That he could break free?
Minthe? His hearts danced inside him. Was it possible she was watching, helping? Guiding with her stardust? If she were, did it mean she’d forgiven him?
Only one way to know for sure.
Whatever enchantment Minos had employed to cast this binding, Rhoetus would break it. He was, after all, a son of Zeus. Nothing could keep him bound. He was stronger, far stronger, than any of them realized.
Breaking free would mean revealing his true nature, not only to Minos, but his family as well. It would mean surrendering his claim on this very throne.
Damn, but he had no choice.
Rhoetus gritted his teeth, shut his eyes, and found the strength of godly blood flowing through his veins.
Snarling, he ripped his limbs free, first his right arm, then his left, and next his hooves.
“What in—” Minos reared, his jaw dropping.
“Aye, your pretty plans might have worked,” Rhoetus rubbed his forearms, drawing blood back into his muscles, “except for one thing.” He prowled forward, advancing on the pathetic King. “I’m not my father’s son.”
He snatched Minos’s neck, his grasp clenching tight around the fiend’s paltry throat, and squeezed, lifting Minos into the air.
“I’m the son of Zeus.” He smirked, triumphant. “And you should have known better than to steal from a god.”
Oh, no. Minthe gasped while Rhoetus held Minos’s life in his hands. Wincing, she glanced aside, but forced herself to peer once more into her vision. Minos had to die.
But by Rhoetus’s hand?
Such violence turned her stomach.
This wasn’t right. This wasn’t his path.
Show him what is.
Determined, she concentrated her powers on Rhoetus, on casting those shimmering particles toward him. They spread across his arms, and outward, urging him away from strangling Minos.
“What in bloody Hades?” Rhoetus grumbled, gave his head a fierce shake, and tossed Minos down.
Yes. She breathed in relief, stretching her glimmering dust further, to illuminate for Rhoetus what he must do.
“Stay right here,” Rhoetus sneered at Minos, then vanished.
She froze, knowing exactly where he’d gone.
“Nymph,” a voice purred behind her. “If you’re intent on bewitching me, mayhap you’d like to do so in person.”
A hand extended over her shoulder. She twisted, slipping her hand into Rhoetus’s and lifting her lashes toward his face.
Sweet gods. She’d missed him so much. Tears pooled in her eyes.
“I don’t have much time, so I must insist on your answer.”
So much hope and fear rested in his words.
“You already have it, my sweet Rhoetus. Yes.”
In a dizzying flash, Rhoetus transported them to the throne chamber in the castle on Krete, and being inside was so different from the vision. The expanse was enormous, majestic, intimidating. Just like Rhoetus. She smiled.
He released her hand and marched to Minos, who rested on the floor, wheezing.
“I realize you don’t want me to kill him, Minthe, but on this matter, your nymph nature may be interfering with yours gifts. This bastard must be punished for his crimes. He must die.”
She clasped her hands in front of her and stepped toward the cowering male. Not so defiant after he’d been bested.
All of his cruel plans undone.
Tilting her face, she squinted, and the male’s destiny shone before her eyes. “Yes, you are right. He must die, but not by your hand. Not just yet. His fate will be worse than death, his pleas for mercy, unanswered.”
Rhoetus spun to frown at her. “What do you mean, lass?”
She pointed toward the doors.
A vibration shook the ground beneath her feet and the doors slammed open.
Several figures paraded forward, a regal figure in their midst.
Rhoetus darted to her side and squeezed her hand. “Bloody hell. King Cheiron.”
The centaur King of Thessaly. Rhoetus barely trusted his eyes. Yet Cheiron approached, his hooves trotting elegantly upon the stone floors, to pose before Rhoetus. “King Rhoetus.” Cheiron inclined his head respectfully.
Rhoetus swallowed hard. “Nay, not King, I’m afraid.” Now that everyone knew the truth, they’d put someone else with greater blood ties on the throne.
Every pair of eyes shot to him and murmurs ebbed through the crowd.
Cheiron smiled wisely. “From where I’m standing, my lad, such is not the case.”
