The Ker At Thermopylae by Belinda Harrison

Author:Belinda Harrison [Harrison, Belinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gee Be Publications
Published: 2018-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

21

Though I called for her, almost a moon passed before I saw my grandmother again. Alexis had spoken of little else when she and I were alone – her curious nature outweighing her fear at meeting the creature Dianthe was. She asked me how Dianthe had appeared, how much I resembled her or my mother. I had few answers for her, but I told her what I could.

My father and I were also still estranged, me ignoring his attempts at conversation and apology just as I had told him I would at the assembly. Thankfully, the construction of the metalworking area at Ophelos’ house, coupled with his journey to Thorikos and back, had taken much of his attention and we saw little of each other. Nasrin also allowed me space, the two of them moving out of the palace and into the spare rooms at Ophelos and Aspasia’s house soon after the meeting of the small council.

As I returned from the barracks one morning Dianthe finally appeared, suggesting she meet me and my princess at the Temple of Anthela. I immediately agreed, hurrying back to our apartment to fetch Alexis.

A candlemark later, we arrived, Dianthe seated casually on the bench outside, her face covered just as it had been the first time I saw her at the agora. We had ridden Skotos and I once again left him beneath a tree away from the temple itself when he began to stamp at the ground.

I made the introductions and though Alexis offered her arm, Dianthe did not take it. I shrugged when Alexis looked to me; perhaps she was not familiar with the gesture. Alexis did not appear offended and laced her hands together around her belly instead. “Please, do not fear you must remain covered, Skylar has spoken to me of what you are. Of who you are to her. I am not afraid to see you,” Alexis said.

“As you wish,” Dianthe nodded, reaching up with her clawed fingers to remove her hood.

Alexis drew a quick breath but did not turn from Dianthe when she revealed herself. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” Alexis smiled.

“And you,” Dianthe replied, inclining her head once again.

“I have so many questions, if you would permit them.”

I grinned. I should not have been surprised at my lover’s forthrightness, though I had expected her to wait a little bit longer before launching into her interrogation.

“Of course,” Dianthe said, unperturbed by Alexis’ words. She smiled, revealing the pointed teeth and Alexis once again showed her composure by not reacting to her more … unusual features. “Perhaps first though, you would permit me to make welcome your child, my great-granddaughter.”

Alexis looked to me, a flicker of apprehension crossing her face and I wondered if she was also recalling my father’s fear that they would have taken me from him if they had known of me. I worked to keep the frown from my face and nodded.

“O-of course,” Alexis stammered.

“How far along are you now?” Dianthe asked.

“Four moons,” Alexis replied, her hands remaining beneath the swell of her stomach.

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