Daimon (Guardians of Hades #6) - Felicity Heaton Page 0,51
in the Underworld, and for any harm the daemon caused in that realm too.
The pressing need she had been fighting for the last few months returned, stronger than ever, pushing her to do something.
To help Keras.
“A daemon has breached the gates. That is war, brother, and—” She cut herself off when Ares narrowed bright blue eyes on her.
“Our hands are bound, I’m afraid.” He twirled the goblet in his right hand, his face a calm mask, not a single trace of concern touching it. “Hades made it very clear that we are not to interfere. This war has nothing to do with Olympians like us.”
She bit her tongue, hating the way he drew that line between her and Keras. He had never liked her friendship with the firstborn of Hades and Persephone, and he had done everything in his power to force them apart.
And she hated him for it.
Just as she despised herself for letting him succeed.
She should have been stronger. She should have stood up for herself and what she wanted.
She twisted away from him and stared out of the window, desperate to occupy her mind with something else, anything else to stop her from saying something to her brother. Speaking her mind when she was pushed to her limit like this was never wise.
She had done it once, and only once.
Because Ares had locked her in the pitch-black basement of the house for a full lunar cycle and forbidden anyone to go to her, not even to give her food or water.
He had gone to war and when he had returned, she had been starving, out of her mind and weak with hunger. Even immortals like her could starve given enough time. She had been so desperate for food when Ares had unlocked the door that she had promised she would never speak out of turn to him again.
He had patted her head and told her that he would hold her to it, and if she broke her promise, he would destroy what she held most dear.
His cold smile had told her that he knew what that was.
Keras.
“You are quiet,” Ares said and pushed onto his feet, the metal of his boots clunking against the tiles as he crossed the room. More ambrosia flowed into his goblet.
Gods, she would kill for a cup to quieten her nerves.
She was trying to wean herself off it again though.
“We are gods of war, brother,” she murmured, watching two red birds as they flitted over the terracotta rooftops of the sprawl of buildings below her, moving from one tree-shaded courtyard to the next. They joined a flock in one garden and danced in the hot still air, some of them landing on the white statues that stood at the marble edges of many of the rooftops. Lucky carefree birds, able to come and go as they pleased. Free to do as they wished. She watched them from her gilded cage, a pang of envy lancing her heart. “Should we not be a part of this battle?”
He huffed, but his voice was level and calm, as close to tender as he ever got, when he replied, “We are gathering information to give to Hades, and therefore his sons. That is enough.”
It wasn’t enough for her.
She twisted onto her feet and swept her onyx hair back from her face, battling a fierce wave of nerves.
“You seem restless, sister.” Ares planted his backside against the wooden sideboard and crossed his legs at his ankles, his gaze narrowing on her as he studied her closely.
“I think I have stayed inside too long today. I need some air.” She smiled and crushed her nerves, aware he would sense them if she allowed them to keep running rampant. He would know what she was going to do.
As it was, his eyes narrowed further, drilling into her. “I hope you do not intend to leave Olympus.”
She was quick to shake her head, keeping her features schooled as she said, “Not at all. I was going to take a turn in the garden. The lilacs are blooming and you know how much I love them.”
Suspicion glimmered in his blue irises.
She canted her head. “Besides, I believe I hear your aides returning, and I am sure you have many other tasks you wish to discuss with them.”
The twist of his lips and the banked heat that shimmered in his gaze said that he did.