Afew days later, the sound of a horn blasting, followed by two short bursts, pierces the still air. The first of Elowen’s recruits have made it to our shores. I’m not the least bit surprised to see Artemisia walking along the beach and towards our waiting party. Her wild, curly black mass of hair frames her lovely face. I am surprised to see Julius’s father, Marcus, walking alongside her.
My eyes narrow into slits, and I shift from foot to foot.
The movement has me leaning forward ever so lightly to counterbalance the weight of the wings I’m still growing accustomed to. The buds have begun sprouting feathers, and if I thought the itch was unbearable before, nothing could have prepared me for this. Lachlan shares my concern and crosses his arms, his muscles rippling with the movement, and his wings flare slightly, the threat easily readable. I relax my pinched stare and smile at Artemisia.
“Welcome to the rebellion,” I greet her, grasping her outstretched hand.
Lachlan glares at Marcus, and he holds his hands up in frontof him. “I’m aware my presence probably wasn’t what you were expecting, but I came to pledge my allegiance to your cause.”
Artemisia smiles warmly at him, her head tilting in his direction. “He has my support. I vouch for his claims of allegiance.”
A look of love passes between them, and my mouth parts.
They love each other?
Lachlan is unconvinced, however, and doesn’t relax his position by my side.
Shrugging, Marcus slips a book out from beneath his white robes. “I knew you’d probably need more convincing. I managed to sneak this from the royal library before Odessa destroyed all the books. I hope it will help secure me a position here.”
He offers the book to Lachlan, who roughly grabs it from him before flipping the cover face up:Runic Pathways: Ancient Travel Symbols.Lachlan’s head whips up to me.
I purse my lips, fighting a gasp. Lachlan nods and hands the book to Evander, who places it in his saddlebags.
If our assumption is correct, that will come in handy to reach our allies and Odin. That book might very well hold the key to a few answers.
“Thank you,” I murmur to Marcus, who bows his head.
“I managed to sneak out more and have brought them with us.” He gestures to their boats. “I am not aware of the extent of my son’s plans, but I do know that I will not agree with them. He was a troubled boy, and I had hoped my position on the council could undo a lot of the damage he caused.” His eyes turn grave. “I was wrong, and for that, I am sorry. I will do whatever you need to help right this wrong.”
I nod my head, dismissing him, and reach for Artemisia. “Walk with me?”
She takes my offered hand, and we walk alone down the beach, leaving our gathered party.
“What’s happening in the capital?” I ask, curious but also afraid to know what has taken place in our absence.
“Absolutely nothing,” she mutters, her eyes turning glassy. “It’s as if you were never there. She’s doing all she can to cover it up, but there are whispers. I fear she’s growing agitated.”
We stop a way from the group, out of earshot, and I heave a sigh.
“She had my parents killed,” I murmur.
I feel at ease opening up to her. There’s something about her presence that calls to me. Like we’ve been friends for a long time, and are not just the acquaintances we actually are. Her eyes sharpen as she watches the slow, receding waves in front of us. “I know our rebellion is outmatched in numbers, but I will do everything in my power to seek justice for my parents’ deaths.”
“I am so sorry for the loss of your parents, Your Majesty,” she breathes while turning to look at me. “But do not fret about being out-manned. I advised Xerxes on the willpower of the few, and he did not listen, resulting in our defeat by the smaller Greek fleet. Mighty is your cause. You will not fail.”
I grin, her confidence soothing my unease, and look back at the other people on the beach. “Are you sure you trust Marcus?” I ask, studying her face.
“With my life,” she confirms. “We should not have found each other, and we should not have fallen in love, but fate prevailed.” Her oath is enough to sway my judgment, and my necklace warms on my chest in agreement.
“The plan so far is to gain as much support as I can to take back my throne. I’m hoping to do it as peacefully as possible. But we’ll need as many people on our side as possible to make that happen. I’m reinstating old traditions, starting with Midsommar in a few days and mandatory training for the Great War.”
Artemisia opens her arms, palms facing up towards the sky. “That’s why we are here. War is coming, and too long have we ignored the signs.”
We walk back arm in arm, and I nod to Lachlan, who whistles to bring the horses around. He orders Evander to show Marcus, Artemisia, and their companions to their rooms in the castle. A handful of Greek and Roman men and women unload belongings from the boat tied up offshore and begin trampling through the waves.
Lachlan stands at my side.
“It’s beginning,” he says calmly.
