“Yes, and after that, we can go rest because I have a feeling we won’t get much of that in the days to come.” Jayden steers me back to the courtyard where the pyres are still glowing with Jayden’s black flames. “Libations.”
I grab the cup that Jayden offers and walk over to the pyres to pour it out over the ground by the bodies burning to ash for the urns. I silently pray to Hades that they will be given the best of the best in the underworld and sent to the isle of the blessed instead of Elysium. That place is stagnant and wrong. I never want to go there again.
“You all did a fine job of honoring the dead.” Chiron trots over to us.
“Thank you. It was mostly Jayden’s knowledge of ancient funeral rites that got us through this.” I nod to the centaur.
“They will go to the underworld with a chance at the isles, I’m sure. You gave them their best chance after they died in battle.” Chiron squeezes my shoulder.
“Have any of the mind-controlled demigods woken up yet?” I ask.
“Not yet. It is worrying that they have been out more than a day, but I’m sure they’ll be fine. You should go enjoy the feast. It may be the last chance we get for celebration in the coming days.” Chiron turns and trots away.
“He’s right. Let’s go.” Jayden wraps an arm around my waist and leads me to the cafeteria.
“It feels wrong to be celebrating in the midst of all of this. What if the queen attacks us during the feast?”
“Even the gods respect burial traditions. That was why Hermes went to Achilles to get him to release Hector’s body to his family and people instead of desecrating it by dragging the body behind his horse through their camp on the shores of Troy. I doubt she’ll attack during the feast.”
“Maybe that’s what she wants us to think. She’s crazy and will take any advantage she can get to win this war. She doesn’t care about our customs, just searching for the perfect time to move against us.” I grip the cup in my hand too tight and it creaks.
“Then we will deal with it. We have the shifters along the perimeter and Hephaestus’ army is their backup as the first line of defense. We have this under control, baby. We’ll get through this.” Jayden kisses my temple.
“I know you’re right, but I just can’t relax,” I say and the ground shakes ominously. “See? It’s getting more and more chaotic up there. What is happening?”
“We’ll find out soon one way or the other, love. I’m sure if she doesn’t attack us, either Hermes or Apollo will come to inform us what’s going on up there.” Jayden opens the door to the cafeteria and ushers me inside.
The sight before me makes me grin. The tables are no longer segregated between the houses of the godly parents. Students all fill each table, everyone sitting with friends rather than just their siblings. I wave at Sara who is sitting between Jackson and Brody who both are a little worse for wear.
“I hope I didn’t hurt you too bad when I knocked you off that chariot.” I grin at Brody.
“Nah, I think my pride stings more than anything you did,” Brody says.
“You should have known better than to try to take her on, idiot.” Sara kisses his cheek. “She and Raven are as bloodthirsty as they come and the best of all of us.”
“Damn straight,” Raven cheers from another table. “I can’t believe the meatheads actually thought they could beat us.”
Everyone laughs except for the meatheads in question. “You’re not being an idiot and prideful, right? You would go to the healers if you need to? Can you still fight?”
“I promise, I can still fight. I got a few bumps and bruises, but nothing will take me out of this battle for our lives but death.” Brody clenches his hand into a fist.
“Don’t say that. We don’t need anyone else dying over this if we can help it.” I shake my head.
Jayden’s hand is warm on the small of my back as he leads me around the table to the buffet line where the scent of barbequed meats fills my senses. “Let’s get the hangry raptor fed before you start gnawing on furniture or something.”
My stomach takes the hint and growls loudly, only making Jayden chuckle.
“Your stomach is just as hangry as mine is now so stuff it.” I poke him in the ribs.
“You’re not wrong but I carry snacks with me all the time now to keep the beast contained.” Jayden winks.
“Not you too,” I huff out a laugh. “Greyson got a cold container for his hiking pack when we saw Pan in the woods and put a bunch of those prepackaged sandwiches in it for when we needed them when I got depleted.”
“Seriously?” Jayden raises a brow.
“He takes his snack mom duties very seriously.” I nod.
“I’ll have to ask him about it. That could be useful.” Jayden hands me a plate.
