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Alastair did not return before Selenia grew bored with the party, introducing Astra to several other ancient gods, always beaming as she revealed she was her granddaughter in a way that tugged at Astra’s heart.

In a way her mother never had.

Selenia pulled Astra from the courtyard back to the white room, giving her more time to absorb the fine details she’d missed earlier.

On one end was a set of sofas, accented with velvet pillows stitched with the lunar cycle in iridescent thread.

Metal frames filled with ethereal portraits hung on the walls, the white tile on the floor reflecting them as they strode across the room.

She plopped onto one sofa and gestured to the other, the woman in shades of pink hovering in a corner.

Astra felt a breeze as the doors opened again, Alastair returning with a smug twist of his full lips.

“I did not just bring you here to show you off,” Selenia confessed. “I believe you and I have a shared goal.”

“And what is that?”

“You weren’t revisiting The Flare for fun, Astra. What were you trying to glean?”

“Nothing.” She tucked her lip between her teeth, realizing as her eyes narrowed that was the wrong answer.

“I was only trying to understand what happened with Leona. As you know, I am engaged to the Mercurian king. His version of events was quite different from mine. I was hoping to learn the truth.”

“And what truth did you learn?” Her eyes sliced and examined Astra, sinking back into the sofa, her hair blending into the crushed velvet.

Alastair’s lips twitched as his shoulders tensed. It was a trap she’d need to navigate with great caution.

“That it wasn’t the brutal attack I thought. It was mutual destruction. Both of their faults.”

Her pale pink lips dropped into a frown. “Tragic, wasn’t it? A shame your mother couldn’t talk them out of it. Perhaps, if she had tried a little harder in the end.”

Astra flinched. “Perhaps.”

“Then you’d understand,” she said, sitting up straighter. “Why I might have an interest in speaking with Leona again. To clear the air. I thought I could trust the person who gave me the advice about their situation.”

Astra fought the urge to push, to ask her exactly who advised her.

“How would I facilitate something like that? Is she not… here?”

The woman in pink sneered, a wicked grin chasing it.

“Leona has not made her Ascent. I’m afraid my daughter suffers greatly from the guilt of what she caused with her reckless behavior. She’s never been able to look her Shadow in the eye. Which is why I need help.”

Selenia leaned toward her, a dark, cold shift pushing a wave of nausea through Astra’s stomach.

“Your sister’s trial is coming up, yes? The Court Below is open to the Courts Between and the Living Courts on the Solstices…”

“Why can’t you go?”

Selenia and the woman behind her exchanged a fraught glance. “I am not exactly welcome in Luciela’s domain. The Nether Queen and I have our differences, darling. Long story.”

“So you want me to go to The Court Below… and get Leona?” The fog she’d been battling all evening cleared instantly as adrenaline rushed into her spine.

“The Nether Queen will be distracted by Lunelle and the champions. It would be the perfect time to visit the River of Souls. Take something of hers, use it to call her.”

Selenia reached into the pocket of her robes, producing a locket, engraved with the Aurellis crest. “Contain her in this and bring her to me so we can handle our unfinished business and I’ll grant you a favor. You’ve already seen what I can offer you here.”

Ah, so this evening was not about showing her off to the gods, but the gods off to her.

“Nominate Mirquios as a champion,” Astra spat out before she could stop herself. The woman in pink and Alastair both leaned forward, caught off guard.

“Fascinating,” Selenia said, her eyes lighting up. “Why would I do that?”

“Mother has only identified one champion in the Prince of Pluto. He is not worthy of Lunelle. Or the title. He has nothing to offer. But Mirquios… he is a king. A true leader.”

Selenia’s lips pursed. “What about the Tether?”

Astra drew in a breath, letting the truth—as much of it as she dared—guide her response. “The Tether was a politically motivated farce. We made a deal. Nothing more. But it’s why I need a goddess to intervene and change Fate, if you will.”

“My blood does run through you,” she scoffed. “Of everything I could offer you, that is what you want?”

“It is what I want.”

“Your mother will not appreciate my interference.”

“What does my mother appreciate?”

Selenia laughed, a sound Astra couldn’t help but return.

“It is done. Next week, at Lunelle’s Trial Ball, I will declare my nomination. Do we have a deal?” She reached a hand across the space between sofas, glimmering chains around her wrists clacking together.

She glanced once at Alastair, who nodded so softly anyone could have missed it.

“We have a deal.”

“Excellent. Alastair!” Selenia turned to her right hand, satisfied with how the evening turned out. “Do make sure our princess gets home safely.”

He rolled his eyes, extending his hand to Astra, exhausted by having to make two trips to the Courts Between in one day.

“Let’s go, Fire Queen.”

She took his hand, wrapping her arm around his as he guided her out a back door, onto a terrace that backed into the Rift, the colors much more brilliant from the Court Above.

“I believe I have something of yours,” Alastair sighed. He pointed toward the treeline, a soft golden glow illuminating two ancient oaks. Lux’s eyes widened as he saw her, his legs springing into action.

“Don’t,” Alastair called. “I sensed you from a mile away, Luxuros. The rest of the gods surely will, too. You have enemies here you cannot even fathom.”

Lux’s shoulders stiffened as Alastair walked her toward the forest, the Rift tangled between the trees. Astra was about to ask how he found her when she saw his fingers working to refasten the moonstone amulet around his neck. He’d followed the Tether.

Alastair halted just as she could feel his warmth, releasing her arm.

“You did well tonight, Astra,” he said quietly, scarlet panic climbing Lux’s spine as he strained to get his hands on her. “But Selenia is dangerous, so much more than you know. And she answers to even more frightening figures. Do what she asked, but don’t entangle yourself further.”

“Who does she?—”

Alastair cut her off with a finger to his lips.

“Another time. If anyone asks, I escorted you back to the palace personally.” He leaned in, brushing his lips against her cheek, and whispered, “I won’t tell Selenia who whisked you away, but do be careful, Princess.

The gods who do not get a say in Fate’s tapestries will do just about anything to unravel the threads. ”

Astra leaned away, Lux’s face stoic as heat rolled off him. “Goodbye, Alastair.”

“Good luck, Fire Queen.” He tossed one last glare toward Lux, who reached his hand out for her, not wasting a second more as he crashed them through the trees and into the Rift, clutching his hand around an aventurine thread as Astra held her breath.