Eleos
Tonight was the night. Either we’d gain another advantage in our quest to retake the city, or we’d fall prey to an obvious trap we should have been smart enough to avoid.
The last to arrive, I slipped through the door into the chamber where we’d finalize our plans.
A pile of colorful fabrics sat on the table beside Percy, and he flipped through them with a thoughtful furrow. Seth leaned over the table beside Seraphim, going over a map of the palace he’d drawn from memory. I focused instead on Aethra, who sat on the edge of the table, staring at the far wall.
“Lost in thought?” I asked, leaning beside her.
“Yes.” She blinked, clearing the haze from her eyes. “I’m thinking about my book, actually.”
“Is it good?”
“I—” She chuckled. “You’d think it was silly.”
“I read more than history books. Where do you think I get all my grandiose ideas from?”
“Heh.” She slid off the table. “It’s a Duathi love story. The Morai punish the couple, forcing them to live new lives, but they keepfinding one another again. I almost wish I could stay home and finish it.”
“I’m surprised they’d allow a story like that.”
“Well, it wasn’t written by the nobles.” She lowered her voice, noticing Phaedrus staring at her. “What?”
“Can a man not be curious about literature?” He asked dryly.
I was beginning to see why Aethra insisted the two of us were so similar.
“Pff.” Aethra rolled her eyes and looked away.
Seraphim looked up. “Oh, it’s true. Phaedrus had an entire shelf of sappy love stories.”
“Sister,” Phaedrus said sharply, pulling his bangs over his eye. “I have a reputation to maintain.”
Percy looked up. “Of being a backstabbing bitch?”
Suppressing a laugh, I turned back to Aethra.
Summoning my courage, I toyed with the end of my sleeve. “I, um. I never apologized.”
“What for?” She asked. “Seth wanting to apologize, I understand. What have you ever done wrong?”
I winced. “I mean about Aeacus. And what happened with him.”
Aethra shifted, hesitating. “I wasn’t upset for myself. I was worried about you. I know how much your past . . .” She swallowed. “But you did save my life.”
When I said nothing in response, she leaned forward and took my arm.
“I’m no saint. I think bastards deserve to suffer.” She smiled. “And Iknowyou. Whoever you used to be, I can’t fathom him coming back.”
Lifting my head, I met her eye. Would she still think that if she knew the whole truth?
“I’ve done so much worse,” I breathed. “To so many people.”
“So has Seraphim,” Aethra whispered. “And we’re still here, following her.”
Turning, I regarded the red-haired woman down the table. Did she fear the woman she once was?
“Alright.” Seraphim raised her head. “I think I’ve decided how to approach.” She nodded at Seth. “The prince needs guards, incase things go sour. Percy and I are best suited for that.”
