77. In Which the Protection of a Soul Belongs to Only One
Chapter 77
In Which the Protection of a Soul Belongs to Only One
Cephas in the Flatlands region of Olympus, Tellus Province
E vander always knew it would end this way. The night he drank the elixir and became what he was, joining the Circle, he knew. He knew he would one day be walking into Athena’s palace, never to walk back out again. Centuries ago, he distanced himself from love and gentleness through a vow. He wanted an emotionless existence. A life fighting for the better good, devoid of anything remotely tender.
Until her.
That night, standing in her backyard, staring at her through the dark, he knew then. He knew he would do everything to protect her. Even when he warred with himself and tried to resist her. Ultimately, Ellie was destined to move into his orbit, sending his world off its axis in the best possible way.
Entering Athena’s palace, Evander, fight gone, fell to his knees, surrendering to whatever may come. He didn’t resist the guards when they hauled him to his feet, flanking him on either side, and escorting him down the corridor. They shoved him into a room. This was the official meeting that warriors and humans alike could attend. Shouting and fist-slamming were underway when the guards burst through the doors. The room grew eerily silent.
“My Goddess, council members,” the guard to his left said as they made their way to the center of the room, Evander sandwiched between them.
Before him sat the twelve council members, their various sashes coloring their white chitons with the province they represented. The twelve sat in two rows of risers, putting them yards above the meeting floor. Above them, on the top riser, sat Athena. Encircling the room, more seating rose to the ceiling. Warriors from every province but Celestial took up seats. This day, the meeting room was packed. No doubt the topic of conversation was his broken company. He stopped with the guards in the center, standing on Medusa’s head, inlaid in marble on the floor.
Athena looked up, annoyed at the intrusion, but her demeanor changed as soon as Evander came into view. Several guards turned to face him as he walked past. Council members stopped arguing, and a few stood to address the prisoner coming forward.
“Bold move, Evander, entering my palace yet again uninvited.” Athena crossed her arms over her chest, the glint in her eye turned his stomach.
“I have come to address the council and receive my sentence for my crimes,” he said, his voice flat and lifeless.
Bored, she waved a hand. “Proceed.”
“Does the council wish to read the scroll of grievances before I begin?”
One council member, dressed as the others, but with a dark-blue shawl, scurried around, scrolls rustling. While he gathered the papers, Evander looked around the room—some faces familiar, some foreign. Catching sight of Camulos, he nodded as Cam shook his head. Turning to face the council, movement caught his eye, and that’s when he saw her. Hypatia approached the council, a scroll in her hand.
Of course, she would have it, he thought. He wondered if she knew. If Hypatia had been told that, right now, her daughter lay on a table in the Underworld, lifeless, while she stood before the council, about to send the warrior who loved her into the Shadow Realm—poetic justice in its finest form.
Hypatia climbed the stairs and leaned down to say something to the scribe. He frowned, shuffling papers, and waved his hand.
“Gentleman,” she addressed the room with a soft and firm voice. “I have the list of grievances against this warrior.” Unrolling the scroll, she straightened her shoulders and cleared her throat.
“I am Hypatia, official scribe and curator of the Library of Alexandria.”
“We know who you are Hypatia, get on with it.” One council member waved his hand as others nodded. Grumbling went up around the room.
“I am reading the official grievances of the council.”
Another huffed. “Yes, woman. We know. Get on with it.”
She cleared her throat and untwisted the scroll, then rolled it part way, only to unroll it. The council glared at her.
“The warrior, Evander, formally Evander Crossfield, Duke of Bradford, country England, has hereby committed the following crimes against Olympus. The warrior was instructed to kill the target, one Delphina, Ellie, Whitemore.” Her voice cracked as she read Ellie’s name.
Evander glanced at her as she flicked her eyes to him and then back to the scroll.
She continued. “He disobeyed the direct order. This led to a lie orchestrated by Camulos that the target had been eliminated. Next, he harbored Delphina, also known as the Serathena, the Destroyer of Olympus, teaching her to wield her magic and to fight. This was orchestrated under Captain Maximus Lucci while in residence at his home.
