Ashes of War (Sons of War) (13 page)

Yet, when Ty started to speak, Ash squeezed Gwen’s hand a little tighter. Her new friend just patted their linked hands with her free one.

“Zavier, Seth and I went to the pub in town to wind down after a fight with Imperials. I saw her walk into the bar. Although her magical signature told me she was a minor goddess, I didn’t know who she was. However, I was drawn to her…” He paused with his brows drawn together. His forehead crinkled as if he was fighting some kind of internal battle with his mind.

Selene placed a hand on his shoulder. He jerked in his seat, but the weaver kept her hand where it rested. “Was she your mate?”

There was a long moment before he answered. “I believed so, at the time.”

Behind his desk, Markus let out a low curse. Instantly Selene raised her hand in the air to silence him. “Go on, Ty. What happened next?”

“I bought her a drink and we played pool, laughed, and I left with her.” He stopped and flung his hands to his head, pain etched in his features.

Ash’s vision blurred as his pain reached her through their bond. She wanted to stop this, stop the pain he experienced. Yet, she couldn’t do it. The only thing she could do was to send him a mental caress through the mating bond, letting him know she was still here.

He seemed to relax a little. Then Selene placed a hand on his forehead and began to chant something too soft for Ash to make out the words. A moment later Ty let out a roar and doubled over, holding his head in his hands as he crumbled to the floor.

Jetting to her feet, Ash rubbed her own temples and screamed at Selene. “Stop this.”

Seth grabbed her from behind and caged her inside his arms, holding her back. “We must let it take its course.”

“He’s hurting,” she breathed.

“I know.”

What seemed like minutes later, Ty stilled and the pain Ash felt earlier eased until it disappeared completely. He rolled to his back on the floor and stared up and the ceiling. “Garrick killed her with the divine dagger. I was unable to shift, but my dragon was in control of me. If he hadn’t stabbed her in the heart, I would have broken her neck.”

His eyes closed and he released a heavy sigh. “Her admission to killing Sophia and taking Amissa filled me with a rage like I’ve never felt before.”

Seth released her and she flew to Ty’s side, cupping his face in her hands. “Justice served. Typhon nearly tore down the walls of Tartarus with his heartache for his daughter. Zeus wants her killer known and dealt with more than Elizabeth’s.”

“She’s right.”

Ash turned as a familiar voice filled the room. Artemis and Aphrodite entered the study. “Mama, why are you here?’

Artemis held out a hand to her and she went to her mother. “It’s time to bring Ty in.”

Dread slammed into her. Something had happened. “Why so soon? I thought he could rest first.”

Sadness reached out to Ash, making tears form. “Eros has ordered it. He claims Ty’s mind is too broken and he is a threat to all of us.”

Aphrodite let out a soft sob before gliding over to Ty. “Your father has confirmed my son had been in contact with Garrick.”

Ty stood, conjured a pair of shades and slid them into place. Then he did something no one expected. He lowered to on knee in front of the goddess of love and took her hands in his. Resting his forehead to their hands, he asked, “What is your wish of us?”

Aphrodite sniffed and lifted her chin. “Do as you were meant to do. Protect the balance of the worlds by stopping the war at any cost. And stand up.”

Once he obeyed the goddess, she dematerialized. Ty turned to Ash and held out a hand. Warmth bloomed in her chest and spread throughout her body as she stepped into his embrace. It was going to okay. It had to be.

With a short nod to Artemis, Ty said, “I’m ready.”

Chapter Eighteen

Olympus hadn’t changed in the five hundred plus years since Ty had last been there. Gardens bloomed year round and the lush green landscape was perfect as it’d always been. The buildings still stood like monuments to the gods who occupied them, each one built out of white marble. Greek symbols and letters marked the temple where the gods gathered for events, gatherings, and, in his case, judgment of crimes.

The sound of his boots against the white marble tiled floor echoed as he paced down the great hall toward Zeus’s throne room. His heart pounded in his ears, his chest, and his feet. For the first time in his life, he felt fear. It wasn’t for his life, but his mate’s.

If Zeus decided for Eros, Ash would feel his death as if it were her own. Why had he bound them together?

“Stop it,” Ash growled as she squeezed his hand.

