Page 27 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

Later, we walked in the direction of the palace, but Temi grabbed my hand. “You aren’t going in front of royalty dressed like that.”

My clothes held a layer of dust, my skin covered in a film. “What do you suggest we wear?”

She jerked her head towards a building. “There’s a bath house. And I packed you a tunic fitting of a god.”

“Temi.” I groaned.

She quirked her lips up. “Do you think I’m going to allow you to walk into the palace with a week of travel dirt on you, in a”—she gestured her hand up and down in front of me—“rumpled outfit, like you’re some oarsman off a boat?”

“What’s wrong with being an oarsman?”

She rolled her eyes. “Bathe.” She drew a tunic out of her bag and shoved it at my chest. “Put this on. And remove the damn veil. You’re here as a son of Zeus. Act like it.”

“Fine. But I’m not removing my veil until we’re within the palace gates.” I wrinkled my fingers into the fabric. “I’ll meet you out here in an hour?”

She nodded, and I slipped into the bath house. Later, as I sunk down into the water, I thought she had a point. I dunked under once more, letting the warmth and sweet-smelling soap trail over me again before stepping out and wrapping a towel around my waist.

I ambled out into the dressing hall, pulling the tunic on, a crisp ivory one—how Temi kept it so pristine on our journey was beyond me—it slipped along my frame, a golden sash across it glimmering in the light that trailed in through high windows.

My neck prickled, and I lifted my face. A man, tall with curly, ruddy hair and green eyes the color of moss, met my gaze. He offered a smile and—something more—behind those compelling eyes. I walked over to him. He still stood with a towel slung around his hips. “Do I know you?”

He shook his head. “No. I’d remember if we’d met before.”

He scanned over me, and surprise washed through me, but then—what the hell—if he could assess me so brazenly, I could do the same. Muscles trained over his form, his shoulders and chest broad, his hands calloused. He did manual labor of some sort. But the clothing he held shimmered with bright, rich threads. So, he had money. Interesting.

“Are you busy tonight?” he said, his words almost careful.

I flashed him a smile, and his eyes sparkled. “I’m afraid I am.” His shoulders dropped, but I tossed my head to the side. “However, tomorrow, I’m not.”

He grinned with one side of his mouth, and a dimple rippled into his cheek. Damn, that was attractive. “Know the Patrollo?”

“Public dining?”

He nodded.

“I don’t. But I’ll find it.” I skimmed my eyes over him once more. Well, at least there was something to look forward to. “Sunset tomorrow?”

He smiled again. “I’ll see you then.”

I stepped out of the hall and back into the main room. Temi stood, a glittering gold gown slipping over her form like an inverted flower. The brown of her skin warmed with the color, her eyes sparkling. I whistled. “Damn, Temi, you’re going to make me look like your attendant.”

She chuckled. “You look tolerable yourself.”

I clasped my hands over my chest. “Don’t be so generous with your compliments; they’ll go right to my head.”

“Don’t worry.”

I laughed and offered her my arm. She slipped her hand into it, and we headed back out into the city and made our way towards the palace.

8

Hyacinth

The throne room glittered, polished floors sparkling, the water running along the walls trickling. Attendants had gone over and scrubbed everything in the palace multiple times. Emrin and Epiphany sat on either side of me, dressed in their formal wear, bright colors weaved of the finest fabrics, both with crowns perched atop their heads.

“What was Apollo like at the decade dedication?” Emrin said, his eyes trained on the door.

I huffed a sigh. “Obnoxious. It’s like he came with the express intent of pissing everyone off.” A fish splashed in the pool. “Father had asked me on that trip to work hard to make a good impression on Zeus.” I trailed my finger over my lips. “Every time I tried to interact with Zeus, Apollo would be there doing something stupid to raise his ire.”