Chapter 12

D arkness burned my eyes as the familiar scent of smoke pinched my lungs. Coughing, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move. My limbs were heavy against my body, muscles refusing to flex. Droplets of water echoed throughout the vastness of my surroundings. High caverns of night arched around me.

Panic traced its way through my veins as I tried again to move from where I lay. I had to get out; I had to run. She was coming. Scratching my nails against the cold floor beneath me, I continued to fight the paralysis. This couldn't be the end. It wouldn't be.

Somewhere beyond, a hum buzzed through the earth as pebbles of dirt loosened and shook from the walls above me. A faint glow radiated from my palms as licks of emerald wrapped themselves around each finger and up my wrist. I welcomed the electrifying comfort that now coursed through me in a rush of tingles.

As the light traveled outwards, it grew in intensity until my limbs themselves were nearly blinding. Its rays bounced off of a high marble ceiling. My body, now glowing with the borealis, cast away the shadows of the prison, illuminating huge white pillars and a dais beneath a pristine, white throne.

Seated upon the throne was a woman with golden hair trailing down her frame. Ringlets of curls bounced from the crown of her head down below her waist. Atop her head, a golden diadem dripping with topaz- both yellow and pink. She wore a gauzy golden gown that plunged to her hips, secured with a chain around her petite waist. Strips of apricot, lilac, and fuchsia draped down her thin, crossed legs. Her eyes burned brightly with orbs of morning sunlight as she rested her head on her arm and leaned against the side of the throne. A faint, yellow glow slithered through her veins.

"Elpis, my dear, how long I've waited to meet you." Opposite her warm and gentle likeness, her voice was bitter with a venom that trickled down the back of my neck. I swallowed hard, still unmoving.

"It seems your power has finally awakened. Good." She rose to her bare feet.

With silent, graceful steps, she seemed to float towards me, the swish of her gauzy train trailing behind her. Snapping her fingers, the chamber lit in a blaze of candles and sconces. The glow surrounding my body receded back through my fingertips, leaving a heaviness in its place. I flexed my fingers, relieved to feel the muscles contract to my will once again.

"Who are you? What do you want from me?" I asked, pushing off the floor to my feet. My knees creaked beneath my stance as I straightened them. There was something about this goddess I didn't quite trust. She was beautiful and bright, but the surrounding lightness was too intense, too harsh. It ignited only a chill down my spine as she glared at me, her eyes burning into my own with fiery hatred. I needed to get away. The goddess laughed- the sound sharp and clipped.

"My dear, you know who I am."

In that moment, I knew her. Mortals and gods alike trembled with fear in her presence. Hated across the realms, a scorned lover who had slaughtered an entire court of innocents. Tethys.

"What the hell do you want?" I hissed, taking a step away from the immortal. Her eyes lowered, and she closed the distance between us again. Her words were flames against my cheeks as she spoke.

"You." Her fingers wrapped around my throat and squeezed, cutting off my air supply. I clawed at her iron grip, gasping and wrenching for breath. She was too strong. Tears welled in my eyes as I continued struggling, the world vignetting around me. My skin burned as she squeezed tighter and tighter. The ground fell away and everything faded to black. I was dying .