Page 41

Chapter Forty

The Newlyweds

Hebe:

“H e betrayed us all!” I wail, wishing I could stop sobbing. The lion skin cloak and claw necklace my traitorous husband gifted me are both discarded on the ground.

Atum and Dionysus glance at each other, looking like they also wish I could stop crying.

I knew I wasn’t marrying the best of the Primordials, but Prometheus wasn’t getting the comeliest maiden, so it seemed like a fair exchange. But then it was better than fair— it was better than I could ever have imagined. Prometheus stopped looking at me like a burden he wished he wasn’t saddled with. Instead of trying to escape like my father, he drew closer.

He told me he loved me. I taught him how to kiss. Yet none of that was worth him becoming a better man and sparing my people.

“More than I’ve ever loved anyone else— except myself, of course.”

I suppose his first love won out.

“I instructed the Nysiades to be on the lookout should Prometheus show his face here,” Dionysus offers. “I’d put up a ward against his magic, but, well . . .” He glances at me.

Following his gaze, I see that Prometheus’ magic swirling through me is no longer as vibrant. It is almost like my veins are fading back to match my skin. Has Prometheus somehow broken our bond with his betrayal? I suppose I should be relieved to not be bound to such a trickster any longer. But, strangely enough, the pulsing power within me hasn’t faded with the glow in my skin. I haven’t even inherited the weakness that seems to belong to all other Primordials yet. Why?

Could it be that I am meant to protect the mortals with this power, just like Atum is sympathetic to mortals because his weakness? Am I the lesser deliverer Atum has hoped for? One who shares his compassion for mortals but without vulnerabilities?

After all, just because Prometheus has abandoned me doesn’t mean the Creator has forsaken the mortals.

“I hope Prometheus is well,” Atum murmurs, like he has heard nothing that I’ve just told him.

I snort. “That’s the one thing you can be sure of— Prometheus will protect himself. In the meantime, we must protect the urn.” I stare down at the cursed substance that brought an end to both my mortality and my marriage. “No matter the cost.”

Prometheus:

The cost was too great.

I stare downward even though that’s the last place I want to look. Fleshy pieces of me I never wanted to see dangle out of my stomach that has been both burned and gnawed upon. I’d be sick if I hadn’t emptied the contents of my stomach long ago.

The eagle is finally gone, and I’ve had no choice but to watch my body slowly weave itself back together.

Zeus has taken the eagle’s place. He seems to relish my pain, though my silence isn’t what he wanted.

I’m not even trying to be obstinate after learning that the cost of defying Zeus is far worse than I ever feared. I simply do not have any voice left after my screams.

When Hebe lay sleeping in my arms, I mused over the strangeness of mortal slumber. Then, when she drifted away after Zeus’ Fire consumed her, I feared she’d never wake.

Now I know that deep sleep in the face of exhaustion and pain is a mercy gifted to the mortals. It is a mercy I do not possess. I am continually bound to my body no matter what torment it faces. There is no escape— not even death.

“I told you I would give you another chance,” Zeus calls.

I should turn my head to look at him so I can try to brace myself for the coming blows. However, I only sag lower.

Something slips out from beneath my chiton and dangles from my neck. It takes me several moments to recognize it.

The amber amulet symbolizing my marriage to Hebe. The woman I made Awoken, yet who made me the same as the Ascendant’s victim. I am bearing the death meant for her.

How ironic that I once condemned Atum for making himself weak for the sake of his love for mortals. Now here I am making myself nothing for the love of one pesky mortal.

Zeus moves closer, and I would recoil if I could. “Tell me where the Fire is and I will free you from these chains.”

I open my mouth because of my weakness, but I use the last of my strength to stop myself.

“Remain stubborn, though, and know you won’t be without company long. The Caucasian Eagle will be pleased to see you healed up in time for her next feast.”

“The Fire . . . isn’t destroyed.” The words are out before I can think them over.

“Oh? And where can I find it?”

The amber swinging from my neck catches the light. For a moment, I think I see Hebe in that light. There’s the barest hint of a smile on her face.

She’d never smile again if Zeus finds her.

“Well?” Zeus demands.

“I gave it away.”