His muscles trembled and his hearts raced. Why had Cheiron come? Had his attempted regicide been enough to drive the King here?
Cheiron’s grey scrutiny passed over him, then over Minthe. Sweet gods. What had Minthe done? Would she be punished as his accomplice? He fought the urge to step in front of her.
“I fear we have arrived too late to offer the aid of our army in your cause. I can see you have triumphed without us. Let us instead convey our respect and well wishes for a long and happy reign. For our two Kingdoms to join together as they always should have been. We are blood, my brothers and sisters.” He cast his perusal about the chamber. “Although you may not require our assistance today, if you ever should in the future, we will fight by your side.” He thumped his fist over his chest, and every one of his accompaniment copied him.
The lump in Rhoetus’s throat grew thicker. He couldn’t wrap his mind around what was happening.
More warriors filed into the chamber, filling the halls. Among them, his bloodsworne brothers and sister and their mates. His family ascended the staircase to join his side. Rhoetus dipped his head at them, still incredulous. “I fear I have deceived you, and so, I owe you the truth. The real story behind my birth.” He inhaled deeply and exhaled in a rush of breath.
“Long ago, my parents attempted to conceive a child, an heir, but alas, they could not. So they ventured to the temple on Mount Ida and prayed to the god Zeus to grant them this heir. Benevolently, he did, placing his child within my mother’s womb. Thus, I was born, a child of my mother, whom, as you know, had no royal blood in her veins. Yet my parents were determined I would rule after them, and so they kept this secret, until the very end of their lives, when they told me the truth.”
His shoulders sank, heavy. “I should have shared it with you then, but you looked to me to save our Kingdom, and I couldn’t tear from you the last threads of hope you had. So now I would beg for your forgiveness. If you believe there is a more rightful heir, I will step aside and withdraw my claim to the throne.”
There. He’d done it. Spewed a century’s worth of secrets.
He regarded his siblings, but instead of reprimand or disappointment, he found absolution and acceptance in their eyes.
Peering out at the crowd, he discovered the same within their expressions.
He tensed, bracing to turn toward the one person whose opinion mattered more to him than anyone else’s.
Hearts in his throat, he clasped Minthe’s hand and gazed deeply into her eyes.
Chapter 10
Pride and love filled Minthe’s heart. She studied Rhoetus, her mate, and saw the desperation in his eyes for her acceptance.
The son of a god. Of Zeus, no less.
How difficult it must have been for him to have shared this. Especially when it meant he might have to give up his throne.
Or that his family might hate him for the lies and secrets.
But not me.
She squeezed his hand and raised her other to his face, caressing his cheek while he nuzzled into her palm. “Oh, Rhoetus. I would love you no matter whose blood flowed in your veins. There is more than a man’s lineage which makes him a King.”
“Minthe.” He bent and feathered his lips across hers, a thousand emotions in his kiss.
“I wholeheartedly agree.” Cheiron’s booming voice interrupted them. He cleared his throat and swept his arm across the crowd. “I believe they do as well. Rhoetus, yo
u may not be descended from the line of centaur Kings, but your blood is noble, and even more importantly, so are your hearts. Never doubt why the Fates put you upon this path. It is your true course, and you have lived the hardest lesson any sovereign will have to learn. To sacrifice everything for your people, even when the choices you must make will haunt you. If anyone here is in need of forgiveness, it is I.” With that, he knelt, bowing his head before Rhoetus. “I never should have abandoned your people in their hour of need.”
“My Lord Cheiron, please, this is not necessary.” Rhoetus touched the King’s arm and bade him rise. “We are together, united, and that is what matters. We can mend the past, but we must always look to the future. In this instance, I would request your famed wisdom.” He pointed toward Minos, who was now held between his brothers, the vile former King glowering in distaste.