“Following that, he then broke his vow to the Circle of Epsilon. The Circle laws clearly state that the members vow to honor Olympus at all times and live a celibate life as penance for their crimes as a human. Evander defiled himself and broke his vow with Delphina, who is a threat to Olympus. He was instrumental in the escape of the Titans and Aerelia, known as the Dark Oracle and the Queen of the Pythians, causing armies to be called up in the four provinces. After a declaration of war was called against the Celestial Legion for their behavior, Evander and his company, led by Camulos, came unannounced to the palace and murdered twenty-seven good warriors, three guardsmen, and wounded many others.”
Evander felt as if he were underwater as she read his crimes. At that moment, he knew there would be nothing he could say that would change his outcome. He wouldn’t fight the verdict. He would let them sentence him to the Shadow Realm, Tartarus. While he may not be by her side, he could see her enjoying herself on the Elysian Plain. She would be safe there, happy and free. He would live his days as a shadow in love with a beautiful soul. Bracing himself, he thought of Ellie, her cheeks pink from laughing, her gray eyes sparkling at him.
“These crimes are egregious and treasonous. Some of the worst crimes against Olympus that have been brought before this council in centuries.”
Council members and warriors nodded as Evander’s gaze met Camulos. The worried expression told him everything he needed to know about the outcome of his sentencing.
“Have you reached a verdict?” Athena asked, a sly smile on her lips.
“May I plead on his behalf?” Camulos shot to his feet, interrupting the goddess.
“No, you may not, Camulos,” another member said, turning to him. “We have our verdict; the time to plead cases is over.”
“He may have something useful to add,” Hypatia spoke up, pointing at Camulos.
“I do.”
One council member waved his hand, and Camulos proceeded.
“I am aware of the crimes, but all this was done in respect for Olympus. We—my company was trying to keep Ellie safe while buying time until we knew for sure she was the destroyer. Knowing what we do now, that Pandora created two keys for the locks, proves keeping Ellie alive was the best course of action. Magic must be in equal parts: what unlocks must lock. If Ellie and Queen Callassa’s blood open the prison doors; then it stands to reason, it also closes them. Killing Ellie would have spilled her blood with no way to put Aerelia back.”
The council was silent for a moment as an odd expression, worry, and something else crossed Hypatia’s features.
“May I address the council?” Evander straightened his back.
He told Ellie he would tell them the truth, and that’s precisely what he planned to do. He wanted to be the man she saw when she looked at him, even if she would never gaze up at him again.
Waving a bored hand, another council member spoke. “Proceed.”
“I do not refute the crimes I am accused of.”
“No!” Camulos shouted.
Nodding his head in Cam’s direction, he continued. “I am responsible for all that occurred while Ellie was under my care. My company is blameless. They tried to remind me what was at stake at every turn, but I continued on my path of destruction.” Swallowing, he lifted his chin. “For centuries, I have been a faithful warrior to this council, Athena, and my legion. I followed Athena’s orders obediently and respected my position in the Circle of Epsilon. I was duty-bound and guided by honor. But the moment I saw her, my heart knew. I didn’t plan on falling in love with Ellie, but I did. It was instant, automatic, instinctive, like breathing. And I loved her well, for as long as I could. I loved her in the way a man should: unencumbered, whole, and selfless. I risked everything for her because she was worth my everything.” He paused, taking a deep breath, his words hanging in the air. “And I would do it again. I’d make the same choice. If I lived a thousand lifetimes, I would find her in every one, and fall in love with her again and again. So, sentence me to an eternity living amongst the shadows. Sentence me to death. Because without her, I am half a man. I am not sorry for what I’ve done. I am only sorry our love story didn’t start sooner, so I could love her longer.”
The room was still; the only sound was Evander’s blood roaring in his ears. He shared a look with Hypatia as she wiped tears away with the back of her hand. His gaze fell to Athena, her eyes flashing with malice. Anger pricked his wounded heart.
Evander leveled his chin, his green eyes turning cold as ice formed at his feet. “Hear my words, Athena. You were the one who killed her. You took her from me. Because of your pride, you snuffed out her light. And I will take my revenge.”
“You dare threaten me?”
He nodded once. “I will come for you, Athena. I will have my vengeance. Kill me, Athena. Kill me and save yourself.”
