Page 27 of Blood of Olympus

“Someone smelly,” Evie agreed.

“Someone ugly,” Caelus joined in, grinning ruefully at Aros’ exasperation.

He lifted his face to the ceiling, sighing deeply. “Fine. I’ll assign Phobos and Deimos to guard him.”

Evie paled at that. Caelus shuddered.

“They’ll likely give him nightmares — they’re completely psychotic,” he continued. “But they won’t let him escape.”

“Nightmares, he can handle,” I replied, my lip tugging up at the corner.

Devious creature, Caelus purred into my mind, reigniting my desire without so much as a touch, without even a look. His voice alone was enough.

The hallway filled with the scent of raspberries and Aros groaned. “Nyss, please. Control your wayward thoughts, because I’m dying over here.” He gestured to his tented breeches.

“Gross!” Evie gagged.

He scowled. “Anyone fancy a trip to the Prancing Satyr?” he asked, his tone lifting hopefully at the end.

“Sorry, my terminal friend. You’ll have to put off dying for a little longer, because we need to get back to the Parthenon.” I locked eyes with Caelus. “We’re not quite done with admissions.”

“Can I come?” Evie asked, practically bouncing on her toes.

“No,” Aros grunted, just as I assented.

“Sorry, brother! The queen’s word trumps yours,” she said, her voice filled with a saccharine glee.

Aros turned to me, incredulity warping his pretty face. “The only way she can do that is if she gets promoted to council,” — I winced — “or Queen’s Guard.”

One dark brow lifted. “Done.”

“Done? What do you mean done?” He frowned as Caelus let his amusement slip free.

“It means, darling, that I’ve just appointed the first member of my guard.” I smiled, now addressing Evie directly, who had turned a sickly shade of white.

Her eyes wide, she straightened in military precision, her face falling into solemnity.

“Evadne. Do you swear upon the River Styx to be my loyal guardian, to raise your sword alongside mine, and to be my shield when I falter? Do you swear to hold my secrets more fiercely than your own, and let them burn on your tongue before you betray them? Do you swear to serve me until the Fates sever your thread, or until such a day comes that I release you from your oath?”

Her chin lifted and her eyes met mine, no trace of amusement or falsity lingering within them. “I swear it.”

I grinned. “Good. Then we may go.”

Patience was never a virtue I valued or employed. Shadows leaked from my palms and formed a solid black doorway before us. One by one, we passed through it, reappearing in the middle of the now-crowded Parthenon chamber.

Ready? My storm-wielder asked, reaching for my sweating hand.

No, I answered honestly. Not at all.

CHAPTER 7

Nyssa

Aros quickly ushered Evie over to the side wall, where she could observe the meeting and hopefully avoid the prying questions of meddlesome gods, though it did not go unnoticed.

Along with the Olympians already present, the Parthenon now housed a host of unfamiliar faces — each more curious than the last. Athena and Apollo had personally vouched for all five the night before, and I now had the opportunity to attach names to faces.

Nike, the goddess of victory, lounged on the arm of Athena’s golden throne. Everything about her was a contradiction. From her blonde locks cropped short, bucking the traditional divine standards, to the dirt stains on her white, downy wings splayed out behind her. If she were to lean a little to the right, said wings were at risk of tickling Demeter’s sun-kissed nose.