“Alright,” I said. “What aboutthiscity? Would father send an army to take it back?”
“Of course he would,” Aeacus confirmed. ”He cannot afford to lose his grip on our country, lest people start doubting his godhood.”
“What made him believe that Aethra was the one from the prophecy?”
“Cerys spoke a portent, while you were imprisoned.” Aeacus shuddered, struggling against Eleos’ hold. “The first Elpis maiden from foreign shores would appear, and she would be the last of her kind.”
“That’s why Ainwir went looking forher,” I muttered. “What if the Merchant Isles doesn’t come? What then?”
“Then we will march to meet them. "
I stood, meeting Eleos’ eye. “Did he speak true, in the tower?”
Eleos nodded. “If you convince Haimyx to reconcile, to let you marry Aethra, we can steal into the Acheron beneath his watch.” He winced again. “Kill him quickly. I can’t hold him much longer.”
Lifting my blade, I eyed a vein on Aeacus’ neck that would cause near instant death. My eyes fell to his side, and anger boiled within me.
Why should Aeacus get a clean, easy death? I’d made a promise to myself. Those who’d escaped justice would meet it by my hand.
My hand jerked, finding its way to his side. I remembered so clearly the way he’d cut me. Driving my dagger into the flesh beneath his arm, I let it sink deep before ripping it down to his hip.
Eleos’ eyes flew open. “Seth!”
Rage blinded my vision. My thoughts became muted as I yanked my dagger out and drove it into his abdomen.
Again.And again.
Eleos said something. But I didn’t hear it behind the swell of emotions consuming me.
Something slammed into my back, throwing me to the ground. Aeacus’ blood lion loomed above me, teeth barred.
I swept my dagger through its head, cutting the blood in half. The liquid surged, reforming itself within an instant.
Shoving me down with its heavy paws, it leaped off me and dashed out the door.
Sitting up, I noticed first Eleos slumped against the wall, and the pool of blood beside me.
Aeacus was gone.
Shooting to my feet, I ran through the door.
Cerys stood at the other end of the hall, blocking Aeacus’ path. Gripping his bleeding side, the commander glanced back at me before returning his gaze to Cerys.
Ripping a quill from her belt, Cerys started drawing on her hand. An unstable portal formed on the wall beside Aeacus.
“Get out,” she hissed. “Before we all die here.”
I lunged forward, reaching for him. But it was too late. Aeacusstepped into Cerys’ portal and vanished. By the time I reached the wall, my hands slammed into solid stone.
Seraphim pushed past Cerys, eyeing the bloody hall with wide eyes. “What the hell happened here?”
I sank to my knees, suddenly exhausted.
“Fucking idiot.” Eleos leaned in the doorway, clutching his arm. “What were you thinking?”
I hadn’t been. The depths of my wounds had been unknown, even to me, until that moment.
Aethra ran down the hall, pausing to check on Eleos before noticing me.
