Page 12 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

“I simply mean I’m happy for you, that’s all.”

“Epione and I both grieved for different people at the same time.” His expression darkened. “We found comfort in each other. It’s no reflection on Perimele.”

I snagged his arm, and he stopped walking, but his jaw clenched. “Of course it isn’t,” I said. “I’m not sure anyone has loved another like you did her. But, you shouldn’t have to be alone because she’s… gone.”

He studied me for a moment and then nodded. “And what about you?”

“What about me?”

“Should you be alone?”

I sighed. We continued along the path, our feet kicking up dust that glimmered in the sunset, and after several moments, I chuckled. “I won’t be. Father sends me to Prince Hyacinth. I’m certain”—I side-eyed Ares—“we shall be the best of friends.”

Ares rolled his eyes. “Undoubtedly.” He rubbed his temples. “No more talking. So much time in the mortal world is bringing on earth sickness for me.”

I kicked a rock, and it tumbled down the hill, its form taking on an apricot coloring as it clattered through the light of the setting sun. Ares winced. Earth sickness. Something else I had to look forward to in my immortal life—the inability to escape to anywhere that brought me joy.

3

Hyacinth

I tapped my fingers against the throne’s armrest. A fish splashed in the pool that ran along the side of the room, its marigold fins smacking against the surface before it dived deeper, slipping off into the basin. I rested my chin on my hand. The crown perched on my head reflected in the water, the amethyst and garnet gems along it glimmering.

A peacock strutted by one of the open windows. The silk curtains fluttered in a breeze, allowing a view of snatches of the rainbow of colors that made up the bird's tail feathers. The doors at the front of the room opened, and I shifted my gaze forward.

Emrin walked in, a stack of letters in hand. We shared appearances, the sharp jaw and broad shoulders we’d inherited from our father and the hazel eyes from our mother. But he let his hair grow in dark waves that softened his features whereas I kept mine short, orderly. He strode up, tossing the pile of parchment into my lap.

I smirked. “Does Tresson have you on mail duty?”

“I offered.” He dropped onto the lip of the pool. “I figured you were getting bored in here and might enjoy some company for a bit.”

A sigh drifted from me. “Thank you.”

He waved me off.

“Anything from Father?”

Emrin rolled his eyes. “He’s only been gone a few days. We won’t get a letter from him for a few weeks, at least, Cyn.”

“You’re right.” I trailed my fingers over my head, and they bumped into the crown. I cleared my throat and lowered my hand.

“Hey.” Emrin socked my leg with his fist. “You can do this. You’ve been training to take over the kingdom for years. Father wouldn’t leave you in charge if he doubted you.”

I dropped against the throne. “Thanks.”

He chuckled. “No problem. Just remember, everything’s on you, so don’t fuck up.”

“Why did you come here again?”

He snorted, but then his eyebrows raised. “One of those looks important. It has an official seal.”

An official seal?

I rifled through the stack until I reached the heaviest letter, which was enclosed in thick parchment. I flipped it over. And my heart froze in my chest.

A lightning bolt zagged through the wax.

“It’s from Zeus,” I whispered.