Page 29 of Thorn & Ash

“For good reason. Have you met my brothers?”

Trivia snorted and waved a hand. “I’d love to stay and chat, but we have business to attend to.”

Romanos inclined his head. “Carry on, then.” Without waiting for a response, he turned away to fully face the river.

Prue frowned as Trivia led them away from the river and down another tunnel. “What’s his story?”

“Romanos? I’m not quite sure. He prefers to be alone. But from what I’ve noticed, he doesn’t cause any trouble, so I’m not too bothered.”

Prue considered this. She didn’t remember Cyrus mentioning Romanos by name—it was usually Marcellus or Vasileios he complained about.

Still, it seemed like a rather dull and lonely existence, to remain by that river, all day every day. Was it because of Cyrus? Had he threatened Romanos into submission?

That certainly did sound like something Cyrus would do. The thought put a sour taste in her mouth.

They continued through the tunnels until they emerged in a vast pine forest. Prue gaped at the scene before her. Lush green leaves and shrubs surrounded her, and a deep blue sky gleamed overhead. The afternoon sun winked at Prue as if mocking her confusion.

“What… what is all this?” Prue asked, taken aback by how real it all felt. Was she even still in the Underworld?

Trivia smirked. “It’s the Forest of Thanatos. Convincing, right? Aidoneus’s enchantments have only improved with time. It helps, being so close to his penthouse.” She gestured behind them, where Prue could barely make out the tall peak of a narrow building.

“This is an enchantment?” Prue asked weakly. Goddess above, it was flawless! She couldn’t imagine the power it must’ve required.

“The smells are new. That’s my favorite touch.”

Prue inhaled, her eyes closing. Pine, oak, moss, and the slight hint of sage. In the distance was the gentle babble of another river.

“Come on, let’s make this quick,” Trivia said. “Your king awaits.”

Prue nodded, remembering the task at hand. Her stomach was in knots at the thought of meeting the residents of the Underworld. What would they think of her? Would they despise her? Would they even know who she was?

And who am I? Prue thought bitterly. A rejected queen? A scorned lover?

But no. She was so much more than that. Cyrus loved her. She knew that. She just had to get him back.

Somehow.

Prue and Trivia pressed onward along a forest path. Despite how comfortable she felt barefoot, Prue was grateful Trivia had forced her into a pair of shoes. The pebbles and stones on the ground would be cutting into her feet by now.

Before long, they emerged from the wood and stood at the edge of an enormous, churning river, its frothy depths bubbling with vigor. They crossed a wide bridge that carried them over the river. Prue couldn’t help gazing over the edge as she crossed it. Within the depths of the river, glowing orbs floated in the water.

Souls. The souls of the dead.

Swallowing down a knot of unease, Prue faced forward and followed Trivia. On the other side of the bridge was an expanse of grass, framed by a sparse line of trees. The great pines thinned out with each step Prue took, leaving her feeling exposed and out in the open.

She stilled when something thrummed in the air around her. An eerie fog hovered to her left, stretching so wide that Prue knew whatever was contained within had to be something powerful.

“What’s that?” she asked.

Trivia stopped, too, and followed her gaze. Her expression hardened. “The gate to the mortal realm.”

Prue sucked in a sharp breath, turning to look at the mysterious fog once more. One step through that, and she would be home. With Mona.

But then she wouldn’t be able to come back.

She shook her head. I have to save Cyrus first. She couldn’t just abandon him to whatever dark forces had claimed him.

And even if Cyrus was healed, if he was in control once more, could Prue really leave him forever? Even if it meant living a life with Mona once again, she wasn’t sure if she could do it. In spite of everything, she still loved Cyrus deeply. And the idea of severing herself from him permanently made her chest ache.

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