Page 30 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

The door slammed, then the colors faded. After blinking away the brightness lingering from the light, I recognized the newcomer. “Iris?”

“Shit. More gods,” Laera groaned.

“TheIris?” Lagina asked.

“Yes, yes, messenger for the gods and all that.” Iris waved her hand dismissively.

Selena and Aspasia were both backing up, moving away from the newcomer. I touched my necklace, recalling how she’d gifted me the item that allowed me safe passage across the sea.

Ryvin lowered his head. “I’m sorry for how I reacted. Thank you for the gift you bestowed on Ara.”

“Please accept my apology as well, gentle lady,” Vanth said.

“The gift was from her mother, but I do accept yourapology. Had you tried to stab me, we’d be in a different position right now.” Iris nodded to Vanth, then moved closer to Lagina.

My sister looked like she was going to pass out. Her eyes were wide, her mouth open, all color drained from her face. Finally, she blinked a few times, then closed her mouth, swallowing before regaining some control. “Welcome to our kingdom.” She curtseyed.

“You have nothing to fear from me, Queen of Athos. The gods have no quarrel with you,” Iris said.

Lagina let out an obvious breath of relief.

“They do, however, have issue with your sister.” Iris turned to me. My insides twisted and my pulse raced.

Ryvin moved closer to me, and I gave him a warning look. This was my problem to solve. His jaw tensed, but he took a step back, giving me a little space.

“Do you have a message for me, then?” I asked, surprised I was able to keep the shaking of my hands out of my voice.

“I do. And you will do well to listen.” She moved with such grace I wondered how I’d missed that she wasn’t human when we first met.

“The gods know you are able to access your magic.” She glanced at Ryvin, then turned her attention back to me. “And they know that your mate used it as well.”

“I will face whatever consequences they require if they leave Ara out of this,” Ryvin said.

“This isn’t about you, Prince,” Iris snapped. Her voice softened, “They have decided that you are too dangerousto live, but too important to die. You have come to represent all of Athos, not just yourself.”

“What does that mean?” Laera asked.

“It means that your fate will be determined by one of their own.” Iris handed me a scroll tied with a piece of twine.

My heart was pounding so loudly in my ears that I was certain the others could hear me.

Carefully, I opened it.

Ara,

I have the great honor of deciding your fate. Let’s find out if you, and your people, are worthy of life. I’ll be waiting for you on Naxos.

Nyx

I think I stopped breathing.

Somehow, I managed to hand the letter over to Ryvin. I stood in silence as the message was passed around the room. Nobody spoke.

Finally, Iris broke the silence, “She’s already there. Awaiting your arrival.”

I swallowed hard, then looked at the messenger. She’d once delivered an item that saved my life, now she was delivering something that might very well end it.

“You’ll go to Ceto’s island,” Ryvin said. “Nyx can’t touch you there and your mother said you can live there.”

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