Page 32 of Thorn & Ash

FIGHT

CYRUS

Cyrus had been pushed so far into the recesses of his mind that he had no sense of where he was or who he was speaking to. Kronos had completely overtaken his body and mind, leaving only the narrowest of cracks for Cyrus to inhabit.

He should have known. How could he not have known? Kronos was renowned in this realm as the most deadly of all the prisoners of Tartarus. And somehow, his consciousness had escaped and taken hold of Cyrus. Who else was in danger? Were his brothers possessed by the same magic? Or was it only Cyrus, because he was bound to the Book of Eyes?

Was Prue in danger because of her bond to him?

The thought of Prue—his wife, his lover, his whole soul—being subjected to the whims and horrors of Kronos sent a bolt of awareness through Cyrus. For the briefest of moments, he could see. Kronos had him perched atop his throne, speaking with one of the higher-ranking demons about the security of Tartarus.

Ah. Kronos was deathly afraid of something within Tartarus. Another prisoner, perhaps? Or was it the prison itself?

Was Kronos afraid of being sent back? Was that the key to Cyrus’s salvation?

His curiosity piqued, Cyrus’s awareness grew more and more until he could make out words and sounds.

“We do not have the resources to double security, my lord,” said the overseer, a winged creature named Lannis. “But with your magic, we can seal it shut. This would prevent us from sentencing any other souls to Tartarus, but it would effectively keep everyone contained as well.”

Alarm rippled through Cyrus. Seal Tartarus shut? He couldn’t… If they couldn’t send souls to Tartarus, it would be chaos. No consequences for wayward or disobedient souls. No punishment or fear.

“Find me the spell,” came Cyrus’s cold voice. “I’ll see that it’s done.”

No! Cyrus roared within himself, but of course, he was silenced. Ignored. Cast aside.

Lannis bowed and departed, and Cyrus heard a low chuckle echoing around him.

Kronos was laughing at him and his pitiful efforts to revolt.

Because, truly, there was nothing Cyrus could do.

Footsteps echoed nearby, and Cyrus, feeling the usual darkness crowding his mind, threatening to drag him back under, thrust his awareness forward, determined to hold on a bit longer.

The doors swung open, and all of Cyrus’s senses sharpened, zeroing in on his visitor and drinking in every detail.

It was Prue.

She wore the most scandalous dress he’d ever seen. Two swaths of violet fabric barely covered her breasts, leaving the sides exposed for all to see. The skirt fanned out around her, swishing with each step. Her arms were bare, revealing the smooth brown skin he craved constantly. Her luscious black locks were half pinned up, the remainder tumbling down her back in delicate tresses.

And her luminous lavender eyes were blazing with fury.

Behind her, the doors banged shut. Cyrus caught a glimpse of a red-haired servant bowing before vanishing from sight, leaving him alone with his wife.

“Prue,” Cyrus said, straightening at once. At that moment, it was him speaking. Not Kronos. A dozen emotions flitted across his mind. Shock at seeing her… like this. Shock at seeing her at all because, as far as he knew, she was still chained up in a cave somewhere. How had she escaped? And who had given her such a tantalizing dress? Cyrus’s skin burned just looking at it.

Prue lifted her chin in defiance, appearing every bit the radiant queen she was. “Tell me about Erebos.”

Cyrus faltered. “I—what? How the hell did you get out of that cave?” He was half amused, half impressed that she had managed it. He’d yearned to go to her and free her himself, but each time he’d gotten close, Kronos had taken over and made the situation worse.

“Don’t change the subject! Tell me about Erebos, the village you’ve left to starve and waste away while you sit atop your glorious throne,” Prue spat, waving a hand at him in accusation. “There are people there! Children. Death shadows are attacking them, and you’re just sitting here! What kind of ruler are you?”

Cyrus felt Kronos shrinking away from her fury, but he was too baffled to process any of this. Erebos… The name was slightly familiar to him, but there was no village in the Underworld. Not that he was aware of.

“Don’t you dare,” Prue seethed, drawing closer to him. He could feel the waves of anger rippling off her. “Don’t pretend. Not with me. I need the truth, Cyrus. Is there a good reason for your neglect? Or are you truly heartless?” Her eyes bore into his, and she growled, “And I want the real you. Not this imposter.”

Cyrus sucked in a shaky breath, everything around him sharpening into perfect clarity. Prue scrutinized his gaze, her face slackening in surprise as she saw something different in his eyes. Could she tell it was really him? He was grateful the throne room had emptied of all guards; Kronos hadn’t wanted any witnesses to his conversation with Lannis, which left Cyrus and Prue alone for the time being.

“The truth,” Cyrus said slowly, “is that I don’t know what Erebos is. My father mentioned it eons ago, but it was an insignificant piece of land, something we don’t have need for. The truth is that I’m unaware of a village in my domain, nor am I aware of the suffering of the people who inhabit it. If there is a village here, please show it to me so I can see for myself.”