Page 77 of Crown of Olympus
The beasts calmed, though my dragon scowled at them. I was beginning to wish I’d met her scathing sass sooner.
“Now,” Hera called from the forefront of the chamber, retaking her throne, “if everyone could take their seats, we may resume the Rite.”
One by one, gods and goddesses sat in a circular formation, their bonded creatures taking up positions of protection beside them.
Caelus sat in Zeus’ throne —histhrone — directly across from me, and right beside his ever-hateful mother. An ever-watchful Lykos crouched behind him.
Caelus looked up, meeting my gaze as I crossed one leg slowly over the other. He tracked the movement with apredator’s focus, and I fought to keep my mask firmly in place. I was the daughter of Death. I would not be scolded, attacked, or ignored. It was time theyallremembered exactly who they were dealing with.
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” I said, letting the last word linger, “but are we not missing somebody?”
A small twitch of amusement pulled at my lips as Artemis leapt to her feet. Her face a portrait of malice — teeth bared, eyes bulging. It was, to say the least, entertaining.
“You! You demon-fucking spawn of evil!” she shouted, and this time, my lips twisted into a full grin. Aros, true to his nature, choked on a laugh.
I knew I’d be hearing about this later.
“My champion was unable to return with her medallion because you stole it!”
“Yes. Yes, I did,” I replied coyly. “But Athena’s instructions only stated we had to return with our own medallions — not that we couldn’t also take someone else’s.”
Leander scowled, as if the idea had only just occurred to him. I watched with fascination as he slowly realised he could have prevented almost all of us from proceeding to the next trial and thus eliminated us — had he simply takenourmedallions too.
Poor, stupid seaweed brain.
“She is correct,” Athena murmured quietly. “That, too, was a test of wit. And of morals.”
“Indeed,” Hera drawled, arching a perfectly sculpted brow. “Diana, and therefore Artemis, have consequently been eliminated from the Ascension Rite. Ten champions and seven trials remain.”
Artemis stomped back to her seat and dropped into it roughly. Her eyes promised retribution. Even more so when I winked.
“In two days’ time, the Palace of Aetherion will be hosting aball in your honour,” Hera continued. “You are all expected to attend in formal attire. Failure to do so may result in a penalty in your next trial.”
Indignation rang out across the room. I rolled my eyes. Olympians loved nothing more than a good party, great wine, and even better dancing. The fine clothing just chafed at them, but appearances, really were everything.
“Oh, and please — do refrain from violent behaviour at the ball.” Hera eyed each of us meaningfully. “After all, kings and queens are expected to keep such things behind closed doors.”
She stood and exited through the arched gateway. Most of the others followed suit, some hurling savage scowls in my direction. When only my temporary teammates and I remained, I spoke.
“Thank you for allying with me in Athena’s trial. I do not expect it to continue moving forwards, but it was unexpectedly nice to be part of a team.”
They all moved to speak at once, but I raised a hand, cutting them off.
“In any case, I have old wine, good music, and a deck of cards at the palace. You’re welcome to come celebrate… or not.”
I winked and redirected the gateway to the Underworld, stepping through before I could change my mind. I left it open for them, should any be brave enough to visit the realm of the dead.
CHAPTER 23
Nyssa
Cerberus growled deeply,lips peeling back to reveal two rows of palm-sized fangs in each of his three heads. He stood rigid before the gateway to the Underworld, hackles raised, heads lowered. Recognition flared through six bright red irises, and his growls cut short. Each outer head tilted, while the middle one leaned in to sniff at my leathers and the dragon coiled around my neck.
The rumble morphed into a whine, his enormous tail wagging enthusiastically as all three faces nuzzled in for pats.
“Hello, Sir Bruce. It’s nice to see you again,” I cooed, taking the time to scratch each head. “That’s a good boy, looking after our home.”
He attempted to try his luck further, brushing a nose against the dragon’s side, but she went still, unaccustomed to gigantic three-headed hounds. Five-headed hydras, maybe. So, I wasn’t at all surprised when a ball of flame smacked the intruding face square in the forehead.
