Heiress of the Sea

Chapter 23

Lazarus's beaming face twisted into a grim frown.

"Wait," he murmured. "Madalaena, you saw Hades in the middle of the night and didn't think to alert any of the palace guards?"

My sister gasped. "I—I didn't realize he was actually Hades. And is that bad? I mean, he is just another God, is he not?"

"No, Laena," I murmured. "He poses a threat to me, and to King Soren. I thought I told you that."

"I must have forgotten," she whimpered. "I'm sorry, Ailith. But I don't think he meant any harm. He was in and out of my chambers in a flash."

"Which means he's found a quick way in and out of the castle," Lazarus growled, his tone menaced. "I must go tell Soren about this immediately. Ailith, take your sister back to her chambers, make sure there are guards there with her, and then meet me and Soren in his study. Do you know where that is?"

I blinked. "I have no idea."

Soren's study? How come I hadn't been there before?

"Fine. I will come with you to drop her off, but we must hurry," he said, his eyes lowered and his tone grim.

"Come on, Laena," I whispered, taking my sister's hand and squeezing it to reassure her.

The three of us dashed towards the staircase at the end of the corridor. We scampered up the stairs (unfortunately, there wasn't a floating spell on every single flight of stairs in the palace), and across the passageway, which led to Laena's chambers.

"Go inside," I directed my sister, concern making my voice a bit squeaky. "I'll come for you when I know it's safe."

My beautiful sister followed my command silently, stepping into her chambers with light feet, and I wished to comfort her in that moment, even though I knew I was needed elsewhere.

Two guards stood outside the doors, and as Lazarus instructed them to keep a close eye on her, and make sure her windows were locked, I kept running through the idea that Hades had invaded my sister's space—my space, essentially.

I felt a low, feral growl burrowing inside my throat. I coughed it down, and turned to face Lazarus.

"Let's go," I told him, any hint of emotion curdled in my boiling voice.

He took me by the arm and we rushed down the stairs, through the main corridor of the palace, and into another passageway I'd never been in before.

It was narrow, and lined with beautiful, colorful stain-glass windows interpreting the stories of the birth of Zeus, and other Gods, sending flickering jewel tones across the hall. However, I did not have time to further admire them as Lazarus yanked me down the passageway and into a room, shutting the door behind us.

I wanted to be able to focus on the problem at hand, but I couldn't as I stepped into the room, immediately in awe.

It was surprisingly bright, with clean marble floors, a large wooden desk and bookshelves, with velvet furniture surrounding an enormous fireplace. However, it wasn't the furniture or floor that was particularly astounding, but the enormous, dome-like ceiling that was made out of clear glass, filtering in warm sunlight.

I felt a gasp escaping my mouth as familiar eyes settled on my jaw, glittering in the sunlight from where I'd been kissed earlier that day.

"Lazarus," Soren murmured. "What are you doing here? Why have you brought Ailith?"