ALSOBYKATEEROBERT
DarkOlympus
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Books.Change.Lives.CruelSeductioncontainsexplicitsex,attemptedmurder,murder,violence,blood,childabuse(historical,non-graphic),andattemptedsexualassault(historical,off-page)Copyright?2023byKateeRobert
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Cataloging-in-PublicationDataisonfilewiththeLibraryofCongress.CONTENTS
FrontCover
TitlePage
Copyright
Musewatch
1.Aphrodite
2.Hephaestus
3.Hephaestus
4.Pandora
5.Aphrodite
6.Hephaestus
7.Adonis
8.Aphrodite
9.Pandora
10.Aphrodite
11.Hephaestus
12.Aphrodite
13.Adonis
14.Hephaestus
15.Pandora
16.Hephaestus
17.Adonis
18.Aphrodite
19.Hephaestus
20.Aphrodite
21.Hephaestus
22.Adonis
23.Aphrodite
24.Hephaestus
25.Adonis
26.Aphrodite
27.Pandora
28.Hephaestus
29.Aphrodite
30.Hephaestus
31.Adonis
32.Aphrodite
33.Pandora
34.Hephaestus
35.Adonis
36.Hephaestus
37.Aphrodite
ExcerptfromMidnightRuin
Acknowledgments
AbouttheAuthor
BackCoverToeveryonewholovesMESS.Thisone’sforyou.MUSEWATCH
PreviouslyinOlympus…
OLYMPUS’SSWEETHEARTGONEWILD!
PersephoneDimitrioushockseveryonebyfleeinganengagementwithZeustoendupinHades’sbed!
ZEUSFALLSTOHISDEATH!
PerseusKasioswillnowtakeupthetitleofZeus.Canhepossiblyfillhisfather’sshoes?
APHRODITEONTHEOUTS
AfterpubliclythreateningPsycheDimitriouformarryinghersonEros,AphroditeisexiledbytheThirteen.ShechoosesErisKasiostobesuccessortohertitle.
ARESISDEAD…
AtournamentwillbeheldtochoosethenextAres…andHelenKasiosistheprize.
…LONGLIVEARES
Inastunningturnofevents,HelenKasioshaschosentocompeteforherownhand…andshewon!WenowhavethreeKasiossiblingsamongtheThirteen.
NEWBLOODINTOWN!
AfterlosingoutontheArestitle,MinosVitalisandhishouseholdhavegainedOlympuscitizenship…andarecelebratingwithahousepartyfortheages.Wehavetheguestlist,andyou’llneverguesswho’sinvited!
APOLLOFINDSLOVEATLAST?
AfterbeingostracizedbyOlympusformostofheradultlife,CassandraGatakihassnaggedoneoftheThirteenasherveryown!SheandApollowerelookingverycozytogetherattheDryad.
MURDERFAVORSTHEBOLD
Tragedystrikes!HephaestuswaskilledbyTheseusVitalis,triggeringalittle-knownlawthatplacesTheseusasthenewHephaestus.Thepossibilitiesare…intriguing.1APHRODITE
Evenasachild,IknewIwouldn’tmarryforlove.Loveisafairytale,afantasybuiltonliesasfineasgossamerwings.Normalpeoplemarryforlove.Theysettledown,dothewhite-picket-fencething,havetwo-point-fivechildrenandadognamedSpot.Maybethey’rehappyintheend.Maybethey’renot.
Thatisn’tmypath.
I’mmarryingforpower.Forduty.ForOlympus.
Itightenthetieofmysilkrobeandfighttheurgetopacearoundthebridalsuite.Justfifteenminutesbefore,itwasfilledtothebrimwithbridesmaidsandhairandmakeuppeople,butIsentthemawaytogivemyselftimetobreathe.Twoweeksisnowherenearlongenoughtopulltogetheraweddingworthyofmytitle,butdesperatetimescallfordesperatemeasures.
MynewhusbandisanenemytothecitythatIlove.Amurderer,whokilledthelastHephaestustogainhistitle.Heandhisfamilyareadangerunlikethiscityhaseverknown,andwiththebarrieraroundOlympusfailing,thestakeshaveneverbeenhigher.
EvenifIhavenodoubtsabouttakingthiscourseofaction,thatdoesn’tmeanit’swithoutcost.
Ipressmyhandtothespotonmyhipwhereasmalltattooishidden,theskinstilltenderfromthefreshinkingyesterday.Ananemoneflower.I’mnotnormallysosentimental,butthephysicalpainalleviatestheacheinmychestalittle.Oratleastthat’swhatItellmyselfasIturntothewindowoverlookingthecourtyardwhereI’llwalkdowntheaisleandsignmylifeawaytoOlympus’snewHephaestus.
Therowsofseatsarehalf-filledwithalltheimportantpeopleinthiscity.Myfamilyisnowhereinevidence;likelythey’rehavingsomekindofhushedmeetingrightaboutnowtoensuremygroomdoesn’tattempttoleavemeatthealtar.
Hedidn’tchoosethismarriage,afterall.
Ismile.Idon’tknowwhatTheseusVitalisthoughthe’daccomplishbytakingtheHephaestustitlebyforce,buthe’sasmallfishinabigpondhere,evenifheisnowoneoftheThirteen.Hetriedtoargueagainstthemarriage,butwiththerestoftheThirteeninagreementonthiscourseofaction,hewasessentiallyout-voted.
Ichosethis.Iwillcontinuetochoosethis.GrowingupasthedaughterofoneZeus—andnowthesistertoanother—therewasneveranyquestionthatmymarriagewouldbeoneofpolitics.
ItalsomeansI’mnostrangertoviolenceanddeath.AndifMinos’speopledecidethey’rebetterofftryingtotakemytitlebymakinghimawidower…
Iignorethefrissonofsomethingalmostlikefearslitheringdownmyspine.RulingOlympusmeanswe’reallswimminginblooduptoournecks,evenifsomeofmypeerspretendotherwise.I’veneverhadtheluxuryofasoftfantasy,andI’mnotabouttostartnow.
I’lldoanythingtokeepthiscitysafe.
Eventhis.Especiallythis.Iwasmadeforthis.
Aknockonmydoorhasmeturningfromthewindow.Itightenmybeltagain,pausetoensuremymakeupispristine,andwalktothedoor.“IsaidIneedsometime.Whyareyou—”IstopshortwhenIseewho’sontheotherside.Ithoughttheacheinmychestwasinconvenientearlier.It’snothingcomparedtothepureagonythatflaresasIlookupintoAdonis’sdarkeyes.
Helooksgood.Ofcoursehelooksgood.Healwaysdoes,evenwhenhe’sobviouslybeenmissingsleep.Hisdark-brownskiniswarmintheearlyafternoonlight,butthereareexhaustionlinesaroundhiseyes.Hedoesn’tsmile.It’sfine.Idon’tdeservehissmilesanylonger,butIstillmourntheloss.“Adonis,”Isaysoftly.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“Iwasinvited.”Ibelatedlyregisterthathe’swearingaperfectlytailoredpale-graysuit.Healwaysdresseswell,butthisisclearlyeventclothing.
Ididn’tinvitehim.Ihaveplentyofcapacityforcruelty,butIdon’tlevelitatthoseIcareabout.AtthoseI…love.Iswallowpasttheawfulsensationinmythroat.“Youshouldn’thavecome.”
Hedoesn’tdenyit.Instead,heseemstodrinkinthesightofme.“Itshouldhavebeenme,Eris.”
He’stheonlypersonoutsidemyfamilywhousesthenameIwasbornwithinsteadofmytitle.Itusedtofeellikeasecretjustbetweenus,butnowhemightaswellhavepulledoutaknifeandstabbedme.Gods,whydoesthishurtsomuch?“Itwasnevergoingtobeyou.”Painmakesmyvoiceharsh.“Mybrotherneverwouldhaveallowedit.”Exceptthat’sacop-out.Zeusdidn’tforcemetomarryHephaestus.Idecidedonthiscourseofaction.Isquaremyshoulders.“Ineverwouldhaveallowedit.”
IfIcouldmarryforlove,IwouldhavemarriedAdoniswithoutasecondthought.Ourrelationshiphasneverbeenparticularlysmooth,butithasbeenconsistentinitsinconsistency.Hemakesmelaughmorethananyotherpersoninthiscity,andhemakesmefeelseen,evenifhedoesn’talwayslikemymorechaoticimpulses.
ButIamAphrodite,formerlyErisKasios,daughterofoneZeusandsistertoanother.MyfatewaswrittenthemomentIwasborn.
Adonis’sjawgoestight.“Comewithme.”
“What?”
“Comewithme,”Adonisrepeats.Heholdsoutabroadhand.“I’vealreadybribedTriton.Wejusthavetogettotheboundaryandhe’llseeusthrough.Youdon’thavetodothis,Eris.Wecanleave.Wecanstartalifesomewhereoutsidethisfuckingcityandbehappy.”
Thespacebehindmyeyesburns,butIamaKasiosandIlearnedfromaveryyoungagetocontrolmytears.Iwillnotcrynow,evenifitfeelslikethebrokenshardsofmyheartaregrindingtodustagainsteachother.“No.”
Hedoesn’tdrophishand.“Itdoesn’thavetobelikethis.”
HowcanIlovehimevenmorenow,knowingthathewouldsacrificeeverythingforme,eventhoughIwouldneverhaveaskeditofhim?
Ishakemyheadslowly.“No,”Irepeat.“Wehadsomethingspecial,Adonis.Don’truinitwiththeatrics.”Thewordsarecruel,intentionallyso.Iswallowhardandpushthrough.IfIhavetohurthimtokeephimsafe,thenIwill.
Thisiswhywecouldneverbeendgame.Adonisinsistsonseeingthebestofme,withoutacknowledgingthedepthsIwilldescendtoinordertokeepmypeopleandmycitysafe.Hewillalwaysbalkaboutdoingwhatneedstobedone,andIdon’thavetheluxuryofhesitation
“Eris—”
“Aphrodite.”Mygripgoeswhite-knuckledonthedoor.“IamAphrodite,andyou’ddamnwellbetterrememberit.Ichosethis,Adonis.Ichose…him.”
“Don’tlietome.Youhatehim.”
“Iwouldrathertakeaknifetohisthroatthansliphisringonmyfinger.”
Heflinches.“Thenwhy?”
“Youknowwhy.”Ihavetopauseandlowermyvoice.“Yourparentsdidn’traiseafool,sostopplayingtheinnocent.MinoshasafootholdintheThirteennow;heisn’tgoingtostop.Whathappensifwetucktailandflee,leavingeveryoneelsetopaythepriceofhisambitions?”
“That’snotfair.”
“No,it’snot.NeitherisyoushowinguphereandaskingsomethingfrommethatwebothknowIcan’tgive.”Mychestachessomuch,Icanbarelydrawafullbreath.Irefusetoletitshowonmyface.“WhatIdo,Idotoprotectthiscityandeveryoneinit.Includingyou.”
Thismarriageistheonlyway.Friendscloseandenemiescloserandallthat.IwantHephaestustopay,andthebestwaytoensurethathappensisifwe’resharingalife,ahome,abed.Heandhislittlefucked-upfamilywon’tbeabletoslitheraboutunnoticedwhenwe’reinsuchclosequarters.He’llslipup,andwhenhedoes,I’llbetheretogatheralltheinformationIneedtoensureMinosdoesn’tsucceed.
Inthemeantime,I’llkeepmynewhusbandsobusychasinghistailthathewon’thavetimetoworryaboutplottinghisnextmove.
Iliftmychin.“Iammarryinghim,Adonis.Nothingyousayordowillchangethat.”It’sonthetipofmytonguetoapologize,butifI’msorrythisishurtinghim,I’mnotsorrythatI’mtakingthisnecessaryaction.“Ithinkyoushouldleave.”
Hisbroadshouldersslump.“You’reserious.You’rereallygoingtomarryhim.”
“Yes.”Ithurtstowatchhimcrumple,butithurtsmorewhenhestraightensandshakesitoff.AnyonewithadropofpowerinOlympuslearnstolieearlyandoften,withwordandactionandexpression.
Adonishasjustneverbotheredtolietomebefore.
Hedoesitnowwithabrightgrinthatdoesn’tquitereachhiseyes.“Pointtaken,Aphrodite.”
Gods,butithurtstohearthatnameonhislips.“Adonis—”
“Seeyouaround.Ornot.”Heturnswithoutanotherwordandwalksaway.
Itellmyselftoclosethedoor,tonotwatchhimandhopeagainsthopethathe’llturnbackandlookatme.Thatthisthingbetweenuswon’tbeover,onceandforall.
Iknowbetter.Despitehowhesometimesseems,Adonisisnoinnocent.Wegrewuptogether.HeknowsexactlywhatittakestograbpowerinOlympus—andwhatittakestokeepit.
“Eris?”
Ijoltatmysister’svoice.Ihadn’tevenheardherapproach.“I’mfine,”Isayautomatically.IalmostsoundlikeIbelieveit.
“Wasthat—”ShelookspastmetowhereAdonisisdisappearingaroundthecorner.
“Idon’twanttotalkaboutit.”Istepbackintotheroom.IttakesafullfivebreathsbeforeIhavemyemotionsundercontrol.Thenewtattooonmyhipfeelslikeit’sbeatingintimewithmyheart,butthat’sjustmymindplayingtricks.“Helpmegetintothisdress.”
Helen—Ares,she’scallednow—followsmeintotheroomwithworryinherhazeleyes.She’salreadyready,dressedinthetastefulredbridesmaiddressIpickedoutlastweek.Ittookabitofdoingtogetourdressestailoredandreadyintime,butthedesignerpulleditoff.NotthelegendaryJuliette—shedoesn’tlikememuch—butanotherrecommendedbyPsycheDimitriou.
Mysisterunzipsthecoveraroundmydress.“Youdon’thavetodothis.”
We’vehadthissameconversationhalfadozentimessinceIannouncedIwouldmarryournewHephaestus,makingourunionaconditionoftherestoftheThirteenacceptinghimandthepower-hungryMinosintoourinnercircle.
ButHelenisanidealist.I’mstillnotsurehowshemanagedthatwhilegrowingupinthesamehouseholdIdid.Havinganabusivemegalomaniacasafatherhasawayofbringingthingsintoperspective.Helenhasspentherwholelifefightingagainsttheroleshewasassignedatbirth.
I’veembracedit.
Idon’tbothertoanswerherasshetakesdownthedressandholdsitformetostepinto.I’veplannedmyimagecarefullyforthisevent,fromthedressthatdipslowbetweenmybreastsandskimstherestofmybody,tothelacelayeredoverfabricpanelsthesamecolorasmyskin.It’smeanttotease,totantalize.
Thismarriagewon’tbeinnameonly.Iwon’tgivemynewhusbandasinglepieceofammunitiontosayit’sanythinglessthanlegitimateinordertoclaimanannulment.Thatincludesconsummating,nomatterhowdistastefulIfindtheidea.Hephaestusisattractiveinaroughkindofway,buthe’scrudeandaboutassubtleasabrickthroughawindow.Mutualhatecanleadtointensechemistryinthebedroom,butinthiscase,withhowhekeepslookingatmelikehe’dlovetoseemybloodpaintthewalls,I’llbeluckyifwebothmakeittotomorrowalive.
Helenfinisheszippingmeupandstepsback,herexpressionunreadable.Whenwestandsidebyside,it’sachinglyclearthatwe’recloselyrelated.Wehaveourmother’scoloring,thoughHelen’shairislighterthanminewithlittlebitsofredcatchingthelateafternoonlight.She’sprettier,too,thoughprettyisn’ttherightword.Helenhastraffic-stoppingbeauty.Onme,thesamefeaturesarealittletoosharp,alittleuncanny.
Ipreferitthatway.Mybeautymakespeopleuncomfortable.Wary.
Mynewhusbandwon’tknowwhathithim2HEPHAESTUS
“Idon’twanttodothis.”
“It’stoolateforthat,myboy.”Minos,thefosterfatherIoweeverythingto,standsbeforemeandadjustsmycollar.Almostasifhe’sarealfatherathisrealson’swedding.Theprideonhisfaceisrealenough,evenifeverythingelseabouttodayisafarce.Hepatsmyshoulder.“Withgreatpowercomesgreatresponsibility.”
Funnyhowheonlyremembersthelastpartofthatsayingwhenitsuitshim.WhenwecametoOlympus,thingsseemedsimpleenough.TaketheArestitleandsecureaspotfortherestofmyfamilyinthiscesspoolofacity.Exceptnothinghasgonetoplansincewearrivedhere.Iwaseliminatedinthesecondroundinsteadofgoingontowinthewholetournament.More,thatlittlebitchleftmykneepermanentlyfuckedup.Notevensurgerycouldfixit.
Ifwewereanyoneelse,thatwouldhavebeentheendofit.
We’renotanyoneelse,though.Minosisn’tanyoneelse.He’sapowerfulmanbeholdentosomeoneevenmorepowerful.Asinglefailureisn’tenoughtosetsomeonelikethatback.I’mnotconvincedhedidn’tplanforustomissthemarkintheArestournament,becausehepivotedfastenoughafterward.
“Youneversaidthattakingthetitlelikethiswouldsinkmeuptomyneckinpoliticalbullshit.”PoliticalbullshitlikemarryingthatwitchAphrodite.FromthemomentIsawher,I’vehatedherandwantedherinequalmeasures.She’stoosmart,toogorgeous,toogoodatgettingundermyskin.Amarriagewouldbebadenough—it’snotsomethingI’veeverwanted—butwiththispairing,everydaywillbeabattlefield.
“Ifyou’dsucceededatclaimingtheArestitle,youwouldhavemarriedHelen.”AnedgecreepsintoMinos’svoice.“Youfailed,sohereweare.Helenwouldhavebeenamorebiddablewife,butthedicehavebeenrolled.”
Ihighlydoubtthewomanwhomaimedmewouldeverbedescribedasbiddable,butI’mnotabouttoargue.Itdoesn’tmatter,anyway.I’mnotmarryingHelen.I’mmarryingAphrodite.“Ididn’tfailtwice,”Isnap.
I’moneoftheThirteenmostpowerfulpeopleinOlympusnow,butsinceIkilledthelastHephaestusandsteppedintohisplace,there’sbeennothingbutstringstyingmedown.Can’tdothis.Can’tdothat.Havetomarryher.Inallthisshit,noonementionedthatI’dloseallfreewillthemomentIlostmyname.Ifuckinghateit.
Minosdrawshimselfup.He’sabigman,nearlyasbroadasmeandaninchtaller.He’sagedinthetimewe’vebeenhere,thelinesdeeperaroundhiseyesandmouth.Allmylife,he’sbeenagodlikefigure.He’stheonewhorescuedmefromthatorphanage,theonewhotaughtmeeverythingIknowandcarvedmeintothewarriorIamtoday.
Imightnotagreewithallhisshit,butIowehimeverything.
Istarttodragmyhandthroughmyhair,buthecatchesmywrist.“You’llmussyourself.”
“Icouldgiveafuck.”
Hismouththins.“Appearancesmatterhere,Hephaestus.That’salessonyouneedtolearn,andfast.”
Hephaestus.NotTheseus.TheonlypersonwhousesmyrealnameanymoreisPandora,andIhaven’tseenmuchofherinthelasttwoweeks.Myfiancéeisholdingherhostageintheweddingparty,thoughAphroditewouldneverbesoplainastosayasmuch.“MynameisTheseus.”
“Notanymore.”Minoslooksmeupanddown.“You’renousetomeifyoucan’tdoyourjob.We’renotdonehereinOlympus,notbyalongshot,andIcan’twastetimebabysittingyou.Ihavethingstotakecareof.”
Thingstotakecareof.Right.Notthathetellsmemuchanymore.Mynameisn’ttheonlythingIlostwhenIbecameHephaestus.ThetitleputmeontheothersideofthelinefromMinos,oratleastitfeelsthatway.Ican’tshakethefeelinghedoesn’ttrustmenow.“Igotit,”Ifinallymanage.“Iwon’tdisappointyou.”
“Iknowyouwon’t,myboy.Notagain.”Heglancesathiswatch.“It’stime.”
Aprotestrisesupmythroat,butIswallowitbackdown.It’stoolatetoturnback.Itwastoolatethemomentwecametothisfuckingcity.IfollowMinosoutintothehallwaywheremygroomsmenaregathered.Myfosterbrothers,theMinotaurandIcarus…andthetwomenIdidn’tchoose.Eros,afuckingfixerforOlympus.AndZeus,myfuturebrother-in-law.Theycouldn’thavespelledoutthethreatmoreclearlythanifthey’dwrittenitinblood.
Zeusisawhiteguywithblondhairandblueeyessocold,theygiveevenmepause.Heraisesaneyebrow.“Problem?”
“Notatall.”Minosisallprojectedgoodcheer.“Nocoldfeettospeakof.”
“Good.”Somuchthreatinfourletters.“Let’sgo.”
Wefileoutofthebuildingandintotheyardorcourtyardorwhateverthefuckthisspaceis.It’spackedwithpeopleandthereareflowerseverywhere.Asifthisisarealwedding,insteadofacharade.
TherestoftheThirteenarehere.Ieasilypickthemoutinthefirstfewrows.Artemis,wholookslikeshewantsnothingmorethantostrikemedownwhereIstandforkillinghercousin.Athena,Dionysus,Apollo,Poseidon,allofthemseriousandstern.InoticethatApollobroughthislittlegirlfriendalong
Everysingleoneofthemwantsmedead,andheretheyare,attendingmywedding.Havetokeepupappearances.Thiscitylovesthatshit.Demeter,Hades,andHeraroundouttheguests.Soft.Allofthemaresofuckingsoft
Themusicswells,andthegueststurnasonetolookbackatthefancydooratthebackofthespace.FirstcomesAriadne,myfostersister.Idon’thavemuchexperiencewithweddings,butIthoughtthepointwastopickuglybridesmaiddressessotheydon’tshowupthebride.Aphroditehasn’tdonethat.ThedeepredlooksniceagainstAriadne’slight-brownskinandthecutisflatteringonhercurvybody.
Mygazetrackstothereportersclusteredjustofftotheside.Theirsnappingcamerasareaudibleevenwiththestrangelittlemelodytheweddingplannerpickedforthispartoftheevent.
Pandorafollows,andfuckifthatdoesn’tpissmeoffevenmore.Shelooksgreat.Shealwayslooksgreat.HerdressisalittledifferentfromAriadne’sandfitshercurvestoperfection.Shegivesmeabigsmile,asifthiswholethingisrealinsteadofapoliticalmarriagetomyenemy.Butthen,Pandorahasahabitofonlyseeingthebrightsideofthings.She’smyperfectbalanceinthatwaybecausefuckifIcanseeanythingbrightaboutthissituation.
IwishI’dhadachancetotalktoherinthelastcoupledays.Shealwayshasanewperspectivetooffer,andmaybesheknowssomesecretthatwillmakethismarriageanythinglessthanopenwarfare.
Exceptthat’safool’sdream.
HermesandAresfollow.HermesisapetiteBlackwomanwearinganhonest-to-godsjumpsuitwithhernaturalcurlsonfulldisplay.She’scute,butI’veseenexactlyhowdangeroussheis.Onlyafoolwouldseetheimpishsmileandthinkshe’sharmless.
Aresislast:awhitewomanwithauburnhair,eachmoveshowcasingthekindofgracethatsheusedagainstmeintheArescompetition.Ihadn’tknownshewasagymnastbeforeenteringthetournament.MaybeifIhad,Iwouldn’thaveunderestimatedher.Iwatchherapproachwithnarrowedeyes.She’sthereasonIwalkwithalimpnow,andI’dlikenothingmorethantoreturnthefavor.
Aresliftshergazeandcatchesmestaring.She’sabsolutelystunning,evenwhenglaring.IfAphroditedidn’twanttobeoutshoneonherweddingday,sheshouldn’thaveputhersisterintheweddingparty.Aresisthekindofbeautifulthatmakesmealittlesicktomystomach.Featurestooperfecttobereal.
Icouldfixthatforher.
Hergazeflickstomykneeandhersmilewidens.It’severythingIcandotostandperfectlystillasshewalkspasttotakeupherplaceontheothersideofthealtarinsteadofwrappingmyhandsaroundherlongthroat.
Themusicchangesandthenit’sAphrodite’sturn.
Theairgoeschargedasshestepsthroughthedoorsandmakesherwayslowlydowntheaisle.Shedoesn’thavethesameotherworldlybeautythatAresdoes,butIcan’ttearmygazeawayfromher.Herdressisalmostindecent,oratleasthintsthatitcouldbewithonewrongmove,andhermassofdarkhairispiledonherheadinafancydesignthatlookslikeittookhours.
Sheholdsmygazeboldly.Itstrikesmethatshe’swalkingdowntheaislealone.Shouldn’therbrotherbegivingherawayinsteadofstandingatmybacklikehewantsnothingmorethantosinkaknifebetweenmyribsbeforeIcansaymyvows?
There’sprobablysomesymbolismhere.Olympusseemstolovethatshit.Nothingisstraightforwardandnoonesayswhattheymean.Itwasn’tlikethatbackonAeaea.Iwon’tpretenditwassomenicelifewithoutpitfalls,butatleastpeopledidn’tsmiletoyourfaceandthenmurderyouthefirstchancetheygot.
Itisn’tlostonmethatIdidexactlythattwoweeksago.
Aphroditestopsinfrontofme.She’salreadytall,butwearsheelsthatmakehereventallerthanmysixfeet,twoinches.Shesmilesandit’snotahappyexpression.Ionceagainhavetofightnottotense.I’vereadtheheadlinesofthatgossipsitetheycallnews—MuseWatch.Noonebelievesthisisalovematch.It’sareliefinaway.
Idon’thavetopretendtolikemywife.
Thepriest,anoldwhiteguywithallofthreehairsonthetopofhishead,startsgoingonabouttheprinciplesthatguideagoodmarriage,butIignorehimandstareatthewomanI’mlinkingmylifeto.
Notforlong.NotifMinosandtheothershavetheirway.Icanseehimoutofthecornerofmyeye,allsmilesandpretendjoy.Myfosterfatherdoesn’tsharemydifficultywithlyinginbothexpressionandbodylanguage.Thememoryofhiswordshasmestraightening.
Thisiswhat’srequiredtokeeptherestofthemthinkingwe’recowed.Playthepart,Theseus
Ifollowthepriest’sinstructionstoplacemylefthandunderAphrodite’sright.Herskinissoftandsmooth,freeofthecallusesthatmarkmine.I’mnotfoolenoughtothinkthatmeansshe’snotdangerous.She’salreadyprovedotherwise.
“Coldfeet,Husband,”shemurmurs.
“Nocolderthanyourheart,”Isnap.
Thepriestignoresusashewrapsapieceofgoldenclotharoundourhands,bindingustogethersymbolically.Hedronesonaboutbindingourlivestogether.Itseemstogoonforever,thelatesummersunbeatingdownonusandmakingmysuitfeeltootight.Iwanttogetthefuckoutofhere,tomoveuntilIstopfeelinglikeananimalinatrap.
Hefinallyliftsourhandshigh.“Whatthegodshavebound,nooneshouldseparate.”
Andthenit’sover.
We’llhavetowearthebindingsuntilthereception,whichseemslikeagoodtimetoattemptanassassination,whenbothpartiesareawkwardlytiedtoeachotherandatleastone’sdominanthandisoutofcommission.AnotheruselessOlympustradition.
Myskinpricklesaswewalkbackdowntheaisletogether.Noneofthepeoplewatchingusseemoverlyhappywiththisevent.That’stobeexpected,butIdidn’tanticipateitmakingmefeelsofuckingvulnerable.Ihateit.
Westepthroughthedoors,butAphroditedoesn’tstopthere.Shepracticallydragsmethroughthehall,pasttheballroomwherepartofthereceptionwillbeheld,andthroughanondescriptdoor
Myeyesarestilladjustingtothedimnesswhenshespinsandshovesmeagainstthewall.It’sawkwardbecauseourboundhandsmeanshecomeswithme,landingagainstmychest.
“Youfuckingbastard,”shesnarls.
Justlikethat,Iknowexactlywhyshe’spissed.Apparentlymylittleinvitationfounditshome.Good.Irelaxbackagainstthewallandlookupather.“Problem,Wife?”
“Youknowexactlywhattheproblemis.”Shegrabsformychin,butIcatchherwristbeforeshecanmakecontact.Shenarrowshereyes.“Releaseme.”
“Callitanoverabundanceofcaution.”Itightenmygripalittlewhensheyanksonit.“Wouldn’twantyouclawingupmyprettyfacewiththosenails.”NowthatIhaveabetterlookatthem,I’mnotatallsurprisedtoseethatthey’resharpenoughtoserveasweaponsintheirownright.She’snotgoingtoberippingoutanythroats,butshecouldprobablytakeaneyeortwo
Aphroditeflipsaswitchsofastitmakesmyheadspin,allherfurytuckedawaybetweenoneheartbeatandthenext.Shegoessoftagainstme,hersmilestillcoldasice.“You’renotpretty,Hephaestus.Youneverknow;afewscarsmightbeanimprovement.They’vecertainlyservedtheMinotaurwell.”
“Pass.”Mywiresaregettingcrossedbythisinteraction.Shecameinlikeanattack,butnowshe’spressedagainstmelikealover,herbreastsnearlyspillingoutofherdress.Ourfacesareeven,closeenoughtokiss.Idon’tlikehowfastshechangedthingsuponme.Idon’ttrustit.“Backoff.”
“Why,Husband?We’llbeconsummatingthismarriageshortly.Wecouldgetstartednow.”
Justlikethat,Igetit.Theangerwastheslip,notthisweirdsexualtensionthatflaresbetweenuslikepoison.Ilowerherarmandpinittothesmallofherback,pressinguscloseryet.It’safighttokeepmybodyfromrespondingtoher.I’monlyhuman,andAphroditemightbeasnake,butshe’sagorgeousone.
She’salsojustconfirmedexactlywhatIsuspected…andhandedmetheultimateweaponintheprocess.
Ileandownalittletospeakdirectlyintoherear.“Didyourlittleboyfriendpayyouavisit,Wife?”
Shetensesforhalfabeatandthenrelaxes.Aquickrecovery,butwe’repressedtootightlytogetherformetomissit.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.”
“Liar.”Beingthiscloseisamistake,butIlikethatshecan’tlieeffectivelylikethis.Itmakesmewanttopressmyadvantage.“Didheoffertosaveyou?Totakeyouawayfrombig,badme?”
Again,aquicktensingfollowingbyaforcedrelaxation.Aphroditereleasesaslowbreath.“Adoniswasafunlittleflingwholethisemotionsgetthebestofhim.Hedoesn’tmatter.”
Ilaugh.“Cutestory.Isawthewayyoulookedathimatthehouseparty.Seemslikelove.”IfIhavetobeinthismarriage—andIdo—thenIfullyintendtomakeAphroditepayforcorneringmeinthefirstplace.Politicalmachinationsmayhaveforcedmeintothis,butI’mdeterminedtoendupontop.Nomatterhowformidablesheis,she’sgotoneglaringweakspot.
AndIfullyintendtoexploithim.
APHRODITE
Thereceptionstretchesonforaneternity.EventhoughIcarefullyhidewhatI’mfeeling,Ican’tstopthesinkinginmystomach.Iplayedrightintomynewhusband’shands.Amistake,andonethatwillbecostly.Ican’taffordtounderestimateHephaestus,andreactingtoAdonisunexpectedlyshowingupbeforemyweddingtotheenemy?Imightaswellhavewavedaredflaginfrontofabull.Myhusbandwillbecharginginnotime.IwishIcouldtrustAdonistoavoidthatpitfall,butemotionsmakeeverythingmessyandIhurthimbadlybymakingthismove.
He’snottheonlyone.
Allthroughthespeechesandcakecuttingandfirstdance,Hephaestuskeepsthatsatisfiedsmirkinplace.Itmakesmewantto…
Imanagetoextractmyselfandpartwayswithmyhusbandtograbaglassofchampagneoffawaiter’stray.Now’sthetimetofollowhimbacktoourseatsatthecenterofthebridalpartytable,butIneedamoment,soIdriftovertothedoorwayleadingbackoutside.Theairhascooledwiththesunsetting,givingthefirsthintofthebitewinterwillbring.
Iclosemyeyesandinhaledeeply.ThedesiretostrikebackatHephaestusafterthatlittlealtercationisnearlyoverwhelming,butIhaven’tmadeittowhereIamnowbyactingimpulsively.Mostly.
Rightnow,theonlythingthatmattersisgettingthroughtherestofthereceptionandthenmanagingtoresisttheimpulsetomakemyselfawidowonmyweddingnight.Hephaestusisanenemy,buthe’saknownone.IfMinosthinkshe’sgettinghisway,hewilllethisguarddown.Hopefully.
WorryingaboutMinosandhisplanscanwaitfortomorrow.
Evenknowingthatisthesmartestcourseofaction,Ican’thelpsearchingthefacesoftheguestsgatheredintheballroom.Adonisisn’there—Iknowheisn’t—butthatdoesn’tstopmefromlookingdespitemyself.
Hewon’thaveleftOlympus;notwithoutme.Hislifeishere.Hisfamilyandfortuneandawholecity’sworthofadmirers.Hehasawayofdrawingpeopletohimwhereverhegoes,hischarmandbeautymakinghimthedarlingofMuseWatchandagoodportionofthelegacyfamilies.NotenoughtohelphimsecureoneofthetitlesoftheThirteenforhimself,butAdonislivesacharmedlife
NoneofthatreallyexcuseswhatI’vedone.
OrthefactthatIdidn’ttalktohimaboutitfirst.
Ismothertheguilttryingtotakerootinmychest.Adonisknewwhathewasgettingwhenwestartedthisill-fatedon-again,off-againrelationshipseveralyearsago.IwasaKasiosbeforeIbecameAphrodite.
Idrainmychampagneglassandtuckallthemessyemotionsaway.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatcouldhavebeenbecausethisismyreality.IwillnotgivemynewhusbandandhisfamilyevenanounceofsatisfactionfromthinkingthatI’mheartbroken.
Beingheartbrokenwouldrequiremetohaveaheart.
Imakemywaytowardthetablewiththeweddingparty.It’sslowgoingbecauseeveryonewantstostopthebrideandwishmecongratulationsorusethirtysecondsoftheirtimetotrytoweaselclosertothepowerAphroditeholds.Mytitle’sresponsibilitiesincludemakingmarriagematches,andarrangedmarriagesareoneofOlympus’sfavoritewaystoconsolidatepower.
Againandagain,myattentionisdrawnbacktothebridalparty.They’vemixedupabit.Mypeople—Hermes,Eros,andmybrotherandsister—ononesideandHephaestus’s—theMinotaur,Icarus,Ariadne,andPandora—ontheother.It’sthelatterwhointerestsme.
InthebrieftimeI’veknowntheircursedhousehold,Pandoraseemstobetheonlyonewhommylovelyhusbanddoesmorethantolerate.Evennow,he’sleaningoverIcarustospeaktoherandthere’sanactualsmileonhisface.It’sstrangeandsoft,anditmakesmewanttograbthenearestpieceofsilverwareandgougehiseyesout.
Instead,IfocusonPandora.She’saprettylittlething—shortandsoftwiththekindofcurvesapersoncansinktheirhandsinto.Smoothlight-brownskinandathickfallofwavyblackhaircompletethepicture.Butwhatreallysetsherapartisthewayshelightsuparoomwhenshewalksintoit.HerlaughfillsaspaceinawayI’veneverexperiencedbefore.IaddedhertomysideoftheweddingpartyoutofspitebecauseIknewitwouldbotherHephaestus,butIactuallyfoundmyselfenjoyingbeingaroundher.
Ifherattitudeisamask,it’sthebestI’veeverseen.
Hephaestusseesmecomingandsitsbackabruptly,hissmilefallingawayandcloudsgatheringinhisdarkeyes.Idislikehowattractiveheis.Medium-brownskinanddark-redhairthat’sactuallytrimmedproperlyforthisevent.Hismuscularframemarkedhimasawarriorbeforehisinjury,andIhavenodoubtthatevenwithhisinjuredknee,hecandoplentyofdamage.
HekilledthelastHephaestus,afterall.
Isliparoundthetableandtakemyplaceathisside.Icandothis.Ichosethis.Thereceptionisallbutover,andthenallthat’sleftistoconsummatethemarriage.Afterthat,Icanputthenextstageofmyplanintomotion.Forthenexthourortwo,Isimplyneedtoendure.Evenknowingit’scoming,therestofthereceptionpassesinablurofcongratulations.
Andthenit’stimetoseeusoff.
Hephaestushasonlyjustmovedintothepenthouseheinheritedwiththetitle—likelybecausehispredecessor’speoplemadethetransitiondifficult—andIhavenointentionoflettinghimintomyhome.Asaresult,we’vebookedahotelroomforthenight.
Itwasthesimplestsolution,butI’mregrettingtheshorttripnow.Theremainingweddingguestslinethehall,tossingflowersbeforeus,aperfectblendofred—rosesandcarnationsandpoppies.Itcreatesabeautifulstageforustowalkdown,holdinghandsasifwe’rearealhusbandandwife,insteadofenemies.Distantly,Inotethephotographertakingpicturesfuriously.Helenwillgooverwhichtoreleasetonight,andtherestwillbesenttomeafterward.
What’sthepointinaweddingasadistractionifeveryoneisn’ttalkingaboutit?
Mysisterappearsattheendofthehallandpullsmeintoaquickhug.“Besafe,”shewhispers.Somethingcoldpressesintomyhand.
Iglancedownandnearlylaugh.It’sasmallknife,wickedlycurvedanddesignedtofitperfectlyinthepalmofmyhand.“WhatamIsupposedtodowiththis?”
“He’samurderer,Eris.”Shehugsmeagain,speakingdirectlyintomyear.“Dowhatyouhaveto.”
Idon’ttellhernottoworry.Truthfully,thisweddingwasagamble.ItcouldbeasmuchatrapformeasIintendittobeforHephaestus.Ifoneofhisfamilydecidestokillmeandtriggertheassassinationclause—thecarefullyguarded,fucked-upbitofoldOlympianlorethatgainedHephaestushisplaceintheThirteen—theywouldbeentitledtomytitle.Beingalonewithhimisaskingforanambush.
Butthatdangergoesbothways.
“I’llbesafe.”
“Don’tmakepromisesyoucan’tkeep.”Shestepsbackandthenourbrotheristhere.Hedoesn’thugme;he’snotreallythehuggingtype.
Hejustlooksatmeandnods.“Dowhatyouhavetodo.”
Helenmakesanangrysound,butshe’sneverreallyunderstoodPerseus—nowZeus—thewayIdo.He’sruthlesstoafaultandclinicallycold,bothtraitsourbastardofafatherencouraged,buthe’sneverrailedagainsthisroleinthiscity.NotlikeHelen.NotlikeHercules.Iwincealittleatthethoughtofouryoungestbrother.He’snothere.Hewasinvited,ofcourse,buthe’smadeitclearhe’snotreturningtoOlympus,evenifourfatherisgone.
Itrynottoholdthatagainsthim.He’shappyandthat’senoughfortheothers.Ithastobeenoughforme,too.
“IalwaysdowhatIhaveto.”Iturnawayfromwhatremainsofmyfamilyandwalkwithmynewhusbandtotheelevatorthatwilltakeusuptothehoneymoonsuite.ThedoorscloseandI’malonewithHephaestusforthefirsttime.
Idon’tknowwhatIexpect.Threatsormoretaunting,perhaps.Hesaysnothing.Thesilenceunnervesme,butthisisaweaponI’mfamiliarwith.Myfatherdidn’tuseitoften,butwhenhedid,itwassobadIalmostpreferredhisfists.Hewouldignoreuswhenwemadehimaspecialshadeofangry,wouldactasifhecouldn’tseeorhearusforhoursandsometimesdays.Perseusalwaysseemedtofindthatalmostarelief,butitmademewildwithfury.WhenIwasfifteen,Idestroyedanentireroomwhileshriekingatmyfather,andhesattherestaringmildlyoutthewindowanddrinkinghiscoffeetheentiretime.
Ishudder.I’mnotfifteenanylonger.Controlhasbeenhard-won,butitexists.ThedoorsopenbeforeIcanmakealiaroutofmyself,andIchargeforward,leavingHephaestustofollowbehind.
Thehoneymoonsuiteislovely.Everythingaboutthishistorichotelislovely;it’swhyIpickeditforthewedding.Thatandthefactthateverymemberofmyfamilygoingbackgenerationshasbeenmarriedhere.
Inmyfather’scase,multipletimes.
Istareatthetastefulcreamdecorandmystomachtwists.Bestnottothinkaboutthat.Orthefactthatmybrotherandsister-in-lawoccupiedthissameroomfortheirpoliticalmarriagebackinMay.Ishudder.Traditionisatrap,butI’vegonetoofartobackoutnow.
Hephaestusstepsaroundmeandmakesabeelinetothekitchenette.There’sabottleofwhiskeytherewithajauntybowarounditthatseemstobemadeentirelyofglitter.Evenbeforehepicksupthecardandsnorts,Iknowwhoit’sfrom.
Hermes.Upuntiltwoweeksago,Iconsideredheroneofmybestfriendsinthisworld.Now,Idon’tknowwhattobelieve.Mybrotherthinksshe’satraitor,andshehasn’tdonemuchtodisabusehimofthebelief.Istillcan’tquitebelievethatshemeansthiscityharmorthatshe’sreallyalliedwithHephaestus’sfamily.Surelythere’ssomegameafoot.Surelyshedidn’tfeedMinosinformationwiththeintentionofbringingOlympusandtheThirteendown.
Maybethatbeliefmakesmenaive.I’vebeenaccusedofworse.
IswallowpastthecomplicatedfeelingsthethoughtofherbringsandcrosstojoinHephaestusatthecounter.“Givemethat.”
“I’vegotit.”Heripsatthebowalmostviolently.
Ibarelyresisttheurgetosnatchthebottleoutofhishandsandpickupthecardinstead.Hermes’ssprawlinghandwritinggreetsme.
Enjoytheweddingnight,youtwolovebirds!
Isighandtossitaside.“Alwaysplayinggames.”
“She’sanOlympian.It’swhatyourpeopledo.”Hefinallygetsthebowoffanddropsittothecounterwithadisgustedgrunt.Thebottletopsoonjoinsit.Hephaestustakesalongpulldirectlyfromthebottle.Anothertime,I’dmakeabitingcommentabouthismanners,butrightnowIneedthesamefortificationheobviouslydoes.
No.Damnit,no
Iamnotsomeweakprincess,marriedoffagainstherwill.Thisweddingisbymydesign.Ifthiswereastory,I’dbethecunningqueen,oreventheevilwitch.IamnothelplessandIamnotinnocent.
IfHephaestusneedsliquidcourage,thatmeansI’mtheonecomingoutontopoftoday,nomatterhisnastylittletrickwithAdonisearlier.Istilltakethebottlefromhishandandliftittomylips,holdinghisgazeallthewhile.Oneswallow,thentwo.Istopmyselfthereandsetitonthecounterwithaclink.“Shallwe,dearhusband?”
Heshakeshisheadslowly.“YoureallyareOlympus’swh—”
“I’mgoingtostopyouthere.”IttakeseverythingIhavetoresistclenchingmyfists…andperhapsdrivingonerightintohisface.“Thismarriagecanbeasawfuloraspleasantasyouchoose.”Lies.Ihaveeveryintentionofmakingeachdayanewtormentformydearhusband.AnyinformationIgatherisvaluable,andmybrotherhasmoreplansinplacetofindoutexactlywhatMinosisupto.Wewillattackthisproblem—thisenemy—fromseveraldifferentdirections.
IfIcanmakemynewhusbandsufferintheprocess?Allthebetter.
Helooksatmeasifhe’dliketotossmeoutthenearestwindow.Thefeelingisentirelymutual.
Iresignmyselftoatorturousexperienceandturnforthebedroom.“Let’sgetthisoverwith.”3HEPHAESTUS
ItakeanotherlongpullfromthewhiskeybottlebeforeIfollowAphroditedownthehalltotheridiculouslylavishbedroom.EverythingaboutthisplacereflectsOlympusasawhole.Wealthinvestedinuselessthingstocreateanaesthetic.Appearancesareallthatmattertothecitizensofthiscity,andthelongerI’mhere,thelessconnectedwithrealityIfeel.
Itdoesn’tmatter.Idon’tneedreality.IhaveMinos’splans.Itshouldbeavictorybeyondmeasurethatapissed-offorphanisnowoneofthethirteenmostpowerfulpeopleinoneoftheworld’smostuntouchablecities.Iexpectedthatfeeling,anticipatedit.ThisiswhatI’vealwayswanted,afterall.Powerenoughnottobefuckedwith.
Ididn’tanticipatethatpowerwouldfeellikeasteeltrapclosingaroundmyleg.
Growingup,Ialwaysthoughtpowermeantfreedom.BeingbroughtintoMinos’shouseholdasateenageronlycementedthatbelief.Heanswerstooneperson,andeventhen,it’srarely.Iwantedthatformyself,wanteditsodesperately,Icouldtasteit.
Thelasttwoweekshaveshownmehowwrongthatbeliefis.Ihaven’tmadeachoiceformyselfsincebecomingHephaestus.There’smoreredtapethanIcouldhavedreamed,anditallculminateswiththisfuckingmarriageandthisfuckingnight.
Aphroditetakesherhairdownfromitsfancydesign,pinbypin.Shedoesn’tlookover,doesn’tevenactlikeI’mintheroom.
Now’sthetimetotakechargeofthesituation,toshowherthatI’mnotsomeweaklingthatshecanmanipulateandsteamroll.ButIcan’tquitemakemybodymoveasIwatchdarkstrandafterdarkstrandfall.Herhairislong,reachinghalfwaydownherbackinafaintwave.It’snotnaturallywavy.Oratleastitwasn’tduringthehousepartyMinosthrewtwoweeksago.
Shesetsthelastpinonthedresserandrunsherfingersthroughherhair.“That’sbetter.Now,comeunzipme.”
Ijolt.“Thefuck?”
Aphroditeturnstofaceme,amockingsmileonhercrimsonlips.“Darling,lookatme.Incaseyoudidn’tnotice,thisdresshardlyallowsformuchmovement.”
Againstmybetterjudgment,Idragmygazeoverherbody.Thedresstrulyisamasterpiece.Itleaveslittletotheimagination,andifshe’sbuiltjustassharpinbodyassheisinface,evenIcan’tdenythatAphroditeisbeautiful.Thelaceflowsoverherbody,drawingmyattentiontothecurveofhersmallbreasts,theslightflareofherwaist,themilesandmilesoflegs.
“Turnaround.”Ihardlysoundlikemyself.
Shegivesmeonelastlonglookandthenturns.It’snotbetterwithoutherdarkeyesonme,becausethemirroroverthedresserhidesnothing.Sheshouldbeafraidofme,shouldbewonderingwhatImightdonowthatwe’realone,andyetI’mtheonewho’salmosttentativeasImovetostandbehindher.
Thezipperisatinylittlething,butI’musedtothissortofshitaftergrowingupwithPandoraasabestfriend.Women’sclothingisfuckingimpractical,andPandoralikestopickthemostimpracticalofall.Ihopeshelistenedtomeaboutgoinghomewiththefamilytonight.Shewasalittletipsywhenweleft,andshegetsmischievouswhenshedrinks.Sofar,I’vemanagedtokeepheroutoftroublesincewecametoOlympus,butthisisthefirstnightwewon’tbespendingtogetherinlongerthanIcanremember.
Fuck,Ican’tthinkaboutthat.
She’ssmart.Shewon’tdoanythingdangerous.Afterthemediafrenzythat’sfollowedusaroundsinceIbecameHephaestus,shehastoknowbetterthantobecaughtoutalone.Thereportersandpaparazziareunrelenting.Idon’tknowhowthesefuckerslivelikethis.
Pandoraisn’tpartofMinos’splan,whichmeansshe’sexpendableinhiseyes.Orshewouldbeifhersafetywasn’tsofuckingimportanttome.He’llhaveasecuritydetailonher.Hepromised.
“Problem,Husband?”
Godsdamnit,butIcan’taffordtothinkaboutPandorarightnow.She’llmakeitthroughthenightandI’llcleanupanymesstomorrow.Rightnow,Ineedtofocusonthedangercloserathand.
Mywife.
ItfeelsunbearablyintimatetograbthatridiculouszipperanddragitslowlydownthelineofAphrodite’sspine.Thefabricparts,revealingsmoothpaleskinunmarredbyscars.It’snicetobeanOlympianprincess,apparently.
Thedressslithersoffher,andshemakesnomovetostopit.She’swearingapairofwhitelacepantiesbeneathitandnothingelse.Aphroditeturnstofacemeandleansagainstthedresser.“Yourturn.”
I’veneverfoundthesweet,shyvirginalthingparticularlyattractive,butherbrazenattitudestillsetsmebackonmyheels.She’sbeendrivingthisencounterfromthebeginning.Theweddingwasallherdoing,rightdowntothelittledetails.Andnowthis.
