He balked and shoved it back at her. “I am not the heir! I’m not even a god! How can I possibly open the portal and?—”
“Please,” she moaned. “The prophecy only spoke of the heir bringing the gods back to glory. Nothing about how they actually come back to Elysium. Go to Hekate’s temple and open the portal. Here,” Terena held the shroud against Gabriol’s chest while she fished inside her cloak. From the inside pocket, she pulled out a gold armband and held it in front of her. Gabriol held onto the shroud as he scowled down at her.
“Take this with you,” she said, her voice breaking as she shook the adornment at him. “When you find my mother, she’ll know you speak true if you show her this. It belonged to herbrother, my uncle. Please Gabriol. You must warn her. Tell her about Hermes. Tell her everything I told you about the previous circles. Someone has sabotaged us from the beginning and you’re my only hope to find out who.”
“How can I go back?” Gabriol asked, huffing in frustration. “I can’t use this to open the portal! I won’t even know what to do?—”
“You will,” Terena said emphatically, nodding her head as she narrowed her eyes. “Remember what Orry said? Hold up the shroud and speak the words. I have to believe there was a reason you were with him when he read of it in the priestess’s journal. I’d hoped it would be Orry going back, but he’s gone and Ineedyou, Gabe. Please, help me.”
Gabriol looked around as if lost, shaking his head. Terena wanted to scream. They had no time for this, but if Gabriol didn’t leave now, she had a horrible feeling all would be lost.
“I have no one else, Gabe. If you don’t do this, we’re going to lose. I trust you. Please go. For me. Please.”
Gabriol reached out hesitantly and took the armband from her, slipping it over the sleeve of his tunic. Terena watched his movements, a strange calm settling over her as she saw the band fit snuggly against his bicep.
Like it was made for him.
She exhaled and gave him a watery smile. Tears slid down her cheeks and she wiped at them angrily as she stepped away from Gabriol.
“I promised Rydon I’d get you out of here! I can’t?—”
Terena snorted, wiping her nose on her bracer. “You can. And you will. I’ll be fine. I’m a god, remember? Your only concern now is getting north as fast as possible. Get to Hekate’s temple and do not hesitate. Open the portal.”
She turned away, bringing her hands up to rub at her eyes. Her breath fogged out in front of her and she quickened her steps.
Gabriol was about to disappear through the door leading to the secret corridor Rydon had used earlier to get inside, when Lerek called out.
“I’m going with him.”
Terena arched a brow and shared a look with Gabriol when he turned back. “What? Why?”
“I can do more than just sit in a palace all day, Ren,” Lerek said. He looked away, lips pressed tightly together, before turning back to her. “A lot of what’s happened started because of me. I know it won’t make up for it, but I’d like to at least help in any way I can.”
Lerek turned to Gabriol. “You’ll be going through Thalos?”
“Aye,” Gabriol said, his eyes shifting between Lerek and Terena.
“Heylisia controls the port, and the bridge is guarded by Rivermen. The only way they’ll let you cross is with me. Peleon isn’t letting anyone cross. Now that Ravos is back with the empire, he’s not taking any chances with soldiers defecting to join Hermes. They’ll kill you if you try to cross the bridge.”
“There is no more empire,” Terena said bitterly. “Hermes has sacked the city and I’m sure is sitting on the throne right above our heads at this very moment. It won’t be long before word gets out across the continent.”
“You’re wrong,” Lerek bit out, his eyes intense as he stared back at Terena. “Iam the emperor now, and I will take this city back. But for now, I’ll go north with Gabriol and do this. For you. For my city and my empire.”
Terena sighed and waved a hand. “I—Gabe? It’s up to you.”
Gabriol was silent for a minute, eyeing Lerek as if he was something nasty he’d stepped in.
“Please,” Lerek muttered. “Please let me help. I can do this.”
After a very tense and awkward silence, Gabriol gave Lerek a curt nod. “Fine. But I’m not going slow because I have the crown prince with me. We’ll ride hard and sleep outdoors.”
“You’ll have theemperorwith you,” Lerek corrected Gabriol and shrugged. “And, aye, I understand.”
When Gabriol went through the doorway, Lerek made to follow. Terena rushed forward, grabbing hold of his arm.
Turning, Lerek looked at her, then smiled sadly.
“Don’t get yourself killed,” she said as heat rose in her cheeks.
