Page 31 of A Crown of Hopes and Sorrows

I sucked in air over my teeth. “I’m not sure. But I can say one thing I’ve gained from the visit.”

“And that is?”

“A new perspective or two.”

The dog yawned and curled up, laying on Boreas’ feet, wrinkling the hem of his coat. “What might those be?”

I shrugged again, like the words had no actual weight, as though they fluttered out onto the air like petals on a breeze, fluttering away and already forgotten. “Hyacinth is a man of change. He’s mortal and doesn’t perceive the world from an eternal mindset. He sees an issue—something that doesn’t sit quite right—and he moves to alter it. I have to say, I respect that.”

Boreas crossed his arms, the lines around his eyes deepening. “And is there something that doesn’t sit right with you?”

“Many things, Boreas. But”—I offered a grin, all playfulness and teasing—“I’m young. What do I know?”

Boreas hummed, his wings pulling in tighter. “I’m unsure. I’ve often found the younger generations see the world in a fresh manner.”

I smiled again, like I didn’t catch the subtext of our conversation. Zephyrus grazed his hand along Hyacinth’s arm. The expression washed from my face, and my heart thundered. I could deal with Hyacinth leading him forward for information, but Zephyrus touching him was another thing.

Hyacinth chuckled but stepped back, sliding his fingers over his lapels as if he needed to smooth out his impeccable outfit.

“Our mortal prince is a rather attractive young man, is he not?” Boreas said.

I sucked in a breath and cleared my features. But it was too late. Boreas’ eyes twinkled as he studied me, and I sighed, trying to shift the conversation. “He’s damn aware of it too, I assure you.”

“Well, as you said”—he bobbed his head to Hyacinth—“he’s a mortal walking amongst gods. It likely makes him conscious of how limited his time is. I hope”—he bent and patted the dog’s side, and the creature jumped up, stretching and yawning before ambling on—“he seizes the day he has.” Boreas nodded at me and then walked out of the room.

Mortal.

I’d never hated a word as much.

And Hyacinth didn’t know yet.

How little time we really had.

Hyacinth shifted his eyes to me, for just a moment, half a heartbeat, but his gaze said everything. Feelings swelled and thundered through me. I couldn’t stay in there for another minute and watch Zephyrus eye him like a hunter marking a deer. I handed my goblet off to the nearest attendant and strode out of the room.

13

Epiphany

The sun sank into the sea, and I leaned onto the rails of the boat we had paid for passage on. Hair fluttered free from my braid and whipped out ahead of me, but I didn’t bother to tuck it back. The warmth of the air kissed over my skin and I closed my eyes, breathing in the ocean's saltiness.

One of the horses nickered, and I shifted in their direction. Valerian had tied their leads along the other end of the boat, and he stood by them, his hand resting on Meadow’s shoulder, but his eyes, the welling emerald color of them, trained on me. And so much sadness swept over their surface I couldn’t breathe for a moment.

I turned back towards the rocking waves again. I couldn’t face him. I could barely think of him without wanting to burst into tears. Temi leaned down beside me, her muscular shoulders bare in the sleeveless tunic she’d donned. “The captain says we should be there in a few hours.”

I swallowed back the last of my sadness. I’d been caught up in my drama too much. Temi deserved a better friend who was more focused on her. This trip was big for her, and I didn’t want my issues impeding that. “Good. How are you feeling about it?”

She shrugged, her eyes reflecting the rippling highlights of the water. “About the same.” She pulled in closer to me, her arm grazing my dress. “And how about you?”

I bit my lip. “The same also, I guess.”

She nodded. Words died between us, but it was a comfort to stand with a friend as we faced the uncertainty of the future together. I leaned against her shoulder, and she dropped her head against mine. The sun slipped its way into the sea, painting the water in shimmering oranges before disappearing.

Darkness had fallen, and stars glinted in the sky by the time the boat docked. The torches and lamps the crew lit illuminated the boundaries of a jungle where tangling leaves clambered together, sharp edges of palm trees chittered in the breeze, and a short stretch of sand sat gleaming ivory beneath the moon.

Sailors lowered the gangplank down to the empty stretching walkways of the port and Valerian led two horses forward towards it, but they tossed their heads, the whites of their eyes showing. They pulled against the leads and whinnied. Valerian frowned. “There’s something on the shore that’s disturbing them.”

Temi’s brow furrowed, and she nodded to Theos. “Should we go check it out?”