Page 46 of Vanquished Gods

Sion turned to me, gold eyes shining in the gloaming. “Get some rest, Elowen. We’ll start training again in the morning. Weneedto strengthen your powers.”

CHAPTER 21

The morning light streamed into my room. As I sipped my tea—Bran’s recipe—I looked out at the sun-kissed sea. Someone had left my breakfast outside my door that morning, and I bit into it—a poached pear tart with cloves and ginger.

Here in Gwethel, it felt more peaceful than I’d ever imagined. Last night, I’d gone to see Leo in Veilcross Haven. He hadn’t retired yet, and I’d found him in a little garden outside his cottage, eating rose pudding under the stars with Lydia. He insisted that I have some of the pudding, which he’d made himself. He was immensely proud of the delicate rosewater and honey flavors. I didn’t think I’d ever seen him so happy.

But Leo had no idea that a legion of horrors had their sights set on Gwethel, and I didn’t want to give the poor boy more nightmares than he already had. I wanted to destroy the Pater before Leo ever had to think about it.

I closed my eyes, trying to imagine myself slaughtering an entire legion of Luminari, the death magic spiraling from my fingertips as they crumpled to the ground. I tried to picture how it would feel to unleash it from my body, the ribbons of darkpower that would coil around the soldiers, making their muscles seize up, purpling their skin.

I sipped my tea. Some dark part of me knew the thrill that would bring, but that wasn’t who I wanted to be. Most of the soldiers were probably just people who needed a paycheck in a world with few options. Ishouldn’tfeel thrilled to kill them all.

There had to be another way.

A knock sounded at the door, which immediately started to swing, but I called out, “The curtains are open!”

A yelp sounded from the other side, and the door slammed closed again. I stood and quickly jerked the curtains shut, darkening the room.

From the hall, I heard Rowena complaining, “Are you trying tokillus all?” Her voice pierced the door, pinched and high-pitched.

“Usually, people wait for a response after they knock!” I called back. “You can come in now.”

Smiling, she swept in. “I wanted to make sure you saw the breakfast I left out. And Sion asked me to tell you that he will be late to train you today, but that Maelor will stand in. You’re to meet him at the edge of the Tirnamor Forest as soon as you’re done with breakfast.”

I sighed. “Thank you.”

She flicked her blonde curls over her shoulder, smiling coquettishly. “Sion’s probably tired. Long night.Verylong.”

I had the feeling she wanted me to ask. “Oh?”

She sighed deeply. “He never got over his first love, you know. Epona. Of course he didn’t. She was so beautiful. Sohappy.That’s why everyone loved her. She would light up every room. Maelor stopped paying attention to her when his daughter, Pearl, died. But Epona still needed love, didn’t she? And Sion was there to see her worth. And do you know, I thinkI remind Sion of her. Because I’m happy, and I love to be alive, and I bring a smile to his face.”

I bit my lip. “There’s something you’re trying to tell me, isn’t there?”

She giggled. “Well, let’s just say there’s areasonhe’s tired.”

My chest tightened. “Right.”

“He invited me into his bed last night.”

“No, I get it.”

Why did a gnawing ache coil through my chest?

With a fluttering wave, Rowena sashayed out of the room, and I dressed myself in a long blue gown, frowning. When was the last time anyone had described me as lighting up a room? I wasn’t sure it had ever happened. It wasn’t exactly an apt description for someone with the titleUnderworld Queen.

I touched the place at my throat where Sion had bitten me just yesterday, forcing myself to forget all about him. I wasn’t about to let myself become some vampire-addicted thrall.

I was there to learn how to defeat the Order, and I was starting that morning. I would focus on nothing else.

I foundMaelor standing at the forest’s edge. He’d shed his Raven’s cloak for a sleek black shirt and trousers. He stood with his hands casually tucked into his pockets as the wind ruffled his dark hair.

“Good morning, Elowen.”

I squinted against the bright sunlight. “Have you ever taught someone how to use magic before?”

“Never. But I have consulted the most experienced witches in Veilcross Haven. I’d love for them to be here?—”