Chapter 37

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

S onah paced in her room, the smell of jasmine and thyme drifting in from the open balcony behind her. Since she’d only had the clothes on her back when she remained behind after Terena had left weeks ago, the king had sent the Royal Seamstress to her with some dresses she and her servants had quickly altered for her.

Smoothing her hands down the silk skirt of the dress she wore, the soft lavender accented with a simple gold belt, Sonah turned when she reached the end of the room and paced back the other way.

An hour ago, one of King Altos’s guards informed her Commander Antonius and Terena had been spotted, and Sonah waited anxiously, her nerves stretched taut. While the king’s hospitality had been generous, Sonah had no desire to remain in the castle.

For one, she swore it was haunted.

The king allowed her to move freely during the day—well, with two armed guards and only in the east wing of the castle—and locked in her room after dinner. The first night she had protested—not much, if she was honest—but the king had said it was for her own protection. Shortly after she’d retired, Sonah heard a noise. She had bolted upright in bed, clutching the bedspread to her chest and stilled, listening for whatever had startled her awake .

A few minutes later, ready to settle back down, she’d heard it again. This time, Sonah had gotten out of bed, padding softly around to the edges of her room, listening with her ear to the walls when she heard scrapping coming from somewhere on her right. She had scuttled closer to the wall, pressing her ear against the cool stone and was rewarded with scrapping and a loud bang.

Sonah had jumped back, her hand clapping over her mouth, then bolted for the door. She had pounded on the wood until a guard shoved it open, knocking her in the forehead. She’d been shrill, her words incoherent—according to the guard—and the guard had sent another for the king.

As she’d stood outside in the hallway, her arms folded at her chest while shivering in her thin nightgown, a door at the end of the hall opened and a man walked out, flanked by three guards. Sonah had turned, watching as the man walked in the opposite direction, only glimpsing him before they turned the corner at the end of the hallway.

After telling the king what had happened, that it must have been the man who was staying next to her, the king had blanched, his reaction so unexpected, Sonah hadn’t time to think on it before he had called for servants to have her moved to the west wing of the castle.

No longer plagued by strange noises or unruly neighbors, Sonah also had the added benefit of being closer to the Royal Conservatory. The beautiful structure was where she’d spent most of her time while she waited for her sister’s return.

A cough sounded behind her. Sonah turned, smiling at the servant standing there.

“Aye?”

“Your presence is requested, lady,” the man said with a slight inclination of his head.

“She’s here,” Sonah whispered and shoved past the startled man to find a guard waiting outside her room to escort her.

Heart racing, Sonah bounced up on her toes as they neared the doors to the king’s throne room.

The king usually dined with her in the evenings, but hadn’t done so for the past two days. And there had been a flurry of activity as well, but Sonah had received no answers from the guards when she’d asked.

Maybe now she’d get some answers.

Either way, she was excited to see Terena and the others again.

The king stood below the dais, his hands clasped behind him. He looked at the ground while his advisor—Sonah forgot the man’s name—spoke to him. The Captain of the Royal Guard and two of his men flanked King Altos, who looked like he’d not slept, his eyes heavy with dark shadows and his lips pulled down. Commander Daris Antonius stood close to his king with his head bent and arms crossed at his chest. Her sister stood a short distance away.

Sonah darted into the room and squealed, throwing up her hands as she bounced over to Terena. When she heard Sonah, her face lit up and she laughed, catching Sonah as she stumbled back a few steps. Sonah buried her face in Terena’s neck, squeezing her so tight Terena’s laughter choked off.

Several loud gasps sounded around them, but Sonah paid no heed. Pulling back as she stared up at Terena, Sonah’s smile stretched so far her cheeks ached.

“Gods, where have you been? ” she whined, unmindful of the exaggerated throat clearing on her right, her eyes never leaving Terena’s face. “I thought I might end up living here! You took forever!”

Terena grimaced when Sonah leaned back, yanking on Terena’s arms, and her smile slipped.

“What’s wrong?”

