Page 25 of Salt & Blood (Ivy & Bone #4)

CHALLENGE

PRUE

Prue had never been to the Undead Wilds before. All she knew was that they were a dying wood with dark shadows and an even darker presence that couldn’t be explained. The death gods often avoided the Wilds because they didn’t want to tempt the darkness festering inside. Even Cyrus didn’t know what dwelled in the seemingly haunted forest.

Now, with the magical construct of the Underworld in shambles, it wasn’t a forest at all, but an expanse of misty darkness. Prue could sense nothing but Cyrus walking alongside her and the solid ground at her feet with each step she took. Everything else was obscured in shadow, a fog that concealed all and made her feel like she was walking on a cloud.

Of course Apollo would choose a place like this for the challenge. He likely hoped it would unsettle them.

Cyrus’s hand was clamped tightly in hers, his form rigid and his steps unwavering. He exuded confidence and rage, his body lethal and powerful. Not a trace of nerves or anxiety or fear. He was nothing but the magnificent god Prue knew him to be. Even if he was mortal, even if his magic wasn’t the same—he would always be that same otherworldly being to her.

For the past three days, they had trained together. Cyrus had siphoned her power a little at a time, then used it to summon flora at will. After Prue rested and recovered, he did it again. He had become more precise, able to determine how much power to drain in order to cast certain spells.

But she was afraid it wouldn’t be enough.

She squeezed his fingers and took a steadying breath, trying to still the trembling within her chest. “I don’t care what the terms of the challenge are,” she whispered. “If he overpowers you, I’m interfering.”

Cyrus cut her a sharp glance. “You can’t. It will forfeit the terms.”

“I don’t care. If he’s about to kill you, you’re going to lose the challenge anyway.” When he opened his mouth to argue, Prue said, “Wouldn’t you do the same, if it were me?”

His mouth clamped shut, his brows lowering.

Prue almost laughed. “That’s what I thought. Besides, I doubt Hyperion will stand by and do nothing if you overpower Apollo.”

Cyrus heaved a shaky sigh, the only sign of his unease. “Prue, if you get too close, I—I’m not sure if I can protect you. I know nothing about this power. If I absorb too much magic, and it becomes volatile, you could get hurt.”

“I can shield myself,” Prue assured him. “My mother taught me how. Don’t worry about me, Cyrus. No matter what, I’m not leaving you.”

Cyrus halted, then turned to look at her, his expression stricken and his eyes filling with a panicked desperation. In a swift movement, he seized her face and kissed her deeply. His mouth glided over hers, his tongue sweeping along her lips and tasting her with expert precision. She gripped his tunic, fingers fisting the fabric as she drew him closer, intensifying the kiss with several strokes of her tongue. Her body molded to fit his, their hips aligning. His hands came along her waist, then slid lower until he cupped her ass. She gasped, withdrawing to give him a look that was part amusement, part confusion.

“What was that for?” she asked breathlessly.

“That was for all the moments I wasted not kissing you,” he whispered, his hand catching one of her curls and coiling it around his finger. “You have always stood by me, Prue. Not once have you faltered, even during my most despicable moments. I do not deserve you.”

Prue brought her hand to his cheek, trailing her fingertips along his jawline until he shuddered, his eyelids fluttering closed from the tender contact. “Don’t worry,” she breathed. “You can repay me by remaining by my side during my darkest moments. I’m sure there will be more of those to come.”

He frowned. “Not if I have anything to say about it.” He kissed her again, this time soft and gentle until her stomach dipped with heat and her body melted against him. She sighed into his mouth as he caught her lip between his and tugged gently. “I vow to spend every night worshiping your body, proving how sorry I am and how precious you are to me.”

Half her mouth quirked upward, even as her toes curled from the sultry promise of his words. “Well, that sounds like an acceptable offer. But I will have to think on it.”

He chuckled, the sound low in his throat, then withdrew, clasping her hand in his again as they walked forward once more.

When Prue sensed the powerful presence of Apollo, she stopped, and Cyrus followed suit. They stood there, side-by-side, waiting for their enemy to reveal himself.

