Love was a collection of little things, not sweeping statements. If Aethra asked it of me, I could fill a page with all of hers.
Watching Phaedrus’ cape flowing ahead of me, I wondered what little things my mother had done. The moments that made him love her. He’d probably never tell me.
Phaedrus motioned us to hug the wall, and we ducked behind one of the statues. Two guards descended a staircase ahead—ebony-clad Hades Knights.
I expected them to linger in the area, but they departed down a southern hall, and I heard no sign of their return. Phaedrus waited with furrowed brows before nodding at us to go.
The throne room’s doors lay open at the top of the stairs, inviting us inside. Ma’at’s golden throne rested before anenormous marble set of scales, and a rich purple rug trailed from the entrance to the foot of her dais.
No one was inside.
“This is a trap,” I thought to Phaedrus.
“Assuredly,” he agreed. “Are you suggesting we turn back?”
“No.” Aethra grabbed my arm. “Do you think someone’s lying in wait?”
“Maybe. Aethra and I know how to turn a fight to our advantage.” Phaedrus tilted his head. “What’sthe worst that could happen?”
“Ah,” I thought. “There’sthe chthonic side of you.”
Winking, Phaedrus darted around the corner and ascended the stairs. Aethra followed, leaving me no choice but to trust them.
Seth had told me how to find the hidden treasury: a single feather on the throne carried a red tint. That was the lever to unlock the basement hatch.
Save, there were dozens, if not hundreds, of tiny golden feathers decorating the throne.
Aethra giggled as she scoured the throne. “I always wanted to break into a palace.”
“It’snot practical,” Phaedrus murmured. “Never pick a target—”
“Larger than yourself. Yeah, yeah.” Aethra finished his words. Ainwir’s advice, most likely.
Phaedrus glanced at her, a hint of fondness in his eyes. The emotion carried across our psyche bond. When his gaze shifted to me, it was still present.
Had even my adopted Father ever looked at me like that?
“I just robbed temples and libraries the old-fashioned way,” I thought, crouching to search the myriad feathers decorating the throne.
“I still can’t picture you as a thief,” Aethra said.
Phaedrus chuckled. “Ah. Here she is.” He touched one of the feathers, and a faint click sounded.
The smooth tiles behind the scale fractured, revealing a hidden hatch. Glancing over my shoulder, I nervously watched the open doors.
What kind of trap did they intend to spring?
Phaedrus descended first. I heard him reach the bottom, and a moment later, he spoke in our heads. “Everything looks normal down here.”
Aethra shimmied down after him, and I followed. For all the grandeur of the palace, the treasury was rather simple. A few chests lay against the far wall, and cabinets filled what space remained. We couldn’t carry much, so I quickly scanned the containers, focusing on the chest containing family heirlooms and jewels.
Phaedrus joined me, holding up an expensive necklace of diamonds. “There’s a simpler way to rob nobles.”
“Such as?” I asked.
“Dress up as a wealthy suitor, trick them into engagement, and disappear once you have their family rings,” he said, stuffing the necklace into a pocket. “And whatever else they decide to give you.”
“I don’t think Eris wants to courtme,” I said. “And we don’t have that kind of time.”
