Hermes’s bellow made the ground tremble even more so outside than when he’d done it earlier. Soldiers, servants, courtiers all scrambled away from Hermes, their cries trailing Daris as he ran to catch up to him.
“The horses are gone, lord.”
Daris looked over at the man who’d spoken, seeing the thin little man who’d introduced himself earlier as the steward. He couldn’t recall the man’s name, but Daris wanted to skewer him for giving Hermes any information endangering Terena further.
“Fuck!” Hermes turned, his eyes landing on Daris. He still had his sword out, and he tightened his hold as the god stalked over. Grabbing the collar of Daris’s tunic, Hermes brought Daris uncomfortably close.
“Don’t ever do that again. You are mine now.”
“It didn’t work on me, remember?” Daris spat. “And don’t you ever fucking hit her again. God or not, I will come for you.”
“Come for me,” Hermes sneered, shoving his face nose to nose. “But remember I’m your only chance of breaking your soul bond. Good luck trying to find someone else to help you. It may not have worked now, but only because you’re still eudaemon. Once that is done, I will honor my end of the bargain, Commander. I fully expect you to honor yours.” He thrust Daris away. “Gather your men. We ride for Lethe. Soros!”
The captain came bounding forward, his lips compressed as he nodded.
“Stay here and hold Colinas. Take as many men as you need. Send the rest with Scar to Metilai.”
Soros thumped his chest and departed.
“Where did those dogs come from? What happened in there?” Daris asked, striding after Hermes.
“Nothing I cannot work around,” Hermes fumed, his aquamarine eyes an inhuman hue with the silver in them swirling around.
“Why don’t you port there? If Terena can do it, I assume you can as well.”
Hermes screamed and Daris widened his stance, ready for the inevitable quake.
Nothing happened.
“I cannot! She—sheboundme!”
Daris knew there were many aspects of Terena’s powers he had yet to discover. Gods, there were aspectsshehad yet to discover, but he suspected she wasn’t strong enough yet to bind Hermes.
Unwilling to antagonize him further, Daris remained silent as Hermes raged. When his men left to do his bidding, Hermes turned and Daris gawped at the change in his expression. The god looked confused, frightened.
Catching Daris’s eye, Hermes looked at him, his face white. “I don’t know what’s happening. I’d never hurt her. I don’t—I don’t understand…”
A soldier approached, drawing the god’s attention.
More of his men arrived and Daris frowned as he watched Hermes speaking. It was as if his brief confusion never happened. The god’s fury returned, barking orders at his soldiers as if he hadn’t just confessed his remorse and horror over hitting Terena.
While Hermes was occupied, Daris marched toward the stables. Someone had already saddled his horse. Frowning, Daris looked around as Jason, Elias and Trojus rode up with Fane and another Spartan.
“Fane,” Daris grunted as the soldier dismounted, his hand to his heart.
“Commander,” Fane said with his head bowed.
Daris thumped the former Liodari on the chest. “I’m glad you found us.”
“Aye,” Fane said with a grim smile. “And not a moment too soon.”
“Indeed. We must ride for Lethe Monastery.”
“Aye,” Jason said with a grin. “I figured we’d be going after her so we readied the horses.”
Daris slapped the side of Jason’s leg as he passed, thanking him.
As they set off for the monastery, Daris hoped Terena had gone elsewhere.
