Once we had exited the Royal Tombs, the prince closed the doors and leveled me with a look.

​

“So that is Thalia’s lost mate’s name,” he said, taking my hand again and guiding me quickly away from the tombs.

​

“Is there really no record of him? Even here?”

​

He shook his head, looking toward the sky. “Whatever we have on Anylian history never mentions his name. It was like he was stripped from the pages.”

​

“But…why?”

​

“From how Erato reacted, it sounds like he was a traitor. But Euterpe seems to believe otherwise. She mentioned believing in the queen.” He scratched the back of his head and sighed. “The queen had to be a rebel.”

​

“You’re a rebel, according to Jullivan.”

​

He smirked at that, and we fell into silence. I contemplated telling him he could let my hand go, but I also enjoyed having someone physically touch me. Ghosts and mind realms were starting to get old really fast. By now, I was sure I would have to face the other four of the queen’s court. Which meant four more trials from Clio, Urania, Calliope and Melpomene.

​

I gave the captain’s hand a squeeze, which made him pause and look down at me.

​

“Thank you,” I said, holding his hand tighter. “I needed this.” And I raised our joined hands. “Sometimes I get so lost in stories and stars, I forget I am here. A physical reminder brings me back.”

​

He raised an eyebrow at that, looking at me with that one weird look he gave me before. I cast my eyes down on the path and dropped his hand.

​

“Sorry,” I whispered. “That sounded weird.”

​

“Sometimes I need reminding, too.” I looked up at him through my lashes. He continued, keeping his eyes fixed on mine, “I have killed; many of whom were innocent and their only crime was being on the wrong side of the war. I have watched many die fighting for their freedom. Sometimes I also get caught up and forget I am here and…present. That others need me.”

​

I didn’t realize he had switched from speaking aloud to speaking to my mind. I was also unsure when we had gotten so close. His eyes danced with questions as he stared at me, and I wondered what he saw when he looked at my eyes.

​

“Come, little star,” he whispered, tugging my wrist and pulling me from whatever had just happened. “You have a date with Lucas and his books.”

​

I merely nodded and followed after him when he dropped my hand again. My brain was trying to find a reason for his recent gentle behavior. Meanwhile my racing heart told me my emotions had other ideas. I chided it, looking to repeat my age-old mantra of not wanting boys to distract me.

​

But my eyes still linger on the prince walking in front of me.