Chapter 22

W e agreed to stay the night at the manor, keeping watch over Arcturas as she regained her strength. I kept my dagger close, avoiding Aryx's wandering gaze from across the study. He remained in a rocker by the window, scanning the outer grounds for arachnae throughout the night.

I shrugged off his attempts to make conversation, raising my blade in his direction any time he opened his mouth to speak. My mind raced through everything I'd learned tonight,thinking of my parents and my mother's subtle cruelty. As children, my sister and I would sneak into her chambers and watch as she brushed the long locks of midnight hair that fell just below her waist. Wonder danced in our eyes as she'd hum tunes to herself, applying blush to her already rosy cheeks. I never questioned why I was left to play alone in our nursery while Adria and our mother explored the gardens together. While I dressed my dolls with makeshift clothes made from old kitchen rags, the pair would twist flower crowns into each other's hair. My childhood admiration put her on a pedestal, shrouding the obvious difference between my sister and me. As I grew into adulthood, I simply accepted the inequality between us. It had always been there, so why think it out of the ordinary?

I grew up to believe my father loved my mother, but the more I lost myself in memories, the more I questioned. The subtleties of their strained relationship were there; however, they were nearly undetectable unless looking for them. My mother reaching for her husband's hand as he pulled it away. The empty expressions they shared. The silent tears shed in the late morning hours as my mother sat, unaware of her two daughters hidden behind a closed armoire door.

My father loved me until his dying breath, always embracing me a second or two longer than he did Adria. Maybe that's why she despised me so much. The jealousy. The truth of my birth. Maybe it was fear? Had she known of the power I possessed? Did she punish me and lock me away in order to save her family and her city from the demons that lurked beneath my surface?

These questions ricocheted against my mind as I watched the half-god pace across the chamber. Faint moonlight filtered through thin, floor length curtains, casting shadows across his furrowed brow. Allowing myself to dive into my past was easier than dealing with the pain of my present.

Eventually, I'd have to come to terms with it. I'd exposed myself entirely to a man that lied and manipulated to achieve a goal. A part of me still noticed the broadness of his shoulders, the way his lower lip pouted slightly when he was lost in thought, the blonde, smooth locks of hair that framed a powerful jaw. I shook my head and focused on my anger. Better to feel rage than to the sickening attraction I still held. He wasn't Rune, I reminded myself. He was a killer. A liar. A cold-blooded soldier, willing to hurt anyone or destroy anything that stood in his way.

Flicking the dirt from under my fingernails with the blade, I sunk lower into my chair. Once Tethys was gone, I'd truly be free. I snorted. How many times had I said that to myself before?

Once I escaped the tower, I'd be free.

Once I got to Ursae, I'd be free.

Once I accepted my demons and shadows, I'd be free.

At what point did it end? Was my life bound to be this constant battle for freedom?

I sighed and tried to silence those thoughts. Outside the arched windows, a petal floated in the springtime breeze of the manor's garden. It bounced in the air, spiraling towards the hedges below. Landing in a pond of lily pads, it sunk beneath the surface, disappearing into the murky jade depths.

"You should get some sleep," Aryx said, his voice clipped.

"If you think I'd even close one eye in your presence, you're gravely mistaken. I'm not falling for any more of your tricks."

"Suit yourself. We have a long journey tomorrow. Now's your chance to rest." He shrugged, indifference bitter on his lips.

Arcturas growled low in her throat as he started toward me. Rather than stopping beside my chair, he brushed past, heading for the chamber door.

"Where are you going?" I asked, turning to face him.

Without looking back, he said, "To go get some sleep. There are beds far more comfortable than those shitty old chairs."

#

At dawn, we escaped into the city, blending into the crowds of early risers off to work. Arcturas trailed behind us under the cover of landscaped shrubbery. With the diminishing darkness of night, the city bloomed. We passed through the markets with merchants bustling from customer to customer, selling plump fresh produce. We filled our satchels with rations of hard cheese, fruit, and cured meats. Although the journey to Canissa wasn't long, the roads were treacherous, and the hills were steep. On foot, it'd take double the time as it would on horseback.

