Page 250 of Blood Feast

As Rudhira led their procession, carrying Lio between the onlookers, they reached out their hands to touch Cassia’s slumbering Grace in benediction. Blessings in Divine and all thelanguages of the Empire wrapped her up and filled the Blood Union.

The prayers gave way to cheers as she, Mak, and Lyros passed. Orthros’s bravest shouted their names. The epithet of their errant circle roared across every courtyard they passed through on their way deeper into the fortifications. Kalos cheered loudest of all, calling out the dogs’ names. At his instigation, an entire fortress of Hesperines was soon celebrating liegehounds as if they had never been enemies.

Mak and Lyros lifted their joined fists over their heads, and a fresh wave of cheers erupted. Cassia levitated and raised her and Lio’s avowal cup for all to see. As the emotions of her people rolled through her, she let them out in a spell that conjured black roses to line their way to the heart of the fortress.

The enormous oak doors of the keep stood wide open in welcome. Before Cassia saw who waited in the doorway, their love and pride swelled in her chest.

Apollon and Nike stood shoulder to shoulder, him in a golden battle robe, her in full Stand regalia of black and silver. Cassia had never seen the artifact her Grace-father held, but there was no mistaking the heavy adamas hammer. She had never imagined she would see Apollon’s famous Hammer of the Sun in his hand. But after nearly a century, he had taken it up tonight in their honor.

Cassia’s Ritual mother stood at attention with her round shield on her arm. The Chalice of Stars was black as the sky, glittering with celestial symbols as bright as the stars. But at Nike’s waist hung a sword that sent a thrill down Cassia’s spine. The curved blade with a golden filigreed hilt was one of the Fangs, Methu’s long-lost pair of swords. The first bloodborn was with them in spirit.

When Rudhira reached the doors, Nike thumped a bleeding fist on her shield. The Blood Errant’s Union Stones flared brightin the signal for victory. Mak lifted the Star of Orthros, and his sister’s sign flashed through the Black Roses’ weapons.

Borne on the voices and feelings of the crowd, they followed Rudhira into the Sanctuary of his keep. Apollon and Nike, like an honor guard, closed the doors behind them.

Then they were alone with the Blood Errant in a great hall. Here, the illusion of a Tenebran hold lord’s castle ended. Peaked arches and vaulted ceilings made Cassia feel as if she had walked into Orthros. Beneath a blood-red stained glass window at the head of the room stood an intricately carved wooden throne.

They were in the First Prince’s domain now.

Cassia went into Apollon’s outstretched arms. He said nothing, only held her in his familiar, ancient strength. She felt safe for the first time since she had picked up her blade.

She drew deep, steadying breaths to keep from sobbing. “You’re in Tenebra. Oh, Goddess, I’m so glad you’re here.”

He patted his chest. “And Komnena is only a thought away.”

Nike had collared Mak and Lyros and showed no sign of letting them go. She hid her face against her brother’s hair. “Nothing—nothing—has ever been as hard as not coming after you. I would have followed you to Cordium and back and fought at your side, my quest be sunbound. You know that, don’t you?”

Mak grinned.

Nike sniffed. “But I thought you wouldn’t want that. You protected our borders and our family while I was errant. This time, you needed me to stay, so you could go. Didn’t you?”

“You understand,” Mak said.

“Better than anyone.” She drew back, running her hand over Lyros’s hair as if to reassure herself he was in one piece. Then she met Mak’s gaze. “I’m proud of your weapons. Don’t ever doubt it.”

This time when Cassia took Lio’s cold hand, her Grace-father was at her side. Apollon held out his arms. “Let me take him.”

Rudhira lifted his head, his magic ebbing, and handed Lio to his father. As Apollon cradled his son in his arms, Cassia felt the grief that passed through his blood.

“Come,” Rudhira said. “I have a room for him upstairs.”

He showed them to a modest chamber high in the keep, where an arched window looked out on untamed wilderness. There was a weapon rack for Final Word and Rosethorn, and a shelf held a small treasure trove of scrolls. Empty pots covered every surface, ready for plants. Cassia suspected Kalos had taken up a collection. Her gardening satchel hung from a hook on the wall, safe and sound.

The most luxurious residence could not have made her feel more welcome. For the foreseeable future, this was home.

A bed was waiting for Lio with clean, Imperial cotton sheets and the soft wool blankets pulled back. She adjusted the pillows as his father carried him over.

There was a century of sadness in Nike’s aura. “Why is history so cruel to the bloodborn?”

Rudhira put an arm around her shoulders and shook his head.

She beckoned Mak and Lyros toward an adjoining door. “I’ll show you your bunks, Stewards.”

Mak hugged Cassia one more time before he and Lyros left with Nike. “We’re right through that door if you need us.”

Apollon laid Lio in the sheets, and Cassia sat on the edge of the bed. Even in sleep, tension lingered around his eyes and mouth. She pressed a hand to his chest just to feel his heart beating with hers.

Rudhira sank into a chair by the bed. “Now we wait.”

---