Kyros' Secret (Greek Myth Series Book 1) (22 page)

Aphrodite walked to her daughter’s side. “And what may that be?”

Thera closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She felt the risk here. Knew this was more dangerous than her mother was letting on.

“What happens … what happens if I miss?” Thera asked.

Hades answered. “Then you’ll stay here, Kyros will remain cursed and the deal is off. This is the only chance you get.”

Thera couldn’t let that happen. She had to try for Kyros. She had to try for their baby.

“Do it, Thera,” came Kyros’ voice and she felt his body convulse with pain as he spoke. “Just do it.”

She raised the bow again and held the arrow in place, trying to steady the shot. It didn’t feel right, aiming at the man she loved. Her father’s words when she was a goddess rang through her head. He’d told her she’d one day kill even those she loved. She gullibly thought he’d meant the animals of the forest. Never in all her life would she have thought he meant a person.

A thought suddenly hit Thera, and once more she lowered the bow. She looked at her mother who seemed almost as nervous as she felt at the moment.

“What if I don’t hit him just as he’s transforming?” Thera asked. “What if I hit him while he’s still a man? Or what if I shoot him a bit too late and he’s already turned into a centaur?”

Thera knew this is what was making her mother so nervous. There was always a loophole in every plan, and she’d hit right on target with this one.

“Then he’ll die, Thera. Your aim has to be true and the arrow has to pierce him right when he’s in between the two worlds of being man and beast. A second sooner or later, and Kyros will join you in the underworld.”

“And the curse will never be broken,” added Hades. “He’ll live with you here, but he’ll still be cursed. And as you’ve already found out those who live in Tartarus feel the pain even more than when they were alive.”

“I can’t do it,” said Thera, shaking her head.

Ares threw his hands up in the air. “Come on, Thera. I taught you how to kill. It’s easy. Just pretend you’re killing my raven again and you’ll have no problem.”

Thera wondered if her father almost cared what happened to Kyros. Then she wondered if he almost cared what happened to her. Even if he did, he’d never admit it. It would be weak for the god of war to admit to care for anyone or anything. She’d seen his fondness of his raven and used it against him. He’d learned from that mistake, she was sure. She’d never feel the fondness, approval or love of Ares. And in a way, she didn’t really want it. He was the god of war, and she respected his position. He did what he had to, just as she was about to do what she had to, as well.

“Hurry, Thera,” urged Persephone. “Kyros is starting to transform.”

Thera knew Kyros could no longer talk. But if he’d been able to, he’d tell her again to shoot him. She raised the bow and told herself she was doing this for Kyros, for Lippio and for herself as well.

“Aim,” came her father’s words from somewhere in the dark room.

“Do it for Kyros and the baby,” came her sister’s voice.

“Hurry,” urged her mother and Thera realized Kyros was now on the ground, his father’s sword lying close to him.

She remembered how much that sword meant to him and also his father’s dying wish of peace between the centaurs and the Trozens. Kyros was willing to sacrifice all that now. He was willing to give his life just so she could live again.

She pulled back the bowstring and tried to pretend Kyros was Ares’ raven. It just didn’t work. She couldn’t help but see the man she loved squirming with pain before her. His bones shifted and his centaur legs started to emerge. His face twisted in pain and Thera knew it was now or never.

The bowstring creaked as she pulled it taut. She felt the unshed blood in her own mouth and felt Kyros’ fear as well. Not unlike the fear of that little defenseless rabbit her father tried to get her to kill not long ago.

She felt herself weaken and the bow start to lower.

“Raise your bow and finish the job, you coward,” came her father’s bellow through the fog that now surrounded them.

He was goading her again. Appealing to the war-like blood he’d spawned in her veins.

“I can’t,” she whispered.

“You will!” he called back.

Thera bit her lip and raised the bow. She had the shot all lined up. She swallowed deeply and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry, Kyros,” she whispered. “I just can’t do it.”

But before she could lower the bow, something hit her elbow and her arm shot forward. Without meaning to, her fingers released the bowstring and the arrow split the air as it made its way towards Kyros. The fog was now so thick in the room, she couldn’t see Kyros lying on the ground. She heard the arrow thud as it embedded itself into his flesh.

