Page 27 of Salt & Blood

Goddess, that had been ages ago. So much had changed… Prue hadn’t even been to the Underworld yet when Mona had been resurrected.

“As an earth witch, I managed to bring her back,” Prue said in a hollow voice. “But as a goddess, I can’t bringhimback.” A tear streaked a path down her sweat-coated cheek.

Gaia drew closer to her and clasped both her hands in hers. Her eyes blazed as she looked upon her daughter. “You are fierce, my child. A force to be reckoned with. You feel weak now, but this will pass. Remember who you are. You are agoddess.And you have an eternity of possibilities before you. For now, your misery seems endless, but I swear to you,it will pass.”

Prue met her mother’s gaze as if seeing her for the first time. Tears sparkled in Gaia’s blue eyes, and Prue realized she was referring to Pandora. And after all this time, Gaia hadstillnot been reunited with the daughter she had lost.

The knot in Prue’s throat only tightened, and she swallowed hard, the motion painful. “You need to go to her, Mama.”

Gaia blinked. “What?”

“Go to Pandora. You must see her. You’ve waited long enough.”

“Prudence, you need mehere.”

“We’ve trained for days. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. This magic”—she gestured at the foliage around them—“is effortless to me.”

“But we’ve only just begun. Apollo?—”

“Apollo ismy fight.Not yours. You have your own battle to face.” Prue’s voice only strengthened as she spoke, a certainty burning within her that this was the right thing. “I brought Mona back without your help. I can do this, too.”

Gaia’s mouth twisted with uncertainty, and more tears brimmed in her eyes. “Prudence, I—I?—”

Prue stepped forward and embraced her mother tightly. “I love you, Mama. I will always love you. No matter what happens.”

Gaia squeezed her tightly. For a long moment, the two held each other, both reluctant to let go. But at long last, Gaia released her and stepped back, her face shining with tears.

“I am so proud of you, my darling,” Gaia whispered, touching Prue’s cheek.

Prue could only offer a watery smile. Gaia pressed a hand to her heart before turning and leaving the throne room. Prue watched her exit, and a shuddering breath escaped her. Gaia would no doubt make her way to the portal. She likely had enough magic to fuel it on her own.

And then she would be gone, leaving Prue to fight this war on her own. No Cyrus. No Mona. Only herself.

“That was very brave of you,” said a voice.

Prue whirled to find Apollo leaning casually against the wall, inspecting the jasmine that surrounded it. “Or perhaps very foolish. It depends on how you look at it.” With one finger, he lifted the tiny petal of the white flower. “Very creative, what you’ve done here. I like it.”

Prue crossed her arms. She did not have the energy for this. “What do you want, Apollo?”

“I wanted to introduce you to a guest of mine, and the first official member of my court here in the Underworld.” Apollo stretched his hand toward the open doors as a figure appeared.

A foul and familiar scent assaulted Prue’s nostrils, and she recoiled, eyes flaring wide. Sheknewthat scent. It reminded her of the day Pandora’s box had been opened. In her mind, she saw a tall, smirking figure, urging her not to open the box.

Kronos.

Her blood chilled as she backed up until she hit the wall. Terror and panic seized her, forming a vise around her heart.

But the figure who appeared was not Kronos; it was a man with dark skin, a shaved head, and piercing black eyes that seemed to peer into Prue’s very soul. He was tall and so muscular, she felt he could wrap two fingers around her throat and strangle her in one swift movement.

Prue wet her lips and shot an uncertain look at Apollo.

Apollo smiled widely, the expression almost catlike. “Prudence, please meet Hyperion. He was an apprentice of mine long ago.”

Prue’s chest constricted even further until she couldn’t breathe.

No. No, no, no.

“Hyperion,” she repeated, staring at the stranger. “You’re—You’re?—”

---