Gradually, the mist parted to reveal Apollo in fighting leathers and metal spaulders that covered his shoulders. He had a wicked smile in place, his eyes glinting. Like Cyrus, he presented/ nothing but confidence.

“Come to watch the show, daughter?” Apollo called out, spreading his arms. “It should be an entertaining fight, if a bit short.”

Prue only glared at him, refusing to be baited. “Where is your Titan leech?”

“Nearby, in case he is needed,” Apollo said vaguely. “But don’t worry. He won’t interfere with the terms of our challenge, so long as you don’t.” He leveled a significant look at Prue.

She raised her chin. “I am here to support my husband. Nothing more.”

“How noble of you,” Apollo said with a mocking scoff. “But I’m afraid I must insist you remain twenty paces away. For your own protection, of course.” He grinned.

Prue only gripped Cyrus’s hand more tightly. He turned to face her, his expression eerily calm. “It’s all right.” Slowly, he extricated his hand and moved away from her, drawing closer to Apollo. A chill immediately swept over her as Cyrus’s warmth disappeared. She rubbed her arms, swallowing around the lump of emotion in her throat.

Whispers echoed behind her, and she stiffened, glancing over her shoulder. Was this place truly haunted? After a moment, Prue sensed another presence drawing nearer. Her body tensed, expecting Hyperion to lunge for her. Her heart slammed painfully in her chest as she squinted, trying to peer through the mist.

Her breath caught in her throat as she made out not one, but several figures approaching. She stood straighter, alarm coursing through her. A scream built in her throat just before a familiar voice called out, “It’s only us!”

Prue closed her eyes, trying to still her racing heart as Lagos came into view, followed by more than two dozen other demons. Some were members of the castle staff, while others she recognized from Erebos, the village of demons. A smile played at the edges of her mouth as she took in this crowd that had come to cheer on their king.

“What’s this, now?” Apollo demanded, his voice laced with irritation. “You cannot ambush me with an army, nephew.”

Cyrus had turned to stare at the crowd, his face pale and his eyes flaring wide with surprise.

“We are here in support of King Cyrus, the only true king of the Underworld,” Lagos said, his voice ringing with authority.

Prue felt her eyes well up with tears of pride as she smiled gratefully at her friend. Lagos must have told all these demons what Cyrus had been doing—his deception toward Apollo, and the devotion to his kingdom that brought him here, facing the sun god who was far more powerful than he was.

“I did not ask any of you to come,” Cyrus said, his voice full of uncertainty and shame. Prue knew what he was thinking: that he did not deserve this show of loyalty. That he was not a king who was worthy of them.

“We are aware of everything you have sacrificed for this kingdom,” Lagos said, bowing deeply to Cyrus. “And this is how we show our appreciation.”

“That’s all well and good,” Apollo said impatiently, “but you cannot?—”

“The terms of your challenge do not prohibit an audience from watching,” Prue called out. “If you did not want witnesses, you should have specified.”

“That’s not—I don’t—” Apollo broke off, then sighed. “Fine. But I have brought my own witness as well. Hyperion, you can show yourself.”

Like a phantom, the Titan materialized several paces behind Apollo, his dark and hungry gaze fixed on Prue. Her skin prickled with awareness, and she had the distinct impression that the taste of her magic had only made him ravenous for more.

He would devour her if he had the chance.

Her eyebrows lowered, and she bared her teeth at him. Try and take it, she thought. See what happens.

Something about the sight of her people rallying behind her husband had blotted out all her fear and concern. In this moment, she felt invincible. She hoped Cyrus felt the same.

“Oh, and the others as well,” Apollo said idly. “They can show themselves, too.”

Prue stiffened as several other figures appeared alongside Hyperion. Only then did she notice the sharp and pungent odor of their dark, unholy magic. It had been masked by the presence of the Underworld demons, but now it was stark and potent. She knew that scent…

It smelled like Kronos.

Prue’s blood ran cold as the awful realization set in. Her chest constricted as she counted the dark forms that flanked Hyperion.

Eleven. And deep down, she knew that if Kronos were still alive, there would have been twelve figures standing there.

The Titans had arrived.