“Hmm.” Cheiron scratched his jaw and spoke amongst his kin before turning back to Rhoetus. “Aye, indeed.” He bobbed his head. “My allies have informed me they have squelched the minotaur threat. Apparently, a forgotten automaton by the name of Talos proved most useful in conquering them and holds them prisoner. Its inanimate mind cannot be manipulated. It is our understanding the minotaurs also seek revenge on Minos for his betrayal against them. Let us see if we can’t grant their wish.”
Rhoetus chuckled softly and angled his head. “Aye, the arrangement would suit me just fine.” He swung his perusal back to Minthe. “For I’ve learned there’s more room in one’s hearts if vengeance surrenders to love.”
Minthe beamed, so proud and full of adoration for this male. How far he’d come and how much he’d grown. He’d finally learned to trust in his true path.
And in their love.
“There’s just one thing left to do.” He extended his hand toward her, and as she slipped her palm against his, he lowered to his knees. “Minthe of the Asteriae, starlight of my soul, would you do me the greatest honor of accepting my hearts, my love, my devotion, and my trust, and become my mate, my wife, and my Queen?”
She clamped her other hand over her mouth, muffling her gasp and, with tears brimming in her eyes, dropped to the ground in front of him. Lifting her hand free, she murmured, “Yes,” and smothered her reply with his kiss.
Rolling cheers echoed in Rhoetus’s ears. All he’d ever longed for, a home, a family, and a bright future for his people, he now possessed.
Everyone had helped to scour the castle of any remnants reminding them of King Minos’s residency here. This morning, he awakened in his bed. The King’s bed. The chamber his parents had occupied so long ago.
He glanced to the side, running his hands across the silk sheets. Tonight, he’d share this bed with his mate. The Thessaly centaurs had agreed to stay for the wedding and celebration. Because, truly, no one was going to miss out on all that.
They had so many victories to celebrate.
It would take more than one night to erase the darkness in their past, but with hundreds of hands helping, they could soon polish away the grime and reveal the sunny cheer in their futures.
Even more, his siblings had already begun the wondrous task of repopulating their Isle, breeding new heirs to their legacies. All four of them were expecting babes in the next few months. He’d be damned if he didn’t claim his mate and follow in their steps.
He grinned and stretched in his human form, then rose from bed and forced himself not to head through the adjoining doors toward the Queen’s chambers. That would have to wait for tonight.
Rubbing his hands, he shook out the tension from his limbs, and then dressed. He strode to his door, stretching for the knob.
A clicking sounded from the corner of his chamber. The door pushed open and a certain flame-haired nymph popped inside. “Are you sure we have to wait?” she murmured, her body covered by only the thinnest slip of silk.
He stood frozen, yet his hearts were having no trouble ramming inside his throat.
“Love,” he managed, tilting his head.
She twirled her fingers through the air and sashayed toward him. Rising onto her toes, she blew a kiss onto his lips. “Oh, you didn’t think I was offering, did you?” Her brow arched playfully, she placed a saucy kiss on his mouth before strolling back through the door.
Rhoetus exhaled, hard, and concentrated on making the rest of his body not as rigid.
Damn, his female held his reins so perfectly in her grasp.
Tonight. He chanted. Just get through this day and after, he’d seize the sweetest revenge on the nymph.
Minthe smiled across the table from Rhoetus. He reclined at the opposite end of the massively long oak table that filled most of this dining hall. A crowd of their friends occupied every seat. Her heart lightened and warmed. This was the vision of the future she never dreamed they’d have.
She blew another kiss at Rhoetus, which only made his cheeks burn deeper and his nostrils flare. His fingers laced together on the tabletop. Oh yes, she’d suffer the full extent of his retribution this eve.
First, they had serious matters to attend.
After dining, they joined their friends and his siblings in the great hall to discuss Minos’s fate. He was to be handed to the captured minotaurs today. Some wedding gift. She snorted. Many of the centaurs were uneasy about allowing even a single minotaur to live.
She didn’t disagree. Those brutish beasts had caused so much harm. Such pain. It didn’t seem fair to bestow them mercy when they didn’t even comprehend the word.
She linked her arm through Rhoetus’s and met his gaze. Concern furrowed his brow. He must be pondering the same as she.
