The King of Hearts - Jovee Winters Page 0,19

gods. She was to be revered, never hugged.

She laughed lightly. And then to my complete shock, she came to me and yanked me in her arms. She smelled of spices. Cinnamon and cloves. I was stiff as a board at first, but slowly, my arms moved around her and before I knew it, I had my cheek pressed to her chest and I was fighting my overwhelming emotions.

“The most beautiful male in all the cosmos, and you’ve never been held by another. Not even by your own mother. The pain of that separation must be excruciating for you, my boy. But soon you will know the touch of true love. And it will save you. Just as it will save her. But not before you both endure your fair share of trials.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, desperate to never let her go, but also knowing I did not have the benefit of time. If I was away too long mother would ask me questions.

“She will not be a problem to you yet, my boy. Not for some time. The hands of fate will see to that.”

I felt reckless to breathe her name aloud, but I had to know. “So Psy…Psyche will be safe from mother’s clutches?”

She shrugged, finally dropping her arms. “For a time, how long a time is determined by your hand alone. Your mother is a jealous god, her rage is like no other, and once she learns of your deceit her vengeance will be swift and terrifying.”

I shook my head, heart sinking like a rock to my knees. “Then I should leave the poor woman be. I should not even entertain the idea of—”

“Oh no, my boy.” She shook her head. “That you cannot do. For you do not understand how important Psyche will become to all of Olympus. Your destinies were charted at your inception. This is as it must be.”

I frowned. “But if you say she will suffer then why can I not choose to let her live her life in peace.”

“You’ve already set the wheel in motion. The moment you gave her that peddler’s charm.”

I sucked in a shaky breath. “I…I was honest with her.”

“And that is exactly why I will aide you.” She nodded. “Your mother will not learn of Psyche. I will supplant the truth in your head with a fantasy that will keep her occupied for some time.”

“Some time? So not permanently.”

Her soft smile was answer enough. “You do not have the benefit of sight, my boy. To you all of this is confusing madness, but I have seen it all already. This will be. And it must be.” She framed my cheek in her soft, liver-spotted hands. “You have waited such a long time for her, Eros. It is not you that will save Psyche, rather it is she that will save you.”

My nostrils flared and my eyes widened. “I. What?”

“I can say no more without altering the strands of time. You must forge your own path from here on out. Now close your eyes, this will not hurt.”

I had my eyes squeezed tightly shut, waiting for her powered touch to fall upon me. But I felt nothing. I waited and I waited. Had she gotten busy? I shouldn’t open my eyes. I shouldn’t dare ask her. And yet, the longer time marched on the more anxious I got that something had gone wrong.

“Um…goddess Atropos? Is everything all right?”

But when she still did not answer me, I finally opened my eyes only to discover I was no longer in Gnósi, but back upon that dirt trail beside the beach. I looked behind me, toward the sprawling stone castle some distance ahead.

Rubbing the side of my head, I wondered what Atropos had done. I felt no different, and yet…I knew the goddess of fate had not lied to me. From the second I’d opened my eyes something had felt… off. Weighted. Something had been altered.

Time itself, perhaps?

I looked behind me, toward the city. I had two weeks in which to prepare before mother called me back to report on all I’d seen. I would watch Psyche, but not for mother’s benefit. Rather for my own.

I wanted, nay…needed to keep her safe. And that meant I had to stay close to her. I’d need a place to dwell. A place to rest my head at night. My heart ached to head toward the castle, but it was toward the city that my feet moved. Atropos told me I had to forge