Crimson mist swirled around her fingers, but it did not caress the men around us. Thinning into a line, the fog trailed away, toward the west.
“What are you doing?” I demanded.
“When dusk falls,” Eris said. “Your challenge will expire, and you will become an enemy of this city, losing your right to its throne, forever. So tell me, Set.” She twisted her fingers, and I heard something crash in the distance. “Which matters more to you? Your people, or your throne?”
Screams echoed from the west, and a plume of fire flared toward the sky, catching several buildings alight. Great wings spread above the rooftops, but the growing smoke obscured the creature they were attached to.
“Because my blood . . .” Eris smiled. “Works on more than mere humans.”
Spinning my spear, I raked the tip across my back. Crimson wings erupted from the wound.
Turning from Eris, I did precisely what Ma’at would have—I raced toward the disaster without a second thought.
38
Aethra
Seth was gone when I woke, leaving me with but a short note.
You overslept again, princess.
Crumpling the paper, I threw it across the room. I’d told him towake me.
I could already hear his excuse. ‘You’re injured, blah blah. ..’ Idiot.
Sighing, I rolled out of bed and shimmied into my pants. Seth had insisted we say our farewells before falling asleep—he intended to challenge Eris at dawn and doubted I’d wake before then.
Who could blame me for sleeping in? Wrapped in Seth’s arms, feeling his thumb caress my stomach, I’d drifted into the deepest sleep of my life.
Throwing my cloak around my shoulders, I thundered down the stairs.
A tense air permeated the tiny home. Seraphim sat on the table, pulling a whetstone across her dagger. Eleospaced the room, and Phaedrus was glued to the window.
The door burst open, and Percy flew inside, doubling over to catch his breath. “Bad! Real bad!” He panted.
“Use your words, Perse,” Eleos said.
“Cerys,” Percy blurted out. “Icelus moved earlier than planned. He already has her.”
Seraphim leaped off the table. “Then let’s go.” She flew out the door, and Phaedrus followed.
Spinning around, I found my side sword lying by the mantle and ran to grab it. Eleos intercepted me, clutching my wrist. “Stay here, Aethra,” he said. “You’re still wounded.”
“But—”
Eleos’ grip tightened. “Stay here.Please.”
I wanted to protest, but he was right. Without the use of my Elpis magic, I’d probably just get in the way.
“If you die,” I spat. “I’m going to kill you.”
A faint smile tugged at his lips, and he released me. “Let me protect you. If only just this once.” Pulling his hood up, he dashed out the door, and it fell shut behind him, leaving me alone.
Biting my thumbnail, I paced before the mantle. How was I supposed to just sit and wait? Grabbing my side sword, I shoved it onto my belt, though I probably wouldn’t find a chance to use it.
Raking my hands through my hair, I shoved out the door and breathed in the fresh air. I’d rather wait out here than cooped up in there.
Smoke drifted through the western sky. Had a fire broken out? Standing on my toes, I tried to find its source. Tremors shook through the road, throwing me forward onto my knees. When I regained my balance, I lifted my head to see a tower near the western gate become engulfed in flame.
