Page 23 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

The sky ripened with the colors of an apricot, hazy peaches, and deep tangerines rippling over it as morning broke behind the hills and olive trees that undulated through them.

We passed the day in silence. Temi occasionally pointed out a bird in the distance or some natural phenomena. But my thoughts wrapped around me, gobbling me up. Even when we ate lunch, I could scarcely focus on chewing and swallowing.

Who was I kidding? Buying time like this?

I was an idiot. I should just accept my fate, push enough magic to force my ascension, and deal with the miserable fact of the matter that I’d never die, and I’d have eternity to consider the ramifications of my horrific life.

But that fate—becoming Zeus’ puppet to further harm and abuse others—was a future I couldn’t tolerate.

The first time I’d met my father pierced through my mind. I’d been only five years old, still soft-fleshed and gentle-voiced. I hadn’t wanted to leave Temi who stumbled on her uneasy toddler’s legs to tag along with me everywhere. But the women of our village draped me in rich fabrics, telling me it was my destiny and handed me off to Ares. Even in his veiled form, his shimmering glow and looming size drawn back, he’d intimidated me, and my hand trembled in his.

He’d stopped on the path we walked along and crouched down where his eyes rested on the same level as mine, the bright blues of the sky stretching behind him. “I have a son about your age.”

“You do?”

He nodded and pulled something from his pocket, a glimmering stone streaked through with jade. “I gave him one of these once. It has the ability to make you feel brave.”

I clutched the rock in my hand, the rough edges of it scraping my palm as we continued our journey, grazing my fingers over it as we reached the gathering where hundreds of gods with their silvery shimmer sashayed past us. As we approached Father on his throne, his feet fell to the ground, causing the earth to shake like thunder had struck.

We eased forward, Ares’ hand on my back guiding me.

A human attendant with mousy brown hair brought forward a goblet. Zeus snatched it up, took a sip, and frowned. “This is not what I’d asked for.”

The human’s face drained of color. “Apologies, my lord, I...” But he never got to finish his statement. Zeus grabbed a scepter and smashed it into the man’s chest. The human fell, his head clipping against a stone, a puddle of blood forming around him and sticking dark strands of hair together as his eyes grew glassy.

None of the gods gave the human more than a cursory glance, but tears had sprung to my eyes, and I clenched the rock Ares had given me so hard it cut my hand, sticky blood dripping down my wrist.

Zeus’ gaze met us, and he stood, ambling over. “Ares, you bring me my son.”

Ares’ expression had darkened, but he bowed his head. “Yes, Father.”

Zeus grasped my chin, jerking my face up, and the tears sprung free, dripping down my round cheeks. Zeus frowned. “What are you crying about, child?”

My eyes darted to the human lying like a crumpled leaf, smashed, lifeless. Zeus followed my gaze and then sighed, dropping my face so quickly it hurt. He addressed Ares when he spoke. “So, this is the worthless spawn of Leto, crying over a mortal.” He scoffed. “Take him out of my sight.”

Ares swallowed hard and pulled me back away from the crowd.

He attempted to comfort me on the journey home. But when he wasn’t looking, I tossed the rock and watched as it tumbled down a hill.

Because it hadn’t worked. The gods had terrified me, my father most of all. The only thing that came of that day was that I realized my destiny was a nightmare.

I sighed as I pulled out of my thoughts and took in the present day again. The sky had deepened to a navy darkness.

Temi unstrapped her pack and dropped it to the ground. “Come on, let’s camp here for the night.”

I nodded, unwrapping my bundle. “We should make it to the sea tomorrow. If we’re lucky, a boat will sail soon.”

She pulled her sleeping mat out. “We’ll be lucky. I can feel it. Tyche is on our side.”

“Ugh. Don’t bring her up.”

Temi dropped into a patch of grass, passing out food. “Why? You don’t love your sister?”

I crossed my legs and sat beside her. “You know I have exactly one sister I love.”

“I’m honored.” She chuckled and portioned out a meal for each of us, a piece of fruit, a slice of bread, a handful of nuts, and jerky meat.

I cleared my throat and placed the meat back on her napkin. “You know I won’t eat this.”