House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City, #3)

by Sarah J. Maas

“Rigelus has a little conquest room,” Bryce said, the softness fading from her face as she crossed her arms. “He’s got a whole section about invading your planet. And I know Hel once had warring factions, but you sorted out your shit and marched as one to kick the Asteri out of Hel. A year later, you hunted them down across the stars and found them on Midgard. You fought them again, and it didn’t go well that time. You got jettisoned from Midgard and have been trying to creep back through the Northern Rift ever since.” “Is that all?” Apollion drawled. Bryce said warily to Aidas, “I know you loved Theia. That you fought for her.” The Prince of the Chasm studied his long, slender hands. “I did. I continue to do so, long after her death.” Hunt had a feeling that the darkness in the pit before them was breathing. “Even though she was hardly any better than the Asteri?” Bryce challenged. Aidas lifted his head. “There is no denying how Theia spent most of her existence. But there was goodness in her, Bryce Quinlan. And love. She came to regret her actions, both in her home world and on Midgard. She tried to make things right.” “Too little, too late,” Bryce said. “I know,” Aidas admitted. “Believe me, I know. But there is much that I regret, too.” He swallowed, the strong column of his throat working. “What happened?” Bryce pressed. Hunt almost didn’t want to know. Aidas sighed, the sound weighted with the passing of countless millennia. “The Asteri ordered Pelias to use the Horn...