Page 65 of Thorn & Ash

Cyrus set off with renewed determination. Instead of entering through the palaces front doors, he took the servants’ doors and descended to the dungeons. This part of the palace was rarely used; if anyone needed to be imprisoned, they were usually sent straight to Tartarus. No need for a prison here when there was a much more effective one nearby.

For that reason, Cyrus kept some of his most valuable possessions here, knowing they wouldn’t be disturbed. The air grew more chill with every step he descended. When he reached the bottom, the blue glow of his reflection bowl cast a gentle light about the empty space.

Except… it wasn’t empty. A figure stood hovering over the bowl, peering into its contents.

Rage and indignation roared up inside Cyrus as he hissed out a low breath. “What are you doing here?”

The figure turned, and Cyrus took a step back in shock.

He had expected Aidoneus, perhaps even Marcellus or Leonidas. But he hadn’t expected to see Romanos—the brother he rarely encountered. The brother who remained obedient, keeping his head down, never attracting too much attention.

Had it all been an act? Had Romanos been plotting against him, too? Cyrus had thought Romanos had been sensible, but perhaps he’d been wrong.

With a roar of fury, Cyrus stormed toward him, prepared to rip out his throat. But when he noticed the glimmer of tears in Romanos’s eyes, he stopped, his anger cooling.

Romanos cleared his throat and shifted his weight, casting his silver gaze downward. His dark hair fell into his eyes, obscuring his expression.

But Cyrus had seen enough. Whatever Romanos had been looking at in the pool had devastated him.

“Romanos,” Cyrus said quietly. “What are you doing down here?”

“I haven’t told the others about this place,” Romanos said in a low voice. “I swear it. I—I only come down here to—to—”

This isn’t his first time down here, Cyrus realized. He glanced around the room as if he could unearth any clues about Romanos’s intentions. But the room remained empty, save for a few boxes and items covered in sheets.

“You best explain yourself,” Cyrus said in a growl, “before I have you thrown in Tartarus.”

Romanos sighed and lifted his gaze to meet Cyrus’s. His expression was more guarded, but the lingering anguish still burned in his eyes. “There is a woman. In the mortal realm. I use the reflection bowl to see her every now and then. I just need to know what she’s doing. How she fares.”

Cyrus cocked his head. “You come down here to spy on a mortal woman? How? Surely she would be dead after long.”

Romanos shook his head. “Not this one. She’s been cursed by the gods. She lives an immortal life, like we do.”

A chill swept over Cyrus. When Romanos said the gods, Cyrus knew he didn’t speak of anyone here in the Underworld.

He was referring to those in Elysium.

“Why?” Cyrus asked. “What is she to you?”

“Nothing. Not anymore. I met her during my one journey to the mortal realm. But I was cursed, too, and now I can never return to her.”

Romanos is cursed? Cyrus stared at his brother in bewilderment. How had he not known any of this?

Romanos smirked at the shock on his brother’s face. “It isn’t something I want others to know. Can you imagine what our other brothers would do with this information?”

Cyrus found himself nodding. Yes, Leonidas and Marcellus would have used this information to their advantage. Cyrus didn’t know the extent of Romanos’s curse, but he was certain it came with weaknesses that others could easily exploit.

“Why are you down here?” Romanos asked, his tone more curious than demanding.

Cyrus bit back a snarl. How dare Romanos question him? Ordinarily, Cyrus would insist he was the ruler of this realm and didn’t need to explain himself. But his past actions—whether by Kronos’s hand or not—made him feel inadequate. Like he didn’t deserve to call himself a king anymore.

“I need to search for someone,” Cyrus said, drawing closer to the bowl. “There is… a presence here that has managed to escape me. I need to know if I destroyed it or not.”

Romanos frowned but asked no further questions. He stood back to let Cyrus approach. As Cyrus stood over the bowl, the blue glow burned against his eyes, bathing everything in a cool light. He took a deep breath, then glanced at Romanos.

Romanos crossed his arms and smirked, indicating he would not be giving Cyrus any privacy.

Cyrus sighed. Fine. It was no secret that Kronos was wreaking havoc in this realm. Perhaps Romanos could help.