Seraphim ran a hand down her face. “He’s going to spill everything.”
“I know,” Cerys said.
“Have you any idea what you’ve done?”
“I know,” Cerys repeated harshly. “He would have killed everyone in here.Everyone.”
Aethra ran to my side and fell to her knees, scanning my face. Maybe she read the emotions whirling inside me. Eyebrows drawing together, she threw her arms around me.
“Oh gods, Seth,” she whispered, only loud enough for me to hear. “I’m so sorry.”
“Aethra—” Eleos protested.
“What’s done is done,” she shot back.
Gods, I didn’t deserve her. Wrapping an arm around her back, I pulled her closer.
Eleos sighed, exasperated. “You might have just ruined everything. Haimyx will bring everything he has down on us, now that he knows our secret. The insurgency is finished.”
I found my voice. “It was doomed from the start. Nothing has changed in this wretched land for centuries.Nothing.”
Jaw ticking, Eleos glared at me. When he spoke again, it was almost a whisper. “You’re right,Set. Everything your mother did was pointless, as was her life.” Turning on his heel, he marched away.
His words dug into me like a blade. I stared over Aethra’s shoulder at the wall, remembering the final moment of my mother’s life.
She’d glanced back, still proudly crowned in her feathered circlet and cloak shaped like a pair of wings. Faintly, sadly, her chin held high, she’dsmiledat me.
Not even Aethra could take away the pain that image caused.
28
Seth
Ileaned on the wall, staring at the empty sarcophagus where my mother was supposed to be buried. Her father had crafted it while she was still a baby, so that she might rest in comfort beside her family.
That had been centuries ago. Even though I would live forever in this land, it was still hard to fathom.
“Gloomy spot you’ve picked.” Percy stepped carefully over the ground, as though worried he’d disturb the dead. But no one was buried in this chamber. “I’d say it’s not like you to brood, but well . . .” He chortled. “It is.”
I sighed. “I’m an idiot.”
“Most people in this place agree with that sentiment, right about now.” He folded his arms, joining me at the base of the enormous coffin. “A bit grim, to have your tomb made before you die.”
“Mm.” I shrugged. “Mother’s people believed in many different gods. Dying was just another step in life.”
“Must be nice to have such confidence in your faith.” Percystepped back. “I’ve been thinking. Maybe not all is lost.”
I chuckled. ”Yeah?”
He spread his hands. “Hear me out. Your father’s not suddenly going to tear you in half. Nor does he want to crush his beloved wife’s city. Right?”
“Right . . .”
“So maybe Aeacus’ escape doesn’t mean a damn thing. You can still offer Haimyx reconciliation and the Maiden.”
I raised an eyebrow. “My Father is the chthonicgod, Perse. He’sfrightening. And not particularly forgiving.”
“Leverage being daddy’s little boy, then.”
