Page 31 of Guided by the Stars
Jax touches my shoulder lightly, and we sit in silence. Despite the mess I’m in, it’s comforting to know I’ve got someone I can count on.
“She’s special, Kai. More than we know. I can see the way she’s affecting you already, and I feel drawn to her too.”
She’s a flame, and I’m the helpless insect flying too close. Her soul is damaged, just like mine. The beautiful, jagged edges might pierce the skin and draw blood, but that’s nothing new to me. Blood and pain are my closest companions.
A small part of me might want to crush the fire in her eyes, but another deeper part wants to stoke the flames until they’re hot enough to turn the entire realm to ash.
“It doesn’t matter,” I say to Jax, done with this conversation. “The plan stays the same. We take her to the palace and tradeher for freedom. If I have to find a way into Olympus to steal the other girl, then I will.”
I stand and walk away from the hut, needing a few moments alone. If I have to fight Alexius to gain my freedom, well, it’ll just fulfill another dream I’ve had. Hades might be a god to fear, but his blood flows through my veins and I won’t let anything stand in my way.
Alexius
When Facing Zeus
Aetos Dios, the eagle that raised me, lands at the same moment I fucking stumble out of my portal. I’ve never run late before and I sure as shit do not portal my way to Zeus’s Hall. It’s a sign of weakness, a luxury you can’t afford in Olympus. You have to stay vigilant, watching your surroundings. Nora is fucking that up, becoming an obsessive distraction I can’t seem to shake.
In the kitchen earlier, the way she pulled me towards her with concern in her eyes, and batter trailing down her body, I couldn’t resist. Like a wolf devouring its prey, I leaped forward, giving in, taking a small indulgent lick. It backfired on me. I figured it would leave her stunned. Instead, Nora flipped the script. She came chasing after me, flinging her arms around me and pushing her body against mine. It was one fucking hug goodbye, but it caught me off guard. Her smell. Her touch. It consumed me. It’s a temptation I can’t afford, and one I’m finding hard to leave behind.
Alexius. The eagle’s anxious voice floods into me and I force all thoughts of Nora out of my mind.Aetos Dios is right to be nervous, he hasn’t had any success in finding out why my requests have been denied and Zeus has gone silent. It’s never been the case. He expects a full report the minute I return from any assignment. To go this long is unheard of. I even went out of my way and checked his personal chambers when I came to collect the food for Nora, but there has been no sign of him. Then today, during the food fight, my blood ran cold when I found out I was being summoned for an immediate meeting and threatened with punishment if I didn’t hurry my ass up.
Shaking my head, I square my shoulders and inch towards the big bird, standing tall. The closer I get, the more he paces, acting strange. His large brown feathers are rising up as his body rattles and with each step forward, he cocks his head side to side, avoiding my eyes.
Stand still, Aetos Dios, I command and his head snaps hard towards me, his eyes centering on mine.
“Fuck!” I hiss, jumping to the side, avoiding a strike of his sharp beak.Calm down.He refuses to listen. His wings grow wide, intending to intimidate me. Their power creates a gust of wind around us, forcing me back and I raise my palms, letting him know he’s in control. I’m not here to fight against him.
Eagles are ferocious, unpredictable creatures trained for destruction. When they found themselves bound to Zeus, he kept them as defenders of the Mortal World. They were assigned to defend mortals while standing strong and protecting the gods. Their loyalty to the two became strained during a partnership of Zeus and Poseidon. The gods joined forces when mortals created an imbalance between the worldsduring a time of war. Zeus’ concept was to rebuild, eliminating only those creating destruction. Poseidon, on the other hand, devised a different plan. He coached the birds to use their strengths against the mortals, conditioning them to retaliate whenever they picked up their scent. He manipulated them into becoming enemies with the very beings they were meant to safeguard. Many died before Zeus had the chance to intervene. The only choice he was left with was to remove the eagles from the Mortal World and keep the mortal’s scent hidden from them.
Damnit! Remember, my assignment was among mortals, I say, hoping it makes a difference. We both know I never get close though, and her scent is all over me.
