kept, he will know. It will create a magical signature so powerful that he’ll be able to find it from anywhere.”
“All right. So we’ll need to be prepared.” I frowned. “What about Hades? Has he been found worthy of knowing the crown’s location? We are prophesied to defeat Chronos together, but what if you don’t find him worthy?”
“I am not sure what Pyroeis is determining. You must ask Hades when you see him.”
“All right.” Worry tugged at me. Would Hades give me the truth, though?
“I am going to look for the location of the crown now,” Phaethon said. “Please step back.”
I did as I was asked, watching as Phaethon waved both hands in a graceful maneuver. My knees trembled as power filled the air.
Overhead, stars grew brighter. Not all of them, but Phaethon seemed pleased, a slight smile stretching across their face. They tilted their head, as if reading something a bit perplexing.
I watched in awe.
“The stars have witnessed everything that ever happened,” Phaethon murmured. “And they tell me now where the Crown of Destiny is hidden.”
I held my breath and waited.
15
Hades
I watched Seraphia stand at the window, my mind drifting back to last night. I needed to focus on what we were doing here, but it was impossible not to think of what had happened between us.
I drew an unsteady breath.
I must protect her.
I’d felt the urge before, nearly overpowering. But this was something else entirely—so strong that it could bring me to my knees. I shook my head, trying to drive the thought away.
As I gazed at her, the room began to fade away. I stiffened, reaching into the ether for my bident. Instinct stayed my hand, however.
It wasn’t a threat I felt, but rather a presence. The space around me had been replaced with a calming darkness scattered with brilliant stars. Mist hovered at my feet, and I turned to face the magic I felt.
In the distance, I caught sight of a gleaming red figure. As they neared, I realized that the glow came from deep within their skin. Scarlet robes draped their form, and they looked like a fire made flesh.
Of the five Astra Planeta, this had to be Pyroeis. I inclined my head in greeting. “Pyroeis. Thank you for seeing me.”
Pyroeis stopped in front of me. Up close, their eyes were flames. They burned into me with a wisdom that gave me chills.
“Where is Seraphia?” I asked. “Is she safe?”
“Indeed, Hades. She is safe. She is speaking with Phaethon.”
“Thank you. You know why I am here?”
“Yes. We are aware that Chronos has escaped Tartarus and seeks the Crown of Destiny.”
“We plan to stop him,” I said.
“And you plan to wear the crown.”
“Do you have a problem with that?” It was tempting to call upon my bident and force the god to tell me where the crown was located, but Seraphia would disapprove.
Pyroeis sighed. “The gods oppose any one person wearing the crown—Titan or god. But I don’t believe the crown will give you what you seek.”
“I want to save her from the curse of Tartarus.”
Pyroeis nodded. “All right. I will look for that in the stars.” The figure raised a hand. “But first, may I touch you to determine if you are worthy to hear what I might tell you?”
I nodded, and Pyroeis touched their fingertips to my temple. Pain flared, hot and harsh, and I inhaled sharply, steadying myself.
It lasted only a minute, and Pyroeis withdrew their hand. Eyes of flame met mine. “You are worthy, but the message may not be to your liking.”
“What do you mean?”
The god stepped back. “Give me a moment to consult the stars.”
I nodded, watching the god raise their hands over their head to command the stars. I looked up, seeing some of them brighten. The idea that these stars had seen everything—that they knew everything—and could be interpreted by the individual in front of me was awe inspiring. Awe was not an emotion I often felt.
Only when I beheld Seraphia.
Finally, Pyroeis looked at me. “The crown will not do what you want it to. It will not give you the power to break the curse on Seraphia. Here, let me show you.”
Pyroeis placed a hand on my temple, and suddenly I could see the stars moving through the sky. I could read them, like a language I could now decipher.
Pyroeis was correct. Wearing the crown would not give me the power to save Seraphia.
I’d been wrong.
Horror shot through me, and my mind raced. In a split second,