smells like the acrid fire of Mount Olympus.”

Dion’s lips curled, and he surprised me with a laugh. “I’ll be sure to tell Hephy you said that. He actually tried to make it smell like that fire, despite all my attempts to convince him otherwise. Why not flowers instead? Bloody fool.”

I eyed him warily. “You’re not what I expected.”

“Hmm, we’re not all bad. I promise you.” Dion turned and jogged up the steps. “Come. I’ll have Achilles show you to your rooms. Zeus won’t like it, but I can’t make you go to the feast, even if it’s the only option you have to prove your loyalty to the Thirteen Crowns.”

I frowned and glanced back at Orpheus. He inclined his head toward Dion, pursing his red lips. A silent suggestion to listen to the Olympian vampire, despite the bad blood between us.

Brow furrowed, I followed Dion up the steps and through the archway. As soon as we stepped between the pillars, a line of torches along the marble walls flared to life. The fires burned hot, and their flickering tongues cast brilliant light down the long, empty corridor before us.

I stared at the torches, transfixed. Despite the witches’ presence in my kingdom, I knew very little of magic. Most of the world’s power had been contained here, on this island. There were only a few spells Medea and Circe could cast, and none of those could conjure fire from thin air.

No, Medea’s powers were much darker than that.

“Oh, the torches,” Dion said, noting my reaction. “It takes some getting used to.”

I turned to him. “You aren’t controlling it?”

“The torches have a mind of their own. Anytime someone draws near one, they turn on. So if you prefer the dark, I’m afraid they won’t let you have it.” A wolfish smile crested his lips. “Though I suppose a Titan prefers to walk in the sun.”

“I walk at night, same as you,” I said stiffly. In fact, I’d spent months transitioning my sleep schedule to suit the Olympian vampires. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d stood outside in broad daylight, basking in the sun.

At first, I’d missed it terribly, but over time, I’d grown to appreciate the night sky. There was so much to love about the inky darkness, speared through with thousands of brilliant stars. And the moon. Oh, how the moonlight made me come alive.

“Clever, but an appropriate sleep schedule won’t be enough for Zeus,” Dion said.

“Not that I trust a word you say, but what would be enough for Zeus?”

Dion regarded me carefully for a moment before he said, “He sees humans as cattle and believes there’s no need to keep them alive once they’re no longer useful. To him, that’s the Olympian way, where you Titans have always had softer hearts. You treat your humans like citizens and feed sparingly. Frankly, I run my kingdom like yours, but for Zeus to trust you, you’re going to have to kill your sacrifice without hesitation.”

I pulled in a sharp breath. Dionysos was more of an ally than I thought he might be. He didn’t follow Zeus’s ways. There was so much I wanted to say in response, so much I wanted to ask him. But I felt like we were being watched.

And I merely smiled. “Luckily, that won’t be a problem.”