I’mfuckingdone.
“Wedothismyway.”Iclosethedistancebetweenus,pinningherbetweenmeandthedresser.She’sstillwearingherheels,andfuckifitdoesn’tirritatemebeyondallreasontohaveherfaceevenwithmine.
Maybethat’swhyIkissher.It’spureinstinct,wantingtoputherinherplace,toremindherthatshe’snottheoneinchargeofthisshit.
Ishouldhaveknownitwouldn’tbethateasy.
Shemeetsmehalfway,ourkissimmediatelyturningintoawaroftongueandteeth.Idigmyfistintoherhairandwrapmyotherarmaroundherwaist,jerkingheragainstme.Fuck,butshefeelsgood.Ihatehowgoodshefeels.
Ispinusaroundandhalfcarryhertothebed.Myinstinctsareallfuckedup.Iwanttopunishher,tomakethisfastandroughandselfishlychasemyownpleasure…butIcan’tquitemakemyselfstopkissingher.
Aphroditesnakesahandbetweenusandcupsmycockthroughmypants.Shebreaksthekisslongenoughtosay,“Someone’shappytoseeme.”
Nousearguing.I’mhardenoughthatI’mhalf-surprisedIhaven’tsplittheseam.Mywiresalwaysdidgetcrossedwithangerandfucking.“Don’tletitgotoyourhead.”
“Toolate.”Shestrokesmeslowly,awickedgrincurvingherlips.
Again,tryingtotakecontrolofthis.Again,it’sfartootemptingtolether.
Instead,Idropheronthebed.
Sheletsoutastartledyip,butI’malreadymoving,grabbingheraroundthehipsandflippingherontoherstomach.Idragherbackuntilherfeetmeettheground.Thisviewisn’tanylessdistracting.She’sgotatightlittleassthatmakesmewantto…
Iyankherpantiesdownherlegs,cursingabitwhensheliftsherhipstohelpme.Theheelskeepherasshighintheair.Ican’tquitestopmyselffrompalmingher,squeezingherflesh.Shemoansabitandspreadsherlegs.“Now.”
Itwouldbesimpleasfucktofreemycockandtakeherlikethis.Hardandfast.Partoftheweddingpreparationswerebothofusgettingtestedandherprovidingevidenceshe’sonbirthcontrol.
Butapieceofpaperiseasyenoughtoforge.I’vedoneitmyselfinthepast,thoughnotwiththiskindofshit.Marryingthiswomanisonething.Havingachildwithher?Thethoughtmakesmetakeastepback.
Idon’twantkids.I’mself-awareenoughtoknowI’dbeashitparent.Fuck,lookatallthehorrificshitPandoraandIwentthroughinthatorphanagebeforeMinossweptinlikesomefucked-upfairygodfather.Mostimportantly,Idon’tevenlikekids.It’snotworththeriskthatshe’dtrapmelikethis.
“Condom,”Imanage.
Aphroditehuffsoutabreath.“Nowyou’rejuststalling.”ShecontinuesbeforeIcantellherinnouncertaintermsthatI’mnotfuckingherwithoutone.“Topdrawer.”
Idon’taskhowsheknowsthat.Itdoesn’tmatter.Istalktothedresserandyankitopen.Sureenough,there’sasealedcondomboxthere.Ilookitover,tryingtothinkclearlyeventhroughthebloodrushingthroughmyheadandcock.MyconcentrationtakesanosedivewhenIglanceatAphroditeandfindherhandbetweenherthighs,workingherpussy.Icanseetheglistenofherwetnesscoatingherfingersfromhere.
Fuckthis,I’mdonewaiting.
Itearopenthepackageandriponeofthecondomsoff.Ittakesallofafewsecondstogetmycockoutandrollitdownmylength.Idon’ttakeofftherestofmyclothes.Thissituationisoutofcontrolenoughwithoutlosingthatlastbitofabarrier.It’salreadyclearIwon’tputAphroditeinherplacelikethis,butI’llkeepmywordandconsummatethisshamofamarriage.
Backatthebed,Iliftherhipshigherandgrabherhand.Shetenses.“What…oh.”Ipressittomycock,lettingherfeelthecondom.
“Youwon’ttrapmelikethis.”
Shelaughs,lowandthroaty.“AsifIneedto.We’realreadymarried,Husband.”
She’sright.Ihatethatshe’sright.
Iknockherhandawayandpressagainstherentrance.Onceagain,Aphroditedoesn’tgivemeachancetodecidehowIwanttoplaythis.Sheshovesbackagainstme,sheathingmetothehilt.
Achokedcurseescapesdespitemybestefforts.Sheclampsaroundme,tightenoughthatIalmostloseitrightthenandthere.It’sbeentoolongsinceIwaswithsomeone.That’stheonlyreasonI’mindangerofcomingsofast.It’snotbecauseofthesexyasfuckflareofherwaistthatseemsmadeformyhands.Orthewayshetiltsherhipsuptotakemedeeperyet.
Igrabherhips,holdingussealedtogether,asIfightforcontrol.Thisisonlythefirstbattleinawarthatmightlastyears.Ican’tletherdefeatme.“Feelsgood,doesn’tit?”
“Onecockisasgoodasanother.”Thewordsareharsh,buthervoiceistoobreathytoreallypullitoff.“Youcouldbeanyone.”
Smartertothinkofitthatway.Topretendshe’ssomestrangerIwillneverhavetoseeitagain.Toletmyselfenjoythispleasure,evenalittlebit.Almostagainstmywill,myattentionlandsonthediamondonherringfinger.Thisisn’tastranger.Thisismywife.I’dbeafooltoforgetthat.“ButI’mnotjustanyone,Wife.It’syourhusband’scockyou’reabouttocomeallover.”Ithrustalittle,vindicatedwhenshegivesachokedcurseinresponse.
Ireallyshouldknowbetterbynow.She’snotonetotakeanykindofdominancepassively,becauseoffuckingcoursesheisn’t.Shemightbepinnedonmycock,butthatdoesn’tstopherfromwrestingthecontrolrightoutofmyhands.“Yeah,Iamabouttocome.Nothankstoyou,”shegasps.Shestillhasherhandbetweenherthighs,strokingherclitevenasherpussyfluttersaroundme.Littlemoansslipfree,thesoundssurprisinglysweetforsuchaviciouswitch.
Holyfuck,shereallyiscoming.
Mybodytakesover,evenasmymindgrappleswiththissurrealexperience.Idriveintoher,needingtogetdeeper,totakeherharder.Hermoansgrowlouder,andshe’sarchingherback,anglingtotakemethesamewayI’mtakingher.
Threestrokesin,IrealizeIdon’tgiveafuckaboutlasting.She’sensuredherownpleasure.I’masapifIdoanythingelse.Icurseandjerkherbackontomycock,givingintothepressurebuildinginmyballs.Icomesohard,itmakesmedizzy.Iwanttokeepfuckingher,todriveintoheragainandagainuntil…
UntilIdon’tknowwhat.
Istaredownatthepointwherewe’rejoined.Sexissex,anditsimportancebeginsandendswithhavingagoodtime.Exceptthisisn’tsex.Ijustpassedthepointofnoreturn.Therecanbenoannulmentnow.
We’rewellandtrulymarried.
Iwithdrawfromher,carefultokeepthecondominplace,andstaggerintothebathroom.I’mnosteadieronceI’vecleanedup,soIsplashsomecoldwateronmyface.There’stherestofthenighttogetthrough,andthoughIhavenointentionoffuckingmywifeagain,Istillhavetolearntolivewithher.
ExceptwhenIstepbackintothebedroom,it’stofindherpullingonadifferentdress.It’savibrantredandbarelycoversherassandtits.It’salsotightenoughthatIcantellshe’snotwearingathingunderit.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
Shebrushespastme,stillwearingthosedamnedheels,andfinger-combsherhairinfrontofthemirror.“Ourbusinessisdoneforthenight,dearhusband.I’mofftohavesomefun.”
Alarmbellspealthroughmyhead.Thisisn’tgoingatalllikeIthoughtitwould.Shedoesn’tseemaffectedbythefactwehadsexatall.
NotthatI’maffectedbythesexatall.Morethatpastpartnershaveusuallywantedtotalkorcuddleorsomeshitafterthefact.Maybegoforroundtwoorthree.Theyaren’tdressedafterfuckingandtakingoffthefirstchancetheyget.“Runningaway?”
Shepauses.“It’sreallycutethatyouthinkyouscareme.”
“Don’tI?We’realone.Nobigbrothertoprotectyou.”Idon’tknowwhyIsayit.Minosgavemeclearorders,andthoseordersdon’tincludemakingwaveswithmynewwife.I’msupposedtosettleintoHephaestusandsecurethispowerbase.
Aphroditewatchesmeinthemirror,hergazemocking.“Aw,youthinkIneedprotection.Cute.”Sheturns,andI’monlyhuman.MyattentiondropstowherethetopdipsuntilIcanalmostseeherdusky-rosenipples.Shesnapsherfingersbyherfacetodragmyeyesup.“Ifyouplannedonmurderingme,youwouldhavedoneitbeforetheweddingandthatlacklustersex.”
Lackluster—
Shetugsonthehemofherdress,andI’mdistractedbythepossibilityofherbreastspoppingfree.Shesmoothsherhandsovertheslick-lookingfabric.“There.”
“Youcan’tgooutlikethat.”
Irealizemymistakethemomentshesmiles.“Onthecontrary,IcandowhateverIdamnwellplease.”Sheflicksaglanceatmyhips.Atmycock.“Ordidyouthinkthatsadlittleperformancewasenoughtoleavemecomatose?Sorry,darling,butIhaveentirelytoomuchenergytostaycoopedupherewithyou.”
Sheblowspastmeagain,leavingmetohurryafterher,feelinglikeafool.“Stop.”
“Idon’tthinkIwill.”Shepausesatthedoorandblowsmeakiss.“Haveagoodnight,Husband.Icertainlyplanto.”4PANDORA
ThereceptioncontinuesafterTheseus—Hephaestus,Ihavetorememberthat—andhisnewbridegoupstairs.I’mworriedabouthim.He’salwaysbeentoolockeddown,andMinosfosteringhimhasn’tdoneanythingbutmakethatworse.Notthathelistenstomewhenitcomestohisfucked-uplittlefamily.
I’msureI’msupposedtobesomewhere,butlikeeveryothertimeTheseusisoccupiedwithMinos’stasks,I’mimmediatelyignored.Normally,Iappreciatethereprieve.Minosdoesn’tlikemeandhe’snotverygoodathidingthatfact,forallthathe’sanexcellentliar.
I’veneverfeltsoadriftbeforethismoment,though.
Idrainmychampagneglass.Toomuchalcohol,butIthinkIcanbeexcused.It’saparty,afterall.
“Pandora?”
Iturn,tippingalittle,tofindaprettyBlackwomanstandingafewfeetaway.She’swearingadeep-purpledressthatflattersherlight-brownskin.Ittakesmybrainasecondtoplaceherfamiliarface.“Eurydice.”ShewasoneofMinos’sguestsatthatill-fatedhouseparty.Atleastshesurvivedit.Ilookaround.“Where’syourhandsomeshadow?”
“Ah.”Shetucksaloosecurlbehindherear.“Charonisaroundheresomewhere.He’smyridebacktothelowercitywhenthisisover.”
“Yourride,”Irepeatslowly.Icouldhavesworntheyweredating,butapparentlyIwaswrong.“Right.”
Shestallsforamoment,butgivesherselfashake.“Actually,that’swhyIcameover.Iknowyou’rerelativelynewintown.Ithoughtyoumightwanttoseethelowercity.”
Well,ifthat’snotatrap,thenIdon’tknowwhatis.Isnaganotherglassofchampagne.IknowIshouldstop,butthelasttwoweekshavebeenaspecialkindoftorture.Theseusbarelyhastimetotalktome,andwhileIdon’thaveaproblemwithhisnewwifeintheory,therealityisthatshedidn’tagreetomarryhimbecauseshe’smadlyinlovewithmybestfriend.Shediditbecausehe’smadehimselfOlympianEnemyNumberOne.Theseusisgoingtogethimselfkilledandhedoesn’tseemtocare.
IfIgobacktoMinos’shome—notmyhome,itwillneverbethat—allI’lldoispacemyroomandworry.Therearefartoomanyhoursuntildawn,andeachpromisestobefilledwithfearsabouteverythingthatcouldgowrongonthisweddingnight.
Itrytosipthisglassslowly,butgiveupbeforeittouchesmylips.“Thanks,butnothanks.”
Insteadofleavinginahuff,shesmiles.“I’mnottalkingaboutthetouristroute,Pandora.I’mtalkingaboutthekindofstuffonlylocalsknowabout.”Shestepscloser.She’swearingalightfloralperfumethatisjustaslovelyassheis.“I’mtalkingaboutaveryspecialkindofclubthatcaterstopeoplewithveryspecialtastes.”
Iblink.OfallthepitchesIexpectedtohear,thisdidn’tmakethelist.“You’retalkingaboutakinkclub.”
“Well…”Shelooksaround,butthere’snoonepayingustheleastbitofattention.That,inandofitself,issuspicious.Duringthelasttwoweeksofwhirlwindweddingplanning,Ihaveexistedunderamicroscope.Icouldhavetoldthemit’salostcause;Idon’tknowanythingusefulaboutMinos’splans,letalonehaveanactingroleinthem.Instead,Ienduredthestaresandjustsmiledharder.
Eurydiceleansdown.She’sverytall,nearlyastallasTheseus’snewwife.Justaspretty,too,thoughEurydice’sbeautyismoretraditionalandlessferalthanAphrodite’s.“Yes,it’sakinkclub.Veryexclusive.Veryexpensive.”
Ifthisisatrap,it’sthestrangesttrapI’veeverencountered.Ifinishmyglassandreachforanother.Eurydicecatchesmywrist.“Ithinkyou’vehadenough.Ifyoudrinktoomuch,youcan’tparticipate.”
Ilaugh.Ican’thelpit.“Honey,I’mbuzzed,butI’mnowhereneardrunkenoughtoagreetoasexpartywithabunchofpeoplewho’dliketorunmeoverwithacar.”
“That’sfair.”Shereleasesmywrist.“Participationisabsolutelyoptional.Youcancomewatch,ifyoulike.Seeifit’syourkindofthing.”
She’sbeingtooinsistent.Ipeerupather.“Areyoucomingontome?”
“No.”Shelooksawayandthenbackatme.“Imean,you’rereallyattractive,butI’mnotexactlyovermyex,soI’mnotgreatcompanythesedays.But,ifyou’llforgivemeforbeingblunt,youdon’tseemlikeatotalassholeliketherestofyourhousehold.You’reobviouslystickingaroundforthelongterm,sothere’snoreasonwecan’tgettoknoweachother.”
Yeah,it’sstillatrap.
Theproblemis…I’mnotsureIcare.It’sadistraction,andatthispoint,I’lltakewhatIcanget.I’mreasonablysurethattheOlympianswon’thurtme,notwhentheystillthinktheycancoaxsecretswithhoney.
Besides,I’mcuriousaboutthiskinkclub.
“Idon’tknowanythinguseful.”Ipeeraround,searchingforanotherwaiterwithchampagne.“Ifyou’regoingto,like,throwmeinakinkydungeonandtormentmeforinformationaboutMinosandtherestofthem,it’sawasteofeveryone’stime.I’mnotpartofthefamily.”Thewordstastebitter,butthatcan’tberight.MinosonlypulledmeoutofthatorphanagealongsideTheseusbecausethatwasTheseus’sconditionforallowingthefostering.Wewereapackagedeal,andMinoshasbarelytoleratedmeintheyearssince.HeputsagoodfaceonitforTheseus’sbenefit,butIseethewayhelooksatmewhenhethinksnooneiswatching.
IfhecanfindawaytoremovemetogainfullcontroloverTheseus,hewilldoitinaheartbeat.
“Idon’tknowhowyouthinkwedothingshereinOlympus,buttortureisabitextreme.”Igiveheralonglookandshesighs.“Okay,Iwon’tpretendthepeopleinpowerherearen’tcapableofthatkindofthing,butIhonestlyjustthoughtyoucoulduseafriend.”
Damnit,I’mgoingtosayyes.Thisissoridiculous.“You’veconvincedme.Butonlyifwegonowandonlyifthere’salcoholthere.”I’mnotnormallyabigdrinker,butIthinkIcanbeforgiventonight.It’stheonlythingthatnumbsthepitofworrythatopenedupinmystomachwhenTheseusagreedtomarryAphrodite.
No,that’snotthetruth.Itstartedearlier,whenMinosannouncedhisplantotakeusalltoOlympus,tousetheArestitletosecureaspotamongtheThirteenforeitherTheseusortheMinotaur.Somethingthatseemedsimpleenoughonthesurface,butnothingMinosdoesiseversimple.Sureenough,lookatusnow.
Eurydice’seyesgowide.“Sure.Okay.Let’sgo.”
Thechampagneisreallystartingtokickin,whichistheonlyexcuseIneedtosnagafullbottleonourwayoutthedoor.Charon,atallwhiteguywithdarkhair,broadshoulders,andthesuspiciouslookofbodyguardseverywhere,fallsinbehindusasweleave.Hemanagestogetinfrontofustoopenthebackdoorofanondescriptblacktowncar,though.
It’sonlywhenwe’redrivingawayfromthehotelthatIwonderifIshouldhavetoldsomeonewhereIwasheaded.NotMinos,butAriadneorIcarus.Whoops.Idigmyphoneoutofmytinypurseandshootoffatexttobothlettingthemknowaboutmypoorchoices.Idon’tknowifeitherhavetheirphonesonthemnow,buttheywillbeforetheendofthenight.
EurydicekeepsupsmoothsmalltalkthatrequireslittleofmeasIdrinkmywaythroughthebottleItook.Islumpbackagainsttheseat.“I’mnotnormallylikethis.”Ifeeldownrightmoroserightnow,insteadofmynormalsunnyself.Itwillcomeback.Italwaysdoes.ButnotuntilIseeformyselfthatTheseusisokay.
“I,ah,kindofnoticed.”Herhazeleyesarekind.“Areyouinlovewithhim?”
Thatsurprisesalaughoutofme.“What?No.Notlikeyoumean.Imostlypreferwomen.”Itakealongdrinkfromthebottle.“ButTheseusismybestfriendandIlovehim.It’sjustnotlikethatwithus.”Wedidtryitoncewhenwewereteenagers,sinceitseemedanaturalprogressionofhowmuchwecareabouteachother,butitwasadisastrousexperienceandwebothagreedthatthereisnonextlevelforourfriendship.
“Isee.”ShemotionsandIhandherthebottle.“Youaren’tliketherestofthem.”
“Sweetwordswillgetyoueverywhere.”Thefartherwetravelfromthehotelandthemesscontainedthere,thebetterIcanbreathe.Thisisfine.Thisisbetterthanfine.“Look,you’recuteandthisisafunlittlefieldtrip,butImeantitaboutnotknowinganythingworthwhile.Also,notasingleoneofthemwillgiveevenapennyinransom.”Theseusdoesn’tbelieveinransom,thoughhe’dcomeformeandkilleveryoneresponsible.
Eurydicelaughs.“Again,notkidnapping,torturing,orotherwiseharmingyou.Youjustlookedlikeyouneededtogetoutofthere.Iunderstandthaturge,soIthoughtI’dhelpyouout.That’sall.”
She’slying,butIdon’tmind.Everyonelies.Onceyouacceptthat,yougetreallygoodatreadingbetweenthelines.“Soyou’retakingmetoHades’sfamoussexclub?”
“It’shardlyfamous.”Shemakesachokedsound.“Andthat’smybrother-in-lawyou’retalkingabout.”
Itwistintheseattofaceherfully.I’dmuchrathertalkaboutthisthanaboutmyself.“Youknow,yoursistersseemtheoverprotectivesort,andthat’snotevengettingintoyourmother.”Talkaboutanightmare.“I’msurprisedtheylettheirpreciousbabysisterattendaplacelikethat.”
“Oh.That.”Shewavesitaway.“Theydon’tknow.”
“What?”
“Theydon’tknow,”sherepeats.Eurydicesmiles.“So,yousee,nowyouhaveasecretofmine.”
Sharingsimplesecretstopromotethesharingofdeepersecretsisatrickasoldastime.Iignoretheimpulsetodoexactlythat;it’sjustthealcoholtalking.“Rumorhasitthatyou’relivinginthesamehouseasyoursisterandHades.Howcouldtheypossiblynotknowthatyou’replayingtouristinhissexdungeon?”
SheshootsalookatthebackofCharon’shead.Hedoesn’tappeartobepayingustheleastbitofattention,buthe’stooclosetomissanyofit.Eurydiceclearsherthroat.“I’mnotallowedtoparticipateorgointotheclubwithoutCharonasan…escort.IjustgettowatchonthenightsPersephoneandHadesaren’tdownthere.”
“Isee,”Isayslowly.That’saninterestingpieceofinformationthatIdon’tbothertofileawaybecauseIhavenointerestinhelpingMinosdowhateverheplanstodotoOlympus.Murderandmayhemandchaos.He’sabastardandahalf,andIhavenodoubtthathe’dsacrificeTheseusatthealtarofhisambition.
Theseusalreadygothurt.Idon’twanthimtogetdead,too.
Itakeanotherlongdrinkofthechampagnebottle.Mystomachisn’tfeelingtoogreat.Ormaybethat’sbecausewe’recrossingoverthebridgetothelowercity.Apparentlythere’sabarrierheresimilartotheonethatsurroundedOlympus,keepingitseparatefromtherestoftheworld.Magicorsomefancytechthatmightaswellbemagic?Ihavenoidea.Isupposeitdoesn’tmatter.Thealcoholfuzzesmybrain,makingithardtotellifit’sthesamesensationIfeltenteringthecityorifI’vejustdrunktoomuch.
Imean,I’vedefinitelydrunktoomuch
Itdoesn’ttakelongforthecartorolltoastopinfrontofanondescriptgraybuilding.Ifrownoutthewindowatit.“Thislookslikeaplaceyoutakepeopletomurderthem.”
Eurydicegivesachokedlaugh.“Theotherentranceisinmysister’shouse,andthatwillcreatemorequestionsthanIwanttoanswer.Comeon.”Sheslipsoutofthecar,leavingmetofollow.
I’mdistantlyawareofCharoncomingaroundthecarandfollowingusuptothelargedoor.I’msofarpastbuzzedthatIstarttolisttotheside,andhehastomovefasttocatchme.Heslipsanarmaroundmywaistandkeepsmeonmyfeet.“Yousureaboutthis,Eurydice?”
“Yes.”Sheopensthedoor.“Comeon.”
TheroomiskeptatmosphericallydiminawayImightappreciateonadifferentnight.Notrightnow,whenthestrangelyreflectinglightontheceilingmakesmedizzy.ItrytofocusonEurydice’sback,buteverythingisabitwateryrightnow.“Idranktoomuch.”
“You’resafehere,Pandora.”Sheleadsthewaythroughaseriesofcouchesandchairs,circlingalowdaisinthecenteroftheroom.Theplaceispacked,andthecouplesandthrouplesandmoreplesinvariousstatesofundressandsexualrevelryonlyaddtomydizziness.I’mpatheticallygratefulwhenEurydicestopsinfrontofaprivateboothtuckedbackagainstawall.Charonhelpsmeslideintoit,butIkeepsliding,slumpingdownagainstEurydice.Shelaughsalittleandhelpsmerightmyself.“She’llbeheresoon.Butlet’sgetyousomewaterinthemeantime.”
She?
Timeceasestohavemeaning.Waterappearsatsomepoint,andEurydicecoaxesmetodrinkalittle,butmystomachisstillswirlyinareallyworrisomemanner.Damnit,Ishouldn’thavedrunksomuch.Ineverdothis.Ihavefun,butneverrecklessly.EvenbeforeIcametoOlympus,Iknewbetter,butthesedaysthestakesaresomuchhigher.
Myblinksaregettinglongerandlongerwhentheroomseemstodarken.Iblearilylookup,onlytorealizeithasn’t.There’sawomanstandingoverourtableinagorgeousreddressthatscreamssex.Itcoatsherleanbodylovingly,kissingthecurvesofherbreastsandhips.Assheshifts,itpressestothemoundofherpussyinawaythatmakesmymouthwater.Fromthisangle,withherheight,Icanalmostseebeneaththeshorthem,andthat’sprobablywrong,butIcan’tquiterememberwhy.
Thenmygazereachesherfaceandmystomachdrops.Thisisn’tsomestranger.No,thewomanIwasjustoglingisAphrodite.
Theseus’swife.5APHRODITE
“Didyoudrugher?”IpeerdownatanearlypassedoutPandora.WhenIpulledEurydiceasideatthereception—wantingalittlerevengeafterthestuntmyhusbandpulledwithAdonis—ItoldhertogetPandoratotheclub.Ididn’texpectthis
“No,Ididn’tdrugher.”Eurydicerollshereyes.She’snursingaglassofwhitewineandsurveyingthepeopleintheclubbehindme.It’slateenoughthatthereareplentyofpeopleinvariousstagesoffucking,puttingonquitetheshow.Shemeetsmygaze.“Shedranktoomuchbecauseshe’sworriedaboutHephaestus.”
Irefusetofeelevenatwingeofguilt.BestIcantell,PandoraexistsoutsideMinos’scozylittlefamilyunitandisonlytherebecauseofherconnectionwithHephaestus.Itdoesn’tmatter.She’shere,whichmeansshe’stheenemy.All’sfairinloveandwar.“We’reallworriedaboutHephaestus.”
“Notlikethatandyouknowit.”ShebrushesPandora’sdarkhairoffherface.“Ilikeher.”
“Eurydice.”Isigh.“Don’tgosoftonmenow.”
Shedropsherhandandtakesasipofherwine.“Nodangerofthat.Iknowwhat’satstake.I’llreachouttoAriadnetomorrowandgetthatmoving.”
“Good.”I’mstillnotentirelyconvincedofApollo’sreportthatsaidMinos’sdaughtermightbeturnedtoourside,butatthispointwecan’taffordtooverlookanypotentialfoothold.
IturntowhereCharonisleanedagainstthewallnearby.He’salwayshauntingsomespacenearEurydice.Sheseemstofinditcomforting.Ifeelit’sdisconcerting.WithsomeoneasdangerousasCharon,IprefertohavehimwhereIcanseehim.“Helpmegetherintothecar.”Ihadplannedtocomehereandgethersloppydrunk,sohermanagingitonherownskipsafewsteps.
Sometimelater,IcorralanearlypassedoutPandorainmyapartmentandhelphergetoutofthebridesmaiddressandintomybed.Guiltthreatenstoriseagain,butIswallowitdown.She’snotaninnocent,nomatterhowsweetshe’sbeensinceImether.She’spartofMinos’shousehold,whichmeansshe’spartoftheplottobringdownthecityIlove.
Thatdoesn’tstopmefrompullingthecoversuparoundhershoulders.It’scoldinhereandshe’salreadyasleep.There’snoreasonforhertofreeze.ItmightmakeherwakebeforeI’mreadyforherto.That’sall.
Iwatchhersleepforafewmoments.She’sgottobetheonlypersoninexistencewhodoesn’tlookmoreinnocentlikethis.Notthatshe’sinnocentwhenshe’sawake,butthere’ssomethingaboutPandorathatinvitesthekindofdelightthatonlyexistsbeforetheworldshowsexactlyhowcruelitcanbe.Idon’tunderstandit.Itmustbeamask,butI’veneverseenitsomuchascrackinthehourswespenttogetherfortheweddingplanning.
Thatmeansnothing.
Mymaskdoesn’tcrack,either.
Satisfiedthatshe’snotsomehowfakingsleep,Iheadformybathroom.Ineedtotakeaquickshowerandwashtheeventsofthedayoffme.I’mmildlyirritatedtodiscoverI’msoreafterhavingsexwithHephaestus.Ipressmyfingerstomypussyandshiver.Itwasfastandcrueland,damnit,Icame.Ishouldn’thavebothered,butinthemomentIcouldn’tresist.
Ilovepleasuretoomuchtomissanopportunitytotakeit.
It’stemptingtotakealongshower,butIhavemytasktokeepinmind.Itwillbedawnsoonenough,andthere’snotimetowaste.I’llsleeplater.Probably.Maybe.
Itstilltakesanotherthirtyminutestodrymyhairandputonenoughmakeuptohidetheexhaustionstartingtomakemybodyfeelheavy.Itdoesn’tmatter.Sleepissomethingthatevadesmeevenundernormalcircumstances.Exceptwith…
No.Nousethinkingabouthim.
Ablacksilkrobecompletesthepicture.Irunmyfingersthroughmyhairabittogiveitamessierlookandheadbackintothebedroom.PandoraisexactlywhereIlefther,snoringsoftly.Cute.Herdarkhairisspreadoutovermyredsheets,creatingtheperfectcontrast.
Imovetothewindowandlifttheblindsjustenoughtogivesomenaturallightintheroom.OneofthethingsIlearnedearlywashowtomanipulatethepublic.WiththecurrentsituationinOlympus,thatskillisneedednowmorethanever.Ifwehaveachancetoavoidanall-outwar,wehavetofightthefirstbattlesthroughpublicperception.
Rightnow,alltheheadlinesarescreamingaboutthesecretassassinationclausethatcancatapultanyonewhomanagestokilloneoftheThirteenintotheirnewlyvacatedposition.
Thecity’sopinionoftheThirteenisaficklething.Theylovetowatchus,fishinanaquariumfortheirentertainment,andsomeofthemflat-outloveus.Butthatsortofthingcanturnonadime.Powerisaheadything,andifthere’sonethingOlympusidolizesevenabovetheThirteen,it’spoweritself.
Nomatterhowmuchtheyenjoywatchingourdramasplayoutinthegossipsites,itwon’ttakelonguntiltheystartwonderingwhatitwouldbelikeiftheyheldthetitleofoneoftheThirteen.
Ifwedon’tgivethepeoplesomethingelsetotalkabout,everyoneofourliveswillbeindanger.Evenwithalloursecuritymeasures,there’snoguaranteesomeonewon’tsucceed.
Myhusbanddid.
Andthatchaoswillonlyspread.It’sexactlythethingmybrotherwasworriedaboutwhenwehadthreetitlechangeoversinasingleyear.Adestabilizedcityisripeforthepicking,whichisnodoubtwhatMinoswants.Throwinafalteringbarrier,andwemightnotbeabletomusterupadefenseifandwhentheenemycomesknockingatourdoor.
Well,fuckthat.
IfIhaveoneskill,it’sgivingpeoplesomethingtotalkabout.Iintendtokeepthemsobusygossipingaboutmybullshitmarriagethattheywon’tbothertosharpentheirknives.Entertainmentisking,afterall.
Igrabmyphone,ignoringlastnight’sincreasinglyiratetextsfrommyhusband,andcarefullysnapafewselfies.Iflipthroughthem,pickingtheonethathasmelookingsoftandmischievous…andhasthetiniesthintofPandorainthebackground.She’sturnedawayfromthecamera,onlyhermassofdarkhairandonesoftarmintheframe.Shecouldbeanyone…
ButHephaestuswillknowexactlywhosheis.
AndtherestofOlympuswilldriveitselfintoafrenzyspeculatingwhythere’ssomeonewhoisn’tmyhusbandinmybedonmyweddingnight.
Ipostonsocialmediawithastringofemojis—sun,heart,coffee,lips—thatcouldmeananythingandwilladdmorefueltothefireaspeopletrytodecodethesecretmessage.ThenIwanderintomykitchenandtakemytimewithmyespressomachine.Thisisthefavoritepartofmyday,thecarefulritualofputtingtogethertheperfectlatte.
Igetfiveminutesofpeacebeforemyphonestartsblowingup.AquickglanceshowsHephaestus’sname.Igrinandgobacktotheespressomachine.
ThreecallslaterandPandora’sphonestartsringing.Ileftitandherpurseonthecounter,soIgrabit.ThephotodisplayedisanoldonewithPandoraandHephaestus—Theseus,then.He’sgothisarmaroundherandhe’slookingdownatherwithasmilethat’ssorelaxed,IalmostdoubtthisisthemanImarried.She,ofcourse,ishercustomarysunnyself,beamingatthecamera.It’scute.
“Gross.”Iswipetoanswerthecall.“Hello,Husband.”
“Whatthefuckdidyoudotoher?”
“Hmm?”Idrizzlecaramelontheinsideofmycup.“I’mnotsurewhatyou’reaccusingmeof,butIdobelieveI’minsulted.”
“Isweartothegods,Aphrodite,ifyou’veharmedonehaironherhead—”
“That’syourrole,dearhusband.Iprefersoftermethods.”Ipauseandpourtheespressointothecup.“AndPandoraisverysoft.”
He’ssilentforabeat.Two.“I’llkillyou.”
Ashiverofdreadgoesthroughmeatthesheermenaceinhisvoice,butIshakeitoff.IknewwhathewascapableofwhenIofferedtomarryhim.Marryingmurderersispracticallyafamilytraditionatthispoint,thoughIhavenointentionofsufferingthesamefatemymotherdid.
Eveninmyhead,thethoughtfallsflat.Darkhumorhaskeptmegoingthroughsomenightmarishexperiences,anditwillcontinuetodoso.Iaddmilktothecup,thenice,andfinishitoffwithmorecaramel.
“Youwon’t.”Myvoicedoesn’tsomuchasquiver.“Youneedthismarriage,andyou’renoZeustosurvivethereputationofbeingaspouse-killer.IamOlympus’sdarlinglittlerebel,andifthepeopleofthiscitythinkyou’vehurtme,they’lltearyoulimbfromlimb.”Probably.Iftheydon’twhipoutsomepopcorntocheeronthefallofoneoftheKasiosfamily.Truly,itcouldgoeitherway.
Publicopinionisaficklebeast,butIdon’texpectHephaestustoknowthat.He’sshownabsolutelynoskillatmanipulatingthepresstodate,soIdon’texpecthimtostartnow.
Whenhespeaksagain,histonehasn’tlostitsquietmenace.“Leaveheralone.Shehasnothingtodowiththis.”
“Thensheshouldn’thavecometoOlympus.Haveaniceday,Hephaestus.Icertainlyplanto.”Ihangupandturntheringertosilent.Aquickcheckofmysocialmediaconfirmsthepostisalreadyblowingup.Thecommentsareallgleefulspeculation.Good
“Aphrodite?”
Iturnandfreeze.Pandorastandsinthedoorwaytomykitchen,hercurvybodyframedbythemorninglight.She’swearingabra,panties,andlittleelse.Herbodyis…Iswallowhard.Gods,Ihavethemostinappropriatedesiretopullherintomyarms,topressmymouthtothesoftlineofhershoulder,tofollowitdown—
Stopthat.
Ismileslowly.“Goodmorning,Pandora.”
Hermakeuphassmudgedabit,andit’strulyunfairthatitonlymakesherdarkeyesmoreprominentandpretty.Shegivesmealonglook.“WhatamIdoinghere?”
This,atleast,Ihaveareadyanswerfor.“Oh,youdranktoomuchlastnightandEurydicecalledmebecauseshewasworriedyouwouldn’tmakeithomesafely.”
“Soyoursolutionwastobringmetoyourplace?”
Ishrugandsipmycoffee.“ItwascloserandIwastired.I’msureyouunderstand.”
Shegivesmealookthatsayssheseesthroughmybullshitbutisn’treadytocallmeonit.“WhereisTheseus?”
“HisnameisHephaestusnow.He’searnedthat.”Ican’tquitekeepthebiteoutofmyvoice.
Pandorashakesherheadslowly.“Maybetotherestofthiscity,buthe’llalwaysbeTheseustome.”
That’spreciousandsadlyinnocent.Isigh.“Wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”
“Yes.”
Iexpectwewon’tbealoneforlong,butIdon’trushthroughmyprocess.“Caramel?”
“Sure.”
Icanfeelherwatchingme,butIkeepmymovementssmoothandslow.Afewminuteslater,Islidehercuptoher.“Letmeknowhowthatis.”
Shehasthestrangestexpressiononherface.“Youlookdifferentwhenyou’relikethis.”ShesipsthecoffeebeforeIcandecidehowI’msupposedtorespondtothat.“Oh,thisisgood.Thankyou.”
“Ofcourse.”Ileanagainstthecounterandreclaimmycup.“YoushouldbemorecarefulinOlympus.IfEurydicehadn’tcalledme,youcouldhavegottenintotrouble.”True,sheonlycalledmebecausesheandIarrangedthislittlemeetupaheadoftime,butPandoradoesn’tneedtoknowthat.
Ididn’thaveafirmplantousePandoraagainstHephaestusatthestartofthis,butshe’stoogoodalevertooverlook.Andturnaboutisfairplay.IfhethinksIhavemyhandsalloverher,itwilltwisttheknifeandhe’llbesobusychasinghistail,hewon’thavetimetoenactwhateverplanMinoshasputtogether.
Andifitdoesn’tdistracthim?Well,I’lldealwiththatwhenthetimecomes.I’madaptablelikethat.
“She’stheonewhoinvitedmetothelowercity.”Pandoramakesaface.“ThoughIdidn’tgettoenjoyitverymuch.”
It’sexactlytheopeningIneed.Comeintomyparlor,saidthespidertothefly.Ismile.“I’mmorethanhappytotakeyoutheresometimeifyouwant.”
Pandoraleansbackagainstthecounter,mirroringmyposition.“IwasundertheimpressionthatHadesdidn’tliketherestoftheThirteenallthatmuch.Whywouldhegiveyouunlimitedaccesstohisprivateclub?”
Apparentlyshe’sbeenpayingcloserattentionthanIrealized.Ohwell,Iplannedforthispossibility,too.“HeandIhaveanunderstanding.”Unlikesomeofmypeers,Hadescanseethewritingonthewall.IfMinosgetshisway,thenthemurderofthelastHephaestusisonlythebeginningofthetroublewe’llsee.
Itdoesn’tmeanhelikesmymethods,buthe’sagreedtostayoutofmywayaslongasIdon’tendangeranyofthepreciouscitizensofhislowercity.Hewouldn’tthankmeforincludingEurydiceinmyplans,butwhatHadesdoesn’tknowwon’thurthim.
AndwhatPersephonedoesn’tknowwon’thurtme
Foramoment,Pandoralookstempted,butthensheshakesherhead.“No.Iappreciatetheoffer,butTheseuswouldn’tlikeit,andI’mnotgoingtobetheinstrumentyouusetohurthim.”
She’ssmarterthanIgavehercreditfor,whichshouldfrustrateme,butinsteadastrangesortofdelightunfurlsinmychest.Ilikethatshe’snotacompletepushover,evenifit’sinconvenient.
“Ofcourse,”Iagreeeasily.“You’refriends,afterall.”
Herdarkbrowsdrawtogetherinafrown.“Whydopeoplekeepputtingthatkindofemphasisonit?Isitreallysohardtobelievewe’rejustfriends?”
“Darling,it’shardtobelievehehasanyfriendsatall.Don’ttakeitpersonally.”Ileanforwardalittleandlowermyvoice.I’mdelightedwhenshemirrorsthemovement,herforeheadnearlytouchingmine.It’senoughtobringbackthememoryofthatlittlegameatMinos’shousepartywherewesharedakiss.Two,actually.Herlipswereparticularlysoft.NotthatI’vebeenthinkingaboutitatall.“Butyou?Ibelievethatyouhavealotoffriends.”
“Nowyou’rejustbeingmean.”
Ishrugandforcemyselftostraighten.“It’swhatIdo.”
Sheopenshermouthtosaysomething,butnevergetsthechance.MyfrontdoorboomsopenhardenoughtoechothroughthewholeapartmentandHephaestus’sroarfillsthespace.“Aphrodite!”
Ihidemygrin.Rightontime.“Inhere,dearhusband.”
He’slimpingabitmorethannormalashecomesaroundthecornerandstopsshort.Beingonhisfeetsomuchofyesterdaymusthavetakenitstoll.Eitherthatorthelittlesexwehadwastoomuchforhim.Thethoughtmakesmechuckle.
HephaestuslooksfrommeinmyrobetoPandorainherunderwear,hisragesomethingtrulyoutstandingtobehold.Ileanforward,wonderingifhemightgivehimselfastrokefromtheriseinhisbloodpressure.Unfortunately,thatwouldbetooeasy,andhemanagestoregaincontrolofhimself.“Pandora,putyourclotheson.We’regoing.”
IexpectPandoratohoptoobey.ShemightnotbeoneofMinos’schildren—foster,biological,orotherwise—butshe’sapartofthehousehold,andthehouseholddancestothetuneofthepatriarch.Hephaestusisanextensionofthatwillrightnow.
Shedoesn’tmove.Instead,shefrowns.“Youdon’tgettousethattonewithme,Theseus.”
Heshootsalookatme,andI’mdelightedtoseeathreadofuneasefilterthroughhisdarkeyes.WhenheturnsbacktoPandora,he’sobviouslymadeasmallattempttomoderatehistone.“Let’sgo.”
“I’mgood.”
IttakeseverythingIhavetokeepmysurpriseoffmyface.I’veunderestimatedherstubbornness.Thatshouldn’tdelightme.Thestakeshaveneverbeenhigher,andmyperversecuriosityhasgottenmeintomoretroublethanIcaretoadmit.Iabsolutelycannotaffordtohavetheimpulsesinkitsteethintomeandholdtight.
“Pandora—”
“I’llgetaridebacktothehouselater.”Shewalksoutofthekitchenand,overthesuddensilencethatpermeatestheroom,Ihearherheadingbackdownthehallwaytomybedroom.
Hephaestuslevelsamurderouslookatme.“Ifyoutouchher,I’llkillyou.”
“WhatmakesyouthinkIhaven’talreadytouchedher?”Ipermitmyselfaslowsmile.“She’ssuchalusciouslittlegem,isn’tshe?I’monlyhuman,Husband.Ican’tbeexpectedtoresistsuchtemptingfruit.”HeopenshismouthandIliftafinger.“Ah-ah.Shemadeherchoice.Leave.”
Foralongmoment,Idon’tthinkhewill,buthefinallycursesandexitsmyapartment.Imakemywaytothefrontdoorandthrowthedeadbolt.HewassopanickedatthethoughtofmehavingPandora,hedidn’tevenstoptowonderhowhewasabletogetpastmydoormanandmydoor.
Foolishman.
He’splayinginthedeependnow,andheobviouslydoesn’tknowhowtoswim.6HEPHAESTUS
MykneeisaballoffieryrageasItaketheelevatorbackdowntothelobby.Iscrewedup.Pandorahasalwaysbeentoostubbornbyhalf,andgoinginthereyellingorderswasonlygoingtoensuresheduginherheelsoutofsheerstubbornness.Whichshedid.
Imakeitthreestepsoutoftheelevatorbeforerealitysinksin.I’mnotgoingtomakeitacrossthelobbywithoutstumbling.Yesterdaywastrying,butthethingthatfuckedmewasattemptingtorunhere.Iknowbetter,butsometimesIforgetmynewlimits.
No,that’sbullshit.ThetruthissometimesIintentionallyignoremynewlimits.
AndIalwayspaytheprice.
Thisplaceisallblackmarble,blackmetalaccents,andlargewindowsoverlookingthestreet.Astemptingasitistojustpushthroughandnotworryaboutthepeoplewhowillnodoubtwitnessmyweakness,thelasttwoweekshaveproventhatsomeoneisalwayswatching.
Thereareatrioofbenchesinthelobby,separatedbytastefulbushthingsthatareundoubtedlyrealdespitetheircosttomaintain.Olympusissoobsessedwithappearances—butonlywheretherichandpowerfulspendtheirtime.
I’veseentheupperwarehousedistrictandsomeofthemorefar-flungpartsofthecitywheretheThirteenneverroam.It’snotpretty.It’salsofamiliar.Aeaeaisthesame,atleastinthis.Therichcontroleveryaspectoftheirsurroundings,andeveryoneelseisleftwiththecastoffs…ifthey’relucky.
Imakemywaytothebenchfarthestfromthewindows,eachstepsendingahotpokerofagonythroughmyknee.MyphonebuzzesbeforeIcanattempttomakemyselfcomfortable.
Minos:Whatthefuckhappenedlastnight?
Mystomachtakesaninstinctiveplungeinthefaceofhisanger,butnoone’saroundtoseeit.Notthatthere’sanythingtosee.Showinghurtorguiltoranythingotherthanstone-facedcoldnessisagoodwaytomakeMinosgonuclear.Heprizescontroloverallthings,andlastnightmorethanprovedthatIdon’thavecontrolofshit.Certainlynotmywife.
Still,I’mnotabouttoconfessanything.
Me:Whatareyoutalkingabout?
Alinkappears.IalreadyknowwhatI’llfindbeforeIclickit.Ifsomeone’salwayswatchinginOlympus,MuseWatchisalwaysreporting.Weknewthatearlyon,ofcourse,butevenMinosunderestimateditspowerinitially.
ThecitizensofOlympustreatitasgospel,andthey’retheonesweneedonoursideifwedon’twanttogetknifedasnewsoftheassassinationclausespreadslikewildfire.Minosisridingthatwavelikehe’sborntoit,andwhynot?He’sthemostcharmingmotherfuckerI’veevermet.Hecouldselladrowningmanwater,andthepublicseemstoadorehim.
Unfortunately,manipulatingpublicopinionisn’talessonMinossawfittoteachmeduringallmytraining.
It’sevenworsethanIfeared.Thetopheadlinesplashedoverthesitescreams:
HEPHAESTUS:DISAPPOINTINGOLYMPUSANDHISNEWWIFE.
“Fuck,”Ibreathe.Itdoesn’tgetbetterasIreadtheactualtextofthearticle.
HephaestusandAphroditemighthavelefttheirreceptiontogether,buttheydidn’tstaythere.Afterwhatwecanonlyassumewasanunderwhelmingperformance,Aphroditewasseenslippingintoacertainclubinthelowercity.Ifyouknow,youknow!Thenthismorningshepostedasultrypicwithamysteryloverinthebackgroundwho’smostassuredlynotherhusband.Cananyoneblameher?
“Fuck,”Isayagain,thistimewithmoreforce.
“Shebringsoutthatreactioninpeople.”
Idon’tstartle,butit’sanearthing.IglanceuptofindAdonisstandingoverme.Thismorning,he’snotdressedtoperfection,wearingaplainwhiteT-shirtandapairofdarkjeans.Forallthat,they’reclearlyexpensive.He’sthekindofmanwhoclotheshimselfinwealththoughtlesslybecauseit’sallhe’severknown.He’sgotnothingtocompareitto.He’snevergonehungry,nevergonewithout.Hisprivilegeiswrittenalloverhisperfectfeaturesandeasysmile.
It’senoughtomakemehatehim,excepthatinghimisexactlywhatAphroditewouldwant.
Withthatinmind,Itryforasmile.“Ididn’trealizeit’dbelikethis.”There.That’saniceneutralstatement.
Adonis,ofcourse,takesthebait.Hesinksdowngracefullynexttomeonthebench.“Itwascruelofyoutoinvitemetothewedding.”
Iconsideranddiscardseveralresponses.AfterwhatAphroditepulledwithPandora,Iwanttostrikeback,toputherinherplace.TheonethingI’vealwaysbeenshitatisdancingthecarefulchoreographyofspeakinginlayers.It’seasiertoscarepeopleintodoingwhatIwant,andthatwon’tworkwithAdonis.
Instead,Itellthetruth.
“Yeah,itwas.”Ileanbackuntilourshouldersbrush.“ButIdidn’tchoosetogetmarriedandIwantedtohurther.”Mywifedoesn’thavemanyobviousweaknesses,butthismanisoneofthem.IlearnedthatwellenoughatthehousepartyMinoshostedafewweeksback;theonethatendedinbloodanddeath.DuringoneoftheheadfuckgamesMinosplayed,Adoniswona“date”withme.
Ineverdidgetachancetocollectonthat.
“It’sjustlikeattheparty,”hesays,mirroringmythoughts.“You’rebothusingmeasabonetotaunttheotherwith.”Adonisshakeshishead.“Icameheretocheckonher,tomakesureshe’sokay.Butafterseeingthatsocialmediapost,Ifeelnaive.It’snotacomfortablefeeling.”
Ieyehim.“Youjustcalledmecruelandnowyou’reoversharing.”
“IguessIam.”Hissmileisbrightandasfalseasfool’sgold.“I’mveryangrywithherrightnow,andIsupposeI’dliketogiveheratasteofherownmedicine.”
Surelyhe’snotplayingrightintomyhandsandcallingithisownidea?I’veneverbeenlucky,anditseemstodefybeliefthathe’dpresentmewithsuchanopportunity.Iholdperfectlystill.“Meaning?”
“Doyouwanttogogetadrink,Hephaestus?”
WhenItookthetitlefromthelastfuckerwhoheldit,IneverthoughtI’dmissmyownname.Hearinghisnameoneveryone’slipsmakesmefeelinvisible.It’stoolatetogoback,though.I’vemademydevil’sbargainandnowIhavetolivewithit.
