Page 19 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

Epiphany’s lips parted. “While Father is away?”

“Yes. It was a surprise. And it’s a very high profile visitor, at that.”

“Who?”

“Apollo.”

Her skin paled. “Zeus’ son.”

“Yes. Which is why you cannot mention Jupiter like you just did.”

She bit her lip and nodded. “Okay.”

“I’m serious, Pip. This isn’t a casual thing. It’s very important.”

“I understand.” She smirked and tossed her head to the side, her curls glittering in the sunlight. “Apollo is supposed to be attractive, isn’t he?”

“Pip.”

Her smile deepened. “Yes, my friends tell me he has quite the reputation.”

“How would they even know that?”

“You know how gossip is.”

“Actually”—I sighed—“I don’t. And you’d be wise to stay out of it.”

She lifted a single flower and twirled it. “If I did that, I would know nothing.”

“Perhaps if you attended your lessons, you’d find your mind more expanded than you expected.”

She scoffed. “I would know nothing of interest then. And don’t think you’re distracting me. A handsome, young deity is coming to stay with us while Father is away. That’s what I’m understanding? Oh, my friends will be thrilled.”

I rolled my shoulders back. “Under no circumstances will you all entertain that thought seriously. Do you hear me?”

She grinned. “Why? Are you interested in him?”

“No. And you shouldn’t be either. He’s a deity. Zeus’ son, for heaven's sake.”

“And he is apparently well known for being flirtatious.”

“Epiphany.”

She tossed the flower in her hand onto the ground. “Fine. I’ll keep that information to myself. There’s never anything exciting happening around here.”

I nudged her with my shoulder. “Bored are you?”

She dropped her head back with a sigh. “Yes. We aren’t to leave the palace the entire time Father is gone—except you. Lucky,” she grumbled.

“Would you like to join me on the city tours?” I asked, my voice coming dry.

“Ugh. No.” She twisted the bouquet around, the colors blurring together like the strokes of a paintbrush.

“Which flower in the garden is your favorite?”

She stood, walking over to a bush and returning, dropping a large ivory bloom in my hand. The smell of it wafted so strongly through the air that it drowned out every other sense. I took a long breath in, letting the sweetness of it fill my lungs. “Gardenias? But they only flower for a few weeks.”

She picked up the flower, brushing her thumbs over the petals. “It doesn’t matter how long something lasts. I’d rather have a moment of intense beauty and joy and treasure that than something dull that lasts forever.” She dropped her nose into the blossom. “Don’t you think the scarcity of it makes it even more wonderful?”