Chapter 14
Ara
The ship waitingin the harbor was like night against the early morning sun. Black sails waited to be expanded from black masts. The body of the ship was painted like midnight, complete with a dusting of stars along the bow. It was both stunning and terrifying.
I released Ryvin’s hand so I could go to embrace each of my sisters. Unshed tears stung the back of my eyes, but I wasn’t going to give in to them. I wanted to appear strong. I wanted them to think I was confident and unafraid.
“You can do this, Ara,” Lagina called.
“You’ll be back before you know it,” Sophia added.
“We’ll keep the war warm for you,” Cora said playfully.
I’d seen Nyx take lives without remorse. I watched as she made the tributes seem like nothing. The people I swore I’d protect were taken right in front of me and there was nothing I could do. I was so tired of feeling helpless, and I would fight, but if Nyx wanted me gone, I was going to be just like those I failed to protect.
“We’ll be here when you return,” Vanth said as he pulled me in for a giant hug.
When he released me, I was facing Laera. She looked furious. “Don’t die on us.” To my surprise, she hugged me. “I’m serious. I won’t be responsible for the consequences of Ryvin’s behavior if you die.”
I smiled, knowing her words were demonstrating true concern in the best way she knew how. “I’ll miss you too.”
She scoffed. “I’ll be far too busy to miss you.”
“You should go,” Vanth said. “Before one of us drags you back to the palace.”
I nodded, then returned to Ryvin, who’d been waiting patiently. I reached for him and he clasped my hand. Wordlessly, we walked toward the black plank that stretched over the water to the shore.
We paused in front of it. “Please don’t be a hero,” he said. “Do whatever you have to so you can come back to me.”
I threw my arms around his shoulders and kissed him. His arms went around my waist, pulling me in close as he deepened the kiss. It was over too quickly, both of us stepping away, but breathing heavier. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Come back to me, Asteri.” He kissed my cheek softly. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
He released my hand, then took a step back. I knew I had to go now, or I’d lose my nerve. Before I could talk myself out of it, I stepped onto the plank.
After a few steps, dark shadows rose around me and my heart raced. I turned to look back at my friends, but they weren’t visible in the darkness.
Panic rose, making my chest tight. I couldn’t even see the plank under my feet. Carefully, I moved forward, my hands extended in front of me, blindly reaching for anything that would indicate that I’d made it onto the ship.
The shadows dissipated and I could see that I’d stepped onto the ship. Quickly, I turned and saw that the plank was gone. A black railing blocking the opening that had once been there. The ship had changed, locking me in like a prisoner.
The shadows floated beyond the ship, masking any view of the shore. I couldn’t wave goodbye. I couldn’t watch my family and friends fade from view. I couldn’t watch as my city grew smaller.
Nyx had already cut me off from everyone and everything I loved. The same way she’d been when she was in that cave, alone.
I swallowed over a lump in my throat. What was I sailing into? She said I was to go to Naxos, but would Dion be there? Would she even be there? What if my test was to isolate me the way she’d been isolated? Would I ever see my sisters again? Would I see Ryvin again?
My whole body felt too heavy with grief over something I couldn’t control. I had no idea what I was heading toward.
I looked over the edge of the railing, hoping for a glimpse of the sparkling blue sea. I’m not sure how long I stood there, but it wasn’t until my neck was aching from staring downward for so long that I finally watched the shadows ease.
White foam billowed atop sparkling blue water, the waves a playful companion alongside the dark ship cutting through the sea.
Sails full, we raced ahead. My hair whipped around my head and water sprayed my face. I embraced it all. The smell of the sea, the feel of the wind and water, the taste of the salt. I was not going to let Nyx defeat me.
I would play her game. And I would win. Because back in Athos, I had things waiting for me that were worth fighting for.
Glancing around, I looked for any signs of a crew. When I didn’t see anyone, I explored the ship, hoping for any company as I made the journey. There was nobody aboard. Somehow, Nyx was in command. I wondered if my mother was involved. The sea was part of her domain, and traveling through with her own daughter as a captive was likely risky, even for another god.
