Chapter 5 Aethra #2
“Why, though?” I asked. “Why would the king stop us?”
“Because Duath Nun guards the Acheron,” Seth answered. “Lest someone risk saving the world only to bring it ruin instead.” He swallowed. “The sacrifice of Elpis maidens stays the Empty’s spread, preserving us.”
“So they claim,” Seraphim added, voice dripping with venom.
Eleos interjected. “Then Duath Nun is our enemy,” he snarled, turning to Seth. “All of this is your fault. Because of you, Aethra wasn’t with us when they came looking for her. Because of you, we’re stuck in this cell.”
“I hid the truth for my sake,” Seth hissed. “Not to deceive you.”
“For your sake?”
“You have no idea the horrors I’ve lived through. And you have no right to accuse me.” Seth paused. “As a murderer yourself.”
Eleos’ eyes flared, and he lunged toward Seth.
Percy hurried between Seth and Eleos, blocking the scholar’s path. “A problem for later! What is this Duat she mentioned?”
Darting away from Eleos, Seth called over his shoulder. “The Duat is a dungeon for our worst criminals. We’re in it right now.” He tilted his head toward the statue. “The trials are how they torture its prisoners to death.”
Seraphim looked down. “The Duathis do love their torture.” Eyes sharpening, she spoke with a commanding tone.
“We’ll need to work together to escape this place alive.
So put your grievances aside. Now. If you let your petty grudges get us killed, I’ll personally find you in the afterlife and make you wish you were still alive. ”
Her ridiculous threat brought a thin smile to my face. Seraphim’s presence always set me at ease.
Wrists straining against her shackles, Seraphim marched toward Phaedrus. “Shall we have it out, brother?”
“I would be a fool not to aid you, sister,” Phaedrus said. “And I never resented you. We’re in this together. For now, at least.”
Eleos glanced at the pair. Pushing past Percy, he cornered Seth again. “You owe Aethra so much more than an apology. I don’t think you could manage a fraction of it.”
Inhaling a deep breath, I limped toward him, pausing a few steps away. Seth struggled to meet my eye.
My cheeks burned, and I lowered my chin. I felt so stupid. The tiny piece of self-worth I’d found on the ship crumbled beneath my feet.
But the self-loathing that replaced it was of a different sort than before.
I’d gotten Ainwir killed. He’d toiled every day to keep me safe, and I’d never known the sacrifices he’d made for me. In the end, he gave his life for me.
And in return? I’d hated him. Cursed his name.
Phaedrus wanted to use me to kill everyone and everything. And because of me, Seth had betrayed us and ruined all our plans.
Like the Empty itself, I brought nothing but destruction and pain.
Perhaps sending me into the Acheron, never to return, would be the best outcome for us all.
Raising my head, I caught Eleos’ eye. His mouth warbled, and he looked like he wanted to reach out.
He’d been reading my thoughts.
Anger flashed across Eleos’ face as he turned back to Seth. “Do you have any idea how much you’ve hurt her?”
The guilt vanished from Seth’s mien. He scowled. “Far less than the pain of being repeatedly raped before being tortured to death.”
I flinched. His words felt like a slap across the face.
What had the previous maidens felt when they were torn from their child and forced into the unknown? How had they died? The thought haunted me.
“I regret nothing,” Seth said. “I’ve lost enough. Even if I have to drag them kicking and screaming, I will protect what little I have left.”
Eleos’ expression calmed. For a moment, I thought he’d accepted Seth’s answer. Voice as even as a blade, he stepped back. “Fine. I’ll just have to make you understand, then.”
Seth’s hardened expression shattered. Pain danced in his eyes, and he dropped to his knees with a whimper. Squeezing his eyes shut, he gritted his teeth, drawing blood from his bottom lip.
Confused, I stepped back, trying to understand what was wrong with him.
Eleos was changing Seth’s emotions. Gasping in realization, my fingers flexed in their shackles as I tried to reach for him. “Stop it!”
Malice gleamed in Eleos’ eye as he peered down at his victim. “Finally, I’ve found your weakness. I’ll give you credit—your walls were hard to break.”
Part of me hated Seth for what he’d done, but even that half of me couldn’t bear to see him suffer. I stepped between them. “El!”
Eleos eyed me coldly as Seth gritted his teeth, tears burning in his eyes.
