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Chapter Twenty-nine

Asteria

We spent the next day, while Gravadain supposedly deliberated, exploring Sunrise Kingdom. Calix took me into the jungle, and I got to see monkeys swinging from the trees and panthers prowling around on the ground. We took a flight across the Tritonian Sea, and made a quick trip to where it met the Damculous Ocean to visit the mermaids.

It was there that I reunited with Kallianassa, a mermaid I frequently visited when I’d lived in Sonmathion.

“Asteria!” she squealed as she spotted me. Her hair was flying in the wind, and with the purple color on top leading into teal ends, it made for quite a pretty sight. Her teal eyes had a ring of purple, matching not only her hair, but her fin, which was a sparkling purple and teal ombré. Her coloring is what had drawn me to her when I was younger, but they came in all sorts of color combinations. Like her friend with pink and orange coloring that swam nearby.

“Kalli! How are you doing?” I asked, sitting down on the rock beside where she was sunning herself. Calix looked a bit bemused as Kalli focused in on him immediately, staring as she licked her lips.

“Clearly not as good as you.” She laughed, eyeing Calix like he was a juicy whale she wanted to take a bite of. I narrowed my eyes at her, feeling my magic flare inside me.

“ Mine ,” I growled at her, then blinked, surprised at myself.

Kalli threw her head back with a laugh, but Calix was smirking as he ducked his head in an attempt to hide it from me. It was a poor attempt, to say the least, and he winked at me with heat behind his eyes at my show of jealous possession.

I reared back in surprise as Kalli suddenly was right in my face, nose to nose, her head tilting right and left as she examined me.

“Uh…” I wasn’t sure what to do here.

“The rumors are true,” she whispered, her musical voice more serious than I’d ever heard it.

“What rumors?” I asked, my heart dropping.

“You know the ocean carries many whispers.” Her voice dropped as she brought her mouth closer to my ear. “It spoke of a human girl named for the goddess of stars who was actually a Fae princess. It spoke of the king of Night, and the prince of Dusk.”

My breath caught.

She grabbed my hands suddenly, squeezing them.

“Asteria, you’ve always been kind to us. You’ve indulged us many times with your stories. So I will return the favor with a gift for you. A story the ocean brought us recently.”

I met her kaleidoscope eyes, knowing how rare what she offered was. Mermaids collected stories; they didn’t give them away. I’d spent many days sneaking out here and telling them the stories I’d made up over the years. Fantasies to entertain myself and distract from the mind-numbing fear slavery instilled in my every waking moment.

I nodded solemnly, and she returned the nod regally before she began. “The ocean says our less kind cousins have recently begun acting strangely.”

Her words were musical whispers, her voice making even the most mundane sentences sound like songs. But the dire implications of what she said were clear.

“They haunt the shore of Dusk, hunting down humans. Ones who are bruised and starved. And having escaped a chained fence, they make for the water, hoping for freedom, only for the sirens to devour them.” Kalli shivered, her shoulders shaking and fin flapping. “They say they made a deal with the dark king.”

“Dark king?” I questioned, shaking my head in confusion even as dread and sorrow built in my heart over what these poor people had gone through. “Not Calix.”

Kalli shook her head slowly. “They speak of Dusk alone.”

Astraeus? Was he really this dark king ? I would expect Cyrus to earn such a moniker from the ocean and the mermaids, not his father. Though, he admittedly wasn’t much better than his son.

I thanked Kalli for her warning and gave her the story she wished for of my adventures since leaving Sunrise, but her words lingered in the back of my mind the entire time. I could tell it bothered Calix too, but we mutually agreed to save discussing it until we made it back to the palace in Panchaia.

But as we walked into our rooms, we found a hawk waiting on the coffee table. He cawed lowly and flew up into the air as we closed the door. Then, he swiftly shifted and landed on two feet.

“Eryx, what are you doing here?” I asked, shocked to find him here.

“What’s wrong?” Calix demanded, walking up to him, looking him over like he might have missed Eryx bleeding out in front of us. I rolled my eyes but made my way over to the two of them.

“I have a lot of news,” Eryx announced, looking to me with a sad smile. “For both of you.”

