and gripped them in a way that mimicked Hades. “Please don’t kill me, Sally,” I whispered. “Just go nice and easy.”
She made a whinnying noise and shifted abruptly. I nearly lost my seat, and Hades’ voice cut through the air, commanding. “Styx.”
Immediately, Sally settled down.
I looked at him. “You named her after the river of the dead?”
“What else would I call her?”
“Horse Two? Horse the Second?”
He nodded. “Not a terrible idea. Now come.”
He nudged Horse with his heels and turned the beast toward town. I followed—or rather, Sally did. I just held on.
“I’m not calling you Styx,” I said. “Sally is much nicer.”
“And ridiculous,” Hades said.
“I like it.” But I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corner of my lips. It was ridiculous. And that was part of the charm. I joined him at his side, my mount a few feet from his. “How do we get to Kamarina? Is there a portal at the library?”
“No, it’s on the outside of my territory, through the gate that Cerberus guards.”
Excitement and fear thrummed within me, a heady cocktail. “I’m going to get to meet Cerberus?”
He shot me a perplexed look, his brow slightly creased. “You’re…looking forward to that?”
“He’s the most famous dog ever, so yes.”
“Fond of dogs, are you?”
“Who isn’t?” My brows shot up. “Do you not like dogs?”
“You sound as if you are accusing me of flaying people alive. Which I also do, by the way.” He shook his head. “I should remind you that I don’t like anything, Seraphia. I don’t even understand the concept.”
“Hmm.” He said that, and I could tell he partially believed it. But he’d sure seemed to like me last night.
I kept that tidbit to myself, though, as we rode in silence through the town. As usual, his crown appeared on his head, and his subjects streamed outside, their gazes full of awe as they looked at us. Nothing had ever made me want to return to the quiet of my library so much as the weight of their heavy stares.
I shook the thought away. If I wanted to survive this, I needed to focus on the present, not on fantasies of disappearing back into my quiet library where nothing ever bothered me.
Hades led me through town and out the gate. Horse and Sally picked up the pace until they were galloping, and I held on tightly, thighs burning. To my left, the cliffs plunged down into the dark sea. I could hear the waves crashing and smell the salt air, but we veered away and headed through the fields.
We rode toward the forest that I’d revived, and I couldn’t help but look at my creation. It was so far in the distance that I couldn't see it very well, but I could feel the life flowing from it. As we neared, I was able to make out the dark green leaves of the trees. They looked healthy, though not particularly bright. It wasn’t like I was down here spreading a cheerful version of life like a fairytale princess, but it was nice to see the place looking better.
“This way.” Hades’ voice carried over the wind, and he directed Horse away from the forest.
Reluctantly, I followed, and soon, we were deep in another forest. The ancient oaks were twisted and gnarled, their limbs as leafless as the other forest had once been. I could feel life lurking in the underbrush, small animals and insects. A few birds flitted through the branches, though they were so fast I never got a good look at them.
My palms itched to help this place, to give it back some life so it could flourish. I’d do it differently than last time, however. No way I wanted to get into the habit of strangling bunnies.
“We don’t have time,” Hades said.
Shocked, I looked at him. “Can you read my mind?”
It would just be too much if both he and Echo could. Fear chilled my spine.
“No. But it is obvious what you are thinking. You want to help.”
“Hmm.” I stared at him, searching his expression until I was finally satisfied that he was telling the truth.
Our horses slowed as the trees grew closer together, until finally, I started to feel something odd in the air. It was a life force, but enormous. Whatever we were approaching was huge.
I shivered. My magic was getting crazy strong, if I could sense something like that.
“What’s up ahead?” I asked, my voice quiet.
“Cerberus.”
Cerberus.
I strained to see through the trees, finally spotting a massive,