Only a small amount of fear scurried away. She insisted on being by his side for the whole trial. As did his brothers, including Nikalos.

At the end of the hall, Ares stood at the doors, waiting, his features as blank as stone. Ty gave a nod to his father and the god opened the door. Once inside the god king’s chamber, Ash released her hold on Ty’s hand and took a seat between to her mother and uncle, Apollo, along the right side of the room. Ty’s gaze locked with Eros, who stood to Zeus’s left.

The god of love and desire narrowed his eyes as Ty’s brothers took up posts behind him. “Why are they here?”

Zeus held up a hand. “Silence. Tyson, approach.”

Ty advance to the stand in front of the god and knelt, bowing his head. Zeus spoke loud, his voice carrying through the room. “I’ve spoken to Ashlynn, daughter of Artemis. She tells me Tyson is not responsible for the death of Elizabeth, goddess of desire. Nor did he kill Sophia, daughter of Typhon. Elizabeth had confessed to the crime before her death.”

Eros exploded into a string of curses. “Lies.”

“Silence! You will not be warned again, Eros.” After a short moment, Zeus continued. “Tyson, do you have a witness to this confession?”

“I do, my lord. It is my brother Nikalos.”

Nik stepped forward. “I was being held by Garrick and in the same room during Ty’s captivity and torture by Elizabeth. I heard her confession. She was jealous of Ty fathering Sophia’s child.”

Gasps sounded around the room. Zeus raised his hand again, calling for silence. “Tyson stand up. The case of Sophia’s death has always taken precedence over all others. Her father entrusted me to keep her safe while she lived here. That trust is something I will never regain from him.”

The bitter rage in his tone sent a chill down Ty’s back. He’d never understood why Sophia lived in Olympus. She was a daemon after all. Once she’d told him she was on a special assignment for Zeus, but never said why or what she did for the god king.

Zeus rose from his throne and descended the stairs to stand in front of Nik. The god held out his hand, palm up. When Nik placed his hand on top of Zeus’s, the god clamped his fingers around Nik’s wrist. Nik jerked against the hold, then relaxed. After a moment, Zeus let go and moved to Ty and repeated the process.

The act of mind probing was as violating as it sounded. Ty hated every moment of it. Even though it wasn’t painful, it was uncomfortable, like a dull pressure that was more annoyance than anything. Having Zeus inside his mind, even for a brief time, made Ty want to cleanse the inside of his head. Yet, he’d endure the memory sweep to prove he didn’t have any to hide.

A long silence stretched on as Zeus slowly paced a circle around them. Dread wormed its way to the forefront of his mind. What did the god find in Nik’s memories? Was it enough to clear Ty of all charges?

Ty stole a glance to Ash and wished he hadn’t. She stood rod straight. Although her features reveled nothing, her eyes told him another story. There was worry and fear in her green gaze. His heart ached. All he wanted to do was go to her and hold her.

Zeus stopped in his line of sight, narrowed his eyes then followed Ty’s gaze to Ash. Eros noticed, looked from Ty to Ash, and then gave Ty a smirk. “They are bonded together as mates. Her judgment doesn’t count.”

No. Fuck no
. Ash’s mouth opened then closed as she shook her head. Ty’s heart hammered in his chest.

Zeus sighed as if tired. “Ashlynn, step forward.”

As she made her way to Zeus, Ty fought his dragon’s need to protect his mate. The beast didn’t know the meaning of logic and politeness. He’d rip the building apart to get his mate to safety, weather she needed protecting or not.

When Zeus reached for her, Ty was there, standing between them, his lips curled. Ash gripped his arm and tugged. “It’s okay. I have nothing to hide. Not anymore.”

She stepped around him, cupped his face, and kissed him on the lips. “Trust me,” she whispered before turning to face Zeus, then held out her hand.

Ty fought for control over his impulse to break the connection between his mate and the god king. He didn’t give a damn if they had to live the rest of their lives on the run.

Okay, so maybe he needed to calm the fuck down.

Zeus let go of Ash’s hand, kissed her on the forehead, and stepped away. On his way to his throne, he said, “All charges against Tyson are dropped. He was not responsible for Elizabeth’s death or her choice to align with Garrick and the Imperials. He did, however, help solve Sophia’s death, which will get Typhon off my ass.”

