Page 116 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

The king’s voice took on a wariness with his next words. “You haven’t shared with him...”

“No, of course not.”

So, Hyacinth had secrets. I didn’t blame him for that. It was wise to keep whatever knowledge he wanted out of Zeus’ hands from me.

“What manner of relationship have you formed with Apollo?”

I should have left, walked down the hall, and waited. But I couldn’t. My feet froze in place, my heart pounding in my ears.

“Well—” A crinkling of papers sounded. “We’ve become close friends.”

A weighted silence seemed to ache into the air before the king spoke again. “Cyn, I know I’m an old man now, but I’ve been young and in love before.”

Hyacinth gasped. “Father… that is—”

“I understand. But I want to tell you to be wary. Gods do not love the way mortals do.”

“Apollo is different. If you got to know him, you’d see.”

“I could see clearly at dinner last night how much he regards you, and I’m not making light of it. But long after my great-great-grandchildren are gone, when both of our names are only dust and this kingdom we rule doesn’t exist, he still will. Even that wouldn’t cause me to intervene if you feel for him the way you seem to, but no human falls in love with a god and it ends well for the mortal.”

A breath filled the air before his father spoke again. “I worry for you, son. Being involved with a deity, it will get you hurt, possibly killed.”

“I don’t care,” Hyacinth said with a ferocity that caused me to jump. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

A cool prickling feeling washed over me, and I stepped away from the door. His father was right. Ares was right.

And I had been nothing but selfish.

Gods, I’d allowed my own desires to take over. I’d forgotten who I was and what that meant for those around me. Hyacinth didn’t deserve that. He didn’t warrant the risks I took on his behalf. He was far too good for the destruction and heartbreak that trailed alongside me.

I gripped my fingers into the straps of my knapsack and shuffled into the dining room, waiting there for several hours until the others appeared for lunch. Temi walked in, her gaze distant, her features pinched. Epiphany, who normally trailed along with her, didn’t arrive.

King Magnes frowned as he stepped in alongside Emrin and Hyacinth. “Where is your sister?”

Hyacinth cleared his throat. “She had an early morning; perhaps she’s resting.” Then he tossed me a look, like a flower blooming before the sun, and it made my gut ache as though I might throw up. I bowed to the king and took my seat across from Hyacinth.

Everyone ate, a steady conversation humming, Hyacinth trying to loop in me and Temi, who sat unusually quiet and withdrawn. As the meal drew to a close, I crossed my hands. “I have an announcement I need to make.”

Hyacinth’s face lifted, the v-shaped dimple pressing between his brows.

Gods, did it hurt to see that, to know what I was about to do.

“Yes, my lord?” the king asked.

“I thank you all so much for your generous hospitality and kindness to me while I’ve visited. I fear it's time for me to leave.”

Hyacinth dropped his fork, and it clattered against his dish. “You’re leaving?”

Temi swiveled towards me, her lips parting.

“Yes, I’m afraid my visit has ended. Again, I thank you. It’s been most informative, and I will pass on to Zeus my highest compliments for both your family and your kingdom.”

The king’s expression flooded with a wariness. He looked to Hyacinth and then back to me. “Of course, my lord. Are there any special entertainments we could offer before you part from us?”

“Thank you, but no. I leave directly after lunch.”

Hyacinth released a breath that seemed to have held him up, his body drooping. I stood, my chair shuffling over the rug, and bowed before striding out of the room.