Terena glanced over her shoulder at the king and Sonah shifted her eyes to the men. The advisor man was glaring at them, the Royal Guard and their captain watching with wariness. The king only looked distracted, and Daris had a smile on his face as he watched them.

Sonah turned a knowing look at her sister. “Well. I sense you have much to tell me.”

Terena chuckled and tugged Sonah further away. Her smile faded. Lifting her hands to cup Sonah’s face, Terena said, “I missed you. Have they treated you well? ”

Sonah nodded. “Aye, of course.”

“You look beautiful,” Terena remarked, her eyes falling to Sonah’s dress as she stepped back. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you in anything but plain shirts and leggings.”

“Ah, but I still have my favorite boots,” Sonah said, wiggling her eyebrows.

Terena grinned. She glanced back at the men, who continued to converse in low tones, and Terena pulled Sonah close. “Have you heard what’s happened?”

Sonah wrinkled her brow and shook her head. “No. I mean, I know something has, but no one told me anything. Why? Do you know?”

“Solon’s men have captured Messene and taken Pytho,” Terena said, her grip tightening on Sonah’s hands when she gasped.

Sonah’s eyes widened as the blood drained from her face. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before Terena continued.

“The king is sending Daris and his men to Messene to reclaim it but, basically, they’re at war now with Heylisia.”

“But Heylisia is already at war with… Heylisia,” Sonah finished lamely.

Terena nodded. “Aye, but Elis is still with the empire and now Altos has heard from his allies in Aurora that Solon has reinforcements coming in from Rois.”

“Altos is friends with Aurora?”

“Apparently,” Terena said, casting a quick glance back at the king. “Rydon said he sent some Liodari there to help against Heylisia. I think that’s what Daris was doing in?—”

“Lady Luca,” the king called out, his voice booming across the room. Terena stiffened and pulled her hands away from Sonah. They walked back toward the men, Sonah a few paces behind her sister.

“Aye, Your Majesty?”

“Daris tells me you had a… vision? That you knew the oracle was in trouble.”

Terena shifted and glanced at Daris. Her lips thinned, and she gave the king a curt nod .

“Aye.”

The king walked toward her, stopping a few feet away. “General Peleon has her,” he said, his voice rough. “And he knows you’re here.”

Sonah became lightheaded. She reached out a hand to Terena, her vision blurring.

Terena swore. “She must have told him.”

“Aye,” the king said, his gaze unfocused as he looked off into the distance. “That was my thought as well. He’s looking to trade.”

Sonah balked. “What? No!”

Terena held up a hand to her, her eyes on the king. Sonah turned to Daris, his face tight as he stared at Terena.

“I’ve told him you weren’t here,” the king sighed, “but it wasn’t you he wanted to trade for.”

Terena’s hand shot out and grabbed Sonah’s forearm. “He can’t have her.”

The king shook his head. “No, he didn’t ask for Lady Yahn.” He lifted his eyes to Terena at last.

“He wants the Shroud of Faybhen.”

Terena laughed.

The sound echoed throughout the otherwise silent room, everyone watching her as if she’d lost her mind.

“Good! Give it to him,” Terena said at last, waving her hand.

The king scowled at her, then glanced at Daris, his brow furrowed.

“I gave it to Duke Aurora,” she added, when the king didn’t respond.

“I know,” said King Altos, “and the duke gave it to me.”

“Ha!” Terena laughed. “Even better!”

“How is that better?” The king glared at her. “Do you know what the shroud is?”

“Of course I know what it is,” she scoffed. “That’s how I make—made—my living. That shroud is worthless.”

The king crossed his arms at his chest. “That shroud?— ”

“Is fake.”

Terena had a moment’s satisfaction at the way the king’s mouth dropped open, his face turning several shades of red. She winked at Daris who also looked like he’d been smacked in the face.

Terena shifted her weight and planted her hand on her hip while she waited for it to sink in.

“What do you mean?” the king asked slowly.

She gave him a knowing look. “Who do you think gave Duke Aurora the shroud?”

