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“I still have so much to learn,” Cassia said, “and I look forward to our studies—but my past in Tenebra has prepared me, too.”
Lio put his hand over his uncle’s. “You have taught me well for this night.”
Silvertongue’s legendary gaze rested upon them, full of centuries of memory, but it was the years of love that shone brightest in his aura. “You are ready.”
“And so are we, Father,” said Mak.
Lyros nodded. “Where Lio and Cassia go, we go as their official protectors.”
“With my blessing,” Aunt Lyta told them.
“We’ll be here,” Xandra promised from beside her illustrious elder siblings. “Kia and Nodora and I will not stop fighting in the Firstblood Circle. Orthros will need us to vote in support of our new role in Solia’s reign.”
Lio’s father embraced him and Cassia. “A momentous night, Eighth Circle. May the Goddess’s Eyes light your path.”
“And her darkness keep you in Sanctuary.” Lio’s mother held onto them for a long moment, the family’s Union aching with her pride and worry.
Aunt Lyta reached out her hands to Uncle Argyros. He took them, and they said nothing aloud. But if anyone knew what Uncle Argyros needed to hear on this occasion, it was Aunt Lyta, speaking through their Grace Union. She caressed his cheek, and he shut his eyes for a moment. A sigh escaped him, anguish and relief all at once.
Nike embraced him. “It is hard to lay down a quest.”
“Ah, my shooting star,” he said. “You know.”
Lio’s father clasped his uncle’s wrist, then threw an arm around him. “It’s about time, Brother.”
“Argyros,” Queen Alea called to him gently.
He turned to her, and instead of giving the heart bow, he did what Lio had never beheld. He knelt before Queen Alea and kissed her hand.
“Sixteen hundred years, my friend.” She held his hand in both of hers. “You have stood between us and destruction. Your words have been mightier than swords. And yet I find myself at a loss for words now. How can we express our people’s gratitude to you?”
“I need none, My Queen. It has been the greatest honor of my life.”
“You have done all that you promised us you would.”
Uncle Argyros let out a sigh. “With that blessing, my heart will rest.”
Lio blinked hard, his throat aching. His mentor had waited an epoch to lay down this burden.
That epoch was over. The world had just shifted. His uncle was no longer the ambassador who would make or break peace between Hesperines and their mortal enemies.
It was now Lio and Cassia who stood between Orthros and destruction.
3
Nights Until
NOTIAN WINTER SOLSTICE
6 Eukairia, 1597 IS
ANYTHING FOR ORTHROS
“Do you like the idea of putting the vegetables in their own section here?” Cassia marked a space on the paper in front of her and glanced at Zoe.
The child hugged Knight, her face forlorn. “I suppose so.”
Cassia sighed and put down her charcoal. She had hoped spending time with Zoe at the greenhouse site would bring the suckling some comfort, but to no avail.