Aryx stopped at a fruit stand on the outskirts of the market. Turning to face us, the farmer dropped his armful of apples in surprise at the Spring Prince, inquiring about the price of his plums.

"O-On the house, your highness," the merchant said, bowing deeply.

Aryx bent to collect the bruised apples, now rolling down the street.

"No, I insist. We'll pay." Handing the man his stray produce, Aryx slid a gold coin across the fruit-stand and tossed me a plum.

Scowling, I caught the deep purple fruit and tucked it into my cloak.

"Bless you," the man called after us as we crossed the street.

"Plums? Really?" I glared at him as he bit into the skin of his fruit, the juice rolling down his lips. Heat pooled in the pit of my stomach as I thought of those lips against mine. I clenched my jaw, disgusted by the physical reaction I had in his presence.

"What can I say? They're my favorite." He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and chuckled at my now crimson cheeks.

"Say another word and you die," I spat. My fingers twitched against the sheathed dagger on my thigh. Aryx snorted and took another bite.

"We have one more stop to make before we leave the city," he said, leading me down a narrow alley. Strings of honeysuckle hung from the trellis above us. Their odor was a pungent reminder of Tethys and her venomous beauty. Arcturas trotted behind us with lowered ears. She, too, must have recognized the scent.

The alleyway opened into a vast courtyard inlaid with clean, bleached brick. White stable doors lined the exterior walls. A young stable boy, no older than ten, swung open the center door and ran toward us.

"Ryx!" The boy shrieked happily, leaning into Aryx's tight embrace. Lifting him into the air, he twirled the boy around gleefully.

"Judas, it's good to see you!" Grinning, Aryx placed him back on his feet. "You've grown since I saw you last. You're nearly a man."

"I've missed you! Mother didn't tell me you were coming to see us today, otherwise I'd have Kratos ready for you." Judas's face lit up as he beamed at us.

I shuffled against the brick, tucking my hands in my pockets, rubbing the smooth skin of the plum delicately between my fingertips.

"I brought you something from the North." Aryx dug through his satchel, pulling out a small metal tin. "These are the best cakes you'll ever taste. I had to track them down before I left. They're usually only made for Festival."

Judas grasped for the tin, lifting its lid with wide eyes. The two butter cakes glistened as he scooped a taste of cinnamon icing.

"Thank you, Ryx!" He plucked one into his mouth, grinning with stuffed cheeks.

Between bites of the second, he said, "I'll bring Kratos around for you. He'll be so excited to see you."

The small boy hurried back into the stable, loose red curls bouncing across his petite shoulders with every step. Moments later he returned, pulling a stallion by the reins.

The horse, with its sleek, white coat, stood 20 hands high. It was a giant next to the others in the stables, and it made Judas look even smaller than he already was. Snorting joyously, the stallion nuzzled against Aryx's forehead.

"Alright, alright." Aryx stroked down its long snout. "I missed you too."

Kratos trotted toward me and sniffed at the long braid draped down my shoulder. I brushed my fingers across his nose. A black spot of fur shrouded his left eye.

"Elpis, this is Kratos," Aryx said as the horse nudged me again. "I guess he likes you. I'm not entirely certain why."

I threw him a sharp look.

"He's been with me since he was a foal. You won't find a faster steed anywhere across the realms."

Judas approached me uncertainly, his tiny hands clasped behind his back.

"It's okay, Judas, this is Elpis. She's from Ursae."

His eyes lit up, and a grin stretched from his lips.

"Really? What's it like there? Is it true you only live off butter cakes there? You don't look like you live off of cakes alone?" He erupted with questions. Aryx chuckled beside us as he left me to the wrath of the ten-year-old.

"Well, um, I guess I just exercise a lot," I murmured.

I don't think Judas heard my response, though, because he continued to spew questions about Ursae, not pausing to take a single breath. When he was nearly blue in the face, Aryx cut him off.

"I'm sure she'll be happy to answer your questions later, but I need to speak to your father. Is he around?"

"Aw, okay… He's in the back barn." Judas knelt beside Arcturas and held out a careful hand.