The room went still as council members and warriors alike nervously glanced between the pissed-off warrior and his creator.
“The sentence,” Athena gritted out.
Clearing her throat, Hypatia moved the scroll. “We sentence you, Evander, to be stripped of your rank of epsilon and your warrior title. To no longer be part of the Celestial Legion.” She wiped her cheeks and sniffed. “We find you not guilty of all crimes outside of breaking your vow. You were working in the best interest of Olympus, and for that, the company is blameless.”
Athena roared from her perch above Hypatia; instantly, her armor appeared. “I demand a recount!” she shouted.
“The council is unanimous,” Hypatia said, her eyes fixed on Evander, soft and tender.
“What is his penance for breaking his vow?” Athena ground out behind clenched teeth.
“We find him guilty, Athena.” Hypatia let out a sobbing breath, keeping her eyes on Evander. She laid the parchment down.
A gleeful look came over Athena as she reached into a copper box that appeared before her. She pulled out a white, round gem. It was smooth and gleamed in the sunlight that streamed through the stained-glass window.
“Do you know what this is?” She held up the gem for all the room to see and lowered her chin at Evander.
“It is my soul.”
He swallowed against the fear that rose in him and turned his thoughts to Ellie. The way her hair looked in the morning, wild copper and orange curls laying across his chest.
“Exactly.” Her eyes flashed as she raised it in the air.
Heat traveled through Evander, his body warming, starting at his feet and climbing upwards. It felt as though he was burning as a fire crawled through him. The familiar scent—her scent—wafted through the air, soft, floating on a breeze. Ash danced around him as the heat crawled further up, mixing with snowflakes that pirouetted on an unseen breeze.
“No, Athena!” Camulos yelled, struggling against guards who restrained him.
“Once I destroy this, your immortality will no longer be.”
“I understand.” Nodding his head, Evander watched as a sneer ran across her face.
Athena had won, just like he knew she would. She held the gem up and opened her hand, letting it fall. Watching in slow motion, he thought only of Ellie. Closing his eyes, he braced himself as the gem neared the floor. It hit the marble, bounced, slid, and rattled to the side.
Stunned silence pierced the room as warriors and council alike froze in place. Athena looked down and back to a council member, then back down at his soul, which lay unharmed on the ground. One member walked over, picked it up, and gasped. It glowed; copper and orange shot out of the gem, refractions of light in all directions. Evander watched in shocked confusion, whipping his head around as someone gasped behind him.
“His wings!”
Looking to Camulos, who stood agape, unmoving, he felt the warmth move up him and then extinguish as quickly as it came. Frost jutted out from under his feet as ash hung in the air. A light emanated from behind him, encapsulating him, swirling around the room in blinding shards of gold and coppers. Hypatia was staring, her hand over her mouth.
The room erupted into a deafening roar of disbelief and surprise. Everyone began talking at once as Evander stood, shifting his gaze between Camulos and Hypatia.
“Soul mates!” Hypatia whispered and gasped.
Evander searched for Camulos, whose look of utter surprise was alarming.
“Soul mates?” A rough-sounding warrior said from one side.
“Warriors don’t have mates,” another said from his other side.
Athena yelled from her perch above him, pounding her fist on the table. She snatched the gem from the council member and repeatedly tossed it to the ground, growing more and more frustrated as she did. Evander caught her eye, straightening his back as a soft glow encircled him. Raising her arms, she let the flow of energy spark and sizzle between her hands.
Camulos roared as he realized what Athena was about to do. Evander watched as she pulled back and sent a bolt of magic, as much power as she could muster, flying towards him. He didn’t move; he closed his eyes and saw her. The sun behind her ringing her head like a golden halo, her mass of wild curls blowing in the ocean breeze. A broad and happy smile spread across her beautiful face.
His thoughts went to her laying between his sheets, softly stroking his chest, sated. Reaching for him in the middle of the night, her arm gliding across his waist so she could rest her head on his shoulder. The morning light bathed her beauty in soft yellow and pale gold tendrils. He thought of her laughing at him, a domino tile in her hand. Sitting on the island in Max’s kitchen. Her arms outstretched, seated on the back of Coty as she flew towards the moon, her face upturned, free. Finally free. A meadow full of daisies. Her strength in battle. Her sacrifice of herself for him. So many memories over such a short time, so many times she looked at him with love and admiration shining in her eyes. He could feel the bolt getting closer; its magic sizzling through the air and making the hair on his arms stand on end. His last thought as he quieted his mind, blocking out the surrounding noise, was Ellie. Ellie in love with him.
