Page 59 of The Shadow of Polaris

Chapter 31

“He can’t be serious?” Aryx snapped, his breath heavy as we hiked the narrow trail up the jutting mountain cliff side.

My calves cramped in protest as I wiped the sweat rolling down my brow. Moisture pooled beneath my armpits, and if it weren’t for the coastal breeze whipping through my cotton tunic, I’m sure I’d be able to smell my stench.

“He said it wouldn’t be a simple task,” I replied, scaling the jagged rock behind him.

“No, he said catching the bird wouldn’t be easy. He said nothing about finding it.” Aryx’s palm swiped at the hold above him.

The rock chipped and broke from the hillside. I swung sideways, closely avoiding the fist-size stone as it tumbled down the trail and disappeared into mist. We’d been climbing for what felt like hours with nothing but black night sky and grey rock to keep us company. The trail was far too steep for Kratos, so we left him and Arcturas to graze in the dry, grassy valley below.

“Next time I see that god, I swear…” Aryx trailed, his voice straining with each step.

“At least I get to enjoy the view from down here,” I said, arching my brow as Aryx chuckled and flexed his glutes.

“Wanna trade places?” he asked.

With my free hand, I slapped his foot. We were closing in on the summit; only a bit more climbing and we’d reach its sharp peak.

“What’s the plan when we find the bird? I doubt it’ll let us just grab it with our bare hands,” I asked.

Since leaving the temple, all I could think of was scaling the mountainside, and it now occurred to me we were exceedingly under prepared.

“I haven’t gotten that far, Elpis. Right now, I’m focused on not falling to my death.” Aryx threw himself up onto the rock, clinging to the next hold for dear life. “Is it a horrible time to mention that I’m terrified of heights?”

I snorted, following his path until I gripped the rock beside him.

“The brave and powerful war general who led legendary armies and conducted epic sieges, afraid of heights?”

“Yes. And it isn’t funny. It’s taking all my willpower not to piss myself right now.” He scowled, reaching for another loose rock that rolled down the cliff to meet its pair.

“We’re almost there. Just keep going.” I pushed him forward.

When we finally reached the summit, the skin of my palms was raw and every muscle ached with exhaustion. Panting, I stood next to Aryx, who looked just as disheveled as I. The peak of the mountain reached high above the cloud cover, and a sea of mist rolled around us. The stars above spattered the night sky with millions of twinkling lights illuminating the rocky landscape in shades of silver.

“Funny how, no matter the elevation, the stars feel just as far away.” Aryx looked up at the painting of white light scattered from horizon to horizon.

“They’re never far from me. I feel them buzzing around inside me like little fireflies, fluttering in my stomach,” I said, leaning against a boulder. “I guess it’s my mother. When it’s a clear night, I can practically taste her magic on my tongue. It’s like the warmest spiced wine.”

I lowered my back to the smooth surface, feeling its coolness against my sweat-drenched tunic.

“She’s the only one who can quiet all these horrible, broken thoughts screaming inside my head. The only one besides you.”

Aryx sat beside me, his shoulder touching mine.

“When I first met you, Elpis, I didn’t know just how amazing you are.” He brushed his hand across my cheek. Something new flickered across his face.

It was his usual warmth, but it sparkled with an intensity I’d never experienced before tonight. I traced the black ink across his sharp cheekbone, down his jaw, his neck, to the bone of his collar peeking out from the layer of cotton fabric.

“What does this mean?” I asked, stroking the thick, elaborate patterns stretched across his chest.

“It’s the mark of Tethys’s army. All of her officers have it. It signifies my allegiance to the city and to my queen. It’s the brand of war.” He wrapped his hand over mine and placed it against his chest.

“Every line reminds me of the people I’ve killed for her, the innocent lives I’ve taken.”

“When I learned who you were, I hated you. The lies, the manipulation, all of it disgusted me,” I started.

“I know. I’m sorry.” He let go of my hand and stared up at the sky. Regret glistened in the corner of his eye.

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