“I think you just want to show off.” Chuckling, I traced Athena’s wingspan. “Did you cast a spell on her? I recall you singing her the Pegasus’ song.”
“Alas, I don’t have that kind of power.” His eyes shimmered. “What if I could turn songs into reality? I’d give us all the most incredible wardrobes.”
Snorting, I shook my head.
“Tell Seth where I’ll be!” Percy implored, before returning tofawning over my horse.
“I will.” Unfolding my arms, I pushed off the stable and walked down the staggered stone path. Reaching out for one of the rose bushes, I plucked a flower and twirled it between my fingers.
Seth descended from the palace stairs, flanked by a pair of Ma’at knights. Most had acknowledged Set’s triumph over Eris—even if neither had played by the rules. Outnumbered, the remaining Hades Knights had no choice but to wait for further orders.
It wasn’t a comfortable victory, but it was the best we could hope for. Some of the veteran knights had been thrilled to accept Seth—I’d felt the emotions behind their stoic faces.
Bowing, one of the Ma’at knights spun on his heel and marched off. Seth turned to the other man, but he noticed me out of the corner of his eye and held up a hand, instructing the soldier to wait.
Whisper bounded beside Seth, a royal purple bandanna wrapped around his neck. I smiled as the matching pair approached me.
“Decorating the royal hound?” I asked, offering Whisper a hand.
“He looks handsome, don’t you think?” Seth said proudly.
Rubbing Whisper’s head, I held out the rose. “For the prince.”
“Flowers, for me?” He took my little gift and kissed my cheek. “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy.”
“I’d be astonished if you weren’t.” Nerves fluttered in my chest, and I bit my lip. “How long do you think it will take for a message from the capital to arrive?”
“A while, yet.” Seth knelt, tucking the rose into Whisper’s new collar. “Try to relax, princess. You’re not fully healed yet.”
“No one is.”
“We,” he said sharply, “did not burst at the seams.”
I glanced down at my bandaged arms. Our night in the garden had ripped a few of my cuts back open.
Taking my hands in his, Seth kissed me, letting his lips linger on mine. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he promised.
“You better be,” I murmured.
Staring at me intently, Seth cupped my face in his hands andtraced his thumbs across my cheek.
“What?” I breathed.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. “I came to a decision last night. I can’t walk away from my mother’s legacy. And I don’t want to, anymore.” Removing one of his hands, he ran it through my hair. “Mother was beloved. In all her years, she never let slip her hold on her city. But she still put me first, shirking duties to be there, if I needed her.”
“Seth, I’m not nearly as important as—”
“You’remoreimportant,” he said. “I will not lose the one I love to a crown. Should we brave the Acheron—and succeed—I’ll only have this one life. I intend to spend it with you.”
Wrapping my hand around his, I pulled it from my cheek. “Yes, but . . . this palace doesn’t overlook the river.”
Seth beamed. “I know. But you’re a ragtag urchin from the sewers. I couldn’t imagine you living inanypalace.” He squeezed my hand. “I’ll have to build you a little house. Near Mother’s garden.”
“Not bad. I think you’ve nearly groveled enough to earn forgiveness.”
He chuckled and turned away, holding my hand until we could no longer reach one another, and our fingers slipped apart. Returning to his soldier, he departed the gates, the royal hound at his heels.
Sighing, I danced up the steps and entered the palace. It felt strange for our little ragtag group to have made a temporary home in such a glamorous place. Following the hall of statues, I found the parlor. Eleos and Seraphim stood by the mantle, talking quietly.
