Leukos held his ground, his features set in grim resolve as he met the Sea God’s gaze. “I don’t seek a fight with you,” he said. “But I will protect them with my life.”
Alena’s heart hammered against her ribs. He meant it. He always had.
The god’s eyes narrowed—dark waves gathering into a storm. “You cannot protect her from my wrath.”
A jet of water lashed out, coiling around Leukos’ legs and yanking him off his feet. He hit the ground with a grunt, musclesstraining against the crushing force. Then his magic flared, and a deafeningcrackechoed as the tendril froze solid.
“Leukos!” Kaixo cried.
Alena’s mind raced. She had nothing—no blade, no wind, no wolves that could stand against the Sea God. Her Gifts were meaningless here. But perhaps the Grey-Eyed Maiden might hear her.
“Maiden, please,” she whispered, shielding Kaixo once more. “Protect us.”
The towering figure of water turned his gaze on her. His eyes narrowed in scrutiny.
Then—
Leukos’ icicle barrier faltered. The cyclone shattered, shards raining down with a brittlecrash, scattering across the stone.
For one breathless moment, time seemed to still. Even the Sea God paused, his fury eclipsed by something else—recognition. His gaze shifted past her, and something unspoken flickered across his immense features.
Alena held her breath.
The entire courtyard seemed to do the same.
Then, a musical giggle broke the silence like sunlight cracking through storm clouds.
“Well, aren’t you just a sweetheart?”
Alena spun. The woman from the fountain—the servant—now crouched before Kaixo, cupping his face with both hands as though the Sea God himself weren’t looming over them.
Kaixo beamed up at her, utterly calm.
“You’ll be a handsome lad one day, mark my words,” she cooed, brushing a curl from his forehead. “Your mother would be so proud of you.”
Kaixo’s smile faltered, and his gaze dropped. Alena squeezed his hand tight, grief swelling sharp and fierce in her chest. San’sdeath, still fresh and raw, throbbed between them like an open wound.
For a brief moment, she almost forgot the god towering above—until a low, grumbling sigh drew her eyes back.
The waves within his form settled. “I should have known you were behind this.”
“Hello, Uncle,” the woman said brightly, giving him a playful wave. She glanced around the shattered courtyard with detached amusement. “I see your temper is just as formidable as ever.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
ALENA
Uncle?
Alena shot a bewildered look at Leukos, who had slipped free of the Sea God’s grip while the god’s attention was elsewhere. His eyes were locked on the servant, his jaw tight.
Clearly, the woman was anything but mortal. Her presence radiated an ethereal quality that reminded Alena of the Grey-Eyed Maiden or the Huntress—a strange energy thrumming in the air.
The woman sauntered back to the Maiden’s fountain, her steps feather-light. She leaned over the basin, admiring her reflection with smug approval.
Her hair was dark, swept into a loose bun, but for a heartbeat Alena swore she saw golden-blonde strands shimmering in the water.
“What are you doing here?” the Sea God growled. “I don’t care if your sister sent you. This might be her city, but their parents made a vow before us all. I demand it be fulfilled.”
