“That’s kind of them,” Xenia said.
Cael dipped his chin. “We need to do something for them in return.”
Xenia’s excitement skyrocketed. “We?”
Cael nodded, then pulled a small flute made of fire opal from his pocket.
Xenia cocked her head. “What is that?”
He explained what it was and how the rebels hoped to use it to gain control over the dragon at Typhon Mountain.
Xenia blew out a long breath, shaking her head in wonder. “So you and I are going to be rebels together?”
Cael bit his lip, holding back an amused smile. “If you consider doing research rebel activity.”
Xenia clapped her hands. “Research is myfavoritekind of rebel activity.”
Cael laughed, and Xenia responded in kind, peals of delighted giggles echoing off the marble around them.
Cael’s brows pinched, and a look of such profound concern twisted his features that Xenia abruptly stopped laughing. “What?”
“I need to tell you something else.” He stepped in closer, running a hand up over her jaw and cupping her cheek. “It’s not pleasant.”
Xenia squared her shoulders. “Tell me. Whatever it is, we can face it togeth?—”
“Cassandra’s been sent to Tartarus.”
Horror plunked into Xenia’s gut, displacing her excitement. Tears bloomed on her lashes and her throat pinched shut. She couldn’t breathe. Oh High Gods, she couldn’t?—
Cael placed his hand on her heart, his fingertips caressing her collarbone. “Breathe, Zee. It’s going to be okay.Breathe.”
She stared into his deep gray eyes, her anchor in a turbulent sea, and did as he commanded. She filled her lungs, pushing her chest into his hand.
“Good,” Cael murmured. “Now exhale.”
She released it slowly, Cael keeping his hand at her heart. And after a few more breaths, her panic subsided. She choked out a ragged whisper. “Why?”
Cael shook his head, looking as devastated as Xenia felt. “Eamon discovered what she was doing with those memories. Stealing treasures to help the humans in the colonies. At least, that’s what he said publicly. More likely, it was a move to punish Tristan once Eamon learned how much she meant to him.”
Xenia closed her eyes, clinging to Cael’s shoulders and feeling like she might pass out. All her fears for Cassandra had finally been realized.
“What can we do?” Xenia said, her voice shrill as her panic flared again. “We have to leave. We have to go now. We’ll go toDelos, beg the Emperor to let her out. I’ll tell him it was my fault. Ihelpedher, Cael. It’s my fault. He can take me instead.”
Cael’s brows pinched, his lips a thin line. “You know that’s not possible. The best thing you can do right now is bestrongfor her. Tristan and the Teles Chrysos will free her as soon as they take Delos. Focus on our own plan to get out of here and join the rebels so you can be reunited with her.” He cupped her cheeks and brought their faces together. “I am in control of my happiness and my destiny.”
Xenia barked out a garbled laugh. “Since when didyoubecome the positive one?”
Cael gave her a soft smile, stroking a thumb across her lips. “Someone once told me that positivity isn’t effortless. You just have to dare to see the world the way you want to. So, dare to see this world with me. One where you and I are away from all this mess and with our friends again. Close your eyes and picture it.”
Xenia did as she was told, her eyes sliding closed. And shecouldsee that world. The four of them together again, laughing and hugging and crying. A lovely, tear-soaked reunion. She held the image in her heart, clung to it fiercely enough to power through these next weeks.
She popped her eyes open, capturing Cael’s concerned ones, then pushed up from the counter and kissed him.
She tastedlike sunshine and starlight. Like sin and madness. Like the decadent joy of the forbidden.
He eased himself between her spread thighs, and she let out a delicious little whimper as he probed his tongue into her mouth.
He shouldn’t be doing this.
