Page 58 of To Ashes and Dust
I winced at the mention of Marcus, not because of the end he’d met, but because of what his death had done to Cassie, how much she still suffered because of him. I knew, though, that hunting down Marcus and the other deserters had been a matter of great importance to Selene ever since he’d disappeared. We still hadn’t been able to figure out how they’d avoided the cost of breaking their vows to Selene. A warrior didn’t just betray our goddess without consequences.
“It sounds as if, despite her mortal form, she is somewhat meeting expectations.” Her tone almost sounded snide.
“Better than I could’ve hoped,” I said.
Her head turned, chin lifting to meet my gaze. “You sound proud, Damien.”
I stiffened at her use of my name. It was rare for her to reference me as such, and I never knew if it was in distaste or praise. “I’ll always be proud of my queen, no matter her accomplishments.”
She turned from me, and the scent of jasmine filled the hall, but I couldn’t see her expression, nor read what emotions she might be feeling... if she still felt them. Her gaze lifted to the nearest dimós tree, where astral sprites tended to the soil at its roots. She bent, her white hair spilling in decadent waves over her shoulders as she reached her hand out to offer something to one of the creatures. “There is another down the hall that could use some extra care.”
The little creature nodded, taking what she offered before bowing its head and skittering off. I knew she was fond of these creatures, but I rarely witnessed her interact with them. She spoke so softly to them, and perhaps it was because they were her only form of companionship.
She seemed to be in a good mood today. I wonder if… no, she’d made it clear that she wouldn’t help Cassie. But—
Gods damn me. “Is there really nothing we can do for her?”
Silence loomed in the great hallway, and I braced myself for her to lash out in annoyance.
“You know as well as I why I can’t, Damien.” I couldn’t ignore the vulnerability in those words. “I wish I could, but I am bound and forbidden. You know the price of interfering with mortals, regardless of their relation to me.”
I remained silent, a heavy sigh escaping before I could mask my disappointment.
“Be thankful the twelve only saw fit to imprison me here.” She rose, pale eyes low as she turned to me. I hated what they had done to her, punishing her for another’s actions. She inhaled deeply. “For what happened, they could have easily sentenced me to oblivion.”
22
CASSIE
“What did you think of the Archivallia?” Damien asked as we walked down the halls. I couldn’t help but bask in the soft glow of the dimós trees as we passed one after another.
“I want to come back when I have time to really look around,” I chuckled, the hem of my dress whispering along the marble floor. “When I’m dressed better for reading.”
The corner of his lips curved into that crooked grin I loved so much.
He hadn’t left me with Salwa for long. We’d barely started to tour the Archivallia when he found us, guided by a lone astral sprite. The creatures were so sweet once they came out of their shell, and they had even danced at my feet in excitement as we strolled the grand library wanting to show me things.
We neared the entrance to The Council’s chambers, and before we entered to head home, I noticed a massive set of black wooden doors at the end of the hall I hadn’t seen before. Dimós trees were merged into the wall, forming a bridge of glowing branches over the arched doorway. Carved into the doors were two rearing warhorses, riders mounted on their backs.
On one, the rider was clad in leather armor and a hood, similar to the armor warriors of The Order wore when we hunted darklings, a short sword in his outstretched hand. On the other door was a cloaked figure, body cast in shadow. Its face was void of any sign of humanity, like death itself, with a maw of razor-sharp teeth and hollow eyes. Chills skittered over my skin at the sight of its claws tearing into the warhorse’s neck as it roared at the warrior on the opposite door.
“What do those doors lead to?” I asked.
Damien paused before we could enter the doorway to return home, dark brows rising as his eyes followed where my gaze led. A somber air descended around him, his sorrow crawling over my skin, icy and hot all at once.
“Moira’s Rest.” Something twisted in my chest, but his eyes remained fixed on the massive doors and what lay beyond them. “The remains of our fallen brothers and sisters reside there, whether warrior or civilian. It’s a place for them to rest when they leave for Elysium, the afterlife.”
My eyes drifted over the details of the doors. The carvings were a depiction of their war, of everything they’d lost when the darklings appeared. I turned, taking a step, but hesitated. Would it be right for me to visit their crypt? I feared it would be disrespectful as a mortal.
Damien silently stepped to my side, and I stiffened when he took my hand. “Would you like to visit?”
I couldn’t meet his gaze. It wasn’t right. I had no right to enter where immortals rested. It wasn’t curiosity pushing me toward that tomb, though. My body begged me to take a step forward, to go to whatever rested behind those massive doors. I reluctantly nodded, swallowing as he led me forward, my mind wandering. What would I see on the other side? It was called Moira’s Rest. Did Moira’s remains reside within this hall? Were Elena and Lucia there?
Was... Emilia there?
My heart raced, thundering in my ears as we grew closer, and Damien gave my hand a gentle squeeze. I smiled, thankful for his reassurance, but it did little to calm the maelstrom raging in my chest. The doors opened on their own, swinging slow and wide, revealing what lay beyond them. I stopped breathing.
The chamber was monstrous, black stone walls forming a massive circle. Blue flames lit sconces high above us, and resting in alcoves on the walls were rows and rows of glass jars, each labeled with delicate inscriptions. I realized they were ashes.
