Page 54 of The Shadow of Polaris

“It’s Tethys. She’s gathering an army to unleash on to the mortal realms. We plan to stop it by bringing the attack to her, but we need your help,” I explained, stammering through the words.

Aryx nodded silently, encouraging me to continue.

“We think she’s manipulated the Elders. She’s fortified their island and is using it as base camp. We plan to lead an attack there and hopefully take her down on her own home front,” I said.

Procyon fiddled with a large golden signet ring on his little finger. An intricate image of a stag, his emblem, was carved into the solid gold metal.

“I figured she’d get her talons into those fools eventually,” he said, flexing the muscle of his square jaw. “We will provide aid on the terms that when you defeat her, Ursae resumes their trade agreements with my people. The city isn’t what it used to be. We need those supply routes to thrive.”

“I’ll try my best, but I’m in no position over the city. The entire royal guard is looking for me on charges of murder and treason.” I lowered my eyes, nervously wiping my sweaty palms across my trousers.

Procyon raised a brow.

“They don’t know who you are?” he asked, leaning back in his chair. The wooden pegs beneath him groaned under his dense weight, as if they’d succumb to it any second.

“Until a few days ago, I didn’t know either,” I said, my cheeks hot under his flaming, tangerine eyes.

“I see.” He stroked his beard, twisting the golden beads laced through its coarse, brown hair.

“Well, I must alter my conditions then. I will give you command of my army if, when this is over, you reclaim your throne and re-establish our trade agreements yourself.”

I gawked at him. I didn’t want to be queen or the crushing pressure of the monarchy. I’d seen firsthand how poisonous power truly was.

“Procyon, I-I can’t be queen.”

“Yes, you can, and if you want my aid, you will.” He rose to his feet. “When you’ve agreed to my terms, send a westward arrow and my army will be yours to command.”

I choked on the words now stuck in my throat.

The god turned to take his leave, patting Zecharius on the shoulder.

“Zecharius, old man, if you’ve learned anything today, I hope it’s this: don’t get in the way of an angry woman; she won’t hesitate to destroy you.”

He chuckled as Zecharius’s cheeks swelled with humiliation.

“Oh and um, maybe it’s time to find a new Elder, eh? One that isn’t a conniving snake.”

In the threshold hallway, Procyon glanced back at us and blew me a kiss. Before I could plead for him to reconsider, he evaporated into the air, leaving only a trail of mist in his place.

“Well, that was… interesting,” Aryx said, relaxing in his seat. “My King, we’re sorry for the violence and pain we caused here today. Like Procyon said, an angry woman is the most dangerous force in nature.”

“Oh shut it, boy,” the king snapped, digging his nails into the grain of the mahogany tabletop.

I snorted, scratching Arcturas’s chest as she wagged her tail beside me.

“You will have our support, Queen Elpis. We’ll await your signal.” The King nodded to me and hobbled across the chamber. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a few petrified lords I must tend to and new widows I have to notify.”

He motioned for us to leave.

We traversed the narrow passageway and exited the temple, leaving the King blue-faced.

“That was easy,” I said, laughing away the tightness in my chest.

“You never fail to leave me both utterly amazed and utterly terrified.” Aryx grinned, wiping the grime from his leather breastplate.

“Now, I guess we trek to Aquilae. I don’t think that meeting will be as, um, easy as this one.” Aryx hooked his bow into Kratos’s saddle and climbed on to the horse.

“My Queen.” He extended his hand to me with a dramatic bow.

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