Inodslowly.“It’steninthemorning.”
“Asifthat’senoughtostopus.Iknowaplace.”Herisestohisfeet.Gods,he’sahandsomefucker.Smoothdark-brownskin,cheekbonessharpenoughtocut,andbroadpalmsthatspeakofstrengthbeneaththepolishedexterior.Heholdsoutahand.“Whatdoyousay?”
EvenknowingthisisanopportunityI’dbeafooltopassup,Ican’thelpeyeinghisfaceforanysignofthepityorderisionI’vecometoexpectfromthepeopleinthiscursedcity.It’dbehardenoughtoadjusttomynewmobilitylimitswithoutthemseeingmyfucked-upkneeasanunforgivableflaw.TheyreactmoretothatthantothefactI’maprovenmurderer
Itcouldbeatrap.TheThirteenhavepromisedtoleavemealoneifImarriedthewitch,butthere’snothingstoppingAdonisfromtakingmattersintohisownverycapablehands.Heseemslikeagenuinelyniceguywithoutamurderousboneinhisbody,butthatdoesn’tmeanit’sthetruth.
Goingwithhimisarisk,butthepotentialgainistootemptingtoignore.
Adonismerelymaintainshissmileandwaits.
Ultimately,whatdecidesmeisthetrioofpeopleallbutpressedagainsttheglass,watchingus.Mykneehasstartedtostiffenup,andifItrytogetuponmyown,I’mgoingtogivethemsomethingtolaughabout.
IslipmyhandintoAdonis’s.I’magoodfourinchestallerandhavetoweighquiteabitmoresinceI’mnotbuiltleanlikehim,buthepullsmetomyfeetwithnoapparenteffort.Hekeepsmyhandforabeattoolongandthenstepsback.“Comeon.Mycarisoutfront.”
Heeasilymatcheshisstridetomyslowerone,andignoresthepeoplesnappingpicturesofusaswestepthroughthedoorandoutontothesidewalk.Ican’ttellifhe’sjustthatusedtobeingatigerinacageorifhe’sgotabetterpokerfacethanIrealized.Eachclickofthecamerasmakemewanttosmashthemintoathousandpieces.Ican’t.Iknowenoughtorecognizethat,evenifIchafeagainsttheconstraint.
Adonispressesahandtothesmallofmyback.Noturgingmefaster,justanglinghisbodybetweenmineandthepress.ItshocksmeenoughthatI’mstillprocessingitafewminuteslaterwhenwe’resafelyinthebackofhistowncar.
He…protectedme?
Ishakemyheadsharply.No,thisisanothergame.There’snowaythisguyisasguilelessasheseems.Thisfucked-upcitywouldhaveeatenhimaliveifthatwerethecase.
Nottomentionmywifewouldhavechewedhimupandspithimoutwithoutmissingastep.
Hegivesanaddressthat’sonlyafewblocksaway.Whenhecatchesmyglare,heshrugs.“I’mnotgoingtomakeyouwalkitwhenyou’reobviouslyinpain.Idon’tthinkIlikeyouverymuch,butcrueltyforcruelty’ssakeisn’thowIoperate.”
Again,Isearchhisexpressionforpityorsomekindofjudgment,andagainthere’snothing.Hestatesitasfactandthat’sthat.Idon’tknowhowtofeelaboutit,soIignoreitcompletely.“Youseemlikeaniceguy.”Hehuffsoutalaugh,butIcontinuebeforehecangetawordinedgewise.“Whatareyoudoingchasingafterthatwitch?”
“Erisisalotofthings,butshe’shardlyawitch.”
Mywife’sbirthnamefitsherfarbetterthanhertitle.Wedidourresearchbeforecominghere,soIknowwhatthelastAphroditewaslike—blondandgorgeousandsellinganimageofperfection.She’snothinglikethewomanImarried.MyAphroditeisalltoohappytobemessyinpublicandmakeaspectacleofherself,alltohumiliateme.Yeah,ErisfitsherawholelotbetterthanAphrodite,butI’llnevercallherbythatname.Itfeelslikeacapitulation,thoughIcan’tbegintosaywhy.
Ishiftontheseat.Ican’tstretchoutmykneeinthisposition.“She’sdoingadamnedgoodimpressionofbeingawitchrightnow.”
“Yeah.”Adonissighs.“Iguesssheis.”
Thecarstopsoutsideabuildingthatlooksjustlikeeveryotherbuildinginthecenteroftheuppercity.Chromeandglassandconcrete.Backhome,thebuildingshavemorecharacter.Eventherichliketoputtheirownstampontheirbusinessesandresidences.NoonewouldmistakeMinos’shouseforanyother,notwithitscopperrooftilesthathaveagedtoapleasinggreenorthebrilliantcoraldoorthatistwicethesizeanormaldoorshouldbe.
Irubmychest.ImighthavecomehereatMinos’scommand,butpartofmemissesthathouse.Everythingiswronginthiscity,fromthepeopletothebuildingstohowit’saffectedmyfriendshipwithPandora,rotalreadywormingbetweenus.
Adonisclimbsoutandagainoffershishand.“Comeon.Noonewillbotherusinhere.”
Again,Iconsiderignoringhisofferforhelp,andagain,myneednottofallflatonmyfaceoverridesthepridedemandingIdoitonmyown.Thistime,hispalmdoesn’tlingeragainstmine,andItellmyselfIdon’tmindthelackatall.
Thedoorheguidesmethroughtakesustoasmallhalf-circlelobbywithatrioofdoorsleadingdeeperintothebuilding.Stylizedletteringfrostseachofthem,allinthesamefontandthesamestyle.Onlythewordssetthemapart.
Thiscitytrulylackssoul.
Adonisheadstothefarleftone.Heslipsakeyoutofhispocketandunlocksthedoor.Whenhecatchesmelooking,heshrugs.“Asyousaid,it’steninthemorning.Theywon’tbeopenforhoursyet.”
Ipausemeaningfully.“Ifyou’relookingtogetsomerevenge,I’mnotgoingtobeaneasymark.”
“IfIwantedtohurtyou,Iwouldhavewonthemomentyougotintothecarwithme.”Hislipscurve,thoughtheexpressionstillhasn’treachedhisdarkeyes.“Iwanttotalk,Hephaestus.That’sall.We’llhaveprivacyhere,whichissomethingyou’llfindinshortsupplyinthiscity.”
“Theseus.”Idon’tknowwhyIsayit.Butonceit’soutofmymouth,Idon’twanttotakeitback.“MynameisTheseus.”
“Notanymore.”
“Still,I’dratheryouuseit.”Ifollowhimthroughthedoorandintoasurprisinglycharminglittlebar.It’snothinglikethepubIusedtospendmytimeinbeforeleavingAeaea,itswallsplasteredwithsigneddollarbills,itsfloorspermanentlystickyandthejukeboxstuckonsomeweird-assbandnoonebuttheownerhadheardof.But…thisplacedoeshavemoresoulthanmostofthecityI’veinteractedwithsofar.There’sblackandredarthangingonthewalls,thestyleabstractinawaythatfeelsalmostviolent.Ilookatthepaintingnearestusforalongmoment,tryingtofigureoutwhat’scausingtheeffect.Itmakesmevaguelyuncomfortable.
“MaybeonedayIwill.”Adonismovespastmetothelongbarthatstretchesdownonewall.WhenImethim,Iwouldhavewageredhe’dneverworkedadayinhislife,butheslipsbehindthebarwithalevelofcomfortthatsuggestshe’sslungdrinkshereplentyoftimes
Interesting.
Ifollowmoreslowly,stilltakinginthespace.Blackmarbletabletopsandblackleatherchairsandstools.Bright-redshelvesthathouseatrulyimpressiveselectionofliquor.Itshouldfeellikethewholeplaceistryingtoohard,butsomehowitformsacohesivewhole.
Adonisdoesn’taskmewhatIwant.Thatshouldirritateme,butasIslideontoastool,Ifindmyselffascinatedbythegracefulwayhecreatestwoidenticaldrinksinfrontofhim.HemovesfastenoughthatIcan’tquitecatcheverything—sureasfucknotenoughtorecreateit.
“Thisisyourfamily’splace?”
“Yes.”Headdsacherrythat’ssodarkit’salmostblacktoeachdrinkandslidesoneovertome.“It’smoreahobbythananythingelse,butmyfamilylikestopridethemselvesonbeingaworkingfamily,soit’straditionthateachofusworkhereforabitasadults.”
Anentirebusinessthatfunctionsasahobby.Thatsoundslikesomerichpeopleshit.Technically,I’moneoftherichnow,havebeeneversinceMinospulledmeoutofthatorphanageatfifteen.Buthalfalifeamongtheprivilegeddoesn’terasethatmyfirsthalfwasspentwithnothingofmyown.
NothingexceptPandora.
Ishouldhaveknownbetterthantoyellather.She’sneverlikedthatshit;it’saguaranteedwaytoensureshedoestheexactoppositeofwhatIwant.LikestaywithAphrodite
ThethoughtofmywifeanywherenearPandorahasmeclenchingahandaroundmyglass.NomatterwhatAphroditewantsmetothink,Pandorawouldneverjumpintobedwithher…Ipause.Well,shewouldn’tjumpintobedwithmywifeonourweddingnight,atleast.I’veseenthepeoplePandoraisattractedto,andtoaperson,theonlythingtheyhaveincommonisthatthey’rebeautiful,dangerous,andbadforher.
Likemywife.
Itakeadrink,mostlyforsomethingtodo,andamsurprisedtofinditlightandrefreshing.Iexaminetheliquidintheglass.“Whatisthis?”
“Oldfamilysecret.”Adonissmilesandleansforwardtoprophiselbowsonthebar.“Now,let’stalk.”7ADONIS
“EriswouldlosehermindifsheknewIwasherealonewithyou.”
“Whatmywifedoesn’tknowwon’thurther.”
Hiswife.Notmine.Nevermine.Shewasnevergoingtobe,assheremindedmeyesterday.
Mostofmylife,I’vegonewiththeflow.IliveacharmedexistenceandI’mawareenoughtorealizethat,butIalsorealizedprettyearlyonthatI’dneverholdoneofthethirteentitles.Mymothertakesafterhermotherinbeingtoooutspokenandtoostubborntobendwhenothersthinksheshould.Oldmoneyhasawayofthinkingtheworldrevolvesarounditinsteadoftheotherwayaround,andmymotherreflectsthat.
Myotherparentisn’tthatmuchbetter.Theyliketopoketheirnoseinwhenthey’renotwelcomeandhaveanastyhabitofsharinggossipalittletoofreely.Everyonedoesit,ofcourse,butmyparentdoesn’tbothertopretendthey’renot.Itgetspeople’shacklesup
So,no,IwasnevergoingtobecomeoneoftheThirteen.
Ineverwantedit,frankly.Hardtogowiththeflowwhenyou’retheonedirectingit.It’salotofresponsibilityandI’veseenthetollittakesonthosewhoholdthosepositions.Thepowermightbenice,butIhaveeverythingIcouldeverwant.WhydoIneedmore?
Iknowbetternow.
Hephaestuswatchesmelikehe’snotsureifIpoisonedhisdrink.Honestly,it’snotacompletelyirrationalfear.Iwouldn’tdoit,butthereareothersintheuppercitywhowouldn’thesitate.ButifEriswantedhimdead,he’dbedead,andImightbesofuriousatherthatIcan’tthinkstraight,butIwon’ttrampleonherplans.
“Butyoudowanttohurther.Hurtus,really.”
Hephaestusshrugs.“IgotwhatIwanted.I’moneoftheThirteen.”
Surelyhedoesn’texpectmetobelievethatline.I’veseenMinos’skindbefore;Eris’sfather,thelastZeus,wasalotlikehim.CharismaticenoughtohavethepeopleofOlympusenraptured,andallthemoredangerousbecauseofit.Minosdidn’tcometoOlympustoplaceoneofhischildrenamongtheThirteen.
HecameforOlympusitself.
WhichiswhyErisisdoingwhatshe’sdoing.Thebestandworstthingaboutheristhatshewillalwaysputthiscityfirst.HerfatherwasOlympus’smonsterandraisedhischildrentobethesame.Somehowitgottwistedintothismessed-upsenseofresponsibilitybecauseofthefamilyshewasborninto.Nowthatshe’sAphrodite,thatfeelingofresponsibilityhasonlygottenstronger
Herbrotherisleaninghardonher.Probablyhersister,too.ThreeoftheKasiosfamily.It’sneverhappenedevenonceinOlympus’shistory.
“Whydidyouinvitemeforadrink?”Hephaestusasksabruptly.“Behonestwithme.”
Honestyisarisk,butit’sallIhave.Itakeabreathandlaymycardsonthetable.“Idon’twantyoutohurtEris.”
Hestudiesme.Hephaestusisabigman.Helookseveryinchanold-worldwarriorwithhisbroadshoulders,squarejaw,andcallusedpalms.BasedonthefinalArestrial,hisfosterbrotheristrainedwithasword,andIsuspectHephaestusisaswell.
He’sdangerous.Thekindofdangerouswedon’tseeinOlympus.Here,battlesarefoughtwithbladedwordsandshadyalliances.Ortheyusedtobe.Theassassinationclausewasvirtuallyunknownuntilafewweeksago.
UntilMinoscame.
UntilTheseusmurderedthelastHephaestus.
Hesmirks.“Shedumpedyouandmarriedme.Whydoyoucarewhathappenstoher?”
Ishrug,forcingmybodylanguagetoremainlightanduncaring.“IamangrieratherthanI’veeverbeen,butthatdoesn’tmeanIwantherhurt.”Iloveher.Thatlovemighthavetwistedandmorphedintosomethingunrecognizable,butwehavetoomuchhistorytoignore.“Youobviouslydidn’twantthismarriage,andyourfamilyhasmorethanproventhatthey’rewillingtokilltogetthetitles.KillingherwouldgivethemtheAphroditetitleandendyourmarriageinonemove.”
“Iwon’tpretendIhaven’tconsideredit.”Heshakeshishead.“Butyou’remissingavitalpartofnegotiations,Adonis.”Hephaestusleansforward.He’stallenoughthatwe’realmostevenlikethis,tallenoughthatthebarbetweenussuddenlydoesn’tfeellikemuchofabarrier.“Whatwillyouoffermetoensureherprotection?”
Iblink.“Thatwasn’tverysubtle.”
“Neitherwasyourstatement.”
He’sright,butI’mmerelymatchinghisenergy.Sincehetookoverthetitle,it’sneverbeenclearerthatheisn’tfromaroundhere.Minosmightknowhowtotalktothepress,buthehasn’tpassedonthatskilltohisfostersons.Hephaestus’sbrusqueattitudehasalreadysetpeopleonedgeandcreatedaproblemwithhowpeopleperceivehim.Eris’santicsthismorningarejustonemorenailinthecoffin.“Wedothingsacertainwayhere.Tryingtogoagainstthatisn’tgoingtoearnyouanyfriends.”
“I’mnotheretomakefriends.”
Yeah,Iknow.“That’stheproblem.”Icatchafaintthreadofsomewoodsyscenthe’swearingandhavetotellmyselfnottoinhaledeeply.Hephaestusisattractiveenoughtoturnheadsifoneiswillingtorisktheirsafetyinhisbed.He’stheenemy,butthisisOlympus.Sleepingwithyourenemiesispracticallyaprofessionalsport.No,themoreimportanttruthisthathe’sEris’shusband.NomatterhowangryIamather,that’salineIshouldn’tcross.
That’salineIrefusetocross.
IleanbackandbusymyselfputtingawaythebottlesIpulledtomakethedrink.“You’relosingthebattleofpublicperceptiononmultiplefronts.Peopledon’tlikeyou,andtheydolikeyourwife.Normally,youmighthavebeenabletogarnersympathythatshe’scuckoldingyou,butpeopleareactivelyrootingagainstyouatthispoint.Theywantyouhumiliated.They’redownrightgleefulattheprospect.”
Hisbrowsdrawtogetherinatrulyfearsomeglare.“Thiscityisfucked.”
“Youcamehereandputatargetonyourback.”IsipmydrinkeventhoughIdon’tfeellikedrinkinganymorenowthatmyangerisfading.“Youdon’trespecttherulesofthisplace.Fromthemomentyoucamehere,you’veactedlikeyou’rebetterthanthem—thanus.Didyouhonestlythinkpeoplewouldthankyouforit?”
“You’renottellingmeanythingIdon’talreadyknow.”Adangerousedgehascomeintohisvoice.Hehasn’tbotheredtopretendtobeanythingotherthanwhatheis—apredator—buthedampeneditabitinourpreviousencounters.Thisman,though?Ifullybelievehebeatanotherhumantodeath.
Anideacomestomeslowly.It’saterribleidea,onethatwillhaveagoodportionofmypeersturningagainstme.I’mnotsureIcare.ImightnotwantErishurtphysically,butthatdoesn’tapplytoherreputation.Ultimately,HephaestusbeingamemberoftheThirteenthatthepublicactivelyhatesweakenstheentirerulingbodywhentheyneedmosttoprojectstrength.
AllfortheloveofOlympus,right?
Iknowmysmilehastakenonanedge,butIcan’tquitereclaimtheeasyexpressionInormallywear.“Iproposeabargain.”
Henarrowshiseyes.“I’mlistening.”
Now’sthetimetoturnback.Nothingwillcomefromthisexceptmoremisery.IshouldbefocusingonpickingupthepiecesofmylifecreatedwhenErisshatteredourrelationship.ImightgarnermorepitythanIcanstomach,butitwillpass.Olympushasalongmemoryonsomesubjects,butbrokenrelationshipsareadimeadozen.NoonebelievedErisandIwouldgothedistance.
Nooneexceptme,apparently.
AdmittinghownaiveIwasfeelslikeswallowingacid.“I’llhelpyoufixyourimage.Inreturn,you’llpromisenottoharmher.”
Hesitsbackslowly.Themovementbringsintoattentiontheshiftofhismusclesbeneathhisbutton-downshirt.Itdoesn’tfitquiteright,nothavingbeentailoredforhissheersize,andevenasInoticethat,Ican’thelptheheatthatrisesinresponsetohisstrength.I’vealwaysbeenattractedtostrengthinitsmanyforms;tomydetriment,mostofthetime.
Hephaestusconsidersmeforalongmoment.“Why?”
Iknowbetterthantohandawayaweaponforfree,butthisishardlyanormalsituation.HephaestusobviouslywantstousemeagainstEris,andI’mangryandhurtenoughtobeused,buthe’stoosmartnottocheckforstrings.Icrossmyarmsovermychest.“Idon’tcarewhatyourfosterfatherhasplanned;you’reweakeningtheentirebodyoftheThirteen,whichisweakeningOlympusasawhole.Youneedthepubliconyoursidenowmorethanever.”
“Icouldn’tgiveafuckaboutwhatthepublicthinks.”
“Youcan’taffordtobethatreckless.”Andneithercanthecity.Idon’tthinkforasecondthattheThirteenwillcometogether,joinhands,andfixthings.Itdoesn’tmatter.AstableThirteentranslatestoamorestableOlympus.
“Youaren’tdoingthisforthegoodofthecity,oratleastthat’snotthewholereason.”
He’snotwrong,buthealreadyknowsErisismyweakspot—andI’mhers.Noreasontoremindhim.“Areyouworriedthatyoucan’thandleanythingIcanbringtothetable?”
Hesmiles,slowandlanguid.Itcompletelytransformshisface.Oh,he’sstillgotthebrutalbeauty,buthissmilesoftensitintosomethingtrulydevastating.“Icanhandleanythingyouthrowatme,Adonis.Infact,Ilookforwardtoit.”Thesheerinsinuationinhislowvoicegivesweighttotheairintheroom,andsuddenlyit’shardtodrawafullbreath.
Gods,he’sdangerous.
Iknewthat,buthe’sbeensuchablundering,pridefulfoolsincetakingthetitlethatitwaseasytotellmyselfIimaginedhisroughcharmfromthehouseparty.ThatIimaginedmyresponsetoit.“I’mnotofferingthat.”
“Notaspartofthebargain,”heagreeseasily.Tooeasily.BeforeIcanreiteratethatI’mnot,underanycircumstances,havingsexwiththepersonwho’smarriedtomyex,hecontinues.“Howdoyouplantofixmyimage?”Thewordshaveasarcasticedge,buthelooksgenuinelycurious.“Fightfirewithfire?”
Ilaugh.Ican’thelpit.“That’salosinggame.Erishasbeenplayingthepresssinceshewasateenager.Earlier,even.No,youhavetogoinadifferentdirection.”
Interestlightshisdarkeyes.“Okay,youhavemyattention.”
Ihaven’tspentanytimethinkingaboutthis,butIwastrainedthesameasEris.I’llneverhavethesamemediaspotlightthatshedoes,butmyparentstaughtmeearlythatperceptionisaweaponatourdisposal.It’seasyenoughtocomeupwithasolutionthathasachanceofworking.“Youplaythedotinghusband.”
“Pass.”Hephaestus’sfacetwists.“EveryoneknowsIdidn’tchoosethemarriage.NoonewillbelieveI’mfollowingmyunfaithfulwifearoundwithheartsinmyeyes.”
“Notifyoukeepstandingnexttoherandgloweringlikeyouwanttomurderher.”Isetmyglassdown.“Youneedtomakethemrootforyou.Theonlywaytodothatistoplayontheirpity.”
“Idonotwanttheirpity.”
Pityisobviouslyasorespotforhim,butIdon’tcare.“Letmepaintyouapicture.”Ilowermyvoice,forcinghimtoleanin.“Thesteadfast,loyalhusbandandthephilanderingwifewhoflauntsherloversinpublic.Whodoyourootfor?”
“Pickanotheroption.”
“You’renotcapableofanyotheroptionandErisistoobeloved,evenifit’sthattheylovewatchingherspectacle.Youhavenochanceofbeingmorecharmingthanher.Youdon’thaveherconnections.Minosistoleratedrightnowthesamewaypeopletolerateanamusingjester,andheshowseveryevidenceofbuildingthatamusementintogoodwill,butyoudon’thavehisskill.Peopledonotlikeyou.”
“TellmesomethingIdon’talreadyknow.”
Ieyehim.“Ifyou’dplayeditthewayIsuggestfromthestart,pretendingtobeinlovewithher,oratleastbesottedwithher,thenpeoplewouldempathizewithyou.HalfthecitywantstobeinAphrodite’sbed,andtheotherhalfwantstobeher.You’reanewcomertoOlympus,soit’dbeeasiertoprojecttheirfeelingsontoyou…exceptyoukeepbeinganasshole,whichturnsthatempathytohate.Ifyou’dstartedthingsthisway,sheneverwouldhavebeenabletopullthatstuntthismorning.”
Hismouththins.“Idon’tlikeit.”
“Youdon’tlikeanyofthis,sothat’shardlynews.”Icatchmytonegoingplayful.Iamnotgoingtoflirtwithhim.Idon’tevenlikehim.“That’smyoffer.Takeitorleaveit.”
Heconsidersit.Ilikethathedoesn’tsimplytakemeuponitwithoutthought.Finally,hesays,“Ifyou’retryingtogetclosetometospy,it’sawasteoftime.I’mnotsoftenoughtosharepillowtalk,andMinoscertainlyisn’tgoingtoletanythingslip.”
MyskinflareshotattheideaofpillowtalkwithHephaestus.Iwanttosaydesiringhimisjustasideeffectofabrokenheart,buttherewasasparkwhenwefirstmet,too.Notenoughtoindulgein,notwhenIwaswithEris.
ButI’mnotwithErisanymore.
That’senough.Yousaidyoudidn’twantherhurt,andnowyou’refightingnottoflirtwithherhusband.Whatdoyouthinkthatwoulddoifshefoundout?
Notthathurtingmewasenoughtogiveherpausebeforemovingforwardwithherplan.
“ThenIsupposeyouhavenoreasontosayno.”
Hissmilewidens.“Guessyou’reright.”HereachesoutabighandandIdomybesttoignorethezingthatsurgesthroughmewhenIslipmyhandintohis.“Okay,Adonis,youhaveyourselfabargain.”8APHRODITE
PandoraobviouslyhasnointentionoflingeringdespitenotleavingwithHephaestus,butI’mnotabouttowastethisopportunity.Iwatchherpulltherumpledbridesmaiddressoverherwidehipsandhavetofightnottolickmylips.Shereallyisdelicious.“Eurydicesaidyouwereinterestedintheclub.”
“Iwasdrunk.”Shetugsthefabricuparoundherstomachandthenbreasts.
I’malreadymoving.“Letme.”
Shehuffsoutabreath,butturnstopresentmewithherback.Iwouldliketosayit’smymercenarystreakthathasmedraggingmyknucklesupherspineasIzipherup,butreallyIjustwantanexcusetotouchher.AdonisandIwerealwayssoawareofappearancesthatwhenwewere“on,”weneversteppedoutoftherespectable,monogamousboxOlympusputusin.Asaresult,it’sbeenalongtimesinceItouchedanyoneelselikethis.
Toolong.
Eventhinkingthatfeelslikeadisservicetohim.Beingwithhimwashardlyachore.Iloved—love—him.Butthere’salwaysbeenasecretpartofmethatfeltstifledbywhatwehad.I’llneveradmitasmuchaloud,andcertainlynevertohim,butit’sthetruth.
IfinishPandora’sdressandcan’tstopmyselffromtouchingthebarespotjustaboveit.“There.”
Shereleasesashakybreathandturnstofaceme.“I’mnotsomeclubyoucanbeatTheseuswith.He’smybestfriend,andIwon’thurthim.”
“Ofcoursenot,”Iagreeeasily.“Iwouldneveraskthatofyou.”Idon’tneedhertoagreetohurthimwhenherpresencewillservethesamepurpose.
That’snotthefulltruth,though.IamcuriousaboutthissparklingwomanwholivesamongthesnakesofMinos’shousehold.Shecaughtmyeyeatthedisastroushousepartyafewweeksago,abloomthatstandsapart.IdoubtsheknowsmuchaboutMinos’splan,butthat’sfine.Iwanttoknowabouther
Bestourinformationcantell,shewasraisedinthesameorphanageasHephaestus.Apollocouldn’tfindmuchinfoaboutit,otherthanthatitwasnamedaftersomehistoricalfigurefromAeaea,anditwasshutdownabruptlyafewyearsago.
WhenMinosbroughtHephaestusintohishousehold,Pandoracamewithhim.Ihadthoughtmaybesomethinginsidiouswasgoingonthere,butMinosappearstomostlyignoreherandnoonehasfoundevidencetocontradictthat.Whichmeansshe’sthereforHephaestus.
Andthatisjustasinterestingasthefactthatmyhusbandseemstogenuinelyvalueheraboveallothers.
Igivehermymostcharmingsmile.“Iwouldliketogettoknowyou.Showyouaround.”
Shelaughsandstartsforthedoor.“Don’tlietome.Youwanttoparademearoundandstiruptroubleforhim.”
Well,yeah.Icanappreciatethatsheseesrightthroughme,evenifit’sinconvenient.Ifollowherdownthehall.Thiswillbemyonlychance.IfIdon’thookherhere…
What?
ThereareotherpeopleIcanleverageinOlympus.TheimportantpartishumiliatingHephaestusandundermininghispower.Idon’tneedPandora,specifically,todothat.Yes,she’sthemostlikelytodrivemydearhusbandintoablackoutrage,whichispersonallyentertainingforme,butasfarasthepublicisconcerned,theidentityofmylovers
Noneofthatmakesanydifferencerightnow.Iwanther.I’mnotwillingtoletherwalkawayjustyet.
“TherearenocamerasinHades’slittleplayground.”I’mspeakingtoofast,butshe’salmosttothefrontdoor.“We’llarriveseparatelyandleaveseparately.Noonetalksaboutwhatgoesoninthereunlesstheywanttoruntheriskofneverbeinginvitedback.”Theexception,ofcourse,iswhenHadesorPersephonewantstospreadinformationaboutacertainpairingoractivity,buttheyusethatpowersparingly.
Pandoraslows.“Whyareyousoinvestedinthis?”There’ssomethingthere,athreadofcuriosityinhervoice.
“Isn’titobvious?”Iwaitforhertotwisttolookatme.Thatsamecuriosityisthereonherface,andit’stheonlymotivationIneedtotakeonestepafteranother,closingthedistancebetweenus.Idon’tstopuntilherbackhitsthedoorandonedeepbreathwillpressherbreastsagainstme.“Iwantyou.”
Herjawdrops,butsherecoversquickly.“Itoldyounottolietome.”
“Ineverliewhenpleasureisinvolved.”Itwistastrandofherhairaroundmyfingerandlaughalittleatherdisbelief.“Okay,thatwasalie,butIknowyoufeltthatlittlezingwhenwekissedatMinos’sparty.”Ileandown,gratifiedwhenshetiltsherheadback,almostasifshecan’thelpherself.Ilowermyvoice.“IbetifIkissedyourightnow,we’dfeelthatzingagain.”
Sheshakesherhead,butherresponseisslowerthistime,hergazelingeringonmymouth.“Iappreciatetheoffer,but—”
“DotheyhavekinkclubsinAeaea?”
“Theyhavekinkclubseverywhere,Aphrodite.They’renotmythicalplaces.”
Thefactthatshe’sstillhere,arguingwithme,ispromising.Sheknowssheshouldn’tsayyes,butthere’ssomethinginherthatwantsto.Iforcemyselftoslowdown,tolookattheangles.
Iwanther.Ithinkshewantsme,too.Butshe’stoostubborntosayyesforsomethingassimpleaslust.Evenifit’sclearshe’sfightingnottoreachformerightnow.Yes,shefeltthatconnection.I’msureofit.
Theonlywayforwardistoincitehercuriosity.“Hades’sclubisveryexclusive.Hebarelyletsmeinthere,andI’mallowedtogowhereverIplease.”
Herlipsquirk.“Poorthing.”
Iignoreheramusementandcontinue.“Somenights,hebringsinprofessionalsfortheshows,butwhilethosearelikewatchinglivingart,theyaren’tmyfavorites.”
Pandorahesitates,butfinallysays,“What’syourfavorite?”
“Amateurnight.”Ismileslowly.“Notasperfectashow,buttheyhavesomuchfunwithit,it’sinfectiousinthebestway.”Ileanforwarduntilourexhalesmingleinthebarespacebetweenus.“Tonightisamateurnight,Pandora.Areyousureyoudon’twanttojoinme?Nottoparticipate.Justtowatch.”
Iseetheexactmomenthercuriositygetsthebestofher.“Fine.Tonight.”Shelicksherlips,hervoicebreathyandfilledwithdesire.“ButonlybecauseIwanttoseetheclub.”
ItakeaslowstepbackandallowmyselftolookherupanddownthewayI’vewantedtosincemeetingher.Pandoraisoneofthosepeoplewhoisbeautiful,butforthelifeofme,Ican’ttellhowmuchofitisphysicalbeautyandhowmuchofitispurepresence.Eitherway,Iwasn’tlyingwhenIsaidIwantedher.“Tonight,then.Yourinvitationtothelowercitywillhold.”AfavorfromHades,thoughifhethinksforamomentitwillendangerhispeople,he’llwithdrawbothourinvitations.
Shelookslikeshewantstosaysomethingelse,butfinallynods.“Okay.”
IlethergetherhandonthedoorbeforeIspeakagain.“Pandora.”Sheglancesatme,somethingalmostlikehopeinherdarkeyes.“There’sacarwaitingforyouintheparkinggarage.Gotothesecondlevel.Noonewillseeyouleave.”
Shehesitates.“Oh.Right.Uh,thanks.”
Thistime,whensheopensthedoor,Idon’tcallherback.Iallowmyselftofeeladeepsatisfactionthatthingsaregoingtoplan,butonlyuntilIgetatextfrommydriverconfirmingshegottothecar.ThenIheadbackintomyroomtogetdressedproperly.
It’stimetoseemyallies.
Mysiblingshavetoldmetoseetomyhusbandandleavetheresttothem,butIamwhoIam.Iwon’tinterferewiththelayersandlayersofplotstheyhavegoingon,butIreadthelastreportApollosent.
HemighthaveseenpromiseinturningAriadneagainstherfatheratthehouseparty,buthehasn’tbeenabletogetclosetohersince.HerfatherisactivelyblockingheraccesstoanyoftheThirteen,andthatincludesApollo.Onecouldarguethathe’sdoingwhatanydevotedfatherwoulddoforhisbeautifuldaughterwhenfacedwiththecircling
That’sfine.
SomethingsjustrequireasoftertouchthantheThirteencanmanage.
Mydestinationisalittlebarrightontheedgeoftheupperwarehousedistrict.It’sfartooearlyforittobeopen,butthisisoneofDionysus’spersonalbusinesses,soheletmeborrowthekeysforthismeeting.Notevenourfriendshipisenoughtogethimoutofbedbeforenoon.
I’mstillturningonthelightswhenEurydiceslipsthroughthedoor,followedbyherever-presentshadow.IgiveCharonalonglook,butthey’reapackagedeal,andneitherofthemseemtohavemuchsenseofhumorwhenitcomestopeopleaskingquestionsabouttheirrelationship.
Eurydice,ofcourse,looksfreshandlovelyandlikeshehadafullnightofsleepinsteadofbeingoutallhoursofthenightatakinkclub.She’salsonotwearingoneofhercustomaryprettydresses,optinginsteadforapairofcutoffshortsthatleavesherlonglegsbare,andaslightlyoversizedT-shirt.
Ibarelymanagetoresistaskingifit’sCharon’s.IfIdo,shemightleaveinahuff.“Thanksforcoming.”
“Ofcourse.”Shewalksuptothebarandleansagainstit,lookingaroundwithinterest.“Dionysusownsthis?”
“You’veneverbeen?”
“No.”Hermouthtwists.“Mymotherandsistershavestrongopinionsaboutwhatisappropriateentertainmentforme,andthishardlyqualifies.”Shemotionsatthewallpaperfilledwithpinups,theirmostlybarebodiesondisplay.
Idon’tcommentonthat,thoughIhavemyownthoughtsonhowtheDimitriouwomentreatEurydice.NoonestaysshelteredinOlympusforlong,andtryingtomakethathappendoesadisservicetothepersoninquestion.
LookatwhathappenedwithEurydice’sex,Orpheus.Or,rather,thestuntmyfatherpulledinordertodrawHadesontothewrongsideoftheriver.Sheneverwouldhavefallenforsuchatrapifherfamilydidn’tinsistonwrappingheringauzetokeephersafe.
“You’reherenow.Wantadrink?”
“No.”ShestartstolookbackatCharon,wherehe’stakenupaspotagainstthewallnearthedoor,butstopsherself.“Let’sgetdowntobusiness.”
Ialmostpokeatherabitmore,butultimatelybusinessiswhywe’remeeting.“YoudidwonderfullywithPandora.”
“Ihadn’tplannedonhergettingthatdrunk.”Shemakesaface.“Ifeelbad.”
“Itserveditspurpose.Shesleptitoffinmybedandwasnonetheworseforwear.”
Eurydicegivesmealonglook.“Andyouupheldyourendoftheagreement.”
It’snotaquestion,butIrollmyeyes.“Ididn’ttouchher.Gods,whodoyouthinkIam?”
“Ithinkyou’reoneoftheThirteenandyou’lldoanythingtoserveOlympus.”
She’snotwrong,butitstillmakesmyfaceburn.“Idrawthelineatsexualassault,thankyouverymuch.”
“Butnotmurder.”
“Oh,please.”Iwavethataway.“Ifyoucameheretobeself-righteous,wecanendthisrightnow.”
Sheglares,butgivesherselfabitofashake.“IgotAriadne’snumberoutofPandora’sphone.I’llreachoutlatertoday.Iplantotakethecommiseratingapproach—bothofusyoungerdaughterswhohavebeenlockedawaybyourfamilies.”
“Smart.”Icrossmyarmsovermychest.“Thoughshe’snotafool.Shewon’trespond.”
“Yes,shewill.”Eurydiceliftsherchin.“Iknowyouhadyourowntrialsgrowingupthewayyoudid,butwhatsheandIhaveexperiencedisuniqueenoughthatIwouldbetgoodmoneyshe’sclimbingthewallsrightaboutnow.Shewasflourishingatthathousepartywithsomanypeoplearound,andnowherfatherhasessentiallylockedherupandthrownawaythekey,allinthenameofhersafetyandhisambition.She’llrespond,evenifit’stogetsomeinteractionwithsomeonewhoisn’tfamily.”
Ifshe’swrong,thenwe’lltrysomethingelse…butIdon’tthinkshe’swrong.Inod.“Keepmeupdated.Ifyouneedanything,I’llprovideit.”
Eurydicepauses,shootsaglanceatCharonagain,andblurts,“Whyme?”
“What?”
“WhydidyouaskmeforhelpwithPandora?”Shespeaksquickly,wordstumblingovereachother.“AndthenagainwithAriadne?Surelyyouhavepeopleonstaffwhocoulddothissortofthing.Youcouldhavepickedsomeoneelsetoavoidpissingoffmysistersandmother.”
She’snotwrong.TheDimitriouwomenwereformidablewhentheywerejustdaughtersofDemeter.NowPsycheandPersephonearebothmarriedtodangerousmen,andCallistohasbecomeHera.Evenwithoutthat,DemeterisoneofthemostterrifyingpeopleI’veevermet,andItakegreatpainsnottocrossher.
OrIdiduntilnow.
ShouldshefindoutaboutthislittleschemeEurydiceandIarerunning,shewouldundoubtedlyconsideritabetrayalthatneedstobepunished.HerdaughterPsychetookdownthelastpersontoholdtheAphroditetitle,afterall.
ButIgrewupinZeus’shousehold,andfranklyallfourofthosewomendoEurydiceadisservicebytryingtoswaddleheruptoprotecther.ThewomanIinteractedwithatMinos’sparty—theonestandingbeforemenow—hasabackbone
Shedeservesachancetouseit.
Ishrug.“You’resmart,beautiful,andperfectlyplacedforthiskindofthing.Ithinkwecanbothagreethatyou’rebeingunderutilizedatthemoment,andyou’reobviouslyitchingtodomoreoryouwouldn’thavebeensoreceptivetomyoffer.”IjerkmychinatCharon.“Andyou’rehardlyunprotected.”
Shesmilesslowly.“Youknow,Ithinkyou’rethefirstpersontoseemeasvaluableinsteadofjustaprettythingtobeadmired.”
IglanceoverhershouldertowhereCharonwatchesherwithmolteneyes.Hecatchesmelookingandshutterstheexpressionquickly,butnotquicklyenough.Idon’tthinkIamthefirstpersontoseeyouasvaluable.
IpatEurydiceontheshoulder.“Keepmeintheloop.”Ipause.“Oh,andstayoutoftheclubtonight.I’mbringingPandoraandIdon’twantherthinkingaboutanythingbutmeandtheshow.”
“Okay.”Sheturnstowardthedoor,butpauses.“Thanksforthis.Imeanit.Olympusismyhome,too,nomatterhowflawed,andIwanttohelp.”
“Youarehelping,andIappreciateit.”Iinjectwarmnessintomytone,butforonceI’mnotlying.Notreally,anyway.IlikeEurydice,andshe’suseful.Win,winfromwhereI’msitting.
Everythingisgoingaccordingtoplan.9PANDORA
Ialmostdon’tgobacktoMinos’shome.Returningtherealwaysfeelslikesteppingintoacloudofnoxiousgas,excepttheveryairhasweight.Minosmostlyignoresme,whichmeanstheMinotaurmostlyignoresmeaswell,andIpreferitthatway.Butthatdoesn’tchangethefactthatIcan’tignoreeitherofthem.Ilearnedearlyonthatknowingthemostdangerouspeopleintheroommightsavemylifeoneday,andtheyarebothdangerous
There’snowhereelsetogo,though.
ForallMinos’sshowofbuyingahouseoutsidethecityproper,it’snotconvenientforday-to-daylife,sohe’srentedapenthouseafewblocksawayfromthecitycenter.Ithinkhetriedtogetcloser,butallthosebuildingsareownedbyfamiliesthatcantracetheiroriginsbacktoOlympus’sconception.Theymightnotbegivinghimthecutdirectcurrently,butnoneofthemwantedanew,ambitiousstrangerlivingsoclose.
Ibetthey’reallhappyaboutthatafterwhatwentdowntwoweeksago.
Ipushthethoughtaway,justlikeIhaveeverydaysincethehousepartyendedinviolenceanddeath.IknowwhatTheseusiscapableof.I’vealwaysknownit.
Thatdoesn’tmakeiteasiertostomach
It’snotthedeaththatbothersme.Deathisapartoflife,andmurderisfarmorecommonamongthepowerfulthananyonewantstoadmit.
WhatbothersmeisthefantasyMinosspunforTheseus.Theonewheredoingthiswouldfulfillallhisdreamsofstabilityandpower.Judgingbythelasttwoweeks,allofthatisonebiglie.He’sgotpower,butstabilityisinshortsupply,andhecertainlydoesn’thavethefreedomhecraves.
Comingherewasamistake.
I’monlyinOlympusbecauseTheseusrefusestocooperateifI’mnotapackagedealwithhim,andMinosresentsmeintenselybecauseofit.I’mtheonerelationshipinTheseus’slifethatpredateseveryonehere.ThechosenfamilythatMinoscannotmanipulateorcontrol.Theonepersonwho’sknownTheseussincewewerebarelyoutofdiapers.
NotthatTheseuslistenstome.Ifhedid,hewouldn’tbeinhiscurrentpredicament.Thefacthethinkshecandictatemyactions,though?ItmakesmewanttoputhiminhisplacealloveragainthewayIdidthismorning.
IwishIcouldpretendthat’swhyIacceptedAphrodite’sinvitation.
Thehookinmygutisattachedtoastringofpuredesire,andI’mterriblyafraidshemightholdtheotherendofit.She’sbeautifulandmagnetic,andI’monlyhuman.Beingtheprimaryrecipientofallherattentionisaheadything.Iwon’tactonit…
Probably.
“Pandora!”
IgivemyselfashakeandlookupasAriadneandIcaruswavemeintothelivingroom.It’sawide-openspacewithcoldleathercouches,aglasscoffeetable,andmassivefloor-to-ceilingwindowsthatgivemevertigowhenIstandtooclose.
Ariadneisloungingonthecouchwithherheadinherbrother’slap.She’saboutmysizewithlight-brownskinandlongdarkhair.Truly,welookenoughaliketoalmostberealsisters,oratleastthat’swhateveryonesays.She’sinherhomeclothing—leggingsandanoversizedhoodiethatmustbelongtotheMinotaur.Iwouldn’tdareeventakeapieceoffoodoffhisplate,buthissweatshirtshaveahabitofmagicallyfindingtheirwayintoherlaundryandsheneverseemstoreturnthem.
It’sweird,frankly.
IcarusistheoppositeofTheseusandtheMinotaurineveryway.Heshareshissister’scoloringandisleantothepointofbeingskinny,withdelicatefeaturesanddarkcurlyhairthatsomehowalwaysseemstomisbehave.Itmustbeintentional,ifonlybecauseitirritatesMinostohaveevenathreadoutofplace,butIcarusisastudyinunderachieving.Whileit’sentirelypossiblethatkeepinghishairregularlytrimmedandstyledismerelytoomucheffort,Isuspectit’soneofalongstringofrebellionsagainsthisfather.
“Whatareyoutwodoing?”Iglancearound.
“We’retheonlyoneshere.”Icarus’slipsquirkinasardonicsmile.“Noneedtorunandhide.”
“Icarus.”Ariadnesmackshiskneeandsitsup.“Don’tbemean.”
“Justspeakingthetruth.”
Yeah,I’mnotgoingtotouchthat.Icaruswasdancingtohisfather’stunewhenwefirstarrivedinOlympus,goingsofarastoattackPanattheparty.Icouldhavetoldhimit’snouse.HemightbeMinos’ssonbyblood,buthe’snotwhatMinoswantsinason.
Now,itseemshe’sbacktohisoldself.He’sgotasharpertonguethananyoneI’vemetandhedoesn’thesitatetouseit.Idon’tdislikehimthewayIdotheMinotaurandMinos,butbeingfriendswithIcarusisn’tacomfortableexperience.“I’mexhaustedsoI’mgoingtotakeanap.”
Icarustakesmein,darkeyesnarrowing.“Ournewsister-in-lawpostedthemostinterestingphotothismorning.SeemsTheseusdidn’tdoagoodjobofexercisinghisweddingnightduties.”Heleansforward.“IfIdon’tmissmyguess,thatwasyouinherbed.”
IttakeseverythingIhavenottoflee.DoingsowillconfirmhissuspicionsandwillgivehimsomethingtoneedleTheseusabout.Imightnotbeentirelyhappywithhimrightnow,butI’mnotgoingtohandoverammunitiontoIcarus.“Ispentthenightinthelowercity.”
“Toldyouso.”Ariadnetwistsherhairaroundherfingers.“IsawherleavewithEurydiceDimitriou.”Sheworriesherbottomlip.“Honestly,Iwasalittlejealous.Fatherhadusherdeddirectlybackhereassoonasthereceptionwasover.”
“Godsforbidwedosomethingfurthertoembarrasshim.”Icarusrollshiseyes.“Iwanttoseethekinkclub.”
Ariadneblushesabitandlooksaway.“I’dliketoseeit,too.I’dliketoseeanythingthatisn’tthesefourwalls.”
Guiltsparks.ImightresentMinosinmorewaysthanIcancount,buthisapathyformetranslatestofreedomthesetwodon’thave.We’vesnuckouttogetherbefore,backonAeaea.TherewasalittlebarTheseusintroducedmeto,andIwouldbringIcarusandAriadnetherewheneverMinoswasawayonbusiness.EveryonewasafraidofTheseus,sotheynevermessedwithme,evenifhewasn’tthereeverytimeIwas.
Thereisn’tanywherelikethatinOlympus.
“Maybewecould—”Istart.
“Wedon’tneedyoutobabysitus.IfIwanttoseethekinkclub,I’llseethekinkclub.”Heflopsbackagainstthecouch.“MaybeI’llaskAphrodite.Sheseemstoenjoysowingdiscord,soshe’dprobablysayyes.”
“Icarus.Youcan’t!”
IcrosstoAriadneandcoverherhandwithmine.It’sbeenyearssinceshewasindangerofrippingoutherownhairbecauseofanxiety,butseeinghertwisthercurlsmakesmyscalptwingeinsympathy.“Don’tlethimgettoyou.”IshootalookatIcarus.“Andyou.Behave.”
“Manyhavetriedtogetmetobehave;allhavefailed.”Hegrinssuddenly,theexpressionispuredelight.ThisrighthereiswhyIcanneverhateIcarus.Assharpasheis,he’sjustasquicktotradeinsultsforamischievousinvitationtogetintotrouble.Heprovesmerightwhenheleansin.“YouwenttoaninfamouskinkclubwithEurydiceDimitrioulastnight.DidyouseduceDemeter’syoungestdaughter?Tellusallthedetails.”
Ismileandleanforward,enjoyingthewaytheybothmirrormymovement.Iwaituntilthey’repracticallyquiveringwithanticipationtosay,“Aladynevertells.”
Hegroans.“That’snofun.Eurydiceispretty,buthershadowisevenprettier.Idon’tsupposeCharonjoinedinthefun?”
Ariadnecoversherfacewithherhands.“Forgods’sake,Icarus,canyoujustbenormalfortwominutes.”
Shedoesn’tseehisflinchinresponsetoherwords.Hisfamilyneverseemsto.Hecatchesmelookingandweshareaheartbeatofcommiseration.I,atleast,haveareasontobeontheoutsideofthisfucked-uplittlefamilyunit.IcarusisMinos’sbiologicalson.Ican’timaginehowitmusthavefeltforhisfathertogoseekingtwomoreandthenturnaroundandshowthemsuchblatantfavoritism.
So,yeah,Idon’tloveIcarus’scuttingremarks,butIdon’thatehimforthem.
“Ididn’tsleepwithEurydiceorCharon.AndIhavetoquestionyourtasteifyoucallhimpretty.”LikesomanypeopleintheuppertiersofOlympus,Charonisattractive,butit’samoresalt-of-the-earthattractivenessthansomeofthepeacockswhostrutaroundtheuppercity.
BestIcantell,Eurydiceisoblivioustothewayhelooksatherevenasshewatcheshimwhenshethinksnooneispayingattention.Idon’treallyknowher,butitmakesmewanttogiveherasharpelbowandsharperwords.Lifeistooshorttopassupsomethingthat’sobviouslyfoundedinmorethanpurelust.
It’snotmybusiness.
Frankly,nothinginthiscityismybusiness.Thewholethingexhaustsme,especiallyafteryesterday,lastnight,andthismorning.“I’mgoingouttonight.”
Icarusperksup.“Out?Where?”
“Ihaveaninvitation—andit’sexclusive.”Ican’tstandthewayhewiltsthetiniestbit.“Iheartherearesomelovelyshowsinthetheaterdistrict.Whydon’tyoutwotrytocheckoneofthoseout?SurelyMinoscan’tobjecttothatactivity.”