A wave of nausea swept through her and tears welled in her eyes. “Kyros?” she asked, but he didn’t answer. She dropped the bow and it went clattering to the floor. She ran to him and threw herself down into the fog where she’d last seen him. Kyros lay in centaur form, his eyes closed and the golden arrow embedded in his chest.

“Right through the heart!” came Ares voice of approval. “I knew you could do it, Thera. Good job!”

Thera put her hand to her mouth to stop the scream that threatened to come forth. She was too late. He must have already been transformed when she let the arrow fly.

“I’m so sorry, Kyros,” she whispered and reached a hand out to touch him. “I’ve killed you.”

Thirty-one

Kyros felt strange. Very strange. He was floating above himself looking down at his centaur body. A golden arrow pierced his heart, his eyes were closed, his body still. He could see Thera kneeling over him, crying, and apologizing for something he didn’t quite understand.

He willed himself down to the foggy floor and then to stand right behind Thera. He called her name, but she didn’t even hear him. Then he tried to grab her shoulders, but he couldn’t move his arms.

“You did it,” he heard Ares’ voice from somewhere in the darkness.

“No, Father. I killed him,” came her sobbing reply.

Killed him? Kyros looked back at his centaur body lying still on the ground. He did look dead, now that she’d mentioned it. If this was so, then was his curse broken? Or did she kill both his forms in the process?

His love for her was strong, and he didn’t care either way. If he was truly dead, then it served a good purpose. Thera would return to the land of the living in exchange. She’d no longer feel her pain and the weariness of living in Tartarus. And if it were the curse she’d broken, then they’d return to Trozen together. There they’d live happily ever after as a family with Lippio. But either way, he had to know. Somehow, he had to find out the answer.

“Well, which is it Hades?” Kyros asked, searching for the god of the dead’s tall form through the fog of Tartarus. “Am I dead and to spend an eternity with you, or is the curse broken and will I spend my eternity with Thera?”

Thera still didn’t seem to hear him and this bothered him immensely. Then the fog parted and he saw the gods and goddesses standing before him as if they were a court judging his sentence. They could see him, so why couldn’t Thera? They whispered among themselves, but didn’t talk to him. He felt Thera’s sadness as she wept over his centaur body. He wanted nothing more than to reach out and comfort her, but didn’t know how.

“I demand an answer, Hades. Tell me what happened.” He no longer cared if he made demands of the gods. He no longer felt he had anything to lose. Not for himself, just for Thera.

“Demands again?” snapped Hades. “I couldn’t put up with someone like you for the rest of eternity.”

“I told you he was irritating, Brother.” Ares stroked his short beard and then crossed his muscled arms over his chest.

“Who are you talking to?” Thera jumped to her feet and turned a full circle. Kyros smiled at her, but her gaze went right through him. “Who are you two talking to?” she asked again.

“Tell her already.” Aphrodite rolled her eyes and nodded toward him.

“Yes,” added Harmonia. “I think Thera has suffered enough.”

“Suffered enough?” Thera asked. “What does that mean? What are you trying to say?”

Persephone went to her, and because of this Kyros was happy. If he couldn’t comfort Thera himself, then Persephone should be the one to do it.

“You did kill him,” Persephone announced. Thera fell into her arms, shaking uncontrollably. “But only his centaur form,” she added. Thera stilled, and then pulled her wet face from Persephone’s shoulder.

“Wh …what do you mean?” She looked back at Kyros’ dead centaur body and then back to Persephone.

“Hades?” Persephone looked toward her husband. “Explain. Will you?”

“All right, all right,” he grumbled. “Only because I want everyone out of here. Especially Kyros. That man is a trifle too irritating at times. I’ll be glad to get rid of him.”

“So he’s still alive?” Thera perked up immediately.

“He is,” Hades admitted. “Or at least, he’s still alive in human form. Look.” Hades pointed to Kyros’ centaur form lying on the floor. It faded from sight before their very eyes, until nothing was left but the golden arrow that had broken the curse.

