Page 14 of Salt & Blood

Prue cocked her head at him. “Is magic all that matters?”

Cyrus’s lips pressed together in a thin line, but Prue could read the answer in his eyes.Yes.

She had to ask. She had to know. “Do you regret it?” Her voice was quiet. “Bringing me back? If you had known… what the spell would do, would that have changed your mind?” She held her breath, unsure if she wanted to know the answer.

Cyrus’s gaze sharpened, and he climbed to his feet, bracing one arm against the armoire for support. With a heavy sigh, he ran his fingers through his inky black hair. At long last, he spoke, his voice so soft Prue wasn’t sure she heard him properly. “No.”

The breath whooshed from her lungs in a sharp exhale.Thank the Goddess.

“I still believe you are the best leader for this realm,” Cyrus said, his gaze solemn. Something in Prue’s chest sank. So, he only brought her back for the good of the kingdom? Not because he loved her?

“That hasn’t changed, even with Apollo here,” said Cyrus.

Apollo.Prue bristled at the reminder that her throne was in jeopardy. As if she and Cyrus didn’t have enough to deal with at the moment.

Cyrus’s brows furrowed in confusion, and he said slowly, “He called Gaiawife…” His eyes flicked up to meet Prue’s, a question in his gaze.

Prue blinked. Did Cyrus not know? Well, it was bound to be exposed soon anyway. “Apollo is my father,” she said.

Cyrus’s eyebrows lifted, his mouth going slack with surprise. Then, he barked out a harsh laugh, sounding so much like his old self that Prue felt her heart lighten. “Of course he is. Well, it all makes sense now. You broke Gaia’s curse, and you are the Queen of the Underworld. He couldn’t possibly allow it. He wants revenge.”

“He wants to be the most powerful,” Prue said. “I don’t believe he would be here if he didn’t consider us a threat.”

Cyrus’s mouth twisted into a bitter smile. “I’m not much of a threat anymore, am I?”

“He doesn’t know that.”

“Yes, he does.” The words were grave and final, and Prue felt her blood run cold.

Shit. Had Cyrus told him he was human?

If so, why was he talking with Apollo at all?

Cyrus stared at her, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. “Why are you here, Prue?”

In truth, she had come to Cyrus for selfish reasons—because she needed him. But upon arriving, she realized he had needed her more.

And in that moment, she knew what else he needed: freedom.

Clearing her throat, Prue said in a firm voice, “I came to tell you that I love you. Despite everything we have endured, everything that has happened, and everything you said to me, I am still desperately in love with you. And if, at any point, you wish to be my husband once again, I will be waiting.”

Prue paused to take a breath, her pulse racing and her stomach twisting into knots. She took a moment to steady herself before continuing, “But, ages ago, we struck a bargain that bound us together as husband and wife. It was something neither of us asked for, and neither of us were able to be rid of that bond. I’m giving you the chance now. If you wish to part ways from me and seek out your own life in the mortal realm, I will accept this. I will look after the Underworld and do my best to stop Apollo from taking the throne. I swear it.”

Cyrus’s eyes flashed with pain. A muscle worked in his jaw as he looked at her, his cheeks reddening. He exhaled deeply, dropping his gaze, his nostrils flaring. Prue couldn’t tell if it was anger or despair that overcame him.

But she wasn’t ready to face it. Whatever it was, she wasn’t strong enough yet.

So she said, “You don’t have to answer right now. I just wanted you to know where I stood. And what you can expect from me.”

Her throat burned as she turned away from him, her eyes stinging with tears. As soon as she left his chambers, not even glancing back at him, she let the tears fall freely as agony consumed her.

JUDGMENT

PANDORA

The entire cavernwent still after Sol’s bold words. Pandora felt a chill ripple in the air, making the skin on her arms pebble. Her blood ran cold as every pair of eyes fixed on her.

Oh no.Oh no.

---