Page 21 of Blood of Olympus

She began pacing the length of the room. “Consider Otos and Ephialtes, who accidentally murdered each other while hunting a deer.” She paused to raise a brow at Artemis, who avoided her gaze. “Or Phrixus and Helle, who escaped certain death only for Helle to fall off their gold-fleeced mount and drown in the Ceraunian Sea.” Athena turned back to Aros, concern softening the lines of her face. “Your mother must have been terrified for both of you.”

Aros’ gaze dropped to the floor. He nodded, swallowing around the lump in his throat. “My father kept Evie hidden… ensured that you all believed she’d died in childbirth.”

Athena’s brows rose, realising what Aph had moments before: Evie had been a well-kept secret, and the fate of these twins was yet to be determined.

Aros addressed Nyssa. “She hates our father even more than you do… she’ll relish the chance to swear fealty to you,” he swore.

My Nightshade rose gracefully. “Athena, could you please summon the others? There is something else we need to discuss.” She shot me a well-placed look and I knew she was referring to her dream — and the resulting bedroom wall.

Athena dipped her head, then exited.

“In the meantime, can I meet her? Evadne?” Nyssa asked Aros, who launched to his feet, nodding eagerly.

“Of course! She’ll be thrilled. Maybe even speechless, for once in her godsdamned life.”

“We’ll be right back,” she told the others, looping her arm through Aros’ extended elbow. After pausing briefly to look back, she murmured, “Coming, Golden?” Her smile was an olive branch — small, tentative — but it rejuvenated me. Her grin grew a little brighter, a fresh sense of hope tentatively tugging on our bond.

And so I offered her my own arm, relishing her touch when she accepted.

One moment at a time, I told myself.

CHAPTER 6

Nyssa

Perhaps all hope wasn’t entirely lost. Perhaps I might be able to overcome this sorrow after all.

There were still specks of brightness in my life — I just had to ensure I noticed them. Like the fact that I could still find peace in the unwavering touches of both my steadfast companions. Or that I could still feel genuine amusement at the Titaness Themis crucifying Poseidon’s dick.

Charon would abhor the thought of me wallowing like I had been all week. I was doing him a disservice, neglecting myself, my duties, and my training.

But no more — it was a vow to him, and a vow to myself. Today, I would choose to try. I would choose hope, courage, and love — if only because he couldn’t.

Charon had always lived life to the fullest of his abilities. Today I would try to do the same. I would live mine in a way that honoured his — not in spite of his loss.

I would no longer be a tomb.

I glanced sidelong at Caelus as we trekked up the marble staircase built into the side of Mount Olympus. The cells were deep in its belly, Poseidon and the mysterious Evadne tucked well beneath the surface.

I wonder what she’s like.

Then, a second thought plagued me.

Poor girl, stuck down there with that self-important little prick.

The stairs were slippery fuckers when it rained — seriously, whoever had thought to carve them from marble was a poor fool — but today was clear and warm, so the worst we had to contend with were the bugs and mountain dragons.

And mountain dragons in this case did not mean of Velira’s line and that we’d recently discovered a whole thunder of snarling multihued creatures, but rather disgusting little reptiles with sandpaper scales and horns all over their body, who scurried across your toes with their hideous little legs as you climbed to the top.

Velira’s chortle rumbled through my mind, tickling unpleasantly and somehow itching my ears.

Okay, so I hate them, I groused.

You’re afraid of them, she laughed.

Am not.

Are too.