Calix and I took seats on the sofa while Eryx sat down heavily on the chaise, his elbows on his knees as he ran a hand down his face.

“Eryx?” I called, and he looked up, blinking as he noticed I was surrounded by starlight. Eryx’s anxiety triggering my own. Calix rubbed my back, trying to help calm me, but my chaotic emotions weren’t cooperating as I tried to push them down. “You’re freaking me out. Spit it out, please?”

He sighed, nodding his head. “Cyrus has been announced as the newly crowned king of Dusk.”

Starlight exploded around the room as my power burst out of me in a giant wave. My breaths were ragged as I leaned forward to rest on my knees.

“Fuck,” Calix murmured, leaning over my back to bring me into his arms as Eryx came and sat by my feet.

“Hey.” Eryx looked up at me, this man who had become like a brother to me. We were closer still than I was to my actual brother, who I’d barely had any chance to get to know yet. “It’s going to be okay. It doesn’t change our plans at all.”

I laughed breathlessly, if a bit hoarsely. “Oh yeah, because being king doesn’t mean he now has unfettered control of the army or the kingdom’s resources, right?”

Eryx nodded once, conceding I was right. “Okay, it complicates things a bit. But we know what we’re doing.”

“He’s right,” Calix agreed quietly. “Our plans are unchanged.”

“This is what Kalli meant.” I realized, and I looked up to Calix, whose eyes were churning with the colors of the Aurora. “Cyrus is king, and he’s contracted the sirens to hunt down any escaped humans. It sounds like he’s had them chained up, but some actually managed to get loose.”

“That’s another bit of news.” Eryx cut in, and I sighed, looking up at him miserably. Eryx took my hand, and the fact that he knew I’d need the support made me incredibly nervous. Calix placed his hand on my back, and I reached out blindly for his other hand with my free one. I gripped it, preparing myself mentally.

“I’ve managed to confirm that Cyrus is capturing large numbers of humans and keeping them in camps. They’re tortured and drained of blood, which he is using to fuel his blood magic,” Eryx said, and I literally felt the floor shake as a wave of power rolled through me. My rage was so strong I could feel the fire in my throat, and my starlight was bubbling under my skin as I tried to forcefully keep it down. Trying desperately to remember my training. Forcing my emotions under control.

Control .

Cyrus was bringing us nothing but chaos. I couldn’t feel so damn chaotic myself on top of it. That couldn’t be helpful. I had to be in control. Balanced .

No matter how much I wanted to rage and scream.

Pushing my emotions down and down until they were buried was the only choice. I caught Calix giving me a strange look, but we were quickly distracted.

“The only good news is that humans have begun to rise up. Apparently, Kian is being watched too closely to do much, but someone else is definitely helping them. He’s trying to find out who, but in the meantime, he’s been assisting his brother with hiding his human. Apparently, he’s quite fond of her and scared as hell about what his brother might do. It gives us an opportunity.”

Calix nodded, a gleam in his eyes. “That is good news. Dusk is seeing him for what he is.”

“Yes, in part.” Eryx sighed heavily, “But many are following him. Those who are too scared not to, those who agree with him, or those who see opportunity.”

“How bad is it, Eryx?” I raised my head, our blue eyes locking. His face crumbled.

“I’m sorry, Asteria.” He squeezed my hand. “He's keeping them in awful conditions. They’re tired, starving, and cold. They’re beaten and tortured for the amusement of those carrying it out—all of the most depraved members of Dusk. Those that have been most heavily affected by the chaos.”

“Because the more they give into chaos, the more it gets its hooks in them.” Calix sighed, his forehead falling to my shoulder.

“So they’ll only get worse?” I asked, my voice sounding strange to my own ears, more dead than alive.

They both nodded silently, and we all took a moment to think on how bleak that was. The humans were relying on us, even if they didn’t know it. We had to free them. We had to save the ones Cyrus had in his clutches before he killed them all.

When I voiced this thought, they both agreed. “We will. Which actually brings me to my next bit of news.”

Eryx smiled slightly, and we both watched him expectantly. “Sunset responded.”

