He looked at the bow, tapping the bow's handle as he continued. "He was just a vassal king of a tiny region in the hills—but he rode beside Athena into the flames. He saved Ares from the jaws of Atlas himself. And for that, Zeus gave him a gift… not just any weapon, but the very bow once wielded by Cronus, father of the sky-lords. The Bow of Aegis."
The baby squirmed.
"And so we come, little one," Damonis whispered, "to seek its blessing upon you."
He lifted Icarus so the baby could peer at the golden string. "Go on," he murmured. "Touch it, if you feel you must."
With tiny fingers, Icarus reached forward. His small fingers curled around the string, and he tugged once, lightly, almost shyly. The bow trembled and gave a faint hum as if it called out.
King Damonis' moved back in reflex, pulling the baby into his embrace, only to witness its movement.
Damonis's breath caught, a frown appearing on his face. "What in—?"
