Obscuros scratched the crook of Crucis’s ear. The wolf sat beside him, alert and eager for command. While the muscles in its thick broad chest relaxed slightly, its gleaming yellow eyes fixated on the two immortals standing before them. Tethys swallowed a shiver as her eyes connected with the two dagger-sharp canines visible beneath its wrinkled snout.
“I believe I only requested Tethys’s presence,” Obscuros said. His voice was deep and dark, like the blackest of nights, sending a frigid wave of terror down Tethys’s spine. She watched Procyon’s throat bob. Her brother was a vile, shameless beast of a man with unwavering confidence. To see his powerful knees quake in the presence of their father brought her a slight sense of satisfaction. Procyon cleared his throat before risking a step forward. Tethys made to follow him, but the low, menacing growl that emanated from Crucis’s throat froze her in place.
“My apologies, Father, I must have been misinformed by the servants. I will take my leave if you’d like,” he said, dipping his chin.
“No, you’re already here. You might as well stay. She is your wife and so this pertains to you as well,” Obscuros said, looking unimpressed. “Now, the reason I called on you this morning is of the utmost importance. As I’m sure you’re aware, General Otto sent word of an impending attack from a band of western rebels. I guess your union hasn’t dissuaded everyone from attempting to kill each other. Why you haven’t been able to keep your mortals inline, Procyon, is beyond me.”
Procyon flinched at their father’s raised brow. His long brown hair stood on end, reminding Tethys of a terrified fox. Even the beads laced through his thick, gruff beard trembled.
“Tethys,” Obscuros continued, flashing his midnight eyes at her, “until your magic manifests or these rebel attacks cease, you are to remain guarded. Unfortunately, the higher-ranking officers all have their hands full with the rebels, but General Otto has selected an up-and-coming lieutenant to be your escort. He is returning home to the city as we speak and should be here by nightfall.”
Tethys’s fists curled. She didn’t need a bodyguard. A mortal one at that. She may not have her magic yet, but she still was an immortal. She’d survived hundreds of years just fine on her own.
“Procyon, it appears your people need some…redirection. As soon as the lieutenant arrives and is briefed, return to Canissa and sort this mess out with those imbeciles you consider your council. Do not disappoint me again,” Obscuros commanded.
“Yes, Father, I assure you this will be resolved,” Procyon replied, dipping into a bow a tad lower than necessary. Tethys loosed a shallow breath. At least Procyon was returning home. He couldn’t touch her on the opposite side of the continent.
Obscuros nodded slowly and rose from his seat. The daylight pouring in from the windows at his back bent around him as if his presence alone terrified the sun’s beam.
“Good. That is all.” With that, he and Crucis vanished into a plume of shadows.
“Don’t get any ideas about this handsome, noble lieutenant.” Procyon smirked, his demeanor normalizing.
“Oh please, Proc. How could I ever have eyes for anyone but you?” Tethys’s brows dipped, and she exitedthe chamber, leaving her brother to his wounded ego, and returned home.
† † †
“My lady!” a voice shouted from behind Tethys as she approached the manor’s entrance. Procyon, insisting she return home without him, had matters to attend to that were deemed ‘far too important’ for her involvement. The hemline of her peach, gauzy dress dragged across the gravel driveway as she turned to see Jaide hastily approaching the manor.
“Jaide, I didn’t know you were calling today,” Tethys said, her voice pebbling. Jaide tried calling on her after the coronation; however, Tethys made herself scarce. She’d been making herself scarce for the last few weeks, if she was being honest.
She wasn’t sure she was ready to see her friend, her confidante. Jaide would be the shoulder to cry on, the ear that listened, and the friend she truly needed right now, but shame hurled insults at her heart. So, she retreated to the safety of total isolation.
Tethys was a muted, half version of herself. She’d deteriorated too rapidly. Given up too easily. Had she even put up a fight? Had she refused Procyon’s advances? No. She simply accepted the fate laid before her, succumbing to it in a matter of minutes. Jaide was the strongest woman Tethys knew. She’d never raise her white flag so quickly.
What would she think of this carcass of a goddess standing before her?
Tethys didn’t want to find out.
“I came by after your coronation, but the staff said you were unavailable. In fact, you’ve been conveniently indisposed over the last few weeks. Why haven’t you called on me?” Jaide asked, her turquoise eyes glittering in the morning sunlight. Hydrangeas bristled in thewarm breeze along the manor’s exterior, as if the tension between the two women was palpable in the air. Tethys clenched her hands to keep them from shaking. She was near her breaking point. Although all she wanted was to come apart wrapped in Jaide’s warm embrace and pour out every broken thought, she couldn’t. So, she forced her expression to fade into indifference. Casual cruelty was the strongest of armors.
“You shouldn’t have come. I cannot entertain you today,” Tethys replied, lowering her gaze. Her cheeks warmed and her hands trembled, but Tethys reinforced her shields with a bitter snarl. She scuffed a loosened pebble with her foot, meeting her oldest friend’s knowing eyes directly.
“My lady, I know that cannot be true,” Jaide said, her stubborn words prodding for an explanation.
“It is true, Jaide. Now, please, I’m very busy today. I shall call on you when I need you.” Tethys started for the entrance.
“Tethys, please, something’s wrong. I can tell. I cannot help you if you don’t let me,” Jaide whispered, grasping her friend’s wrist. Jade’s tawny skin was a stark contrast to Tethys’s pale complexion. Sunbeams reflected off her cheeks, highlighting the golden undertones beneath, and the honey-colored bodice Jaide wore accentuated her soft, classical curves. She was gloriously feminine.
Although Tethys was aware of her own unmatched beauty, Jaide had a carefree aura that she was entirely envious of. Maybe it was an unconfined lifestyle that brightened the glow around her friend. Or maybe simply an inherent feature at birth. Nonetheless, Tethys often found her hardened mind softening in Jaide’s presence alone.
“I do not wish to see you, Jaide. That’s why I haven’t called on you. And do not address me so casually. I am your queen,” Tethys hissed. She knew throwing hernobility in Jaide’s face would sting just enough for her friend to back down. Jade’s grip loosened from Tethys’s wrist and her arm fell limp to her side. The manor’s drive was silent, even the morning birds hushed their melodies for a brief moment in time.
With wounded eyes, Jaide bowed deeply and said, “Yes, my queen.”
Tethys swallowed the desperation welling in her throat. Her heart begged her to relinquish what she’d said. To apologize and throw her arms around her friend. But humiliation was the louder voice screaming in her head. How could she face Jaide, when she barely risked a glance at her own reflection? The pity. The sympathetic whispers and comforting embrace made everything she’d endured since her wedding night all the more painful. Speaking it into existence made it feel more real. Like etchings on stone.
This was for the best.
