Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
That sensation solidifies as we reach the docks and the group of Athena’s and Hades’s people waiting for us. Zeus is nowhere to be found, but Athena and Hades stand a careful distance apart as their people file onto the ship and separate into groups, obviously following orders given out while they waited for me to arrive.
I walk down the metal plank to the dock and head to Athena first. “The Aeaeans have been taken care of.”
She nods, her gaze on the ship. “I think it was a mistake to let them go. There’s little enough reason for the other four ships to keep going instead of turning around and picking up where they left off.”
“They won’t.” They’ll have their hands full with Icarus making moves on Aeaea. Even if they were inclined to continue the assault on Olympus, they’ll have to choose a course of action to prioritize and it will certainly be their home.
“We’ll see.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “We have no idea where Circe is. It’s a problem.”
“More than a problem.” I twist and look toward the city center, even though I can’t see Dodona Tower from this position. “Zeus?”
She smiles tightly. “He’s going to call a meeting officially relinquishing control of his coup.”
“I’m sure the rest of the Thirteen will love that.”
“Undoubtedly.”
Especially Hera. But she’s not my problem any longer. Our alliance is at its end. I want to believe she wouldn’t have gone behind my back and opened the gates for Circe, but I can’t say it with any amount of surety. She’s ruthless to a fault, and if she thinks she can save her family, there’s no depths she won’t descend to.
Hades shifts closer, his expression unreadable. “I’ll leave some of my people here to assist with things—and continue reporting to me—but I’m returning to the lower city.” To his people and his pregnant wife.
I extend my hand. “Thank you for your help tonight.” I have no doubt Zeus would want to press the importance of continuing with a legacy-title alliance, even without a coup in the works, but I don’t bother saying it. Hades knows everything I do; it’s why he’s here. He’ll show up when we need him next time, too.
“Keep me updated.”
“I will.” I watch him leave and then glance at Athena. “Do you need me here for this?”
“Go.” She waves me away. “I know how to reach you if I need you.”
I go. After a brief internal debate, I call Orion and Polyphemus and tell them to meet me at the main house. After a longer internal debate, I call Pallas.
It’s early but she answers on the third ring. “Hello?”
“It’s Poseidon.”
“Yes, I know. What can I do for you?”
This is the moment of no return. If I hand over the title, I’ll lose the control it gives me. I won’t be able to protect the people under my command any longer. I’ll have to trust that my read on Pallas is correct and that she’ll step up with enough support. I had intended to hold this title until my dying day, but…Gods, I’m tired. I didn’t even realize how tired until I shared the burden with another person for a few days. No, not just another person. With Icarus.
“I would like you to come to the house for a meeting. Now, if you’re available.”
She’s quiet for a moment, and then says, “Okay. I’ll be there in fifteen.”
There’s no going back now. No time to second-guess myself. “I’ll see you shortly.” I hang up and head for my SUV.
Twenty minutes later, the four of us are closed in my rarely used study as I outline my plan. Orion and Polyphemus are shocked, but it’s Pallas who speaks first. “But…are you sure? You’re Poseidon and I’m just—”
“You’re not just anything,” I cut in gently. “But I understand better than anyone the burden I’m asking you to take up, especially considering our current circumstances. I won’t abandon you in the midst of this conflict—have no fear of that—but after…”
Pallas favors her late mother more than her father. She’s a slight woman with light-brown skin and long, straight black hair. She’s been spared the blue eyes that plague our line as well. She sits perfectly still, her spine straight and her gaze a little too direct to be perfectly comfortable. “My father never would have agreed to this.”
There’s no point in arguing that. She’s right. “I know. But it’s not his decision. It’s yours.”
She swallows visibly. “I…” Pallas pauses and shakes her head sharply. “I want it. Not just because you’ve served for so long and deserve your own happiness. I want the chance to prove myself. To…well, to do it all.”
I focus on Orion and Polyphemus. “You have thoughts. Let’s hear them.”
Polyphemus speaks first, his words practically tripping over each other as they leave his mouth. “You’re going to throw it all away for him? You’ve known him a couple of days, and he’s the enemy!”