He dips forward and I go rigid, feeling his rough beak brush against my cheek. His breath is heavy on me, inhaling and exhaling deeply. Seconds pass and then his head nuzzles into my neck. He’s careful, keeping his feathers off of my skin, but locking me into place.What the fuck is going on? Explain Aetos!
I’m sorry, Alexius. Zeus is expecting you. Be aware, we were sent on a journey into the mountain today. We lost a life, don’t lose another. Be careful.He purrs his thoughts before he spreads his wings, making the buildings shake, and then he takes off into flight, leaving me stunned by his warning.
It’s the Stygian Waters that flow high from a mountain down into the deep pits of the Underworld and only the Aetos are used to collect it. These waters are feared by all gods, and used as oaths to tie your word into a final promise. Like mortals swear on us, we swear our words on the majesty of the Styx. If broken, the water binds you to your punishment, determining it based on your crime. I’ve seen gods paralyzed, rendered blind, or even weakened in power. Some become immune toambrosia, while others are banished from Olympus. The worst is being stripped of your immortality. That happens most with the oaths broken against Zeus, which is the very punishment I’m threatened with.
Without time to consider his behavior, I turn on to another set of problems and make my way into Zeus’ Hall. Once inside, I take my usual spot leaning against the pillar in the Central Hall and wait for Zeus while closing my eyes, concentrating on the surrounding energy.
My skin prickles, sensing the pulsing power of at least fifteen gods sitting in the Feast Hall. Many more are locked inside their own Halls. Others are hiding in the Mortal World. I smile, not finding a trace of the one that matters. Nora is secure, hidden away back at home with Daemyn.
“Alexius, I’ve been waiting for your arrival.” The sensation of her unwanted breath lifts the hairs on the back of my neck, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I frown in repulsion. She’s invading my space, her lips pushing close to my shoulders, making bile rise in my throat. Her behavior has been the same since I became a teenager. There is no escaping her. I’m forced to swallow my pride, obeying Zeus and never retaliating against the woman he calls his wife.
“Can’t say I’m glad to be here. Especially next to you.” I shrug her off, keeping my gaze dutifully ahead, exhausted by her mere presence.
Her icy, unforgiving hands land on my arms, spinning me around. “Tell me, why do you reek of lavender?” she spits out with a sinister smile, lifting her sharp cheekbones high.
The sight of her repulses me. The deep brown hair hanging past her shoulders, lining her sandy face. Bangs stop at her lashes, directing attention to her rich emerald eyes. She’s gorgeous, there’s no denying it. Hera’s the Queen of the Skies,wife of Zeus, and his sister. On the surface, she’s the prized beauty of all gods, praised and loved by many. Underneath, that beauty wilts, revealing a sinister soul that’s as cold as the Underworld.
“Oh, dear boy. You stink like Persephone’s Garden. It doesn’t suit you,” she adds, faking a high-pitched laugh. Persephone and Hera are as close as our families can get. They conspire together and linger in her garden whenever she visits. Jealousy, however, runs deep, striking as sharply as a knife when she feels threatened. Friends or not, Hera refuses to share, and I’m her proclaimed toy.
“It’s new, growing on me. Nothing for you though. I don’t want your hands anywhere near my lavender.”
Her eyes narrow as she crosses her arms, “You have no idea how much more power my lotus has. Its roots can settle anywhere. One day I’ll show you.”
The sounds from the Feast Hall cut off this unwanted conversation and I catch myself sighing in relief as I watch Zeus and Aphrodite enter. Despite Zeus’ faults, I prefer him over this vindictive, revenge-seeking bitch. Her reputation is widely known. She never hesitates to destroy any soul she deems to have wronged her. She even conspired to overthrow Zeus in a fit of jealousy. Thank the stars, it backfired in her traitorous face and he tortured her into obedience.
With her hands tied by threat of him removing her power, her hatred turned to the only victims she could abuse. My brothers and I have suffered years of torture under her hands. Zeus turned a blind eye until she drove my brother mad by possessing him and killing his own family. Innocents being hurt is what it took for my supposed father to intervene and take action. Didn’t last long. Even with his vow to protect us, the bitch is still relentless and manipulative. Even theall-knowing Zeus hasn’t figured out the lengths she will go to spite those she holds in low regard.
