The Colosseum, in the private box reserved for the Giant King.
Orion stood on the high platform, watching the combat in the arena below with the same intensity as any other spectator.
"Daddy… Daddy!"
The child perched on Orion's neck was not Pallas, but his adopted daughter, Elara. Pallas himself was relegated to his father's broad shoulder, from where he repeatedly called out, trying to get Orion to remove the usurper. In Pallas's young mind, Elara was occupying his throne.
Orion glanced at Pallas from the corner of his eye but said nothing, a faint smile on his lips. He wanted his son to learn to solve his own problems. Besides, Elara was his acknowledged daughter, the eldest, and with that title came all the rights and privileges thereof.
"Remember, Pallas," Elara said, her voice bright and teasing. "When your big sister is here, this spot belongs to me."
