Page 94 of The Shadow of Polaris

“I know, but the mission was a success,” I said, yanking at Tethys’s chains.

“We were doomed without the Northern Army. They couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Although, no one sent for them. I’m not sure how they knew we were here.”

“They were here to rescue their king.” I swallowed. “He didn’t make it.”

Balakros looked at his hands, avoiding my eyes swollen with hurt.

“Elpis, I’m so sorry,” Lytos said, rising to his feet.

“I can’t talk about that right now,” I said, my voice clipped. “We won this battle, but there’s still more to be done. For starters, we need to return home.”

“Yes, My Queen. We’ll take note of how many we have left. At first light, we’ll load up and begin the journey home,” Balakros nodded.

“Good, and start preparing for Tethys’s loyalists to plan a counterattack.”

“I thought the plan was to murder her.” Lytos pointed to Tethys, now holding her head high.

“Don’t point at me, mortal,” she hissed, lifting her nose at him. “It reeks of death out here. Can we go, please?”

I turned to glare at her, giving the chain one last tug and knocking her to her knees. “You don’t speak unless spoken to.”

“My Queen, the men need to rest and recover before we set sail. I’m not sure we have even enough uninjured for a single crew. We need at least one night of recovery, maybe two.” Balakros rubbed his swollen, broken knee.

“Setup camp for the night, but no longer. I’m going to continue on to the find the Elders and Araes myself. Rah will guide you through the seas and back home,” I said.

“But what about your command? Who will lead us?” he pleaded.

“Balakros, don’t be silly. You and Lytos will lead our men home. Make sure they return to their families. To their children. To their wives.” I eyed Lytos.

“Wh-what? Me?” Balakros asked, his eyes wider than I ever thought possible.

“Yes. Set up aid tents, get our men rested and healed up. The fortress is empty and full of supplies. I trust you to make the right choices. Everything will be fine, I promise.”

“Stay with us,” he begged. “How will we make it home without your guidance?”

I shifted under my weight, slowly growing uncomfortable by his desperation. The leather breastplate I wore felt too small, and the salted sweat across my brow stung.

“Balakros. I need to do this. Stay with our men, take charge, be the leader I know you to be. That’s an order.”

He straightened against my command and nodded reluctantly.

“Yes, My Queen.”

“I’ll send notice to Procyon and Altair of your arrival,” I said, scratching Arcturas behind the ear as she sat beside me, keeping her predatory eye on the quiet goddess.

Balakros limped off, spreading word through the groups of wounded men scattered around the battlefield. Lytos motioned for me to come closer. Nodding to Arcturas, I left the immortal under her watchful eye.

“Try anything and you’ll never get this back,” I hissed, pointing to her twitching arm strapped to my back.

She rolled her eyes, sighing dramatically and picking at a hangnail forming on a perfectly manicured finger.

“Why do I feel like there is something you’re keeping from me?” Lytos asked, his voice merely a murmur.

“There’s a chance to bring Aryx back. He’s trapped in the immortal realm. I need to go get him,” I whispered, watching Tethys wince as she poked at her shredded shoulder.

“How is that possible?” Lytos took in a breath, leaning against a blood-stained boulder.

“When he drowned, his mortal half died. But his immortal half returned to the realm of the gods. If there’s a chance to bring him back, I have to take it,” I said.

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