Thenthe tempest in my heart rose again, andIpulled her to me more tightly.Ipressed my tongue through the barrier of her lips, andIfelt her stiffen but did not stop.Thetempest rose andIfelt the hairs on my arms stand when she let out a small cry and pulled away.
“You… shocked me,” she murmured, rubbing her lips with the back of her hand.
“Sorry.”Iknew it was the right thing to say.
Shesmiled softly, andIknew all was forgiven. “It’salright, you’ve been through so much.Oh,Ihave so much to show you,Hadeon!”Shecontinued on and on, butIdidn’t hear it.Ijust clutched her hand in mine, unwilling to let go.Ifinally had something of my own.
Chapter 25
Pallas
Thesoldiers were gathering in the front of the castle, forming long, perfect rows that slowly exited through the wooden gates underneath the stone dragon carvings.Iwatched them, a silent apparition from whereIstood high up on a balcony.Ilooked past the castle walls and out towards the city ofXyr.Despitethe army moving through it, people milled about happily, some coming up to the soldiers as they passed and waving.Childrenran through the lines as they expertly moved around them as if this was a common occurrence.
Thesun shone brightly, and the storm that had threatened the skies earlier passed the city by.Asoft breeze rolled up from the sea, and hints of summer could be felt despite how coolXyralways remained.Themists that seemed to shroud this place were nowhere to be seen.
Below, a young human woman stuffed lavender flowers into a passing soldier’s hand before leaning in to kiss him on the cheek, tears streaming down her face.Heembraced her swiftly, planting a soft kiss on the top of her head before rejoining his ranks.
Thelull of the summer sun had me in a daze, and my mind convinced meIcould smell those flowers on the breeze that ruffled my hair.
ThesunshineImissed more desperately thanIrealized soaked into my skin, a high more beautiful than any glass of ambrosia.Ileaned against the stone railing of the balcony, my head tilted back, exposing myself to as much of that warm, golden light asIcould.
Mymind wandered, andIdrifted back to a summer from so long ago, it felt like a different life.
515 yearsago
Thewarm summer breeze wafted the gentle scent of ambrosia across the blossoming garden.Hadeon’slong mahogany hair fluttered in the breeze as he lay with his head in my lap.Thewarm light of the sun lit up his tan skin until he glowed almost golden, just like the flowers around us.Justlike the kingdom that would one day be his.Wehad both been so young then, barely twenty-five, nothing more than children in the life of a fae.Ialways thought it was destiny speaking to me thatIhad found a lover almost the exact same age.
Iswept a stray piece of hair behind his long ear, and he blessed me with his perfect smile.Hereached up and ran his hand under my jaw and behind my head, gently pulling me in for a soft kiss.Iwished to stay in that moment forever.
“Doyou have to go?”
Hisperfect smile became marred with doubt. “I’mtheGreatHero.Fatherhas me training every day.Ihave to fight theWorldBreaker.It’swhatIwas meant for.Hesays it won’t be long nowbefore the war begins.Thedragons have already been causing disturbances.”
“Whatif something happens to you?Idon’t thinkIcould—”
“Pallas.”Hesat up, his hand still behind my neck, holding my face close to his own. “I’mthe most powerful fae inAdimos.Nodragon can stop me; no one can.”
Icouldn’t meet his eyes.Somethingalways shimmered in them when he talked about theWorldBreaker.SomethingthatIhated, a darkness thatIcould pretend didn’t exist in the light of the summer sun.
“Whatabout when it's over and your destiny is fulfilled?”
“Ha!Wellthen, we will drink, party, and celebrate the return of magic!I’llbe a hero, theGreatHero.”
WhenIlooked at him,Istill saw that broken boyI’dnursed in the dungeons.Wenever discussed the truth that he was notObion’sson and what the king had done to him.Ihad tried, but that darkness flared in him whenever it was mentioned.I’dbeen so young.Soyoung and cowardly, and so desperately in love.
“Wecould go away.Justleave it all behind, the prophecy and this place.Justyou and me.”Icouldn’t meet his eyes asIsaid it, a coward, through and through.
Istill didn’t look at him, so he pulled on my neck until our noses touched.
“Andgive all this up?Thisplace will be all mine someday, andI’llbe the king.It’sas much my destiny as any prophecy.”Hepushed my head back untilIwas forced to meet his gaze. “Andthen,I’llmake you my queen.”
BeforeIcould respond, he locked me in a deep kiss, pushing me down onto the warm grass beneath us.Hestill held me gently then, treating my body with reverence as he pulled my pleasure from me. “Soonmagic will return, and everything will be as it should be.Andyou,Pallas?You’llbe mine?Bymy side, always?”
“Always,Hadeon.”
Hepulled me into another deep kiss, and his fingers unlaced the bodice of my dress.Heran his lips down my neck, his light breath was unbearable on my heated skin.Hecontinued to trail kisses across my skin until his lips caressed the curve of my breast, and his teeth scraped along the tender surface.Ishivered and my nipples peaked, hard against the warm air.Ifelt him murmur, “HowIlove to devour you.”Oursweet moans entwined with the warm breeze, andIthought about how very blessedIwas to be getting everythingIever wanted.
Thewarm summersun ofXyrhelped clear the tears that fell from my cheeks.Fivehundred years had passed since then, andIwas still that idiotic girl.