He frowned, annoyed. “I know it was you,” he said. “You gave him a fake?”

“Aye,” Terena said, preening. Then a thought occurred to her. “Wait. Why do you have it?”

“Never mind that,” the king spat, his face thunderous. “You’re telling me the Shroud of Faybhen is fake?”

Terena twisted her lips. “The one you have is fake, aye.”

Daris wiped his hand over his mouth and looked up at the ceiling as he turned away.

“I need—” the king began, then stopped abruptly, hanging his head. Taking a quick step toward Terena, he jabbed a finger at her. “I needed that shroud! You do not know?—”

“Why do you need it?”

The king’s face became even more mottled. Terena glanced behind the man to his advisor, who watched them all with wide-eyed panic. The Captain of the Royal Guard shifted, his eyes on Terena.

“Would you leave us?” she called out to them. The advisor gawked at her while the captain ignored her. King Altos shifted his hard, dark brown eyes to them both and gave a quick wave of his hand. The advisor bolted for the doors. The captain stared at his king with a scowl before motioning to his men to follow, and they all quit the room.

When the loud thud of the doors closing faded, Terena shifted her gaze between the king and Daris and frowned. “You haven’t told him?”

Daris cocked his head, his brow wrinkled .

Terena’s head fell back. When she looked at King Altos again, it was through narrowed eyes.

“I think you know, or have suspicions, I am a god,” she started. She saw the second she had his undivided attention. “I’ve learned my—our,” she said with a wink at Sonah, “our father is the god of war. Ares.”

The change in the room her words caused unnerved her. At first, the king looked at her as if he hadn’t heard. Then his eyes rounded, his mouth going slack. He looked like someone had dumped a large sack of jewels at his feet.

His hand trembled as he lifted it first to his mouth, then, as if he didn’t know what to do with it, smoothed it over the hair at his forehead. King Altos swiveled his eyes to Daris, who confirmed with a brief nod.

“So,” Terena continued in the silence, “I, more than anyone, know what the shroud is. And I say again, the one you have is fake. So trade it for Pytho. Please.”

The king did not speak, so Terena was compelled to add, “I’m assuming you needed the shroud for whatever Spartan prophecy you believe in. Hopefully, it had to do with me?”

“But… but…”

Terena was genuinely concerned now for the king. He seemed so out of sorts, she looked to Daris for help.

“You’re the Heir?”

At his softly spoken question, Terena smiled thinly at him.

“The oracle?—”

“Did he say anything about us?” she asked.

“What?”

Terena walked a few steps closer to the king. “Did Solon say anything about us?”

“Aye. But he’s…” King Altos shook his head. “The messenger wanted to confirm the rumors he’d heard about you being here. I told him you were but that you’d left. And that’s when he asked for the shroud.”

“When do you need to respond? I’m assuming the messenger is still here.”

Altos nodded. “He’s still here and I have until tomorrow to reply.”

Terena turned to Daris. “Give him the shroud. Duke Aurora must have also given you the letter of authentication he’d drawn up and the only way to guarantee it is for him to take it north to open the portal which,” she laughed and rubbed at her forehead before she looked over at the king with her hand out, “I don’t think he’ll ever do.”

“There’s something else,” Altos said with a grimace. “We’ve received word from our allies in Heylisia the emperor is rounding up trackers. He’s holding three of them so far. No one knows why.”

Sonah gasped and Terena’s heart skipped. Rydon had told them a while back the northern king was looking for trackers as well. That they were supposed to have powers like Terena. But whether or not they were gods or had powers gifted to them wasn’t clear.

There was still so much she didn’t know, but she wasn’t going to volunteer the information to King Altos. Not until she was certain of his own motives.

That got her thinking about Bethana’s fangs, and she pulled them out of her pocket.

Terena held up the pouch and tilted her head. “We’ll have to worry about that later. For now, I have the item you requested, Your Majesty,” she said with only a hint of a sneer. “But I’ll need something else from you first.”

She saw Daris stiffen.

The king folded his arms and waited.

“Why do you need them?” she asked.

