find that last element. But in Argolea, it’s protected. The Olympians can’t cross into your realm, and magick prevents my father from accessing your queen’s castle. That’s why I need you to go there. Now. Where you’ll both be safe. You promised me if I asked, you would leave. That you would listen and go.”
“But…” Her fingers fisted his shirt at the arms, and her frantic eyes met his. Behind him, the snarls and growls grew louder. “But Ehrendia…”
“Ehrendia will be safe. I promise.”
“We have to go now.” Theron stepped up behind her, breathing heavy, his blade covered in blood. “We can’t hold them much longer.”
Zagreus nodded then looked down at her. Her eyes were wild as she glanced over the Argonauts, moving in closer, but he didn’t let that stop him. “I know why the Fates let me go from their service after twenty-five years.”
Her frenzied gaze lifted back to his.
“It wasn’t so I could finally do the right thing. I had that chance. I had it numerous times and failed. They let me go so you could be the hero you were always meant to be.”
Tears filled her eyes. “This is what you were keeping from me.” Her hands shook, but she held on tighter. “No. I won’t let you do whatever you think you have to do. Come with me.”
“I can’t. But oh, I want to.” He lifted his hands to her face and stepped into her, until her heat surrounded him and her strength was all he felt. “You were right when you said my past was not my destiny. You are. You always were. The you right here in front of me now. The one who saw through my darkness and brought me back to the light.”
He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her softly, sweetly, with as much tenderness as he had inside, because of her. “I love you, mono mia. I will love you always, till my very end, no matter how long or short that may be.”
“Zagreus…” Tears fell down her cheeks.
Forcing himself to let go, he moved back and looked to her father. “Take her.”
Theron wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back several steps. Against him, she yelled, “No!” and struggled, but her father was as strong, if not stronger than her, and her thrashing did nothing to ease his grip.
“I’m sorry, mono mia. This is the only way everyone is safe.”
“No, Zagreus. No, you don’t have to do this!”
His heart clenched at the tears streaming down her cheeks, at the misery on her beautiful face, but he knew this was the only option. His father would never give up his search for the Orb so long as he was here and there was a chance she could return. She was too important to risk for his selfishness, and he would never again take chances with her life.
“Please!” she screamed. “Please listen to me. Zagreus, I love you, too. I need you. Come with me.”
His heart felt as if it shattered right at his feet, but he knew he was doing the right thing. The only thing.
To her father, he said, “Make sure she stays there.”
Theron nodded, brought his fingers together, and opened the portal with a pop and sizzle of energy that illuminated the trees around them.
Talisa screamed his name one more time, but her father pulled her into the portal before she could get out anything else. Then it closed, leaving behind nothing but a rush of energy that sizzled over his skin and the darkness.
A familiar darkness that had been waiting for him all his life.
He drew a deep breath that did nothing to ease the anguish inside, then turned and stared into the night where thousands of glowing green daemon eyes were interspersed amongst the fallen and charred tree trunks with blood-red hellhound eyes. And behind them, in a swirl of black smoke that seemed to shove the night aside, his father, stalking toward them like a colossus nightmare straight out of the Underworld.
He knew Nick was standing not far away. He didn’t need to look. He could feel his power as if it were his own. The last time they’d been in a battle together, Nick had focused his energy on the darkness and destroyed every one of Hades’s daemons. Tonight, that wouldn’t be enough.
“Are you ready?” Zagreus asked, not turning.
“I’m ready,” Nick responded.
So was Zagreus. Finally.
He moved forward, away from Nick, the Argonauts, and what was left of his silens. At