"Easy, Arcturas," I commanded.

The wolf sniffed the boy's hand and licked the remnants of sugar crusted on his fingertips. Judas shrieked with joy and stroked his other hand down her chest. If he had any more sugared cubes with him, I knew they'd instantly be best friends.

I followed Aryx to the back barn, passing through pristine white stables harboring horses with coats of the same bleached color.

"Venia breeds only white horses. It's a symbol of status and wealth for our people. When Kratos was born, his black spot made him a monstrosity. I was lucky to find him when I did. The previous stableman planned to put him down the next day to assure that he wouldn't muddy their bloodline."

I glanced back at the towering horse. He was nuzzling Judas affectionately, causing the boy to break out into uncontrollable giggles.

"What kind of person could slaughter an innocent animal just based on a discoloration of their fur?"

"The heartless kind." A man stepped into the stable, joining us. With velvety, dark skin, he looked slightly older than I was. He pulled each finger of his riding gloves off and tossed them on a shelf of leather work boots.

"Hyppolytos, my friend, it's been too long." Aryx threw his arms around the man in a full, wholehearted embrace.

Hyppolytos smiled, wrinkles creasing at the corners of his jade-colored eyes.

Aryx turned to me and introduced us, "Elpis, this is my oldest friend."

The man nodded toward me.

"I see your travels were worth it, then." He shot Aryx a look and crossed his arms against his chest.

"To my misfortune, they were." I scowled, clenching my fist.

"I'm sorry to hear that. However, as much as it pains me to agree with Aryx, you're the person who can take out Tethys and bring the city peace."

"Trust me, Lytos, she won't buy it." Aryx's smile faded, looking at me with deep disdain.

Hyppolytos grew quiet, watching his old friend watch me.

"Well, I don't know what happened, although I'm sure Ryx here probably messed up big time. He's not all that well versed in conversation with women. Please accept my apology for whatever idiocy performed." Hyppolytos held out his hand for me to take.

"It was definitely a performance," I hissed, shoving my hands in my pockets.

I thought of our travels to Venia, the quiet words we shared, the connection we had felt. It had all been a lie, a manipulation to get me here. The betrayal was still as bitter as rust on my tongue.

"Well, Lytos, I need a favor. We're headed to Canissa this morning. I was hoping to take Kratos," Ryx said.

"Sure, I bet he'd like the chance to stretch his legs." Lytos looked at me again, eyeing my dirty trousers and stained tunic. "I think my wife has a box of old clothes she was planning on donating. You're about her size. I'll ask her to grab it for you."

"I would appreciate that," I said, suddenly very aware of the stench that clung to my skin.

"Come up to the main house. You can clean up. Have you two eaten yet? We have a couple slices of quiche leftover from breakfast."

"You know I can't turn down Margerie's baking." Aryx threw his arm around Lytos and the two started out the back stable doors and up the hill to their home.

The farmhouse was equally beautiful as the downtown city townhomes. Its painted blue shudders matched the sea of poppies that stretched across the front yard. Trailing Judas, Arcturas met us at the front gates. The two both panted heavily, as if an intense game of tag had just ensued. I scratched behind the wolf's ear, seeking a familiar face in the group of strangers I'd found myself a part of.

"Margie, guess who came by to see us," Lytos called, swinging the glass-paneled door open.

"Oh, I saw through the window, come on in, Ryx! It's so good you're here. I'm just finishing up some dishes. I'll be out in a minute," a soft female voice hollered from down the front hall.

Dishes clanked and cluttered as she finished putting them away. I shifted my weight in my boots, growing uncomfortable from the intimacy of their home. Portraits of family and friends covered the walls, leaving no white paint visible. Their lives were splayed out on the walls. It felt wrong for me to gaze upon them. I was an intrusive force, an outsider, getting a glimpse of their intimate family details.

A petite woman stepped down the hallway. Wiping her small hands against her apron and tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, she beamed. Before Aryx could introduce me, she stepped forward and threw herself around me. Stunned, my arms remained paralyzed at my side, unable to return the friendly gesture.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're here. I'm so glad," she cried as she squeezed tighter.

