Page 93 of Crown of Ashes and Awe

“Oh, yes,” an old voice called out, “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” With guards hovering beside and behind him, ready to catch him if he fell, he caned his way down the path toward the fire.

People jumped to their feet to bow before exchanging whispers. To a person, everyone there was humbled and shocked by his presence, and I wondered if any of them had ever seen the king in the flesh before. In such an ageless place, it was impossible to guess.

Naturally, a plethora of paintings existed. But as the king was led to the bench in front of us, to sit beside Lennon, Griffon, and Ghloir, I felt quite special. And even more so when he paused to find my face and give me a wink before easing his bones onto the stone.

“Asper,” Tearloch hissed. “In the name of all the Fates, how do you know the King of Hestia?”

I shrugged. “Did you think I slept the entire time you were gone?”

Lennon’s shoulders started shaking. Minkin looked up at me with round eyes. “And you didn’t even have to come naked to hold his attention.”

Tearloch inhaled sharply, then coughed.

Once Moire believed the interruptions were over, she began again. “I’ve looked forward to this day for a long, long while. And you’ll soon understand why. But first of all, I must ask you to withhold judgement until I have finished.

“Yes, I did foresee that one day, a blue dragon would bring death to Hestia, which I shared with you all. But much later, I realized why it was necessary, and that I would need to instigate it myself.”

She retold the story of how King Aristaeus saved the population from a devastating plague by dealing with the Severe God, Agrios, when the Kind God, Caldemius, failed to answer the king’s call. Agrios granted immortality to his people so the plague couldn’t take them. In exchange, Aristaeus was to sacrifice his two sons.

“But as many of you might know, I loved with both those sons and couldn’t bear to see them taken from us. So, I suggested he sacrifice them by sending Ghloir and Afi away, and me with them. Of course, this wasn’t what Agrios had in mind, so he added a stipulation—if either son returned to Hestia, the contract would be voided.

“The contract would be voided, rendering Hestians mortal again.

“Now, take just a moment to absorb that. Then I’ll explain why I made sure my husband, Ghloir, was returned to us…with the help of a DeNoy and her blue dragon…”

44

QUESTIONS THAT BURN

“So we’re mortal?” Sweetie leaned forward to see Tearloch clearly. “She’s saying we’re mortal. But when are we to die?”

King Aristaeus turned to smile at me. “You have your answer.” Then he gave Moire his attention again.

“But I have more questions,” I whispered at his back.

He ignored me.

Moire heard the same question simmering through the crowd. “Yes, you are mortal now. Ghloir’s return didn’t bring death, it removed immortality.”

“But why would you do that to us?” The call came from one of the royals.

“Nottoyou.Foryou. Were you here when our world fell into anarchy? When heads were removed for entertainment? When septs fought for the sake of killing? Only for the sake of killing? And the Wars of the Magi, when the Everfolk were hunted?

“Think back! Our immortality drove us to insanity. All reverence for life was lost. When we denounced technology, we had a chance to start anew. But look how quickly we’ve turned down that same old path.”

“Wow.” I leaned into Tearloch. “She sounds like Ciro.”

“But Ciro wanted bloodshed.”

“I suppose time will tell. But I don’t trust her.”

For the next few minutes, Moire answered questions, clarifying that we were all, indeed, mortal now. The contract was stolen long ago, but she remembered that much of it. The reversion to mortality would have been instant. Pain and suffering and loss were winging our way.

“If we send Ghloir away again?” someone shouted.

Moire shook her head in frustration. “The contract is void. The gift is no more.”

“But we can make another contract? A new one?”

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