“Heobjectstoallactivitiesrightnow.We’reunderstrictinstructionstostayhereandoutoftrouble.”Ariadnewon’tquitemeetmygaze.“Buthavefuntonight.”
Godssaveme,butIalmostoffertotakethemwithmerightthenandthere.OnlytheknowledgeoftheirreactiontoitbeingAphroditeissuingtheinvitationstopsme…That,andthefactthatIkindofwantheralltomyselftonight.
Irefusetothinktoocloselyaboutthat.
Still,Ihesitate.“Letmecheckthisplaceout.Ifit’sontheup-and-up,I’llseewhoIhavetotalktoinordertoconvincethemtoissueyouinvitations,too.”It’snot,strictlyspeaking,alie.Butit’snotquitehonest,either.Ifeelalittlebitofamonsterforthewaytheybothbeamatme.
I’llaskAphroditeaboutittonight.Nomatterwhatelseshe’ssaid,theonlyreasonshe’sgettingclosetomeistosussoutinformationaboutMinosandhisplans.Surelyshe’llwantaccesstoIcarusandAriadne,too.Theydon’tknowanythingmorethanIdo,butshewon’tbelieveit.It’sasgoodanexcusetogetthemoutofhereasany.
MyconfidencethatIknowwhatI’mdoingdwindleswitheachfloortheelevatorpassesonitsdescenttotheparkinggarage.Icheckmyphoneforthesixthtime,rereadingAphrodite’sbrieftextagain.
Aphrodite:Mycarwillmeetyouintheparkinggarage.Bethereatnine.
It’snotuntilIopenthedoorandslideintothebackseatthatIrealizeI’vemadeamistake.I’mnotalone.Aphroditeloungesintheseatnexttome,wearingamasterpieceofareddress.Itssilkyfabricleaveshershouldersbareanddrapeshorizontallyacrossherchestinawaythatshouldbemodest…ifnotforthecorsetboningjustbelowitthatemphasizesherthinwaist,followedbymoredrapedfabricaroundherhipsthatleavesonelonglegcompletelybaretotheupperthigh.
It’sadressmeanttoseduce.
Iknowbetterthantoletmygazelingeronthesmoothskinofherthigh,toletmycuriosityteaseoutwhatshemightormightnotbewearingbeneaththedress.Shelookslikeapresentjustbeggingtobeunwrapped,thetopofthedressbarelyclingingtoherupperarms.OnetugandIcouldknowifshe’sbarethere,too…
Ijerkmygazeaway.
Gods,whatamIthinking?
“Pandora.”Aphrodite’svoiceislowerthannormal,afaintedgetherethatmakesmyskinprickleinawaythat’sfartoopleasant.“Youdressedupforme.”
Iswallowhard.“Idressedupfortheclub.”
“Ofcourse,”sheagreeseasily.SheleansoveranddragshergazeovermeinasweepIcanalmostfeel.Ihavetofightnottoshift,topressmythighstogether.
Truthbetold,Ididdressupforher.Iwantedhertolookatmejustlikeshe’sdoingrightnow.Ijust…wasn’tpreparedformyreactiontoit.I’mnotnormallysorecklesswhenIchoosemylovers,butthere’ssomethingaboutAphroditethatsweepsawayallcommonsense.
Igivemyselfamentalshake.SurelyI’mnotactuallyconsideringlettingherseduceme?OfallthepeopleinOlympus,she’stheonemostoff-limits.She’smybestfriend’swife.Yes,itwasaforcedmarriageandyes,heappearstohateher,buthonestlythatjustmakesheranevenmoreinappropriatechoice.
Nottomention,she’sdangerous.Possiblytome.DefinitelytoTheseus.
Aphroditeleansback,butit’snoeasiertobreatheintheclosespace.Herperfumeisfaintbutintoxicating.She’sstyledherdarkhairupinawaythat’sartfullymessyandmakesmethinkofsex.
Forherpart,sheseemsequallyaffected.Sheclearsherthroat,andwhenshespeaks,hervoicestillhasthatedgeofseduction.“Therearesomegroundrulesforyouradmittancetotheclub.HadesandPersephoneareunawareofourpresencethere,butCharonisasticklerfortherules.Nodrinkingonyourfirsttime.”
“LastnightwasmyfirsttimeandIwasmostdefinitelydrunk.”Irefusetofeelshameforthat.Theyobviouslyhadaplanforme,soIsuspectIwouldhaveendedupsleepingitoffinAphrodite’sbednomatterwhatchoicesImadeleadinguptoarrivingattheclub.
“Specialcircumstance,”shesaysbreezily.“AsIwassaying,youcanobservetheotherpeopleinattendance,butyoucan’tparticipatewithanyoneoutsideyourparty.”Shegivesasharpsmilethesamecherryredasherdress.“Ifyou’reagoodgirl,thenyou’lllikelybeinvitedbackwithmorefreedom.”
Goodgirl.
Thetwowordsgothroughmelikeagunshot.Ipressmylipstogetherandfightnottoshake.Whatiswrongwithme?Iwon’tpretendIhaven’tlostmyselftolustmoretimesthanIcaretocount—Ilovelifetoomuchtoturndowneitherfunorpleasure—butthisisdifferent.
ThisfeelsweightedinawayI’mnotpreparedtodealwith.
IthinkImadeamistakeagreeingtothis.10APHRODITE
I’vealwaysbeenonetomixbusinessandpleasure.Life’stooshorttodenyyourself,andifithastheaddedbonusofsendingthemenofmyfamilyspinningout?Well,I’manoverachieverlikethat.
Thisfeelsdifferent.
Pandoraispracticallyvibratingwithtensionbythetimewepullupoutsidetheclub,andwhilepartofmeenjoysthefactthatshe’sobviouslysodeeplyaffectedbyme,therestofmehasthestrangesturgetocomforther.
Idon’tlikeit.
Sexissimple.Itgoesintoaneatlittleboxandstaysthere.Relationshipsareinadifferentbox.WithPandora,there’sroominoneboxbutnottheother.Ican’taffordtocare.ShecametothecitywithMinosandtherestofhisfucked-uplittlefamily.Ifshe’snotanactivepartoftheirplantoharmOlympus,she’salsonotspeakingupagainstthem.She’sapassiveenemy,butanenemynonetheless.
Itakedownmyenemieswithasingle-mindedfocusthattheyneverseecoming.
ExcepthowamIsupposedtofocuswhenshe’sclimbingoutofthecarinthatdress?Wereallydomatch.Hersisafittedblackcreationthatcoversherfromwriststothroat,butthefabricissheerunderitsgeometricpattern,givingtantalizingglimpsesofablackbraandpantysetbeneath.ItleaveshercurvybodyonfulldisplayandIfuckingloveit.
Buttherealkickeristhezipper.Itrunsfromhemtonecklineandshe’sunzippeditenoughtoleaveonesoft,roundthighexposed.Myfingerstinglewiththedesiretotouchherthere,tofollowthelineofthatdressandundothezipperwithmyteeth.
Itakeashakybreathandfollowheroutontothesidewalk.Mybodytakesover,slippingmyhandintohers.Pandoragivesmeasurprisedlook,butdoesn’tsnatchherhandback.
Noreasontolookintothat,butmydeterminationtoseduceherisonlyrisingwitheachchargedmomentthatpassesbetweenus.Iwoulddoitevenwithouttheaddedbonusofitpissingoffmydearhusband.
She’stoosweetafruitnottobeplucked.
Tonightisn’taboutpressingherforinformation;she’sfartoosmarttogiveawaythegoodssoquickly.Ihavetoseducetheinformationoutofher,andIamonlytoohappytorisetothecause.
Itugheralongwithmetotheentranceandthenoutofthenight’schillandintotheclub.It’sstillrelativelyearlyassuchthingsgo,whichwasintentionalonmypart.IwanttimetogetPandorasettledintoaboothbeforetheatmosphereoftheplacetakesover.
Truly,Ican’tbelieveHadeswashidingouthereinthelowercityandkeepingthislittlegemtuckedawayfromeveryoneontheothersideoftheriver.It’smoreofanopensecretnow,butthemystiquehasn’tdampened.Ifanything,thewaypeoplewhisperaboutthisplacehasonlyaddedtoitsallure.Everyonewantsaninvitationandonlyaselectfewgetone.Addinthefactthatthepressarenotwelcomeinthelowercityandeventhemostfoolhardyofthemwon’tdarepissoffHades…
It’saperfectsetupforalittleprivatefun.
NothingstayssecretforlonginOlympus,ofcourse.Buttheonlythingthatcomesoutofthisclubareverbalrumors.Hadesdoesn’tallowtherestoftheThirteenfreerein,butI’veconvincedhimtomakeanexceptionforme.Theexceptiononlylastsforaslongasouralliancedoes,butthat’sfine.Iplantotakefulladvantageofit.
“Wouldyoulikesomethingtodrink?”IcatchPandora’ssharplookandsmile.“Noalcohol,butthereareplentyofotheroptions.”
Sheshakesherheadslowly.“I’mgood.”
Ileanbackinthebooth,watchingherwatchtheroom.Inthenextthirtyminutes,peoplewillhavetakenseatsonthevarietyofchairsandsofasandloveseatsscatteredaroundthemainfloorandtheshowwillbegin.IwouldpaygoodmoneytowitnessoneofHadesandPersephone’scovetedfloorshows—they’rebothsexyassinandwatchingthemfuckwouldbeatruedelight—butHadescuratesthoseaudiences.He’soverprotectiveofhislittlewife,eventhoughshedoesn’tneedprotecting.It’scute
Pandorastudiesthedaisinthecenteroftheroom,aroundstagethatisafootortwoofftheground.Nothigh,buthighenoughtoensureeveryoneinthespacecangetagoodlook.“Whenthelightsgodown,it’srathermagical.”Idon’texactlymeantospeak,buthercuriosityispracticallyshoutingandIwanttohearthosethoughtsracingbehindherbig,darkeyes.
“Thelightingisfascinating.”Sheeyestheceiling,wherethewaterreflectionsfromthecleverlyhiddentroughcirclingtheedgeoftheroompaintglimmeringribbonsoflightagainsttheblack.
“You’regoingtohurtHades’sfeelingstalkingaboutthelightingwhenthere’ssomuchelsetolookat.”Aplayfuledgeworksitswayintomytone.“DidyouknowthefirsttimehebroughtPersephonehere,hefuckedheronthatthronerightthere?”Ijerkmychinatthegleamingblackthronepositionedagainstthewalloppositeofus.It’semptynow,andwillremainsotonight,butit’sashowstopper.Idon’tknowifhemeanttocreatethisplaceasthepolaroppositeofmyfather’sdomain—allgold,allthetime,thetackierthebetter—butit’shardnottocomparethetwo.
Thankfully,mybrotherhassubtlertaste.
“Foraplacethatboastsnomedia,everythingthathappensinthisclubseemstofinditswaytotheuppercity.”Pandora’slipstwist,thoughthecuriosityinhereyesdoesn’tdim.“I’mnotgoingtofuckyouonthatthrone.”
Ilaugh.Ican’thelpit.“Honey,nooneisallowedonthatthroneexceptthem.Itsitsemptyonthenightstheyaren’tdownhere.”FromtherumorsIhear,itsitsemptymoreandmoreoftenlately.It’senoughtomakeonewonderiftheirhoneymoonperiodhaswornoffsoquickly.
Thelightsdimabitandthesmallamountofchatterfromthepeoplegathereddiesaway.Weallwatchapairofwhitemenstepupontothedais.I’veneverseenthembefore,butthatdoesn’tmeananything;Idon’tspendmuchtimeinthelowercityasageneralrule,anditisamateurnight,sotheydon’tworkhere.Theyobviouslyknoweachother,though.Theymoveintheeasywayofacouplewho’vedonethisbeforeenoughtimestoknowthestepsbyheart.
“Idon’tunderstand.”
ItearmygazeawayfromthedaistorefocusonPandora.“What’stheretounderstand?”
“I’vebeeninOlympuslongenoughtoknowthewaythingsworkhere.”Shetucksherlongdarkhairbehindherears.Onecurlimmediatelybreaksfree,andIfindmyselfcatchingitandsmoothingitback.Pandorashivers,butdoesn’tmoveaway.Shenarrowshereyesatthedais.“Theuppercityisveryfocusedontheirthinveilofpurity.Thenpeopleactlikethisthemomenttheygetachance.It’shypocritical.”
“Hownaive.”IshiftalittlecloserandlowermyvoicesoI’mspeakingdirectlyintoherear.“Powerisagame.Theshapeofitmightlookdifferentinothercities,butdon’tpretendOlympusisuniqueinitshypocrisy.”Purityandinnocenceweretwothingsmyfathertriedtobeatintomybones.HeshouldhaveknownitwasalostcausefromthemomentIturnedfifteenandlaughedinhisfacewhenhetoldmetochangemydressbeforeaparty.Mysisterismorelikeourmother;shewantstobelievethebestinpeople,evenwhensheknowsbetter.
Me?Itakeafterourbastardofafather.I’mstubborntoafaultandIwilldowhateverittakestoreachmyendgoal.It’sasillytwistoffatethatittookmebecomingAphroditeforourgoalstoalign,andbythatpoint,hewasdead.
WhatIdo,IdoforOlympus.
Evenifhewouldn’tapproveofmymethods.
“It’sdifferent,”Pandorawhispers.“Everythingaboutthisplaceisdifferent.”
“Notsodifferent.”It’sdifficulttorememberthatIneedtokeepacarefuldistancebetweenus,tonotpushhertoohard.SeductionisanartandI’mnormallyverygoodatit,butthere’ssomethingaboutPandorathatoverridesmynormalstrategicinstincts.“We’rehuman,youandme.Nomatterhowdifferentculturesdressitupordon’t,humansare…earthy.”
Sheturnsherhead,kissablyclose.“Earthy.”Sheshivers.“That’sonewaytoputit.”
Ihaveaplan.It’saverygoodplanifIdosaysomyself.Ifullyintendtoedgehertothepointwhereshe’spantingaftermeandwilldoanythingIask.It’sworkedinthepastwithotherpeople.
Butwithherbreathghostingagainstmylips,thethoughtofmaintainingthedistancebetweenusisabhorrenttome.Unnatural.“I’dliketokissyou.”
“Notsochaste.”Shesmilesalittle,butit’sarealsmile.Itmakeshereyeslightup.Theycrinkleattheedges.Inevernoticedthatbefore.Eveninthelowlight,shetakesmybreathaway
Iliftmyhandslowly,givingherplentyoftimetoreact,andcuphersoftjaw.Gods,everythingaboutherissoft.Iwanttodragmymouthovereveryinchofherskinandseeifshetastesassweetasshesmells.“I’mAphrodite.Chasteisforothers.It’snotforme.”Irunmythumbnaillightlyoverthedipbelowherbottomlip.
Sheshiversagain,butsheleansintomytouch.“Thisisabadidea.”
“Undoubtedly.”Igrin.“Butyouknewthatwhenyouagreedtocomeherewithme.Areyoureallygoingtoturnawaybeforeyousatisfyyour…curiosity?”
Shelooksdown,andittakeseverythingIhavetoholdperfectlystillandlethercometotheproperconclusiononherown.Webothknowtonightwillendwithmymouthonhers.Idon’tneedtorushheraboutit.Sheexhalesslowly,andwhensheraiseshergaze,herjawisset.“Showme.”
Ikissher.I’veseducedmorethanmyfairshareofpeople—it’spracticallyahobbyatthispoint—butthisfeelsdifferent.Pandoraisnoinnocent,butkissingheralmostfeelslikeit’smyfirstkissever.Idon’tknowhowtoexplainit.Ijustwantmore.
Shereachesashakinghanduptosinkintomyhairandtugmecloser.Iusetheshifttotiltherheadbackanddeepenthekiss.Idon’tevenhavetoteasehermouthopen.Shepartsherlipsformeeagerly,hertongueslidingagainstmineinanalmostteasingwaythatgoesstraighttomyhead.
AloudmoanfromthedaismakesPandorajerkbackalittle.We’rebothbreathinghard,ourexhalessharedintheminusculedistancebetweenus.“Weshouldn’t,”shewhispers.
“Iknow.”Iforcemyselfnottokissheragain.Shehastobetheonetoresumethis.Ihadeveryintentionofsteamrollingherabit…lateron…buttonightIwanthertochoosethis.Tochooseme.Ileanforwardandflicktheshellofherearwithmytongue.“Butthat’swhatmakesitsohot,don’tyouthink?Knowingweshouldn’t…anddoingitanyway.”
Herbreathshuddersout.Apause,barelymorethanaheartbeat,andthenherhandsareinmyhair,sendingitcascadingdownmyback.Pandorakissesmelikealltheanswersoftheuniverseareonthetipofmytongue.
Idon’tmakeadeliberatedecisiontomove.OnemomentI’mawkwardlyanglingmybodyatherside,andthenextIhaveonekneebetweenherthighsandI’mpressingherbackagainstthebooth.Shetugsmyhairharder,kissingmedeeper,evenasmykneeslideshigher.Offeringherwhatsheobviouslyneeds.
Ibraceonehandontheboothbehindheranddropmyothertothesoftcurveofherhip.Thefabricofherdressinfuriatesme.Iwantitgone,wantnothingbetweenus,butthisisn’tthetimeorplaceforthat.Iurgehertorollherhipsandclosethelastbitofdistancebetweenussoshecangrindonmythigh.IgostillatwhatIfeel.“Pandora.”
“Yes?”Thewordisbarelymorethananexhale.
Ikissherjaw,herthroat,thespotbehindherear.“You’resowet.Isthatjustforme?”
Sheshiversasifstruckbyalivewire.“Aphrodite—”
“Eris,”Isaysharply.Adonishasbeenmyonlyloversincetakingthetitle,andhe’sonlyevercalledmebymyactualname…butIcan’tthinkabouthim.Notrightnow.Noteveragain.Thethoughtsinksintomychest,asheavyasananchor.Ihaveplentyofexperiencecompartmentalizing,though.DearoldDadtaughtme.
Notthinkingabouthimrightnow,either.
“Eris.”Pandora’slittlemoanscattersallthethoughtsinmyhead.Shekissesmeagain,andthenshe’smovingagainstme,followingmyurging.Chasingherpleasure.
Iwanttogivehermore.Somuchmore.Desirebeatsthroughmewithastrengththatmakesmedizzy.Iwanttotouchthiswomanwithnothingbetweenus,totasteher,tolosemyselfinmakingherorgasmsomanytimestheworldceasestospinoutsideofus.
Hades’sclubisnottheplacetodoso
Still…
Icatchthebackofherkneeandliftherlegupandoutthetiniestbit,openingherforme.Itastehermoanandthenshe’sslidingagainstmythighfaster.She’ssowet,Icanfeelitthroughherpantiesonmybarethigh.Close.MyprettylittlePandoraisclose.
Intheend,Ijustcan’thelpmyself.Itugthezipperofherdressopenafewpreciousinchesanddelvemyhandbetweenherthighs.Shegasps,butIdon’tstoppalmingherpussy.Islideahandunderthesilkyfabricand…“Fuck,Pandora.”She’sslipperyandwetagainstmyfingers.Mynailsaretoolong,soIfocusonherclitinsteadofpressingintoherthewayIwant.“Comeforme,beautiful.”
Ittakeslessthanthirtysecondsforhertospasmagainstme,hercryloudenoughthatIkissheragaintomuffleit.Ican’tquitestopmyselffromslidingmyfingersoverherfolds,exploringhercarefully.Iplantodoitwithmytongueatthefirstopportunity.
Notyet.
Herheadlollsagainstthebackofthebooth,andsheblinksupatmeasifshe’sneverseenmebefore.“Wow.”
“Yeah.”Myvoiceisnearlyasshakyashers.“Thataboutcoversit.”Ican’tstopmyselffromkissingheragain,morelightlythistime.“Youareagift.”
“Eris.”Thelovely,glazedlookinhereyesclearsbetweenoneblinkandthenext.Shelicksherlips.“Don’tusethisagainsthim.Please.”
Thepleaislikeicywaterdumpedovermyhead.Him.Hephaestus.Myhusband.ThepersonI’msupposedtobeseducingPandoratoworkagainst.ExceptIwasn’tthinkingabouthimatalloncehermouthmetmine.
“Iwon’t,”Ilie.IlikePandoraquiteabitmorethanIexpectedto,butintheendmyonlyallegianceistoOlympus.IloveAdonisandIstillcutouthishearttosacrificetothiscity.I’lldothesametothiswoman,evenifitpainsmetothinkofdimmingthesofthappinessinherdarkeyes.
IttakesmorerestraintthanIwouldhaveguessedtoeasebackandfixherdress.Ittakesevenmoretourgeheroutoftheboothandwalkthroughthedarkroomtotheexit.
Andputtingherinacartosendhomealone?
Thattakesthemostrestraintofall.11HEPHAESTUS
IhearmywifewalkthroughthedoorafewsecondsbeforeIseeher.It’sdarkinherapartment,soshedoesn’tnoticemestandinginthelivingroomatfirst.Obviouslysheforgotshegavemeaccessinthefirstplace—andthenforgottorevokeit.
Shelookslikeshe’sbeenoutfucking.Herhairisatangledmess,asifsomeonedraggedtheirfingersthroughit,andhercome-fuck-medressisslidingdangerouslylowonherbreasts.
ThenIseethelipsticksmearedatthebaseofherjaw.Evenintheshadows,Iknowthatshade.It’stheonlyonePandorawears.“Whatdidyoudo?”
ToAphrodite’scredit,shedoesn’tjumporscream.No,thedamnedwitchgoesrightforthegunshehadfastenedtotheundersideofthecoffeetable.Shecurseswhenshefindsthespotempty.“Whatthefuckareyoudoinginmyhouse?”
“I’myourhusband.”FollowingAdonis’sinstructions,ImadesureIwasseencominghere.Waitingformywaywardwifewhileshewasoffdoinggods-alone-know-what.Thepoorsapofahusband.Theskinofthatrolefeelstootight,butAdoniswasrightbefore…Inagameofperception,Aphroditeisaheavyhitter,andIdon’tknowwhatthefuckI’mdoing.
Seeingherinfuriatesme.Shewasbornwitheverythingatherfingertips,andthatprivilegeisthereevennowinthewaysherisesgracefullytoherfeet.Thiswomanhaswantedfornothing,andeverysecondinherpresenceisanitchIcan’tscratch,onedesignedtodrivememad.She’stheonewhotookovermylifeandtrappedmeinthismarriage
Sheismyenemy.
“Husbandornot,you’retrespassing.”Shestartspullingpinsoutofherhairandmovestothesidetable,droppingthemthere,onebyone.“I’mnotinthemoodtoplaywithyou.Comebackduringnormalbusinesshours.”
“You’remywife,”Igrowl.
Shestopsandsmirks.“Please.You’renotnaiveenoughtothinkthatmeansanything.”Sherunsherfingersthroughherdarkhairanditcascadesdownaroundherbareshoulders.
Aphroditelooksgood,whichjustpissesmeofffurther.Istalktoher.Evenwithtakingiteasythisafternoon,mykneefuckinghurtsandIcan’tkeepthelimpoutofmystep.Rationally,Iknowmywifeisn’ttoblameforthatparticularsin,buthersisterisandthat’senoughtohavemecatchingherjawandturningherfaceawayfromme.Iswipemythumboverherskin,smearingthelipstick.“I’mgoingtoaskyouthisoncemore—wherehaveyoubeen?”
“Hereandthere,”shesaysairily.“Youknowhowitis.Toomanyplacestobe,toolittleofmetogoaround.”
Irubthelipstickbetweenmyfingers.ItisPandora’sshade.I’msureofit.NowthatI’mthinkingofit,there’sascentintheair…
AphroditecurseswhenIpinhertothewallandpressmyfacetoherneck.Iinhaledeeplyand,yes,thereitis.Pandora’sperfume.It’sthefirstgiftIboughtherafterMinosputmeintheringateighteen,boughtwithmywinningsfromthatfight.Eversincethen,IbuyitforherforbirthdaysandwheneverInoticeshe’srunninglow.Italwaysmakeshersmile,andthatbrightensmydaynomatterhowshittyeverythingelseisgoing.
“Itoldyoutoleaveheralone.”
Tohercredit,Aphroditedoesn’tplaycoy.Thetensionmeltsoutofherbody,andsheleansbackagainstthewalltolookatme.She’swearingthoseridiculouslyhighheelsagain,soourfacesareeven.Shesmiles,herdarkeyescoldandfearless.“Iamleavingheralone,dearhusband.”Sherunsherhandsupmychestandloopsthemaroundmyneck.Herlipsbrushmyear.“Butwho’sgoingtotellhertoleavemealone?”
Itwasamistaketouchingher,allowingherthisclose.Aphroditemuddlesmybrainandgetsmywirescrossed.Halfofmewantstoshoveheraway,buttheotherhalfwantstograbhertightlittleassandhaulhermorefirmlyagainstme.“You’resuchabitch.”
“Guilty.”ShesoundssopleasedwithherselfitmightmakemelaughifIdidn’twanttostrangleher.“Faceit,Husband.You’reoutclassedoneverylevel.Ifyouweresmart,you’drolloverandplaydeadandhopeIwanderofftotormentsomeoneelse.”
Asifgivinguphaseverbeenanoptionforme.
Notintheorphanage,dealingwithshitnokidshouldeverdealwith.NotwhenwemovedintoMinos’shouseandsuddenlyhadeverythingwecouldeverhopefor…butnotwithoutcost.There’sapricetoeveryactionandinaction.IknowPandorathinksIidolizeMinos,andmaybeshe’sright,butthetruthisthatIwouldn’thavetrustedafreeride.Iunderstandwhathewantsfromme,andhe’sbeennothingifnotconsistentinthosedemands.
It’sapriceI’mmorethanwillingtopayforsafetyandsecurity.
And,truthbetold,I’mjustmonstrousenoughtoenjoythework.
“I’llkillyoubeforeIletyouusePandorainsomesickgame.”
Shelaughsinmyface.“Youdon’tgettohavethehighhorse,murderer.”Aphroditetiltsherheadtotheside,herhairtumblingovermyarm.“She’sasmartwoman.SheknowswhatIam.”
Ihighlydoubtthat.Idon’tevenknowwhatAphroditeis.EverytimeIthinkIhavehernaileddown,shetwistsoutofmygraspanddoessomethingtomakemylifemorecomplicated.
Imethertwoweeksago.We’veonlybeenmarriedtwodays.Idon’tliketothinkwhatkindofdamageshe’lldowithmoretimeatherdisposal.“Leaveheralone.”
“Leaveheralone,”shemocks.“Ifthat’stheonlyargumentyouhave,it’snowonderyouneedMinospullingyourstrings.Ironicthatyou’reHephaestusnowwhenyounevercouldhavegottenthetitlewithyoursmarts.”
Ipushherbackagainstthewall,usingmybiggerbodytoholdherinplace.“Youkeeprunningthatfuckingmouth,Wife.You’reright.I’mamurderer.What’stostopmefromsnappingthatprettyneckofyours?”
Eveninthefaceofaseriousthreat,she’sundaunted.Aphroditeisrelaxedinmyarms,asifwe’reinanintimateembraceinsteadofhalfabreathawayfromaphysicalfight.Itconfusesme.Mybrainknowsshe’sdangerous,butmybodyisalltooeagertorememberhowgooditfelttosinkintoherwetheat.Istrainforcontrol,butmycockisn’tlistening.
“Idon’tunderstandwhatsheseesinyou.”
Thewordsdon’tmakesense…untiltheydo.Iglare.“Don’ttalkabouther.”
“Whynot?”Shekneadsthebaseofmyskullwithhernails.Itdoesn’tquitehurt,butitdoesn’tentirelyfeelgood,either.Aphroditelowershervoice.“Now,whatyouseeinher?Igetthat.She’sasweetlittlething,isn’tshe?”
“Stopit.”I’mplayingrightintoherhands—again—butIcan’tseemtostop.
“Selfish,though.”Shesmiles,slowandsinful.“Shecameallovermeandthengotinacarandwenthome.”Aphroditelaughs.“Womanknowshowtoleaveyouwantingmore.”
She’slying.Shehastobe.Pandoracanberecklessandwild,butshe’dneverbetraymelikethat…
ThoughIdidfindherherethismorning,lookinghungoverandfaintlyembarrassed.Thatdoesn’tmeananything,though.Shesaidnothinghappened,andPandoraandIdon’tlietoeachother.Nothinghappened.
Lastnight.Thatdoesn’tmeanit’struefortonight,though.
“Pandorawouldneverfuckyou,”Isaythroughclenchedteeth.
“Whynot?Youdid.”
Idon’tknowwhomovesfirst.Onemomentwe’reglaringateachotherandAphroditelookslikeshewantstoripmythroatoutwithherteeth,andthenextourmouthsmeetinaclash.
Shetastesofsex.Therealizationisalmostenoughtostopmeinmytracks,butAphroditewrapsonebarelegaroundmywaist,andcontrolslipsthroughmyfingertips.Irunaroughhandupherthighandcupherassundertheslitofherdress.“Nopanties.Whatalittleslut.”
“Yourgirlfriendlikesit,”shegaspsagainstmylips.
Ikissheragaintoshutherthefuckup.Gods,butIhatethiswoman.ThataloneshouldbeenoughtoensureInevertouchheragain,butmybodyhasn’tgottenthememo.Iliftherandtakeonestep…
Whichisthemomentmykneedecidestoremindmethatit’snotonboardwiththisabuse.
Itbucklesandthenwe’refalling.ImanagetocatchthebackofAphrodite’sheadtoensureshedoesn’tbounceitonthemarblefloor,butthatmeansItakethebruntoftheimpact.
Godsdamnit,thathurts.
Shedoesn’tpause,onecleverhanddelvingbetweenustomakequickworkofmypants.Thewitchisalreadytryingtotakecontrolofthis.Shedoesn’tgiveafuckthatmykneeisoneblazingstarburstofpainorthatIsavedherfromtheworstoftheimpact.Theonlythingshegivesadamnaboutiswinning.
Yeah,fuckthat.
Ibracemyselfwithahandonthefloorbyherheadandcatchfirstonewristandthentheother.Shecursesalittle,butI’mnotinthemoodtoplay.“Spreadyourlegs.”
“You’renotincharge.”
“Rightnow,Iam.”Ipressherwriststoherstomach,pinningthemthere.“Spreadyourfuckinglegs,wife.”
HerslowsmilemakeswhatlittlereasoningIhaveshortout.Herwordssweepawaytherest.“Makeme.”
“Nevertheeasywaywithyou.”Ishouldstopthisnow.There’snowayIcomeoutontopofthissituation;ourweddingnightmorethanprovedthat.Idon’tcare.Ineedtoputherinherplace,andifIhavetodriveheroutofhermindwithpleasuretodoit,thendamnit,Iwill.
Ishiftdownherbodyandusemyshoulderstoforceherlegsopen.Forallhersmartmouth,shedoesn’tfightme,lettingherlegsfallwide.Isparethethoughttowishforbetterlightingtoseeherproperly,butthere’snotimetopausewithlustandrageinthedriver’sseat.
“Ifyoudon’t—”
IcoverAphrodite’smouthwithmyfreehand.“Youwantmetostop,tapmywristwithyourfingers.”Iignorethemockinglookinherdarkeyes.Imightbearightbastardandamurderer,andImightfantasizeaboutkillingmywifemorethanishealthy,butIdon’twanttoforceher.Somelinesshouldn’tbecrossed.
Withthatboundaryclearlydefined,there’snothingholdingmebackfromsettlingbetweenherthighsanddraggingmytongueoverherpussy.She’ssoaked,andthefactthatIdon’tknowifit’sformeorleftoverfromPandoradrivesmeoutofmymind.
Ineedhertolosecontrol.It’stheonlywayIcanregainit.
Anotherlick.Howdareshetastethisgood?Shewhimpersagainstmypalm,andthatspursmeon.Mywifeisnotinfallible.Itdoesn’tmatterwhyshe’shangingontheedge,onlythatI’mtheretoexploitit.Ihavetoforcemyselftoslowdown,tonotletherknowhowmuchI’menjoyingthis.Irubherclitwiththeflatofmytongue,backandforth,backandforth,testingherreaction.
Shemightbealiarineveryotherway,butshecan’tlietomelikethis.Herthighsshakeandclencharoundmyhead.Herpussyissowet,Ican’tresistdippingdownandshovingmytongueintoher.Toogood.Everythingaboutherisanightmareinhowperfectitis.
Aharpyinthebodyofanymph.
Shewassenttodestroyme,butI’mgoingtodestroyherfirst.12APHRODITE
I’vemadeamiscalculation.IthoughtIcouldcontrolthisinteractionwithHephaestusjustlikeIcontrolleditlastnight.HeknewIdidn’tneedforeplay,andIdidn’tpeghimforthetypetoenjoyitanyway;morelikehegetsin,getsout,androllsovertosnorehiswaythroughthenight.
ApparentlyIwaswrong.
Themanbetweenmythighs,currentlyfuckingmewithhistongue,isastranger.He’sobviouslyfuriouswithmeaboutPandora,buthissolutionwastoeatmeout?Itdoesn’t—
Hephaestusmovesbacktomyclit,workingmewiththatslow,intentionalstroke.EvenasItellmyselftobestillandsilent,awhimperslipsfree.Ididn’tliebefore.GettingPandoraoffhadmesoturnedonIcouldn’tseestraight.Ifullyintendedtocomehome,stripdown,andgivemyselfasmanyorgasmsasittooktoexhaustme.
MaybethenI’dbeabletosleep.
Hephaestussucksmyclitintohismouthandit’stoomuch.Mybackbows.Mythoughtsflickerout.Icomesohard,itscatterstheworldaroundme.
Hereleasesmyhandsslowly,asifheexpectsmetobeabletomove.“Keepthemthere.”
Icanonlyblinkdownathim,thisfurioushusbandofmine.Thereisn’tasingleresponsereadytodeploy,evenifhewasn’tstillcoveringmymouthwithhiswidepalm.Heshiftsalittleandthenhisfingersarethere,pressingintomypussy.
IthoughtIwasdone.
Ithoughthewasdone.
ApparentlyIwaswrongonbothaccounts
Hegoesbacktomyclit,pressingremarkablysoftkissesthereevenashefucksathirdfingerintome.I’malmosttoofull,butmybodycan’tdecideifithatesitorlovesit,notwiththeconflictingsignalsbeingsent.Hardandsoft.Roughandgentle.
Ohfuck,I’mgoingtocomeagain.
Istarttoliftmyhand,totapout.Adeniedorgasmisn’tideal,butneitherislettingmyhusbandknowhe’sgotmynumberdown.Peoplegetcockywhentheythinktheyhaveyourpussyonaleash.Sexhasneverbeenenoughtocloudmyjudgment,anditwon’tbenow,butnoreasontogivehimideas.
It’stoolate.
Hecurlshisfingersinsideme,testing.HisgrowlofsatisfactionistheonlywarningIget.HezeroesinonmyG-spot.Evenafterthelastorgasm,I’mtootightlywound.Tooonedge.IcomewithascreamI’mrelievedismuffled.
IthinkIblackout.Onemoment,I’mlyingthere,staringatmyceilingandwonderingwhatthefuckjusthappened.Thenext,Hephaestusisflippingmeontomystomach.“Youdone?”
Ishouldbe.It’sthesmartthingtodo.Thisisn’tgoingatalllikeIexpected,andthatmeansit’stimetoretreatandrecalculate.IopenmymouthtoconfirmthatI’mdone,butthosearen’tthewordsthatemerge.“Finishwhatyoustarted,Husband.”Imanagetochokeoutalaughthat’salmostmocking.“Unlessyoucameinyourpantsalready.”
“Soquick-witted.”Hehesitatesandthenhisweightisgone.Ihearhimheftinghimselftohisfeetwithafaintpainedgroan.“Bed.Now.Thisflooriskilleronmyknee.”
Iwatchhimwalktowardmybedroom.Thisismychancetoputanendtothis.AllIneedtodoiscallsecurityandhavehimescortedout.Marriedornot,thisapartmentismine
ButIdon’t.
Istaggeruprightandfollowmyhusbandintomybedroom.Istopshortinthedoorway.He’sstrippingdownasifhehaseveryrighttobehere.Despitemyself,Ican’thelpdrinkinginthesightofhim.Awarrior,throughandthrough.It’swrittenacrosshismedium-brownskin,thereinthescarsthatlinehisbackandpepperhischest.Thescaronhiskneeisstillthebrightpinkofthenewlyhealed,amessoftissuethatindicatesjusthowbadtheinjurywas.
Mysisterdidn’tpullherpunches.Or,moreaccurately,herkick.
“Takeoffthedress.”
Ibristleathiscommand,butmybodystillshakesfromthetwoorgasms.Lastnightwasfine,butthingsaredifferentbetweenusrightnow.EventhoughIknowbetter,Iwanttoseewhathe’lldo.
Iunzipthedressandworkitdownmybody.Hisattentionfollowsthefabric,andhesnortswhenIstepoutofit.“Nobra,either.”Hephaestusleverageshimselfdownontothebed.
“Itdoesn’tgowiththeoutfit.”Istrutovertohimandplacemyfootonhisupperthigh,thespikeheelbareinchesfromhishardcock.Tohiscredit,hedoesn’tsomuchasflinch,thoughthemuscleflexesbeneathmyshoe.Ibatmyeyesathim.“Undome,Husband?”
“Youreallyareadamnedwitch.”HemovesbeforeIcanprocessthat,hookingahandbehindmykneeandhaulingmedownastridehislap.“Condom?”
Idon’tknowifI’mirritatedhedoesn’ttrustmeorproudofhimforthatsamelackoftrust.Insteadofansweringwithwords,Ileanover,lettinghimcatchmyhipstokeepmeinplace,andpulloneoutofthetopnightstanddrawer.Idangleitinfrontofhisface.“ShallI?”
“No.”
Again,thatreluctantadmirationflares.Myhusbandistakingnochances,andevenifit’sinconvenient,he’ssmartnotto.Ileanbackasheripsthepacketopenandrollsthecondomdownhisimpressivelength.
Heinchesbackontothemattress,takingmewithhim.Hephaestusstaresatmybreastsforalongmoment.“Turnaround.”
“Excuseme?”
“Youheardme.”WhenIdon’tmovefastenough,hehooksmearoundthehipsanddragsmebackashereclines.Weenduponoursides,withhisarmswrappedaroundme.Hemovesmelikeafuckingdoll,drapingoneofmylegsupandoverhiships,openingmesohecanpresshiscocktomyentrance.“I’mgoingtofuckyounow,Wife.”
Forsuchabrutalmotherfucker,hereallyisasoftywhenitcomestoensuringI’mrighttherewithhim.IfIwasanylessdeterminedtomakehimsuffer,thatmightmakemewaver.Ican’taffordto.
Myhusbandismyenemy.Mycity’senemy.
“You’retalkingsomuch,youalmostsoundlikeyou’reworkingyourselfuptoit.Ifyou’retooscared,justgohome.Icanfinishmyself.”Thewordsfeeltoosharp,butIcan’thelpit.Ihavetorememberthatwe’reonoppositesidesofanuncrossableline.
Insteadofgettingpissed,herelaxesagainstmeandchuckles.“Theresheis.Youhadmeworried.”
Whatthefuckishetalkingabout?“I—”Ahorrifyinglydelicatewhimperslipsfrommylipsattheinvasionofhiscock.I’mwetenoughthathedoesn’thavetofightquiteashardashedidlastnight,butit’sstillatightfit
Hedoesn’tgivemeachancetocatchmybreath,though.Hephaestuspalmsonebreastwithhishandandtheotherwindsaroundmythigh,hitchingithigherintheprocess,topresslightlyagainstmyclit.I’msooversensitizedthatanytouchstrongerthanthatwouldbetoomuch,anddamnhim,heknowsit.
“I’lltellyouasecret.”Hefucksmeslowly,asifhehasallthetimeintheworld.I’mnotcertainhedoesn’t.Hepinchesmynipplelightly,earninganotherofthosegodsawfulwhimpers.Hedragshismouthalongmythroatuptomyear.“You’remuchmorepleasantwhensomeoneisplayingwithyourclit.”
“Yousonofa—”
Anothernipplepinchstealsmywords.Hephaestuschangeshisanglealittleand,ohfuck,thisfeelsgood.I’mmeltingforhim,andevenasItrytofightit,mybodyhastakenover.Hekeepsupthatlighttouchonmyclit,fuckingmerighttotheedgeofathirdorgasm.
HowdidIlosecontrolsothoroughly?
I’mashaking,whimperingthing,andallIcandoisclingtohimandtakewhathegivesme.Later…Later,I’llmakehimpayforthis.
Afterhemakesmecomeagain.
Hisvoiceisroughwithpleasure,lowerthannormalandgravelly.“Gonnabearequirementforeverytalkgoingforward.Spreadthosethighsandputyouinanagreeablemood.Ifyou’reverygood,I’llevengiveyouthiscockagain.”
Ineedtopushbackagainstthis.Ihaveto.Becausethepicturehe’spaintingisn’tdisagreeable.Icanenvisionitalltooclearly.Ustradingbarbswhilehe’sfingeringme…Whilehe’sgoingdownandputtingthatvicioustonguetowork.“Ohfuck.”
“That’sright,Wife.Comeonyourhusband’scock.”
Idon’twantto.Idesperatelydon’twanttogivehimthis.Butit’stoolatetogoback.IcryoutasIcome,clenchingaroundhiscock.Hebarelywaitsformyorgasmtoebbbeforehepicksuphispace,fuckingmeroughlyforseverallongminutes,andthencomingwithacursethatmakesmeshiver.
Thenthemotherfuckerpullsoutofmeandslapsmyass.
I’mstilltryingtofindwordswhenhereturnsfrommybathroom,dropsdownnexttomewithoneheavyarmdrapedovermywaist,andpassesthefuckout.Iblinkinshock.Theassholeissnoring
Mythoughtsaretooscatteredafterthishardpivottofullycomprehendwhatjusthappened.Thatwas…goodsex.Reallygood.Itdoesn’tmeananything,anditcertainlywon’tdivertmefrommygoals,butit’smorethanalittleshocking.Idon’tknowwhyhe’sstaying,though.Itdoesn’tmakesense.HehatesmeasmuchasIhatehim,andwhilehemightbewhollyoutclassedforhistitle,thatdoesn’tmeanhe’sacompletefool.There’snowayhe’dsleepinmybedwithoutgoodreason.
Surelythereasonisn’tbecausehesleptaslittlelastnightasIdid?
Ayawncatchesmebysurprise.I’mgoingonforty-eighthourswithoutsleep.Notmylongeststretch,notbyalongshot,butthelongestinyears.EvenwhenAdonisandIwereonourofftimes,hewasalwaysthereformetocrashinhisbed,thefamiliarcadenceofhisbreathingenoughtosendmeunder.That’snotanoptionanymore,andIhavenoonetoblamebutmyself.
Iyawnagain.Hephaestusisheavy,hisarmasolidweightpinningmetothemattress.Itrytoshiftaway,buthetightenshisholdonme,tuckingmeagainsthislargerbody.Icurse.“You’vegottobejokingme.”Ipokehisshoulder.“Hephaestus.Hephaestus,youcan’tstayhere.”
Hedoesn’tmove.Hedoesn’trespondatall,otherthanlettingoutanotherquietsnore.Isigh.Somesoldierheis.Icouldclawhiseyesoutorsmotherhimrightnow;hemightwakeuptopreventmefromkillinghim,butIcoulddefinitelymaim.Surelyhedoesn’tthinksolittleofme?
It’sdefinitelynotthathetrustsme.
Icertainlydon’ttrusthim.
Idon’tmeantoclosemyeyes.IhaveeveryintentionofwrestlingmywayoutofHephaestus’shold,showeringthescentofsexoffmybody,andthenbrewingsomecoffeetokeepthementalcobwebsatbay.Hejust…Hesmellsreallygood.Andmybodyisrelaxedfromtheorgasmsandthefeelofhimhalfholdingmedown.Likemyveryowncrankyweightedblanket.
Dangerousthoughts.
I’mgoingtogetup.
Injustamoment…
“Eris?”
Ijoltawake.There’ssomethingwrongintheroom,andit’snotjustthemansleepingatmyside.Thelightisallstrange.Itwasdarkjustamomentago,onlythelightsofthecityplayingthroughthewindowsofmybedroom.Nowit’sbright.
Islept.
Islept
“Eris.”
Ibelatedlyregisterit’snotmyhusbandtalkingtome.Ilookupandgostill.Adonis.IwishIcouldsayhelooksgreat,butitwouldbealie.Hispantsarecreasedandhisshirtisbuttonedhaphazardly.Healsohasn’tshavedrecently,soashadowofabearddarkenshisjaw.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“I…”Heshakeshisheadsharply.“Iwasworriedaboutyou.”
Gods,ithurtstolookathim.Ithurtsevenmorethatbothofusareverycarefullynotlookingatmyhusbandlyingnakedonthebedbetweenus.There’snowayhe’sstillsleeping,buthehasn’topenedhiseyes,andthismomentfeelstoofraughttocallhimoutoneavesdropping.Idraginashakybreath.“Itoldyouweshouldn’tseeeachotheranymore.”
Adonis’sdarkeyestakeonalookI’veneverseenbefore.Onanyoneelse,Iwouldcallitcruelty.“Andyetyoudidn’trevokemypermissiontoyourapartmentortakeyourkeyback.Seemslikeyou’resendingmixedsignals.”
Ididn’tdoeitherofthosethingsbecausedeepdown,I’masentimentalfool.NotthatI’lleveradmitit.Iliftmychin.“Anoversightonmypart.I’veonlybeenmarriedtwodays,afterall.”I’mbeinganunforgivablebitch,butwhyishehere?Surelyithurtshimtolookatmeasmuchasithurtsmetolookathim?
Adonisshakeshishead.“Ididn’tcometofightwithyou,Eris.Icametomakesureyou’reokay.”
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“Therewasanattack.”Helooksaway.“SomeonetriedtokillAthena.”13ADONIS
Eriswassleeping.WithHephaestus.
Evenasshestaresatmeinshock,rattledbytheattemptonAthena’slife,Ican’terasetheimageofhersharpfeaturesrelaxed,herbodytuckedintohisembrace.Theylookgoodtogether.Iknewthat,ofcourse;photosfromtheirweddingweresplashedalloverMuseWatch.Herinthatgorgeousgownstandingnexttohisbroaderform,themboththesameheightwithherheels.Hisbroodingattractivenessandhersharpbeauty.
Amatchedpair.
ErisslapsHephaestus’sshoulder.“Stoppretendingtosleep.Iknowyou’reawake.”
Herollsontohisback,seemingcompletelyuncaringthathe’sasnakedassheis.Erishasalwaysstoppedmybreathinmylungs.ShesaysI’mthebeautifulone,butshe’sthekindofdevastatingthatbringsdowncitiesandleavesatrailofbrokenheartsbehindher.
Hephaestusisdifferent.Hedrawsmeinawaythat’salltooearthy,hismassivebodypepperedwithscarsandthekindofmuscledefinitionthatmakesmewanttotracethelineswithmytongue.Despitemyself,mygazesnagsonhiships,wherehiscockjerksasifinresponsetomyattention.
“Seesomethingyoulike?”hedrawls.
Erisflicksthesheetsoverhiships.“Stopshowingoff.”Shesnapsherfingers.“Adonis,focus.WhathappenedtoAthena?”
Right.ThereasonIcame.Iclearmythroat.“Itwasasniper.Theyshotatherfromabuildingacrosstheway.Shereceivedminorinjuriesfromshatteredglass,butisotherwisefine.”
“Asniper.”Erisfrowns.“Butthatwon’ttriggertheclause,eveniftheyweresuccessful.”
“Youknowthat.Iknowthat.ThegreaterOlympuspopulationdoesn’t.”Somehow,inallthechaosafterthehouseparty,thatpieceofinformationwasnevermadepublic,whichjustprovesthatMinosissmart.Heleakedenoughinformationtocauseproblems,butnotenoughtoactuallychangepower.
IfAthenawaskilledwithouttheproperstepsbeingfollowed,hermurdererwouldbeexecutedandhersuccessorwouldbeappointedbyZeus,justlikeeveryAthenabeforethem.
“Ibetyou’rehappy.”SheglaresdownatHephaestus.“Thisiswhatyouwanted,isn’tit?”
“IwantedtobeoneoftheThirteen.”Hepushesoffthebedandcarefullystands,butonhisfirststep,hiskneebuckles.
Imoveoninstinct,catchinghiselbowandkeepinghimonhisfeet.Itbringsusstartlinglyclose.CloseenoughthatIcansmellErisandsexonhisskin.Jealousyandsomethinginfinitelymorecomplicatedsinktheirfangsintome.
Iloveher.I’mquicklyhavingtoadmitthatI’mattractedtohim.Thethoughtofthemfucking,ofthemsleepingtogether,clawsatmyinsides,knowledgeIcan’tescape.
