Tethys’s back straightened against the coursing current of power. Araes realized she wouldn’t yield to it. Not this time.
“Goddess, Polaris’s delay gives us time to resolve the conflict in Venia. The gate is weak, yes, but it’s held since the beginning of time. The northern queen hasn’t just granted her support, but also her army. Our people need the ally. If you go to Ursae, dagger raised and ready to fight, she might withdraw her forces,” Araes said. There wasn’t room for mortal consideration in an argument between gods. Just as he knew when to be silent, he also knew when to speak up.
Tethys’s lips thinned and she turned her back on the men. Tucking her hands behind her, she watched the horizon line in the distance. Although only a few steps from Araes, he’d never felt further from her.
“Fine. We will wait, only because the Venians need her armies. But if she continues to delay, then I will go to Ursae myself. And I won’t ask nicely this time,” Tethys said, glancing over her shoulder. The intensity of those glowing golden eyes sent a shockwave through Araes’s entire body. There were so many versions of her, and some stillso foreign, but this one…this one was most terrifying. So frighteningly beautiful.
“Now, there’s another matter we need to discuss. My general received a report from General Otto. It seems the rebels have established an outpost in one of the temples of old, just outside the Venian gates—”Altair’s next words were interrupted by the crack of splintering wood.
“I’m glad to see you’ve made a full recovery.” Frost and rotten leaves rushed into the room, drowning out all sound and light and life. Araes whirled around to face the door, now crooked on its golden hinges. He drew his blade.
Standing in the broken door frame was the Autumn King.
Chapter 61
“Did you think I’d oblige to your requests forever, brother?” Procyon growled through gritted teeth. Araes placed himself between the autumn king and his goddess. He’d die before ever allowing the vile fuck to lay even a finger on Tethys again.
Altair, feeling the violent rage seeping from his brother’s skin, stepped beside Araes. He, too, stiffened into a fighting stance. This wouldn’t be an easy confrontation. Eos above, it might not be a conversation at all. Procyon had a glint in his eye that felt all too similar to a rabid dog, snarling and foaming at the mouth.
Ready to bite.
“Procyon, listen to me. You need to collect yourself. Before I’m forced to do something we both regret,” Altair said, his voice low and defensive.
“Oh fuck you. You’ve kept what is mine from me long enough. Tethys is coming with me to Canissa. Step aside and allow me to take my wife from this place, or you’ll be a tragic casualty,” Procyon said, prowling through thedoorway.
Araes’s heart pounded against his chest, the fight or flight already coursing through him—exciting every muscle fiber and bone shard in his body. He adjusted his grip around the hilt of his blade. Its silver edge sent sunbeams scattering through the room.
“She’s not going anywhere with you,” Araes spat. The god’s head snapped in his direction. Araes’s legs strained to hold steady beneath the sheer immortal weight of Procyon’s enraged attention. Procyon snapped a finger, and when Araes’s bones didn’t smash into a thousand pieces, he snapped again.
“There’s no use wasting your energy. This palace is warded. You can’t use magic for violence inside these walls,” Altair said, backing closer to Tethys. Araes threw her a glance. Like a caged dove, her shallow rise and fall of her breath sent waves of anger through him. Her eyes darted from the lieutenant to the autumn king.
“Proc…don’t. Please. You don’t understand what’s at stake here,” Tethys started.
“Goddess, don’t.” Araes placed a hand behind his back, reassuring her of the lifeline he’d provide.
“I don’t care what’s at stake, you stupid bitch. You’re my wife. You took an oath of marriage, and judging from lieutenant dickhead’s reaction over there, you’ve broken it entirely,” Procyon said, closing the distance further.
“I’d be careful without your magic if I were you,” Araes growled, shifting toward the goddess. Every hair on his body stood pin straight. Procyon got away with so much in his existence, but this time, the lieutenant wouldn’t hesitate to plunge his blade in the god’s chest if he got too close.
“Is that a threat, Lieutenant?” Procyon curled his lip.
“Absolutely.”
“Let’s all take a breath,” Altair said, but even his calming demeanor couldn’t cut the tension buzzing betweenthe two males. “Might I remind you both that we’re all fighting a common enemy.”
“See now, I don’t think I agree with you on that one, brother. This mortal thinks he can take what’s rightfully mine, and I’ve never taken kindly to thieves,” Procyon spat.
“And I don’t take kindly to men who hurt their wives.” Araes’s voice was far more lethal than the deadliest of venoms. The autumn king prowled closer.
“Would all three of you just shut the fuck up? Lieutenant Araes, I thank you for defending my honor, but Eos above, let me fight my own battle. Procyon, I think it’s time we had a discussion about the future of this marriage. And Altair, you’ve opened your home to me, provided guidance in a time of so much unknown, but right now we don’t need a peacemaker.”
Tethys pushed between Araes and Altair and faced her husband.
“It seems the little bird finally found her song,” Procyon said, crossing his arms. “No longer hiding behind big brother and her pathetic mortal.”
“You need to leave, Proc. This marriage is a curse, and I want out. It’s clearly not serving its purpose in helping our realms. Why continue?” Araes watched as Tethys unleashed all that rage he so often saw her swallow. Something like pride welled in his chest, but only for a heartbeat as his eyes met Procyon’s kindling wrath.
“One pump of your lieutenant’s cock and you’ve found your fire, Tethys. I’ll admit, I didn’t think you had it in you.”