I returned to the railing and quickly found evidence that I wasn’t as alone as I anticipated. Several sea serpents swam alongside the ship, and beyond them, I caught sight of the occasional dolphin fin. It made me feel a little less alone, but none of the tension eased.
Too soon, we were pulling into Naxos, and the plank appeared again. Accepting whatever my fate was, I walked ashore just as someone appeared through the trees.
“Welcome back,” Dion said.
“I wish I could say it was good to see you,” I replied.
“That’s fair.” He sighed, then gestured toward the path I knew led to his house. “I’ll show you where you’re staying.”
I fell into step behind him. “I’m surprised she’s letting you interact with me. The ship was empty.”
“It was my condition for allowing the use of my island,” he explained.
“She actually asked permission?”
“This is my home. My sovereign space. I alone can choose who stays here and who must leave.”
“Why Noxos?” I asked. “Your home is beautiful, but why would she choose this?”
“I’m sure she has her reasons, but she didn’t share them with me.”
“What about your Maenads? She won’t harm them, will she?” My thoughts went to how she’d used the Athonian tributes to revive herself.
“She swore an oath that all who lived on this island before you arrived would be safe,” he said.
“Before I arrived,” I repeated.
He looked over his shoulder. “I tried, Ara. I did. She would not guarantee your safety.”
I swallowed hard, trying to shove away the rising anxiety. I knew before I even stepped foot on the ship, but hearing it from Dion made it more real.
He stopped walking, then turned to face me. “You have overcome greater odds. You’re not even supposed to be alive. I heard the story. I heard how the fates wanted you dead. Remember that when you face her. You’ve already overcome more than you should. There’s no reason you can’t continue to defy the odds.”
“Unless it means I’m running on borrowed time,” I said.
“Prove them wrong, Ara. Like you always do, and you’ll be fine.” He offered a small smile, then resumed walking toward his home.
“I never thought I’d be friends with the great Dionysus,” I said playfully.
He laughed, that bubbly infectious sound that made me feel lighter. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.” He looked over his shoulder. “You know, that offer still stands if things don’t work out between you and the dark prince.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but the figure standing in front of us made me freeze.
“You actually came,” Nyx said, her voice deadly calm with a sharp edge.
I inclined my head. “Nice to see you again, Nyx.”
She hummed. “I wish I could say the same about you. But I suppose you could impress me. You did kill the minotaur and free me from my prison, after all.”
“You’d think that would have earned her some affection,” Dion said.
Nyx gave him a sidelong glare that would have terrified a mortal. Instead, the god laughed it off before walking past the goddess. “Ara, your room is ready whenever you are.”
“She won’t be retiring to her room just yet. I have something else we must attend to first.” She looked at Dion, her expression stern. “Leave us.”
To my surprise, he didn’t argue. He simply turned and walked away. I wanted to shout after him, beg him to stay. At least Dion was familiar, even if he was unstable.
Nyx gestured for me to come alongside her.
I obliged and tried to keep my expression neutral to mask the fear and anxiety twisting my insides.
“Let’s see if your mother made a mistake by letting you live.” Nyx reached out and yanked the serpent necklace from my neck, then tossed it on the ground.
My hand went to my neck protectively, then I moved toward the fallen necklace. Nyx’s arm blocked my progress. “No magic from anyone else while you’re here.”
Her gaze dropped to my chest. “Give me the other one.”
I covered the small leather pouch that was hidden under my peplos. “No.”
She smirked. “No?”
“No. These were gifts from my mother.” I wasn’t sure what the pouch contained, but if there was ever a time I might need to use it, it was while I was trying to prove my worth to Nyx.
The goddess sighed, then leaned down and picked up the broken necklace. She dropped it dramatically into her other palm. “I will return both items to you once you’ve completed my tasks.”
