“The Starborn Queen?”
“Yes. Aidas’s great love.”
Bryce started. “His what?”
Apollion waved a broad hand to the ruined world around them. “Why do you think I slew Pelias? Why do you think I went on to devour Sirius? All for him. My foolish, lovesick brother. In such a rage over Theia’s death at Pelias’s hands. His folly lost us that phase of the war.”
Bryce had to blink. “I’m sorry, but please back up. You summoned me into this dream to tell me about how Aidas, Prince of the Chasm, was the lover of Theia, the first Starborn Queen, even though they were enemies?”
“They were not enemies. We were her allies. She and some of her Fae forces allied with us—against the Asteri.”
Her mouth dried out. “Why didn’t he tell me this? Why are you telling me this?”
“Why are you not yet master of your powers? I was very clear: I told your mate you must both explore your potential.”
“Did you send those Reapers to jump me and Ruhn?”
“What Reapers?” She could have sworn his confusion was sincere.
“The ones who told me the same exact thing, to master my powers.”
“I did no such thing.”
“That’s what the Under-King said. I’m guessing one of you is lying.”
“This is not a useful debate. And I do not appreciate being called a liar.” Pure threat laced the words.
But Bryce steeled herself. “You’re right—it’s not a useful debate. So answer my question: Why the Hel are you telling me any of this stuff about Aidas and Theia?” If he spoke true, and Hel hadn’t been their enemy back then … Whatever side Theia had ruled, she’d been … against the Asteri. And Pelias had killed her—fighting for the Asteri.
Her mind spun. No wonder nobody knew about Theia. The Asteri had likely erased her from history. But a Fae Queen had loved a demon prince. And he had loved her enough to …
“I am telling you this because you are racing blind toward your doom. I am telling you this because tonight the veil between our worlds is thinnest and I might finally speak to you.”
“You spoke to Hunt before.”
“Orion was bred to be receptive to our kind. Why do you think he is so adept at hunting us? But that is of no matter. This night, I might appear to you—as more than a vision.” He reached out a hand, and Bryce flinched as it touched her. Truly touched her, ice so cold it ached. “Hel is nearly ready to finish this war.”
She took a step back. “I know what you’re going to ask, and my answer is no.”
“Use the Horn. The power Athalar gives you can activate it.” His eyes danced with storms. “Open the doors to Hel.”
“Absolutely fucking not.”
Apollion chuckled, low and lethal. “What a disappointment.” The plain that had been Parthos began to fade into nothing. “Come find me in Hel when you learn the truth.”
Ithan pivoted slowly, eyeing the shadows where the Under-King had stood—and vanished.
“Don’t move from this spot,” Hypaxia warned him, voice low. “I can feel his power all around us. He’s turned this clearing into a labyrinth of wards.”
Ithan sniffed, as if it’d give him some sense of what the Hel she was talking about. But nothing appeared to have changed. No creatures jumped out at them. Still, he said, “I’ll follow your lead.”
Hypaxia scanned the sky. “He warded above us, too. To keep us grounded.” She crinkled her nose. “Right. On foot it is.”
Ithan swallowed. “I, ah … got your back?”
She chuckled. “Just keep up, please.”
He gave her a determined smile. “You got it.”
Ithan braced himself as Hypaxia took a step forward, hand extended. Her fingers recoiled at whatever ward she encountered, right as a low snarl sounded from the trees beyond.
The hair on his neck rose. His wolf senses told him it wasn’t an animal’s snarl. But it sounded … hungry.
Another one rippled from nearby. Then another. All around them.
“What is that?” Ithan breathed, even his Vanir eyes failing to pierce the darkness.
Hypaxia’s hands glowed white-hot with magic. She didn’t take her gaze off the trees ahead of them. “The hunting hounds of the House of Flame and Shadow,” she said grimly before slamming her hand against the ward in front of them.
63
“He was a micromanaging fucking nightmare,” Bryce ranted the next day as she stood with Hunt, Ruhn, and Declan in the Aux training center during her lunch break. Tharion lay sprawled on a bench against the wall, napping. Cormac, standing across the space, frowned.