Chapter 38 Aethra
Aethra
Seth was gone when I woke, leaving me with but a short note.
You overslept again, princess.
Crumpling the paper, I threw it across the room. I’d told him to wake me.
I could already hear his excuse. ‘You’re injured, blah blah. . .’ Idiot.
Sighing, I rolled out of bed and shimmied into my pants. Seth had insisted we say our farewells before falling asleep—he intended to challenge Eris at dawn and doubted I’d wake before then.
Who could blame me for sleeping in? Wrapped in Seth’s arms, feeling his thumb caress my stomach, I’d drifted into the deepest sleep of my life.
Throwing my cloak around my shoulders, I thundered down the stairs.
A tense air permeated the tiny home. Seraphim sat on the table, pulling a whetstone across her dagger. Eleos paced the room, and Phaedrus was glued to the window.
The door burst open, and Percy flew inside, doubling over to catch his breath. “Bad! Real bad!” He panted.
“Use your words, Perse,” Eleos said.
“Cerys,” Percy blurted out. “Icelus moved earlier than planned. He already has her.”
Seraphim leaped off the table. “Then let’s go.” She flew out the door, and Phaedrus followed.
Spinning around, I found my side sword lying by the mantle and ran to grab it. Eleos intercepted me, clutching my wrist. “Stay here, Aethra,” he said. “You’re still wounded.”
“But—”
Eleos’ grip tightened. “Stay here. Please.”
I wanted to protest, but he was right. Without the use of my Elpis magic, I’d probably just get in the way.
“If you die,” I spat. “I’m going to kill you.”
A faint smile tugged at his lips, and he released me. “Let me protect you. If only just this once.” Pulling his hood up, he dashed out the door, and it fell shut behind him, leaving me alone.
Biting my thumbnail, I paced before the mantle. How was I supposed to just sit and wait? Grabbing my side sword, I shoved it onto my belt, though I probably wouldn’t find a chance to use it.
Raking my hands through my hair, I shoved out the door and breathed in the fresh air. I’d rather wait out here than cooped up in there.
Smoke drifted through the western sky. Had a fire broken out? Standing on my toes, I tried to find its source. Tremors shook through the road, throwing me forward onto my knees. When I regained my balance, I lifted my head to see a tower near the western gate become engulfed in flame.
Seas! Stumbling to my feet, I sprinted down the road and fumbled with the stable’s gate. Athena snorted when I entered, shaking her mane nervously. Grabbing her bridle, I quickly fastened it.
Another tremor shook the ground. Pulling a stepping stool to Athena’s side, I climbed onto her back and dug my knees into her side.
Athena burst from the stable and galloped down the road, following the beacon of flame. I saw something moving in the smoke, great leathery wings extended toward the sky, and what looked like a snake whipped around in the shadows.
What in the Maiden’s name was going on? Did another chthonic mage share Seraphim’s powers, or had rioters set the city aflame?
Shouting chased behind me as I rode through the white city. Whipping my head around, I saw a Ma’at knight pointing in my direction.
Godsdammit. Did he recognize me?
Leaping over a hedge, Athena galloped into a square littered with Hades Knights. Yanking her mane, I tried to turn her around, but I was too late.
A spear whistled through the air. Athena screamed and fell, throwing me from her back. I hit the ground hard and rolled over myself several times before I finally came to a stop.
Adrenaline breathed through my lungs, masking the pain. Lifting myself up on my hands and knees, my heart thrummed in panic.
The javelin had skewered Athena through the heart of her body. She lay on her side in a growing pile of blood, weakly thrashing.
Crawling toward her, I placed a hand on her side. Oh, gods. This was fatal.
The Hades Knights bore down on me, glaives raised as they trapped me within their circle.
The light of life faded from Athena’s sweet brown eyes as smoke blackened the air, trapping us in darkness.