I only did it to ensure the right fate. That was all. As much as I wanted her gone now, I couldn’t risk not killing her with my own hand. What if letting her fall hadn’t been enough? In the back of my mind, I must have clung to that thought, andthatwas why I’d saved her.
With a nod to myself, I moved toward the bed. I’d only saved my enemy to save my kingdom. And as soon as we got off this island, I would do what must be done. I had a duty to my people.
20
SELENE
As soon as Hector returned, I closed the doors to the balcony, soaked through. Shivering, I changed into soft cotton bedclothes and huddled beneath the covers. My mind whirred, replaying the moments at the beach over and over again, until they were burned into my mind like a brand.
Far too soon, the bell tolled, signalling that it was time to rise and get ready for the evening ahead. When Achilles came for me, I’d barely spun my hair into a braided bun and donned another pair of boots. The others were oozing saltwater. As his knocking intensified, I quickly kicked them under the bed, along with my wet clothes.
When I answered the door, I was breathless. My heartbeat spiked in my throat.
“Everything all right, High Queen?” Achilles asked, his voice muffled by his helmet.
“Yes, fine,” I said curtly.
I swore I couldfeelhis frown, though maybe I was just imagining it. “I’m to escort you straight to the amphitheatre so you can partake in the sacrifice.”
“And my trial? When’s that happening?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Zeus said he will wait until the end of Nekros. Otherwise, there won’t be a thirteenth participant.” He stepped back, then motioned at the corridor.
That meant Ares hadn’t spoken to him yet.
“There would be. Because I didn’t do it.”
“That remains to be seen. For now, Zeus wants—”
A curdling scream rent the night. Achilles froze, then jerked his head toward the sound, his armor rattling like thunder. I leaned forward to peer down the corridor. The torches flamed in the distance, revealing nothing but a line of damaged statues. Their heads were missing and chunks of stone littered the ground by their circular pedestals.
“That sounded like it came from the direction of the megaron,” I told him.
He nodded. “Stay here.”
“No.” I moved into the corridor, nearly tripping over my gown. “I’m coming with you.”
For a moment, I thought he might argue, but another scream echoed down the hall. And that was all he needed to get moving. He hurried off, creaking and rattling. After tugging my door shut, I followed, my breath held tight in my throat.
After what had happened by the shore, those screams could mean anything. Had the attacker grown more bold? They’d clearly chosen another target—perhaps they hadn’t stuck around the cliffs long enough to witness Ares pulling me onto the beach. So they might not know I walked on land, free from the eternal torment of the sea.
And if they saw me alive…
“That sword you carry,” I said, as quietly as I could, “it’s steel rather than a wooden blade.”
Achilles forged ahead, tossing the words over his shoulder. “Do you think Zeus would arm us with weapons that could kill him? The swords are for mortals who try to sneak onto the island.” He paused, just for a brief moment. “Or to slow down a rebellious vampire. Like you, if you try to escape while I’m taking care of…whatever’s up ahead.”
“Just be ready to use it,” I said.
He cast me a quick glance. And not for the first time, I wished I could read his face. But then he carried on, hurrying around the bend and down the final corridor to the megaron. The doors were flung wide, but I couldn’t spot any movement inside. Nor could I hear any sign of life. The harps were silent. There was no murmur of conversation or the barking of laughter.
And no screams, either.
Perhaps it was nothing.
A part of me hoped it wasn’t, while another part—that deep vicious part of me—felt almost…disappointed. It had been quite the eventful start to the fortnight, and I craved a little more of that excitement. Nothing ever really happened in Troy.
No, back home, I rose, donned my gown, then sat on my throne until sunrise. The kingdom was still in mourning, so there were no feasts, no courtly celebrations. Sometimes, residents came to my throne room asking for my assistance, but their predicaments were often easily solved.
