Page 57 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

In a swirl of shadows, she vanished.

I dropped my glass and fell to my knees, my whole body shaking as I broke down. “I can’t do this.”

A warm hand rested on my back. “You can. You’re so close. Just one more task.”

I looked up at Dion, sniffing, then wiping my tears with the back of my hand. “Why do you even care? You helped us before and you’re helping me again.”

He moved his hand away. “I’m not sure. I guess I enjoy watching the gods get what’s coming from a half-human who isn’t even supposed to exist.”

I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not. It didn’t feel like one. “Whatever your reason, I’m grateful.”

“Don’t go getting soft on me now, princess. You’ll need to find that rage you felt this morning if you want to survive.”

I was getting tired of existing in a place of constant anger. “Do you think we have any chance of winning?”

“Who? You against Nyx? Of course.”

I shook my head. “No, Athos against the fae. Do we have any hope? Or is all of this for nothing? Should I just retreat? Hide out the rest of my days on Ceto’s island?” I knew Ryvin would go with me if I could convince my mother to let him join me. I couldn’t deny that it was a tempting thought. It was getting so much harder to continue fighting.

“You’d never be happy there. You’d spend the rest of your life wishing you did more,” Dion replied. He stood, then extended his hand.

I accepted his help and began walking with him toward the house.

“The maenads made dinner. You should eat. If Nyx has her way, that final challenge could be your end.” Dion winked, then handed me a fresh glass of wine he made appear out of thin air. “If you need any ideas, I’m more than happy to help you make tonight memorable.”

“I’m still not going to sleep with you.” I gave him a scalding glance but took the wine, anyway.

He grinned. “I’ll show you where my room is, just in case you change your mind.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. At least I could count on Dion to never change.

22

Lagina

There wassomething in the air when we reached the palace. It made my skin crawl and I resisted the urge to turn and walk the other way.

“The air tastes weird,” Cora said.

“Is that magic?” Sophia asked.

“It is, indeed. There’s a lot around the palace. Like it’s drawn here,” Laera replied.

“That will be good for the shields, right?” I glanced at the fae princess, hoping to get some optimism from her. Instead she had that ever-present scowl she always seemed to wear.

She shrugged. “One way to find out.”

“I’m no helpwith the magic stuff,” Cora said.

“I’m sure we can find a way for you to help,” I countered.

Laera raised a skeptical brow and I shot a glare at her. Cora was finally stepping into her strengths and offering support. I didn’t want to stop her.

“No, I don’t need to be a distraction or get a job to keep me busy. I’m going to town to start evacuating people,” she said.

I stared at her, my mouth parting in surprise.

“Don’t give me that look. I do care about Athos. I do care about our people,” she said.

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