When their army had gone to round up Minos’s soldiers yesterday, they’d discovered most of the humans had fled. They’d abandoned their stolen homes. Taken their ships and sailed off.
Perhaps that was better. Now Krete could be theirs once more.
“What does your heart tell you?” she whispered into Rhoetus’s ear.
He sighed heavily. “Vengeance left me without hope. Also, their crimes cannot go unpunished, nor can they be left to harm again.”
“So, a prison then?” she murmured, but silence condensed around her.
Everyone in the hall turned toward her, and at once, they chattered their opinions. Of course, they were all different.
“You imprison them and what will stop them from breaking free someday?” Demoleon pounded his fist on a side table.
“Mayhap we should ship them off like the humans,” Arctus bellowed. “Good riddance.”
“And what, send them straight into the fold of our enemies?” one of Cheiron’s sons, Agrius, snarled.
“No,” a regal lady glided forward, a centauress of pure white. Queen Atalante, Cheiron’s wife. “We do better. Imprison yes, but not in a realm they can ever break free from.” She held up a luminescent crystal. “We trap them in here, for eternity, and then we shatter it.” Her lips curved in satisfaction.
Minthe blinked, gaping at the crystal. “But that’s…”
“Yes. An amethyst. The source of my powers.”
“Is everyone in agreement?” Rhoetus tipped his head at those in the room. “If yes, then let’s pay our enemies a visit.”
Mercy. Rhoetus snorted. The last favor he wished to offer any of his enemies, and certainly not the ones responsible for such savagery. Yet the majority had agreed. This was the best course.
The right path.
If he’d learned nothing, it was that his hooves must always stay on this course and never stray. He owed as much to Minthe and to his people.
They gathered around the base of Mount Ida, where Arsenius and Kyme had offered to guard the entrance to the prison. At their arrival, Rhoetus had explained their decision.
The two warriors hadn’t behaved as though pleased, but they were built for war.
A King must choose other paths.
Rhoetus bade Queen Atalante step forward while the giant automaton Talos herded the remaining dozen minotaurs and a cowering Minos to the surf
ace. So it was true. Whatever vengeance the minotaurs had in store for Minos, it wasn’t physical.
Yet, by the way he sniveled and cowered, his mind appeared bruised and beaten.
Queen Atalante held up the crystal and a shimmering glow illuminated across her arms.
He braced his forearm over his eyes, shielding them from the radiance, but an even brighter glow blasted from the far side of the prisoners.
Rhoetus squinted, his gaze drifting upward. “Father?”
Zeus beamed down upon him, the god’s radiant face full of pride. “My son. You have done well. I’m afraid I cannot allow you to pursue this course. The gods have convened and our decision is firm. Step aside, Rhoetus.”
He glanced at the others, who shrugged and shuffled backward. What in Hades was going on? “Of course, Father.” He dipped his head, seized Minthe’s hand, and led her a few paces away.
“For your crimes, your punishment has been sealed,” the god’s voice boomed, thunderous as a summer storm. Then he raised his arm, a thunderbolt sizzling in his clasped hand and, before any of the prisoners protested as they realized their fate, Zeus launched his bolt, delivering it into their midst. A crackling blaze engulfed them, turning their bodies to vapor. An instant later, the smoke and ash vanished, and nothing remained of their enemies save for the burnt embers blown across the ground.
“Be well, my son, and rule with a steady hand.” Zeus vanished from his view, leaving Rhoetus gawking and grappling for something to utter.
“Well, that was efficient.” Arctus chuckled.
They shook their heads at each other and headed back to the castle. Minthe rode upon Rhoetus’s back and he deposited her at her chamber door. “Next time I lay eyes on you, nymph, you’d better be my wife.”
“And you’d best make good on those promises to devour me,” she hummed, sashaying inside.
Twinkling candles and shimmering dust provided by dozens of nymphs illuminated Minthe’s path. All she need do was walk down this corridor, straight toward her future.
Aether's Mark Page 8