Eros charged at Ty, knocking him to the floor hard enough both of them slide across the marble and into a column. Knocking the god off of him, Ty jumped to his feet and crouched in a defensive stance, a fireball balanced in his palm. “It’s over, Eros. You lost.”

Standing, Eros glared at Ty, pain and a fierce need to revenge in his gaze. “Never. You will pay for my daughter’s life.”

“Eros!” Zeus’s single word command boomed through the room. “Leave it. Amissa is off limits. She is Typhon’s granddaughter and will be protected as such.”

Eros didn’t move. His chest rose and fell as he focused on Ty. “This is not over.”

Then he dematerialized.

Extinguishing the fireball, Ty straightened and raked a hand through his hair. It was bad enough they had to watch for Garrick, now they also needed to keep an eye over their shoulders for Eros.

He caught Ash by the waist when she rushed to him and pulled her into a tight hug. Breathing in her scent, he calmed. “Can we go home now?”

She laughed. “Yes. Thanks the gods.”

Chapter Nineteen

Ash stepped out of the shower and smiled at the gorgeous male filling the doorway, waiting for her. She’d known the moment he entered the bathroom. It was when she decided to take her time. A small amount of disappointment made her frown. She’d hoped he would join her, but he didn’t. “Enjoy the show?”

One corner of his sensual lips lifted. “Get dressed and meet me in the garden. I have a surprise for you.”

He pushed off the doorjamb, kissed her, and left.

Odd
. What could he possibly have for her in the garden?

She quickly dressed and threw her damp hair up in a ponytail. Curiosity had a grip on her now. Her dragon closed off some of his emotions to her, leaving only the love and sexual desire he felt while watching her shower through the clear curtain. Both of which kept her from being angry at his cool demeanor when she stepped out of the tub.

Cutting across the great room, she exited the French doors and turned left toward the gardens. She scented the air, drawing in the vast assortment of fragrances on the ocean breeze. A keener sense of smell was one of the benefits to bonding to Ty. With her own ability to connect to animals, she developed the ability to use the dragon’s senses such as night vision and smell.

It made sense to her. After all, she was bonded to the dragon as much as the man.

A new, yet familiar scent greeted her as she approached the mini courtyard in the center of the garden. When she rounded the corner, she froze mid-step.

Her father stood with his back to her, his hands tucked in the pockets of his slacks. As if sensing her, he turned. Their gazes met and hers blurred. Confusion moved in like storm clouds, the pain of his rejection still fresh on her heart.

“Why are you here?” She folded her arms across her chest and stayed where she was.

Frown lines formed on his forehead and he dropped his shoulders. “A certain dragon pointed out I’m a bitter old man and a bastard for turning away from you.”

She flicked her gaze to Ty, then back to Evan. “You still didn’t answer my question.”

Maybe she was being childish, but she’d allowed hope into her soul this man would welcome her with open arms. Where did it get her? Tears and the need to go home to her mother for consoling—a weakness she would not allow again.

Evan shifted from foot to foot. Sorrow and guilt drifted off him in waves, almost chokingly. He studied her for several moments before speaking. “You’re right to be angry with me. I acted like an ass.”

“What changed your mind?”

“Your dragon can be pretty persuasive.” He pulled a hand from his pocket and held it out to her. “I was so clouded with hurt and anger, I didn’t want to see what was right in front me.”

She didn’t move, unsure if she could trust what she was hearing. “
Mitera
believed you were dead. It pained her so much she never spoke of you.”

His eyes watered. Instantly, he cleared his throat and averted his gaze. “I lived a long time cursed to this realm, believing Artemis sent me here. I guess there are a lot of unknowns. I can’t take back my words, but I’d like to start over…if you’ll let me.”

Her nose tingled and she wiped her eyes before she rushed to him, hugging him tight. “What do we do now?”

“I need to talk to Artemis and figure out why I was cursed.”

Pulling back to meet his gaze, she asked, “You don’t know?”

“Not really. I was charged with treason and banned from Olympus and Artemis’s life, no explanation. Zeus passed his sentence and that was it. When Artemis never came to me…I guess my imagination ran wild and I allowed anger to consume me.” He released a heavy sigh and turned away from her.