Page 97 of Styx

We all stood there waiting for him

to continue.

‘But your father

has summoned you

back to the palace for

the joining ceremony.’

I let out a short, incredulous

bark of a laugh. ‘I thought

I made my intentions clear.’

Perses’s dark eyes, molten gold,

stared at me, then wandered

to look at Asteria by my side.

‘Perhaps he thought you would

have changed your mind.’

Asteria took my hand,

and I remembered the dream.

But I did not want to seem like

I was giving in too easily.

‘I would like to speak with Pallas.’

At the sound of his name,

Pallas looked me in the eye

waiting for my next words.

I looked at Perses and Coeus.

‘I would like to speak to him alone.’

The two Gods hesitated,

but obediently left us.

Leto and Metis

went with them.

Asteria squeezed my hand.

‘I am outside the door.’