Daris straightened as the king glanced at him. “They are said to have powerful magic,” he hedged.

Terena waited for him to continue but he stared back at her, his face impassive.

She closed her eyes and sighed. When she looked at him again, she motioned with her hand. “Aye? What king of magic?”

“That’s Spartan business.”

Terena grinned. “Unbelievable.” A second later, she tossed him the pouch, and he caught it awkwardly at the last moment. “Our bargain is complete, then. I’ll be taking my sister and my leave of you, Your Majesty.” This last she said with a deep, mocking bow.

Striding back to Sonah, Terena took hold of her hand and walked toward the door.

“Wait.”

Terena bit back a smile and ducked her chin, waiting until she’d schooled her face into a blank mask before turning back to the king.

He glared at her for a moment, then exhaled. “‘Lightning turns to ice, the ground lies frozen and the skies weep. Twenty-four moons and the Heir wields Athena’s Weapon, leading her army of undead from the mouth of the serpent.’”

The hairs on the back of Terena’s neck rose. It was as if someone had whispered a secret to her soul.

She stared at King Altos for a long time; her pulse was the only sound in her ears. An odd feeling flashed through her; not dread, exactly, but similar enough she cast a glance at Sonah to make sure she was all right.

“That’s what the oracle told me,” King Altos said, assuming her lack of comment was due to confusion. Terena knew those words, although she swore a minute before he spoke them she’d never heard them before.

Terena nodded slowly, thinking. “It was more than a year ago the north was devastated by some freak storms; weather anomalies changing the whole of the continent.”

“Aye,” King Altos said as he walked toward her.

Terena worked through the rest of what he’d said in her head. Two years after that freak storm she was supposed to wield Athena’s Weapon. But the short swords Altos had given her were called The Twins.

She looked over at Daris.

The Spartans had called him ‘Athena’s Weapon’. Is that what Pytho meant? Was she supposed to use him to lead an undead army?

“Army of Undead from the mouth of the serpent,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she shifted her gaze to Altos.

“Aye,” he said, his lips pressed in a tight line. “That is when the oracle told me it would be you that brought me the fangs from the serpent.”

She pointed at Daris. “And he’s Athena’s Weapon? Not The Twins you gave me?”

“I cannot say for certain,” the King said. He clenched his fists at his sides, his mouth pinched. “I was to give you The Twins and have you retrieve the fangs. Beyond that…”

“Well,” Terena sighed and let her head drop back, her eyes darting over the empty ceiling. She looked back at the king. “We have time, I guess. It hasn’t yet been two years since the north froze.” Her eyes widened. Terena lifted a hand to her mouth before she caught herself.

“What?”

She didn’t know if this was something she should share. Telling them both about how Melanos told her she’d come into her full powers when she reached the age of twenty-two made her insides twist.

“Nothing,” she answered at length, ducking her head. “Thank you for trusting me with the counsel you received from Pytho.”

“She said it is the Spartan prophecy.”

“Spartan prophecy,” she repeated. That seemed oddly specific. Why not just ‘that’s the prophecy’?

“What will you do now,” Daris asked, jarring her from her thoughts.

“I will,” Terena glanced at Sonah, then dropped her eyes to the ground. “I’ll head north. That was my plan all along.”

Daris stared at her a moment longer before turning his eyes to his king. When the king nodded, Daris said to her, “We’d like you to come with us to Messene. To help with the oracle.”

Terena balked. “I am not putting myself out there for my enemy, Daris,” she hissed, shaking her head. She motioned to Sonah. “What of my family? I did my part. I got the fangs for you and I warned you about Pytho.” She waved her hands. “You’re the Liodari. You alone are enough to get her back.”

He cocked his head. “We’ll escort you north once we’ve reclaimed her,” Daris said, taking a step closer. “To Seleste. ”

It took a few seconds for what he’d offered to register.

“Heylisia and its provinces are at war, Terena,” he added, taking another step closer. “We can get you there safely.”

“Why?”

“Because Daris will stay with you once you get there,” King Altos snapped.

