Page 37 of Salt & Blood

Saffron said nothing as she led them through the tunnel. It wasn’t quite wide enough for Pandora to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with her sister, so she lingered behind, her eyes catching on the way Mona’s fingers coiled tightly within Evander’s. The two were always linked. Never to be separated.

And Pandora’s heart ached with the notion that she would never have that because of the choices she had made.

“Midas isn’t so bad,” Romanos muttered from behind Pandora.

She glanced over her shoulder at him. “He isn’t?”

“Just don’t mention his curse. Or Apollo.”

Pandora huffed a laugh. “That will be a bit hard, since Apollo wronged everyone here and is directly responsible for my own curse as well as Midas’s.” She paused before asking, “Why do they call himking?”

“He was once king of the Thanassian Empire. His ability to turn anything into gold made him wealthier than any other king or noble, and for a while, he brought prosperity to the continent. But, once his enemies discovered the power of his touch and tricked him into turning his own daughter into gold, he disappeared, going underground so no one could exploit him again.”

Sorrow twisted in Pandora’s gut from the tragedy of such a tale. “And what do the Gorgon sisters have to do with him?”

Romanos paused before answering. “Midas’s knowledge of alchemy is incredibly valuable, especially to the witch community.”

Pandora frowned and glanced at him. Romanos had a closed expression on his face. There was clearly something he wasn’t telling her.

But that was fine. She was used to other people’s mistrust. He had no reason to share information with her to begin with.

“Do you think they will be merciful?” Pandora asked. “The Gorgon sisters?”

Romanos took another moment to consider this. “It’s hard to say. I wronged one of them many ages ago, and it took quite a lot to earn her forgiveness. But once I did, we were connected, our souls bonded for eternity. Now, she’s my wife.”

Pandora stumbled over a root, and Romanos gripped her arm to keep her from falling on her face. “Yourwife?” Pandora choked, eyes wide.

Romanos smirked. It was clear he had intentionally hidden this information. “Yes. Marina and I exchanged vows just last month.”

Marina.Pandora had heard the other witches use that name.

So Marina was a Gorgon. Pandora wasn’t sure what to do with this information.

The group halted at the end of the tunnel, which was shrouded by another curtain of ivy. Saffron turned to face them, her expression as somber as ever.

“When we reach the king, you will bow to show your respects,” she said. “Address him only asYour Highness.Nothing else. And if he orders you to leave, you must do so. We follow his command.”

Pandora’s brow furrowed. Since when did witches obey the command of a man? It didn’t make sense. The confusion on Mona’s face indicated she, too, was baffled by this. But they said nothing as Saffron led them through the ivy.

Brilliant gold light shone through the curtain, nearly blinding Pandora as she stepped through. Her breath stuck in her throat as she took in a magnificent throne room covered in layers of golden leaves. A massive chandelier hung from the earthen ceiling, but it wasn’t lit by candles. The same strange witch lights from before gleamed, bathing the room in an amber glow. A single throne rested on a mound of flattened earth, also covered in golden leaves. On that throne sat a man with auburn hair and blazing red eyes. He wore a golden tunic and trousers, a golden belt, and a golden sword. A matching gold crown rested atop his head, and a thick tan beard lined his face. Even his leather gloves gleamed with the same golden sheen as everything else about him.

But Pandora’s gaze snagged on the crimson fire of his eyes, her heart stilling in her chest. Beside her, Mona went rigid, noticing the same thing.

His eyes were the same as Hestia’s.

Sol drew forward, approaching the king first. He took a knee, pressing his fist to his chest and bowing his head. “Your Highness, it is a great honor to finally see you again.”

Midas smiled, rising from his throne and spreading his arms. “No need for that, nephew. But you are right. It has indeed been too long.”

Pandora’s blood chilled as realization hit her.

Midas was Hestia’s brother… and Sol’s uncle.

DEMONS

EVANDER

The magicin the atmosphere was overwhelming. Even without the presence of Typhon, Evander could still sense the energies in the air. They smelled and tasted just like Mona’s magic, but amplified so intensely it felt as if the power was swelling around him like a tidal wave.

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