Page 60 of Queen to the Sunless Court (Brides of Myth #2)

Shell

Theron

The silence in the chamber at the bottom of Hades’ palace was absolute and stunned.

Hypnos’ sedative had partly worn off, and Theron wished it hadn’t, because his heart was breaking as he watched Calliste execute her plan. It was a bold idea, bordering on madness, and one he would never have agreed to if she had mentioned it to him—which was likely why she hadn’t.

It was a small consolation that even the impassive Thanatos and Hades seemed moved as they watched Calliste struggle with Eris and fail when she couldn’t heal the crazed goddess.

Thick tension filled the chamber as they watched Erebus awaken, leaving everyone silent, awed, and terrified by his presence.

All the gods of the Underworld held their breath as Calliste bargained with a deity capable of tearing apart both mortal and immortal worlds—but then, then he heard her utter words that left him speechless.

I was lucky to meet a man who wasn’t my husband, but who offered me a love deeper than the one who called himself my husband ever did.

His throat tightened so much that he barely breathed as she offered Erebus everything she had, down to the last drop. His heart broke at the sight, because she must have known it was killing her.

But she did it anyway.

Then Erebus withdrew and vanished, leaving her body behind. It seemed like an eternity passed before Hades finally broke the silence.

“He’s returned to sleep?” Hades asked, turning to Morpheus. “How is that possible?”

The god of visions bowed his head, thinking for a moment before replying.

“It seems that what Calliste carried wasn’t just a simple healing gift, but a part of Erebus’ energy of renewal.

This might have come to her through Epione—because she’s a goddess of healing.

Healing is renewal, among other things.” He studied Hypnos with narrowed eyes for a few heartbeats.

“Ah. This is why you were so drawn to her—because you’re the offspring of Erebus, and her gift called to you. ”

Hypnos’ jaw twitched.

“But it’s gone now,” Theron said, his voice hoarse. “Correct? She returned it to him.”

“Yes,” Morpheus replied softly.

Theron stumbled to his feet, struggling—refusing to accept that she might be gone, too. He met Hades’ eyes. “Regardless of whether she…” He clenched his teeth. “I must get her back here. I won’t take no for an answer.”

Hades looked around, first at Thanatos, then at Morpheus. He didn’t consult Hypnos. Eventually, he raised his hand. The shards of moonstone embedded in the wall brightened up.

“Wait,” Hypnos said sharply. “You’re letting him back into the Roots? His energy might—”

“It won’t,” Hades replied. “Erebus has accepted what Calliste offered. Theron’s divine energy alone won’t affect anything now, especially when he’ll only use it to transport himself there.” He sighed, looking at Theron. “She still wears my moonstone around her neck. It will guide you back to her.”

“I’ll go with you,” Morpheus said, stepping to his side.

“Come.” Theron unfurled his purple wings and rushed into the darkness, the god of visions shining beside him.

It didn’t take them long to find Calliste; her moonstone pendant gleaming in the darkness was the only source of light in the Roots.

Theron landed and rushed to her, dropping to his knees, his breath caught at the sight.

She was a husk of herself: pale, her hair chalk-white, her skin almost translucent. Her pendant mirrored that—ashen and shattered inside.

“Gods,” Theron breathed, his heart bleeding as he braced himself to touch her cheek. It was icy cold.

Morpheus knelt beside him, studying Calliste until a faint smile lit up his face. “She’s alive, Theron. If barely.”

“How can you tell?”

“This was likely how Erebus showed his appreciation—by allowing her to live, but… I don’t know what damage she sustained from the fight with Eris. She might not be the same person you knew when she wakes up... If she wakes up.”

Theron clenched his teeth. “It was her decision... I just wish she hadn’t had to make it.”

Morpheus paused before saying, “It’s incredible that she managed to soothe Erebus’ wrath. If she hadn’t—”

“I know.” Theron was awed by the enormity of what she had achieved—and what it had cost her. He lifted her, surprised by her lightness. “Let’s go back,” he said.

When they returned to the chamber, the gods of the Underworld still waited there.

Theron held Calliste close, wrapping her in the warmth of his power, desperate to awaken her—but his power wasn’t healing, and he could feel it slipping through her, useless. He turned to Hades. “Do you know how to help her?”

Hades stared at Calliste for a moment before narrowing his eyes at Hypnos. “She’s unconscious, so she’s close to the realm of dreams. Can you find out what happened to her?”

“I can try,” Hypnos’ tone was cold.

Theron’s jaw twitched, but his desperation to know made him willing to overlook Hypnos touching her. Still, he tensed as the god of dreams stepped closer and placed his hand on Calliste’s forehead.

Their eyes met. “Do you want to know or not?” Hypnos growled. “Because I do.”

Theron clenched his teeth and looked away.

The poppies in Hypnos’ crown lit up, their scarlet glow winding down his arm and pooling under his palm.

He closed his eyes, his skin brightening and shining, focused as he bowed his head.

Eventually, everything about him dimmed, and he opened his eyes, his expression flinty.

He looked at Hades. “She’s between worlds. ”

The lord of the Underworld raised his brow.

“Erebus asked her to return what originally belonged to him,” he continued, “but it’s been a part of her for years. The shock of losing it hasn’t caught up, and now she wanders between the realms, searching for it.”

“A terrible price, even if she agreed to pay it,” Hades muttered. “Will she wake up?”

“Once she comes to terms with losing her gift, she will return. It doesn’t matter if she’s here or in the mortal world—she needs time to understand what happened.” He withdrew his hand and stepped back.

Hades’ gaze moved over Calliste before meeting Theron’s eyes.

“She made it. Although I had faith in her, I didn’t fully believe she could prevent what might have been the end of our realms. It was selfless, because nothing less would satisfy Erebus, and you can pride yourself in knowing that you were one of her reasons. ”

“What about Eris?” Theron asked, his fury still smoldering. “Where is she?”

“I’ll search Tartarus,” Thanatos replied. “I suspect Erebus placed her in the prison there.”

“Where the Titans are kept?”

“Yes,” Hades answered. “Erebus wouldn’t destroy what Nyx created, no matter how warped it is, unfortunately. But he likely punished Eris, and that is the best place I can think of.”

“I hope she rots there for eternity.”

“Oh, I assure you—if that is where she is, I’ll make sure she does.

” Hades placed his hand on Theron’s shoulder.

“Take Calliste back to your palace. I owe her a debt. We all do. I’d keep her here to recover, but she’d likely prefer to be beside you.

I wish you the best, and I hope...” He exhaled and left the thought unfinished.

Theron hoped for exactly the same thing.