Page 28 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

Epiphany fiddled her fingers over her gown. “He sounds young to me.”

“He sounds irresponsible,” I gritted out.

The doors opened, and we stood.

Apollo walked in, a woman in a dress worthy of the gods by his side.

But I couldn’t spare her attention.

My heart caught in my throat at the sight of Apollo.

Damn him if he hadn’t gotten more beautiful in the five years since I’d last seen him.

He stepped forward, his shoulders rolled back, an amiable smile on his face. His dark curls—streaked through with golden highlights—shimmered in the light as he walked by an open window. The silvery glow of a deity ebbed around the outline of his muscled arms. His tunic slung across him in such a way that very few could pull off without appearing disheveled, and yet it looked perfect on him.

Gods, did I hate him, hate that easy manner and good looks that let him get away with everything and granted him the ability to stomp on those beneath him without consideration.

He sneered as he reached our thrones, his eyes trailing over us and the room. He kicked his head back. The chandeliers of glass sparkled above, casting rainbows onto the wall.

He brought his gaze back to mine and flashed me another arrogant smile before bowing. “Your Highness.”

I clenched my jaw and dipped towards him as well. “My lord. It’s an honor to have you with us for the season.”

“I bet,” he said, his voice dry. The woman with him narrowed her eyes in his direction, and he laughed. “Please let me introduce my sister, Temi.”

His sister.

I bowed to her, and she inclined her head, a warm smile spreading over her face. She and Apollo shared the same elegant bone structure, the same height and long muscular frames. What deity’s child was she? Certainly not Zeus’? She lacked any of his features and the silver glow of the high gods. But… “It’s an honor to make your acquaintance. I’m afraid I didn’t see you at the decade dedication.”

She offered another serene expression that made her eyes twinkle. “That’s because I am neither royalty nor deity, Your Highness. I’m Apollo’s mortal sister.”

Mortal?

She didn’t look mortal.

“I would have never guessed.” I smiled. “You carry yourself with the grace of a deity.”

Her lips parted into a warm smile, but Apollo rolled his damn eyes. I longed to sneer and say what I truly thought. Instead, I took a deep breath. “Please meet my siblings, Prince Emrin and Princess Epiphany.”

Temi dipped again, but Apollo crossed his arms. “Will we have to call you by your titles the entire time we’re here? That seems like a rather exhausting and inefficient practice to me.”

My lip curled. Damn decorum.

Temi turned towards her brother. And if an expression could throw daggers, he’d be dead at our feet.

That thought provided more joy than it probably should have, and I smiled. “Address us in whatever manner makes you most comfortable. You are our guests here, and we’ll do everything we can to be accommodating hosts.”

“I’m sure we will be excessively comfortable,” Temi said. “You have already greeted us so graciously.” She side-eyed Apollo. “We’re tired after our travels and not at our best presently. Perhaps we could retire for the afternoon?”

“Of course.” I gestured to the door out of the throne room, where several attendants stood ready. “We have a suite prepared for you. Do you have any staff?”

“No,” Apollo chirped. “Not everyone needs someone present to wash their hands for them every moment.”

I froze, forcing a smile across my cheeks.

He sneered at me.

Oh damn, this was going to be a long year.