Page 174 of Blood of Olympus

The object in my palm was a ring. A delicate, intricate ring.

“... I must ask you something.”

Oh, fuck. Is this really happening?

“If tonight is all we have, and tomorrow isn’t promised⁠—”

Close your mouth, Nightshade. You’re gaping. And yes, this is really happening.

My cheeks flushed as I slammed my teeth together.

“—and if we’re truly to live and die together as Fate intended⁠—”

“As you intended.”

I could hear the smile in his voice when he continued, “Then I’d give anything to do it as entwined as two beings can possibly be.” He took a deep, steadying breath, his exhalation hitching in the middle like he was as nervous as I — perhaps the anxiety thrumming through my heart was not entirely my own after all.

“Marry me.”

Oh fuck, oh gods, oh Furies — I said it — I asked it — I can’t take it back now — what if she says no again — fuck — that wasn’t even remotely roman⁠—

I couldn’t take it any longer. His fear was too sharp to bear, his love too deep to measure.

I kissed him, slipping that perfect tiny ring onto the finger housing my vena amoris — my vein of love — the vein running directly from hand to heart — and I kissed him.

Because tomorrow wasn’t promised.

And Fate had sent her messengers.

But we had one thing Kronos would never have: the drive to fight like hell for more nights just like this one. To fight for a future — one of our own making.

A better one.

Part Three

DEVOTION & DEMISE

“Dishonorable deeds should keep to the dark.”

— EURIPIDES, HIPPOLYTUS.

CHAPTER 41

Caelus

Aros departed early the next morning. He and Evie would first travel to Olympus via the temple portal, then on to distant shores, with only a small party to bid them farewell and wish them luck. The less who knew about their leaving, the better. It wouldn’t do to have our Commander up and leave after a devastating loss.

We embraced like brothers — with fierce arms and tampered emotions.

“Be safe and hurry back,” I said, the back of my throat aching.

Nyssa’s eerie ivory eyes scored me from across the room. She had a small, sad smile upon her lips, knowing exactly how close to breakdown I actually was. But I wouldn’t let it show; wouldn’t let the tears fall or share my true concerns with the god who had been as close to a brother as I could have had growing up.

“We’re not the ones facing Titans, lightning boy,” he jeered, forever using humour as a shield. Like someone else I knew. “Keep our Queen safe and stay out of trouble ‘til I get back to join you in it.”

I huffed a laugh and released him only to grab his sister in an equally rough hold. “Bring him back whole, could you?”

Evie scowled. “Put me down, you ogre of a god.”