Page 52 of Queen to the Sunless Court (Brides of Myth #2)
Hades noticed. “The doorway is reinforced with spells.”
“Spells?” She fought a queasy feeling in her stomach, raising her hand to greet Thanatos, who was standing before the portal, framed by the cold gleam of moonstones set in the wall. “I didn’t feel anything like it last time.”
“Because I didn’t set up anything before,” Hades stepped into the chamber and turned around to face them, standing beside Thanatos. “I did it tonight because no one from my court will accompany you to the Roots.”
Her unease deepened, and she had to be blunt. “I expected us to be alone,” she said, finally grasping why Morpheus had been so laconic. “But why are you reinforcing the passage in your palace?”
“A precaution,” Hades replied. “Because you’re dealing with Eris, and there’s a chance that if her plan fails, she will try to flee, possibly using the queen’s Shade if she’s desperate enough, or other methods…
like your moonstone pendant. I know you’ll guard them, but if one or both of you…
” He paused. “…die, she might seize it, put it around her neck and try to escape here to avoid the consequences. If she does that, I’ll be able to detain her, assuming the worst doesn’t happen. ”
“The worst?” Theron seemed unruffled. “That would be Erebus waking, correct?”
Hades measured him up. “Indeed. Should this come to pass, the world as we know it will end.”
“Well. Then we must ensure he doesn’t wake.”
“That would be highly preferred,” Hades said with a grim smile. “Use your divine energy sparingly, Theron. This is less important for Calliste, as her energy is healing, but yours is not.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and glanced at Thanatos. “Did I forget anything?”
Thanatos’ mouth quirked. “You forgot to mention that the fate of our realm is in the hands of two mortals.”
Hades rubbed his hand over his face. “That’s exactly what I was trying not to bring up.”
“Shocking.” The god of death smirked. “I bet you can’t stomach the irony.”
“Most of the time, I can’t stomach your jokes,” Hades huffed.
“Interesting how an annoying second-in-command is more common than I thought,” Theron remarked, making Calliste chuckle. “I’m almost offended by your lack of faith in us.”
“This isn’t about faith.” Hades gave him a wry smile. “It’s more about what you might face in the Roots.”
“If you have any ideas, I’m listening.”
“I don’t. Eris expects you to return to save your wife and son, so she likely has a plan for that.”
“Which makes her dangerous,” Calliste sighed.
“Dangerous is a convenient understatement.” Hades reached inside his robe, retrieving two moonstone pendants.
He handed her both. “We have no way of knowing how lucid Eris is now. She’s spent considerable time near Erebus, leeching and manipulating his energy, and even as an immortal, she’s not immune to the side effects—which can be severe, because that energy is dark and overpowering, and if she thinks she can control it, I pity her. ”
“We don’t know what will happen when I return the coin to Amatheia, do we?” Theron asked, touching his belt where he kept it in a pocket.
“She should resume her original journey and return to the shore of Styx, where she can board Charon’s ferry.”
The chamber door opened and Hypnos strode in: silver, pale, marked with scarlet in his hair. His gaze swept across the room and finally settled on her, as still as a mirror.
“To what do we owe this honor?” Hades asked, more like musing aloud than posing a direct question.
“I wanted to wish my favored good luck before she leaves.” His gaze grew cold when Theron embraced Calliste’s waist.
Calliste lifted her chin, remembering how Hypnos always tried to manipulate her with guilt, itching to ask if he had known about Ariston’s divorce all along. It was possible, but it felt wrong to ask now, with more pressing matters at hand.
He still looked unwell. But a part of her knew she might be seeing him for the last time, making his games and her resentment irrelevant. “Thank you.”
Hypnos nodded. “You have everything you need to return victorious, I’m certain.”
Thanatos raised an eyebrow. “That’s unusually kind of you to say, brother.”
“Oh, I genuinely wish her all the luck,” he replied, glaring at Theron. “Just not him. If he doesn’t come back, that’s only to my advantage.”
Whatever sympathy she had felt for him was gone in a breath.
But Theron snorted, holding her close. “I’m flattered you think you need me out of the picture to have a chance with Calliste.”
All the gods snickered, except for Hypnos, who worked his jaw but didn’t reply, his silence heavy.
Relieved that Hypnos had showed restraint for once, Calliste looked up at Theron. “You go first. I’ll follow.”
Theron reached through the illusion of the Roots. It rippled like water, the image twisting as he stepped through. His shadow wavered on the other side as he waited for her.
She briefly turned around. “Can he hear us?”
“No,” Hades replied, puzzled.
She met Morpheus’ eyes, then looked back at Hades. “I need a quick answer—are you familiar with the Last Pact?”
Hades narrowed his eyes. “I am.”
“Would it work in the Roots as well? They are far from the immortal domains.”
“Yes, because they are still part of them,” he replied. “Why?”
“Curiosity.” She forced a smile.
Morpheus’ eyes widened. “Wait. Calliste, what are you—”
She stepped through the portal.