Calix lifted his head from my shoulder, eyes wide. “They did?”

“Yeah.” Eryx nodded, his smile growing. “King Tieran apparently heard about Asteria. He’s specifically requested you bring her.” Calix stiffened, and I could feel his unease and suspicion, making me nervous in tandem.

“Why?” He ground out, and Eryx rolled his eyes, shaking his head at his king.

“Calm down, Cay.” He laughed. “This is a good thing. He mentioned that the ‘ Star Queen’s appearance’ changed everything.”

It was my turn to stiffen in shock. “What? What does that mean?”

“That’s what my prophecy called you, a queen of stars.” Calix turned to look at me, a new light in his eyes. “Which means?—”

“That’s what the gods refer to you as. The Star Queen.” Eryx cut in. “So it stands to reason Tieran must know something. Perhaps another prophecy that referred to you?”

“Is that good?” I asked hesitantly, looking between the two.

“I think so.” Eryx huffed, laughing slightly. “I’m going to come with you, however.”

“You won’t be the only one,” Calix said, amused, as he launched into explaining what had happened since we arrived in Sunrise.

Eryx listened intently, definitely in spymaster mode. It was fascinating to see the differences between the normally sweet and playful Fae and the sly, battle-hardened spymaster. He nodded in various spots, hummed, and asked follow-up questions that launched Calix in whole other directions.

When they were done, I spoke up, “What about Day? Has Arien had any success?”

“No word yet.” Eryx shook his head. “Arien likely hasn’t had the time to get everyone in place yet. Try not to worry.”

I rolled my eyes, muttering, “Easier said than done.”

A knock sounded on the door, and we all looked at one another for a moment before Eryx shifted back into a hawk and flew out to the lagoon. Calix went to open the door, and I lounged back on the sofa as if we’d just been relaxing.

I sprang up when I heard the voices, though, and turned to find Altan and Idalia entering.

“Gravadain has decided to hear Cyrus out.” Idalia scoffed, shaking her head. “The foolish man,” she said it like a curse, and I couldn’t blame her, shaking my own head and momentarily closing my eyes.

We expected it, but it was still a blow when I considered what could have been.

“Of course.” Calix sarcastically intoned as he ran a hand through his hair as Altan stepped forward.

“Izzy went to inform your guards, but it’s best if we leave now before he can stop me from going,” Altan recommended, a spark of something deviously joyful in his eyes. “My personal guards insisted on coming as well, but they’re aware they’ll have to get themselves to Night. I was sure you wouldn’t want them on your back.”

He raised a brow at Calix, who grunted in agreement, but his eyes rolled around in thought for a moment.

“ Fuck ,” he spat, and Eryx flew back in, quickly shifting and ignoring Altan’s curse of surprise and Idalia’s laugh.

Eryx raised a brow right back at Calix, and the two seemed to communicate without a word before finally Calix turned to Altan. “I’ll take them. It’s best if we stick together until we get back to Night.”

Altan nodded, deeply. “I appreciate it, King Calix. My guards aren’t just guards to me, but dear friends.”

Calix nodded back in acknowledgment before turning to me, grabbing my hand, and kissing it. “Let’s get our things together, and then we’ll go meet the guards.”

I nodded nervously, looking around to take it in one last time. I may never see Sunrise again, and despite Gravadain and Dagur—who made my blood boil and had my claws digging into the bottom of the dining table to stop my power from exploding out of me—I’d enjoyed my time here thoroughly.

It was strange to think I’d grown up in this kingdom. Panchaia was so disconnected from the small vineyard and the tiny huts I associated with Sunrise. I hoped my parents were doing okay there. They may not be my blood, but they were my parents in every other sense of the word.

We gathered our things quickly, and Calix, sensing my nerves about leaving Sunrise and going to Sunset both, brought me into his arms. I buried my face in his chest and hugged him tightly.

As much as I looked forward to freeing the humans and getting revenge on Cyrus so I could sleep peacefully at night, I found myself equally looking forward to it being over. I wanted Calix and I to be able to just live . I wanted to spend time going out dancing and swimming at Nova Falls, flying through the skies together, and partying in the Hedone room.

