Page 84 of A Crown of Hopes and Sorrows

Delon grinned. “If only the proprietor knew a high deity returned his wares, he’d probably give it to you. It could be the first dedication to Apollo, god of the sun.” He stretched his arms out, matching the rays of sunset.

I laughed despite myself. “A beaten-up tin mug full of shitty ale. Sounds about right.”

“Well, you’ve got to do something notable if you want to get the good dedications.” He knocked his shoulder into mine. “You’re working on it.”

“Thanks.” I sighed, but it felt nice to have his confidence, even if I couldn’t find mine. “Let’s start our tour of the city, then.”

A whistle snaked its way through the cooling air. I grabbed Delon and threw his body onto the roof as an arrow soared just past us.

“Fuck.” Delon groaned as gravel jumped with our tumble. “In the name of Jupiter, who the hell is shooting at us?”

I crawled to the side of the house, my heart pounding with how easy it would be to slip over the side and fall. A group of men in dark clothing whispered to each other, bows on their backs. One pointed in the ladder's direction, and they walked towards it.

I rolled back towards Delon. “Four men, armed.”

“Shit.” He grabbed my arm and dragged me to standing, pulling me farther from the edge.

“What are we doing?” I looked over my shoulder and then jerked Delon to the left as another arrow slipped past us. “Should we try to reach our guards?”

Delon grimaced, his feet thunking against the roof. “If they are trying to kill us and they discovered our guards, it’s unlikely they’re still alive. If you want a chance to see Hyacinth and freedom again, you’ll stop talking and follow my idea.”

“What’s your idea?”

The first man made it to the top of the ladder, and Delon sucked in air over his teeth as he weaved around a wood beam. “Run.”

35

Valerian

Temi paced along the shore, her fingers clenched. Dark clouds that trailed out like smoke snaked through the atmosphere. Sappho stood speaking with Atara amid a dozen panthers and the guards from Niria.

We waited for Hecate.

I remained on the edges of the group. Where I belonged. Where I should have stayed.

If I’d never touched Epiphany, never given in to the desperate longing I had for her, she wouldn’t be in this situation.

But I had, and now I had to rectify my actions.

My heart pounded with worry for Pip. It had always gutted me anytime I’d seen her in minor distress, worrying over her tutors or frustrated with her role. I would have given up my station, anything, to secure her happiness then.

But now a goddess had captured her, harmed her, bled her.

Fury whipped through me. I’d do anything to see her safe.

Temi’s brow furrowed, her dark skin glittering in the shine of her newly revealed glow. I needed to do this for her sake too. She felt just as awful as I did, blamed herself as much. But she wasn’t the one who had spurred Epiphany into running off. I was. And she desperately wanted to go rescue Pip herself. But Temi was trapped by the circumstances of who she was. A feeling I knew well.

And I needed to do it for Niria’s sake, for Hyacinth and King Magnes. They had always been good to me, accepted me, trusted me. Even with one of the most important people in their lives. Epiphany.

And now she was taken and injured.

Possibly killed.

Because of me.

Hopelessness assailed me again.

I drew in a deep breath.