Free Pegasus and the Rise of the Titans (Pegasus #5) by Kate O'Hearn

responded. ‘The guards have returned and been rewarded for their service.’
    Jupiter rubbed his chin. ‘Pluto, when the sun goes down, I want you to bring the most senior of the returned guards to me. Perhaps they can help solve this mystery.’
    Pegasus came forward and nickered softly.
    ‘Good idea,’ Jupiter said. ‘I will speak with them when they rise. We need Fawn to reach her brother. We must know what is happening at Tartarus.’
    Emily was standing beside Pegasus and frowned. ‘What are you talking about?’
    ‘Fawn and Sapphire,’ Paelen translated. ‘After the incident with the night dwellers when you collapsed, Pegasus knew you were concerned about them. So he arranged for both girls to be moved here. Their quarters are actually beneath the palace and they work in the gardens at night.’
    ‘You did that for them?’ Emily asked the stallion.
    Pegasus nickered and nodded his head.
    Touched by his gesture, Emily put her arms around his strong neck and hugged him. ‘Thank you, Pegs, you’re the best. We’ll speak with them tonight.’
    ‘Not you,’ Neptune said. ‘After today’s revelations, the sooner you get to Arious, the better. I believe we should not delay. You must leave today.’
    ‘I agree,’ Chiron said. ‘It will take us a short time to prepare for our journey. We shall meet back here at the Xanadu Arch before sundown.’
    Emily nodded to Joel and Paelen. ‘Let’s go get ready.’
    ‘Now, you promise you’ll just go there and come right back,’ Steve said as he drew Emily’s backpack up her arms. ‘No secret journeys anywhere else.’
    ‘I promise,’ Emily said.
    Her father went up to the stallion. ‘I’m counting on you, Pegasus. I know how strong-willed my girl can be. But this is too serious for games. Bring her right back, no matter what you learn or what she says. We can take it from there.’
    Pegasus nickered and nodded his head.
    They were gathered in the Artefact Chamber where they could travel to Xanadu directly through the stone arch that had been created to contain the Solar Stream.
    Standing before the arch, Emily shivered, remembering how she had destroyed it to protect Xanadu from being discovered by the CRU when they occupied Olympus. But in doing so, Jupiter’s palace and all of Olympus was torn apart and crashed through the Solar Stream right behind them.
    ‘Hey,’ Joel called, catching hold of her hand. ‘You OK? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’
    Emily nodded. ‘Just a few bad memories.’
    ‘I wish you would tell us everything that happened back then,’ Joel said. ‘Why all the secrecy?’
    ‘There’s no point in telling you,’ Emily said. ‘When we destroyed the Titan weapon, time was reset and the disaster never happened. That’s why you don’t remember it.’
    ‘But it did happen,’ Chiron said sympathetically. ‘I was not here for it, but I saw it through your mind. What happened to our beloved Olympus in that other time-line was unforgiveable.’
    Her father put his hands on her shoulders. ‘Em, when this is over and you are back to your old self, we are going to have a long chat about everything that happened in the other time-line. And I mean everything !’
    Emily finally nodded. ‘All right, but let’s just see what Arious has to say first.’
    Her father helped her up on to Pegasus. Joel sat behind her to ensure she stayed awake during the long journey to Xanadu.
    As they drew near the stone arch, Emily looked back to the Big Three. She could see the concern resting heavily on their faces.
    ‘Journey well,’ Jupiter called, raising his hand to her.
    ‘And do not take any foolish risks,’ Neptune added.
    ‘I will keep them safe,’ Chiron promised, taking the lead. ‘We will return shortly.’

11
    Lorin played with the small Flame dancing on the palm of her hand. With each moment that passed, she was growing stronger and more confident. Pulling the Flame back into herself, she rose from her bed and walked over