Page 108 of Fate of the Sun King

They lifted their hand and cut him off. “Our decision is made. It is not you.”

“This is preposterous! No one else wants to do it. I’m the best choice!” His voice rose, bouncing off the room’s hard corners, echoing with his frustration. He continued shouting as Zerra stared at the Empyrium. Though their body faced the Aurora King, Zerra noticed a face peering directly at her, as if emerging from the back of their head. A woman with kind eyes and soft blonde waves tumbling down either side of her face.

She smiled at Zerra and dipped her chin.

Zerra had the strangest sense this god was sending her a message, and the hairs on her arms stood at attention.

“Enough!” the Empyrium said, slicing off Herric’s tirade. The command vibrated through the room with such force it shook the very walls. “We seek another.”

Herric glowered at the Empyrium, his expression bruised with malice. He clamped his mouth shut, and at that moment two things occurred to Zerra.

One—this would not be the last of this from Herric.

Two—the Empyrium were expecting her to stand up.

The woman she’d seen a moment ago flickered into view again, her form solidifying for several seconds as she nodded, her image holding steady.

Zerra had never been a good queen. She knew that. She wasn’t too blind or foolish to understand that while her queendom had suffered, she had chosen to do nothing.

When she’d listened to the stories from the others—about how broken they’d been, about how relentlessly they’d searched for solutions—she’d felt the gripping shame of her idleness.

She had never deserved to be Aphelion’s queen, and standing amongst the noble rulers of Ouranos, that had never been more obvious.

Zerra had never sought greatness for herself. She’d never sought out glory or recognition, but a part of her at least wanted to be remembered for something.

And so Zerra lifted her head, dropping her arms as she threw her shoulders back.

Finally, she would do something noble. Something that might make up for this life of selfishness.

“I’ll do it,” she said, and every eye turned to her.

The Empyrium smiled, and for the first time in her life, Zerra felt the glowing shine of worthiness spill across her skin.

“And who shall you appoint in your stead?” they asked.

“Cyrus,” she replied immediately. He deserved it. He had tried everything, and she had resisted him at every turn. “My advisor.”

“It will be done.”

“This is a mistake!” Herric said, taking up his cause once again, his entire body trembling with rage. “I am a better king! I can rule over these people! You don’t want her!”

He shouted and screamed, his eyes wild, but the Empyrium and Zerra had made up their minds.

The Empyrium ignored Herric’s ranting, lifting a hand before the six other rulers disappeared, leaving Zerra standing alone in the echoing silence of her new and eternal surroundings.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

LOR

APHELION: PRESENT DAY

After leaving our horses on the outskirts, our return to Aphelion goes unnoticed thanks to a cresting wave of people flowing into the city. It seems the Sun King plans to host quite an affair for his bonding, but why? Is he hoping these preparations will result in my capture? Or worse, what if his plans have changed and he has something far more sinister in store for me?

A cart speeds by, nearly trampling a group of traveling minstrels as it barrels past.

“What’s the fucking rush?” Nadir growls, the corner of his lip curling up.

I peer over my shoulder at Tristan and Mael, who follow close behind. We plan to return to the Priestess of Payne tomorrow, hoping to corner Cloris, but tonight I need to talk to my brother about what I’ve learned regarding his destiny. When I look back, Nadir is watching me, and I’m sure he’s plotting ways to leave me behind, as if that will keep me safe.