A sense of relief hits me. Technically, the mages and Bennett have nothing. Not the key or a panel. We owe Caron big time. “What do you want?”
Caron shakes his head. “Nothing right now. It’s an insurance policy. I’m holding on to the panel until I see who’s winning this war. All I care about is Mercer.” He looks at Hawthorne. “You know, a lot of elves would follow you if you kicked my father out. Young supernaturals are turning to people like Bennett because they don’t have anyone to look up to. It’s what I did.” There’s a note of disappointment in his voice directed at Hawthorne, whose only response is a tic in his jaw. Caron hands me an envelope. “If you learn of my death, contact Mercer. Explain everything and give her this. She’ll get the panel to you.”
Hawthorne grabs his arm as he moves to step away. “Why did you decide to tell us?”
“Because you’re willing to defy the council to stop this war, and you care about Phaedra, which means you’ll find the right path forward, not one chosen by supernaturals or gods,” he murmurs, hope stirring in his eyes.
“How do we find Bennett?” I ask quickly before he disappears.
He stares at me for a second, then his mouth lifts in a grim smile. “Ask your father.”
13
PHAEDRA
My initial plan was to visit the temple in Italy first, but after seeing Hawthorne’s pomegranate tree, I realize that gift will fit best in the Hera II. Larger and more preserved, it’s the perfect place to showcase the “miracle” tree for all the visitors who will come to see it. Normally, I’d worry about human exposure to magic, but if Hera doesn’t like the idea, she can always take the tree back to Mount Olympus.
Instead, our first stop is the Temple of Hera in Olympia. The first to be built in Olympia around 580 BCE, it was originally built for her and Zeus but became hers when they built one dedicated solely to him. To this day, the altar is used to light the flame for the Olympic Games and carried across the world. It’s only fitting that we offer her the Kritonios crown at this historic site.
I motion for Gatlin to move away from the ruins, but with a stubborn shake of his head, he refuses. His hand cups my neck as he stares down at me. “Protecting you is my priority. Don’tworry. I promise not to call attention to myself.” His tone of exasperation rings loud in the evening air.
I snort. I’m sure a 6’7” gryphon shifter with long, flowing white-blond locks and a body stacked with muscle is going to go unnoticed by Hera. Not to mention all the guns and knives he’s got strapped to his body or the fierce scowl I’m sure he’ll be wearing.
I glance at the altar and bite my lip. “What if you stood outside? You can still see anyone approaching.”
“Too far. Supernaturals can easily portal into the center,” he says as he folds his massive arms across his equally massive chest. Not that I’m noticing. I’m not. Just stating a fact.
He positions himself ten feet behind the altar, his eyes darting from one end of the ruin to the other. “We have a clear window. Let’s do this before we lose daylight.”
I sigh and give up. He’s a stubborn mountain of a man, and I don’t have the means to move him. And not that I’ll admit it, but I like having him here. I breathe in and out in an effort to calm my racing heart. Hera scares the hell out of me. Hopefully, I can get through this and leave before she deigns to get her gift.
Stepping up to the altar, I set a goblet of expensive red wine on the stone along with the Kritonios crown, then sink to my knees. “Hera, Queen of Olympus, please accept my offering and praise. Mighty Hera, grant me the gift of knowledge so that I may serve you better. Teach me to protect humans to the best of my abilities. To this, I give you the Kritonios crown. Unworthy though it may be for the Queen of Olympus, I pray you accept it as my offering. Majestic Hera, thank you for my blessings.”
As I stand and tip the goblet to pour the wine on the altar, a feminine hand reaches down and snatches it from me.Damn.Swallowing hard, I lift my gaze to find both Hera and Athena standing in front of me. I immediately drop to my knees andmotion for Gatlin to do the same. From the corner of my eye, I see him reluctantly follow my lead, but he doesn’t bow his head.
Hera, of course, immediately notices. “You do not bow to the gods before you?”
“I would not be a good bodyguard if I let the enemy sneak up on us,” he replies in a respectful but firm tone. “Phaedra is my priority.”
I lift my head to see Hera’s reaction, and it’s not good. To distract her, I point to the crown. “You honor me by appearing and accepting my gift in person. Please accept this crown as my humble thanks for your blessings.”
She lifts the crown, and a satisfied smile appears. “I hope all your gifts are not so…mundane, but it’s an acceptable start.”
Double damn.Good thing Hawthorne is working on the tree. She would have probably obliterated me for a simple piece of fruit. I remain on my knees, praying she’ll leave, but of course, the gods stopped listening to my real, heartfelt prayers a long time ago.
“What are you?” Hera calls out to Gatlin.
Athena leans forward. “He’s a bodyguard. What does it matter?” There’s a note in her voice that instantly puts me on edge. “Let’s go. I want to see what gift she’ll give you next.”
Hera looks at me. “What is he?”
Confused, I look at her. “Like his role? He’s my friend and protector.” She probably doesn’t care about the friend part, but I need to acknowledge he is more than a “bodyguard.”
She curls her fingers under my chin and forces me to stand. Sweat breaks out all over my body. “I said ‘what’ not ‘who.’”
Is this because he’s a supernatural? I knew it would be a problem. I tried to tell Gatlin. Hera raises an eyebrow, her gaze quickly filling with ire. My mind skims through the facts I have on her, and I land on a neutral answer.
“A shifter,” I reply with a quick glance at Athena.