I wanted to fuck him in every room of the Starlight Palace—a name that actually made me wonder now—and then in every inch of Avalon’s palace, a place I hadn’t even seen yet!

I wanted to be able to love him without time constraints. I wanted to have the time to learn to love him without the fear of him being ripped away from me.

I’d spent my whole life thinking the gods had abandoned me, only to find they’d been waiting for me . I wanted to believe they wouldn’t take Calix away now.

But I’d never had anything good before, let alone something of this magnitude.

And Cyrus would do everything he could to ensure I was chained to the foot of his throne. I’d rather die than end up back with him. My mind still swirled with ways things could blow up on me.

Freedom was more than a state of being, I was realizing. It was a state of mind . I had to wonder if anyone who’d been freed ever truly escaped mentally.

Would I ever not fear going back?

“Look at me,” Calix murmured, cupping my cheeks to lift my head up. I swallowed hard, trying to contain the million negative thoughts and feelings that ran rampant. “He isn’t going to get his hands on you again. Not while I live.”

My eyes began to water without my permission. “That’s the problem, Calix. He’ll be going straight for you. He knows if he takes you out, it’ll be much easier to take me.”

“Okay, first of all, that’s not even remotely true,” he said fiercely, shaking his head as his face set into a scowl. “If something ever did happen to me, you would fight like Tartarus and kill Cyrus with your bare hands if you had to.” I scoffed, going to move my head, but he tightened his fingers just slightly.

“You will . Are you telling me if you saw him kill me, you wouldn’t fly off the handle?” He smirked, and it widened as my starlight rushed out, filling the space around us. He nodded. “That's what I thought. But I am not leaving you, my réalta. Not now I’ve found you. The gods would have to come drag me to the Otherworld kicking and screaming.”

I smiled slightly. “You promise?”

His forehead landed on mine, and his breath hit my lips as his lips lightly brushed mine. “I promise.”

I pushed myself further into him, my lips taking his as I sucked his lower lip into my mouth, but a sharp knock at the door had us both groaning in frustration. We pulled back, and Calix grabbed our bags before taking my hand and leading me back out.

“Follow us, we’ll make sure you’re not seen,” Idalia said as she led us through the hall to a door, opening it to a much less decorative hallway. I assumed it was the way the slaves traveled here.

We wound down around through the palace, coming out at various points and finding new doors that led to different sections. I had no clue how the slaves here remembered which led where.

We finally came out of a side door leading into the jungle, where the guards were all waiting just within the thicket of trees.

Idalia led us out further, the guards following along until we came to a section near the water where the jungle opened up. She turned back to me with a wink, “If you think dragons have issues with fire, just wait until you see a phoenix.”

I was admittedly excited. I’d always wanted to see one, and the royal family of Sunrise in particular. I’d spent years hoping to catch a glimpse of them in the air. Since then, I’d seen Pegasus and dragons—found out I was even a dragon—but I still had yet to see a phoenix.

I watched Altan expectantly, and he raised a brow at me. I crossed my arms over my chest, “I’m not shifting until I see a Tartarus damned phoenix, okay?”

He threw his head back with a laugh but conceded. He said his goodbyes to his mother before standing back. His guards all took a few more steps away, and I understood why as he shifted into a huge, flaming phoenix.

His yellow and teal feathers were literally on fire. The teal fire slowly went out, leaving just normal feathers, with not a singe on them.

“They always default to being on fire when they shift. It’s a real pain in the ass,” Idalia whispered, and I bit my lip to stop my laughter.

Altan’s huge, feathered head cocked to the side, before a wing came out and knocked into me. I fell to the side but caught myself, glaring at him as he chuckled in my mind.

His phoenix form was definitely smaller than my dragon form, but not by as much as one might expect. Their ability to funnel the fire they erupted into bouts of flame was somewhat equivalent to our ability to spit fire. It wasn’t as powerful as ours, but it could be used for different types of attacks, which would give us an edge in battle with multiple fire-breathing creatures on board.

I certainly wouldn’t want to find myself fighting a phoenix, but when the time came… based on Gravadain’s choices….

The chance of avoiding it seemed slim to none.