Chapter 30 Aethra #2
Settling on Athena’s back, I smoothed out my skirt as Eleos mounted behind me. Athena trotted into the street, carrying us to the palace.
I leaned back against his chest and felt my skin touch his. Thinking even a single sexual thought about Eleos felt wrong, and I leaned forward, trying to scrub the notion from my mind.
Twisting in the saddle, I looked up at him. “I saw Ainwir again, in the fort. What do you think he is? A ghost?”
“I don’t know,” Eleos admitted. “Phaedrus did say he might be alive. Maybe it’s really him.”
“This shade always leads me into danger. Ainwir wouldn’t . . .” I trailed off.
Maybe I was wrong. The first time I’d seen Ainwir, Seth and I had learned Aeacus was in the city. Upon the second, I’d spotted an insurgency member. And the third had led to Aeacus’ capture.
Was his appearance a trap, or unexpected aid?
“I don’t know.” I sighed.
“Then let’s not think about it tonight,” Eleos suggested.
Lifting my head, I watched the distant spires of the castle draw closer.
Ma’at’s palace was even more beautiful than Seth had described.
Great marble wings wrapped the palace in their embrace, and purple banners dangled from the friezes, fluttering in the breeze.
Warm light spilled from the myriad windows, brightening the gardens and moat surrounding the grounds.
I could see several silhouettes on the stairs leading to the grand doors—guests arriving.
Nobles—Gods.
Dozens of knights patrolled the promenade and watched the perimeter. I grabbed Eleos’ arm as we passed through the gates and released it in relief when nobody stopped us.
Giggling, I glanced down, imagining Athena dressed up in a royal caparison with a feathered headpiece. Eleos read my thoughts and chuckled at me.
Eleos slipped off the saddle and offered me a hand down. I took his hand, glancing warily between Athena and the approaching Ma’at knight. After a brief exchange with Eleos, the guard took Athena’s reins and led her away.
They had best not hurt my horse.
“She’ll be fine,” Eleos assured me, taking my arm as we approached the promenade.
My head whipped in every direction, counting the shadows behind the trees, statues, and bushes. Assassins could be lurking there, just out of sight.
Slipping out from behind a statue, Phaedrus fell into step with us.
“You’re thinking the same thing I am,” he observed. ”You two should stay together. I’ll watch the other side.”
“Don’t stray too far,” Eleos said. “Try to blend in.”
“I’m a master of conversation. I can manage.” Phaedrus winked and hastened his pace, getting ahead of us.
Eleos breathed out. “I can’t believe I’m starting to trust him.”
“Strange, isn’t it?” I chuckled. “I told you he was still in there, somewhere.”
“I hope you’re right,” Eleos murmured, guiding me through the doors.
During my years as a con artist, I’d only stepped foot in a royal ball once. Ainwir and I had been disguised as servants and hadn’t seen much of the ballroom. Still, the splendor of Serifos’ richest pricks couldn’t match the indulgence laid before us.
The dresses the women wore could have funded a family for years.
Gold trim, countless pieces of jewelry, layers of silk, and gossamer.
The men were no different, adorned in rings and circlets, many carrying scepters and canes bearing their family’s crest and precious gems. A chandelier loomed far above the ballroom, dangling golden crystals that reflected the firelight across the marble tiles.
I took in a breath. “I’m under-dressed.”
Eleos scanned the room, searching for the others. “Aesthetics lose their luster when covered in too much gold.”
“Are you going to call me aesthetically pleasing again?”
“I’ve learned not to do that.” He chuckled. “You look beautiful, Lady Aethra.”
I smiled. Complicated feelings twisted in my gut. I didn’t entirely understand the love we shared, but I was glad for it.
“There she is,” Eleos breathed.
Following his gaze, I found Eris at the center of the ballroom. An extravagant black gown draped her figure, cut low to reveal her generous bosom. A tiara of feathers rested on her brow. Seth wouldn’t take kindly to that.
Another woman joined her side, young, blonde, wearing a far simpler toga with a scarlet sash. I recognized her—this was the woman who had departed the city at Haimyx’s side.
Why was she back?
Was Haimyx here, too?
My hands grew numb and slipped from Eleos’ arm. Eris was looking in our direction, a wicked smile curling her lips.
Eleos took my hand. “Let Set handle her,” he whispered. “Shall we dance?”
“I don’t know how to dance,” I said, peeking around him.
“I don’t either.” Leading me through the ballroom, he placed a hand on my back and guided me into a simple waltz.
Seraphim had taught me these steps. Chuckling, I followed his lead. “Did Seraphim teach you, too?”
“Priests don’t learn to dance,” Eleos said. “We’re not supposed to mingle with nobility, remember?”
“I almost forgot about that.” I twisted my head to see most of the crowd watching us—even the noble pairs who danced beside us openly stared. “Do you think we’ll ever see home again?”
“I . . .” Eleos hesitated. “No. I don’t.”
Hearing the words from Eleos’ mouth made them seem heavier. Real. A stone sank down my throat and weighed me down.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he whispered. “That we found you again, after we lost you on the beach.”
“Me too.” I chuckled. “I wouldn’t have wanted to destroy the world.”
Eleos’ mouth twitched. He glanced away and turned back to me with a smile. “You’re supposed to only have eyes for me tonight, remember?”
“I can’t believe Seth agreed to that.”
“He asked for it.”
“I guess he knows you aren’t going to make a move on me.”
“I don’t need to. Your heart already belongs to me.”
A smile tugged at my lips. “Where do you get your confidence from?”
Chuckling, he pulled me closer, and I laid my head beneath his chin. His heart thumped against his rib cage, as though trying to rip itself free. Concerned, I reached for his emotions, but dark walls fell into place around his mind, shutting me out.
“El?” I asked, looking up.
“How cute.” A woman spoke behind me. “To see mortals, here.”
I dropped Eleos’ hand and whirled around. Haimyx’s concubine stood behind us, peering at us with hard blue eyes.
She raised her head, looking down her nose at me. “You don’t look like much. How did the Oracle get her prophecy so wrong?”
Eleos cleared his throat. “We haven’t had the pleasure, lady . . .?”
“Euthymia,” she answered shortly. “I’ve heard rumors you’ve charmed the prince himself.” Her eyes flicked up and down my body. “I can’t imagine how.”
Uncertainty struck me in the gut. Gods, how had I charmed Seth? I was worthless, a nobody, and nothing special to look at.
What had come over me? I hadn’t thought such things in weeks.
Eleos’ eyes darkened. “You’re a psyche.”
Euthymia smiled faintly. I pressed a hand to my stomach, realizing what had happened. She’d found my weak spot instantly and exploited it.
“Only women consumed by envy make such petty jabs,” Eleos shot back. “Haimyx would gladly replace you with her.”
“You know nothing at all, if you believe that.” Euthymia smirked. “Enjoy the ball.” Lifting her skirt, she waltzed away.
Shaking off the emotions she’d forced on me, I stood. The insecurities lingered.
Seth could do so much better than me.
“No, he couldn’t,” Eleos said quietly. “Put up your walls.”
Nodding, I concentrated on shielding my thoughts.
A collective gasp tore across the room, and the clusters of chattering nobles hushed. All turned toward the entrance, ripping their nosy eyes from us.
A prince, a god, stood in the doorway, flanked by his two guards. With a confident stride, he entered the ballroom, meeting their gazes with a smirk.
Prince Set had arrived.