Hephaestus’sgazedropstomymouthforonechargedmomentandthenheshakesmeoff.“Igotit.”
Wewatchinsilenceashemovesslowlyintothebathroomandshutsthedoorfirmlybehindhim.IturnbacktoErisalmostreluctantly.Ididn’tthinkhewouldstillbehere,orIneverwouldhavecome.
Exceptthat’snotthetruth,isit?
WhenIheardthenewsaboutAthena,Ididn’tstoptothink.IwasalreadywalkingthroughthelobbytoEris’sbuildingbythetimemybraincaughtupwithmybody.IcanbarelyprocessthereliefIfeeloverherbeingokaywhenthisiswhatIfound.Itfeelslikeshestabbedmeinthegut,andIdon’tknowwhatitsaysaboutmethatIcan’tjustbehappyshe’saliveandwellinthismoment.Icanbarelylookather.“Yousleptwithhim.”
“He’smyhusband.I’mallowedtofuckhim.”
She’sbeingintentionallydifficult.Iclenchmyjaw.“That’snotwhatImeanandyouknowit.Yousleptwithhim,Eris.Whatthefuck?”
“Adonis—”Shestopsshortandsighs.Thatsighfeelslikeahookinmychest,draggingwhat’sleftofmyjaggedheartoutintotheopenbetweenus.It’sonlybeenacoupleweekssinceshebrokeitoff,andit’sneverbeensofinalbetweenus.Mybrainknowsthatit’sover.Myhearthasn’tquitecaughtup.
“Don’t.”Idon’tknowwhatI’mprotesting,onlythatI’malreadythewalkingwoundedandIcan’ttakeherkickingmeintheteethrightnow.“Justdon’t.”
“Itdoesn’tmeananything.”Shespeakssoquietly,noneofhernormalsharpedgespresent.“WefoughtandwefuckedandIhaven’tsleptindays.That’sallitwas.”
Exceptwebothknowbetter.
Erisdoesn’tsleepwell.Shehasn’tforaslongasI’veknownher,whichismostofourlives.She’sgivendozensofanswersovertheyearstoexplainitaway,butIsuspectthetruthsourcesbacktogrowingupinZeus’shousehold.It’sbadenoughtoknowherfathermurderedhermother—andgotawaywithit—butheputallhischildrenthroughtraumaIcanbarelyimagine.Myparentscanbedifficultandstubbornandstrict,butmyhomewasasafespace.Itstillisasafespace.
Sheneverhadthat.
Shestilldoesn’t,thoughshe’dfightmetoastandstillifIsuggestedit.Erisdoesn’tseewhatsheandZeusaredoingasanythingotherthannecessary,butmarryingtheenemyandgoingthroughtormenttobringthemdown?That’snotnormal,evenforOlympus.It’scertainlynotsafe.
“Eris.”Icatchmyself.ErismightbewhoIfellinlovewith,butshe’snotthatpersonanymore.“Isuggestyouexpandyoursecuritydetail,Aphrodite.Maybeyourhusbandwon’tdarehurtyou,butthereareplentyofpeopleinOlympuswhoarewillingtokillforyourtitle.”
“Adonis…”
Shestartstorise,butIshakemyhead.“No.I’mdone.Comingherewasamistake.”Ikeepexpectingthepainoflosinghertodull,butit’sassharpasever.Before,evenwhenwewereonabreak,wewerestillfriends.Thatisn’ttrueanymore.Ican’tbejustfriendswiththiswoman.We’vebeeningrainedineachother’slivesfortoolong.Maybewecouldneverquitemakeitworkinapermanentway,butwehadourhistorybindingustogether.
Oratleastweusedto.
“I’llleavemykeyonthekitchencounter.”
“Wait—”
Iwalkoutofthebedroombeforeshecanfindthewordstokeepmethere.Shewill.Shealwayshasinthepast.WhatIneedtodoisleaveimmediately,butIfindmyselfmovingthroughtheroomsoftheapartment.Therearesomanygoodmemoriesherefromovertheyears.EveningsspenttryingtocookwhatevernewdishErisfoundonthefoodblogssherefusestoadmittoanyoneelsethatsheloves.Lazymorningsstrategizingonthepoliticalmovesothersaremakingandhowshewantstoeitherdisruptorassist.Nightswhereshefellasleeponmychest,herdarkhairsilkyagainstmyskin.
Neveragain.
IleavemykeywhereItoldherIwould.Itfeelslikeafinalgoodbye.Theelevatorridedowntothelobbyisevenworse,tothepointwhereI’mrelievedwhenmyphonebuzzesinmypocket.
LesssowhenIrealizewhoitis.
Hephaestus:Meetmeatmyplace.
Istareatthetextforalongmoment.Agreeingtohelphimwasamistake.Iknewitgoingin,andwhatIfoundthismorningonlyconfirmsit.Ican’ttakethisman’swordforanything.ContinuingthischaradewhereIgivehimadvicetohelphimundermineEris’s—no,Aphrodite’s—plantothwarttheenemy?Itskirtsthelineofmakingmeatraitor.
Inthismoment,I’mnotsureIcare.
Itypebackaquickagreementandkeepgoing.Thereareapairofphotographershuddledacrossthestreet,andIforcemyexpressionintomycustomaryrelaxedgrin.They’llalreadyhaveenoughtotalkaboutwithmyrushintothebuilding;noreasontogivethemmoreammunition.
MymothercallsasIheadbacktomyapartment.Isighandcheckmypace.“Hello,Mom.”
“Adonis,honey,whyareyououtsidethatwoman’sapartment?”
MymomlovesEris.Shegenuinelyhopedwe’dgetmarriedatsomepointandpopouthalfadozengrandchildrenforhertodoteon,despitethefactthatneitherofusareoverlyinclinedtobeparents.Buteversincethemarriagewasannounced,Erishasbecomethatwomaninconversation.AsmuchasIappreciatetheunrelentingsupport,itdoesn’tchangethefactthatitmakesmewanttodefendEris.“Ihadtodropoffmykey.”
Herbeatofsilenceletsmeknowwhatshethinksofthatpoorexcuse.“Thatgirlhashersightssetelsewhere,Adonis.Shealwayshas.It’stimetostopfollowingheraroundlikealovestruckteenagerandfindsomeonetosettledownwith.”
We’vehadavariationofthisconversationadozentimesinthelastdozendays.Icanalmostreciteitbyheart.“Mom,you’vegottogivemetime.”
“YourparentandIonlyhavesomanyyearsleft.Youwon’thaveusdyingwithoutknowingyou’rehappy,willyou?”
Idon’trollmyeyes,ifonlybecausemymotherhasasixthsensewhenitcomestoanythingresemblingdisrespect.“You’reonlyinyourfifties.Youwerejustsayingyou’restillinyourprimelastweek.You’llbearoundforanotherfortyyearsatleastandyouknowit.”
“Maybe.Maybenot.”
There’snoreasoningwithherwhenshegetslikethis.Shemeanswell,evenifherideaofareasonabletimelinetogetoverabrokenheartleavessomethingtobedesired.“I’llconsideringdatingatsomepoint.That’sallyou’regoingtogetoutofmerightnow.”
“Isupposethatwillhavetodo.”Shesoundssopleased,Ican’thelpgrinning.Momlaughs.“You’reagoodboy,Adonis.Anyonewhodoesn’tseethatisn’tworthyourtime.ComebyfordinnerSunday.”
“Yes,ma’am.I’llseeyouthen.”
“Ifyoudecidetobringsomeone,Iwouldn’tbesadaboutit.”
Ichuckle.“Goodbye,Mom.Haveagoodrestofyourday.”Imakeaquickstopatmyapartmenttofixmyappearance.IhadnothoughtofthatwhenIrushedtoAphrodite’ssideearlier,butnowthatI’mgoingtobecirclingHephaestus,it’simportanttokeepupeverybarrierpossible.
Myfingersstillinthemiddleofbuttoningmyshirt.Iknewhewasattractive,ofcourse,butseeinghimnakedwassomethingthatnevershouldhavehappened.Myfamilyandfriendsdon’tthinkIhavemuchinthewayofcanniness,butevenIknowbetterthantosleepwiththisman.
ButIwon’tlieandsaythetemptationisn’tthere.Foramultitudeofreasons.
IfindHephaestuswaitingformeoutsidehisbuilding,leanedupagainstthewallasifhedoesn’tnoticethepaparazzitrailinghim.They’refurtherawaythanIexpect,butthenIwouldn’twanttoriskaknownmurderer’swrathifIwerethem,either.
Hesendsmeasearchinglook.“You’restilltornupoverher.”
“Noshit.”Iknowbetterthantoletmyemotionsgetthebestofme,buttherewasnoclosurethismorning.Ifanything,ittoreopenabrand-newwoundIwasn’tevenawareofuntilnow.“Shesleptwithyou.”
“Youkeepsayingthat.”Henarrowshiseyes.“Whatdoesthatmean?”
Iopenmymouthtoreply,butmybraincatchesupbeforeIhaveachanceto.Hehasenoughammunitionagainstherwithoutmegivinghimmore.Idon’twanttoactuallyhurtAphrodite—justherpublicimage.It’saboneinmythroattoknowshewasabletosleepwithhiminherbed,thatshewasnevergoingtocometomeforthatagain,notnowthatshe’smarried.
Sheneedstosleep.
Ijusthatethesourceofherrelief.
“Nothing.”Iturnbacktowheremycaridlesatthecurb.“Let’sgo.”
“Wherearewegoing?”Evenasheasksthequestion,hemovestofollow.Hereallyisacockybastard.Icouldhavemurderedhimseveraltimesover.
UnlikethegreaterOlympianpopulation,Iknowwhat’srequiredtotriggertheassassinationclause.IfIkilledHephaestusandtookhisplace,IcouldmarryEris.Therewouldbenoonestandingbetweenus…
Evenasthethoughtcrossesmymind,Idiscardit.I’mnotamurderer.I’mcapableenough,evenyearsaftertrainingwithAthena,butI’vealwayslackedthecoldnesssherequiresinherpeople.It’swhyIdidn’tlastmorethantwoyearswithherbeforeshesatmedownandgently—forher—toldmethatI’dbebettersuitedforanotherlineofwork.
TheassassinationattemptsontheThirteenwon’tgoaway.Ifanything,they’regoingtogetworseastimegoesonandpeoplebecomebolder.ToomanypeoplesawtheattackonAthena.It’sbeingactivelytelevisedrightnow,asprayofglassandherpeoplepullingherdowntothegroundandcoveringherwiththeirbodies.
Therewillbeanotherattack,andsoon.
Maybeit’snaive,butIdon’twanttobepartoftheproblem.
“Adonis?”
Gods,butIliketheroughwayhesaysmyname.Iopenthecardoorforhim.“We’regoingtoyourbuildingandseeingyourpeople.”
“Theyaren’tmypeople.”Heglares,butheslidesintotheseatallthesame.
Ishutthedoorandcirclearoundtothedriver’sseat.“Yes,theyare,andthesoonerbothyouandtheymaketheirpeacewiththat,thebetter.”14HEPHAESTUS
Idon’twanttogotomybuilding.Mybuilding.Theverylabelmakesmewanttocurse.It’snotmine.OfallthetitlesIcouldhavetaken,Hephaestusistheoneleastsuitedtome.Everyonewhoworksforthetitleissodamnedsmart,andthefewtimesI’vedarkenedthedoorwayofthisbuilding,I’vefeltlikealumberingoaf.
“Thisisamistake.”
“Youcan’tkeepignoringyourresponsibilities.”Adonisdoesn’tlookatme.He’stense,almostangry,andIfinditinterestingthathe’sobviouslytryinghardnottodirectitatme.Whatanovelconcept.
Ideservehisanger,Iguess.Imarriedhiswoman,andI’msleepingwithher,whichseemstobethemoreupsettingdevelopment.There’sathreadtheretotugon,butI’mweirdlyreluctanttodoit.Attheendoftheday,there’sonlyourdealholdingAdonistome,andthere’snothingrealstoppinghimfromwalkingaway.
It’dbebetterforhimifhedid.
Icrossmyarmsovermychest.“They’redoingjustfinewithoutme.”
“Undoubtedly.”
Iglare.“Thenwhybothergoinginthere?It’sawasteoftime.”
Adonissighs,anearlysoundlessexhale.“BecauseyouareHephaestus.”
“Theseus.”Idon’tknowwhyIargue.He’snotwrong,butIhatethatfuckingtitleinhismouth.
Hefinallyturnstofaceme,andI’mstruckalloveragainbyhowbeautifulheis.MorethananyotherpersonI’vemet,exceptmaybeHelen.Certainlymorebeautifulthanmywife.
Adonissnapshisfingers.“Stoplookingatmelikethat.Thisisbusiness.”
Right.Ishouldknowbetterthantoforget.Theremightbeasparkofattractionbetweenus,butI’manenemyofOlympusandAdonisisitsbelovedson.
WhenheseemssatisfiedwithhowI’mlookingathim,hecontinues.“YouareHephaestus,”herepeats.“Youtookthetitle,andnowyouhavetoownit.Thatmeansdealingwiththeresponsibilitiesthatcomewithit.”
“Seemslikethere’snothingbutresponsibilitieswiththisshit.”
“Nowyou’rebeginningtounderstand.”Hesmilesgrimly.“TheThirteenmightbethemostpowerfulpeopleinthecity,andtheymightabusethatpowerregularly,buttheyarealsotheoneswhokeepthecityrunning.Youarenowresponsibleforkeepingthecityrunning.Youcan’tdothatifyou’rehidingfromyourpeople.”
Iknowwhathe’sattempting.He’stryingtoleveragemypridetogetmetodowhathewants.I’mfuckingirritatedtodiscoverit’sworking.“It’snotthateasy.”
“Ofcourseit’snot.ThelastHephaestuswashardlyuniversallybeloved,buthewasgoodathisjob.”
I’mnotbelovedorgoodatmyjob.
IglareupatthebuildingwhereallofHephaestus’sworkisdone.Iwanttogetthefuckoutofthiscarandawayfromthisplace.TheproblemisIcan’tpretendthatifI’dbeensuccessfultakingApollo’stitle,thingswould’vebeenanybetter.Really,I’msuitedforAres,andnoother.
Butthere’snogettingoutofthis.
AdonisleadsthewaythroughtheslidingglassdoorsandintowhatcouldbeeveryotherbuildingindowntownOlympus.Glassandmarbleandsteel.Don’tthesefuckersevergettiredofthisdecoratingscheme?Apparentlynot.
Wetaketheelevatoruptothetenthfloor.I’veonlybeenhereahandfuloftimes,butitalwaysplaysoutexactlylikethis.I’malittlesurprisedtofeelhumiliationsinkinaswestepthroughtheelevatordoors.Severalpeoplelookupfromthecubiclesscatteredthroughthespace.Theinstanttheyrecognizethatit’sme,thewhispersstart.
ThefeelingofhumiliationgrowswhenBrontesapproachesfromthebackoffice.Xeisashortpersonwithlight-brownskinandahaircutthatlookslikeatoddlergotaholdofsomescissors.XyrstraightblackhairisalldifferentlengthsandIcangrudginglyadmitthatitlooksgooddespitemyself.
Xeisalsoagiantpaininmyass.
Brontesstopsinfrontofus.XemanagesabrightsmileforAdonis,andIcan’tsayI’msurprised.Themanseemstowalkinapermanentbeamofsunshinewhereverhegoes,andpeoplereactaccordingly.ThelookBrontesgivesmeissignificantlylesspleasant.“So.You’rehere.”
IglanceatAdonis,butheseemscontenttoletmetaketheleadnowthathe’sdraggedmehere.Traitor.Iclearmythroat.Idon’tevenknowwhattoask,whichjustmakesthefeelingbeneathmyskinworse.“Ineedanupdateonallcurrentprojects.”
Brontesraisesxyreyebrows.“Allofthem?”
I’vemadeamistake,butIcan’tadmititnowwithoutadmittingIdon’tknowwhatthefuckI’mdoinghere.“Yes.Allofthem.Ineedtobebroughtuptospeed.”
IfIhadn’tknownI’dfuckedthisup,xyrdelightedsmilewouldhaveinformedme.Brontesgivesaneatlittlebowthatsomehowmanagestomakemefeellikeevenmoreofalumberingfool.“Ofcourse,Hephaestus.Ifyou’llwaitinyouroffice,weshouldhavethatreadyforyouinabout,oh,threeorfourhours.”
Threehours.
Fuckme.
Brontesdoesn’tleadustotheoffice,andI’veonlybeeninthereonce,soittakesmethreetriestofindtherightone.Allthewhile,thatfuckingterriblefeelingatthebackofmyneckgetsworse.
IcanbarelylookatAdonisasIdropintothechairbehindthedeskthatwillneverbemine.“Youhappynow?”
Hesighs.“Wehavealotofworktodo.”
Thatevening,Islamthedoorhardenoughtoshakethehouseandstalkdownthehallwayintothelivingroom.It’semptyexceptforPandora,andasmuchaspartofmeisrelievedtoseeherhereandsafe,Ican’tforgetherlipstickonmywife’sjawandherperfumecoatingAphrodite’sskin.“Whatthefuckdoyouthinkyou’redoing?”
Pandorasetsdownhere-readerwithexaggeratedslowness.Hersunnysmileisnowhereinevidence.“Ifyouwantanactualanswer,I’mgoingtoneedyoutocheckyourtoneandtrythatagain.”
Ihavetomuscledowntheurgetoroaroutallmyfrustrationandangerather.It’snotherfaultIhadashittydayinalongstringofshittydays,butIthoughtshewasinmycornerandnowI’mnotsosure.Isucceedinmoderatingmytone.Barely.“Youfuckedmywife.”
Shedoesn’ttendtoblush,butIdon’tneedtoseeitwhenshe’sshiftingonthecouchlikesomeonepoureditchingpowderintoherleggings.“Iwouldn’tcallit‘fucking.’”
“Don’tplaysemanticswithme,Pandora.”
Herdarkbrowscrashdown.“Whyareyoureallymad?”ShewavesahandbeforeIcanrespond.“Oh,Iknowyou’dbepissedaboutthatlittleindiscretionnomatterwhat,butnotthismad.”
Damnherforknowingmesowell.Imoveintothelivingroomanddropdownnexttoheronthecouch.“AdonisandIwenttomyofficetoday.”
“Adonis,”shesaysslowly.“AsinAphrodite’sex,Adonis?Someone’sahypocrite.”
“That’snotwhatI’mtalkingaboutrightnow.”
Sheturnstofacemeonthecouch,curlingherlegsinapositionthatmakesmewinceinsympathyforherjoints.Herexpressionisallfeignedcalm,buthereyesarejustasangryasIfeel.“Byallmeans,Theseus,let’snottalkaboutanythingyoudon’twanttotalkaboutrightnow.”
She’spissedandsheprobablyhasarighttobe,butI’msofuckingfrustrated,Icanbarelyfocus.“Ishouldhavekilledliterallyanyoneelse.I’mnotcutoutforthisfuckingjob.AllthepeoplewhoanswertoHephaestus—”
“You’reHephaestusnow.”
Iignorethat.“EverysingleoneofthemisafuckingsnootyassholewhograduatedwithsomeobscurecollegedegreethatI’veneverheardof.EvenwithAdonisthere,theyallplayedinnocentwhiletheyupdatedmeonshitthatdoesn’tevenmakesense.TheymademewaitfourhoursforabunchofreportsIcan’tevenread.Iknowthey’rewritteninEnglish,buttheymightaswellbeLatinforallIunderstoodit.And,thosefuckers,theyknowit.”IamsmartenoughwhenitcomestothethingsIcareabout,butIneverdidwellinschoolandcollegewasn’tevenontheagenda.
Minosdidn’tpickmebecauseIcantalkfancyandinventshit.
Hepickedmebecausehelookedatmeandsawacapacityforviolencethathecouldhoneintoaweapon.Imademypeacewiththatalongtimeago.Idon’ttrytobeanythingbutwhatIam.
ExceptnowmyveryroleinlifeissomethingthatI’mnot.
“Oh,Theseus.”Pandorasqueezesmyarm.“We’rebasicallyinvaders.Ofcoursetheyweren’tgoingtowelcomeyouwithopenarms.”
Iknowthat.OfcourseIfuckingknowthat.“ItwouldhavebeenbetterifI’dbecomeAres.OrevenAthenaorArtemis.”UnliketheMinotaur,Iwouldn’thavefuckedupthatkill.AtleastthenI’dbeinchargeofarealmthatmadesensetome.
“Itwillgetbetter.”
Igiveherthelookthatdeserves.It’snotgoingtogetbetter.Minoshasn’tsharedthedetailsofhisplansgoingforward,notnowthatI’veservedmyrole,butifhegetshisway,IdoubtOlympuswillbestandingbytheendofthis.Thatshouldbecomforting.IamHephaestus,butwhoknowswhatthatwillmeaninsixmonths,orayear.Ishouldbehappy
Instead,it’shardnottofeellikeI’vesacrificedsomuchforshit-all.
“Itwon’tgetbetterforthem,”Isnap.
“Itdoesn’thavetobethatway.Wedon’thavetoactthisway.”Pandorashiftsandtucksherhairbehindherears.“Iknowwhatweweretaught,butmaybetheyaren’tasbadasallthat.Really,they’renotthatmuchdifferentfromus.”
She’snotwrong.Thewaythecentercitylivesisstillalientome,butthesamecouldbesaidofAeaeabeforeMinostookusin.Theorphanagemightaswellhavebeenonthemoonforallourlivestherehadincommonwithhowwelivedinhishouse.Butthatdoesn’tmakeadifference.“Wecamehereforapurpose,andwe’regoingtoseeitthrough.”
“Whatifthepurposeiswrong?”
Isinkdownnexttoheronthecouch.We’vehadvariationsofthisconversationformonths.Longer,even.Pandoradoesn’tfeelbeholdentoMinosthewayIdo.Shedoesn’tunderstandthatIwilldoanythingtokeepusfromgoingbacktoaplacewithoutpower,helplesstothewhimsofthosearoundus.
EveniflatelyIfeelmoreincommonwiththatchildintheorphanagethanIdowiththemanI’veworkedsohardtobecome.“It’snotforustoquestionthepurpose.Minoshasaplan.”Aplanthatseemstorequiresacrificefromeveryonebuthim.
Hehasn’tfelttheweightofallthestringsthattiemeinplace.
Orifhedoes,hehidesitsignificantlybetterthanIdo;anotherlessonheneverbotheredtoteachme.
“YouhavemorefaithinhimthanIdo.”Pandorashakesherhead,herdarkeyesholdingthingsI’mnotreadytosee.“Iwishyouwouldlistentoreason,Theseus.”
Nomatterthesharedhistorywehave,PandorawillneverlookatMinosthewayIdo.Toher,he’saviciousmanwhoruthlesslyadoptedtwoteenagerstoenactaplanfifteenyearsinthemaking.Andshe’snotwrong.Butwhatshefailstoacknowledgeiswherewewould’veendedupifnotforMinos.Hesavedus,whethershewantstoadmititornot.Withouthim,wewould’vebeenturnedoutontothestreetsthesecondweturnedeighteen.
AndthestreetsofAeaeawould’veeatenusalive.
Idon’tknowifIcould’veprotectedPandora,notateighteen,notwithouttheskillsthatI’velearnedsincejoiningMinos.Shedoesn’twanttohearthat,though.We’vehadthisargumentmoretimesthanIcaretocount.Iknowexactlyhowitwillgofromhere.Wewillcircleroundandrounduntilwe’reyellingateachother,andthenoneofuswillstormoff,onlytocrawlbackandapologizewithinanhourortwo.
InsteadIchangethesubject.“Whereiseveryone?”
Pandorashrugsasifitdoesn’tactuallymatter.“Icarusisoffdoing…whateveritisthatIcarusdoeswhennooneelseisaround.IsawAriadnetypingawayathercomputerawhileback,butthat’sallsheseemstodothesedays.”
“Iwasn’taskingaboutthem.”
Shegivesmealookfilledwithcensure.“Youneveraskaboutthem.”
WhywouldI?They’resoft,coddledcreatures.EvenwithMinosastheirfather,theyhaven’tacquiredthehardedgethatPandoraandIwerebornwith.AndtheMinotaur?Well,he’sanotherstoryaltogether.ButAriadneandIcarushavebeenkeptsafeandsheltered,andit’sspoiledthemtotherealityoftheworld.Ariadnespendsallhertimeonline,indulgingintheprivilegeofadigitallifeandignoringthebloodstainingthehandsaroundher.
Icarusdoesn’thide,buthisrelationshipwithMinosiscomplicated.Insteadofkeepinghisheaddownandobeying,heflouncesandmakespassive-aggressivecomments,dramatictothebitterend.
“Ifyou’djust—”
Ishakemyheadsharply.“No.Theyaren’tlikeus.”
“Theseus.”Shetouchesmyforearm.“Itdoesn’thavetobethisway.Youhavethetitlenow.Imightnotlovethewayyougotit,butit’sdone.Youdon’thavetokeepdoingtheawfulthingsheasksofyou.”Shehesitates.“Aphroditeisn’tallthatbad.Ifyou’dstopfightingherandstartworkingwithher,maybewecouldputastoptoallthisbeforeittrulyspinsoutofcontrol.”
Hearingmywife’snameonPandora’slipsbanishesthewarmthinmychest.Istraighten,shiftingmyarmfromhertouch.“She’susingyou.Ithoughtyouweresmarterthanthat,Pandora.”
“Ohno,youdon’tgettodothat.”Shenarrowshereyes.“Igrewupinthesameplaceyoudid,andIlearnedthesamehardlessonssurvivingthatnightmare.YoudonotgettoactlikeI’msomenaivefoolbeingledalongbymycuriosity.TheThirteenasawholearemonsters.I’veneverarguedwiththat.Buttheyarestillmadeupofpeople.Peoplewithscarswhohaveseenthingsjustashorribleaswhatwegrewupwith.Andthat’snotevengettingintothepeoplewhodon’tliveinthecentercity.Therearepeoplelikeushere,Theseus.”
“We’renotgoingafterthepeoplelikeus.”
Pandoratossesupherhands.“Iwishyouwouldstopandthink.IfAeaeahadtheequivalentoftheThirteen,thenMinoswouldsitonthatboard.He’stheverythingyouclaimtohate.Youare,too,nowthatyou’vebecomeHephaestus.”
Ipushtomyfeet,drivenbytheneedtogetthefuckawayfromthisconversation,fromhearingthatnameonmybestfriend’slips.“Whatever.I’mgoingtofindMinosandupdatehim.”
“Ohyes,dorunawaylikeadamnedcoward.”
Ispinonmyheel.Mykneebuckles,butImanagetokeepmyfeetandresistwincingaspainshootsupmyleg.Ipointather.“That’swhereyouandIaredifferent,Pandora.Youcandragyourbleedingheartalloverthiscity,wastingitonpeoplewhowouldn’tpissonyouifyouwereonfire.Idon’tgiveafuckaboutthem,justlikeIdon’tgiveafuckaboutanyonebackinAeaea.Igiveafuckaboutyou,andIcan’tkeepyousafeifyou’reoffgallivantingaroundwithoneofthosemonsters.”
Shesitsback,herexpressionsad.IhatethatImadehersad,thatitseemstobetheruleratherthantheexceptionthesedays.IdisappointPandora.IdisappointMinos.I’mfuckingup.Pandorapicksuphere-reader,buthervoicefollowsmeasIleavetheroom.“I’vealwayshadamonsteratmyside,Theseus.”
Noreasonforherwordstoplagueme.IknowwhatIam.I’mnotthegoodguy.Thatwasnevergoingtobemyrole,anddamnPandoraforpretendinglikeI’veeverhadachoice.
Inourworld,you’reeitherpredator,oryou’reprey.
Ihadtobepredatorenoughtoprotectusboth.ApparentlyIstilldo.
ImakemywaythroughthepenthousetowhereMinos’sofficeis.Thedooriscracked,soIcanhearhisdeepvoiceashespeakstosomeoneonthephone.Ileanagainstthewall,waiting.
“Thingsareproceedingaccordingtoplan,moreorless.Theshipmentsarecurrentlywaitingintheharbor,butPoseidonhasnoreasontoquestiontheircontents.”Apause.“No,Ihaven’tbeenabletogettothelowercity.Theouterbarriermightbefaltering,buttheoneontheRiverStyxisstillstrongenoughtorepelusifhedecidestomakeitso,andhe’snotmybiggestfan.”
That’stheunderstatementoftheyear.Though,honestly,it’satoss-upwhoamongtheThirteenwantsusdeadthemost.ZeusorHades,perhaps,butwecan’tdiscountHera,Artemis,Athena,andmydarlingwife.Allareformidableintheirownway—evenHera,despiteourreportssayingitwasallbutanemptytitle.ThatmayhavebeentruewithpastHeras,butit’snotwiththisone.Iwouldhesitatetogivehermyback,forfearofendingupwithaknifeslippedbetweenmyribs.
Minosclearshisthroat.“Thepublicisrespondingexactlyasyouanticipated.They’redoingmostoftheworkforus.OneofthemeventriedtokillAthenathismorning,whichissignificantlymoreballsythanIexpectedsoearlyintheprocess.”Abeat.“Yes,thetimelineisintact.It’sawaitinggameuntiltheshipdocksandour…packages…areunloaded.I’ll,ofcourse,keepyouupdated.”Apause.“Stoplurkinginthehallsandgetinhere.”He’slostthefalsecheerinhisvoice,butIpreferhimthisway.
Whenit’sjustus,Minosneverpretendstobeanythingotherthanwhatheis.Apredator,justlikeme.
Istepintotheoffice.It’snearlyidenticaltotheonehesetupinthecountryhouseheboughtfromHermes.Alarge,darkwoodendeskdominatesthespacewithafloor-to-ceilingwindowoverlookingthecitybehindit.Theothertwowallsarelinedwithbookshelves,thoughinallthetimeI’veknownhim,I’veneverseenhimread.Ariadneisthereaderofthefamily,butMinoswouldneverallowherbentanddog-earedromancenovelstopopulatetheshelvesofhisspace.
“Shutthedoor.”
Mystomachdrops,butIobey.IclenchmyjawandkeepthelimpoutofmystrideasmuchaspossibleasIcrosstosinkdowninthechairacrossthedeskfromhim.Evenwiththateffort,hisgazelingersonmyinjuredkneeanddistasteflickersacrosshisfeatures.Hegrabsatabletandhisfingerssweepoverthescreen.“I’dlikeyoutoexplainthistome.”
Hespinsittofaceme,andthesinkingfeelinginmystomachgetsworse.It’saMuseWatcharticleonthehomepage.ThephotographercaughtmerightasIwaswalkinguptoAphrodite’sbuilding,andIdon’tknowwhatthefuckIwasthinkinginthatmoment,butIcan’tdenythatIlook…lost.Theheadlineisevenworse.
POORHEPHAESTUS.ATHOMEWAITINGFORHISWIFEWHILESHE’SOUTPHILANDERING.
Iskimthearticle,whichispitying,butsignificantlymoresympatheticthanpreviousones.Adonis’splanisworking,butitdoesn’tmakemefeelanybetteraboutbeingpaintedassomepoorsapwaitingwithhisheartinhishandwhilehiswiferunsaroundtownwithanyonewhowillhaveher.
WithPandora.
“I—”
Minostalksrightoverme.“Becauseitlookslikemyfostersonisplayingthepartofapatheticweaklingwhocan’tcontrolhiswife.It’sbeenlessthanaweek,andshe’salreadybeenphotographedwithfourseparatepeoplewhoaren’tyou.Theentirecityislaughingatyou.Atus.”
That’sthecruxofthematter.PandoramightthinkIfollowMinoswithoutquestion,butIknowwhatheisandwhathisprioritiesare.Howhe’sactedwithmesincetheArescompetitionhasmorethanprovedthat.I’mnousetohimifI’mnotinperfecthealthandtheverypictureofobedience.“I’mworkingonit.”
“Areyou?Becauseitappearsyou’repining.”Hespitsitasifit’sadirtyword.“Youlookweak,whichmakesuslookweakbyextension.IhaveputtoomucheffortintogarneringfavorwiththeOlympianpeopletohaveyouundoitinafewshortdays.It’sunacceptable.”
Frustrationsinksitsrootsintome.“Ifyouhaveabetterideatogainpublicfavor,I’dlovetohearit.”
“Watchhowyouspeaktome,boy.”Histonegoessharpanddark.“IpulledyououtofthegutterandIcanputyourightbackintoit.You’vefailedmeonetoomanytimesalready.Doitagain,andI’mgoingstopbeingsonice.”
“I’msorry.I’llfixit.”
“You’dbetter.Youwon’tlikehowthingsfalloutifI’mrequiredtostepin.”
You’reHephaestusnow.
“I’lltakecareofit.”Ishakemyheadsharply,tryingtobanishPandora’svoice.Itdoesn’tmatterifI’mtechnicallyoneofthethirteenmostpowerfulpeopleinthecity.SowasthelastHephaestus,andlookwhereheisnow.
Sixfeetunderground,foodfortheworms.
Thesamecanhappentome.
ThesamewillhappentomeifIdon’tfixthis.15PANDORA
Idon’tmeantogotoAphrodite.
AfterthatdisastrousconversationwithTheseus,Iactuallyfollowhimdownthehalltoapologize…whichiswhenIoverhearMinos’snot-subtlethreat.Theseusdoesn’tchallengehim,doesn’ttellhimtofuckoffwiththatnonsense.Herollsoverandshowshisstomach.Ihatethat.Minosdoesn’tdeservehisloyalty.
ButtellingTheseusthatwilljustresultinacontinuationofourfight.
HethinksIdon’tunderstandwhyhefollowsMinosaroundlikeawhippeddog.Ido.Iwasinthatsameorphanagehewas.Isufferedthesamepunishments,rangingfromskippedmealstoforcedisolationtobeatings.IamthereasonTheseuscommittedtheactofviolencethatbroughtustoMinos’sattention.
IneverfaultedTheseusfortakingMinos’sdeal,butwearen’tfifteenanymore.Wedon’thavetostaywithhim.That’swhatTheseusdoesn’tseemtounderstand.
Ifleebeforetheyfinishtheirlittlemeeting.Ijustneedsomeair.That’sall.Maybethatwillhelpmefindawayoutofthisimpossiblesituation.MinosseesTheseusasapawn;healwayshas.Andwhat’sapawngoodforbutsacrifice?BeingHephaestuswon’tsaveTheseusifMinosdecideshe’soutlivedhisusefulness.
TheworstpartisthatI’mnotsureTheseuswouldfight.Hemightjustkneel,bowhishead,andaccepthispunishmentasifthat’ssomethinghedeserves.
I’veknownthemanmyentirelife.Ishouldbeabletocomeupwiththerightsequenceofwordstogethimtolistentome.ExcepteverytimeItry,weendupinthesamedamnfight.Idon’tknowwhattodo.I’veneverfeltsofuckinghelplessinmylife.
IleaveMinos’spenthouseandwalkthestreets.I’llnevergetusedtothisplace—oratleastthecitycenterwheretherichandpowerfulmaketheirhomes.It’sallmetalandconcreteandglass.Soulless.BackonAeaea,therichdon’tcongregateinoneplace.It’sapointofprestigetohaveamassivehousewithevenmoremassivegrounds,allhiddenawaybehindstonewalls.
Godsforbidoneoftherabbleshoulddirtyupthespacewiththeirpresence.
ItwasoneofthosehomesthatMinosbroughtustoafterslippingenoughmoneytotherightpeopletoensurehegotexactlywhathewaslookingfor—twoteenagedboys,theirstrengthonlymatchedbytheirrage.It’sjusthisbadluckthatoneofthemcamewithmeattached,buthewantedTheseustoobadlytobalkatmypresence.
Andnowlookatus.
We’rethebadguys.Imightnothavecommittedanyviolencewithmyownhands,butIstoodbyandletithappen.HowcouldIdoanythingelse?IftheOlympiansknewMinos’splantoinsertAeaeansintotheThirteenthroughtheassassinationclause,theywouldhavekilledTheseusoutright,andthatIwon’tbepartyto.
Islowandstopinfrontoffamiliarglassdoors.WalkingthroughthemisindirectconflictwithwhatTheseuswants,butatthispoint,Idon’tknowthathe’sthinkingclearly.Idon’tknowifanyofusare.Thingshavechangedtooquickly,anddespiteallthepreparation,it’sclearMinosdidn’tactuallyknowthefullextentofwhatbecomingoneoftheThirteenmeans.Hehashisendgoal,whateveritis,buthe’snotofferingTheseusanysupportinthemeantime.
IfIcouldgetTheseusoutfromunderhisthumb…
I’mmovingbeforeIcanthinkofhowflimsythatexcuseis.ThelobbyisexactlyhowIrememberitfromtheotherday—justassoullessastherestofdowntown.Ismoothdownmyshirtandwalktothedeskwiththesnooty-lookingwhitewomanbehindit.SheeyesmeasifI’mapieceoftrashthatblewinoffthestreet,butherexpressionchangesasrecognitionrollsoverherprettyfeatures.“You’rePandora.”
ThisissomethingI’llnevergetusedto.ImightnotbeinthespotlightasmuchastherestofMinos’shousehold,butstrangersarestillstartingtorecognizeme.Idon’tlikeit,butImanageasmileallthesame.“IsAphroditein?”It’sonthetipofmytonguetospinsomelieaboutwhyI’mheretoseeher,butoverexplainingwon’tdomeanyfavors.Thiswomanisn’ttheoneIneedtoconvincetohelpme.
“Icancheck.Justamoment.”She’sperfectlypolitenow,thoughIcatchherwatchingmebeneathherfringeofblondbangs.Afewsecondsofmurmuredconversationlater,shecarefullyhangsup.“Youcangoonup.I’massumingyouknowthefloornumber?”
“Ido.Thanks.”Now’sthetimetoturnback,toputastoptothisimpulsiveurgetoseeher.Aphroditeisnotmyally,andshe’sallbutadmittedthatshe’susingmetohurtTheseus.
But…Whatifshecouldbeanally?
That’sthequestionthatdrivesmetowalkslowlytotheelevatorandtakeituptoherfloor.Orthat’swhatItellmyself.Thetruthisfarmoretangled
Aphroditemeetsmeatthedoor.Shelookssimilartohowshedidthemorningafterherwedding,herhairhangingincarelesswaves,herfacewithonlythebaresthintofmakeup,herlonglegsinfittedloungepants.Hersweaterlookscomfortable,thinandsoft;Ihavetoclenchmyfiststokeepfromtestingitformyself.
Idon’tunderstandtheholdthiswomanhasonme.
“Well,don’tjuststandthere.Youlooklikeyoucoulduseadrink.Teaortequila?”Shestepsbackandholdsthedooropenforme.
“Um.Teawouldbegreat.”Istepintothepenthouseandfollowherintoherkitchen.IfullyexpecthertolaunchintoaninterrogationastowhyI’mhere,butshebusiesherselfgettinganelectrickettlegoingandpullingoutatraywiththemostbougieteasetupI’veeverseen.Ieyeit.“Nostore-boughtbrandsforyou,Isee.”
“I’maspoiledbrat.”Sheshrugs.“Ilikemyindulgences,andteashouldalwaysbeanindulgence.”
Islideontooneofthebarstoolsandwatchherbrewthetea.Shedoesn’taskmewhatkindIwant,whichisjustaswell.I’mmoreofacoffeedrinkernormally,butIcan’tdenyhowrelaxingitistowatchthealmostritualisticwayAphroditemovesthroughtheprocess.Bythetimesheslidesacutelittlecupandsaucerinfrontofme,alongwithatinytraywithmilkandsugar,mostofthetensionhasmeltedoutofmybody.
“Howdoyoudothat?”Aftertheslightesthesitation,Idosethetealiberallywithbothmilkandsugar.
“Ifinditcalming.”Shedoesn’taddanythingtohertea.Shejustpicksupthecupandleansagainstthecounteracrossfromme.“Now,tellmewhat’swrong.”
“Whywouldanythingbewrong?”Thewordsaretoosloppy,tooquick.“MaybeIcameheretoseduceyou.”
Hersmileisknife-sharp.“I’dlovetobeseducedbyyou,Pandora,butthefactremainsthatyouseemedalmostafraidwhenyoushoweduponmydoorstepunexpectedly,andasmuchasIwantyouinmybed,Idon’twantfeardrivingyouthere.Sowhydon’twetrythisagain?What’swrong?”
It’ssotemptingtospilleverything.There’ssomethingaboutthiswoman,abouttheconnectionstrummingbetweenusevennow,thatmakesmewanttotrusther.I’mnotsofoolishasthat,though.“Idon’twantTheseushurt.”
Shemakesaface.“Oh.Him.”
“Yes.Him.He’smybestfriend,Aphrodite.Ilovehim,andIhateseeinghimdraggedthroughallthis.”ItakeacautioussipofmyteaandamsurprisedtofindthatIlikeit.It’snotasbitterascoffee,butit’sgotadelightfullayeringofflavors.“Thisisgood.”
“Youdon’thavetosoundsoshocked.Imadeit;ofcourseit’sgood.”Shesipsherteaforseverallongsecondsandfinallysighs.“Look,Ilikeyou.”
“Yes,you’vesaidthat.”
“Butitchangesnothing.Themanyoucameallthiswaytodefendisaviolentmurderer.Youcan’tspinsometaleabouthimbeingagoodpersonwho’sinoverhishead.HewouldhavekilledmysisterintheArestournamentwithouthesitation,andhedidkillHephaestusatthatcursedhouseparty.He’sbeenanactiveparticipantinMinos’splanseverystepoftheway,andifhehashisway,he’lldestroythecityIlove.”Shesighsagain.“Ifeelforyou.Truly,Ido.Iknowit’snoteasytobesubjecttoafamilyruledbyamanwhoputsambitionaboveallelse.Butthefactremainsthatmyhusbandhasmadehischoices.Ihavetomakemine,too.”
She’sbeingremarkablyfrankinawayIfindrefreshing.Butthen,she’salwaysseemedtobefrankanddownrighthonestwhenwespeak.Maybethat’sallaploytogainmytrust,butmyinstinctsdon’tthinkso.
Isipmytea.“You’retalkingaboutyourfather.ThelastZeus.”
Aphroditehesitates,almostasifshe’sarguingwithherself.Finally,sheshrugs.“Myfatherwasn’tmuchdifferentfromMinos,bestIcantell.Ambitionandpowerdidn’tturnhimintoamonster,buttheygavehimtheabilitytobemonstrouswithoutworryingaboutconsequences.HeformedmeandmysiblingsintotoolsthesameasMinoshasdonewithhischildrenandfosterchildren.So,asIsaid,Isympathize.”
Ihadn’tgivenmuchthoughttothelastZeus,seeinghowhe’sdead.Butit’simpossibletoescapehisshadowinOlympus.Peoplestilltalkabouthiminwhispers,andwhenIgotcuriousandlookedhimupinMuseWatch,Iwasalittleshockedtofindrumorsthathekilledthreeofhiswives.
IncludingAphrodite’smother.
“Thatmusthavebeenhardforyouhavingafatherlikethat.”
“Isurvived.”She’sobviouslytryingforanirreverenttone,butshedoesn’tquitepullitoff.“Hedidn’tbreakanyofus,thoughhedroveoneofmybrothersoutofthiscityandnowhe’llneverreturn,eventhoughtheoldbastardisdeadandgone.”
Thisopennesshastobeatacticofsomekind,butifIwantAphrodite’shelp,Ihavetoofferhersomething.IdrinkhalfmyteawhileIdebatehowmuchtotellher.IknowMinos—orhisbenefactor—hasputsignificantresourcesintoburyinganymentionofthemandtheirhistory…whichincludesrecordsofusandtheMinotaurfrombeforehefosteredus.
Thathistorycan’ttouchusnow,butitmightnothurttosharetoseeifittipsAphroditeinamoresympatheticdirection.“TheseusandIwerebothdroppedatthesameorphanagewhenwewerebabies.Itwas…”Istareintotheremainsofmytea.“Itwasbad.Itcouldhavebeenworse,Isuppose,butwelearnedearlytowatcheachother’sbacksandthatwecouldonlytrusteachother.I’mnotproudofsomeofthethingswedidtosurvive,butthealternative?”Ishrug,fightingtokeeptensionfrommyshoulders.Thealternativewasdeathorbeingforcedtobarterbodyandsoultothosemorepowerfulforprotection.Drugsranrampantthroughtheolderkids,anintentionalfunnelbetweengettingthemhookedandthenfeedingthemintotheundergroundofAeaea.
TheseusandImanagedtoevadethatfate,butIcan’thelpfeelinglikehebarteredbodyandsoul,justinadifferentway.Forme.“Ican’tregretwhathe’sdonetosecureoursafety.”Regrettingitmeansdevaluinghissacrifice,andIwon’tdothat.
“I’msorry.”Aphroditesoundslikesheevenmeansit.Ican’thelpcheckingherexpression,searchingforpityIdon’twant.
It’sonlytheabsenceofitthatkeepsmegoing.“WewerefifteenwhenMinosheardwordofusandcamecalling.”Gods,thisshouldn’tbesohard.Iclearmythroat.“Thereasonhefoundoutaboutuswas,well,oneoftheadultsattheorphanagewastakingtookeenaninterestinme.HecametomyroomonenightandTheseusbeathimnearlytodeath.”
“Pandora…”
Ikeepgoing.I’vecommittedtothis,andI’llseeitthrough.“Hekeptmesafe.Againstalloddsandeventhoughhewasjustakidhimself,he’salwayskeptmesafe.Minosseemedlikeagiftfromthegods,butneitherofuswasnaiveenoughtobelieveitcamewithoutstrings.That’swhyTheseusnegotiatedtoensureMinostookme,too.”
It’smyfaulthetookthatdeal.Idon’tsaythewords.I’veneversaidthewords.TheseuswouldarguemetoastandstillifheknewIfeltlikethat.Tohim,protectingmeissecondnature.Henevercountsthecosttohimself
“So,yeah,Iwon’targuethatTheseus—orI—aregoodpeople.Iknowwearen’t.Butsurelyyoucanunderstandwhyhe’sgivenMinoshisloyalty.Ifyoucouldoffersomethingevengreater,youmightwinhisloyaltyforyourself.”It’salongshot,animpossibleask.IfTheseuswon’tturnawayfromMinosforme,whatcanshepossiblyofferthatwouldswayhim?
Aphroditeconsidersmeforalongtime.“I’msorryforwhatyou’vegonethrough.I’mevensorryforwhathe’sgonethrough,thoughTheseushardlyhasthemarketcorneredonsuffering.But,Pandora,youhavetounderstand.Myfirstloyaltywillalwaysbetothiscity.I’vesacrificedpeopleIlikeandpeopleI…love…forOlympus.Theseus—Hephaestus—doesn’tevenrank.Ican’taffordtohesitateorletmyemotionsmakechoicesforme.Aslongashe’sathreattoOlympus,I’mathreattohim.”
“But—”
“Iappreciateyourloyaltytohim.”Shesmilesalittle.“Hedoesn’tknowyou’rehere,doeshe?”
Icouldlie,butIhaveafeelingshe’dseerightthroughit.“No.”
Iexpecthertogloat.Ormakeasnidecomment.Somethingtocelebratethislittlevictoryoverherhusband.
Shedoesn’t.Aphrodite’sdarkeyesaresympathetic.“Wouldyoulikesomemoretea?Iwasjustabouttosettleinforthenightandreadabook.You’rewelcometojoinme.”
LonginghitsmehardenoughthatIsway.Ishakemyhead,tryingtofocus.“NocavortingaroundtownandmakingafoolofTheseus?”
“Ah,butthere’samethodtomychaos.”Shegrins.“Youhavetogivethepresstimetorestinbetweenrowdy,scandalousacts.Otherwise,theylosetheirimpact.”
Istare.Alwaysthreestepsahead.NowonderTheseusisstrugglingsomuchwithher.Noneoftheweaponshe’strainedwithworkinthearenawherehefindshimselffighting.“You’reterrifying.”
“It’sbeensaidbefore.It’llbesaidagain.”Sheshrugs,butthemoveisalittletootensetobefullyuncaring.“Choose,Pandora.Stayorgo?”
Idraintherestofmynow-coldtea.Really,there’snochoiceatall.Idesperatelydon’twanttogobacktoMinos’splace,andIhavenowhereelsetogo.
Excusestotakewhatyouwant.
Iignorethelittlevoiceinsidemeandsetmycupdownonthesaucer.“I’mstaying.”16HEPHAESTUS
Pandoraislong-gonebythetimeMinosfinisheslecturingmeonallthewaysI’vefailedhim.It’sjustaswell.Idon’thaveitinmetokeepfightingrightnow.I’veneverbeensofuckingexhaustedinmylife.EverywhereIturn,I’mfallingshortofpeople’sexpectations.Minos.Pandora.BrontesandtherestofHephaestus’speople.Evenmycursedwife.Ishouldn’tcareaboutthelattertwo,butwhentheybecomepartofalargerproblem?Thatshitisatrend,notanexception.
