Page 17 of Bane of the Wild Hunt

Nikos stood with his arms crossed while trying his best to maintain an austere expression, but I could sense his fury brimming as he was singled out once more.

“We pulled them back, focused our forces in the cities, due to fears of mutiny, dissension, and defiance.”

“Mutiny,” Riordan repeated, his sternness breaking in shock as he looked first to Dio and then to me.

“After your disappearance, there was great unrest in the ranks. Especially among the Ktínos. It required us to take certain measures to preserve our peaceful society,” explained Nikos.

He lies,I seethed in utter disbelief. And I could feel the same rage swelling throughout the room as the other Ktínos reacted to this unfounded accusation.He needs a justification for why he restructured their leadership.

“Enough,” said Riordan, his authority silencing the murmur of anger. The room parted as he stepped forward, moving toward Nikos who drew himself up as if in fear of his retaliation. Not an utterly unfounded concern either, judging by the indignation on myskiá’sface.

I moved with Riordan to protect his back in the crowd as he stalked over to his cousin.

“You do not know our military history.”

“Why shouldthatmatter—” Nikos tried to demand.

“It matters a great deal,” Riordan interrupted harshly. “Had you or any of your newly appointed leadership studied at Ergastiri, you would know that there hasnever, not inten thousand years, been an incident of the Ktínos acting in aggression toward the Imítheos.”

“Perhaps that was because they were not in position to pursue any ambitions for rebellion. Not before you made so manyof them commanders, colonels, and lieutenants in our army,” Nikos pointed out with a nonchalant shrug.

Infuriated snarls erupted through the room, and I could not help the growl rumbling out of my own throat.

I take it all back. Rip him apart,I invited myskiá.

“At Ergastiri, you would have also learned the great importance of numbers, Nikos. And in case you were not aware, the Ktínos outnumber us ten to one. So theyare, and have alwaysbeenin position to act on any ambition they so choose. This council is dismissed,” he shouted before Nikos could attempt to justify himself again.

The room had become enraptured, but they all jolted to attention at his abrupt dismissal and began to file out of the chamber. But before Nikos could slither away, Riordan grabbed him suddenly by the front of his toga and dragged the smaller male up against him. I stepped forward in case Nikos retaliated but kept my eyes on the other Imítheos nearby who might try to come to his aid.

“If you think that I will ever forget how you treated myskiáin my absence, then you are sorely mistaken,” Riordan warned. His voice had sunk into that dangerously low tone that made me want to both brace for battle and shiver with gratification.

I did not tell you about that.

You didn’t need to, Riordan replied without removing his stern gaze from Nikos whose head snapped toward me before his eyes narrowed in accusation.

“You certainly did not wait long to get retribution now that your protector is back,” the bastard taunted me.

“Orion did not need to say anything. I only wanted you to confirm my suspicion,” Riordan corrected him smugly. “And the next time you jeopardize our kingdom’s security by sending unauthorized people into the war room, I will imprison you for treason,” Riordan added more roughly.

Nikos blinked in surprise that Riordan had realized that was him and then smirked.

“Do you fear spies in your kingdom, cousin?”

“Stay out of my way, Nikos. This is the only warning I’ll give you the courtesy of uttering,” Riordan swore before he shoved his cousin back.

Nikos barely managed to stay on his feet, but he was sure to glare at me over his shoulder before straightening his robes and stalking through the open doorway.

Chapter six

THE MEANING OF THÁRROSI

Amira

We had walked off the balcony that wrapped around the bazaar cavern and were walking down another hallway from which there were stairwells going up and down. Rhea finally chose one going up, seemingly at random since there was no distinction between them I could see, and we went up several flights. By the time we reached the top, I was trying to hide how winded I was from my griffin companions.

“These are the royal suites,” Rhea informed me as we passed by a griffin who curtsied before her eyes widened at me. “Only the king’s apartments are above.”

I nodded, averting my eyes from the gawking griffin to the open face of the cliff on our left. There was a low railing between the pillars, but otherwise nothing stood between me and the open sky. I could see the lake and the valley below and the Kingdom of the Vale beyond that. There were even openings through which one could walk onto stone outcroppings, and I presumed griffins would fly off them or perhaps land on them. The very idea of it, from this height, made me feel faint and queasy.

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