“Healing takes time, even for a Keres.” He rolled his shoulder carefully, his feathers rustling against the fabric of his tunic. “The wing joint suffered the most damage.”
Two monsters had fought over me, over my death-touched status, and both had paid in blood. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Rejected and nearly executed in my village for being barren, now I was valuable enough to fight over.
Across from us, Enyo watched her son with visible concern. “Iaso’s healing talents weren’t enough. Perhaps I should help before we arrive.”
“Not necessary, Mother.” Phonos straightened his spine, trying, but failing to hide his discomfort. Male pride transcended species, apparently.
“Nonsense.” Enyo moved to our bench with practiced grace, settling beside her son. “There’s no need for you to suffer when I’m here.”
She placed her palm against his shoulder where his wing connected to his back. Silver-blue energy flowed from her hand, seeping into his skin. His entire body relaxed, tension draining visibly from his muscles.
“How is that possible?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“We’re woven from death energy itself.” Enyo’s hand remained steady against Phonos’s back. “Wounds that would cripple humans permanently can heal within days for us. Especially when family shares strength.”
My heart clenched in my chest. In my old village, healing meant herbs and hope, weeks of painful recovery that might leave permanent damage. Or, in my case, it meant a gesture of kindness that could get you killed. Here, love itself seemed to mend what was broken.
Phonos tested his healed wing, stretching it carefully in the limited space of our vessel. “Healers like Iaso have their own techniques, but those connected through deep bonds can share this way.”
The barge rocked gently as it adjusted course, carrying us closer to the imposing spire. I gripped the edge of the bench, uncertain whether my unease came from the journey or my circumstances. “Have you always been able to do this?”
“Since I gathered his energy for weaving.” Enyo’s eyes softened when she looked at her son. “Our connection formed before he existed.”
“Family bonds aren’t about blood here,” Phonos explained. “They’re chosen, forged through sharing life force.”
Enyo nodded, and her gaze settled on me with almost unnerving precision. “It is the same in claiming ceremonies. Thread entwining creates permanent connections between souls.”
The emptiness inside me twisted violently, becoming a raw wound rather than mere absence. The Keres shared bonds I recognized. Mother and son, family love. Something familiar amid all the strangeness that had become my life. But all this talk of ceremonies and claiming filled me with dread.
I still didn’t understand everything that had happened at the Kratos Circle. My head still hurt if I tried to think about it too closely. I just couldn’t help but think… It was all so strange. That second monster who’d fought for me… Who had he been, really?
I wanted to ask, but the question just didn’t come to my lips. And then, the barge angled upward, and I lost my chance altogether. “Look. The Spire’s straight ahead.”
“Our family has dwelled here since Asphodelia’s founding,” Enyo told me, her lips twisting into a kind smile. “Now, it will be your home, too.”
Home required belonging, connection, purpose. All things I struggled to find since awakening here. But Enyo’s voice held only warmth and acceptance, so I forced myself to smile back. “Thank you. I’ve always wanted a real home.”
The barge slowed as we neared a platform carved into the Spire. The currents guided our vessel alongside the landing. Phonos stood first, his fingers closing around mine as I stepped from the barge onto solid stone. “Welcome to Keres Spire, Callista.”
His hand engulfed mine completely, warm and steady against my cold skin. I wished it had helped, but all it really did was make me even more aware of my own confusion.
Enyo approached the massive door and pressed her palms against the surface. The doors parted without sound, revealing a spiral staircase winding upward into darkness.
“Finally!” A female voice called down from above, echoing against the walls. “We thought you’d never arrive.”
“You know Mother insists on the scenic route.” Phonos guided me toward the stairs, his hand now stuck to the small of my back. “But we’re here now.”
We went up the staircase, my fingers trailing along the cool wall for balance. It was a steep climb, but whatever Iaso had done to heal me made sure I had no trouble at all. White flowers occasionally grew along the stone, and their familiar presence immediately drew my eye.
Against my better judgment, I stopped and reached for one of the blooms. The flower reached back. By my side, Enyo gasped. “Remarkable…”
“Not really.” I shrugged. “Asphodels always react this way to the death-touched, right?”
Enyo shared a look with her son. Phonos cleared his throat. “Right. It seems you’re already growing accustomed to our city.”
But I wasn’t. I had no idea why I’d said that, why the words had come to my lips. I felt like screaming, but instead, I slumped against Phonos.
Maybe I was overthinking this. Charon had warned me that I’d have to trade a memory to enter the bride market. Maybe this strange feeling was completely normal.