“Ellie,” he breathed her name, a prayer on his lips. And waited. Waited for the magic to find its mark; he could feel it only feet away.
Evander was thrown forward when it hit; his body shoved to the ground so forcefully he didn’t put out his hands to stop himself. His shoulders and his face hit the marble first, then his hips. He tried to pick himself up, but the weight of his body leaving this realm held him to the ground. Pushing against it, the weight grew heavier, shoving him further into the marble. Turning his head just so, all he could see was a fiery glow all around him. Flashes of gold and red as the bolt traveled like lightning strikes snaking around him. Closing his eyes, he called to her, knowing he would find her in the Underworld.
“Evander.”
Hearing her voice, his heart leapt in his chest. She was here, looking for him. He knew she heard him when he said goodbye to her. She was waiting for him.
“Ellie,” he murmured, his voice soft and muffled under the fiery flames that now consumed him.
“Evander. Evander!”
Feeling her cool hands grab his face, his eyes still closed. He didn’t want to open them, knowing his mind was playing tricks on him. She would be in the Underworld, and he in Tartarus; they could never touch.
“Evander, look at me!”
“You found me,” he whispered, his hands coming up to the ones holding his cheeks. They traveled up her wrists to her forearms, then back down.
“You idiot, look at me.”
Evander clamped down on her wrists and snapped his eyes open. Her beautiful gray eyes were just inches from his nose. He blinked several times, holding onto her wrists. Ellie shook her head at him.
“I can’t let you do something so stupid like get yourself killed.”
“You found me,” he whispered again, not believing what was right before him.
“Of course, I found you. You ain’t dead.”
As quickly as her hands found his cheeks, they left as she rose to stand. He grasped for her, afraid this was all a cruel dream. Athena was screaming as bolt after bolt was shot at the shield Ellie had once again protected him in. Ellie stood before him, putting herself between Evander’s body on the ground and Athena. In front of him was a fiery blaze as ash fell silently all around. She wore a white chiton with purple trim around the hem. As his eyes traveled up her silhouette, he noticed he wasn’t encircled in fire, but that she had wings bursting forth with colors of fire blazing on them. As he scrambled to stand, he noticed the scrolls that etched their way across her wings. Coiling and curling, gliding under her chiton and continuing, wing to wing, tip to tip.
Ellie pulled herself up to her full height, her wings bringing her almost as tall as he was. A smile spread across his face as she slowly stuck her hand out, her attention on Athena, and protectively swept him behind her. Reaching for her hand, he squeezed as pride and admiration shone in his eyes.
She reached out her hand. “I’ll be taking that if you don’t mind. It’s better in my care than yours.”
His soul, in gem form, flew across the room, smacking into her waiting palm, vanishing as soon as she wrapped her fingers around it, safe in her keeping. Athena raised her arms to send another bolt of magic. A golden arrow gracefully sliced the magic in two and sailed past Athena’s cheek to lodge in the wood directly behind her. Ellie nocked her bow again in one smooth motion, leveling it at Athena, golden arrow glinting in the sun streaming from the glass ceiling. She held the string to her chin and glared.
“I dare you. I dare you to strike again. I could bring all this tumbling down if I willed it. You wanted a war, Athena; kill him, and you’ll have one.”
Reaching out, he threaded several of her golden feathers through his fingers, completely in awe. She turned to look over her shoulder, a half-smile on her lips.
Athena started yelling like a petulant child. Evander didn’t hear a word. He couldn’t take his eyes off Ellie. Off her wings. She was the most magnificent creature he had ever laid eyes on.
Suddenly, she turned to face him, a whirl of oranges and red as her wings swirled away from her. Looking up at him, she smiled.
“Do you trust me?” Raising an eyebrow at him, she twisted her lips.
“Always.”
“Cause I learned a new trick.”
And Ellie phased them out of the meeting room.