Page 60 of Oak & Ember

Pandora shook her head, turning to look at him in shock. “So, you know what happened to her?”

“Yes. She dabbled with the magic of the Titans, and it devoured her. She became a cautionary tale to the deities, an example. A reminder of why we should never defy the powers we’ve been granted.”

Pandora’s eyes narrowed as she scrutinized him. His words were solemn, his eyes haunted. “Is that all?” she probed.

He frowned. “What do you mean? Yes, that’s what happened to her.”

Gods above. He didn’t know. He didn’t know that his master, his king, had been the one to tear Pandora apart.

Of course he didn’t. Apollo was so concerned with protecting his image and keeping up appearances that Pandora was almost certain he would have kept this quiet, even from his own apprentice.

What if no one else knew?

If that were true, then this realm was full of innocents.

Just like the Underworld.

Pandora thought of her sisters, who were likely dead because of her. So many demons. So many innocents.

Dead at her hands. Because of her actions.

“That doesn’t explain why you said her name in the library,” Pandora said, struggling to keep her voice even. She kept her eyes trained on the horizon, determined not to succumb to the anguish coursing through her.

Screaming. So much screaming. Apollo’s blinding white light, ripping her to pieces.

Her eyes closed, and her hands shook as she gripped the railing.

Sol inhaled deeply, and Pandora looked at him. He, too, was bracing his hands on the railing, hunching over as if he were in physical pain.

Just like her.

She remembered what he had said to her that one night she’d found him staring at the sea: It doesn’t matter if I’m here or in the mortal realm. It follows me wherever I go.

Only then did she realize he’d been lying in the library. He had claimed he’d only been awake that night to seduce her, to lure her into his bed. He claimed he’d seen her climb down her balcony and followed her.

But it hadn’t been true. If he had seen her, he would have identified her magic as Gaia’s. He would have seen the earth magic and known who she truly was.

Pandora had been so furious with his words that she hadn’t stopped to think about it. He was deflecting the attention away from his insecurities.

“What role did you play in her demise?” Pandora asked softly.

“Nothing. I played no role.” The words were hollow.

She pressed her hand against his arm, squeezing gently. “Sol.”

His eyes met hers, and they were filled with such agony that her heart cinched in her chest. Only one time had she seen such sorrow in his eyes: that night on the steps, facing the ocean.

“She was my lover,” he said.

SURRENDER

EVANDER

When Evander first arrived at Elysium, a splitting pain rocketed through his body, snapping his bones and scorching his blood. It felt as if his very soul was being ripped from him by force. From within, he felt the wrath of Typhon, the demon presence inside him, as the energy in the air ate at him, too.

They were both dying.

He had hoped it would be quick. Perhaps the magic of Elysium would be so powerful that it would overcome him instantly. Perhaps death would be swift.

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