I stared at the broken chain in her palm, already feeling the loss of the necklace. When I looked up at the goddess, her expression was calm and reserved. Her beautiful face was free of lines with high cheekbones that could have been chiseled from marble. Her eyes were the same as Ryvin’s. Swirling, endless pools of silver. Like they were made of the very stars.
“I have your word?” I asked.
Her brows lifted. “You doubt a goddess?”
“I’ve known too many gods to trust any of you,” I snapped.
She smirked. “You might be smarter than I realized.”
“Your word.”
She nodded. “You have my word. I will return both items if you successfully complete my tasks.”
“I want to know how many tasks before I give it to you,” I replied.
She looked like she might laugh. “Yes, you are smart.”
I waited, giving her time to argue with me.
“There will be three. You complete the assigned tasks, and I will return your items,” she explained.
I nodded, then lifted the leather cord over my head. It took me a few breaths before I could talk myself into depositing the leather pouch into Nyx’s waiting hand. I had a feeling I was going to need that item to save my life sooner rather than later. It had been a comfort to carry it with me, and losing it felt like I’d been stripped of a layer of protection I’d come to depend on.
Nyx closed her hand and the items vanished.
My eyes widened and I sucked in a startled breath. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to the various powers the gods held.
“We begin now,” she said. “You must get Obsidian to deliver you to your next task.”
Nyx vanished.
I raced up the path, trying to chase the goddess, hoping for another clue. As soon as I broke through the trees, I halted and my heart fell into the pit of my stomach.
Standing in front of me was the largest and most beautiful horse I’d ever seen. No, not horse. Pegasus. It stretched massive, black feathered wings from its body, making it look even larger than it already was. “You must be Obsidian.”
It reared up on its hind legs, then landed, its hoofs stomping into the dirt, kicking up clouds of dust. The creature grunted and snorted, clearly irritated at my very presence.
I held my hand out, hoping to calm the huge pegasus. The horse swung its head and stomped its massive hoofs, moving closer to me with each step. I had to back up so I wasn’t trampled.
My heart raced and I knew he could sense my fear. All animals could feel it, couldn’t they? I didn’t even know if he had any additional magic, aside from being a flying horse.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” I said, trying to mask the fear in my voice.
The horse exhaled through its nostrils, as if annoyed. I frowned, then crossed my arms over my chest. How was I to ride this creature if it wouldn’t even let me approach it?
With a sigh, I dropped my arms to my side. Then I slowly lifted one arm, reaching for his muzzle. Obsidian backed away from me, shaking his head in a way that made his dark mane swish from side to side.
“Are you Nyx’s horse?” I asked.
Obsidian stomped, then shook his head, snorting with indignation.
“Alright, so you don’t belong to the goddess,” I said. “Maybe you don’t belong to anyone?”
The horse was still. I took that as a good sign.
“I need your help. Nyx says I’m to tame you and get your help. I think she intends for me to ride you,” I said.
The pegasus backed away, flapping its wings in irritation as it did.
“Alright. You don’t trust me yet, but I’ll earn your trust.” Even as I said it, I had no idea how I was going to do so.
For a moment, I considered trying to call on my magic, but I didn’t think it could help me here. A pegasus isn’t exactly a monster. And there’s not much I could do with Ryvin’s shadows, even if I could summon them while I was this far away from him.
Growing up, I’d always had stable hands to help assist with the horses. While I appreciated the animals, I hadn’t spent much time around them unless I was actively riding. Now, I wish I’d joined Sophia in the times she’d spent brushing and caring for the horses alongside the stable boys. She’d always had a soft spot for them and they adored her.
A smile made my lips curve. “I know what might help.” I glanced around, realizing that for this to work, I was going to need to hope that he would stay here while I left. “Will you wait for me?”
The pegasus didn’t respond. Instead, Obsidian simply stared at me, as if I was little more than an insect crawling through the dirt.
“I’ll be back.” I hoped leaving wasn’t going to cause me to fail. If Obsidian wasn’t there when I returned, I wasn’t sure what my next steps were. I couldn’t fail the first task. I had to follow through with this and complete everything Nyx threw my way.