Page 50 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

He ducked down on the pathway to readjust his bag, and the pavers reflected the sun in shimmering bands. “You know, believe it or not, I do possess some skills.”

“Clearly.”

He stood again and turned towards the palace that stretched like an ivory precipice carved from stone. “Traders are easy. Compliment their wares, treat them courteously, and offer them what feels like insider information.”

“Wait.” I grabbed his arm, and for a moment we froze, the touch coursing through me before I dropped it. “Was that not true, what you told him about the olives?”

He scowled. “I already told you; I don’t like to lie. It’s true. I’ve made him a small fortune.” He rolled his eyes. “Not that he needs it.”

“Why do you say that?”

“He’s obviously already wealthy.”

“He works hard for his position.”

Apollo scoffed. “Only for his prince to visit and snub him.”

The emerald leaves of bushes beside us clattered together, and my mouth dropped open. “How did I snub him?”

“You didn’t accept any of his food or drink.”

“Nor did he expect me to.”

“Then why would he offer his best? And it was damn good wine at that, by the way. I have a brother who would have more than appreciated it.”

Heat coursed through my veins, zipping along like fire licking over oil. “He did so as a sign of respect, but none of the royals accept food outside the palace in case there’s poison.”

Apollo slung his pack over his shoulder and started walking. “So, you’re worried about me misleading him, but you think he may poison you? Which is it? Are you for him or against him?”

“It’s not as black-and-white as you’re making it out to be.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” I gripped his arm again, forcing him to stop beside a fountain that gurgled. “What happens if you eat something poisoned?” He stared at me but didn’t speak. I crossed my arms. “Well?”

“I don’t die. I see your point. But I still say you don’t know the people in your city.”

I clenched my teeth. “And you know them so well after visiting here for a few weeks?”

He dropped onto the side of the fountain, his sandaled feet tangling together. He gestured at me. “Take your ridiculous robes, for example.”

I looked down at my outfit—the rich indigo and violet threads strung through with shimmering golds that caught the sunlight. “What the hell is wrong with my robes?”

He clicked his tongue. “Do you know how much effort it takes to make the dyes to create that? Are you even aware of who all sweat and bled and suffered, so you could parade around in that.”

My stomach swirled with heat, and I frowned but took a deep breath and pointed at a stripe along the front. “The indigo dye is made by the hands of the Adamos family who have perfected their craft for nine generations.” His eyebrows jumped up, and I continued, “It’s a hot and laborious process of which they feel a lot of pride. To create it, you must grow a plant which is not native to this area and therefore struggles with our cooler winters and wet autumns. They ferment the plant overnight and then beat it all day with oars that will blister your palms if it's not work you’re used to.” I thrust my hands forward. “I know this because I learned the skill with them my sixteenth summer alongside many other tradespeople, so I could appreciate their challenges. Their greatest concerns are weather, trade, and the favor of the gods, of which I can influence one of those. Would you like me to list the names of the families that make the other colors?”

He blinked at me several times. “I suppose I’m surprised.”

“That makes two of us today.”

He stood again, stepping in closer to me, the shimmering gold of his eyes piercing through his veil. It was like I stared into the depths of the sun, the warmth of him rolling over me and settling in my stomach. I took a step back. What in the name of Jupiter was I thinking? This man held the potential to destroy our kingdom, everything my entire life stood for, and yet my body didn’t seem to care. It drew in towards the sharp edges and firm planes of him. But, thankfully, my body wasn’t in control; my mind was. I clamped down on my thoughts and pushed them to the back of my brain to hopefully drown there.

Apollo frowned. “I still say you’ve only seen your kingdom from the privilege of being a prince.” He tapped his bag against his thigh. “Do you want a chance to see it in reality?”

I clenched my teeth. “What do you have in mind?”

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