IstopbyMinos’slibrarytosnagabottleofwhiskyandtuckitintomyjacket.Iturntowardthedoorandstopshort.
Icarusleansagainstthewall.He’swearingslacksandashirtthatlookslikehestartedunbuttoningandgotdistracted.Hedoesn’tlookmuchlikehisfather,asidefromhiscoloring.Light-brownskinandwavydarkhair.Buthiseyesarewideranddoe-like,hisfeaturesfineanddelicate.LikeAriadne,heapparentlytakesafterhispoor,deadmother.
Heliftsasinglebrow.“Stealingliquor.Howpedestrianofyou.”
“Idon’thavetimeforthis.”Ishoulderpasthim.ThelastthingIneedisareminderofeverythingI’llneverhave.IcarusandMinosrarelyseeeyetoeye,butMinosneverthreatenstodisownhim
NotevenafterthatfuckupwhereheattackedPaninsteadofDionysusatthehouseparty.
NomatterhowoftenIcarusdisappointshisfather,he’sstillMinos’struebornson.Noonecantakethatawayfromhim,notevenhisfather.
“Crownsittingheavy,Theseus?”
Idon’tanswer,andhismockinglaughterfollowsmeallthewaytothefrontdoor.Downonthestreet,IdigoutmyphoneandpressCallbeforeIcantalkmyselfoutofit.
Adonisanswersalmostimmediately.“Yes?”
“Whereareyou?”
Ahesitation.“I’mathome.Why?”
Ihangupwithoutanswering.ThepositioningofthepathetichusbandisAdonis’sfault.Iagreedtoit,butitwashisideainthefirstplace,andclearly,it’snothelpingme.Ican’tpushbackagainstMinos,can’tgetahandleonmywife,butIcanputAdonisinhisplace.
It’snotuntilI’mstandingathisfrontdoor,feelinglikeI’mabouttocomeoutofmyskin,thatIcanadmitthatIalsojustwanttoseehim.Ibangonthedoor.Toohard.Tooangry.Idon’tknowhowtobeanyotherway.
Heopensitafewsecondslater,andthesightofhimrelaxessomethinginsideme.Ifuckinghatethathehasthiseffectonme…almostasmuchasIcraveit.It’sworsenow.Stronger.He’sobviouslyinforthenight,wearinggrayloungepantsandnothingelse,hissmoothbrownskinshowingoffclearlydefinedmuscles.
Adonissmilesbriefly.“Hephaestus.Whatalovelysurprise.”
“Theseus.ItoldyoutocallmeTheseus.”
“We’renotinprivate.”
Iwalkpasthimwithoutaninvitationandbarelywaitforhimtoshutthedoortocontinue.“Nowweare.”
“Didyouneedsomething?”Heleansagainstthedoorandcrosseshisarmsoverhischest.Themovemakeshisbicepsflex,andIhavethealmostoverwhelmingimpulsetosinkmyteethintothem.
“Ineededtotalktoyou,”Isayfaintly,stillstaringathisbody.Ishakemyheadonce,sharplyenoughthatitshouldshakesomereasonbackintomybrain.Itdoesn’twork.
“Youcouldhavetalkedtomeonthephone.Youhungupandcamehereinperson.”Hedoesn’tmove,thoughhisgazecoastsslowlyoverme.“Whyareyoureallyhere…Theseus?”
Thelowwayhesaysmynamefeelslikehereachedoutandranhishandovermybareskin.Itakeastepclosertohimoninstinctalone.“Iwantedtoseeyou.”Ipullthebottleoutofmyjacket.“Thoughtwecouldhaveanotherdrink.”
“Liar.”Hissmilewidens,takingthestingoutoftheword.
Itakeanotherstepclosertohim.“Icametoyellatyou.Ilookfoolishinthemedia.Minosisfurious.”
“Mmm.”Adonis’sfocusnarrowsonmymouth.“Closer,butstillnotthefulltruth.”
Anotherstep.We’realmostchesttochestnow.Adeepbreathwouldbringusflushtogether.WhenIinitiallyreachedouttoAdonis,itwastousehimasaweapontostrikeatmywife.That’snotwhyI’mherenow.It’snotevenbecauseMinosispissed.
I’mherebecause,outofeveryoneinOlympus,AdonisistheonlyoneI’veeverreallyrelaxedaround,evenalittle.HeremindsmeofPandora,abrightexteriorthatcamouflagesaclevermindandacore-deepkindnessthatmightaswellbeadifferentlanguageforallIunderstandit.Hemighthavehelpedmeforhisownreasons,tohurtAphrodite,butourinitialchatwouldhavecoveredthatandthensome.
No,thisissomethingelse.
“Theseus.”HisvoiceislowandfullofthingsIcan’tdefine.
“Adonis.”Slowly,almostreluctantly,Iliftmyhandandplaceitagainstthecenterofhischest.Gods,hisskinissoft.Iclearmythroat.“Youfeelit,too.”
Hisdeepinhalepresseshischestmorefirmlyagainstmyhand.“Thiswon’tendinanythingbutheartbreakforbothofus.”
Onehastohaveaheartforittobebroken.Iliftmygazetohis.“Doyoucare?”
“Ishould.”Anotherofthosedeepbreathsthatfeellikehe’sreachingouttomewithoutmovinghisarms.“Myheartisalreadyshattered.Anotherblowmightbetheendofme.”
IbitedownonthestrangestimpulsetoreassurehimthatIwon’tbreakhisheart.It’snotapromiseIcanmake.Evenifweweren’tonfundamentallyoppositesidesofthecomingconflict,IamwhoIam.Ican’toffersoftwordsandsofterlandings.
Ionlyknowhowtodestroy.
Still,Ican’tleavehiscommenthanging.“Idon’twanttobreakyourheart.”Theheartcurrentlyracingbeneathmypalm.Iinhaledeeply.Ican’tplacehisscent,butitwrapsaroundmeallthesame,muddyingmythoughts.
“Whichisn’tthesamethingaspromisingnotto.”Hissmilefalters.“ThoughIwouldn’tbelieveyouevenifyoumadethatpromise.”
“Adonis—”
“Theseus.”Hiseyesgoserious.“Eitherkissmeorgetyourhandoffmychest.”
Iknowthesmartmove,butIdon’tgiveafuck.Ican’tbehissoftlanding…butmaybehecanbemine.Justfortonight.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatmyoriginalplanswerewhenitcametohim.Iwanthim.That’sreasonenough.
IkissAdonis.
Hislipsaresoft.Sofuckingsoft.Hemakesasoundinhisthroatandopensforme.It’sthemostnaturalthingintheworldtodragmyhanduptobrackethisthroat,tiltinghisheadbacktogivemebetteraccess.HishandsfindmyhipsandjerkmeforwarduntilI’mpinninghimtothedoor.
Fuck,hefeelsgood.
Inthebackofmymindwasthethoughttokeepthiskisslight,tocontrolthisencounter,butallmyintentionsaresweptawayinawaveofneed.Needtogethimcloser.Needtogethisfuckingclothesoffsothere’snothingbetweenus.
Withthatinmind,Istarttogotomyknees.
Hestopsme.“Theseus,wait.”
Ifreeze.“What?”
“Yourknee.”
Shamecoatsme,nearlydrowningoutdesire.Itrytoshoveitdown,withonlymoderatesuccess.“Fuckmyknee.Iwantyourcockinmymouth.”
Heleanshisheadagainstthedoorandcloseshiseyes.HispulseracesagainstwhereIhavemylipspressedtohisthroat.“Iwouldverymuchlikemycockinyourmouth,”hefinallymanages.“Butnotifithurtsyouintheprocess.”
Thereitis.ThatsoftnessIshoulddespise.He’sallbutofferingmeafaultlinetoexpose,anadmissionthatsavingmefrompainisaleverIcanpulltomanipulatehim.
ExceptIdon’twantto.
Idon’tevenwanttothrowhiscaringbackinhisface.Iwanttoindulgeit,toluxuriateinit.Unforgivable.Idon’tgiveafuck.I’mnotgoingtostop.
Istaggerbackfromhimandcatchhishand,dragginghimbehindme.“Couch.Bed.Idon’tgiveashit,buttellmewheretogo.”
“Firstright.”
Ifollowhismutteredinstruction,whichleadsintoalivingroomwithleathercouches,abig-screenTV,andthreedifferentvideogameconsolesarrangedintheentertainmentcenterbelowit.It’sthevaseofflowersthatgivesmepause.“Arethosefoxglove?”
Adonisgivesastrangledlaugh.“Goodeye.”Henudgesmetowardthecouch.“They’renotreal.Justdecoration.”
Idon’thavetoaskwheretheycamefrom.Itseemslikethekindofperversegiftmywifewouldsendalover.Asmall,strangepartofmedoesn’tlikethathestillhasevidenceofherinhishome,butit’snoneofmybusiness.
She’snothere.
Iam.
IgripthebackofAdonis’sneckanddraghismouthtomine.Ilovethewayhegaspsagainstmylips.TherearenogamesherelikewithAphrodite,nopowerplaysandworryingthateachmove,eachtouch,givesawaymorethanIintend.There’sjustpleasurewithamanI’mquicklycomingtocrave.
OnewhocaresifIhurtmyself,evenalittle.Idon’tknowwhattodowiththat.IstarttosinkontothecouchandAdoniscatchesmyelbows,loweringmeslowly.Ibreakthekisslongenoughtosay,“Isitdownallthetime.Idon’tneedyoutotreatmelikeachild.”
Hegrinsagainstmylips.“MaybeIjustliketouchingyou.”
Idon’tknowwhattosaytothat,soIdon’tsayanythingatall.Ipresshimbackalittleandhookmyfingersintothewaistbandofhispants.Hiscockisahardimprintagainstthefabric,butIpurposefullyavoiditfornow.Onetugbringshimbetweenmythighs.CloseenoughthatIgiveintotheurgetodraganopen-mouthedkissoverhisabs.
“Youwouldknow,”herasps.Hegripsmyshouldersandkneadslightly.“Youhavemorethanenoughmuscletospare.”
BecauseIthoughtI’dbeawarrior.Notahero—neverthat,notwiththeskeletonsrattlingaroundinmycloset—butsomeonewhocommandedrespectandfearinthosearoundhim.
Instead,I’mafailure.IfailedtotaketheArestitleandbringHelenKasiosunderourthumb.Ifailedtokilloneoftheothertitlesthatwouldhavebeenagoodfitforme.Ifailedtoavoidamarriagetoadamnedwitchwhocomesfartoosweetlyformypeaceofmind.
I’mfailingatbeingHephaestus.
Adonissiftshisfingersthroughmyhairandtugsgently.“Thatfeelsgood.”
Iexhaleslowly.Imighthavefailedateverythingelse,butI’msucceedingatseducingthisman.I’mgoingtomakehimfeelgood,makehimcomesohardhewon’tbethinkingofanyonebutme.
That,Icando.
“I’mnotdoneyet.”Ilickmywaydownhisstomach,butstopshortofhispants.Iwanthiscockinmymouth,butevenmorethanthat,Iwanttoseehimwithoutasinglethinghidinghisbodyfrommysight.Afewtugsonthepantsandtheyslideoffhisnarrowhips,poolingaroundhisankles.
MymouthliterallywatersatthesightofanakedAdonis.Idon’tknowifIbelieveinperfection,butit’shardtoargueagainstitsexistencewiththismanstandingbeforeme.Hisbrownskinissmoothandunblemishedbythescarsthatpeppermybody.Evenhiscockisperfect,longandbroadwithawickedcurve.
Idrawasinglefingerdownhislength.“You’relikeafuckingpieceofart.Areyousureyou’rereal?”
“Realenough.”Hishandsspasminmyhair.“Ifyoudon’tstoplookingatmelikethat…”
It’sonlysex.Areleaseforbothofus.Orthat’swhatItellmyselfasIdipdownandtakehiscockintomymouth
Iignorethefactthatthosereassuranceshavetheflavoroflies.17ADONIS
ThereisnoscenariowherefuckingTheseusisagoodidea.Ishouldhaveturnedhimawaywhenmydoormancalledup.Icertainlyshouldn’thaveansweredthedoorwithoutashirtjusttoseeifhe’sasaffectedbymeasIambyhim.
Eventhen,I’dhalfconvincedmyselfthatitwouldendwithaconversation…thenwiththekiss.
UntilthatlookinhiseyeswhenIwouldn’tlethimhurthimselftobringmepleasure.Thatshockedandalmostawedexpression.Asifnoonehaseversteppedinforhisbenefitbefore.Itdoesn’tmakesense.Surelyhehaspeoplewhocareabouthim.
Ican’taffordtobeoneofthem,butthatdoesn’tstopmefromwantingtoguardthissoftpartofhimI’vebeenshownunexpectedly.
Now,standingbeforehimwhilehesucksdownmycock,I’mlost.Ihalfexpectedhimtogoaboutthisthesamewayheseemstogoabouteverything—quickandefficient.Instead,heteasesmeasheexploresmylengthwithhismouth.Suckingmedownonemoment,easingtoachinglylightmovementsaroundtheheadofmycock,thenlickingdowntomybaseandbackupagain.Thepleasureleavesmehelplesstodoanythingbutdigmyhandsintohishairandhangon.“Fuck.”
Hephaestus—Theseus,whoeverthefuckheisrightnow—easesbackthetiniestbit.Idon’thaveachancetoprotest.Hecatchesmychinanddragsmedownuntilourfacesarealmosteven.“Ilikeyou.Ihavenofuckingbusinesslikingyou.”
BeforeIcanrespond,heshovestwofingersintomymouth.Theseusholdsmygazeashefucksmymouthwithhisfingers,pressingdeepenoughtohavemegaggingaroundhim.Mygripspasmsinhishair.Gods,whyisthissosexy?
JustwhenIthinkIcan’thandleitanothermoment,heeaseshisfingersoutofmymouth.“Saymynamewhenyoucome.Myrealname.”Hedescendsonmycockagainand,thistime,he’snotplayingaround.Hepresseshisfingers,wetfrommymouth,intomyass.
Mybrainshortsout.Allintentionstobecarefuldisappear.Mybodytakesover,myhipsrollingtofuckhismouth,tofuckmyselfonhisfingers.“Ohgods.”Ican’tcatchmybreath,can’tslowdown,can’tstop.Myorgasmiscomingtooquickly,butthere’snotasinglethingIcandoaboutit.“Theseus.”
Hegrowlsaroundmycock,thevibrationsonlymakingmecomeharder.Mykneesbuckle,butImanagetokeepmyfeetthroughsheerdesperation.IfIfallnow,Ilosethefeelingofhimdrinkingmedown.
Theseusliftshisheadslowlyandpressesakisstomystomach.“Goodboy.”
ThepraisespokensogrufflybythisscarredwarriorbuoysmeinawayI’mnotpreparedtodealwith.Heeaseshisfingersoutofmeandleansback.“Thatwasagoodstart.”
“I…”There’snothingtosay,isthere?“Bedroom.”
“Yeah.”Henudgesmebackandrises.“Let’sgo.”
Wetakeaquickdetourtothebathroomforhimtowashhishands,andthenIleadhimdownthehalltowardmybedroom.Ipauselongenoughtowonderwhathethinksofit.Myapartmentisn’tparticularlylarge.There’sonlymehere,andIdon’tcaretokeepupwithcleaningabunchofroomsIdon’tspendtimein.
I’mabitofasnobwhenitcomestomybedroom,though.MymattressistopofthelineandmysheetshavethekindofthreadcountthatusedtomakeEristeasemewithawickedlookinhereyes
No.
I’mnotthinkingaboutErisrightnow.
Iignoretheacheinmychestandstartforthewindowtoclosethecurtains.Theseus’shandclosesovermyshoulder.“Wait.”Hisfreehandskatesdownmyspine,stoppingatthesmallofmyback.“Iwanttofuckyou,Adonis.”
“Iwantit,too.”
“Doyouneedtoprep?”
IflushwhenIrealizewhathe’sasking.PartofmewantstopretendIdon’tunderstand,todenythatIevenconsidereditapossibilitywemightgettothisplacetonight.Iswallowmyprideandrasp,“We’regood.”
Theseusgivesalowlaughthatmakesmyskintighten.Hestepscloser,pressingagainstmyback,hiscockahardlengthagainstmyass.“Youreallyareagoodboy,aren’tyou?”Hekissesthebackofmyneck.“Gotyourselfallreadyforme.”
Thecontrastbetweenhismouthsoftonmyskinandhisfingersdiggingintomyshouldermakesmemoan.“Yes.”
Hecoastshishandfromthesmallofmybacktomyhipandjerksmecloser.“Tellmewhatyoulike.”
Idon’texactlymeantoleanbackagainsthim,butit’slikehe’sgotagravitationalpullofhisownandI’mhelplesstoresistit.Hedragshishandfrommyshoulderanddownaroundtomystomach,splayinghisfingersoutandholdingmeinplaceashekeepskissingmyneck.I’mhardlyinmyearlytwenties,recoveringinthespaceofseconds,butmycocktwitchesallthesame.
“Adonis,”hemurmursagainstmyskin.“Tellme.”
ThetruthisthatI’mnotentirelycertainI’ddislikeanythinghedoestome.Idon’tknowhowIgottothisplace,butitfeelssogoodtoletmybrainclickoffandmybodytakeover.Tosubmit,justalittle,andletsomeoneelseshouldertheworriesthathaveplaguedmeforweeks.
Evenifthey’restillthere,lingeringattheedgesofmymind,alongwithmybrokenheartandfartoomuchanger.
Iwillnotthinkabouther.Notnow.Notinthemidstofthis.
Henipsthespotwheremyshouldermeetsmyneckandthewordsspillout.“Iwantitslow.”
Theseus’shandonmystomachshakes,justalittle.“Youreallyarethelittleromantic,aren’tyou?”Ican’thelptensing,waitingforderisionormocking,buthejustsoundsasfaintlywonderingashelookedearlier.Hesetshisteethagainstmyskin.Notquiteabite,butitmakesmejumpallthesame.“YouwantmetofuckyoulikeIloveyou.”
“Ididn’tsay—”
Hespinsmearoundandthenhismouthisonmine.Gods,butIcouldgetaddictedtothewaythismankissesme.Thistimeit’ssoftandslowand,yes,likehelovesme.Iknowit’salie,butIcan’tstopmyselffromsinkingintoit.Theseuswillneverbemine,notinreality,butI’msodamntiredofreelingafterEris’smovesthatI’lltaketheillusionofit.
Evenifit’sonlyfortonight.
Theseusbacksmetowardthebed,keepingustightlypressedtogether.It’salittleawkward,butthatonlyheightensthewayhetakesmymouthlikeheownsme.Mylegsbumpthemattressandhepressesmedown.“Lube?”
“Nightstand.”
Theweightofhimisgoneinaninstant.HemovestowhereIindicateandpullsoutthebottleoflubeandahandfulofcondoms.WhenIraisemybrows,heshakeshisheadslowly.“Thismightnotbetrueanyothertime,buttonightyou’resafewithme.”
Alie.
He’sjustplayingintothefuckmelikeyoulovemething.That’sall.Butthatdoesn’tstopmychestfromgoingsoftinatrulyworrisomeway.“Okay.”
Hepushesmebackontothebed,flipsmeontomystomach,andsettlesontopofme.Theweightofhimdoesfunnythingstomyhead.Theseus,ingeneral,doesfunnythingstomyhead.Iknowhe’snotforme,couldneverbeforme,buthe’ssorefreshinginawayIneverexpected.Bluntandharshand,strangelyenough,awkwardandkind.
“You’rethinkingtoohard.”Hepressesanopen-mouthkisstothebackofmyneck.Thescrapeofhisbeardagainstmyskinmakesmeshiver.“Secondthoughts?”
“No,nothinglikethat.”Ireachbacktowherehehasonehandbracedonthebedbesidemeandlacemyfingersthroughhis.“Don’tstop.”
“Okay.”Hetrailskissesdownmyspine.Iknowthisisn’treal—oratleastisn’tanythingrealerthanlust—butTheseus’stouchfeelsdownrightworshipful.
ThisiswhatIaskedfor.
Iknow.Iknow.Butthatdoesn’tchangethefactthatitfeelsreal.
“Youreallyareperfection,aren’tyou?”Heblowslightlyontheskindampfromhismouth.It’ssuchalighttouch,adirectcounterpointtohisweightpinningmylowerbodytothemattress,thatIhavetobitebackamoan.Theseusskimshisfingersovermyside.“Gorgeousandstrongandloyal.Enoughambitionnottobeboring,butnotsomuchthatyou’retramplingoverthepeoplearoundyou.”
Eachwordfeelslikehe’sreachingintothedirectheartofme.“Theseus—”
“Toomuch?”There’sasmileinhisvoice,andIsuddenlywanttoseeitonhisface.
Itwistandhemovesbackenoughtoallowmetoturnover.Andthereitis,afaintcurveofhislips.Thissmileisdifferentthananyhe’sgivenmetodate,though.Itwarmshisdarkeyes,twinklingintheirdepths.Iliftashakinghandandcuphisjaw.
Thisisn’treal.Itisn’t—
Hekissesme,sweepingawaywhat’sleftofmyresistance.Iclingtohimasheretreatsalittle,buthe’sonlygrabbingacondom.Hesitsbackonhisheelsandlooksdownatmeasifhewantstomemorizethismoment,imprintitrightdowntohisbones.
Thisman,thismonster,thisenemy…
He’sallbusinessasherollsonacondomandpicksupthelube.Hepopsthecapandpauses.There’saquestioninhisgaze,buthedoesn’tvoiceit.Hedoesn’thaveto.Thepauseisinquiryenough.Icoverhishandholdingthelubeandguidehimtosqueezeabitontohisfreehand.Hisresultingsmileismoreofagrin—andacrookedoneatthat.
Ohgods,he’scharmingwhenhe’snotsnarlingandglaring.
“Agift,”hemurmurs.
“Formeorforyou?”
“Haven’tdecidedyet.”Hecoatshiscockwithlubeandthenspreadsabitmoredownmyass.
Theseuscallsmeperfect,butthesightofhimleavesmebreathless.Ifeellikesomuchofmystrengthisintheory,markedoutinclearboundariestokeepmesafe.Iworkhard…inthegym.I’mambitious…butonlytoapointthatdoesn’tputmeorthepeopleIloveindanger.Igrewupinalovinghomewithtwoparentswhowouldcutofftheirownhandsbeforetheyraisedthemtome.WhatdisciplineIreceivedwastemperedwithlove.
NotlikeEris,whomightbephysicallyunmarked,butwearsherscarsonhersoul.
NotlikeTheseus,thethingshe’ssurvivedwrittenacrosshisbrownskin.AndthoseareonlythethingsIcanseeonhisphysicalbody.Therearemorebeneaththesurface;Ionlyhadtohaveasingleconversationwithhimtoknowthat.
Allthatstrengthtokeepmoving,tokeepsurviving…
Heleansforwardandpresseshiscocktomyass.Slow.Sodevastatinglyslow.Thistime,hedoesn’taskmeifI’mgood.Hedoesn’tneedto.I’mmoaningandwrithingforhim,tryingtotakehimdeeperevenashecontrolsthepace.
Itseemstotakeforeverforhimtosheathhimselftothehilt.Theseuscaressesmythighs,agentlestrokethatmakesmewhimper.Hegrinsinresponse.“Ilikeitwhenyoumakethatsound.IlikethatI’mtheonetodoit.”
Notreal.
Thewordsfeelasinsubstantialasmist.Icanbarelykeepmyeyesopen,butIrefusetomissamomentofthis.Itwon’tlast.Itcan’tlast.Butwehaverightnow,andrightnowismoreperfectthanIcouldhavedreamed.“More,”Iwhisper.
Hedoesn’tanswerwithwords.Hesimplystartsmovinginsideme,onesmoothwithdrawalfollowedbyanequallysmoothstroke.It’ssogoodandyetnotenough.Ireachupandgrabhissides.It’sonthetipofmytonguetobeghimtokissme,tonotstop,butIdon’tmanagetogetthewordsoutbeforeheanticipatesmyneeds.
Theseushooksanarmundermyhips,liftingmetohimevenashedescendstome.Ourchestsareslickwithsweatandthedeliciousfrictionisalmostunbearablygood.Iwrapmylegsaroundhiswaistandkisshim.
Timeceasestoholdmeaning.There’sonlythethrustofhisbodyintomine,theslideofourbodiestogether,histasteonmytongueasourbreathmingleswitheachbrokenkiss.
Whenwefinallycollapsetothebed,spentandexhausted,thelinebetweenrealityandaprettyliehasblurreduntilit’sunrecognizable.Especiallywiththewayhestrokesahanddownmysideandpressesakisstomytemple.
Itmightnotbereal…
Butitfeelsawholelotlikelove.18APHRODITE
Idon’tendupreading.Instead,IholdmybookopenandwatchPandoracirclemylivingroom.She’sascuriousasacat,touchingthelittletrinketsIhavearrangedonthefloatingshelvesbythedoor,siftingthroughthebooksonmybookshelf,eventestingouteachofthecouchesandchairs.Shedoesitallwithoutasmidgeofself-consciousness
Ishouldbeseducingherrightnow.Sheknowsmorethanshe’ssayingjustbyvirtueofbeingHephaestus’sbestfriendandlivinginMinos’shousehold.IfI’velearnedanythingthroughtheyears,it’sthateventhemoststeadfastassholewillforgetthemselveswhenthey’redopedupongoodsex.It’satacticI’veusedmorethanafewtimes,withgreatsuccess.
ItwouldworkonPandora.
OurlittleinterludeinHades’scluballbutprovedit.Ispentfartoomuchoftodaythinkingabouthowsweetlyherlipshadpartedandhowlovelythelust-glazedlookwasinherdarkeyes.“Iwanttokeepyou.”
Pandorastopsinthemiddleofflippingthroughabookfilledwithmonster-fuckingart.“Excuseme?”
Ihadn’tmeanttosayitaloud,butnowthatIhave,I’mnotabouttobacktrack.“Youfeelthisconnection,too.Irealizewe’resomewhatonoppositesidesofthings,butI’veneverletalittlethinglikeapersonbeinganenemystopmefromtakingwhatIwant.Iwantyou.”
Sheslowlyturnsanotherpage.“EvenifIadmittedtofeelingaconnectionwithyou…Eris,I’mnotforkeeping.I’llneverbethetypeofpersonwhofeelscomfortablewithmonogamy.”
Ilaugh.Ican’thelpit.“No,Idon’timagineyouwouldbe.”Ileanforward,drawinghergazefromthebooktomyface.“You’retooinvestedinnewexperiencestolimityourselftooneperson.”
Sheeyesmeasiftestingforatrap.“Evenifyouwerefinewiththat,there’sstillTheseusbetweenus.Ilikeyouquiteabit,Eris,buthe’smybestfriend.Ifyoutwocan’tcometosomekindofpeace,thentherecanbenoyouandme.”
Ileanbackandshutmybook.I’mnotnormallyonetoletmyemotionsgetthebestofme,butIwantmoretimewithPandora.Notjusttogetwhateverinformationoutofher.Notjusttousehertohurtmyhusband.
Ifeelpartsofmeunwindinherpresence.She’sgonethroughsomuchandstillmanagestokeepalightaboutherthatfeelsdownrightmagical.
ItcouldbethatI’mplayingrightintoherhands—intoMinos’shands—byindulgingthisattraction,but…“Whataboutacompromise?”
“Whatcompromise?”
Thisisafool’sbargain.Idon’tcare.Ileanforwardandpropmyelbowsonmythighs.“Whenit’sjustyouandme…it’sjustyouandme.Nopolitics.Nominingforinformation.Nopublicpowerplays.Justus.”
Pandoralaughs.Thesoundfillstheroomlikeafternoonsunlight.“Comenow,Eris.Imaynotknowyouwell,butevenso,I’dputgoodmoneyonyoustickingtothatagreementforonlyaslongasitsuitsyou.”
She’sright.Ishrug.“We’llhaveplentyoffuninthemeantime.”
“You’reunrelenting.”Shepursesherlipsandflipsanotherpage.“It’snotagoodidea.”
No,it’scertainlynot.Ipushtomyfeetandcrosstoslidethebookoutofherhands.“Nothingaboutthishasbeenagoodidea.Thathasn’tstoppedeitherofusyet.”
“Ifyou’retryingtogetintomypants,thereareeasierways.”
ItwouldbesimplerifthatwasallIwantedfromPandora.Idowantthat,butI’vealsoenjoyedthetimewe’vespenttogetherinthelasttwoweeks.Ilikethatshelaughstooloudanddoesn’tcarewhoelseisintheroom.Ilovethewaysheseemsperpetuallywillingtoseetheglassashalf-full,nomatterthecircumstances.She’ssoftandshe’ssweetandyetshe’snotweak.Ican’tsteamrollher.Ilikethat,too.
PartofmewhispersthattheonlyreasonI’mpushingsohardforthisisbecauseI’velostAdonis,butit’snotquitethetruth.ThatrelationshipwasworldsdifferentthanwhatPandoraandImighthave.Evenifshe’stechnicallypartofMinos’shousehold,shestandsoutsidethepowerstructure.She’snotOlympian.She’senemybyassociation,butnotactivelyworkingtohurtthecityIlove.
WithAdonis,thingswereneversimple.Evenwhenwewerealone,partofmewasalwaysawareofwhatourrelationshiplookedlikefromtheoutside.Whatitmeant.HemightnothaveambitionstobeoneoftheThirteen,buthisproximitytome,especiallyafterIbecameAphrodite,madehimapowerplayer.
Andpowerplayersarenottobeoverlookedorunderestimatedwhenitcomestothedamagetheycancause,evenunwittingly.
Eveninourrelationshipitself,heandIwerealwayssointense,hotandcoldandneveranythinginbetween.BeforemeetingPandora,IwouldhavesaidthatsomethingwarmandeasyandsimplewouldbetheantithesisofwhatIwanted.
Iwaswrong.
Forthefirsttimeinweeks,I’mnotthinkingaboutmynextmoveorhowtomanipulatethosearoundmeintocleavingtomyendgoals.I’mjust…relaxed.Becauseofher.“Howaboutthis?”Ituckalongstrandofherdarkhairbehindherear.Anexcusetotouchher,andittakesfarmoreeffortthanIwouldliketoadmittowithdrawmyhandinsteadofcuppingherjawandtiltingherfaceup.“Wewon’thavesex.”
“What?”
Inod,eventhoughIhavemydoubtsaboutthisplan.“Weknowwefitthere,evenifwehaven’tindulgednearlyasmuchasI’dlike.Givemeachancetoprovewefitelsewhere.Nomonogamy.Opencommunication.”Thisisprobablyamistake.Itmightfeelsimplewhenwe’realone,butI’mAphrodite.WhoItaketobedisanythingbutuncomplicated.ItwillgivePandorapower…ifshechoosestotakeit.
Shenarrowshereyes.“You’reserious.”
“Yes.”IhopetothegodsI’mnotmakingamistake,butit’stoolatetobackoutnow.I’velostAdonis.I’mplayingoutanintensegameofpoliticalchesswithmyhusband,whichisn’thelpedbythefactthatlastnight’ssexconfusedthesituationmorethanIwanttoadmit.AdoniswasrighttofreakoutaboutmysleepingwithHephaestus.Idon’tknowhowtodealwiththefactIdid,soI’mjustignoringthatithappenedinthefirstplace.
PandoraisstillstaringatmelikeI’vegrownasecondhead.Myskinheatsinsomethinglikeembarrassment,soIgrabherhandandpullhertowardthecouch.“Let’sstartnow.We’llwatchamovie.”
“Amovie.”
“Yes,that’swhatnormalpeopledoondates.”I’mprettysure.Itendtopreferridiculouslyexpensivedinnersanddancing,interspersedwithsowingchaosinthepoliticalpartiestheThirteenhostonasemi-regularbasis.It’salwaysmorefuntodoitwithapartnerintow,evenifthey’reonlytheretoobserve.Thesharedexperienceisfuntodeconstructlaterthatnightafterwe’vefuckedalltherestlessenergyoutofourselves.
ButsexiscurrentlyoffthetablewithPandora.
Amovieseemslikeasafeenoughbet.I’msureIcanmanagetokeepmyhandstomyselfandprovethatI’mseriousaboutthiswithher.Probably.
“Okay,fine.Let’swatchamovie.”Shepointsatme.“ButonlybecauseIreallydon’twanttogobacktoMinos’splace.”
“Youreallyaren’tafanofhis,areyou?”
“Thatisseverelyunderstatingthings.”
Ialmostoffertosetherupinherownplace,butthat’stoomuch,toosoon.She’snotevensureifshewantstowatchamoviewithme,andI’mstandingherewonderingifshe’llletmepayforherrent.Igivemyselfamentalshake.“Let’sseewhat’sstreaming.”
Intheend,IletPandorapick,thoughIhavecausetoregretitwhenshelandsonahorrormovieaboutahauntedhouse.Idon’tmindgoreandI’vesatthroughmorethrillerswithPerseusthanIcaretoadmit,butthere’ssomethingaboutghoststhatgetsbeneathmyskin
MaybebecauseIhavemyownhauntingme.Someliving,likemylittlebrother.Somedeadandgone,likemymother.Idon’tthinkofhermostdays,butwhentheoldgriefrises,dullandthrobbinglikeapoorlyhealedwound,italwayscatchesmeunaware.
Andmyfather?Hehauntsmeinanentirelydifferentway.ThelongerIholdtheAphroditetitle,themoreIseewhyhedidsomeofthethingshedid.Whenyouhavesomuchpoweratyourdisposal,it’ssoeasytotramplethosearoundyou.Myaimsmightbeslightlymorenoblethanhis—protectionofthiscity,ratherthanpersonalgain—butthatdoesn’tchangetheoutcome.
I’vehurtpeople,justlikehehurtpeople.Withouthesitation.Withoutregret.I’ddoitagainifthesituationrequiredit.
Growingup,IneverthoughtI’dbeindangerofbecomingthemonsterwhoterrorizedmychildhood,andyetit’safuturethatfeelsinescapablenow.
“Eris?”
IglancedowntofindPandorawatchingmewithaworriedexpressiononherface.“Areyouokay?”
“I’mfine.”It’seventhetruth.Iamfine.MyhearthurtsoverlosingAdonis,butnotenoughtochangemypath.I’dprobablyshedatearifIhadcausetotramplePandora,butI’ddoitwithoutblinkingifOlympusrequiredit.
Gods,Ireallyamamonster.
“Doyouhaveablanketaroundhere?It’salittlecold.”
I’mpatheticallygratefultogetupandpulloutoneofthethrowblanketsIkeepinthechestunderthetelevision.Ipausetoflipofftheoverheadlightandthenwalkbacktothecouch.
Pandoratakestheblanketfrommeandshakesitout.“Thiswillwork.”Ibarelyhaveachancetositdownbeforeshe’scuddlingupagainstmeandtossingtheblanketoverusboth.Sheexhalesgustily.“Perfect.”
Thecomfortingweightofherstillstheworstofmycirclingthoughts.There’snopointinworryingaboutwhatcrueltiesI’llberequiredtoenactinthefuture.It’snotrightnow.
Rightnow,Ihaveabeautifulwomanhalf-drapedoverme.Irelaxbyinches.Pandorasmellslovely,andshesnugglesmorefirmlyagainstmewhenIdragmyfingerslightlythroughherhair.
I’vejustdecidedthatmaybeIshouldseducePandoraproperlywhenshegivesalightsnore.Ishiftbackenoughtoseeherface.Sureenough,she’ssleeping.I’mnotpreparedfortheprotectiveurgethatsurgesupinsidemewithenoughstrengthtostealmybreath.Shetrustsmeenoughtosleeponme.Notbecauseshe’sdrunk,butbecauseI’mhereandshefeelssafe.
Isettlebackagainstthecouchandtuckhermoretightlyagainstme.“I’llkeepyousafe,Pandora.Ipromise.”IhopetothegodsI’mnotgoingtomakealiaroutofmyself.
Themovieendswitheveryonedyinginincreasinglyhorrificways,andIswitchonasweepingperiodpiecethatIliketowatchwhenmymindneedsabreak.Occasionally,it’sevenenoughtocoaxmetosleep,butafterafulleighthourslastnight,mytirednessdoesn’tevolveintoanythingotherthangrittyeyesandacrankytemperament.
MorningcomesfartoosoonandPandorashiftsagainstmeandliftsherhead.Sheblinksthosebig,darkeyesatme.“Ifellasleep.”
“Youseemedtoneedtherest.”Ieasetomyfeet.Myarmisasleepandmyhipsfeelalittlewonky,butit’sworthit.“You’remorethanwelcometostay,butIneedtogointoworktoday.”
Sheyawns,ascuteasakitten.“Iwon’toverstaymywelcome.IshouldcheckonAriadneandmakesureshe’sleftherroomsometimeinthelasttwenty-fourhours.Sometimesshegetshyperfocusedonaprojectandforgetslittlethingslikefoodandshowering.”
It’sonthetipofmytonguetoaskwhatkindofprojects,butIjustgotdonepromisingtokeeppryingquestionsawayfromthisrelationship.“Youlikeher.”
“She’sagoodgirl.”Pandorastandsandstretches.“Shelteredandabitspoiled,butithasn’tsouredher.MinosmostlyignoresherandIthinksheprefersitthatway.”
Ican’tunderstandthat,butthen,I’maverydifferentpersonthanAriadne.ImakeamentalnotetotouchbasewithEurydiceandseeifshe’smadeanyprogresspryingAriadneoutofthatshell.“I’lltextyoulater.”
Pandorabitesherlipandshiftsalittle.“Okay.”Shehesitatesandthenrushesforwardtopressaquickkisstomymouth.BeforeIcanchangemymindagain,she’sgone,slippingoutofmylivingroom.Afewsecondslater,Ihearmyfrontdoorshut.
Normally,afterasleeplessnight,nomatterhowusedtothemIam,ittakesatrulyoutstandingamountofcoffeetoputalittlepepinmystep.Notthismorning.IfeelstrangelybuoyantasIgetreadytogointotheoffice.ThenatureofmytitlemeansIdon’thavegiantholdingslikeDemeterorsoldierslikeAresorateamofengineerslikeHephaestus.Ipreferitthatway.
Iwonderwhatmydearhusbandwasuptolastnight?
Ipushthethoughtaway.Hemanagedwellenoughonhisown,andIwouldn’ttradethatquiettimewithPandoraforanything.I’llworryabouthimlater.Rightnow,I’mgoingtoenjoymygoodmoodandthegoodweather.
Themorningisnice,theaircrispwithjustateaseofwinter’schill.Fartoonicetotakethecar.Besides,afterwhathappenedtoAthena,it’sespeciallyimportantthattheThirteendon’thide.Wehavefoughtourbattlesinthecourtofpublicperception,butthestakeshaveneverbeenhigher.TheaverageOlympianwon’tstooptomurder,nomatterhowdelightfultheyfindthefantasyofbeingoneoftheThirteen,butitwouldtakeverylittleforthetideofpublicopiniontoturnagainstusandforthepeopletostartrootingforourassassins.
We’refacingdownarabidcreature;oneflinchanditwilltearoutallourthroats.
Therearen’tmanypeopleoutandabout,justascatteringofprofessionalsmakingthetrektowork.Severalofthemeyeme,butI’musedtothat.I’vegrownupunderthewatchfuleyeoftheentirecity.Paparazziweresnappingphotosofmeonthegradeschoolplayground.TherewasaparticularlydisgustingsetofpeoplewhodidcountdownstowhenHelenandIturnedeighteen.Asanadult,there’salwayssomeonestaringor,ifthey’rebrave,askingforapictureoranautograph.There’sevenaparticularlyrobustfanficcommunitydevotedtoshippingmewithanyoneIlooksidewaysat.
It’sjusthowmylifeis.
Imakeittomyofficewithouthavingtodirectlydealwithanyone.It’sasmallbuildingcomparedtotheonesthattoweraroundit,butIliketothinkthat’sbecausewehavenothingtoprove.PeoplewhocomethroughmydoorsneedaserviceonlyIcanprovide.
ItooktheAphroditetitlebecauseIwantedthepower,evenifthelastbitchwhohelditonlygaveittometosowdiscord.Ineverexpectedtoenjoythework.
SelelooksupasIslipthroughthedoor.They’reapetitepersonwithmedium-brownskin,trulyoutstandingcheekbones,andblackhairtheykeepinafunkyshortstyle.Todaythey’rewearingalong-sleevedblackgarmentthatIdon’tclockasajumpsuituntiltheymovearoundfrombehindthedesk.“Morning.”
“Morning.”
Theyeyeme.“Youlook…oddlyhappy.”
“Thankyou,Sele,I’lltakethatbackhandedcompliment.”Ishakemyhead.“EspeciallywhenyouusuallytellmethatIlooktired.”
“Becauseyouusuallydolooktired.Really,there’sareasonIgaveyouthosesleepy-timeteas.”Theyarchaneyebrow.“Also,there’ssomeoneheretoseeyou.”
Thatgivesmepause.“Already?Wejustopenedthedoorsafewminutesago.”
“Hewaswaitingoutside.Kindofsad,really.Youshouldcutthepoorguyabreak.”Theymovebackbehindthefrontdeskandtapabuttonoftheirkeyboard.“Also,thereareabunchofrequestsformatchesthatcameinovernight.Ijustsentthemtoyou.”
“Thanks.”IsensemovementbehindmeandturntofindtheverylastpersonthatIwanttoseeonthismorning.Mypromiseofaverygooddaygoesdownthedrainbeforemyeyes.
Myhusbandishere.19HEPHAESTUS
Mywifelooksgood.Fartoogood.She’spulledherlongdarkhairbackfromherfaceinasleekponytail,andshe’swearingareddressthat’sslightlytoosexyfortheoffice.Everythingaboutherisatemptation,andevenknowinghowpoisonoushertouchis,partofmewantstodoitanyway.
Iglanceatthereceptionist.They’vebeenniceenough,allowingmeintothelobbytowaitforher,butIcanfeeltheircuriosity.MoreproofofAdonis’splanworking,nomatterwhatMinosthinks.IhadfullyintendedtotellAdonistofuckoffwiththeplanlastnight,butnowI’mnotsosurethat’stherightcall.Peoplearestartingtolookatmewithinterestandsympathy,ratherthansuspicionandrage.Ihatethesympathy,butitservesmypurpose.
Fornow.
“You’vebeenavoidingme.”I’mplayingforanaudienceofone,butwithhowcloselythereceptionistiswatching,thisisgoingtoberecountedsomewherelater.I’mfuckingbettingonit.
Aphroditerollshereyes.“Ijustsawyoualittleovertwenty-fourhoursago.Ineverexpectedyoutobeclingy.”
“Againwiththesmartresponse.”
Sheflicksherponytailoffhershoulder.“Ofcourse.I’mbothsmartandquick.Really,youshouldbeusedtoitbynow.”
Idon’tknowwhatitsaysaboutmethatherstingingwordsarestartingtobelessinfuriatingandmoreintriguingastimegoeson.Istepcloser.Mybodyissoreasfuckafterlastnight.NomatterhowcarefulAdoniswaswithme,itwasstillmorestressonmykneethanit’shadinawhile,andI’mpayingthepricethismorning.
Now’sthetimetothrowwhathappenedlastnightintomywife’sface.Ifuckedherex,theoneshestillwatcheswithherheartinhereyeswhenshethinksnooneislooking.Pandoramightbemybestfriend,butAphroditewasromanticallyinlovewithAdonis.Stillis,ifIdon’tmissmyguess.
Butitfeels…weirdlywrong.Ididn’tsleepwithAdonislastnightwiththeintentiontohurtmywife.Ididn’teventhinkofheronceIstartedkissinghim.I’mstillnotsurewhyIwenttohiminthefirstplace.Itdoesn’tmakeanysense.
“Havedinnerwithmetonight.”IsayitbeforemybrainhasfullyprocessedthatIwasgoingtospeak.
Sheblinks.“Excuseme?”
“Dinner.It’samealpeopleeatintheevening.Haveitwithmetonight.”
“Iknowwhatdinneris.”Sheshootsalookatherreceptionist,stepscloser,andlowershervoice.“Whatgameareyouplayingat?”
Idon’tknow.IwishIcouldsaythiswasallpartofsomegrandplanMinosandIdevised,butthetruthisthatI’mactingonimpulse.Ihadn’teventhoughtabouttheinvitationforamomentbeforeitwascomingoutofmymouth,butnowIwanthertosayyes.It’s…strange.“I’llseeyouatseven.”
“Ineveragreedtodinner,youass.”
Icatchmovementbehindherassomeonewalksthroughthedoor.They’rewearingatrenchcoatandahatpulledlowovertheirface.Toowarmforthisweather.Theysliptheirhandintotheircoat
Gun.
Imoveoninstinct.OnestepbringsmetoAphrodite,andIfullyintendtospinusaroundandputmebetweenherandthisperson,butmykneebuckles.“Fuck!”Igodown,takingherwithme.Wehitthefloor,andIbarelymanagetomakesureshelandsonmeinsteadofunderme.Ithappenssofuckingfast.
ThepersonspraysthespacewhereAphroditejuststoodwithbullets.Toomanyfuckingbullets.Theridiculousetchedglassdividershattersintoamillionpiecesoverus.Itrytocurlaroundmywife,butthere’snotime.Thereceptionistshouts,andtheattackerturnsandflees.Ididn’tevengetalookattheirface.
MybloodroarsinmyearsandIcan’ttellifit’smeorAphroditeshaking.Thatwasclose.Tooclose.It’snotoveryet,though.Ikeeponearmaroundmywifeandpointatthereceptionist.“CallAres’speople.Now!”I’mnotgoingtobeabletochasesomefuckinggunmanthroughthestreets.It’salreadytoolate,anyways—they’regone.ButAresshouldbeabletopullthefootageorsomeshitandtrackthefuckerdown.
Thereceptionistnodsandgrabsthephonewithshakinghands.
Isitupslowly.“Areyouokay?Didtheglassgetyou?”EvenasIask,Iseethecutsonherlegs.“Fuck.”
“I’mfine.”She’snotquitesteadyasshepushesoffme.Igrabforher,butshe’stooquicktoherfeet.Aphroditestumblestothedoorandflipsthelock.
“Getawayfromthewindow.”Itense,butnomoregunfiremeetsher.
Shetriestosmirk,butallthecolorisgonefromherface.“They’restillrunning.Theywon’tbeback.”Herlowerlipquiversbutsheshakesherhead.Hard.“Itwasonlyamatteroftime.Thisistherealityweliveinnow.”
Idon’tknowifshe’stryingtoconvincemeorher,butIstruggletomyfeetallthesame.Mykneehurtslikeamotherfucker,butIdon’tletthatstopmefromlimpingtoherside.Itakehershoulders.“Comeawayfromthewindow.”
“Whatdoyoucare?Iknowyoudon’tgiveafuckaboutcommittingmurder,butsurelyyouwouldberelievedifsomeoneelsetookcareofthewifeyouneverwanted.Gods,maybeMinosstoppedplottinginthedarkandfinallydecidedtotakemoredirectaction.He’dliketoridyouofme.”
“He’snotbehindthis.Looktoyourownpeopleforthat.”
“Ofcourse.Whywouldhegethishandsdirtywheneveryoneelseisalltoowillingtospillbloodforhim?”Sheblinksrapidly,hereyestoowide.“Youcertainlydidn’thesitatetodoit.”
Heraccusationrollsrightoverme,absentofthestinghercommentsusuallycontain.Hervoiceshakes.Aphroditealwaysseemslargerthanlife,likeshe’swalkingaroundbulletproof,butrightnoweverysignsaysshe’sscaredshitless.
Again,I’mnotthinkingthingsthroughasIwrapanarmaroundhershouldersandsnarlatthereceptionist,“We’llwaitforAres’speopleinheroffice.”It’satokenofjusthowfuckedupmywifeisthatshedoesn’targueasIguideheraroundthebrokenglasstothehallwayleadingfartherintothebuilding.Shemustbegoingintoshock,thoughshemanagestostirherselfandpointtothegildeddoorthat’sobviouslyheroffice.
Isweepalookaroundtheroomasweenter,notremotelysurprisedtofindthespacejustasgildedasthedoor.It’ssubtlerinhere,though:goldaccessoriesonthemeticulouslyorganizeddesk,goldfoilonthebooksinthesmallbookshelftotherightofthedoor,afainthintofgoldinthepatternedrugbeneathourfeet.
IguideAphroditetowardoneofthefancychairs.“Sitdownbeforeyoufalldown.”
“I’mnotgoingtofalldown.”Butshedoesn’tshrugoutfrombeneathmyarm.“Ihopeyou’rehappy,”shesaysfaintly.“Thisiswhatyouwanted.”
“Youkeepsayingthat.It’snottrue.It’swhatMinoswants.”Idon’tknowwhyIsayit.She’snotwrong.WehadaplanwhenwecametoOlympus,andthisdestabilizationispartofit.IfwehadwonAres,MinosstillwouldhaveplayedouthislittlehousepartyandtakenoverasmanyoftheThirteenaspossibleviatheassassinationclause.
