My Tattered Bonds Read Free Page A

lovely face a blank mask.   Because of her expression, I instantly knew that she was trying to hide something from me and that put me on guard.   But before I could ask anything, she spoke.
    “Someone seeks the Oracle of the Dead in order to speak to those who have crossed over into death. I have no idea why we would need her counsel.”
    I looked at the people surrounding me and no one was meeting my gaze.  
    “You think it’s about Raquel,” I whispered.   “You think she is dead, don’t you?   I saw her just a moment ago.   She was alive and she was afraid.”
    Cadmus pulled me to him stoically.  
    “Harmonia, whatever it is about, we will face it together.   We will go, we will listen to the Oracle and then we will find our daughter.”
    I gazed into his chocolate brown eyes for just a moment, blocking out everyone else in the room.   His dark hair curled slightly around the nape of his neck, his chiseled jaw strong and clenched as he appraised me.   He and everyone else here thought that I was fragile, that I might break at any moment.   That much was apparent.   And yesterday, this morning, even an hour ago, that might have been the case.   But for whatever unexplainable reason, I was stronger now.
    “I’m fine,” I told him softly as I reached up to kiss him gently on the lips.   “I feel strong.   I’m ready to go. I’m sorry that I’ve been weak the past couple of days.   But I can face whatever we need to now.   I promise you.”
    My mother rushed to me, sweeping me into her slender arms, enclosing me into a vise-like embrace.   She looked deceptively fragile and small- but in reality, she was strong enough to lift a stack of cars.   She smelled like lavender and sweetpeas.  
    “You have no idea how happy that makes me,” she gushed into my neck as she hugged me close.   “I’ve been so worried. We didn’t know what to do for you- you weren’t yourself and---“
    “Aphrodite, let her breathe,” Ares said gruffly as he pulled her away.   Looking at me, he said, “It’s good to have you back, daughter.”
    I nodded, holding Cadmus’ strong arm close.  
    “What do we need to do to prepare for the Oracle?” I asked, intent on changing the subject as I blinked back hot tears.
    “It’s not easy,” Hecate warned. “The Oracle insists that those who seek her come with a clear mind and an unpolluted heart.   Because of that, she will not come unless you fast in solitude for two days and nights on the hills outside of her ruins.”
    “Alone?” I asked.
    “Alone,” Hecate nodded.   “We can all go at once, of course.   But we will each need to stay on separate spots on the hillside.   It’s a fairly desolate place.   We will not be bothered.”
    “Well then,” I swallowed hard.   “Let us go.   Now.   There is no reason to wait.”
    Ares laughed in satisfaction, throwing his dark head back.
    “My daughter has truly returned to us.   What spirit!   We will need to gather your sister and her warriors, of course.”
    I nodded.   “Of course.   Ortrera would be agitated if we left her behind.”
    “That’s putting it mildly,” Hecate muttered and I had to smile.  
    My half-sister, Ortrera, was a queen of the Amazons.   She was as hard as nails.   She was a six feet tall lithe wall of muscle.   Her face was beautiful in a very fierce way and she was deeply loyal to her family.   She had helped us in more ways than one over the years.
    And she was as tough as anyone I had ever seen.   No one in their right mind should mess with her. Ever.
    “Alright,” my mother said briskly.   “Ares, summon the Amazons.   Harmonia, you and Cadmus can accompany me back to the palace.   Hecate… you can do whatever it is that witches do.”
    Hecate glowered at her. “I’ll accompany you also, thanks.”
    “Suit yourself,” my mother sniffed, turning to glide toward the door.
    I offered a small smile to Hecate behind my mother’s back.   Hecate had