Warrior Queen - Karpov Kinrade Page 0,48

her hand to one of her attendants.

The robed figure steps forward to hand her a golden staff entwined with snakes and graced at the top, a pair of wings.

“Take this caduceus, Hermes,” she says. “It will erase the memories of the people who see things they should not see.”

I release a silent sigh of relief that she’s helping.

“Thank you,” Ladron accepts the staff with a bow.

Catalina lifts her arm, her long sleeve fluttering gracefully as a flute begins to play from somewhere in the trees above.

“These are steeds for the journey,” Catalina says, striding to the first in the line, a magnificent stallion with flowers braided in its mane. “I will escort you to the Bridge of Oblivion myself.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“Be careful, Lily,” she replies. “Roaming Earth as a god is a dangerous business.”

Her attendants give us each a horse, and as everyone gets ready, I maneuver my way to Mirk.

“Mirk,” I say, stepping around the back of his horse.

He’s concentrating on adjusting the saddle but looks up.

“Your mother,” I begin but stop, feeling suddenly awkward.

Amusement flickers in his silver eyes. “Yes, I have one. Apparently.”

There was a time when I couldn’t handle the strength of his gaze, but now I find everything about him comforting, like he’s a solid rock I can depend on, unmovable and unshakable.

“I imagine it’s a shock,” I say, relaxing.

“Very much so.” He pats the saddle twice and then folds his arms to look down at me.

“You don’t have to come to Earth,” I say. “You just met your mother, after all this time. And—”

“I’ll do my part in stopping Clay,” he interrupts.

“Well, then after,” I say. “There’s nothing binding you to me.”

He reaches over and taking my hands in his, runs his thumbs over my skin in slow circles. “There is, and it’s nothing to do with Zeus.”

He leans down and catches my mouth with his, kissing me in his dark, sensual way. When he straightens, I lay my cheek against his chest.

“Ready?” Catalina calls.

Mirk squeezes my fingers as I slip free and mount my horse.

Catalina leads us away from her city and deeper into the woods at a gallop, and I’m amazed at the horse upon which I’m sitting. He’s like the limo version of equestrian transportation. There’s no jostling around the saddle and his gait is smooth, I feel like I’m riding on a cloud.

Even Alfio seems to have an easy time staying in the saddle. I keep close by his side, unsure of Catalina’s plans, but she stays at the head of the party with Mirk.

We’ve been travelling a few hours when we gallop around a bend on the road and see an abrupt end of the forest. Acres of flowers, deep rich purple hues, stretch out before us on a gentle slope leading down to a river snaking through the fields. The far side of the river is shrouded in fog.

We come to a stop in a line.

“The River of Forgetfulness,” Artemis says, pointing with Apollo’s bow.

I squint but I don’t see a bridge.

“This way,” Catalina says, waving us forward.

As I kick my horse into a trot, she maneuvers her beast alongside mine. “Lily,” she says. “Or rather, Prometheus.”

The way she says my name sends ominous shivers straight down my spine. Of course, she’d know. I get the distinct feeling there’s not a secret she doesn’t.

“Your weapons,” she begins.

“I will bring back the Blade of Destiny,” I interrupt. “I promise.”

She doesn’t seem particularly worried. “I don’t doubt you will, for the blade was forged for you, and such blades do not make mistakes.”

I wasn’t really sure I agreed, but Catalina isn’t the kind of person you could challenge like that. So, I just nod.

“Remember, your weapons are imbued with powers that only you can unlock,” she says.

I raise a brow. “How?” I ask.

“Prometheus knew.”

I try to look it up, but draw blanks, and by the time I turn back to her to say so, she’s galloping ahead, already at the river by the time I catch up with her.

The water rushes wild, churning dangerously around rocks that jut out, razor sharp. And it’s those rocks that makes the river particularly hazardous if we’re not supposed to get wet. When the water collides with the stones, there’s so much spray in the air, I can’t see how we can get across unscathed.

Catalina dismounts and we follow suit, and the instant our feet hit the ground, the horses flare their nostrils and take off, galloping back to the safety of the