Oh, shit.
They were waiting for their king and queen to return. For their beloved Lagos.
They were waiting for good news. Because gods knew they needed some.
“My lord,” Theo said breathlessly, wringing his hands together. He peered around Evander as if expecting more figures to follow after. When he realized it was only Evander, his face paled and his eyes went wide.
“All is well!” Evander said quickly, raising his hands. “Prue and Mona have been rescued. They dwell with the fire witches in anticipation of the Titans’ retaliation. They would have come here, but they feared drawing the Titans’ wrath to this realm. For now, it looks like the battle will occur in the Realm of Gaia.”
Whispers and gasps rippled over the crowd.
Maleck drew closer, his brows knitting together in concern. “And what of Lagos? Is he with them as well?”
Evander faltered. Oh, gods.Hewas the one who had to tell them. He couldn’t possibly… This wasCyrus’sresponsibility.
He swallowed hard, suddenly feeling ill.
“My lord?” Maleck asked hesitantly.
Evander’s throat was so dry he couldn’t speak. He had spent eons shepherding the souls of the river Cocytus, explaining to them that they were dead and had moved on to the next plane of existence. He was accustomed to delivering bad news. Some souls had wailed and shrieked like banshees. Others had merely wept quietly. Some had been in utter denial and yelled in his face about how wrong he was. A few had even laughed, assuming it was a joke or a dream.
So why did this feel so different, to deliver such news to the demons? Was it because they were alive,of flesh and blood, standing before him? Or was it because he actually knew them, and had known Lagos, too?
He drew in a breath and envisioned himself standing on the bank of Cocytus. In his mind, a soul had just arrived.
He immediately pictured Mona, but then shoved the thought away. Instead he pictured the soul he had encountered before her, an older man with wispy white hair.
“I am sorry,” Evander said gently. “But… Lagos was killed defending your queen. He knew the sacrifice he was making, and he made it bravely.”
More gasps filled the air, this time more hushed and full of horror. A few demons covered their mouths. Others’ eyes were full of tears.
“No,” Maleck whispered, pressing a hand to his chest. “No, it cannot be!”
“I—I am so terribly sorry,” Evander said, and he needed these demons to understand how much he meant it. He had not known Lagos as well as Prue and Cyrus had, but he still felt that death acutely. It was a loss that could have been prevented. Perhaps if he had wielded his magic differently or conserved the ghost of Typhon, he could have been there in time to save Lagos.
Perhaps if he had managed to fell more Titans, like Atlas, then Lagos would not have died.
But what then? What if a Titan had gotten hold of Mona or Prue or Cyrus? The sisters were goddesses, but they were not invincible. Even a goddess could be killed.
And Cyrus… he was mortal now, as far as they knew. All Atlas would have had to do was twist his neck, just like he’d done to Lagos, and the King of the Underworld would be dead.
Something stirred in Evander’s chest at the thought, slithering and writhing and coiling like a serpent.
He didn’t like this feeling one bit, so he buried it deep before it consumed him.
Theo approached, tears streaming down his face. He took Evander’s hands in both of his and bowed deeply. “Thank you, my lord, for bringing us this news. I know it must have been difficult for you.”
Thatthingtwisted in Evander’s chest again, cutting off his breath and rendering him incapable of speech.
Theo wasthankinghim for announcing his dear friend had died? This was so unexpected. Even in his years overseeing Cocytus, a soul had neverthankedhim for delivering the news of their death.
It was not glad tidings to be shared with others.
Evander finally found his breath, but it was shaky and uncontrollable. In a strained voice, he repeated, “I am… sorry.” He needed Theo to understand that Evander wasnotsomeone to be thanking right now. He was someone to yell and shout at. Someone to take out their frustrations and grief on.
But the demons did no such thing. Some embraced one another, sobbing. Others stood there, unmoving as they stared in the distance and processed the news. Maleck drew closer to Theo and wrapped his arm around him. All the while, Theo continued to hold Evander’s hands… as if he were comforting him.
In a flash, Evander yanked his handsfree from Theo’s grasp. No. This wasn’t right. Evander did not deserve comfort or compassion. He was not worthy of any of this.