Hemightnotbeactivelybehindtheassassinationattemptsnow,atleastnottomyknowledge,butallthatmeansisthatwe’vemovedontothenextstageofwhateverhisplanis.
Imovebackfromher,justalittle.Thecutsonherlegsdripblood,butnoneofthemseemparticularlydeep.Still,they’llhavetobecheckedforglassbeforethey’rebandaged
WhatamIthinking?
WhythefuckdoIcareifAphroditeisbandagedproperlyorjuststraight-outmurdered?Yes,thebulletswouldhavehitme,too,butthat’snotwhatIwasthinkingwhenIwentforher.Iwasn’tconsideringthedangertomyselfatall.“Doyouhaveafirstaidkit?”
Sheliftsashakinghandandstaresatit.“Whatmustyouthinkofme?ShelteredOlympianprincess,right?Neverseenviolenceonceinherlife.”Aphroditelaughsbitterly.“Ifonlythatwerethetruth.”Shewavesahandatherdesk.“Bottomdrawer.”
Now’sthetimetoleave.Hersisterwillarrivewithherpeople,andthelastthingIwantistofacedownAresagain.
ExceptIdon’tleave.
Iroundthedeskandpullopenthebottomdrawer.Isnortatthesightoftheperfectlynormalfirstaidkit.“Ihalfexpectedittobegold.”
“Themesareimportant.”Shewatchesmecomebackwithdulleyes.“Mybrothermightprefersimplerthings,butmyfatherlikedhisgold.I’mZeus’sdaughter,andthere’snopointinhavingsurvivedwhatIdidwithoutremindingeveryoneofthatfact.Thegoldinthisofficeservesitspurpose.”
There’snowayIcancrouch,soIdragtheotherchaircloser.“You’reZeus’ssisternow.Whynotgiveupthegoldshitifitremindsyouofyourfather?”MinoshasafileseveralinchesthickonthelastZeus.Hewascorruptandviolent,coveredinathick,honeyedcharmthatthisfuckingcityateup.
I’mnearlycertainMinoscraftedhisapproachtothepressbyusingZeusasanexample.
“I’mmyfather’sdaughter.”Shesaysitlikesshe’spronouncingacurse.
Ileandownandgrabherankle,carefullyliftingherlegtodrapeovermythighs.“Ineedtoseeifthere’sglassinthewounds.”
“Hephaestus.”Shepauses.“Theseus.”
Hearinghersaymyrealnameinsuchaserioustonegivesmepause.“Yes?”
“Why?”
Shedoesn’thavetoelaborate.It’sthesamequestionI’vebeenaskingmyselfsincetheadrenalinestartedtowane.“Idon’tknow.”Icarefullycleanthescatteringofwoundsandthenprodthemgently.“Anysharppain?”
“No.”
Good.“You’llneedtogetthesecheckedbysomeonewhoactuallyknowswhatthey’redoing,butatleastIcanbandageit.”
IcanfeelherwatchingmeasItakecareofthefirsttwocuts.Evenwithoutlooking,Icansensehershockfading.Sureenough,shesoundssharperwhenshefinallyspeaks.“Youseemtoknowwhatyou’redoing.Thenagain,I’veseenyounaked.Yourscarsspeakforthemselves.”
Iglanceup,fullyexpectingtoseesomekindofvindictiveexpression,butthere’sonlyasoftunderstanding.Ishrug,tryingtokeepthetensionfromclingingtomyshoulders.“I’veseensomeshit.It’snothingtowritehomeabout.”
“Youwouldsaythat.”Shegivesabrokenlaugh.“Ihavemyscars,too.Myfathervaluedperfectiontoomuchtoeverleaveapermanentmark,butsometimesI’msureIcanseetheghostsofbruisesfromhisfingertips.”Anotherlaugh,quieterthistime.Italmostsoundslikeasob.“Iguessafterthis,I’llfinallyhavesomephysicalones.Can’thidetheviolenceanymore.”
I’mnotpreparedforthesheerragethathitsme.ThiswomanisasmuchamonsterasIam.Different,yes,butnolessdangerous.Shewasmeanttobeanopponentmetonequalground.Andyet…
“Yeah,well,thatfuckerisdeadandyou’restillherebeingapaininmyass.”Isay.
Thethoughtofwhatherfathermusthavedonetoputthattoneinhervoicemakesmewanttobreaksomething.TheknowledgethatI’matleastpartiallyresponsibleforthestateofOlympus…forthefactthatitspeoplearenowturningagainsttheThirteen,againsther…
Idon’tknowhowtofeelaboutthat.Idon’tknowhowtofeelaboutanyofthisshit.Ican’tfightafuckingghost,andI’malreadydoingashittyjoboffightingmyselfwhenitcomestoeverythingaboutthelastfewdays.
“Yeah,IguessIam,aren’tI?”Herlaughisalittleragged,butwarmenoughthatIfindmyselfsmilinginresponse.Ikeepmyheaddown.There’snopointinlettingherknowI’mworriedabouther.Shemightgetthewrongidea.
Instead,Ifinishcleaningherlegandshifttothenext.Irepeattheprocess,againfindingnoglassinthewounds.Wefallintoanalmostcompanionablesilence,atleastuntilIguideherfoottothegroundandsitbackwithaslowexhale.“There.”
“Ifyou’repetitioningforablowjob,Imightactuallybeconvinced.”
Justlikethat,I’mbacktothemomentlastnightwhenAdoniswouldn’tletmegotomyknees.Idon’twantAphroditeonherkneeseither,notwhenshe’scoveredinbandages.I’mnotpreparedtoexaminewhatthatresistancemeans.Ijustshakemyhead.“That’snotwhyIdidit.”
“Whichbringsmebacktomyoriginalquestion.Whydidyoudoit?”
Idon’thaveanansweranymorenowthanIdidearlier.Ihavelivedaverysimplelife.Evenintheorphanage,fightingforfoodandtokeepPandorasafe,thingsweresimple.Ididn’thavetobesmartorcunning;Ijusthadtobebrutalenoughnottobefuckedwith.ThattrendcontinuedinMinos’shousehold.Hedoesn’tprizemeformysmarts.Hepointsatatarget,andIdestroyit.
Thingsaren’tsimplelikethatanymore.Everyaction,everyword,haslayersonlayers.Mylifeisafuckingonion,andI’vealwaysbeenshitatreadingbetweenthelines.
Idon’tknowwhatI’mfeeling,butIdon’tneedtoknow.I’mamanofaction,afterall.
ThereassurancefeelslikeafuckingexcusetodowhatIwant,butIignorethatandpushslowlytomyfeet.“I’llseeyouatseven.”
Aphroditestilllooksdazedandalittlelost.“IneversaidI’dhavedinnerwithyou.”
“Yourplaceormine?”
Sheblinksandfinallyshakesherhead.“Mine.Godsaloneknowwhatyouhavestockedinyourfridge.It’sprobablybeerandketchup.”
“I’mamanoftaste.There’smustard,too.”
Herlipsquirk.“Luckyme.No,cometomyplace.I’llorderin.”Shenarrowshereyes,hersmilefadingfartooquickly.“Thenyoucantellmewhyyousavedmylife.”
Maybebytonight,I’llactuallyhaveananswerforher.20APHRODITE
Mysistershowsupwithinthirtyminutesoftheattack,amerefiveminutesaftermyhusbandfinallyleavesmealone.Sheburststhroughthedoorofmyofficeandlookswildlyaroundbeforelandingonme.“Ohthankfuck,you’reokay.”
Iblink.“Areyouokay?”Helenlooksexhausted.Therearefaintcirclesbeneathhereyesandhernormallyimpeccableclothinglookslikeshesleptinit.“What’sgoingon?”
“What’sgoingonisthatthiscityhasgonemad.”Shedragsahandthroughherlonghairandshutsthedoor.“We’vehadthreeassassinationattemptsinthelasttwelvehours,includingyours.”
“Three?”
“Yeah,somefooltriedtodropashippingcontaineronPoseidon.”Shemakesaface.“They’renolongeramongtheliving.”
“Oh.”Idon’tknowifIwanttoaskwhetherornotPoseidonwastheonetoremovethatthreat.
Helendoesn’tgivemeachancetofigureitout.Shecrossesoverandcrouchesdowntolookatmylegs.“Doyouneedtogotoahospital?”
“No.”Ibarelyresisttheurgetobrushmyfingersagainstthebandageonmythigh,thememoryofmyhusband’sgentletouchconfusinganddisorientating.Hesavedme.Istillhaven’thadtimetoprocessthat.Truthfully,Icanbarelybelieveithappened,butevenmoreshockingwasthequietmomentafterward.ThemomentwhereIfellapartandhesomehowmanagedtomakemefeelsafe.Icertainlydon’tknowwhattothinkofthat.
“Probablyforthebest.”Helensitsbackonherheels.“Ican’tguaranteethehospitalsaresaferightnow.Nowhereissafe,really.Thisissofucked.”
Herphonetrills,itsjauntylittletunetotallyatoddswiththeseriousnessofthesituation.Iraisemybrowsasadeepvoicesays,“Hey,sexy,”againstthemusic.“Charming.”
“Achilleshasafunnysenseofhumor.”Shefishesherphoneoutofherpocketandfrowns.“It’sPerseus.Holdon.”Afewbuttonclicksandsheanswerswithvideo.“Erisisokay.”
Ourbrother’sfacefillsthescreen.Anyonewhodidn’tknowhimwouldthinkhelooksmuchthesameasever,butIgrewupwithhim.Irecognizethestressdeepeningthefaintlinesbracketinghismouthandthefactthathe’sstartingtogetthesamedarkcirclesbeneathhiseyesthatHelenis.
Helooksatmealongmoment.“We’relockingdown.”
“That’samistake.”Helenshakesherheadsharply.“Ifwelooklikewe’rerunningscared,thecityisgoingtoriot.MuseWatchisalreadypracticallysalivatingovereachnewattempt.Wecan’taffordtogointohiding.”
“Idon’tgiveafuck.”Helooksatsomethingoff-cameraandhisexpressionshutters.“I’llbewithyouinamoment,Hera.”Afewsecondslater,shemustleavetheroom,becauseherelaxesalittle.Hardlymatrimonialblissoverthere.“Wecan’taffordtoloseanotheroftheThirteen,andnoneofthethreeattemptsinthelasttwenty-fourhoursactuallyfollowedtheclause’sparameters.Ifoneoftheseattemptssucceeds,we’regoingtoeitherhaveaviolentcivilianwhodoesn’tknowasinglethingabouttheirnewresponsibility,orwe’regoingtohaveavacancythatwilltaketimetofill.Neitherofthoseoutcomesisacceptable.”
“Orwe’regoingtohaveanotherofMinos’sminionsintherole.”Helenmakesaface.“Thoughhe’sbeenremarkablyquietsincethewedding.Idon’tthinkhe’sbehindanyofthese,andApolloagreeswithme.”
“I.Do.Not.Care.”Perseusbitesoutthewords.“Wearelockingdown.”
“No,Helen’sright.”I’mstillfeelingabitshaky,butI’mnotabouttoadmitasmuchtomybrother.“Perceptionmattersasmuchasanythingrightnow.Wecan’thide.”
“Thengivemeanalternative,”hesnaps.
“Ineedacouplehours,butIcansendsquadsofmypeopletobolstertheThirteen’ssecurityteams.”Helenholdsupahandwhenourbrotherstartstoargue.“Achilleshasspentthelastthreemonthsorganizingourpeopleintoafightingforcehe’sconfidentin.Iwon’tpretendthatI’dtrusteverysingleoneofthemwiththetemptationofclosecontactwithus,butthereareenoughtoformthirteensquads.”
Foramoment,IthinkPerseuswillshootdowntheidea.HelenmighthavesettledintoherroleasAres,butit’shardtodismissthesiblingrolesthathaveruledourlives.She’solderthanmebyayear,butfromthetimewewerechildren,she’sbeensofter,takingmoreafterourmotherthanourfather.
Ourmotherwasn’thardenoughtosurviveinOlympus.
Godswilling,oursisterwillbe.
Iclearmythroat.“Eitherwetrustherorwedon’t,Perseus.”
Hecurses,slowandsteady.Trustourbrothernottoeverlosehiscool,evenwhenhe’sshowingatinysliverofemotion.“Fine.Doit.”Heturnshisattentiononme.“Yourhusbandisswayingpublicopinioninhisfavor,andthetimehe’sspendingwithAdonisisonlyaddingfueltothatfire.Theylooklikethey’recommiseratingovertheirbrokenhearts,andit’sgarneringtoomuchsympathy.”
“I’maware,”Imanage.
“Thisstunttodaywillonlyfurtherthefictionhe’sspinningofbeingalovingandprotectivehusband.Areyousurehe’snotinvolvedintheshooting?”
Iblink.It’satestamenttohowrattledIstillamthatIhadn’tevenconsideredthiswasallaployonHephaestus’spart.Hedidshowupatmyofficeunexpectedly,butsurelyhe’dbebettersuitedtobeingawidowerthansavingmylifewithonlyonepersonasawitness.Seleisn’tthemostdiscreetwhenitcomestogossip,andtheywon’tkeeptheircardsclosetotheirchestthistime.
Still,there’snowayhecouldhaveknownthat.
Unlesshe’sseveralstepsaheadofme…
Despitemyself,Ican’thelpthinkingbacktohowcarefullyhetouchedme.Gentleisn’tawordI’dassociatewiththemanwhocameintohistitlethroughviolence,butthere’snodenyingthathewasgentlewithme.Orthatmycommentsaboutmyfatherbotheredhim.
He’snotthatgoodofanactor.Ifhewas,hewouldhaveprovenitbeforenow.Right?
Ishakemyheadsharply.“Ican’tguaranteeanything.”
“Hmmm.”Perseussteepleshishandsbeforehismouth.“Ares,getthesquadsinplacebythisafternoon.Noonemovesuntilthathappens.Tomorrow,weneedtomeetanddiscusswhatstepstotakemovingforward.”
Ipressmyhandstomythighsasifthat’senoughtoignorethewaythey’restillshaking,justalittle.“Who’swe?Iassumeyoudon’tmeanthewholeoftheThirteen.”
“That’sexactlywhatImean.Wecan’teffectivelyfacethisoutsidethreatuntilwe’reunified.”Hemakesafaceandsitsback.“AnimpossiblefeatwithourcurrentHephaestus,butthere’satargetonhisback,sameastherestofus.”
Helensighs.“We’renotgoingtogetanythingdone.It’dbebetterifyoucuratedthegroup.Us.Hera.Demeter.Apollo.Athena.IsupposeHadescancomeaswell.”
Idon’tentirelydisagreewithher,buteightoutofThirteenisnotgreat.“NotPoseidon?OrHermesandDionysus?”Artemisandmyhusbandcanbarelybeinthesameroomwitheachother,butsurelyshecanseethebenefitofunification?
“Poseidonhasdecidedthathe’snotconcernedwithmundanesubjectslikeOlympus’ssurvival.Heisn’ttakingmycalls.”Helooksatherdirectly.“Dionysuswasatthatparty,andIdidn’tsendhimthere,sowecan’tguaranteethathe’sonourside.He’stooclosetoHermestotrust.No,itneedstobeallofusornoneofus.Bettertokeepshitoutintheopenthanhavemeetingsbehindcloseddoors—andencouragetheoneswedon’ttrusttodothesame.”
“EvenHermesisinvited?Youstillsuspectshemightbeatraitor.”
“Atthispoint,it’slesssuspectingandmorethatIknowsheis.ShewasincontactwithMinosbeforehecamehere.She’sintentionallybeingdifficultandnotsharingwhatsheknowsabouthisbenefactorandthegreaterthreattothecity.Thatmakesheranenemy.”
Helenshakesherheadsharply.“ForgetwhoeverispayingMinos’sway.Wecan’tdealwithHermesasanenemy.”
“She’sonewoman.”
Iexchangealookwithmysister.Perseusisn’tfoolishorimpulsive,butthatstatementisboth.I’mnotentirelysurewhatHermes’sgameis,butthefactremainsthatshe’snotactivelytryingtocutdowntherestoftheThirteen,soweneedtoprioritizedealingwiththeassassinationclausefirst.“Fine.ThewholeThirteenwillmeet.We’lltalkmoretomorrow.”
“Staysafe,bothofyou.”Heendsthecall.
Helensighs.“Ilikehowhecommandsitasifthat’senoughtomakeittrue.”
“It’showhedealswithanout-of-controlsituation.”Ishrug,feigningalightheartednessIdon’tfeel.“We’llfigureitout.”
“Willwe?”Shestretchesherarmsoverherheadandsomethinginherspinepops.“Sorry,I’mbeingmorose.Itfeelslikethey’reonestepaheadofusnomatterwhatwedo.Minosandhispeoplemightnotbeactivelypullingthestringsontheseattacks,butthey’reresponsiblefortheeventsthatgotustothisplaceallthesame.”
She’sright,butIdon’tlikethewayhershoulderssaginsomethingakintodefeat.“That’snotentirelytrue.TheyneverwageredonyouasAres.”Igiveafaintsmile.“We’dbeawholelotworseoffiftheyhadcontrolofthemilitaryandmoreoftheThirteen.”I’dbetgoodmoneythattheoriginalplanwastohavetheirnewAres—eithermynow-husbandortheMinotaur—providesecurityforMinos’slittlehouseparty.Withthatinplay,theywouldhavetakentwooreventhreemoretitles.
Asbadasthingsarenow,theycouldbesomuchworse.
“Yeah,Iguessthat’strue,isn’tit?”Sheholdsoutahand.“I’mgladyou’reokay,Eris.Youscaredtheshitoutofme.Let’sgetyouhomeand—”
“No.”
“What?”
“No,I’mnotgoinghome.”Irisewithouttakingherhand.Ilovemysister,andImeanitwhenIsayshe’sagreatAres,butsometimesshestillletsheremotionsgetthebetterofher.Rightnow,she’slikeourbrotherandonlythinkingofkeepingmesafe,ratherthanoftheimplicationsofrunninghomelikeI’mscared.“I’llfinishoutthedayhereandthengohome.”
Todinnerwithmyhusband.
Idon’tknowhowtofeelaboutthat,soIputitoutofmyhead.“Ihaveappointmentstodaythatcan’tbemoved.Therearethreearrangementsonthecuspofengagement,andwecan’taffordtoletthemlapse.Ifwelosesupportofthelegacyfamiliesrightnow…”
Shecurses.“Ihateit,butyou’reright.Fine.Butyouwillkeepmysquadonyouatalltimes.”
“Notinmyhome.”
Helenpropsherhandsonherhipsandglaresatme.“Soifanassassinburststhroughthewindow—”
“I’monthefortiethfloor.Ifthey’recomingthroughthewindow,they’reprobablybetterthanyourteamandit’samootpoint.Thisisn’tgoingawayanytimesoon.Wehavetofindawayforwardthatdoesn’tstriptheThirteenofallagencyortheywon’tagreetotheextrasecurity.”NotthatsheandmybrothercouldstriptheThirteenoftheiragency,eveniftheywantedto.
Ittakesanotherfifteenminutesofarguingbeforemysisterleaves,trailingdirepromisesofwhatshe’lldoifIgethurtbecauseofmyhardheadedness.IcheckinwithSele,who’salreadyorderedacleanupcrewforthelobby,andthenwalkslowlybacktomyofficeandlockthedoor.
“Fuck,”Iwhisper.“Fuck,fuck,fuck.”
Theshakesreturnwithinterest.Itakeasteptowardthechairs,butmylegsgiveoutandIsinktothefloor.“Thisisridiculous.”Myvoicesoundshalfwaynormaleventhoughmybonesarecurrentlytryingtodetachthemselvesandrattlerightoutoftheroom.“IamErisKasiosandIdonotpanicover…over…”Apatheticlittlesoberuptsfrommylips.“Godsdamnit.”
Ipullmylegstomychestanddropmyforeheadtomyknees.Itdoesn’thelptheshakes,butatleastIfeelthetiniestbitincontrollikethis.Ican’taffordtoloseit.There’stoomuchhanginginthebalance,andevenifmypartinthefightmightnotbevitalenoughtosinkOlympusasawhole…Idon’tactuallyknowthatforcertain.Ican’ttakeitforgranted.
Ihavetostaytenstepsaheadofmyhusbandandhisfamily.
Ihaveto.
Iwill…whenIregainthestrengthtostand…injustafewminutes.21HEPHAESTUS
IspendthedaydodgingcallsfromAdonisandtextsfromPandora.IfItalktothem,IhavetotellthemwhathappenedwithAphrodite,andifIdothat,thentherewillbeseparatefallouttodealwith.
Inbetweenthosetimes,ItrytoescapetheinexplicableguiltsayingIshouldn’thaveleftheralone.Itdoesn’tmakeadamnbitofsense.She’sfine.Afewcutsandprobablysomebruises,butwegaveeachotherworsewhilefucking.Yes,shewasstillalittleunsteadyonherfeetwhenIleft,butI’msureshefigureditoutfastenough.
Probably.
ThencomesthecallIwasexpecting.TheoneIcan’tavoid.IstareatMinos’snameonmyphoneforseveralbeatsandthenacceptthecall.“Yeah?”
“Updateme.”
I’veneverbeenonetocraveasoftertouchofparentallove—howcanyouwantsomethingyoudon’tevenknowtheshapeof?—buttherearedayswhenMinostreatingmelikeasoldierwearsonme.TheycomemoreandmoreoftensincemyfailureduringtheArestournament.
Ibitebackacurseoffrustration.Instead,aquestionburstsfreethatIhadnointentionofasking.“Areyouresponsiblefortheattackonmywife?”
Hepauses.“WoulditmatterifIwas?”
Yes.No.Idon’tfuckingknow.“Answerthequestion.”
“Verywell.”MinossighsasifI’vedisappointedhim.“I’mnotbehindanyoftheattacksontheThirteen.They’reinasituationoftheirownmaking,spurredonbythepublicthatlovesthemandhatestheminequalmeasure.”
“WhatabouttheMinotaur?”
“Whatabouthim?”Histonegoeslowanddangerous.“You’veneverquestionedmyplansbefore.”
“I’mnotquestioningthemnow.”Ithink.“ButyoustoppedinformingmeofthenextstepsthemomentIbecameHephaestus.”
“Yes,Idid.Idon’tneedyouforthispartoftheplan.Whenit’stimeforyoutoact,you’llknow.”Aweightedpause.“Stopwastingtimeandenergyworryingaboutthingsthathavenothingtodowithyou.Yourpublicimagecontinuestodeteriorate.They’relaughingatyou.”
“I’mdealingwiththepublicperceptionthingasbestIcan,butitwilltaketime.”
“Weaknesswillnotbetolerated.Getithandled.”Hebarelypauses,switchingtohismainfocusinaheartbeat.“AtthenextmeetingwiththeThirteen,proposestricterregulationsovertheRiverStyxcrossings.Andtariffs.”
Iholdthephonefrommyfaceandstareatitalongmoment.“Youwantmetoproposeweinstalltariffsonhalfthecity.”
“Itonlymakessense.Thelowercityisaleechontherestoftheresources.Theyofferlittleinthewayofbenefitsandsimplytakefoodfromthemouthsofthosewhoputintheworkforit.”
BestIcantell,mostoftheuppercitydoesn’tdomuchworkfortheirfood,either.“Nooneisgoingtogoforthat.”
“You’dbesurprised.”Hesoundspleasedwithhimself.“Hadeshasn’tmademanyfriendsamongtheThirteenduringhisterm,andnowthathe’sgotanheironthewayandZeusdoesn’t…It’safaultline,myboy.TheymightallbeOlympiansinoureyes,butthecitizensdon’tseeitthatway.Wecanexploitthat.Eveniftheydon’tlikeyoumuch,therearethoseamongtheThirteenwhowouldagreewiththismovebecausetheydislikeHadesevenmorethantheyhateyou.”
It’sfuckedup.I’vebeenherelongenoughtounderstandthattheuppercityseesthosewhoresideacrosstheriverasanothercityentirely,butbestIcantell,theonlydifferenceisthatthelowercitydoesn’tpreenandprimpinpublicordancetoZeus’stune.
I’vereadthereports.Hadesisagoodleader.Hetakescareofhispeople,evenwhenhe’satadisadvantageagainsttherestofthecity.Byallaccounts,hispeoplelovehim.
Howlongwillthatloveholdoncetheystartfeelingtheburdenoftariffsandthelike?
Somethinguncomfortabletwingesinmychest,butIshoveitdown.Wedidn’tcomeheretointegratewithOlympiansociety.Wecameheretobringitdown.ImightnotknowtheoverarchingplanMinosisputtinginplace—he’snotonetosharemorethanhehasto—butwearen’tthegoodguys.
I’veneverbeenonetoconcernmyselfwithinnocents,butI’vealsoneverbeeninapositionwhereinnocentsmightbeaffectedbymyactions.Idon’t…
ItrytoputitoutofmyheadlikeIhaveeveryothertimeI’vebumpedagainstshitMinossaysordoesthatIdon’tlike.It’snotmyplacetoquestiontheplan.MinosistheonewhoputmeonthispathandhelpedmesurviveandprotectPandorainthebargain.Iowehimtoomuchtoquestionhimnow.But…Iwanttoquestionhim.Iwanttoaskhimwhatthefuckhe’sdoing.ExceptIalreadyknow;exactlywhathepromised.
DestabilizingandbringingdownOlympus
Itjustneverbotheredmebefore.Iclearmythroat.“Consideritdone.”
“Good.Keepmeupdated.”
“Iwill.”
Hehangsupwithoutsayinggoodbye.Theawfulsensationinmychestdoesn’tabateasIcheckthetime.I’mdueatAphrodite’splacebeforetoolong,andforallherdeterminationtocookorwhateverthefuckshehadinherheadthismorning,I’mshowingupwithfood.
IttakesthirtyminutestofindaplacethatsoundslikesomethingI’dactuallyeatandanothertwentytodrivetoherbuilding.MostoftheThirteenhavechauffeurs,butIdon’ttrustanyoneinthiscityenoughtomindlesslyletthemdrivemearound.
Doingthatshitisagoodwaytoendupdead.
Itaketheelevatoruptomywife’splaceandletmyselfin.Itfeelsstrangetowalkthroughtheemptyspaceandsetthetakeoutonthekitchencounter.IexpectedhertosweepinthemomentIwalkedthroughthedoor,asharpwordandawickedsmilefirmlyinplace.
She’snowheretobeseen.
Thesmallhairsatthenapeofmyneckstandonend.“Aphrodite?”Noanswer.Itakeamomenttocheckthelivingroomandthenstartdownthehall.“Eris?”
She’sfine.Thisisjustanothergame.Anotherwayshe’soutmaneuveringme.Ipokemyheadintotheguestbathroomandthesparebedroom,notfindinganything,andthenmakemywaytothemaster.
Thebedisperfectlymade,lookinglikesomethinginacatalogforrichpeople,rightdowntothedozenpillowstakingupthetopthird.Ihadn’thadachancetogetagoodlookatittheothernight.It’sluxuriousandsoperfectlyAphroditethatIshakemyhead…andpause.Isthattheshowerrunning?
Iwalkslowlyacrossthebedroom,thatsickfeelinginmychestgettingstronger.ThereisnowaymywifewouldbeintheshoweratthetimewhenIsaidI’dbehere.Notaftertoday.It’stoovulnerableaposition.Evenifshemeanttoseduceme,she’ddoitinanotherway.I’msureofit.
Feelingslightlyabsurdbutnotabletoshakeoffmycaution,Icrackthedoorandpushitslowlyopen.Theshowerisamonstrosity,ahugetiledbeastthatwouldprobablyfitfivepeoplewithoutcrowding.
Mywifesitsonthefloor,herkneesdrawntoherchestandherheaddown,herwethaircreatingdarkriversdownherbareback.Abruisehasblossomedonherhip,turningherpaleskinarainbowofpurpleandblack,fadingtogreenandyellowontheedges.
Shelooks…small.
Idon’tremembermovingawayfromthedoor.It’slikeIblinkandI’mbackinthekitchen,myheadswimmingandmychesttootight.Idon’tevenpausetothink.IdragoutmyphoneandcallPandora.
Sheanswersalmostimmediately.“What?”
“Help.”
Instantly,alljokingisgonefromhervoice.“What’swrong?What’sgoingon?”
“Aphrodite.”I’mwhisperingandthat’sfuckingridiculous,butIcan’tseemtostop.“Ibroughtherdinner.Someonetriedtoshootherthismorning,andnowshe’sinhershowerandshelookssofuckingsmall,andIthinkshemightbecrying.”
“What?”
“She—”
“No,Iheardyou.I’mjustprocessing.”Shecursessoftly.“Damnit,Theseus,areyoureallyhidinginherapartmentinsteadofcomfortingherrightnow?”
“Idon’tknowhowtocomfortsomeone.”
Hertonegoessoft.“Look,I’dcome,butIthinkthatjustmightcomplicatethesituationtonight.”Shehesitates.“YoushouldcallAdonis.”
It’satokenofhowfuckedmyheadisrightnowthatIdon’tevenquestionifthat’sagoodideaornot.“You’reright.I’llcallhim.”Nowit’smyturntopause.“Youreallylikeher,don’tyou?”
“Yeah,Ido.”Shegivesachokedlaugh.“Anddon’tyoudarehideandwaitforhimtoshowup.Callhimandthengo,like,hugherorsomething.”
ShemightpunchmeinthefaceifItry,butatleastthenshewon’tbecrying.Thethoughtofhercryingislikesomeoneshovedapieceofglassintomychest,anditgrindsagainstmyheartwitheachbeat.Idon’tfuckinggetit,notwhenaweekagoIwasreadytokillhermyself.
Idon’twanthertocry.
“Comebytomorrow.She’llprobablybehappytoseeyou,especiallyifwefuckthisup.”IhangupwithoutwaitingforPandora’sresponse.Shemightagree,orshemightarguejusttoarguebecauseI’mtheonewhomadethesuggestion.
IcallAdonisnext,barelywaitingforhimtoanswertocutin,“SomeonetriedtokillAphroditetodayandshe’skindoffuckedupandIthinkshe’sfreakingout.”I’mspeakingtoofast,butitwasonethingtopatchherupintheimmediateaftermathoftheattack.It’stotallyanothertodealwiththeemotionalfalloutnow.I’mshitatcomfort.Ipunchshitandkillthings.Idon’thugandcuddleandknowtherightwordstosaywhensomeonejustsurvivedanattemptedmurderforthefirsttime.“Sheneedsyou.Weneedyou.”
Apause.Whenhespeaks,he’stotallyincontrol.“I’llbethereintwentyminutes.”
“Thankyou.”
“Don’tthankmeyet.”Hisvoicegoeslowandcold.“BecauseafterwetakecareofEris,you’regoingtoexplaintomewhyyouknewthishappenedanddidn’tsayasinglefuckingworduntilnow.”Hehangsup,whichisjustaswell.Idon’thaveananswerforthat.Afterlastnight,remindinghimthatwe’renotactuallyonthesamesidefeelslikealie.
Ifanything,I’mmoreconflictedthanever.Itdoesn’tmakeadamnbitofsense.Ihavemypath.I’veneverstrayed.Ihavenoreasonto,notwhenMinoshasgivenmeeverythingIneed.
Except…
No.Nousethinkingaboutthatnow.Adoniswilltakelessthantwentyminutestogethere,andifAphrodite’sstillcryingintheshowerandI’mstandingouthere,wringingmyhands,itwillbeafightI’mnotsureIcanwin.
AfightIdon’tdeservetowin.
Evenknowingthat,ittakesmeasolidtwominutestodredgeupthemomentumtocarrymebackintothebathroom.Aphroditehasn’tshifted.Steamhangsheavyintheair,makingmyshirtsticktomychestafteronlyafewseconds.Istopintheopeningtotheshower.“Eris?”
Shemovesslowly,asifshe’sanoldwomaninsteadofintheprimeofherlife,turningjustherheadtolookatme.“I’mnotupfordinner.”Shesoundsremarkablynormal,whichissomehowworse.“Maybeanothertime.”
Theurgetofleerisesagain,butthistimeImusclepastit.Idon’tknowwhattosayorwhatwillgetthatawfullostlookoffherface,butIcan’tleaveherlikethis.
Idon’tknowwhatthispulltomakeherfeelbettermeans.I’veneverfeltanythinglikeit,evenwithPandora.It’sdifferentandit’suncomfortable,andIwanttocarveitoutofmebeforeI’mpastthepointofnoreturn.Idon’teventry.
It’stoodamnlateforthat,anyway.
Withoutthinkingtoohardaboutit,Istartstripping.Shecloseshereyesandrestsherheadbackonherknees.Ishuckoffmypantsandstepintotheshower.Therearenofewerthanfourshowerheadsgoing.Istepbeneaththemandhavetogritmyteethtokeepamutteredcursefromerupting.Thewaterisscalding
Afterabriefinternaldebate,Iawkwardlyslidedowntothefloorandleanagainstthewallnexttoher,stretchingmylegsout.PandorawouldhavetherightwordstotellAphroditeitwillallbeokay.Adoniswouldknowexactlywhatsheneedstohear.
I’mnotgoodwithwords.I’msureasfucknotgoodwithcomfort.
ButdeathissomethingI’vebecomeintimatelyfamiliarwith.
Ileanmyheadbackagainstthetile.“Thefirsttimeistheworst.”
Aphroditeslowlylooksatme.Herskinhasgonepinkfromtheheatofthewater,butshestilllookstoopale.“What?”
“Thefirsttimesomeonetriestokillyou.”Iinhaledeeply,lettingthesteamwarmmefromtheinsideout.“It’sneverfun.Youdon’tgetusedtoit.Buttheshocklastslesseachtime.”
Sheblinksthosebigdarkeyesatme.“Whenwasyourfirst?”
Idon’twanttotalkaboutthis.I’mnotsurewhythefuckIthoughtitwasagoodideatobringitup.Butshe’sfocusingonmeinsteadofthememoryofearliertoday,soIanswerherhonestly.“Iwasfourteen.Oneofthe,ah,priestsatourorphanagewasshowingtoomuchinterestinPandora,soItoldhimtofuckoff.Hewaiteduntileveryonewasasleepthatdayandthencametomyroomwithaknife.”
Sheliftsherheadalittle.“Hegaveyouoneofthosescars?”
“Yeah.”Itouchthelong,raggedonerunningdiagonallyacrossmystomach.“Healmostguttedme.”
Ibraceforsympathyorpityorsomekindofself-righteousbullshitabouthownochildshouldhavetodefendthemselvesfromadults.It’snothowtheworldworks,though,andIdon’thavetimeforanyonewhoisn’talreadyawareofthat.
“Youkilledhim.”
Iblink,half-sureIheardherwrong.“What?”
“Youkilledhim.”Hersmileisn’tanywherenearassharpasusual.“Right?”
Ihad.Isnappedhisneckandthenpassedoutfrombloodloss.IwokeuponmyfifteenthbirthdayinthehospitalwithMinosstandingthere,bathedinsunlightandlookinglargerthanlife.Istilldon’tknowhowthefuckhefoundoutaboutit,butnoauthoritiesevercamearoundaskingafterthepriest’sdeath,andbythetimeIwaswellenoughtoleavethehospital,MinosandIhadcometoanagreement.
WhenIcheckedout,Ididn’tgobacktotheorphanage.
IwenttoMinos’shome,andPandoracamewithme.
Atthetime,itseemedlikeagiftfromthegods.Minoswasahardtaskmaster,buthewasfair,andIneverhadtoworryabouthisgazelingeringtoolongonmeorPandora.Thatalonewasworththecosthedemanded.“Yes.Ikilledhim.”
“Good.”Shecloseshereyes.“It’snottheheroeswhoslaymonsters.They’retoohonorable.Alwaysgivingsecondchancesand…”Herbreathinggoesjagged.“Ihaveabrother.Anotherone.Younger.He’sahero,andhealmostgothimselfkilledplayingwhiteknight.I’mgladhe’snotheretoseewhatOlympushasbecome.Hewouldn’tsurviveit.”
Iknowabouttheyoungerbrother.Hercules.Ahandsomefuckerwithbrighteyesandthekindofshinethatmakesmewanttodentitonprinciple.He’snothinglikehissiblings,nothinglikeAphroditeinparticular.“Probablynot.”
“Ihateyou.”Shefinallymoves,inchingbacktoleanagainstthewallatmyside.Hershouldertouchesmineandshekindofmeltsagainstme.
“Iknow.”Afteraslighthesitation,Iwrapmyarmaroundhershouldersandtuckhermorefirmlyagainstmyside.Sheletslooseatinylittlesoundthatmightbeasob.Neitherofuscommentonthewaysheshakesandpressesherfacetomyshoulder.
Ishouldbehappy.ThisispartofMinos’splan.IntroducingtheknowledgeoftheassassinationclausetotheOlympuspopulationiskeytodestabilizingthingsandkeepingtheThirteenmoreworriedabouttheirlivesthanaboutwhatMinosmightbeupto.Hehasn’texplicitlysaidthathehopesthevariousmurderattemptssucceed,butclearlyitwouldbetohisbenefit.
IfAphroditedies,Iwillbefree.NolongermarriedtoawomanIdidn’tchoose.Nolongerthelaughingstockofthisfuckingcity.
Butthethoughtofthiscitywithoutherinitisn’tonethatbringsmejoy.
Instead,thethornyfeelinginmychesttearsdeeper.22ADONIS
Ifindthemintheshower.TheseuslooksalmostrelievedwhenIwalkthroughthedoor,buthewon’tbeafterI’mthroughwithhim.Heknew.Forhours,he’savoidedmytextsandleftmethinkingthatthemostIhadtoworryaboutwasmyheartgettingentangledafterwhatwesharedlastnight.
Instead,he’dknownalldaythatErishadbeenattacked.
Shelooksweakandscared.NeitherisanadjectiveIwouldeverusetodescribethewomanIlove,butit’sthetruth.MystomachdropsoutandIstepintotheshower,heedlessofthespray.Ittakesafewsecondstoturnoffthewaterandgrabtwotowelsfromthecabinet.OnegetsdroppedonTheseus’slap,andIusetheothertowraparoundErisandliftherintomyarms.
“Icanwalk.”
“Iknow.”Idon’tputherdown.Ican’tputherdown.Herlittletremorsreachme,eventhroughthethickfabricofthetowel.Gods,hasshebeenlikethisallday?
EvenasIthinkthequestion,Iknowbetter.“Youstubbornfool.Youpusheditdownandpretendedlikenothingwaswrong,didn’tyou?Ibetyoueventookclients.”
Sheducksherheadandpressesittomyshoulder.“Ihavetokeepupappearances.”
ThisrighthereiswhyIwillneverreachtheheightsshehasinOlympus.Icaretoofuckingmuch.Myemotionsmightnotruleme,buttheyaffectme.Erishaseverypartofherundersuchtightlockdownthatmomentslikethese,whereitbackfiresagainsther,arerarerthanbluemoons.
Idon’ttellherthatsheshouldhavecalledme.Idon’tcallherafoolagain,eventhoughIwantto.ErisandIhavehadthisfightmoretimesthanIcancount.AsmuchasI’dliketobelievethatthisnewviolencewouldbeenoughtochangeherperspective,Iknowbetter.
I’mnotherboyfriendanymore.There’snotasinglereasonforhertocallme,orforustohavethatfightforthethousandthtime.Showinguphereiscrossingaboundary,butIdon’tcare.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatwe’vedonetohurteachotherorhowdesolatemyfutureiswithoutherinit.
Sheneedsme,soI’mhere.
Isetheronthebathroomcounterandwrapthetowelmoretightlyaroundhershoulders.“Don’tmove.”
“Ican—”
“Donotmove.”
Shedropshergazeandclutchestheedgesofthetowel.“Okay.Fine.”
Ihatethis.Ihatethatshefeelsbrittle,likeoneharshwordcouldsendhercrumbling.“Ifyou’renotgoingtotakecareofyourself,thenwe’regoingtodoitforyou.”
“We?”Shelooksup,someofthecustomarysharpnessinhergaze.“Youcan’thonestlythink—”
“WhatIthinkismybusiness.Staythere.”Istalkbackintotheshower.AsIsuspected,Theseushasn’tmoved.Hetenses,butevenasangryasIam,I’mnotsuchamonstertomockhisinabilitytostand.I’mgladhedidn’ttryonhisown.Thetilesareslipperybeneathmyfeet,whichmakesfortreacherousmoving.
Imightwanttoyellathim,butIdon’twanthimtohurt.
Gods,I’mpathetic.
Iholdoutahand.“Comeon.”
“I’mgood.”Helooksatmyhandlikeit’sapoisonoussnake.Insteadofarguing,Ijustmaintainmypositionuntilhecursesunderhisbreathandslapshishandintomine.Icarefullyleveragehimtohisfeet.
ThenIshovehimagainstthewall,myforearmagainsthisthroat.Ileaninuntilourfacesnearlytouch.“Idon’tgiveafuckifyou’reanenemytothiscityorwhatyourplansare.OurdealwasthatEriswouldbekeptfromharm.”
“She’sliving,isn’tshe?”
Distantly,I’mawarethathe’slettingmedothis,thathe’dhavenoproblemfightingbackandthatwe’dbedamnnearevenlymatchedifhedid.“Don’tplaywithwords,Theseus.You’renotgoodatit.”
Hegivesagrimsmilethatdoesn’treachhiseyes.“She’sshakenup,butshe’llbefine.Youunderestimateher.”
Idon’tknowwhattosaytothat,soIdropmyarmandtakeastepback.“Areyoustayingorgoing?”
It’sonlybecauseI’mwatchinghimcloselythatIseetheindecisionwaracrosshisroughfeatures.He’sinoverhishead.HehasbeenfromthemomentheenteredOlympus,forallthathesuccessfullymurderedhiswayintobeingoneoftheThirteen.
Iknewthat,ofcourse.HisvisittoHephaestus’sofficeandhowhe’sflounderedonthepublicstagemorethanprovedthathedoesn’thaveahandleonwhatitmeanstobeamemberoftheThirteen.Evenwhenheheldmecloselastnight,Ineverdoubtedforasecondthathewasstillanenemy.
Oh,myfoolishheartwantedtobelieveotherwise,butnomatterwhatmyfriendsandfamilythink,IknowbetterthantobelievethedreamthattheloveofagoodmanisenoughtochangethepeopleIcareabout.Itdidn’tworkwithEris,anditcertainlywon’tworkwithTheseus.
Butanenemywouldn’tbeworriedaboutEristhewayTheseusisnow.Hecan’tlieworthadamn,andhewouldn’thavecalledme,wouldn’thavesatwithher,wouldn’tbehesitatingnow,ifhedidn’tcare…atleastalittle.
“Doyouwantmetostay?”heaskssoftly,hisvoicealmostuncertain.
IopenmymouthtosayIdon’tcareeitherway,butit’salie.Iwanthimhere.Gods,Idon’tknowwhat’swrongwithme.I’dliketothinkI’mnotnormallyonetoletmyfoolishheartleadmeintoinevitablepain,butmyhistorywithErismorethanspeakstothetruth.“Ifyouwantto.”
Hehuffsoutabreathandmovespastme,wrappingthetowelaroundhiswaistashedoes.Iwatchhimclosely,readytocatchhiselbowifhestumbles.Hedoesn’t,butIcantellhiskneeisbotheringhimbythestiffwayhemoves.
WefindErisexactlywhereIlefther,whichsnapsmyprioritiesbackintoplace.Theseuscanfigurehisshitoutonhisowntonight.Shehastotakeprecedence.
“Thisisn’tnecessary.”Shedoesn’tliftherhead.“I’mfine.OrI’llbefinetomorrow.”
Idon’tdoubtit.ErisisaKasiosfirst,andaftergrowingupseeingthethingsshedid,she’sdevelopednervesofsteel.It’satokenofhowbaditwastodaythatshe’sthisshakenup.Itakehershouldersandwaitforhertolookatme.“Thenbefinetomorrow,Eris.Tonight,youdon’thavetobe.”
Herlowerlipquivers,justalittle.“Whydidyoucomehereatall?Whyareyoubeingsonicetome?Iknowyou’retoogoodapersontowishmedead,butI’veprioritizedthecityoveryouagainandagain.Ibrokeyourfuckingheart,Adonis.Don’tlieandsayIdidn’t.”
It’strue.Butmypainislessimportantthanhersrightnow.Tomorrow,wecangobacktoawkwardlystaringateachotheracrossthechasmoftheharddecisionsthatbroughtustothisplace.
IsaidI’mhereforhertonight,andImeantit.
“Eris.”Iloveyou.Idon’tsayit.Everyoneinthisroomknowsitfortruth,butthetinysliverofprideIhaveleftwon’tletmespeakthewords.Notagain.“Foronceinyourlife,don’targuewithme.”
Herlipscurveinasadsmile.“Iguessthat’stheleastIcando.”
WhenIrushedoverhere,Iwasn’tthinkingabouthowmuchitwouldhurttobeinherpresence.Theseusleaningonthebathroomcounterjustoutofreachdoesn’tmakethingsfeellesscomplicated.Hehasn’tbotheredtogetdressedyet,andIwillnotthinkaboutthefactIlickedmywaydownhisthickchestlastnight.
Instead,IfocusonEris.Wordsaren’tgoingtomakeherfeelbetterrightnow,andtellinghereverythingisgoingtobeokayfeelstoomuchlikealie.
Wehaveenoughliesbetweenus.
Herskinismostlydrybythispoint,butIgrabasecondtowelandtwistherhairupintoit.IcanfeelTheseuswatchingusclosely,buthe’snotmyproblemrightnow.ErisisterrifyinglypassiveasIworklotionintoherskin.It’snotsomethingsheoftenhadthepatiencetoletmedointhepast,butit’sasmallactI’vealwaysenjoyed.
AtleastuntilIgettoherlegsandstarttakingoffthewetbandages.Thereareeasilyadozencutsoneachleg,rangingfromlittlemorethanascratchtooneonherleftthighthatI’malittleworriedmightneedstitches.
IfinallyglanceatTheseus.“Firstaidkitisunderthatsinkbehindyou.”
He’sgotastrangelookonhisface,andforthelifeofmeIcan’ttellifhe’sstudyinguslikeenemiesorlikehewantstomemorizeexactlywhatI’mdoingsohecanreplicateitinthefuture.ForallthatI’mdrawntothisman,amothtohisflame,Idon’tfullyunderstandhim.He’sharshanddrivenandviolent,butthere’sarawemotionalcentertherethatheworkshardtokeeplockedup.Ionlygetglimpses,butit’senoughtomakemewonderwhatkindofmanhe’dbeifgiventhefreedomtomakehisownchoicesinsteadofplayingthepartofmarauderforhisfosterfather.
Hepullsoutthekitandsetsitonthecounterbetweenus.Erissighs.“That’snot—”
“It’snecessary.”
Theseuscrosseshisbigarmsoverhischest.“Yousaidyouwouldgettheselookedat.Youdidn’t.ThosearethebandagesIputonthere.”
It’shardtotellwithherheadducked,butIthinkErisflushes.“Therewasn’ttime,andyoudidafinejob.”
I’mnotsurewhattothinkaboutthat.Savingherlifeisonething,buttakingcareofherafterward?Hehatesher—oratleasthesayshedoes—butifyouhatesomeone,youdon’tspendaprolongedtimebandagingtheirwounds.Youdon’tcheckuponthemlaterthatnight.Youdon’tcallinreinforcementswhenyou’reinoveryourhead.
ButwhatamIgoingtodo,accuseTheseusofhavingfeelingsforhiswife?
Iwanttoaccusehimofexactlythat.
Desperatetoescapetheconflictingfeelingsinsideme,IgentlytouchEris’sknee.“Thesewerecausedbyglass?”
It’sTheseuswhoanswers.“Theglassdividerthinginthelobbyshattered.”
Again,theangerthathekeptthisknowledgefrommeforhoursrises,andagainIshoveitdown.“Let’sgetthesebandaged.”That,atleast,Icando.Theactioncalmstheworstofmywhirlingthoughts,ifnotmyemotions.Ineverwouldhaveconsideredmyselfnaive,andyetIcan’thelpthinking,Itwasn’tsupposedtobelikethis
NotOlympusfallingapartaroundus,violencerisingwitheachday.
NotEris,marriedtoanotherman—amanwhoispartiallyresponsibleforthatriseinviolence.
“Adonis.”
IhatehowsmallErissounds,hateitsomuchIfinishwiththelastbandageonherrightlegbeforeIlookuptomeethergaze,givingmyselftimetocontrolmyexpression.“Yes?”
Erisopenshermouth,butseemstoreconsiderwhatevershewasabouttosayatthelastmoment.“Thankyouforcoming.IknowIdon’tdeservethis,but…thankyouforbeinghere.”
Ifinishbandaginghersecondleginsilence.BythetimeI’mdone,she’sweavingabit,clearlyexhausted.“Haveyoueatenanything?”InoticedtakeoutbagsinthekitchenwhenIarrived,butI’dbeentoofocusedongettingtohertoinvestigate.