I was a giant next to her petite frame. I worried I'd snap her in two if I squeezed back.

"Margie, don't scare her," Lytos chuckled, tapping his wife on her shoulder.

Margerie pulled away, her round eyes twinkling with admiration as she looked at me.

"Oh, I'm sorry. We've just been waiting for you for a very long time." She trailed off, looking at her son, who was now stroking Arcturas gingerly across the back.

"I'm not sure what I can do for you, but thank you for allowing me into your home." I smiled softly, but my fists were still clenched in my trouser pockets.

"I told Elpis that you had some old clothes lying around she could borrow," Lytos prompted his wife. She threw her hands up excitedly, her smile stretching across the entirety of her slender face.

"Oh, yes! I'm sure we can find something! Follow me." She reached for my hand and pulled me down the hallway.

Turning into one bedroom, she motioned for me to sit on a royal red chaise that rested by the window. The bedroom was exquisite. A large window overlooked the pastures down the hill and a four poster bed with delicately carved florals centered the room. Margerie disappeared into her closet, throwing various tunics and trousers into a pile at my feet. By the time she returned, I was buried in pinks and yellows.

"Alright! So there's plenty to choose from. Take what you need. You're nearly a foot taller than me, so I apologize if the trousers are too short. The bathing chamber is down the hallway on your left. Take your time. I'm sure it was a long road from Ursae and, well, Ryx can be hard company." She smiled warmly at me, resting her palms on her cheeks.

Nearly speechless, I whispered a thank you as she closed the door behind her. Undressing was difficult. Large, swollen welts had appeared on my thighs and abdomen. Deep, scabbed over cuts littered my arms from where the thorns had pierced my skin. Every inch of my body was battered and torn.

Wrapping a towel around myself, I hurriedly tiptoed to the bathing chamber and washed. The sharp shower of water was excruciating against my bruised body. Wincing, I scraped away the thick layer of grime.

When finally I was clean, I stepped out of the shower and dried off. Tightly tucking the towel back around myself, I opened the door and stepped directly into Aryx. The hard muscle of his chest pressed into my damp skin.

"Wh-What the hell are you doing?" I stammered, jerking away. His cheeks burned a deep purple as he scanned down my exposed flesh. The towel was a mere scrap, not nearly covering enough.

"I'm sorry. I thought you were done." He held a similarly colored towel in one hand and a change of clothes in the other. Suddenly very interested in his bare feet, he lowered his gaze and stepped aside, letting me pass.

"Yes, well, I wasn't. I'd appreciate it if you didn't barge in on me," I snapped, brushing past him. Nostrils flaring, I glanced back at him. The strands of his tunic were untied, and the material hung low on his chest, revealing the sharp curve of his pectorals. Twin tattoos traced each collarbone with straight, thick lines.

Aryx opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, I whipped my head away and hurried down the hallway back to Margerie's bedchamber, and slammed the door behind me.

Wiping droplets of water from across my brow, I dropped my towel and wrapped it around my head. I breathed deeply and fanned myself, trying to cool the hot flash across the nape of my neck. Aryx was beautiful, classically so. He was a killer, a ruthless liar. Every instinct told me to run. But the woman I'd kept locked in a box deep inside burst into flames with every accidental touch between us.

Pull yourself together, Elpis. I scowled and reached for a black tunic draped across the chaise. After searching for a pair of trousers that fell even close to my ankles, I quickly combed through my hair and started for the kitchen.

Lytos and Margerie sat at an antique round table. The scent of roasted coffee lingered with beams of late morning light. The steam from their mugs billowed into the air as Lytos motioned for me to sit. Margerie rose from her seat to pour coffee and pass me a slice of quiche.

"I'm happy to make you something if you'd like anything else." She rested the plate in front of me and waited for me to dig in. I smiled and took a bite.

"This is delicious, thank you," I said through a large mouthful.

"Oh, wonderful! I'm glad you like it." She pushed her blonde hair over her shoulder and returned to her seat. The couple stared at me as I continued eating.

