Page 8 of Salt & Blood

It took all of Cyrus’s strength to push down the rising roar of his anger at the thought of Apollo with his hands on Prue.Don’t show him your weakness,he thought.Just like with Aidoneus.“You think you can best my wife? When Gaia herself has had her powers restored, and would fight alongside her? I don’t think so.”

Apollo chuckled without humor. “You are a fool if you don’t see the possibilities, Cyrus. You, your witch, and Gaia—all three of you provide an excellent opportunity.” He leaned forward, his gaze sharpening with intensity. “Leverage.”

Cyrus’s heart lurched as he finally understood Apollo’s meaning. All the sun god had to do was threaten Gaia, and Prue would comply. If he threatened Prue, Cyrus would comply. And Gaia had already proven she would do anything to save her children.

Apollo was right. Heownedthis realm because he had nothing to lose. No weaknesses to exploit.

But everyone else did.

Thinking fast, Cyrus pursed his lips as if considering this. “You do make an excellent point.” He carefully set his glass on the table next to him, scratching his chin with a thoughtful frown on his face. “But you overlook one thing. I don’t care for the earth goddesses. Not anymore.”

Apollo’s brows furrowed. “You can’t expect me to believe that.”

It was time to stop pretending. Cyrus needed to offer the truth if he wanted to gain Apollo’s trust. After all, Apollo would find out about his human state eventually. That is, assuming he didn’t already know.

“As I said, I thought I would die when I cast the spell for Prue,” Cyrus said. “I was willing to do that for her. But I wasnotwilling to come back in this wretched state. A human.” With a disgusted grimace, he gestured to himself once more. He couldn’t even bear to look at himself in the mirror. He knew what he would see: a weak human with black hair and blue eyes and no tattoos. No sign of the otherworldly power he’d once held.

“So it’s true then?” Apollo asked. “You are mortal? I thought you looked different. And I can sense no power in you.”

“Yes, it’s true. I can hardly stand the sight of my wife anymore.” Cyrus kept his tone idle, as if he were merely discussing the state of his court. “And I told her as much. Whatever existed between us is… gone. You can ask her yourself.”

He forced himself to look away, to sigh and gaze at the flames in the hearth, as if this were sad news indeed, but not sad enough for him to do anything about it.

Inside, his emotions raged, thrashing against his mortal form, dragging him downward. He saw the broken agony in Prue’s face, the way her gaze had fixed on him in disbelief and confusion. He imagined Apollo speaking with Prue, asking about her marriage, reopening the wound Cyrus had dealt her. Prue would deny it, of course, but she had always been so easy to read. Her expression would turn haunted and full of grief, and in that moment, Apollo would know Cyrus was telling the truth.

“Do what you want with the earth goddesses,” Cyrus said, his gaze still fixed on the fire. “Although, I’m a little surprised you don’t want to keep them alive.”

Apollo shifted in his seat. “What do you mean?”

Cyrus feigned confusion as he looked at Apollo. “To rebuild the realm, of course. You can’t rule a broken kingdom. And Gaia and Prudence are the only ones with magic powerful enough to rebuild this place.”

Apollo stroked his chin, his eyes calculating. He knew that only earth magic—the magic of new life—could create a realm strong enough for him to rule. Sun magic could only get him so far. “I only need one of them,” he said.

“True,” Cyrus said. “Gaia is the stronger of the two, and the obvious choice to do the task. But if you kill her daughter, do you really think she’ll do what you want? As you said, Prue is her leverage. And without it, you have nothing.”

Apollo bit the inside of his cheek and swirled his drink, his eyes narrowing with concentration. Cyrus could practically see the thoughts flickering across his face. He cocked his head and appraised Cyrus with an appreciative gleam in his eye. “All right, then.” He set down his drink and clasped his hands together. “Here are my terms. You align yourself with me, help me take the throne, and I will not only offer you protection, but I will give you the highest seat on my council.”

Cyrus shook his head. “No. I want my powers back.”

Apollo opened and closed his mouth. “But… You… That’s not possible.”

Cyrus’s mouth curved into a serpentine smile. He spread his hands as if in apology. “Then I’m afraid I’ll have to reject your terms.” He stood and headed for the door.

“Wait.” Apollo stood, too, and Cyrus turned to face him, eyebrows raised. Apollo’s eyes were wide with panic, his calm demeanor vanishing completely.

That was when Cyrus knew his suspicions had been correct.

Apollo was desperate. He had no allies. No one to trust.

He needed Cyrus. More than Cyrus needed him.

“I—I can find a way,” Apollo said quickly. “Iwillfind a way to restore your powers. You have my word.”

Your word means nothing to me, you bastard,Cyrus thought. But he nodded, offering a satisfied smile. He stuck out his hand, which Apollo shook. “Then, we have a deal.”

Let the games begin.

REUNITED

---