Page 111 of Blood of Olympus

“By now you are all aware that Zeus is dead, Kronos has risen, and Hera has fled to his side after it was unearthed that she murdered her husband, then attempted to murder her son.”

The priestesses winced, faces reddening, while various grumblings of malcontent sounded around the table.

We had elected to omit a portion of the truth from them — the part where Caelus really had died, and I’d been able to bring him back. Such things went beyond the minds of mortals. Furies, they were beyond the minds of us. Regardless, none of us had any desire to be used, and none wanted Kronos aware of the full scope of my powers.

“You are all also aware that I — Nyssa, daughter of Hades, et cetera, et cetera⁠—”

A sharp snort interrupted me, followed by a spreading blush across Aelia’s face. Kallista took one look at her and dropped a rolling cackle. Queen Idalia was horrified, Arius scowled, others chuckled, but Aphrodite joined them in their loud mirth.

“Sorry, Nyss,” she said between giggles. “It’s just so refreshing to hear women drop their dainty, fake titters, for authentic peals of laughter.”

My lip twitched, longing to join them, but I withheld. “Indeed.”

Addressing the whole table, I continued, “I am queen of all realms thanks to the trials I endured — we endured — last year after Zeus’ death. I am their queen” — I tipped my head, indicating the Olympians — “and I am your queen, as chosen by this thing.” I gestured to the burnished crown atop my head. “It chose me, but now I ask you to choose me, too. You have agreed to hear our bids for your allegiance, and I would begin with a discussion, followed by your answer to the question: will you stand with us?”

“How do we know that Kronos will bring war to Ephemeron?” Io asked.

“You are so shut off from the world here on your island that you’ve already missed the first two battles,” someone snarled back. Sea-blue eyes flicked to mine as he got to his feet. “I am Prince Galen of Thaldon, your grace, and I am curious to know why my god is not in attendance? Has he, too, joined Lord Kronos?”

Tartarus.

Thankfully, I was saved from answering. Aros, seated at my right hand, slammed his fist down on the table, rattling the earthenware.

“Poseidong currently rots in the prison beneath Mount Olympus.”

Galen reeled, quickly morphing from shock to anger. “What is the meaning of this? I demand to know your reasoning!”

Aros uncoiled slowly, never taking his eyes off the mortal prince. “I suggest you lower your tone, boy,” he rasped, voice low and terrifying enough for Galen to drop back into his seat. “Poseidon putrefies like fish guts in the sand on a hot summer day⁠—”

I mentally retched at the thought.

“—because he dared to strike out at our Queen. He did not succeed, nor will you if you so much as think about it.”

The words fell from his lips, landing like a blow to the gut.

Galen cowed, but wisely refrained from further comment.

I’d never heard Aros sound like that. Especially not on my behalf, like he could skewer a person with little more than that piercing glare — and that he would relish the opportunity to do so.

He looked like his father, though I’d never dare tell him that.

He takes this role seriously, Nightshade. More than anything he’s ever undertaken.

A soft burst of humility bloomed beneath my sternum — my own, not Caelus’.

“I give this warning once and only once,” Aros continued. “Beyond that, your actions are your own — but your consequences are mine to deliver,” he snarled, grinning like a wildcat.

My eyes locked onto a slight movement behind him.

Correction: like a manticore, I thought, noting Rufus’ eerily similar lionlike grin.

Does that mean you resemble me? Velira taunted from somewhere high above.

I longed to be with her so badly my toes curled in my boots, fighting off the urge to take off with her and disappear into the clouds, leaving this world and our problems behind.

If I'm half as vicious as you, that will work in my favour today.

You do not need my viciousness today, though I am more than happy to provide it. You have the heart of a dragon, godling. All ferocity, all fire — but when you love, you do so with every inch of it.