Page 44 of A Crown of Hopes and Sorrows

“Then you are welcome to as much as you like.” He grinned.

I huffed a laugh, the first non-miserable moment of the day. “Who starts?”

An hour later, the three of us had drained our glasses a sufficient number of times that my blood warmed with it and we all laughed heartily, the cards hitting the table with heavy smacks. “Ha,” Delon crowed, smacking his fist down and dragging gold coins towards him. “My round again.”

“Damn you,” Len said.

Delon grinned. “I warned you both I planned to take your money bags to bed with me tonight.”

The library door opened, and we all froze. Hyacinth stepped in, a floral-embroidered robe on, and he clicked the door back in place before walking over to us. Delon jumped up, clearing the seat next to mine, which Cyn eased into.

Delon took another swallow of his drink. “Didn’t think you’d make it.”

“Me either.” Hyacinth groaned and dropped his head into his hands.

“Hope you have money on you if you want to play.”

Hyacinth lifted his face, his brows drawing together. “Are you serious?”

“Yup.” Delon shuffled the cards as the fire crackled beyond him.

“I’m the crowned prince. You should assume I’m good for it.”

“You could die before you return. I need my money tonight.”

Hyacinth’s mouth parted. “Hades’ realm, it’s nice to know that’s the words of a friend.”

“I’ll cover him,” I said with a chuckle. I turned to face Hyacinth, my heart pattering. He seemed so miserable, and it made me ache for him. “Delon is set on taking all of my gold, anyway. That will double his chances.”

Delon laughed and sloshed out more drinks for us all, adding a fourth glass, but Hyacinth smiled, a gentle expression, like flower petals unfurling. He looked back over his shoulder and then leaned into me, pressing his lips to mine, combing his fingers into my hair. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered.

I trailed my thumb along his jaw, every piece of me warming. “You seem stressed.”

“I am. Hera’s lot. I’m ready to get the hell out of here. But”—he nodded towards the game—“this is a pleasant reprieve at least. Have you had any luck with Boreas or Notus?”

I snatched up my cards, arranging them. “Actually, Boreas intends to host a dinner on our behalf and invite some deities they know.”

“That’s good.”

“And he said something to me today that made me think Zephyrus has plans in motion too, but he wouldn’t reveal what those are.”

Len dropped cards, and Delon snatched two up. Hyacinth frowned. “I get that feeling as well.” He snaked his fingers over my leg, gripping my thigh. “I’ll see if I can find out what it is.”

I grazed my knuckles over his, and our eyes met.

“Yes,” Delon crowed, dropping a winning hand onto the table.

“Fuck,” I said.

“Oh, Cyn.” Delon’s smile stretched his cheeks out. “Please stay and distract Apollo all night.”

I frowned at the cards as I threw my set down, but Hyacinth kept his gaze on me, his voice whisper-sweet. “Gladly.”

Feelings whirled within me like fresh snow, all hope and unspoken promises. The door opened. Hyacinth snatched his hand back as Zephyrus strode across the carpets and paused at the table. “I heard there was a to-do in here tonight. Do you mind if I join?”

Hyacinth’s posture curled inward, like he wilted. Delon’s gaze flipped between the two of them but landed on Cyn, who gave him a subtle nod. Delon took another sip from his tumbler. “Do you have a money bag on you?”

Zephyrus laughed and pulled a leather purse out of his pocket.