Astarte's Wrath (Kythan Guardians 0.50)

“Star!”

My name comes to me through a cloudy haze, breaking through the warmth engulfing me. “Star—there you are.”

I blink my eyes open. Lunia hovers near Xarion’s shoulder, her brows raised. “Hey, Lunia.” My voice is not slurred, I swear.

She laughs, her dark braids sway against her pale shoulders. “You’re already drunk! I knew I should have left earlier.” She glances around. “Where did that masked Greek god run off to?”

And I notice that Xarion has sneaked away. I look toward the procession starting to form near the gardens and see his cape slip between two guardians. Lunia would have recognized him, so best he left, although I hate the cold chill settling over me in the absence of his warmth.

I shrug, then take her hand. “Come on. Let’s get ready for the procession.”

Chapter Six

After guzzling two full goblets of water, my head feels clearer. I doubt I drank enough of the red drink to completely dull my senses. I’m sure Xarion’s erotic dancing had more to do with it. But I can’t believe I nearly—

What? Nothing would have happened between us. It was only the spell of the feast cast over us. The lust-driven adrenaline of the dancing and drink fueling impulsive actions and thoughts. I’m thinking too much on it, as always.

“I don’t know how he managed to slip past me, the sneak,” Lunia says. She shakes her head as she spots Xarion—now unmasked and in his procession finery—seating himself in the litter. “He needs to stop being so stubborn.”

I smile. “Where are Selene and Helios? I don’t see them.” Glancing around, I search for the royal children. I’m sure Little Delphus has stayed with his nurse in the palace, as he’s too young to attend the feasts and processions.

Lunia points to where the twins are being ushered to the litter behind Xarion’s. Theirs is larger than his, because it seats more, but Xarion’s has a cabin with gold-leafed poles and a sheer curtain. He’s a pharaoh.

“This is their first royal outing,” Lunia whispers as we move past the line of guardians to find our places. “And I have to escort them to the palace directly afterward.” Her face pinches into a pout.

“They’re getting older by the day, Lunia,” I assure her. “And at least you enjoyed the feast earlier.”

“I did!” She twirls, her blue eyes glowing. “I may have even procured a secret meeting with a Shythe footman for later this evening.” She winks before sauntering toward her spot to guard over the twins.

I can’t help but roll my eyes as I find my station beside Xarion’s litter. Lunia is the female version of Phoenix, and she may even be worse. As if thinking of him can will him into existence, Phoenix takes his place opposite Lunia. He holds a spear at his side, its base flat against the granite street. Turning his head slightly, he tosses me a knowing smile.

I laugh and match his smug smile, but am impressed he sobered and escaped his mistresses. I face forward.

Surprisingly, I realize Lunia didn’t mention the Leymak encounter. She must have heard of it by now, as she’s always in the palace guarding the queen’s children. I’ll speak to her once I’m back at the palace. I’m curious if she feels the same as Phoenix. Their opinions are as important to me as Xarion’s. I need to speak with them on what the sorcerer said, too. I can’t be the only one to question our creator.

When the horn sounds, the bearers lift the carrying poles of the litters, and we walk. The Beta District glows, hanging lanterns and fires lighting the violet sky. Along the sides of the avenue, nobles and citizens and guardians stretch the length, all cheering and whooping for the royal family. Some climb date palms to get a better view, while others are seated on the flat rooftops.

The wild scent of perfumed flowers fills the air as white and red petals are tossed. They flutter, glittering as they catch the firelight before raining down. As the citizens’ praise rises, it’s difficult to imagine that I fought against a nearly indestructible enemy only hours before.

Peeking over at Xarion, I watch him wave with one hand, holding the crook and flail in his other. His golden pectoral glimmers against his bronze chest, the lapis lazuli and emeralds set in the collar catching the light. He wears the shendyt of a pharaoh wrapped around his waist, yet the red cape of the Romans to honor his late father; Julius Caesar. In simple, he’s beautiful.

Above, the Goddess Isis looks down on us from her marble dais, her sculpted stone illuminated with soft amber lighting. The statue reminds me that Xarion and his family are protected by the immortal ones. I look ahead, confident we’ll defeat the Leymak threat.

Egypt will stand against any enemy—human or divine. And the Romans are only human.

My head pounds. I squint and curse myself for giving in to the celebrating. Fighting my way out of my coverlet, I touch my toes to the chilled floor and push myself off the bed. I don’t even remember coming back to the palace last night. How did I get to my room?

I swear to never get drunk again.

After rinsing off in the water basin, I towel dry and lift my face toward the sea breeze drifting in through the open windows. A loud thud echoes from the courtyard outside, and I rush to the balcony. Xarion stands below, a bow outstretched in one hand, his other drawn back after loosing an arrow into a target.

“Why, Xarion . . .?” I shake my head, lowering my forehead into my palm.

I hear his deep chuckle. “Get dressed! We have a lot of work today, guardian.”

Cracking an eye open, I note he’s discarded his party attire from last night and has since donned his embroidered city robes. “There’s no way you’d go back to your chambers till afternoon, is there?” He shakes his head, a smile pulling the corners of his mouth up. “Of course not. I’ll be right down, Your Highness.”

Honestly, if I were any other guardian, I’d have my head for sleeping in and allowing the pharaoh to roam off alone. But this is Xarion. I’m surprised he’s here keeping close to me instead of off trying to fight Octavian’s legions on his own. I think practicing his weaponry in my part of the courtyard is punishment enough for my negligence, anyway. At least my head agrees as he releases another arrow and it thunks home, sending a surge of pain splintering against my throbbing temples.