Page 7 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

I sighed. “There has to be a better way to travel to this godforsaken city. Certainly we could come up with something.”

“What do you suggest?” Ares said. “A chariot that flies through the sky?”

“Not a bad idea.”

Ares chuckled. “We’re almost there. And I thought you enjoyed walking?”

“Mmm,” I said.

I liked walking but not towards Olympus.

I let my gaze wander too close to the edge where wisps of clouds veiled the miniature world below. My stomach lurched, and I forced my eyes forward.

We turned a corner. The palace rose above the clouds and mist, columns racing towards the heavens, a golden dome capping it all. I sighed as attendants opened the gates.

Nymphs with their porcelain-smooth skin and crystal eyes tossed flowers that swirled above us. I snagged one, rubbing its lotion-soft surface between my thumb and fingers. Petals drifted into my hair, and I ruffled my hand through it to dislodge them.

The palace loomed ahead of us beyond a gate that stood the height of ten men. Around it all, mist trailed the ground like carpeting, glowing with the dusky pink of magic that infused everything. I took a sharp breath and clenched my jaw.

My brothers and sisters all lined the palace steps, their chins raised, the silver glow of the high deities hovering along their skin, but their eyes darkened as they traced their gazes over me. Horns blast through the air, cutting into the sunshine of morning.

We climbed the steps, my muscles trembling like they fought me. Ares’ features tightened as we reached the top of the dais where Athena stood, her ebony curls drifting over her shoulders, her eyes narrowing. She crossed her arms, the gown she wore rippling and revealing the band of knives she kept on her leg.

We stopped in front of her, and she sighed. “Apollo, how good it is to see you, brother.” Her lips pinched, and she didn’t speak for several beats. She swept her hands around. “As you can see, our father has marked your visit as he would for a deity.” The words snapped from her mouth like she crunched on ice, and I cleared my throat. “Please,” she continued, “join us for a meal.”

She turned before I could respond and we walked up the steps, through the shade of the portico, and into the swallowing darkness of the palace. The room brightened in increments, the long, low table spilling with food—grapes sparkling and plump, hunks of cheeses, wines so rich their smell wafted in the air, haunches of meat, hearty loaves of bread. The walls stretched endlessly above, clouds trailing in through high arches.

I dropped onto one of the dining couches as the rest of my siblings filed in and found seats. Ares sat with Athena, who spoke in a low mumble, her expression pinching as she leaned in towards him, gesturing towards me.

Someone lowered beside me, his plum-like smell overtaking the aroma of the banquet. “Are you not hungry after the journey, Apollo?”

His golden eyes sparkled, his dark curls rimming his ears. “Hades,” I said. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

He snagged a grape and popped it in his mouth, reclining back against the couch. “I’m here for the same reason you are.”

“And that is?”

He smirked. “My brother summons us, and we don’t waste our time to ask why, do we?”

I leaned onto my knees. “I suppose so.”

“Why aren’t you eating? Your journey here was a long one, was it not?”

I shrugged.

“Eat. When your father finishes speaking with my brother, he intends to call for you.”

I sat back up. “Poseidon is here as well?”

Hades snatched another grape. “That he is.”

I leaned in towards him, dropping my voice to a whisper. “Why are so many gods here today?”

Hades shook his head, jutting his lip out. “I’m afraid I can’t say.” He lifted his eyes to meet mine. “The golden one usually has his reasons, does he not?”

“I suppose so.” I shifted in my seat, pressing my feet against the tile flooring that glimmered with veins of gold. “How is Persephone?”

Hades frowned and then hid his expression behind his goblet of wine. “Being that it’s spring, I haven’t seen her for a few weeks.” I swallowed. Shit, that was thoughtless of me. Of course Persephone spent the season on earth with her mother. Hades gestured with his drink towards the table. “As I said, you should eat. You need the fortitude.”