CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Knots that I hadn’t known were sitting in my belly unraveled as I stumbled upon Khalida, Quillen, and Nakoa on my way back to the city. Not only were they fine, they had confirmed that Jelani and Soule were also relatively uninjured.
As they were all put to work by Keyes, I returned to the garrison with Lear.
We made a beeline for the apothecary. Many people were crowded around it, tubs of this or that in hand; applying salves or gauze or drinking from small vials.
Most weren’t focusing on their wounds, however—their attention was mostly on the Sovereigns.
Stood several feet away, the half-bloods huffed and puffed and demanded details as they spoke with Ajax.
I felt my mouth settle into a flat line.
I understood why the Sovereigns didn’t allow themselves to be baited into leaving the protection of the city walls unless other half-bloods came, just as I understood it would be a show of weakness if they did because it would say they had no faith in the Black Tapestry.
But I still couldn’t help feeling angry that they hadn’t intervened.
Glory had lost her life tonight in the act of defending these half-bloods. Others had likely also died. Those deaths could have been prevented if only the Sovereigns had fought alongside their people.
Gratefully taking a tub of salve from an officiate who was passing them around, I didn’t tend to my wounds straight away—there was no point, since I badly needed to bathe first. I also wanted to do a little eavesdropping, so I wandered closer to the Sovereigns.
“The lapithae would never have answered to Theseus,” insisted Rhad, his fists perched on his hips. “They only follow Daedalus.”
Minos rubbed at his jaw. “Tonight, Theseus was letting us know that he has made yet another ally. He wants us rattled; wants to provoke us into leaving the safety of Deimos to invade the Dark Lands—thus leaving the city vulnerable and ripe for a takeover.”
Sidling up to me, Lear whispered, “If Theseus has a number of half-bloods on his side, it would have been wiser of them to attack as one right at the start.”
“I think they don’t trust the Sovereigns not to destroy the city,” I murmured.
She frowned. “What?”
“Can you honestly envision the brothers accepting defeat and allowing the other half-bloods to take Deimos from them?” I couldn’t. “I’m more inclined to think that the Sovereigns would reduce the city to ruins.” I quieted as Talon right then stalked over to the group.
Minos met the Cardinal’s gaze. “I grow weary of Theseus’ game. It cannot be allowed to continue.”
“Perhaps we should attempt to the steal his allies from him,” suggested Eacus. “It would do no harm to reach out to them.”
Minos’s expression darkened. “Their price would be a seat of power at Deimos. They would want to rule alongside us.” Not happening, his tone said. “And would you trust any of them not to strike against us at some point?”
“No,” replied Eacus on a sigh. “Given the chance, they would slit our throats as we slept.”
“As I see it,” began Rhad, “there is only one reason they would aid Theseus—he has promised them that they will all rule together.”
Eacus scratched his cheek, his expression thoughtful. “But I can’t foresee them wanting to rule as one. Do you think it possible that none realize he has made several allies? That each half-blood could believe he has made pretty promises to them and only them?”
Minos’ brows lifted. “It would explain why he only brings one additional army at a time. The half-bloods in the Dark Lands are not in contact with each other, and they have no way of knowing what happens here at Deimos. They would be unaware of other attacks.”
Rhad gave a slow nod. “I would not be surprised to discover that Theseus has actually sworn to each half-blood that he will not insist on ruling Deimos alongside them—thus offering them what they’ve always wanted: the chance to be the one and only Sovereign.”
“They would push aside personal vendettas for that,” Eacus added. “At least temporarily. They no doubt plan to execute him once they’re throned.”
As the Sovereigns continued their debate, I wondered if there was any way that the uniting of the half-bloods from the Dark Lands could have possibly led to the Sovereigns weakening.
Of course, there was no strong evidence that they were actually weakening.
That was only a theory, and few believed that there was any substance to it. Still, I had to wonder …
I also had to wonder if the no-longer-entirely-golden-apples situation had improved. Nobody knew, because the Sovereigns no longer permitted landscapers to enter their garden. If the half-bloods were speaking of the matter with anyone, those people were keeping their mouths closed.
My thoughts screeched to a halt as Minos’ gaze incidentally landed on me. Those eyes ever so slightly narrowed. “I heard from Ajax that you have come into your power,” he told me.