I staggered back.
This was Eleos’ darkness. I gazed upon the man he swore he no longer was. The man he’d tried so hard to hide from me.
Eyes flying wide, Eleos paled, clenching his fists. Seth gasped in relief, the tension draining from his face.
“I . . .” I stuttered. “Give me a moment with him, El.”
Nodding, Eleos stepped away, but remained within earshot.
Regaining his feet, Seth caught his breath before finally meeting my gaze.
Gnawing on my bottom lip, I recalled the emotions Phaedrus had tormented me with. Seth grieved someone. A mother, and a lover, I believed.
Oh, gods. If Seth was the king’s son, it meant his mother had been an Elpis maiden.
Had the woman he’d loved been one, too?
How could I bring myself to hate him for what he’d done, when I could hardly comprehend that kind of pain?
Swallowing, I found my courage and met his eye. “You can’t stop me from doing what I have to.”
“Think, Aethra,” Seth said, voice hoarse. “If countless maidens have walked into the Acheron before you . . . why would your fate be any different?”
“I don’t think I’m the answer. I never have. But if there’s a chance I can help Seraphim and Eleos find the cure, I’m not leaving their side.” I looked away. “We don’t have to speak again. You can pretend I’m not here.”
“Aethra . . .” he said softly, voice cracking.
“I offered as much on the beach. You should have taken it.”
“That would have only brought me more pain. Did you forget what I said? Every step you take away from me only makes me want you more.”
“There are countless women in the world, and plenty who’d throw themselves at you.”
“I don’t care,” he spoke through clenched teeth.
“So, if you do lose me, you won’t have to suffer. You won’t have to bury another love.” I steadied my voice. “Because I won’t be that woman to you.”
A flurry of emotions crossed Seth’s face. A countenance I’d seen in the mirror so many times before.
Heartbreak.
Turning on my heel, I returned to Eleos’ side. The scholar side-eyed me. “Done talking with the weasel?”
A laugh erupted from my lips, though I wasn’t amused. “Weasel. That’s a perfect name for him.” Forcing my head down, I resisted the urge to look at Seth again.
Gods, my heart hurt.
A rush of annoyance joined the pain. Twisting my arms, I stepped over my shackled hands, bringing them around to the front. Flexing my hands into fists, I dug my nails into my palms, hoping to distract myself from the ache in my chest.
“I’m sorry,” Eleos said, following me across the cavern to a quiet spot. “I should have—”
“Eleos,” I interrupted. “None of this is your fault.”
He sighed, surveying the scene. Percy tentatively approached Seth, while Seraphim and her brother talked quietly in the opposite corner.
“First, we have to escape,” he said, glancing at Phaedrus. “Then, we’ll need to decide what to do about our unwanted guest.”
Gasping, I grabbed Eleos’ hand and dragged him further away. “Maiden’s grace, El. I never told you! Phaedrus is your father.”
“My . . .” Eleos trailed off, as though I’d spoken a language he did not understand. “What?”
“He’s the noble that gave you up. The timeline matches—and you look like him.”
Blinking rapidly, Eleos gazed across the cavern. Under the soft light of Seraphim’s flame, sage-green eyes peered back at us before quickly looking away.
Face blanching, Eleos turned back to me. “How did you find out?”
“He told me as much.” I touched his arm. “Oh, gods, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just blurted it out.”
Eleos shook his head. “No. No, it doesn’t matter. Whatever he might have been to me, he’s not.”
Grabbing Eleos’ hand, I brought my face close to his. “But it does matter. I think we can turn Phaedrus into an ally. He’s not evil—far from it. He’s kind, deep down. And we can revive the man he used to be. The man Seraphim remembers.”
“How?”
“You, Eleos,” I whispered. “He loves you. He regrets losing you.” I paused. “We need him on our side for what’s to come. And you’re our key to winning him over.”
“Why?” Eleos’ brows lowered. “Why do we need someone like him?”
Seth marched over. He must have overheard. “Because you don’t understand what you face—what’s waiting for you in the capital.”
“How is that any different than what we’ve faced so far?” Eleos stepped between Seth and me. “I’m not afraid of pompous nobles in their castles.”
“My father is no mere noble,” Seth said. “He’s Lord Haimyx, chthonic god of life and death.”