Page 149 of Crown of Olympus
Caelus and I watched as a single cut appeared on her outstretched palm — a clean slice from an invisible blade. Hera turned her petrified gaze to the nearest mirror, eyes wide, and screamed a bloodcurdling sound.
“No, no, no, no, no,” she begged her mirrored assailant as cut after cut appeared on her peachy skin. “Zeus, no… I didn’t… I couldn’t… and all your lovers…” Hera howled.
I shared a shocked expression with Caelus.
Surely, she didn’t mean…? She couldn’t mean what I thought she did?
Hera killed Zeus?! The goddess of Furies-damned marriage — murdered her own husband?!
“Mother,” Caelus breathed. “What haveyoudone?”
I had no intention of witnessing our ex-Queen’s mutilation, so with a blast of power, I shattered the mirror and stepped through the newly-forged exit.
“Caelus?”
He turned, shellshocked.
“Come with me,” I coaxed, relieved when he took a shuddering step towards me. “Come home,” I whispered, grasping his hand as the shadows whirled around us.
To the Palace of Hades.
To my queenly dominion.
To home.
CHAPTER 43
Caelus
I stared mutelyat the roaring hearth in Hades’ unconventional living room.Nyssa’sliving room.
Hades was dead, and Nyssa was Hades?
That line of thinking made my brain ache. She wore the Shadow Crown — of that there was no doubt. I could see it flickering in and out of my periphery where she sat silently next to me.
At some point, Nyssa had left. She shadowstepped to Olympus and returned with Lykos. In the time she was gone — minutes, maybe? Hours, perhaps? — I’d felt nothing but sorrow and hollowness.
The thread stretched invisibly between us, the one I had woven with my horrifically scarred hands, thinned. The usual comfort of her emotions faded entirely. I missed her immediately. I longed to hold her, to whisper quiet reassurances about all that had transpired tonight, and all that still lay ahead.
My mother murdered my father. Why? And what would happen tomorrow?
A humongous muzzle prodded my left leg, scenting theichor still coating my breeches, though the wounds had long since healed. Or at least, I thought they had. Truthfully, I had no idea how long I’d been sitting here, in a loveseat that smelled like vanilla and raspberries, watching the flames dance.
I do not relish the scent of pain and despair on you, godling.
Lykos’ deep tone rumbled through my mind. It was a relief to have his presence back, a relief to know the trials were over, and the separation between us no longer necessary.
Only Hera can explain her actions, young one. You do yourself no favours by pandering over her reasoning.
I knew he was right. But I was still torn over what I should feel.
You need rest. Tomorrow will be along before you know it. A bath is also needed — you reek.
I frowned.Rude.
Perhaps. But nonetheless true.
Nyssa stifled a giggle, as though she’d overheard. Which was impossible — right?
