Surprised, Eleos stared at me.
Maiden’s grace. I’d never said those words to him before.
Finally, he smiled—that thin half-smirk I loved so much. “No words exist in any language that could do justice to my feelings for you, Lady Aethra.”
Feeling a bit better, I let him leave. Once he vanished down the next hall, I fidgeted by the fire, eventually deciding to take a short walk before settling down to read.
Raking my curls up into a braid, I found my way back outside, grateful no one tried to stop me on my way out the gates.
The city was relatively calm, despite the recent catastrophes. People went about their day, running their stalls, carrying their wares. Many had died in the western districts, and repairs would take a long time. But people were oddly resilient.
Even with Eris gone, the song of dread remained. I imagined it would for some time. They had no reason to think Seth would treat them any differently. No reason to believe anything in their lives would change.
I didn’t want to think about it today.
A familiar figure leaned on a quiet wall, watching the people coming and going. Phaedrus’ red hair tousled under the breeze, and he tossed a small rock in his hand. Despite the stark difference in their appearances, he reminded me so much of Ainwir.
“Taking a break?” I asked, joining him.
“If you didn’t know,” he drawled sarcastically. “I’m not technically a member of your little band, and therefore am not responsible for anything you do.”
“Right.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ve been ordered to relax. Want to take a walk?”
“I don’t see why not.” He shrugged his cloak around his shoulders and followed me.
Walking along the channel’s border, I watched our reflection in the water. “How did you know I could save Athena?”
“I didn’t,” Phaedrus admitted, tucking his hands in his pockets. “But I remembered that old play and thought,hell, if hydras and chimeras are real, why not that story about the Pegasus?”
“I don’t believe you,” I said. “You know everything, I swear.”
“That’s simply not true, Aethra.” He froze in his tracks.
Joining his side, I followed his line of sight. “What?”
“Is that . . . ?” He trailed off.
Sweeping the crowd, I spotted what had caught his eye. A tall man stood near a fruit stand, dark-haired and sharp-nosed. An elegant cloak draped his back, trailing down to his handsome, embroidered boots.
“Ainwir?” I asked. “You see him, too?”
“I do,” Phaedrus said, his voice like a trance. Lunging forward, he marched toward the figure.
No one had ever seen Ainwir before. Jogging to keep up with Phaedrus’ pace, I felt my heart thump rapidly. What if . . . ?
Ainwir turned, walking down a side road before we reached him. Deep down, I knew he would vanish into a dead-end. But if even a chance remained to see him again, I would take it.
Phaedrus pursued him relentlessly. Every time we lost sight of Ainwir, we’d catch a glimpse of his cloak sweeping around a corner, and Phaedrus would resume the chase.
Thrice now, Ainwir’s ghost had led me to something important. Maybe there was one last thing I—and Phaedrus—needed to see.
We reached the northern gates, a quieter part of the city, where few people came and went. Ainwir strode through the gates, following the road. Phaedrus finally paused, hesitating before we exited the city walls.
Panting, I caught my breath beside him.
His brow furrowed. “He’s leading us somewhere,” he murmured. “Just as Ma’at led Seth.”
“Then we should follow him, no?” I asked.
