“I haven’t had time, Tethys. I’m sorry. My studies have overtaken me entirely,” she whispered, the violet star beams in her eyes reflecting shadows off the archive walls.
“What do you mean studies, Polaris?” Tethys pressed. Something was wrong with her sister. Very wrong.
“I can’t tell you that just yet,” she snipped.
“You must, sister. Please. You’re frightening me.” Tethys placed her hand on Polaris’s and flinched. It was frigid to the touch. “Tell me.”
“I cannot, please. I think it’s best you leave now. There’s a cold front coming.” She slammed her palms on the table and rose from her seat. Crumpled pages, torn from ancient books, scattered the folds of her navy blue gown as she turned to lead Tethys back to Araes—impatient and flustered by the exit way.
“My queen.” Araes eyes widened at the night goddess as she passed him by, seemingly paying no mind to the mortal man.
“You must go. Now!” she cried, nearly shoving Tethys up the dimly lit staircase.
“But—Polaris, please. Tell me, what’s wrong! Tell me why you’re acting so strange! Do you know something about the missing children?” Tethys was frantic as she fought her sister’s magic now forcing her up the stone steps. Araes trailed close behind, his eyes jumping fromone goddess to the other in hopes of finding the explanation he sought.
“Just remember that not everything written in history is truth,” she whispered, placing a swift kiss on Tethys’s cheek just before flicking two fingers, causing the heavy iron door to swing closed.
Tethys and Araes rushed up the stairs, the groan of an ancient metal lock echoing behind them.
“I’ll explain later,” Tethys said, taking the lieutenant’s hand. She locked down the jolt of current that rushed between their touch and focused on climbing the passageway steps. Araes nodded and followed behind her.
Wind roared outside as they reached the vestibule once more, and a thick layer of snow had already blanketed the mountain trail.
“I’m not sure we’ll make it back to the city,” Araes said, his voice a mere murmur in the screeching storm now echoing through the cavernous chamber.
“We have to at least try. We can’t stay here,” Tethys said, securing her fur-lined cloak around herself. Araes nodded in silent agreement and fastened his cloak as well.
The guards had long since left their posts, leaving the temple unguarded. Only a fool would attempt to scale the mountain trail, however. A sheet of ice glazed over the windblown steps and the wind whipped through the air with an angry, unrelenting fury.
Tethys shivered at the frigid daggers now sinking into her core. This storm brought the type of cold that even immortality couldn’t bear. As they cautiously began their descent, she wondered what would become of her if she froze to death. If she had her magic, the warmth of eternal spring would circulate through her system, sustaining her body temperature no matter the condition.
“Are you sure about this, Goddess?” Araes called from a few steps below. He’d taken the lead as they descended inorder to map the safe footings of each step before them.
“No,” she replied honestly. Before her fear could truly sink its claws into her, though, the grip of her boot faltered and she lost balance. If Araes had been less of an absolute fortress on two legs, the pair would’ve both slid to their deaths. Instead, he stabilized her in his arms.
“Easy there…” he said, gripping her hips against his. She was incredibly aware of every point of contact between their bodies.
“I just lost my footing, that’s all, Lieutenant,” she said, suddenly breathless.
With gritted teeth, he muttered something under his breath and turned back around. Shielding his eyes from the snow now rushing sideways, Araes continued down the treacherous path.
Their descent was slow and frigid, but not deathly. Much to Tethys’s surprise, the city square came into view faster than she’d expected it to. With the lower elevation, the storm simmered into merely a heavy snowfall. Constructed in the lee of the Ereboros Ridge, Ursae was protected even from the most furious of northern winds.
“Let us find an inn for the night. I’m sure you’re frozen to the core just as I am, Lieutenant,” Tethys suggested, her jaw chattering so rapidly she feared she’d chip a tooth.
“Here, you need this more than I do, Goddess.” Araes unclasped his cloak and draped it over Tethys’s tensed shoulders. His residual warmth chased the chill away as he secured the clasp at her neck and tightened the heavy woolen fabric around her. That familiar scent of leather and peppermint lingered as she settled into the fabric’s warmth.
“So, do you still think our trip’s purpose is above my pay grade?” Araes asked as they started up the snow-blanketed street.
Chapter 32
Tethys chose a near-deserted inn with crooked storm shutters and a weathered wooden door. The short, middle-aged man raised a brow at the nearly frostbitten couple as they entered his establishment, both shivering and speckled with snowflakes.
They’d taken the keys to adjoined rooms and warily ascended the rickety staircase, stiff knees cracking along with the flaming sconces that cast flickering, amber light up the stairs.
Araes, having been sufficiently defrosted by a roaring fireplace, knocked on the queen’s door. She’d been more than cryptic after her conversation with Polaris, and the darkness muting those gleaming, golden eyes of hers brought an onset of dread he simply couldn’t shake.
“Ready for dinner?” he asked as Tethys answered the door, its hinges creaking in protest as it swung open.
