He nodded again but didn’t believe she’d have the courage to go through with it. Cerberus had no fear swearing his own convictions to Styx, having made many oaths to the wet goddess over the countless years of his life. Styx was fond of him for protecting her shores and for his adherence to his oaths.
But would Cyane commit a vow that would last her mortal life?
Instead of answering, he bowed his head. “I vow on Styx to protect this realm.” He lowered his face until it was right above the waters. He breathed in its sweet scent.
A red mist rose from the waters and enveloped him, touching him all over before it dissipated into the air.
It took less than a minute for the binding to take place. When he was done, he rose back up.
And in awe, she mimicked his position and bowed over the water.
“I vow on Styx, on you,” she whispered to the water, “to do all in my power to…to do no harm to this place.”
Cerberus watched in shock as she breathed in, and the red mist enveloped her. When it was gone she rose up as well. She tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and inhaled again. She’d not only listened to him.
She trusted him.
Stunned, his hands tensed at his sides, finding he had no idea what to do with them. He wanted to grab hold of her again but didn’t dare. A god would never give an oath so easily. Gods were afraid of their own words. But this human had done what hundreds of divine beings would never do.
He’d always looked down upon humans. They’d always been beneath his notice—the live ones at least. What else would the mortal do if he asked it of her? If he demanded?
How far did her trust actually go?
Was this what Hades saw in her?
Is this what it’s like to be worshipped?
“What happens now?” she asked, peering around nervously.
The thunder in his chest built to a crescendo. He stood slowly and reached his hand out. She took it, and he helped her rise.
The Day of Gifts
Cyane woke feelinglike she’d slept for a hundred years. There was no more pain. She wasn’t even hungry—not like she’d thought much about food in the last few days, and when she had, she realized she was neither hungry nor thirsty.
Which was fine since she knew what had happened to Persephone after she ate the pomegranate seeds. If she wasn’t forced to eat in Tartarus, then she damn well wasn’t going to.
She lifted up on her elbows to find Cerberus sitting in his chair, watching her.
She stilled before pulling the covers up to her chest and sitting up.
“You’re back,” she said a little too quickly. This was the second time she’d fallen asleep in the strange man’s room and woken to find him watching her.
After she’d made her oath to Styx the day before, Cerberus had brought her back to the gatehouse before promptly leaving. And when he hadn’t returned, the hours had melded together, and Cyane had succumbed to exhaustion. She hadn’t wanted to sleep here again, but her choice in the matter had been taken away.
Something in Cerberus changed yesterday. Part of her still knew he was the same horrific creature that now plagued her dreams, but she’d ceased to see him as such.
I think I confuse him.
He confuses me.
“Today is the Day of Gifts. You’re to meet with Hades,” he said, scattering her thoughts.
Cyane jumped out of the bed and pulled one of the blankets atop it with her. “Okay.” What more was she supposed to say to that? “You’re still watching me. How long have you been sitting there?”
“Since you fell asleep.”
Her face scrunched up. “I made the vow.”