Mentally calling Ajax a tattletale, I only nodded.
Minos resettled his attention on Talon. “I’m sure you meant to pass on such information yourself once you had the chance,” he remarked, his voice hard.
The Cardinal confirmed that with a dip of his chin.
Minos again locked eyes with me. “The other Sovereigns and I have some questions for you. Meet us at the tower shortly—Talon will escort you there.” His gaze raked over me, glimmering with disdain. “Clean up first.”
It was only by sheer force of will that I didn’t pin him with a derisive look. That he’d sneer over my physical appearance when said appearance was the result of a battle I’d fought to defend him, his brothers, and Deimos? There was no denying that he was a total ass.
As the three half-bloods walked out of the garrison, Lear turned to me. “I don’t think they like that you possess power.”
It would appear not. I gave her a weak smile. “I’ll see you later.”
Once I’d taken the scythe to the armory, I retrieved my sack of personal belongings from the stables so I could change clothes after I’d bathed.
When I made my way to the bathhouses behind the barracks, my nose wrinkled.
As always after battles, there was quite a line of people waiting outside both.
Which would be an annoyance, but not necessarily a problem …
except the Sovereigns were expecting me to be quick.
I sighed. Well, it looked like they would just have to wait. I joined the first line, since it was neither shorter nor longer than the second.
It moved as slowly as usual, so I only edged a step forward every five minutes or so. Hence why many in the cue impatiently groaned and complained.
I almost jumped when Talon materialized at my side, clean and clad in fresh clothes. “You should probably go tell Minos that I’ll be a while,” I said.
Talon examined the length of the line and exhaled heavily. Looking the epitome of put-out, he backed up a little and then motioned for me to follow him.
“I can’t go like this—Minos told me to clean up first.”
Talon curtly tipped chin toward … well, I didn’t know what. There were several buildings in that direction, but not the garrison’s exit. When he stalked away, I quickly followed. Maybe there was another bathhouse he’d let me use or something.
I followed him past the barracks, beyond the courtyard, and over to the private barracks where he and the Marshalls lived. Then it occurred to me that they probably had a communal bathing room. I’d happily use it if it meant skipping that long line.
There was a squeal of hinges as he pulled open the heavy oak door.
He impatiently ushered me in ahead of him, his mouth tight.
Someone was in a terrible mood. Really, who could blame him?
Deimos had been attacked again, lives had been lost, he’d been injured during battle, there were many unanswered questions, and he would have to put aside all his duties to accompany me to the tower.
Entering the building, I saw that there were two doors. He didn’t herd me toward either one, no, he led me to a stone staircase. Our steps echoed as we climbed up to the second floor. Again, there were two doors. He unlocked the one on the left with a zap of power and then pushed it open.
And we walked right into a bedchamber.
His bedchamber, I thought as my insides seized. A little awkward, I stood stiffly as he wandered about. Though a shaft of sunlight beamed through a narrow arched window, he lit the iron rack of candles with a mere flick of his hand.
The room was spacious but sparse. A bed big enough to sleep two people was set against the wall. There was a large trunk at the foot of the bed. A rug lay near the stone fireplace. Beneath the window was a scarred wooden table flanked by two stools.
Still looking somewhat put-out, Talon caught my eye and pointed to a door that I only then noticed. He pushed it wide open and urged me closer with a flap of his fingers.
Still feeling slightly awkward, I crossed to him. There was a garderobe, I realized. And a massive bathtub. “You have your own tub? I am so jealous right now.”
He pointed to a square hole-ridden chunk of metal on the ceiling above it and then slapped a button on the wall. Water rained down from the holes, pattering the base of the tub.
I felt my lips part. It was a shower. I’d heard from officiates that Talon and the Marshalls had such a luxury, but I hadn’t known they each had their own private bathing area. “My jealousy just went up several notches.”
He let out a surly grunt that could have meant anything or nothing. And then he walked out, closing the door behind him.
Staring at the door, I raked my teeth over my lower lip. “All right, then.”
Not even his moody behavior could spoil my delight at being able to enjoy an actual shower. I set my sack down on the floor, balanced the salve on top of it, and then stripped so fast it should have made me dizzy.