“To who?”

I try to smirk, but I don’t think I’m very successful. “Your Caucasian Eagle.”

Zeus strikes me so hard the world spins and I think a tooth goes flying.

Great. Now my body will be focused on healing that and forget about the more important things— like my entrails.

“If that’s the case,” Zeus hisses, “you can ask for it back when she returns in the morning.”

Horror consumes me. To my shame, what little breath I have left begs for mercy.

Ignoring me, Zeus steps through a rift and leaves me alone. Alone until morning, that is.

For a moment, all I do is hang where I am. Then I lift my eyes heavenward as much as I can.

“Please,” I whisper to the last Being Who might hear me as blood dribbles down my chin. That is, if He cares to . . “Rescind your promise and just let me die .”

Hebe:

“I’m not asking how you want to die. Do you want to live?”

“Why?” I hiss. “So I can continue to be your pet to come home to after you finish betraying my people.”

“No.” The brokenness in my husband’s voice has me turning toward him despite my best intentions.

Prometheus stares blearily back at me. Blood drips from the corner of his mouth. It gushes from his chest. In fact, everywhere I look, he’s either bleeding or stained by blood.

“Wh-what is this?” I demand. “The blood of my people that you tried to shed with your cowardice?”

He arches a brow at me as blood drips from his hairline. “That doesn’t explain why it is coming out of me, Hebe. Come now; you’re cleverer than that.”

“Then what . . . what is this?” I keep walking backward, like his answer is something I must escape.

Prometheus yells it for me to hear anyway. “This is the blood of your husband that you shed with your courage!”

Gasping, I sit bolt upright. It takes me several moments before I realize I’m not talking to Prometheus and drowning in his blood. Instead, I am alone in an underground chamber of Dionysus’ temple and lying on a bed Dionysus had at the ready even though he doesn’t sleep.

Desperately, I grasp the urn of Fire to ensure it has not been stolen.

But I still feel like something precious to me has been taken.

My lion skin lies on the foot of the bed and the claws are on the floor next to it. If not those, then what could I have lost?

Prometheus . . .

He may be my husband, but he was never truly mine. Not when he’s a trickster and a traitor who was plotting against my people from the very beginning. And yet . . .

I smooth down my dress with one hand and clutch the urn with the other. Then I stride up dirt stairs to the main part of the temple beneath the willow tree.

Dionysus and Atum are speaking while Atum leans heavily against a barrel of wine to remain upright. Oh, and Sia has joined them. At least, I assume it’s Sia, since he wears the same kilt as before, but this version of him has braided hair that falls to his waist.

But if he is Sia, then I need his perception. “Have you seen my husband?”

All three Primordials startle and turn to me.

Dionysus offers a charming smile. “Not to worry, almost-bride. I have ensured that your husband has not breached my defenses.”

“That’s not what I mean.” My gaze falls on Sia. “Have you seen him? My husband? How does he fare?”

Sia blinks. “I have not seen your husband since he was arguing with you.”

“But you were watching Zeus, were you not? I know Prometheus was in Zeus’ temple, but I don’t where he is now.”

Atum straightens before slumping again. “Do you think Prometheus is in danger?”

“I-I don’t know.” I turn back to Sia expectantly.

Sia purses his lips. “I haven’t perceived anything since your attempted heist. I only just now recovered my strength after that escape.”

“Since your strength is renewed, can you seek out Prometheus and return with a report?”

Sia turns to Atum.

He nods eagerly. “Yes, please check in on Prometheus so we can know he is alive and well.”

“And perhaps planning something against us,” Dionysus offers dryly.

“Yes, check for that, too,” I agree.

Sia nods, turns, and transforms into a beetle again. He buzzes away.

Atum and Dionysus both turn expectantly to me.

I drop my gaze and notice that Prometheus’ power flowing through me has become much duller. In comparison, the rest of my skin looks like it’s glowing.

“You’re worried about him?” Atum asks softly.

Now that I’ve been awake for a few moments, the horror of my nightmare has subsided and I feel foolish. “I’m worried about everything and shall continue to fret until this Fire is somewhere Zeus can never find it!”

With that, I storm away before they can see my tears returning for no reason.