“Maybe,” she said. “But I learned some things about your ‘old friend’ when it tried to take over.” She paused, searching her uncle’s eyes. “You were created from a dream, Sol. Nyx was formed from the very darkness within its soul. You act as if you have power over her, but you are merely her absence; a figment of imagination from an ancient creator you very quickly forgot.”
Sol frowned. “The void is not a creator. It is nothing.”
Nya smiled, letting him think the edge to her tone was borne of cruelty and not the internal agony threatening to weaken her knees and send her crumpling to the ground. “I was told it prefers its true name.Neachith an Soaghail.”
Sol flinched as the ancient language flowed from her tongue.
“World Eater,” Morgen murmured, glancing at her. He raised a brow. “Took a liking to you in the end, did it?”
She looked squarely at Sol. “I suppose it did. Creatures of darkness have few morals, but we do tend to understand each other.”
“It tried to kill you,” Sol sneered in an attempt to demean her again. “You should be more afraid of it than me.”
“Are you afraid?” she said softly. A bolt of lightning struck the ground next to her, and she made a vague mental note to praise Morgen later for its impeccable timing. She hardly had the strength to stand, much less explore any of the new magic the embers granted her, but Sol didn’t need to know that.
The god didn’t reply, his throat working. He was obviously still trying to find a way out of his own mess.
A chill spider-walked up her spine when Thanatos approached. “It’s over, Sol,” he said smoothly. “Back down.”
“Fighting Nyx’s battles again, are you, dog?” Sol sneered. “Why am I not surprised?”
“No,” Thanatos replied, his irises darkening. “I just wanted to be the one to insult you. I told you your scheming would someday catch up to you, and that day has finally come.” He glanced at Nya and Morgen and smiled. The sight of it was mildly terrifying. “I would advise you bow for your new king and queen before getting the fuck out of here before they change their minds about granting you a speck of mercy.”
Sol remained silent and unmoving. Nya clenched her jaw so tight, it ached. Finally, he said, “I get to remain on the council.”
Morgen narrowed his eyes. “You’re hardly in a position to bargain with us.”
Sol glared at him, and though Nya didn’t want to relent, she also wasn’t sure how much longer she could manage to keep up her charade without passing out. She glanced at Morgen and blinked once before she gritted out, “I will consider your request.”
“Now go,” Morgen growled.
Sol didn’t leave right away, but she didn’t care anymore. She turned, motioning Morgen to follow with a tilt of her head. She didn’t trust herself to speak without crying.
“You’re pathetic,” Sol spat when Morgen joined her. “Youare the heir, not her.”
Morgen stopped walking, a hand on her back. She took a shallow breath and spoke down the pathway,Please just keep walking.
“I’m not the heir anymore. I’m your king,” Morgen barked without turning. “Andsheis your queen. Leave.”You’re in pain. You have been this whole time, haven’t you?
She dug her nails in his arm.Just pretend until he’s gone. If he suspects weakness, he might not give in.
Morgen glanced at her but obeyed, subtly supporting her as they walked. Sol still hadn’t left, but she trusted Thanatos to keep an eye on him for now. There was a bend in the cliff formation ahead, where Anabeth, her parents, and Carus lingered, and Morgen led her towards it, out of Sol’s sight.
We’re almost there.
A small whimper finally clawed up her throat as they made it around the bend. From the clearing they had left behind, Thanatos said loudly, “And don’t come back.”
She wondered if it was for her benefit, so she knew Sol was gone. Whether he was or not, though, she truly didn’t have it in her to think past the pain anymore. Her legs collapsed beneath her, and Morgen caught her, easing them both to the ground.
“You’re alright,” he said calmly, even though she could feel his hand shaking as he smoothed back her hair. “Just breathe, Nya. That’s it.”
Shudder after shudder wracked her body, each wave of pain bringing with it a wave of burning that felt like fire was blazing under her skin and dissolving her bones.
Blurred figures approached, but she trusted Morgen to keep her safe.
“What’s happening to her?”
Her parents?
