Page 26 of The Throne's Undoing

"Pontianius," Graeson said in greeting, keeping his head low and eyes fixed on the ground.

The god laughed, the sound bouncing off the walls. "Why do you fight it? Giving in would be so much easier."

Graeson shook his head, tousling his hair as shame and anger colored his cheeks. "Because I am nothim."

Pontanius sighed. "I understand your distaste for my brother--"

"Distaste?" Graeson hissed with a scoff. "Barinthian abandoned my mother when she was pregnant with me. He only cared to produce a replica of him."

"Are you?" the god drawled.

"Am I what?" Graeson asked, his brows furrowing.

"A replica of my brother."

"No," Graeson snapped.

"Then why do you fight it?"

"Because!" Graeson shouted despite being in the presence of a god.

Pontanius was different from the other deities. Unlike Graeson's father, Barinthian, Pontanius did not constantly lash out in anger, did not pit mortals against one another, and did not seek to take over the mortal world. Graeson actuallylikedPontanius. However, whenever the topic of Graeson suppressing his godly nature arose, he couldn't bear to be around his uncle.

Still, he kept seeking Pontanius's guidance.

"Because if I let go of my control, who's to say I won't become him?" Graeson asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Who's to say I won't--" Graeson swallowed, unable to ask the question that plagued him.

"You won't what?" Pontanius prompted.

Graeson rubbed his hands over his face. "Who's to say I won't lose the piece of her I have left?" he whispered.

A hand, cold and almost nonexistent, brushed Graeson's shoulder. "You will not lose your mother by becoming who you were born to be."

"You do not know that," Graeson argued.

The god corrected, "Nor do you know whether you will turn into Barinthian. But that does not mean you should continue to torture yourself."

When Graeson said nothing,Pontanius sighed. "When will you learn?"

"Learn what?"

As water dripped from the ceiling, time seemed to stand still as he waited for the god's reply. For a moment, he questioned if Pontanius had left him. However, even though his eyes were still fixed on the ground, Graeson could still sense Pontanius's presence. Goosebumps skittered across his skin as the god watched him.

At last, Pontanius clicked his tongue. "Fighting this only makes it worse."

"Come on, Gray,"Ellie called out, dragging Graeson's attention from the river coiling through the woods before him. "You need to rest, too."

Graeson snorted but said nothing.

"That's not a suggestion," Ellie added.

Graeson frowned at the river but trudged over to Ellie before she could harp on him any further. He had barely slept last night, and while he was exhausted, he wouldn't be able to rest until everyone he cared about was safe.

Suddenly, hooves pounded the ground, and branches snapped one after another. His hands instinctively reached for his scimitar on his back.

A few seconds later, Dani burst through the trees. But while the others sighed in relief, Graeson's grip did not waiver.

A stray braid hung in front of Dani's face, having fallen from her bun. Sweat dripped from her furrowed brows. But her frazzled appearance was not why Graeson pulled his weapon from its sheath. His attention was locked on the blood-stained dagger hanging from Dani's hip.

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