“What? Why?”

“Your questions are beginning to annoy,” the king said with an arched eyebrow. “Understand, it is because of who you are and what you mean to Sparta I am as patient as I have been. But even my patience has a limit, lady. I am sending my most valuable warrior to what could be a rival king, and that is only because of who you are.”

Daris shifted his gaze between Terena and his king. Altos stopped a foot away from Terena, hands at his hips.

“Solon may be fighting his own provinces right now, but make no mistake. He will come for us, and when he does, he will have weapons made for gods in his possession. This invasion will not be the last. He has other trackers now, so he no longer needs you.”

“He doesn’t need me,” Terena scoffed. “He wants to kill me!”

“And he will have his allies from Rois,” the king added, ignoring her. “Daris will ensure you return when the time comes for you to help lead our army.”

Terena balked. “Return? I?—”

“Aye,” the king snarled, lunging forward. His face was inches from Terena and Daris’s skin prickled as if insects raced across his body. He moved close to Terena’s side and stared back at King Altos when the man’s shocked eyes swung to him. He realized with shock his hand gripped his sword. Something in his head was screaming at him he was close to drawing down on his sovereign. All because of how the king had leaned in too close, threatening her.

Daris’s blood rose to flood his face as his hand slowly fell away. He dropped his hands to clench at his sides .

When the king finally turned back to Terena, Daris closed his eyes. He willed his heart to stop its erratic pounding, the need to spill his king’s blood over the threat he posed to Terena still so strong Daris panicked for a second. Had his desire for this woman so overpowered his loyalty to his king? Is this what he’d been reduced to?

Years of loyal service now rendered meaningless because of this woman.

“You may be a god, the daughter of Ares, but all that means is you no longer have agency. You are not for yourself anymore, Terena Luca. You are for us. You were promised, you are the one fated to bring back the Olympians and if there’s ever a time we need their help, your help, it is now.”

“You think you can control me?” Terena asked softly.

Daris tensed, warring with his own body to keep his hands from unsheathing his sword.

What was wrong with him?

“Stop!” Sonah cried out, her voice shaking, yet strong. Daris took a step back, snapping out of the mind fog that had replaced his common sense.

She put a hand on Terena’s arm and looked at King Altos. “Must I make another deal to get you both to calm down?”

King Altos cast a wry glance as he stepped away from Terena.

“I’m sorry,” Terena said at last. Daris assumed she was speaking to her sister.

“I think it’s a good idea to have an escort of the most powerful warriors in Elysium,” Sonah said, her voice pitched low yet Daris heard. “Daris is right. If the entire continent’s at war, how are we to make it to the north without help?”

“I made a promise, Sonah,” Terena said, her voice as soft. “I have to go back for Melanos.”

“We’ll come with you,” Daris said and both women’s eyes shot to him. Terena looked annoyed but Sonah beamed.

“There!” she said, waving a hand at him. “We’ll go together to Melanos and then bring him with us to rescue Pytho. Who is Melanos? ”

“He is the god from what we’d thought was a myth,” said Terena dryly. “I’ll tell you later.”

Turning back to King Altos, she frowned.

“If we have another god with us,” Terena groused, “why would we still need the Liodari to escort us north? Melanos is plenty to frighten anyone with a design on us.”

“You assume he’ll go with you,” Daris replied. “You wish to bring back the Olympians. One of those Olympians is why he was stuck in that cave for more than a thousand years and why his lover is a giant snake.”

“So?”

“He’s right, Terena,” Sonah said, tugging at her sister’s wrist. “What will it hurt to have them come with us north? We’ll get what we need up there and come back.” She tightened her grip on Terena’s sleeve until she turned to her sister. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Daris watched the exchange between the women, his eyes resting at last on Terena’s face, his chest tightening as her face relaxed and her beautiful eyes shone bright.

Terena groaned loudly and waved at King Altos. “Fine. But I have a promise to fulfill first.” She turned to Daris and he straightened. “We’ll meet you in Messene in a ten days.”