Page 131 of The Oracle of Dusk

“Bad habits.” She shrugged, unrepentant. “You should cultivate some.”

“Incorrigible.”

“Guilty as charged.” Myrina grinned briefly, before her expression turned pensive. “I’m quite cross with Orithyia. Leave her to me. That hoard of treasures alone will be enough to push her off her snooty pedestal.”

Triad willing, it might mean the bitch’s retirement altogether.

“Also, I wish to meet your intended, Princess Epicasta. It sounds like she might be convinced to side with you, or join my temple, if for no other reason than the protection I can offer.”

Theron groaned.

“Aunty, if not her, then I will simply be forced to wed another of Flora’s spawn.”

“Yes, that sacred vow of yours. We’ll have to be careful of that, but I have some ideas. First though, I need to meet the princess.”

Theron wasn’t entirely sure he wished for his Aunty to put herself in the thick of things like this, but if anyone could handle herself, it was Myrina. At the very least, it was worth considering whatever schemes she had in mind.

“Then shall we depart for the palace?” He put his cup down and offered her his arm.

“Yes, I think so.”

They left the temple, whereupon Myrina was forced to see to the lingering issues of the attack. Theron took the opportunity to look for Aurora. She was no longer at the entrance to the temple of Justice. His heart constricted with worry. She was safe at least, wasn’t she?

“Who are you looking for?” Myrina asked, finished with her tasks.

“No one.”

“That’s an awful lot of concern forno one.”

“Aunty…” he warned.

“What? I’m a busybody. It’s my goddess-given talent and I hone it to perfection to honour Her.”

“And maybe if you say it often enough, you’ll make it true.”

“One can only hope.” She patted his arm with an irreverent smile.

With Myrina on his arm and both her paladins and his soldiers at his back, he felt more confident than ever marching into the Viridian palace. For the first time since his arrival, he was treated like royalty instead of Flora’s plaything. It was probably for Myrina’s benefit, and only because he was to be their princess’ groom, but it was a refreshing change nonetheless.

With Flora busy dealing with the attack, both he and Myrina were greeted by another of Flora’s daughters, who was quickly cowed into letting them into Epicasta’s private quarters. Outside the set of interconnected suites, a heavy guard had been placed. No doubt Flora had realised she’d been mid-escape when she’d been embroiled in the melee and had taken precautions against a second attempt. But as they were ushered into the inner sanctum of Epicasta’s rooms, two voices were raised in a dispute. Before the attendant could intervene, Theron grabbed her wrist and shook his head.

“Go, and speak of this to no one.”

“My goddess will be most displeased with you if you breathe a word,” Myrina threatened with a smile.

The attendant left them on their own.

Theron held a finger to his lips and pressed his ear to the door. Myrina did likewise. Theron recognised Epicasta’s shrieking, but the other voice was baffling.

“Hyllus?” he whispered, bewildered.

“The avatar?” Myrina asked in hushed tones.

Theron nodded.

“You told me he was dead!” Epicasta screamed, followed by the crashing of a vase.

“I said he was no longer under Flora’s power!” Hyllus explained.

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