Page 29 of A Crown of Hopes and Sorrows

I reached across the carriage seat and curled my fingers around Hyacinth’s. He tightened his grip on my hand, like he could push steadiness through that touch.

And it worked. Where I was all chaotic energy, a sun burning its way to its conclusion, Hyacinth was the steady rhythm of the seasons. The warm reminder that though winter may chill and darken the world for the moment, the sunshine of spring waited around the corner.

We trundled over a hill, the horses’ feet sinking into snow and jumping it up, creating miniature blizzards with their motion. In the distance, a sharp-pointed castle, glimmering in demure colors of blue and gray, huddled behind wisping ivory winds. The Palace of the Four Winds. I swallowed and pulled my hand back.

Hyacinth frowned and leaned into me. “A week. We’ll be here no longer than that.”

I nodded.

But my spirit sank.

A week of the limited time we had left together, and we’d spend it here.

And that’s exactly why I couldn’t tell him. He wouldn’t focus on the task he needed to accomplish if I did. I couldn’t burden him with that knowledge yet. Instead, it sat alone, a lump of ice in my heart.

After stable hands ushered the horses into a barn, we made our way inside the palace through stretching crystal doors. An iciness permeated the air, leaving my cheeks and nose cold. The foyer held tall ivory walls and an enormous chandelier composed of delicate glass pieces that sparkled silver reflections on the floor.

“Ah,” Notus said, walking in with Zephyrus and Boreas shadowing him. Half a dozen hounds followed them, and they clambered around their feet, tails batting against the polished floor, tongues lolling as they panted. “Our honored guests. We are so grateful to have you with us, Prince Hyacinth and Lord Apollo.” He grinned, stretching out the golden flesh of his cheeks, his gray eyes sparkling. He bobbed his head towards Delon and Len as well. “When we received your letter, it was quite the surprise. But a happy one, isn’t that right, brothers?”

Boreas, who had ivory, crepey skin and ice-blue eyes, gave a sharp nod. But Zephyrus fluttered out his wings, a cruel smile spreading over his face. “Oh, yes,” he said, gaze pinned on me. “We’re delighted to act as hosts.”

Notus frowned at Zephyrus’ tone, but Hyacinth stepped forward, shaking Notus’ hand. “We appreciate the hospitality.”

“Well, on that note, please join us for lunch.” Notus gestured towards the door, and they ambled through it, the group following. Zephyrus strode up to me, his mouth taking a hard turn. “Last time I saw you, your face looked like a storm cloud. Did you get tired of Daddy beating you around?”

I clenched my teeth. “And last I saw you, Zeus still hadn’t invited you into the throne room. Did you get tired of being treated like a nymph?”

His wings shuddered, the feathers fluttering together, and I held back a grimace. Hyacinth had slept with this man. Zephyrus had touched him, known him in a way that felt sacred to me. My fingers curled, and I forced them to smooth out. “Do we intend to stand out here and stare at each other all day?”

Zephyrus glowered. “Please, follow me to the dining room.”

I smirked and tossed my head, but a hot, swirling feeling in me wanted nothing better than to punch him. I took a deep breath. “Thank you.”

We ambled into a multi-story space made up of stone walls and a massive fireplace at the end that filled the chamber with the crackling and warmth of a fire. Notus gestured at the table and everyone found seats. Hyacinth chose the spot beside Zephyrus, who offered him a smile, his eyes lingering and skimming along Hyacinth’s form.

Oh, gods, this was going to be a long ass week. I sank beside Delon as attendants strode in, placing food on plates, flat discs of bread, yams so dark their flesh almost shined garnet, and legs of chicken. I grimaced as an attendant set one on my plate. The smell hit me, causing bile to rise into the back of my throat.

Delon snatched it and dropped it on his dish. “I’ve got you.”

I blew out a breath but inclined my head to him.

“So…” Boreas ripped into his bread, steam rising around his fingers. “We’d love to hear more about the purpose of your visit. Your letter was vague, Prince Hyacinth.”

Hyacinth shrugged, the silk of his robe glimmering in the firelight, his hazel eyes sparkling. Gods, he was beautiful. My heart gave a painful lurch as I shifted my focus back towards my plate. “We’re just hoping to strengthen connections,” Hyacinth said, his voice a hum that curled up in my stomach. “I don’t think my father or myself has interacted with any of the wind gods since the decade dedication.”

Boreas nodded. “I believe that’s true. How goes trade in the Southern regions?”

Hyacinth dove into discussing trade routes and politics and economics and other topics, throwing in several gracious comments about the importance of the wind for the country’s prosperity. Zephyrus grinned as though he achieved the triumph of Niria single handedly and anger sparked in me. After the summer, I knew how hard Cyn and his father worked to ensure that success and the weather only played some small part. But Hyacinth kept Zephyrus’ gaze each time, offering him undeserved smiles.

When dinner finally ended, attendants ushered me into a sitting room with another fireplace that washed the space in shades of apricot. The blue of evening pressed against the windowpanes, snow whipping by, darkening the space. And for just a moment I stood alone, cherishing the quiet. Hyacinth walked in and sidled up beside me, handing me a glass of wine. The jasmine scent of his swirled through the air, and I breathed it in, my fingers twitching, longing to reach out for his hand.

“Notus said to help ourselves”—he nodded to the drink—“so I’m taking him up on that.”

I took a swallow and then hesitated for a long moment. “The wings are not intriguing.”

Hyacinth’s lips twitched, but he kept his gaze ahead on the storm outside. “Is that so?”

“Zephyrus is obnoxious.”