Turning back to the room, my gaze settles first on Kato and Flynn before moving on to Griffin’s parents and sisters. Griffin is next to me. Carver is on his right. Along with Selena, the members of Beta Team, technically Alpha Team now, are the only ones who don’t look like they’ve been kicked by a Centaur for the better part of the day. Griffin’s family already knew who I am, but Fate just added a whole new aspect to things. Vasili has been stoic, if worried. Desma’s eyes are red and puffy, and Aetos mainly looks thumping mad.
“Aetos!” Patience is not my strong suit.
“If I say it, I’ll be as bad as him.” Aetos indicates Griffin with a jerk of his chin. “Dragging you into something you might not come out of.”
Griffin bristles beside me. His voice hardens, turning flinty. “Are you saying I don’t protectmy wife?”
A thrill rushes through me despite the seriousness of what’s going on. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to Griffin calling me that.
His large hands braced on his thighs, Aetos leans forward and engages Griffin in an epic stare-down. “I’m saying youcan’t. Do this, and you’ll die, too.”
“Do what?” I toss up my hands, exasperated.
Desma pops out of her chair, the sudden movement breaking the men’s tense eye contact. “There’s no reason to do anything. Delta Tarva will back off now that you have the Ipotane on the border, and the Power Bid will blow over. She’ll just have to oust her own family if she wants a throne. You don’t have to get involved. Let Acantha have Tarva. Let your mother have Fisa. Just be happy for once. Love your husband. Live in a castle. Eat spice cakes. You’re not responsible for the world!”
I sigh. I wish that were true. “Apparently, all of Olympus thinks I am. Griffin thinks I am. Gods help me, evenI’mstarting to think I am. There’s no more burying my head in the sand.”
Selena sits up straighter. “Sand.” She turns, and her eyes narrow on Aetos.
I rock to the edge of my seat. “Do you know what Aetos is talking about?”
She nods. “Risky. It could work.”
When Selena doesn’t offer anything else, I glare at Aetos. “Start talking, or I’ll start fighting. You know I will.”
He blows out a long breath, rubbing his knees. “You’d think of it yourself anyway.” His big shoulders slump. “The Agon Games.”
The idea hits me with the force of a solid blow.Think of it myself?I should have thought of it weeks ago when we were in Kitros and the entire city was vibrating in anticipation of the upcoming competition. “The winning team goes to the castle. It’s tradition.” I beam at Aetos. “That’s a fantastic idea!”
“It’s a horrible idea!” he snarls back.
Griffin’s reaction is just as violently negative. “You’re not going anywhere near an arena and fights to the death.”
“It’s not always to the death.” Only usually. And for the last few centuries. In the beginning, the Agon Games were about healthy competition—poetry, music, dance, grappling, running, discus throwing, and other physical contests. Athletes and artists vied for the attention of the Origin and the chance to serve in his court. But after the kingdom split, generations of depraved royals corrupted the spirit of the Games, turning them into something else entirely. They became brutal and bloodthirsty, just like the sovereigns themselves. These days, all that remains of the tradition are the central location in what used to be the seat of the Origin’s kingdom, the four-year interval between Games, and the invitation for the winners to humbly bow before the nearby ruling family—now the Tarvan royals.
I jump up, turning to Griffin. “It’s the perfect solution. We get access to the Tarvan royals without having to invade, without endangering anyone but ourselves, and without creating dissent between two armies and two populations we’re aiming to combine.”
Griffin stands, too, towering over me. Glowering. “That’sifwe win.”
“How can we not? The Gods are with us. You know that!”
Something restless and almost violent seethes in his expression. “Sometimes the Gods are barely fast enough to keep up with your blatant disregard for your own safety. Even Artemis said you’re hard to keep alive.”
Guilt wrings my chest like an iron fist. “I told you I’d be more careful. And Artemis and her stupid archer can kiss my—”
“Even if you survive, the rest of your team may not,” Selena cuts in coolly. “Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”
I whirl on Selena and then take an involuntary step back. She has a pretty epic hard stare herself, and it hits me like a God Bolt.
Risk my team to save thousands of people from what could be a long and bloody war?Every face I love comes sharply into focus. They’re all here.
My heart starts to pound, but I refuse to deflate. “It’s a good idea. I won’t lose my team.”
“You’re sure?” Selena asks.
I deflate a little. I can’t help it. “Do you think I will? Do you know something I don’t?”
Selena shrugs, which isn’t an answer.
