Page 63 of A Crown of Hopes and Sorrows

“Yes, and the mortal prince?”

“Hyacinth.”

The first person hummed in agreement. “Clearly, they’re close as well. Imagine a future where the divinities of Olympus, the gods of the West, and humans all interconnected. I never thought it possible, but—”

“I agree. It surprised me too, but Zephyrus holds himself with more dignity than I would have once expected.”

“Yes. I’ve heard he can be vindictive with past lovers and alliances that have gone sour. But that isn’t the image I see.”

“You know how rumors grow.”

The two shuffled away, their voices fading.

And that’s when it hit me.

This party, the deities and nymphs and human leaders Boreas had invited here.

Zephyrus used it all to position himself as favored by both gods and humans.

To take over Zeus’ role.

No matter what those two foolishly believed, there wasn’t a hope in the underworld Zephyrus could pull it off. Others could kill him—maybe not easily, but he lacked the advantage of the high gods where only the holder of the spark could cause their deaths. No, Zephyrus couldn’t manage it.

Snowflakes fluttered past the windowpane, and my heart surged along with them. Zephyrus was a coward. He wouldn’t take on Zeus himself. Which meant he gathered all this support as a buffer.

And he intended to use Hyacinth to achieve that end. Things were in motion for the future I hadn’t even considered. If Zephyrus began his own war, stirring up trouble to distract Zeus, Hyacinth’s kingdom would suffer amid that. Did he plan to sacrifice Cyn’s people as a step to his ascension? I didn’t doubt he would do so without hesitating.

In the unlikely scenario that he took Zeus’ role, he’d be a tyrant, as bad as my father. That was not the future we fought for.

My blood glittered with sunshine, with energy, with fire, as if my magic offered answers to me.

“If I could have everyone’s attention,” Zephyrus said. I stepped out of the alcove. He stood near Hyacinth and draped his fingers against Cyn’s arm. “I’d like to take a moment to thank each of you for visiting with us.”

Zephyrus shot me a dark look. He was about to say something to cement all of his plans. Hyacinth’s expression brightened, worries flitting across his eyes. His eyebrows pressed together, that v-shaped dimple rippling into his flesh. He wanted Zephyrus to stop but didn’t know what course to take to pause him.

Cyn had to know what I did—that Zephyrus was about to use this speech to make every soul in the room believe Niria had aligned with him. I had no idea what Hyacinth’s thoughts or plans were with that.

But I could tell from his expression that he didn’t want Zephyrus to move forward.

And I knew how to stop him.

I smiled.

Because I’d had enough of fucking hold back, anyway.

My feet snapped against the floor as I walked towards the two of them.

25

Artemis

I had always found the sea soothing in a way.

I’m not sure I ever would again.

I stood alongside Sappho whose blush gown fluttered in the salty breeze, and Phaon, who reached over and took her hand.

The sea rippled, the waters parting.