“So I did it?” Thera asked feebly.

“You did,” answered Hades.

“I didn’t think she had it in her,” grumbled Ares.

“Of course she did.” Aphrodite came up and put her arm around her daughter.

Thera saw her mother wink and realized now who had bumped her elbow to help her.

“Thank you,” she whispered, and honestly meant it.

“It was nothing,” whispered her mother. “It was the same way I taught Eros to shoot his arrows of love.”

“What’s all the whispering about?” asked Ares. “If there’s a secret, I want to know about it.”

“No secret,” said Aphrodite. “Just talk between a mother and her daughter.”

Thera liked the way that sounded. A mother and her daughter.

“Where is he, Hades?” Thera asked.

He nodded his head but he didn’t need to. Somehow, she’d known as soon as she’d asked that he was standing right behind her. She slowly turned around. He was there, in his man form. He smiled at her and her heart melted. He held out his arms for her, inviting her closer.

“Thera.”

His voice was the sweetest thing she’d ever heard. She ran to him and threw herself into his arms, but she went right through him.

She turned around and confronted her uncle. “I thought you said he was alive.”

“He is.”

“Then why can’t I touch him?”

“You’re forgetting, you’re not back in your body yet, Thera,” explained Hades. “It’ll take a little while. These things don’t happen overnight. Or actually, overnight is exactly how long it’ll take.”

“Hades,” came Persephone’s voice. “Just finish this up already, will you? The kids want to be together.”

“All right, all right.” Hades walked up to them both. Thera stood at Kyros’ side. She felt an aching in her heart. A need to touch him. She wanted to be with him right now.

“I can’t wait til overnight,” said Thera, never taking her eyes off Kyros.

“Neither can I.” Kyros interlocked eyes with her.

“Isn’t love grand?” Aphrodite sighed, and put her arm around Harmonia.

“It is, Mother,” Harmonia answered back.

“I’ve had enough of this absurd sentimental trash. I’m out of here.” Ares raised his hands and was gone in an orange flash.

“He’s just upset that his curse is broken,” explained Aphrodite. “I’ll go talk to him.”

“I’ll come too,” said Harmonia.

In another flash they, too, had disappeared.

“It was good seeing you again, Thera.” Persephone smiled. “I’ve missed you.” She then walked back to Hades and snuggled into him.

Thera had missed Persephone too, since her friend had been claimed by Hades. But she looked happy with him. Thera couldn’t understand how Persephone could live underground and only see the sun and nature half a year when Hades allowed it.

“Are you saying you actually like it here?” Thera was aghast to think anyone would like a place as horrifying as Tartarus.

“When you’re with the right person, Thera - the person you love - it doesn’t matter where you are. You can find happiness anywhere.”

“I know you’re right.” Thera looked back at Kyros and smiled.

Persephone waved a finger and the golden bow rose from the ground and Kyros grabbed it along with the quiver of arrows. This made Thera wonder about Kyros’ sword, and looking down, she saw it was already strapped to his waist. After all, Hades had been nice enough to clothe him, so why not give him the sword as well.

As if Kyros knew what she looked for, he put his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“You’ll be my queen now, Thera. The people of Trozen will accept us, now that Pittheus is gone and I have my father’s sword.”

“We’re not too late are we?” she asked. “I mean, did we miss the feast of Dionysus?”

“I don’t know.” Kyros’ face turned solemn and he looked to Hades for the answer. “How long have we been down here? I’ve lost track of the time.”

“Time is different in Tartarus,” Hades said. “But when I send you back, I’ll get you there in time for the feast.”

Kyros nodded his head in thanks.

“How about you send them back refreshed and healed?” asked Persephone. “And send them back in time for a wedding before Kyros is crowned king.”

“Now Persephone,” Hades warned. “You know I don’t like to get involved in - ”

“Do it for me, Uncle Hades. Please,” begged Thera.

Hades shook his head and looked at his wife. He sighed and looked at Kyros. “Don’t let the power of a woman ever be underestimated,” he said.

Kyros smiled.

