Page 26 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

Temi’s eyes darkened, her fingernails scraping into the wood, and for just a moment, she looked like the terrified young girl who lost everything that year… because of me. She shook her head, and the expression faded. “Then I agree with you. Hyacinth sounds like an asshole.”

I shrugged. “The asshole I get to spend my last months as a human with.”

Temi brushed her hand over my arm, but then she straightened. “Self-pity looks shitty on you, Apollo.”

“At least you’re here to keep me in line.”

She smiled. “Always.”

Our eyes held for a second. We both knew that wasn’t true.

Temi and I walked through the bustling markets of Niria. Everyone wore brightly colored robes and glittering rings. Enormous sandstone buildings jutted out along the path, resting against the clouds that skimmed across the crystal-blue sky.

Temi leaned over and whispered. “A far cry from our village.”

“Trust me when I say everything about this trip will be a massive change from our normal life.”

Temi nodded, her eyes trailing to a couple of children who played a game with marbles. One with ruddy braids thrust her hands in the air, crowing as another crossed his arms. Temi chuckled.

I stopped at a stand, purchasing emerald green fruits whose scent swirled around us with a burst of citrus. At a second booth, I paid for several bags of shelled cashews and popped a few in my mouth, offering a handful to Temi.

“Before we head to the palace,” I said, “let’s look around.”

“What do you want to see? We’re in the heart of the city right now.”

I frowned. “Come with me?”

She twisted her lips but nodded, and we trailed down a side alley, away from the crowds and colors and laughter. We ambled along for several blocks until we reached another part of the city altogether.

The same sandstone buildings lined the streets though they hunched smaller, and the roads held a smattering of mud and dust. A woman with bangles on her wrist that clattered with her movements walked over, her hips swaying. “You look like a traveler who could use a rest.”

I smiled. “You aren’t wrong.”

Temi snatched my arm and dragged me towards her. “He’s busy.”

The woman bounced her gaze between the two of us. “If you find yourself less busy, let me know.” She strolled away, her curls trailing down her back.

Temi dug her fingers into my muscle and hissed, “Is this what you brought me over here for?”

I rolled my eyes. “Have you ever known me to be one to frequent pleasure houses?” She scowled, her lip pursing, and I sighed. “I don’t pay my companions, okay? Hades’ lot if you don’t hurt my feelings though with your assumptions.”

“Show me you don’t deserve it.”

I made a noise in the back of my throat. “Come on.”

We tucked down another alley, and then I found what I was looking for. Dozens of young children in worn outfits played. Two cracked sticks together like swords. A few kicked a ball around. They giggled and teased each other, but their cheekbones slashed sharply in their faces, their eyes too bright.

Temi softened beside me, her hand loosening its grip. I pulled the sacks of fruits and nuts out of my pack. “Here. See if you can find their mothers and give them these.”

Temi shifted her gaze back to me. “Don’t you want to come?”

“They won’t trust me.” I pinned her with a look. “Not even my own sister does.”

Temi dropped her face. “Apollo, I’m—”

I patted her hand. “Take these to the children’s parents. Then we’ll make our way to the palace.”

She nodded and grabbed the bags, hauling them over her shoulder. I tucked into the shadows in the alley, leaning against a wall to wait. Temi knocked on a door. At first, the woman who answered frowned, her eyes widening. But within minutes, Temi and she laughed together, and she accepted the bag. She doled the fruits out to the children who bit into the flesh, sticky juice dripping over their chins and wiped with the back of their arms.