"You two will scare her away if you keep eyeing her like that," Aryx said, appearing in the corridor.

His golden hair, now damp, hung at his shoulders and the heat from the shower left his skin glowing in the soft light. I avoided his eye contact, focusing intently on my quiche. My cheeks grew hot at the thought of that tan chest against mine and I found it hard to swallow, my throat suddenly dry. Margerie placed a plate at the empty seat across the table as he sat down. I stared into my mug, avoiding those piercing, golden eyes.

"So, you're headed to Canissa?" Lytos asked, sipping his coffee.

"I think that's the best place to start. You know Altair's reaction when he sees me will be…interesting." Aryx picked at the crumbs remaining on his plate.

"Yes, but if you explain the plan, I think he'll be convinced. He's an understanding God. Just tell him the truth." Lytos glanced at me, then back at Aryx.

"We'll see. I think Elpis has a better chance than I do."

"Why?" I interjected, my ears perked at the mention of my name.

"Let's just say he and I have a rocky past." The trio grew silent.

I scanned each of their expressions.

"It's probably time for us to get on the road if we want to get to the Western City before dark," Aryx said, sliding out his chair and placing his plate in the sink.

The couple chaperoned us back down the hill, where Judas and Arcturas chased each other throughout the stables. Like two old friends, they wrestled and played until each was panting. It amazed me they hadn't tired each other out yet. Kratos, surveying the two from a safe distance, grazed through a feed trough.

"Judas, quit terrorizing that wolf!" Margerie scolded, pulling the boy close to her. "Sorry about him, he just gets excited whenever he makes a new friend."

"It's alright," I chuckled. Arcturas's tongue hung against the side of her mouth. "She loves a good game of chase."

"Ryx, are you going to come back tomorrow too?" the boy asked, breaking free from his mother and throwing himself against Aryx's leg.

"Sorry bud, not tomorrow. But I'll be back real soon, okay? I'll bring you something from Canissa. How does that sound?"

Judas nodded enthusiastically.

"Be safe, Ryx. There's a lot of us here who are depending on you," Lytos said. His expression was sincere as he pulled Judas into an embrace. The man's hands were nearly triple the size of his son's.

Margerie wiped a tear from rolling down her cheek.

"It will be okay. I promise." Aryx hugged his friend tightly and whispered something in her ear.

"Elpis, thank you for being here. Good luck dealing with this one on your trip," Margerie laughed, and leaned into a timid hug. I smiled and allowed her to embrace me. I suddenly realized the gravity of this family's situation. Lytos, and in a few years, Judas, would be called to fight for the Venian army. Not only was Margerie at risk of losing a husband, but also a child. How many other families would be torn apart from this war?

Judas reminded me so much of Vikar before everything happened. They both had an air of fascination around them, believing the world to be a wondrous place. It broke my heart to think how this impending war might change him, just as Vikar had. Another child thrown into the boots of a grownup, robbed of the playful innocence of youth.

We strung our packs across Kratos's saddle and began down the gravel road leading back to the city. It wasn't until we turned the corner street that the trio started back up the hill to their home.

Feeling more at ease with Arcturas by my side, we marched up the street in silence, taking in the bustling city's beauty. People gawked at the midnight-colored wolf as she trotted up the sidewalks, stopping in their tracks and jumping away in fear. When we reached the western gate, Aryx led Kratos to my side.

"Do you need help with the saddle? It can be difficult for inexperienced riders," he asked, offering a hand.

I swatted it away, clicking my tongue as I kicked my foot in the stirrup and jumped into the seat.

"Who said I was an inexperienced rider?" I smirked.

He shrugged and stepped into the stirrup behind me, placing his hands on either side of my waist

"What are you doing?" My back straightened.

"You didn't expect me to walk while you rode, did you?" He asked, foot still resting in the leather hold. I swallowed hard, tightening my grip around the reins. Aryx climbed into the seat behind me, swinging his powerful leg over the horse. His body was warm against mine as he reached around my waist to grasp the reins from me. The fresh, citrusy smell was intoxicating, and I forced myself to not breathe it in. He flicked the reins and Kratos started into a trot .