“All right,” said Hades. “I’ll send you back now. You’ll be in the great hall of your castle. The wedding will be in progress. Right afterwards you’ll be crowned king. Any last requests?”

“Let the centaurs be there too,” said Kyros. “Let the Centaur race and the Trozens be united in peace.”

“I do that,” said Hades, “and my brother won’t speak to me for a fortnight. Not to mention, Tartarus will be empty for a long time.”

“Well, you asked,” said Kyros. “And that’s my wish.”

“He deserves a wish or two after the curse your brother laid on him,” interrupted Persephone.

“I suppose you’re right,” answered Hades. “I’ll bring the centaurs there, but I’ll be no part of peace, that’s up to you. And never let it be said I had anything to do with this.”

“My lips are sealed,” said Kyros.

“Mine too,” added Thera.

“You may want to hold on to that golden bow,” said Persephone. “It isn’t welcome anywhere near any of the gods besides Artemis.”

“I know exactly what to do with it,” Kyros told her.

“Are you finally ready?” asked Hades.

“We are,” answered Thera.

“Then close your eyes.”

Thera thanked Persephone one last time and smiled at Hades. “Thank you, Uncle.”

“You’ll no longer be welcome on Mount Olympus,” Hades told her. “Realize that the rest of the gods will have nothing to do with you since you’re now human.”

“I know,” she answered. “But it’ll be all right, as long as I’m with Kyros.”

“We’d like to invite you and the other gods to the wedding,” said Kyros.

“Can’t.” Hades seemed touched if Thera wasn’t mistaken. “I’ve got too much to do.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” whispered Persephone.

Her whisper faded in Thera’s ears and so did her surroundings. Thera’s body felt light, then she felt a breeze against her face. She knew Kyros was with her, though she couldn’t see him. But she felt his presence and it felt so reassuring, so comforting, so good.

The flashes of light zipped by her and she felt a force pushing her through the space. Then everything stopped with a jarring halt. The room cleared and to her surprise she was right where Hades had said he would send her. She was standing on the steps to the dais in the great hall. She was dressed in white - the most beautiful gown she’d ever seen.

Thin, wispy, material, shimmering and glistening like the sun. Around the neckline there were embroidered pink roses that trailed down the front, all the way to the floor. Her feet were clad in delicate sandals with golden straps that wound up her legs. She picked up the hem of the gown and marveled at the small live roses that climbed around the straps of her sandals.

She felt like a goddess even though she wasn’t. She realized she clutched flowers in her hand, beautiful pink roses to match the ones on the gown. She heard Lippio’s little baby coos somewhere in the background. Then she turned her head and saw the most wonderful thing she’d ever seen in her life.

Kyros stood beside her dressed in a golden tunic wrap that touched his thighs. He had his father’s sword strapped to his side and the gemstones glistened and winked at her. His hair was loose around him, and in his eyes she saw the spirit of Kaj as well as the man of Kyros. He was both the man and beast she had fallen in love with. He was her lover, her husband and the father of her child. He was her king and the man she would spend the rest of her living days with, and this pleased her more than anything.

“I do,” she heard her own voice say the words.

“I do,” repeated Kyros.

“I pronounce you man and wife,” came another voice from somewhere. “You may kiss the bride.”

Kyros leaned over and brought his arms around her. He touched her and it felt so wonderful she thought she would burst. Then he lowered his lips to hers and tasted her. She closed her eyes and reveled in their warmth and softness. She was his wife. He was her husband. Her dreams had come true. She would have thought it all a dream, hadn’t Kyros voice pulled her back to reality.

“Thera,” he said. “There’s someone here to see you.”

Ares stood across the hall, his raven perched upon his shoulder. Aphrodite graced his side as well as Harmonia. The women smiled, but Ares just gave a small nod. He held up her bow and quiver of arrows, now more ornate then she remembered them.

“Kyros, they came to our wedding after all.” In the second it took to speak to her husband, her family had disappeared. The bow and arrows leaned against a pillar - her wedding present from her father. Also his little reminder that she was still the daughter of the god of war, and not to be without a weapon.

“They didn’t all show up,” said Kyros.