When he released me, I fell to my knees in the sand. Burning traced down my throat, but not from the poison.
Struggling to stay awake, I shook my head, hoping to dispel the nightmare before me.
I couldn’t. Even as my sight dimmed, reality would not change.
We’d lost.
47
Aethra
Iwoke from a dreamless sleep. My lids felt heavy—like they had not opened in years.
Running a hand down my face, I wiped the sleep from my eyes and slowly shifted to sit up.
Where was I? Silken black sheets wrapped my body, and heavy curtains fell from the canopy, trapping me in a light-less bed. Climbing to the edge, I pushed the drapes apart and stepped out.
This bedroom was enormous. An onyx mantle crackled with fire, and an entire library and sitting room rested before it. Stepping off the bed’s dais, I approached the mirror leaning against the wall.
I didn’t recognize myself. Heavy makeup darkened my eyes and lips to match the ebony gown draping my figure. A crimson sash wrapped the waist of my toga and trailed to the ground.
Recognizing the colors, I staggered back, pressing my nails to my eyes, hoping to wake myself.
But I knew it was futile.
Spinning around, I searched for the door. Nearly tripping over my gown in my haste, I ran to it and grabbed the knob, trying and failingto open it.
Sweat beaded on my palms, and my heart started thumping furiously. Finding the sole window in the room, I threw open its crimson curtains and beheld the city of Hades.
Beneath the blanket of night, the sea of onyx buildings looked like the city of the dead. A river—black as night—rushed from beneath the castle and carved through the land.
The Acheron.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Haimyx asked.
Spinning around, I braced my hands on the window. The chthonic god of life and death strolled toward me, his black waves crowned by a jackal headdress.
How long had I been drugged? Hands slipping on the windowsill, I tried to back away. “What did you do to them?” I breathed.
He ignored me. Joining me at the window, he gazed upon his kingdom. “You know who you are, Elpis. And I suspect my traitorous Oracle has explained your purpose.”
“I’m not going to help you,” I spat.
“You have no choice.” Haimyx turned, grabbing my wrist.
I flinched from him, stomach churning as I realized what he’d do to me.
Every Elpis maiden bore the royal family a child before they were sent into the Acheron.
“You think I’m a monster, don’t you?” He said in a low voice. “My son has planted these ideas in your head, hasn’t he?”
“I don’t see any reason I shouldn’t believe him.”
“You will not be harmed, Elpis. Nor will I touch you without consent. But you will carry out your fate.” He turned my arm, revealing a tattoo painted upon my wrist.
Flowers, runes, and dancing lines traced my wrist, caressing my palm and reaching for my fingers. The same pattern appeared on his arm, and when his fingers locked with mine, the images conjoined into one.
But Haimyx’s tattoo was ancient, faded. Mine was freshly painted, as though applied yesterday.
