Page 95 of The Shadow of Polaris

“And you trust her?” Lytos nodded toward Tethys.

“Of course not, but I can handle her. So long as I have this, she’ll do as I say. She’s desperate to maintain her beauty. She’s not going to risk looking like a monstrosity missing a limb forever.”

“I guess you have a point,” he snorted, watching Tethys smooth back her perfect waves of blonde hair.

“She may be my only chance to get him back. I have to do this.” My voice shook.

“I know. Just…be careful. Please,” Lytos said, pulling me into a hug.

His embrace was the gentle warmth of an old friend. All fear and uncertainty faded away in his arms. I sighed, letting his scent wash over me.

“Thank you for everything. We couldn’t have won this war without you…” I trailed off, forcing the sobs back down my throat. “I wouldn’t be here without you.”

He placed his hands on my shoulders and smiled, the corners of his bright blue eyes dimpled. “Promise me you’ll return, even if Aryx isn’t able to.”

“I promise,” I whispered, pulling him in for another hug. “Get home safe.”

Lytos nodded, kissing me gently on the forehead. I watched as he turned to rejoin our men, boisterous and beaming with victory. I may have lost the last remnants of my bloodline today, but these people were my family. Lytos, Balakros, every soldier that marched behind me.

“Now, how do we get to the immortal realm?” I asked Tethys, snarling at the disgust glistening in her eye.

Tethys, leaning against a boulder, struggled to her feet. “Finally. The smell is nauseating. I don’t think I can stand to be here one more second. When each of us constructed our temples, we created gateways into the immortal realm. Luckily for you, when I built this fortress, I created one in the dungeons for easy passage off this gods-forsaken island.”

“Alright, let’s go then,” I said, marching back to the castle.

“Unluckily for you, only a full immortal has assured safe passage through. No half-mortal has ever tried, so I’m not sure what will come of you.”

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take,” I said, yanking on the chain that connected us.

“Then you are more of a fool than I thought,” she hissed, tripping behind me.

We plunged into the shadowy depths of the castle, passing frightened rats munching on the leftover bones of Tethys’s enemies. We went lower and lower into the cool, damp earth. The dungeons felt as if they’d go on forever. Droplets of seawater fell from the stone-carved ceiling, their impact with the broken tiled floor echoing through the vast loneliness.

The earthen labyrinth mimicked its above ground sister structure with sharp twists and turns. By the time we reached the dungeon’s core, day must have faded into night.

A splintered wooden door marked the entrance to the immortal realms. I had expected ornate carvings or glamorous golden door handles, not this rickety old thing that looked as if it was one kick away from disintegrating into splinters. The hinges, rusted from years of salty air, creaked and groaned as I pulled the door open. Nothing but swirling darkness and shadow greeted me behind its ancient frame.

“We go together,” I said, pulling Tethys’s chains so she stood next to me.

“Stupid girl,” she spat. “You’re going to get yourself killed.”

“One. Two. Thr-” The goddess threw her shoulder against me, propelling us both across the threshold and into the black abyss that waited. Arcturas dove after me, her golden armor reflecting the last shadows of candlelight as we plunged into the immortal realm.

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