A light in the flame

One side of the carriage doors swung open, and Ector popped his head out. His eyes widened slightly, and then his expression smoothed out. He extended his hand. “Ready?”

Forcing a swallow, I nodded as Saion straight-up leapt into the driver’s box. I started forward but halted as the other gods mounted horses. Only Bele lingered back by the doors. “Wait,” I called out, my concern rising. Saion looked over his shoulder. “If all of you are here, who is with…Nyktos?”

“Nektas,” Rhahar said as he tightened his grip on the reins. He faced forward again. “And I do believe the entirety of the Shadowland armies.”

Oh.

“Sera?” Ector wiggled his fingers.

Taking a deep breath, I lifted the hem of the gown as I took his warm hand in mine and stepped into the dimly lit carriage. There were two benches, outfitted with thick, white cushions. I sat carefully on one.

“I’ll be out here for most of the trip,” Ector advised.

“Be careful,” I murmured.

Ector hesitated and then shook his head. I watched him climb out of the carriage to stand on one of the rails along the side. Rhain drew his horse near Ector, and then the door closed. I heard a tap on the roof. The windowless carriage jerked forward.

Do you love him?

My palms felt damp, so I placed them on the cushion beside me as I tracked the vines and poplar leaves etched along the interior walls and ceiling. The carriage was traveling at a fast clip, and I had no idea how much time passed before the reality of what Nyktos had sacrificed for me, what I felt for him, and why I had reacted so strongly to seeing him with Veses and then learning the truth, hit me.

Do you love him?

“Oh, gods,” I whispered, sinking into the bench’s cushion as I pressed a hand to the tiny diamonds adorning the bodice of my gown. I could feel my heart beating wildly, even through the layers of gossamer fabric. My chest felt warm and like it was swelling, and it wasn’t the embers.

There was only one reason I’d react in such a way. I stared down at the hand pressed to my chest—to the space above my heart.

My heart.

I…I loved him.

I loved Nyktos?

Another tremor ran through my hands as I lifted my gaze to the empty bench across from me. I swallowed thickly. I had no idea what love even felt like, so I needed to remain calm. This could just be a byproduct of stress—of everything. Maybe only indigestion.

A strangled laugh left me, echoing through the empty carriage. Indigestion? Sure.

The carriage door opened, letting in a rush of air that carried the stale scent of lilacs as Ector closed the door. He slid onto the bench across from me. “We’re almost to the entry house of Lethe. It feeds into the City Hall, where Nyktos is waiting for us.”

I stared at him, my heart feeling as if it were the wheels of the carriage.

“There hasn’t been any trouble. Just a few Shades, but nothing that wasn’t quickly handled…” Creases formed between Ector’s brows. “Are you okay? You look a little pale.”

“I think I might vomit,” I whispered.

He blinked twice. “Do we need to stop the carriage?”

“No. No. I don’t think so.” At least, I hoped not.

“Bele mentioned that you were nervous. I didn’t believe her. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you nervous.” His head tilted. “But, yeah, you’re definitely that.” He leaned forward, resting his hands on his bent knees. “You remind me of my sister.”

That snapped me out of my panic spiral. “A sister?”

He nodded. “She looked as scared right before her wedding as you do now. Said her stomach felt like it was full of winged creatures.”

My stomach felt just like that.

“Of course, that was an entirely different situation. Love match and all.” He smiled faintly. “But I’m guessing the nervousness is the same no matter what.”

“Love match?” Now those winged creatures had invaded my chest.

“Childhood sweethearts or something.” He gri

“I know. Gods, do I ever.” Another laugh rattled out of me. The crease returned to the space between his brows. “It’s not that.”

“Then what is it? Are you worried something will happen? You shouldn’t—”

“I want to be Nyktos’s Consort,” I blurted out. “I want it more than I think I’ve ever wanted anything…” Well, I likely wanted the Rot to end more, and for Kolis to be dealt with. And I also wanted to murder Veses, slowly and very painfully, so there were other things I wanted just as much, but… “I want this.”

Ector’s mouth remained half-open as the carriage ground to a halt. Neither of us moved. Not even when a knock sounded on the roof. “I wasn’t expecting you to say that,” he whispered, eather pulsing behind his pupils. “Any part of that.”

“Neither was I,” I admitted in an equally quiet voice.

“And that makes you nervous?”

I nodded.

The carriage doors opened, and this time I couldn’t detect the scent of stale flowers. There were too many other smells—wood smoke, food, and burning oil. “Everything okay in here?” Rhahar asked.

“Yeah.” Ector’s smile was slow but wide. “I really think it is.”

“Okay.” Rhahar drew out the word, turning to me. “Nyktos is waiting for you inside.”

My chest tightened until I feared I was on the verge of an attack, but then it loosened. I rose on what felt like toothpicks and took Rhahar’s hand, seeing nothing but the lines of mounted guards beyond him and a section of the Rise. He helped me step out of the carriage as one of the draken flew low over us, its wings outspread. I followed the draken’s descent to the top of a colo

My gaze fell to those stationed at the entrances to the Hall and surrounding the entry house. They were guards, but these wore helmets constructed of a thin layer of shadowstone that covered their faces and necks. The soldiers.

“This way.” Rhahar’s hand stayed firmly around mine, and as the lines of soldiers parted, I realized that it probably had a lot to do with how badly my hand was trembling.

Ector and Rhain fell into step behind me, along with Saion and the twins as Rhahar led me toward a tower that was like a smaller version of the Shadow Temple. The windowless structure, which must’ve been the entry house, was less grand, but it still reflected the light of the stars in such a way that it appeared as if thousands of candles lined the walls.

Rhahar walked fast through the rows of soldiers, and I wasn’t sure if the speed was due to his eagerness to be rid of me or to have me safely within sight of Nyktos.

The winged creatures Ector had spoken about now felt as if they were attacking my heart. The doors of the tower opened, and I immediately recognized hair a shade of red wine under the darker sky. Aios stood next to who I believed was Kars, the muscular, fair-haired guard who’d offered to watch over me. Aios’s gown was sleeveless and an emerald green.

She came forward, taking my hand from a likely relieved Rhahar. “You look beautiful,” she said, smoothing her other hand over one of the plaited braids on the side of my head as Kars bowed. She then folded my arm under hers, walking at only a slightly more sedate pace as the guards surrounded us. “Do you have any questions before we enter?”