“No,butI’mnothungry.”
Igiveherthelookthatstatementdeserves.“Eatsomethingandthenyou’regoingtobed.”
Shenarrowshereyes.“Idon’tneedakeeper.”
“Don’tyou?”Ipushtomyfeet.“You’redoingabang-upjoboftakingcareofyourselflately.”Morewordsbubbleup,onesthathavenosatisfactoryanswer.Erishasneverhadanyqualmsaboutthefactsheputsthiscitybeforeeverything.Whenwefirststarteddating,Ithoughtitterriblyheroic.
ThatwasbeforeIknewthecost.
“Thiscityisgoingtokillyou,”Igrindout.
“Maybe.”Shetucksherhairbehindherearsandslidesoffthecounter.“Butatthispoint,wecanonlydealwiththecircumstanceswehaveinsteadoftheoneswewant.”Witheachword,shesoundsmorelikeherselfandlessfragile.“Ihavenointentionofdying,Adonis.Icanpromiseyouthat.”
Shedoesn’tbothertokeepthetowelwrappedaroundherasshewalksawayfromus.Iknowthiswoman’sbodyaswellasmyown—thecurveofherwaist,thedimplesatthetopofherperfectass,thetwocrookedfingersonherlefthandfromwhenherfatherslammeditinadoorwhenshewasfifteenandbrokethem.Everyonethoughtitwasbecauseshefellduringballetpractice.I’mtheonlyoneshetoldthetruthto.
Ihavetoturnaway,butthatdoesn’thelpbecauseTheseusisstillhere,stillwrappedinthatdamnedtowel,stillwatchingusasiftakingmentalnotes.Andwhynot?IdoubthelearnedmuchinthewayofcomfortandsoftnessinMinos’shousehold.
ThingswouldbesomuchsimplerifIonlywantedEris.Idragmyhandovermyfaceandspeaksoftly,pitchingmyvoicetoonlycarrytohim.“Iamveryangrywithyou.”
Theseusnodsslowly.“Yeah.Igetthat.”
“Yougetthat.I—”
Hesnagsmearoundthewaistanddragsmeagainsthim.It’ssimilartothemomentwhenIpinnedhimagainsttheshowerwall,butevenwiththeobviousthreat,Ican’thelpstaringathismouth.Ifhesmiledrightnow,Imightpunchhimintheface,buthejustlooksvaguelytormented,asifhe’snotanyhappierwithhowthingshavedevelopedthanIam.
Theseussqueezesmyhip.“WouldyoubelievemeifIsaidIdidn’twantherdead?”
“No.”ButIwantto.Gods,howIwantto.Iwanttosodesperately,itshakesme.“Youhateher.”
“Yeah,Iguess.”HisgazetrackstowardEris’scloset.“Feelsmorecomplicatedthanhatethesedays.She’samonster,maybeevenmymonster.Idon’tlikeseeingherdeclawed.”
Heseesher.Actuallyseesher.Notthewild-childparty-girlpersonashepicksupandshedslikeclothing.NotthecoldAphroditewhomakescallssolelytosavehercity.
Eris.Woman.Monster.
Mine.
Exceptshe’snotmineanylonger,isshe?She’shis.
Havingsexwiththismanwasamistake.Iknewitwhenithappened,butwithmyfoolishheartlurchinginmychestasiftryingtoclosethedistancebetweenusfurther,IhavetoadmitexactlyhowthoroughlyI’vescrewedmyself.
I’mfallingformyex’shusband.
AndI’mstillinlovewithmyex.23APHRODITE
IfsomeonetoldmeaweekagothatI’dbesharingatensemealwithmyexandmyhusband,Iwouldhavelaughedthemoutoftheroom.IfullyintendedtostayasfarfromAdonisaspossible,andtheonlytimeIplannedtobeinHephaestus’spresenceiswhenI’mdrivinghimoutofhismindwithrage.
He’snotoutofhismindrightnow.
He’seatingwithasingle-mindedintensitythatremindsmeabitofoneofHelen’spartners,Achilles.Asifhegrewupnotentirelytrustinghisnextmealwasguaranteed.Itmakesmefeelstrange.Moreso,it’sstrangehowdomesticthisis.Hephaestusputhisjeansbackon,butdidn’tbotherwithashirt.Adonishaspulledonapairofloungepantsleftoverfromoneofthemanytimeshespentthenight.
Weakasitis,I’mwearingoneofAdonis’soldshirts,itsfabricsoftandfadedfromsomanywashings.Itdoesn’tsmelllikehimanymore—ithasn’tinyears—butit’smyfavoritethingtoputonwhenI’mfeelingoff-center.IfIwasstronger,Iwouldn’ttelegraphhowmuchIneedthecomfort,buttheyfoundmecurledupintheshower,soit’sprettyobvioushownotokayIam.
Everythingaboutthissituationmakesmefeelstrange.Itakesmallbites,mostlytokeepAdonisfrompesteringthatIneedcalories,butmymindisabuzzwiththeeventsofthelastday.
Iheldittogetherthroughsheergrittoday.Everyloudsoundorquickmovementaftertheattackhadmefightingdownaflinch.I’vebeenathomeinthiscityfromthemomentIwasborn,andforthefirsttime,itfeelslikeitistheenemyinsteadofalongtimefriend.Worse,Idon’tseeawaythroughthis.
Thecatisoutofthebagregardingtheassassinationclause.Wecan’tcoveritup,andit’sobviousthatgivingpeoplesomethingtogossipaboutisn’tenoughtodistractfromthetemptationofclaimingaspotontheThirteenforthemselves.Thepublicmightnotactivelyhateusrightnow,butaquickscrollthroughMuseWatchgavethesurrealimpressionthatthey’relookingattheattemptedassassinationsasentertainment
Ican’thatethemforit.ThisistheculturetheThirteencreatedandfostered.We’rereapingwhatwe’vesown.Evenastheyrootforusoragainstusinturn,theywon’tcondemntheassassinsentirely.
IhopePerseushassomeideasduringthemeetingtomorrow…becauseIdon’t.
Todistractmyself,Ilookatthemen.Hephaestusglaresatthetablelikeitsaidsomethinginsultingabouthismother.Adoniseatsintheprecisewayhedoeseverything,neverabitofenergywasted.Theysitnexttoeachotheratthebar,soclosethattheirshouldersbrushregularly,andthere’sa…
Istare.
No.
Surelynot.
Imustbeimaginingthings.Therehastobeareasonmyhusbandandmyexaresocomfortableineachother’spresencewhentheyhaveeveryreasontohateeachother.IfI’dbeeninmyrightmind,Iwouldhavenoticeditbefore.Hephaestushasreasontobehere,butAdonisdoesn’t.Notunlesshewascalled.NotunlessHephaestuscalledhim.
Butwhywouldmyhusbandcallmyexforhelp?
Unless…
Itakealongdrinkofmywaterandsettheglasscarefullyonthecounter.“So,howlonghaveyoutwobeenfucking?”
It’satestamenttoAdonis’strainingthathedoesn’tsputterorgetflustered.ButI’veknownthismanthebetterpartofmylife,andIknowhistells.They’rethereinthewayhisshouldersshiftthebarestamount;it’snotenoughmovementtobecalledaflinch,butonhimitmightaswellhavebeenashoutfromtherooftops.
Hephaestusdoesn’thavethesametraining,buthe’snottryingtocoveritup.Heleansbackslowly,meetingmygaze.“Sincelastnight.”
Idon’texpecttheblastofpaintomychest.It’ssosudden,IactuallyliftmyhandasifIcanrubitaway.Iforgot,foramoment,thatwe’reonoppositesidesofawarthatisbothpersonalandpolitical.Iforgotwe’reenemies.Fool.“Well,then.”
“Getthatlookoffyourface,Wife.Wherewereyoulastnight?”Herisesslowly.“Youknowthegamewe’replaying.”
“Agame.”Adonispusheshisfoodawayfromhim.“Isee.”
IwatchinsomethingresemblinghorrorasHephaestusactuallyflinches.“No.That’snotwhatImean.”
“It’swhatyousaid.”
“Godsdamnit,youknowIstickmyfootinmymouthmoreoftenthannot.Didlastnightfeellikeagametoyou?”
IfIhadanydoubtsaboutitbefore,Idon’tnow.Thisisalovers’quarrelhappeninginmykitchen.Itakeastepbackandahystericallaughslipsfree.“Right.Ofcourse.Well,congratulationstobothofyou.I’msureyou’llbeveryhappytogether.”
Adonisfinallylooksatme.Forthefirsttimesincehearrived,he’sabsolutelyfuriousandnottryingtohideit.“No,youdon’tgettodothat.Youmarriedanotherman.”
“Andyoufuckedhim.Guesswe’reeven.”I’mnotbeingfair.IknowI’mnotbeingfair.Idon’tgiveafuck.WhatI’vedone,Ididforthiscity.Adonisdoesn’thavethatexcuse.Hemusthavedoneitsimplytohurtme.Or,worseinsomeways,hediditbecausehewantedto.Becausehe’salreadymovedon.
CanyoureallysaythatyouonlycareaboutPandorabecauseofthepurposeshe’llserve?
I’mahypocrite,butIdon’tcare.There’snowaytheyjustrandomlyfellintobedtogether.Justlikethat,thepiecesclickintoplace.Myhusband’smiraculousbouncebackinthepubliceye,thewayhe’sseeminglyeffortlesslyswitchedtothedotingcuckold.Inthespaceoftwenty-fourhours,thewrite-upsstoppedfrothingatthemouthtoseewhoI’dsleepwithnextandstartedtalkingabouthowsadmypoor,lovinghusbandiswhilehewaitsathomeformetoreturn.Ithoughtitastrangecoincidence,butit’snocoincidenceatall
It’sAdonis’sdoing.
“Youhelpedhim.Youtoldhimwhattosay,whattodo.”
Adonisdoesn’tblink.“Ihadmyreasons.”
Gods,Imightdeservethis,butIcanbarelythinkpastthebetrayalcoatingmythroat.“Right.Ofcourseyoudid.Well,don’tletmegetinthewayofyourlittlespat.I’mgoingtobed.”Istartforthehallway.
Hephaestuscursesandgrabsmywrist.Hepullssomemovethatdoesn’tevenmakesense,spinningmeintohisarmsandcreatingacage.
Islaphischest.“Letmego.”
“Thatwasanimpressiveexit,butyoudon’tgettomakeAdonissadandthenpranceoff.”
“Idonotprance.”
“Theseus.”Adonisisonhisfeetnexttous.
Igiveasharplaugh.“Oh,soyoucallhimTheseus?Itreallymustbelove.”
“Don’tberidiculous,Eris.”
Myrealnameisanotherblow.I’vemissedhearinghimsayit,butIdon’twanttohearitnow.Notlikethis.“No,you—”
“That’senough,”growlsHephaestus.“Bothofyou.”Hespinsmearoundandpinsmybackagainsthischest.“Justkissandmakeupalready.”
Igostill,butmyshockisnothingcomparedtothewayAdonis’sjawdrops.Helooksovermyheadatmyhusband.“Excuseme?”
“Youheardme.”Hekeepsonearmbandedacrossmywaistandgripsmychinwithhisotherhand.“Lookather.Sosad.Sohurt.Don’tyouwanttokissherbetter,Adonis?”
Ican’tbreathe.Idon’tknowifIwanttofightorsimplymeltagainsthim.Iamnot,andhaveneverbeen,someoneparticularlysubmissiveinthebedroomoroutofit.But…Iamsofuckingtired.Myhearthurtsand,damnit,I’mscaredoutofmymind.Icanbarelythinkabouttomorrowandthedaysthatfollowandwhatthisnewrealitymightlooklike.
MaybeIcanreleasethat.Ifonlyfortonight.
Adonislooksdownrighttormented,hisgazejumpingfrommetoHephaestusandbackagain.“Eris…”
Ineverwantedtogiveyouup.
Idon’tsayit.EvenI’mnotbastardenoughtovoicesuchanunforgivablethinginthismoment.I’vemissedhim.Idon’tdeservehimbackinmylifeormybed,butIdon’thavethewallsinplacetostopthis.
Idon’twanttostopit.
Justlikethat,Idecide.Irelaxagainstmyhusband’schestandtiltmyheadback,pressingmythroatmorefirmlyintohispalm.“That’swhyyou’rehere,isn’tit?Tomakemefeelbetter,myperpetualknightinshiningarmor.”
Adonis’smouthgoeshard.“Youdon’thavetosayitlikethat.”
“Butshe’sright.”Hephaestus’swordsrumbleagainstmyback.“You’rethegoodone,Adonis.Betterthanbothofuscombined.”Hedragshisthumbupanddownmythroatslowly.“LeaveherinmycareandwhoknowswhatdamageImightdo.”
Adoniscrosseshisarmsoverhischestandglares.“You’retryingtomanipulatemeandyou’renotevendoingagoodjobatit.”
“Whybotherbeinggoodatit?”Hemoveshisarmbymywaist,hookingtheedgeofmyshirtandliftingitafewinches.Notenoughtoflashanyone,butit’scloseenoughthatAdonis’sgazesharpensonmynewlyexposedthighs.“Youwantit.Shewantsit.What’sthepointinplayinggames?”
“Becauseyou’refuckingwithmyheart.”
Hephaestushesitates.It’sonlybecauseI’mpressedsotightlytohimthatIfeelhisbreathhitch.“Youaren’ttheonlyonewithafoolhearttangledupinthis.Stopplayingthemartyrandgetonyourknees.”
Idrawashockedbreath,butit’slostinAdonis’sobedience.Hecursesandsinkstohiskneesslowlybeforeus.“Iwon’tgetoutofthisunscathed,andIresentyouusingmelikeapawnbetweenyou.”
Ineedtosaysomething,tostopthisorreassurehimor…something.ThisnighthastakenatwistfortheunexpectedandAdonisisright.Weneedtostop.Thiswasn’tsimplefromthebeginning,anditfeelslikeeverystepwetakeonlymakesitmorecomplicated,entanglesusfurther.
ButIcan’tquitemanagetospeakasHephaestusliftsmyshirt,baringmefromthewaistdown.He’sstillstrokingmythroatwithhisthumb,apossessiveandstrangelygentlingmovement.WhenhespeakstoAdonis,hesoundsalmosttender.“Youmayhavestartedoutlikeapawn,butyoudidn’tstaythatwayforlong.”
“Don’t.”
HeignoresAdonis’sprotest.“Lastnightmeantsomethingtome,nomatterhowmessyitis.Now,youknowwhatsheneeds.Giveittoher.”
“Whatsheneedsisagoodnight’srestandanincreasedsecurityforce.”
Ican’tletthatstand.“IknowwhatIneed.Idon’tneedthetwoofyoutodecideitforme.”
Hephaestusgivesaroughchuckle.“Byallmeans,Wife,useyourbig-girlwordsandtellus.”
Ineedtobesafe.IneedtohaveonecornerofthisgodsforsakencitywhereI’mabletorestandnothavetoworryaboutaknifeinmyback,literalorotherwise.IneedtostophurtingthepeopleImostcareaboutwitheverymoveImake.
Idon’tsaythewords.Ican’t.Notnow.Notever.Theymighthonestlybeheretomakemefeelbetter,butthatdoesn’tchangethefactthatbothhaveworkedagainstmeinthelastfewdays.Ican’ttrustthem.
Gods,I’msotired.
Iclosemyeyes.Foronce,thetruthworksbetterthananyliecould.“IneedtocomesohardIforgeteverythingthathappenedtoday.”
Adonisexhalesharshly.Foramoment,Ithinkhe’llstartarguingagain,buthejustrunshishandsupmylegs,carefultoavoidthescatteringofbandages.They’rebothtouchingmesogently.AdonisandIweretogetherlongenoughthatwetriedeveryflavorofsexwewereinterestedin,sogentleisn’toutoftherealmofnormalforhim.
Butmyhusband?
There’snotimetospiralintoworryaboutwhatthismightdotothepowergamesbetweenus.NotwithAdonispressingmythighswideandwedginghisbroadshouldersbetweenthem.Igoupontomytoes,butheanticipatesme,drapingonelegoverhisshoulder.
ThenhismouthisonmypussyandIcan’tthinkofanythingatall.
Givingupcontrolfeelsabitlikejumpingoutofaplane.ThegroundapproacheswitheachslowdragofAdonis’stongueagainstmyclit,butIdon’tcare,becauseinthismomentIfeelweightlessandfree.Iclosemyeyesandgivemyselfovertothisexperience.Gods,Imissedyou.
Theconsequencescanwaituntilmorning
“That’sright,Wife.Relaxagainstme.”Hephaestus’slowvoiceinmyearmakesmeshiver.“Doesn’thismouthfeelgood?Hardtoworryaboutanythingwithhimsuckingonyourclit.”
Adonisrespondsbydoingexactlythat.Hesuckshardonmyclit.We’vebeenloversforathirdofmylife.HeknowsmybodyaswellasIdo,andheprovesitbypressingtwofingersintomeandzeroinginonmyG-spotinexactlythemotionIlikebest.
Imoan.Idon’tevenhavetimetoconsiderkeepingthesoundinternal.Hephaestusinhalessharply.ForamomentIthink—Ifear—thathe’lldosomethingtostoptheorgasmrisingingentlewaves,urgedonbyAdonis’stongueagainstmyclitandhisfingersinsideme.Hedoesn’t.Hejusttightenshisgriparoundmyhips,helpingAdoniskeepmeofftheground.I’mheldsuspendedbetweenthem,andanothertimethatwouldfreakmethefuckout,butrightnowIjustwantsomeoneelsetotakecontrol.
“LetAdonismakeyoufeelgood.”Apause.“Heneedsitasmuchasyoudo.”
Itense,mymindtryingtofightthroughthehazeofpendingorgasmtoworryaboutwhatHephaestusistalkingabout.It’stoolate.Mybodyhasthewheel,andit’sintentonitspleasure.Thewavecrestsbetweenonebreathandthenext,sendingmeshudderingintoanorgasm.
Toogood.It’stoofuckinggood.
“Up,Adonis.Let’smovethistothebedroom.”
Ican’tthinkclearlyenoughtodecidewhetherthatisthebestideaortheworst.EspeciallywhenAdonisscoopsmeintohisarmsanditfeelslikecominghome.IfIwasalittlestronger,alittlelessrattled,alittlesteadier,Iwouldholdmyselfapartasmuchaspossible.It’sthesmartthingtodo.Adonismighthavecomeridingtomyrescuetonight,butthatdoesn’tchangewhatI’vedonetohiminthenameofduty.What’snolongerbetweenusbecauseofthechoicesI’vemade.
ButI’mnotstronger,orlessrattled,orsteady.I’mscaredoutofmymindanddoingmybesttokeepitlockeddown.It’stheonlyexcuseIhaveforlayingmyheadagainsthisshoulderandadmitting,“Imissyou.”
Hetightenshisarmsaroundme.“Imissyou,too.”
Itstrikesme,asAdoniswalksintomybedroomandHephaestusfollowsusinandshutsthedoor,thatImightbeplayingrightintomyhusband’shands.Ifheintendstoripmyheartout,puttingAdonisbackinmybedisagoodplan.
Idon’tcare.Imightnevergetthisagain.I’lldealwiththeinevitablepaininordertohavethisrightnow.
Hephaestus’shandsfalltothefrontofhispants.“Thatwasagoodstart,butyou’restillthinkingtoohard.Takeoffyourclothes,Wife.Tonight,theonlyfightisseeingwhocanmakeyoucomethemost.”24HEPHAESTUS
Ishouldleave.There’snothingformeinthisroom.Mywifemighthaveleanedbackagainstmesosweetlywhileshecame,butthisstrangepeacebetweenuswon’tlast.We’reontheoppositesidesofaconflict.That’snotgoingtochange,andifIkeepfuckingher,itmakesthings…complicated.
Adonisslipshishandintomine.It’sabriefcontact,thereandgoneinamoment.Ishelookingforreassurance?Confusionalightsinmychest.Itonlygetsworsewhenhestopsandlooksbackatme.Gods,he’sbeautiful.ThekindofbeautifulthattakesmybreathawayeverytimeIlookathimtoolong.IknowIkeepthinkingthat,butIsuspectI
He’snotwhoI’mherefor,though.
Or,atleast…nottheonlyoneI’mherefor.
Aphroditehasfollowedmycommandandpulledoffthatoversizedshirt—IhaveafeelingitbelongstoAdonis.It’sobviouslywellloved,thefabricwornthinfromyearsofuseandtheprintonthefrontfadeduntilit’sunrecognizable.Thatshirtisaclearrepresentationoftheirhistory.They’veknowneachothersofuckinglong.
Havelovedeachotherforsofuckinglong.
Idon’tgetthat.OrIdo,butonlyintheory.IlovePandora,butromanticrelationshipsareatotallydifferentanimal.AndnowI’mstandinghere,feelinglikeanintruder.
“Theseus.”Adonis’sbrowsdrawtogether.“Areyouokay?”
Icouldaskhimthesamething.There’satightnesstohisshouldersthatlookslikehe’sabouttospringintomotion.Likehemightrunthefuckoutofthisroom.Idon’tknowwhythatcalmsmedown,makesmythoughtsstopspinning.
Maybetheydoneedmehere,afterall.
Youshouldusethis.They’rebothvulnerablerightnow.
ThevoicealmostsoundslikeMinos.Forthefirsttimeinaverylongtime,Iignoreit.Idon’twanttohurtAdonis.Ihaven’tsincethatfirstconversationbetweenus.Asformywife?ThethoughtofcausingherfurtherpainmakesmeuncomfortableinawayI’mnotreadytoconfront.
Butthen,I’mamanofaction.“Takeoffyourclothes,Adonis.”
Hehesitates,butIdon’tblink,don’tgivehimanythingtoargueabout.It’sanorder,plainandsimple.Afteranotherbeat,heslowlyunbuttonshisshirtandshrugsoutofit.Iturnawayashishandsfalltohispants.IfIwatchhimstrip,I’mgoingtolosetrackofwherewe’reheaded.
Aphroditecrawlsacrossthebedandtakesupapositionleaningagainsttheheadboard.Shewatchesmewithanexpressionshe’stryingtokeeplockeddown.She’snotdoingagoodjobofit.Mywifeisunsure.Iwonderifthat’severhappenedbefore?Thethoughtshouldmakemehappy,butinsteaditfeelslikeIswallowedhotcoals.Shemightnotbeswingingaroundaswordorstaringdownthesightsofarifle,butmywifeisawarrior.Amonster.Untilthisattackonherlife,she’snevershownevenahintofuncertaintyorindecision.EvenwhenIthrewhercurveballs,shepivotedsmoothlyintowhateveractionorsmart-asscommentwouldtakemetomyknees.
Iwantthatfierywitchback.Thiswomanisalltoohuman,andshemakesmefeelstrangeandsoft,likeI’manotherpersonentirely.LikeI’mnotherenemy.
IsnagAdonis’shandandtughimtome.Kissinghimisn’tpartofsomegrandplan.Idon’thaveafuckingplanrightnow.IfIdid,Iwouldn’tfeelliketheledgeiscrumblingundermyfeetandI’mabouttofallintosomegreatunknown.Buthe’svisiblywavering,andthereisn’tadamnthingIcansaytomakehimsurethatthisiswherehe’ssupposedtobe.SoI’llshowhiminstead.
Hetastesofmywife’spussy.
Ilicktheinsideofhismouthandtughimcloser.Yes,thisiswhatweneed.Hishandsgrabbingmybicepsandpullingmeagainsthim.HishardcockjumpingagainstmypalmwhenIpressmyhandtohim.HissweetlittlemoanthatIwanttoeatrightup.
We’renotherealone,though.
Takingastepbackfromhimfeelsallkindsofwrong,butImanageit.ImovetohisbackandstareatAphroditeoverhisshoulder.IfIthoughtwatchinguswoulddistracther,Imissedthemark.Hereyesarealittletoowide,andshe’sgotthislookonherfaceasifshe’sstudyingafeastontheothersideofshark-infestedwaters.Permanentlyoutofreach.
Nottonightwe’renot.
Ifthegodsexist,they’relaughingtheirassesoffatmerightnow.HowthefuckdidIendupasthepersondrivingthisthing?Theonewho’sdoinghisdamnedesttobethegluethatgetsusthroughthenight?Idon’tknowifthat’sironicorjustflat-outfucked.
IstrokeAdonis’scock,stillholdingmywife’sgaze.“Spreadyourlegs.”
Herbreathhitches,butsheobeys.Herbodyisfuckingunreal.Titshighandtight,toppedwithrosynipplesIcan’twaittogetmymouthonagain.Waistwiththeperfectcurvesfor…our…hands.Justlikethat,Iknowwherewe’reheaded.
“Ican’tseeherpussyproperly.Canyou,Adonis?”HemakesachokedsoundandIsqueezehiscock.“Thatwasn’tananswer.”
“No,”hegasps.“Ican’tseeherpussyproperly.”
“Didn’tthinkso.”Iguidehimtotheedgeofthebedandupontoit.Nomatterwhatelseistrueaboutmywife,she’sgotgoodtasteinshitaroundherhouse.Thebedismassive,thekindofspacethatcaneasilyfitthethreeofus,andpotentiallyevenmorepeople.IgiveAdonisalittlepushtotopplehimononesideofherandeasemyselfdownontotheotherside.Weenduppressedtotheoutsidesofherthighs,whichgivesmetheexcusetoshiftbackandguideherlegsevenwideryet.“Showus,Wife.”
Hereyesflash,butshedoesn’targue.Instead,shesnakesahanddownherstomachandcreatesaVwithherfingers.Shepartsherpussy,exposingherselftousentirely.“Better,”Igrowl.
“Yeah,”Adonismanages.Hestaresatherpussyforalongmomentandthenturnshisattentiontome.
WaitingtoseewhereI’llleadthemnext.
Therushofpowerleavesmedizzy.Ishouldquestionthis,butI’mnotinthemoodtoworryabouthowtospinthistomyadvantage.No,Ijustwantthemtocomeundoneatmyhands.
IholdAdonis’sgazeasIslidemyhandupAphrodite’sthighandpresstwofingersintoher.Theybothinhalesharplyandtheshakygroundundermecrumblesabitmore.“She’ssowetfromyourmouth.”Ipumpintoherslowly,andI’mnotevenmadwhenAdonisripshiseyesfromminetowatchmefuckmywifewithmyfingers.
Helickshislips.“Yeah.”
“DoyouknowwhatIwant?”Neitherofthemanswer,butthat’sfine.Theirattentionisnarrowedonme,waitingonwhatIsaynext.Iwedgeathirdfingerintoher.“Iwanttofeelyoulikethis.”
Adonisblinks.“What?”
Ipulloutofherandgrabhishand,lacingmyfingerswithhis.“Iwanttofeelyou.”IguideourhandstoAphrodite’spussyandpressourfingersinside.“Likethis.”
“Ohfuck.”Aphroditefiststhesheetsandliftsherhips.“Yes.That.Iwantthat.”
Adonis’slipsarepartedandhelooksdazed.“Likethis.”Hewatchesusfuckherwithourintertwinedfingers.“Yeah.”Heclearshisthroat.“Yeah,Iwantthat.”
“Goodboy.”Thewordsfeelrippedoutofmychest.“Getherreadyforus.”
Thistime,hedoesn’twaitformetogiveexplicitinstructions.Hedipsdownandpressesamessykisstoherclit.Shemakesasexylittlesound.Iwatchhimeatheroutforafewbeatsandthenturnmyattentiontoher.She’sslickagainstourfingersaswekeepfinger-fuckingher,butneitherofusaresmallguys,andnomatterhowmuchIhatehermost…some…ofthetime,Iwantthistobegoodforher.
Anotherorgasmortwooughttodoit.
“Lookatme,Wife.”
Sheopenshereyesslowly.Herskinisflushedwithdesire,andshe’ssquirmingasweworkher.She’sbeautiful,butthenshe’salwaysbeenbeautiful.Idon’treallymeantoshiftupandkissher.KissingisoneofthosethingsthatIlikeintheory,butrarelybotherwith.Thatisn’ttruewithAdonis,andapparentlyit’snottruewithmywife,either.
Itdoesn’tmeananything.Itcan’tmeananything.
Exceptthosethoughtsfeellikealie.
AphroditearchesupasIgetclose,takingmymouthevenasshemakesanotherofthosesexylittlesounds.Shereleasesthesheetsanddigsherhandsintomyhair,holdingmetoher.Thekissismessyandrough,butthat’sus.It’sfuckingperfect.Ilosemyselfinthefeelofhertongueandteeth,inthewayherdesiremakesmyfingersslideagainstAdonis’s.I’msofuckinghard,itmakesmedizzy.
Shesobsagainstmylipsasshecomes,herpussyflutteringaroundourfingers.IbreakthekissandlookdownjustasAdonisliftshishead,thebottomhalfofhisfacestillglisteningwithherdesire.“Now.”
Henodsshakily.“Yeah.Okay.”
IdisentangleourfingersandcatchAphrodite’schin.“Onourweddingnight,yousaidyoudidn’tcareifIworecondoms.Isthatstilltrue?”
Sheblinksandseemstocomebacktoherself.“Yes.I’monbirthcontrol.I,um,haven’tbeenwithanyonesinceAdonis.Iwastestedbeforeourwedding.”
Hegivesherasharplook,butIcan’treallydecipherit.“Iwastestedafterwebrokeupaswell.”
Yeah,there’saboatloadofbaggagethere.That’sfine.Theycanshelveitfortonight.“IwasalsotestedbeforecomingtoOlympus.You’veseenthepaperwork.”IfIhadwonAresasplanned,itwouldhavebeenrequiredtomarryHelen.AndobviouslyMinoshadcontingencyplans,marriageamongthem,ifIlost.IlookatAdonis.“Areyoucomfortablegoingwithout?”
Hedoesn’thesitate.“Yes.”
Thereareadozenreasonswhythisisabadidea,butIdon’tgiveafuck.“Where’sthelube?”
Aphroditegivesabreathlesslaugh.“Righttothepoint.Icanappreciatethat.”Shewavesashakinghandathernightstand.“There.”
Iclimboffthebedandtaketheopportunitytoshuckoffmypants.Thelubeisexactlywhereshepromised,somefancyshitinaglassbottle.Nothingbutthebestformywife.Imotionatthem.“Turnover,Wife.”
Shehesitates,butI’mnotinthemoodforit.We’veestablishedourrolestonight,andtheyneedmeheretodragthemalongwithme.IwedgeahandunderherhipandflipherovertofaceAdonis.Shecurses,butI’malreadyclimbingontothebedandtakingupapositionbehindher.Ithrustthelubebottleintoherhand.“Adonis’scockislookinglonely.”
“Youaresuchanasshole.”
“Andyou’restalling.”Ileancloseandnipherearlobe.“Ifyoudon’twanttofuckhim,thenI’lldoitandyoucansitthereandwatch.”
AsIsuspected,thatgetshermoving.Shesquirtssomelubeontoherpalmandreachesdowntocoathislength.Ilikethelookofherhandaroundhisthickcock.AlmostasmuchasIlikemyhandaroundhiswidelength.Whenheshineswithlube,Inipherearagain.“Nowmine.”
Thistime,shedoesn’targue.Shereachesbackandstrokesmycock.Thelubemakesherhandslippery,butthelittlewitchdoesn’tmisstheopportunitytoskatehernailsalongtheundersideofmylength.
Ihissoutabreath.“Beniceoryoudon’tgeteithercock.”
“YoubeniceorImightforgetmyselfandbiteoffsomethingimportant.”
Igrinagainstherskin.That’smywitchofawife.Icatchherthighandpullherlegupandout.“Youknowwhattodo.”
Shedoesn’thesitatetopressmycocktoherentrance.Withthelubeandherbeingsofuckingwet,Isliderightin.Pleasuremakesmybrainshortout,butImusclemyresponseback.Asgoodasthisfeels,it’sabouttofeelbetter.IworkintoherinshortstrokesuntilI’msheathedtothehilt.
“Fuck,that’sgood.”Shepressesbackagainstme,softandsweet.
“NowAdonis.”
Theybothjolt,butIdamnwellknowtheybothwantthisasmuchasIdo.Isqueezeherthigh.“It’sgoingtofeelevenfuckingbettertohavehimstretchingyou,too.Fuckingyou.”
“Yes,”shebreathes.
Ihavetoshiftabittobeabletoseehertakehiscockashemovesintoposition,butIsureasshitfeelitwhenhisbroadheadbrushesthebaseofmycock.Theybothmakeafrustratedsoundwhenheslidesrightoffus.
Iknowitdoesn’tmeantheyneedme.Notinanyrealway.Thatdoesn’tchangethefactthatIfeelneededrightnow
I’mnotpreparedforthesheerwaveofemotionthatwashesovermeinresponsetothatrealization.
SoIshelveit.
I’lldealwithitlater.
Rightnow,Ihavetwoofthemostbeautiful,infuriatingpeopleI’veevermetinmybedandIneedtodrivethemoutoftheirbusyminds.
Igrabmywifearoundthewaistandtipontomyback,takingherwithme.Ittakesasecondtogetsituated,butIcatchherotherthighandholdherlegsopen.“Now,Adonis.Fuckusproperly.”25ADONIS
Idon’tknowhowIgottothisplace,butIneverwantthisfeverdreamtopass.Surelyit’sadream.Ican’tpossiblybekneelingbetweenTheseus’sthighs,lookingdowntowherehisbigcockspreadsEris’spussy.Hisballshangthickandheavy,andIcan’thelpreachingdownandcuppingthemwithonehandandpressingtheothertoherlowerstomachsoIcanbrushherclitwithmythumb.
Shemoansandhegrowls.Heglaresupatmewiththosedarkeyes.“You’restalling.”
MaybeIam.Iknowthisisonlysex,butitfeelslikemakingapromiseI’mnotsureI’llsurvive.Erisalmostbrokemewhensheleftme.IfItastethepossibilityofbothofthemtogether,Idon’tknowifI’llhaveaheartlefttobreak.
We’vegonetoofartogobacknow.Thetimetoprotectmyselfwasbackinthekitchen.Instead,Iwenttomykneesbeforethem.
FittingthatI’monmykneesnow,too.
I’veneverbeenreligious,butasIpressmycockagainstTheseus’sandstarttoworkintoEris’spussy,IthinktheirbodiesmightbeanaltarIcouldspendalifetimeworshippingat.
Oralifetimemourningthelossof.
Aspromised,thefitistight.Almosttootight.SweatglistensonmyskinandI’mshaking,andIbarelyhavetheheadofmycockinsideher.
Erisisbreathingingasps,herbreastsshakingwitheachinhale.Eachexhaleisaquiet,“Fuck.”
Ithrustalittle,sinkingdeeper.Thelubehasmadeourcocksslick,andbeingpressedsotightlytoTheseus’slengthisenoughtohavemefightingnottolosecontrol.
“That’sright.”Theseus’svoiceislowandalmostunintelligible.“Keepgoing.”
IbracemyhandsoneithersideoftheirhipsandstareatthespotwhereI’msinkingslowingintoherpussy.Feedingher—feedingthem—oneslowinchatatime.Theseus’sfingerspulseonherthighsandhemakesoneofthosedeliciousgrowlsagain.“Deeper.”
“Workingonit,”Imanage.
“Deeper.”
“Ohfuck.”Erisshakesaroundus.“Ohshit,IthinkI’mgoingtocome.”
“Thencome,Wife.”
Everytimehecallsherwife,atremorgoesthroughme.Ican’tbegintosayifit’spleasureorpain.Perhapsit’salittlebitofboth.Isinktherestofthewayintoherwithamoan.Theseusdoesn’tgivemeachancetogetaccustomedtothesensation.Hegrabsmythroatanddragsmecloser.
Eris’shandsfindmybackevenasTheseustakesmymouth.Itfeelsgoodtobeheldbythem.Toogood.Devastatinglygood.Itrytoholdstill,butit’sasifallthepent-upemotionsofthelastfewweekshavereachedaboilingpoint.
Ican’tstop.
Idon’teventry.
Iwithdrawslowly,earningamutteredcursefromTheseus,andthenbeginaslowthrust.Fuckinghim.Fuckingher.Fuckingbothofthem.
Erisburiesherfaceinmythroat.Herbodygoestight,andit’stheonlywarningIgetbeforeshe’scoming.Sheshuddersandshakesbetweenus.Eachbreathsobsfromherlipsagainstmyskin.Idon’tmeantomeetTheseus’sgazeoverherhead,butithappensallthesame.
Thelookonhisface.Idon’tknowhowtodescribeit.Fierceandalmostangry,andyetsomehowtenderatthesametime.Hereleasesherthighsandguideshertowrapherlegsaroundmywaist.Thenewpositionshiftsusinsideher,andEriscriesout.“Toomuch.Gods,IthinkI’m—”
Ikissher.Iswallowherwordsandhercries,wishingIcoulddrinkdownherfearandrelieveherofitentirely.Iknowbetter.Itwillstillbetheretomorrowwhenpassionshavecooledandtherealworldcalls.
Despitemybestefforts,thisorgasmpullsmeovertheedge.ImoanasIcome,thrustingintoherharder,mycockdraggingagainstTheseus’s.Itfeelsliketheydraineverybitofseedoutofme.I’mshakingandweak,unabletodoanythingbutpantagainstEris’slips.She’snotmuchbetter,herlegsloosearoundmywaistandherfingertipsgentleonmyback.
“Notdoneyet,”Theseusgrowls.
Idon’tknowhowhemanagestoflipuswithoutdislodginganyone.Itshouldn’tbepossible,butalotofthingsshouldn’tbepossiblewhenitcomestoTheseus.HepressesahandtothesmallofEris’sback,pressinguseventightertogether.
Thenhestartsmoving.
I’msosensitivefromcomingthatIcryoutashiscockslidesagainstmine.It’stoomuch.“I—”
“Beagoodboyandtakeit,”hegrowls.
Goodboy.
Thosewordsfeellikehereachesrightintomychestandstrumsmyverysoul.Withasinglesentence,hepropelsmefrombeingtoosensitivetotakewhathe’sgivingtoneedinghimtoneverstop.“Theseus.”
“That’sright.I’mgivingthistoyourightnow.Tobothofyou.”Hedoesn’tpickuphispace.Hejustkeepsupthatdevastatinglythoroughstrokethatseemstogoonforever.
Eris’shandsfindmyfaceandthenshetakesmymouthagain.We’retheonlytwosailorsinastormofTheseus’smaking.Itendswhenhesaysitdoes,andI’mnotcertainwe’llsurvivethepleasurehecontinuestodeal.Iftonightdoesn’truinus,thenwhateverthemorningbringswill.
Myheartbreak.
Ourconsequences.
Hethrustsdeepandcomeswithacurse.Itfeelssogood,Ican’thelpthrustingagain,whichmakeshimthrustandEriswrithe,andit’sasifwe’restuckinaloop.Wekeepmovinguntilhefinallydragshimselffromusandpullsheroffmycock.
Theycollapsehalfontopofme.Erissnugglesherfaceagainstmythroat,littletremorsstillrackingherbody.OrmaybeI’mtheonewho’sshaking.I’mnotentirelysure.
Theseuscatchesmyhandandpressesmyknucklestohislips.“Youdidwell.”
Hispraisewarmsme.I’mtootiredtoworryaboutthefactthatIshouldn’ttrustthisman.Itdoesn’tmatter.Notnow.Maybenotever.IcareabouthimmorethanIcouldhaveanticipated.
Erisshiftsagainstme,andIlookdownather.Theseusisn’ttheonlyoneinthisbedIcareabout.Iloveher.Nomatterhowwehurteachother,Idon’tknowthatIwilleverstoplovingher.Igatherhercloserwithmyfreearmandshesmilesagainstmyskin.“That’sonewaytocomfortsomeone.”
“Itworked,didn’tit?”Theseusisstillalittlebreathless,hisvoiceroughandtired.
“Yes.”Shesoundshalf-asleep.AsIwatch,herblinksbecomelonger.Withinafewminutes,herbreathingevensoutandthelastofthetensionmeltsfromherbody.
Iwaitafewbeatsmore.I’mnotsureifI’mstallingorifIreallycan’tbelieveshefellasleepthatfast.Evenafterhoursofsex,itusuallytakesherlongertowinddownenoughtoletsleeptakeher.
Theseusshiftsbehindher,andIreluctantlylookuptomeethisgaze.NothingabouttonighthasgonelikeIexpected,butIcan’tdenythatitwasexactlywhatErisneeded.
WhatIneeded.
“Thankyou,”Isaysoftly.“IknowIwasn’tgraciousaboutitinitially,butthankyouforbeingthereforher.Thismorningandtonight.”
Heseemslikehemightwanttobolt,butfinallysighsandrelaxesagainstherback.Whenhespeaks,hekeepshisvoicejustasquietasmine.“IthoughtshehadthingsundercontroltodayorIwouldhavecalledyousooner.”
Ilookdownatthesleepingwomanbetweenus.“She’sgottenverygoodaboutmaskingitwhenshegetsscared.”
“Yeah,Igotthatnow.”Hehesitates.“Iamnotyourally.Thinkingofmeasoneisamistake.”
“Areyousayingthattoconvinceme…oryourself?”
Anotherofthoseworld-wearysighs.“Ican’tbe,Adonis.Youcan’trelyonme,andyou’dbeafuckingfooltotrustmewithanything.”
He’sright.He’sbeennothingbuthonestfromthebeginning,whichisanironyinandofitself.TheseusVitalis,enemytoOlympusandyetmoretruthfulthananyoneelseinthisblastedcity.Idon’tknowwhathemeanstodonextinserviceofhisfosterfather,buthe’salreadydoneplenty.Trustinghimisamistake.
Andyet…
“Itrustedyouwithmybodylastnight.”Thewordsarelittlemorethanawhisper.“Itrustedyouwithherstonight.Thatmeanssomething.”
“Don’t.”
Thetemptationtopresshimisnearlyoverwhelming.Hemightbeamonster,butIcan’tescapethegentlewayhetouchedme.OrthefactthathetookcareofErisinhisownway,firstwhenhesavedherlifeandthenagaintonight.Thatmeanssomething,too,nomatterhowobviouslyuncomfortableitmakeshim.“Whatiftherewasanotherway?Awaytonotbestandingonoppositesidesofthisline?”
“There’snot.”Hecatchesmychinanddragshisthumbovermybottomlip.Foramoment,conflictshowsinhiseyes,butthenhedropshishandtodrapeoverEris’sbody.“There’snot,”Theseusrepeats.“Thisdoesn’tendhappywithus.Whenitends,it’sinbloodandtears.”26APHRODITE
IwakeupfeelingmorerelaxedthanIhaveinmonths.Iknowit’saliethemomentIopenmyeyesandseethetwomeninmybed.Adonissleepsinhiscustomaryposition—onhisside.I’vealwaysfounditoddthatthemannevermoveswhenhesleeps.Butthen,Adonisdoesn’thavethesametumultuousrelationshipwithsleepthatIdo.Itossandturn,anditslipsthroughmyfingersnightafternight.Hesimplycloseshiseyesandletsittakehim.
Hephaestusisanotherthingentirely.He’sontheothersideofAdonis,sprawledovermorethanhisfairshareofthebed,onebigarmandlegtossedovertheotherman.
Ishift,andhavetotalkdownthesurgeofwarmththatriseswhenIrealizehe’sclaspedmyhipwithonehandandthatAdonishasonearmdrapedovermywaist.
Lastnightcan’tmeananything
Adonisismyexforgoodreason,andmyhusbandismyenemy.Itdoesn’tmatterthattheytookcareofmeinatrulyinventiveway,orthatitfeltparticularlycathartictoreleasesomeofthepent-upmessyemotionsbetweenmeandAdonis.
Inafewhours,wewillbestandingontheoppositesideofthelinefromeachotheratameetingamongtheThirteen.Icannotaffordtosoftentohim,orstarttothinktraitorousthoughtsabouthowmaybeheisn’tthatbad.Heisthatbad.It’stheentirereasonImarriedhim.
Mybodyfeelsheavy,butit’salie.Ihavetogetmoving.There’sameetingtoattendandadestabilizingcitytofix.Ican’tstayhereinthisstrangelittlealternaterealitywhereIdon’treallyhatemyhusbandandImighthaveafuturewiththemanIlove.
That,morethananything,getsmemoving.Ilearnedearlyonthepriceofwishingonstars.Itdoesn’tchangeanything,andtheinevitabledisappointmentcancrushyoursoulifyou’renotcareful.Bettertoworkwithintheboundariesofwhat’srealinsteadofwhatyouwishwasreal.
Ichecktheclock,whichshowsIhaveplentyoftimebeforeIneedtobeinDodonaTowerformybrother’smeeting.GodsaloneonlyknowwhatPerseushascomeupwithinthemeantime.
AllhewantedwasstabilityandabetterOlympusthanourfatherleftus.
Lookatusnow,beinghuntedinthestreetslikeprey.
Itakeaquicktriptothebathroomandsnagmyrobeoffthebackofthedoor.Idon’tknowifI’llkickAdonisoutorleavehimhere,butifhe’scontenttosleep…Well,someonemightaswellgetextrasleep.IshouldletHephaestussleeprightthroughthemeeting.It’sthestrategicthingtodo.ButsomehowI’mreachingoverAdonisandtappingHephaestus’sshoulder.“Youwon’twanttobelateforthismeeting.Getup.”
“Fiveminutes.”HetuckshisfaceintothesideofAdonis’sthroat.“Justfivefuckingminutes.”
“Suityourself.”IhatehowwellrestedIfeel.Twofullnightsofsleepinarow,bothofthemspentwithmyhusbandinmybed.Nousethinkingaboutthat.Nothinggoodcancomeofit.Islipoutofthebedroomandpaddownthehalltowardmykitchen.I’mneverconflicted.Idon’thavethetimeorluxuryforthiskindofspinningout.
Asoundbringsmeupshort.Thereis…someoneinmykitchen.
ItakeastepbackbeforeIcatchmyself.Iamnotrunningbacktothemenandbeggingthemtoprotectme.Thisismyhouse.IwrapmyrobemorefirmlyaroundmeandduckintomyofficetograbthefirstthingIsee.It’samassivehardcoverbookonthehistoryofOlympus—afamilyheirloomthatcouldcrushasmallchild—andIfeelalittleridiculousasIheftitinfrontofmeandstartbackdownthehall.ThatfeelingofridiculousnessonlygetsworsewhenIseewho’sputteringaboutinmykitchen.
Pandora.
She’swearingapairoffadedjeansandaloosecroppedT-shirtthatIsuspectoriginatedinHephaestus’scloset.ItleaveshersoftbellyexposedandIamstruckbythesuddenurgetogotomykneesandpressmymouththere.“Um.”
“Morning.”ShetakesinthebookI’mholding.“I’daskhowyou’redoing,butyoulookboththoroughlysexedandkindofstressed.ApparentlyTheseustooktheold‘whenyou’reholdingahammer,everyproblemlookslikeanail’approach.”
I’m…notsurehowtoactinthissituation.Obviously,PandoraknewIwasmarriedtoHephaestus—Theseus—butthisfeelsverydifferentthantherelationshipwe’vebeenbuildingtodate.ThewholepointwastokeephimoutofwhatPandoraandIhave…andthenturnaroundandneedlehimaboutit.TolethimtwistinthewindandworryaboutwhatImightbeuptowithhisbelovedbestfriend.
Excepthe’sinmybedandshe’sinmykitchen.
MystomachdipsandItryforasmile.“Morning?”
Shepropsherhandsonherhips.“Areyougoingtohitmewiththatbook?”
“No?”
“Thenwhydon’tyouputitdownandcomehere?”
Inumblysetitonthenarrowhalltablenexttome.Mybodyhardlyfeelslikemyownrightnow.I’mmorecenteredthatIwaslastnight,butnotbymuch.
Mywholeworldhasgonetopsy-turvy.
Evenso,itfeelssodamnrighttostepforwardandintoPandora’sarms.ShehugsmetightlyandIfindmyselfclingingtoherandinhalingherfloweryshampooscent.
“I’mgladyou’reokay,”shemurmursagainstmythroat.“IwasreallyworriedaboutyouwhenTheseuscalledmelastnight.”
Justlikethat,thepiecesclickintoplace.Myhusbandcamehere,foundme—well,thelessIthinkabouthowhefoundme,thebetter—andthencalledPandora.“You’retheonewhotoldhimtocallAdonis,aren’tyou?”
“Yes.”Sheleansbackenoughtolookintomyeyes.“TheseusandIwouldhavefuckeditup,evenifwetriedourbest.Adonisknowsyou.”Shesmilesalittle.“Helovesyou.Youlovehim,too.Hewaswhoyouneeded.”
“Thankyou,”Iwhisper.Isearchherexpressionforsomekindofhurt,butthere’snothing.“Thisisaverystrangesituation.”
“Welcometopolyamory.”Shegivesmeonelastsqueezeandstepsback.
“Justlikethat?”ItseemstodefybeliefthatIcantakeheratfacevalue.ThatPandorawouldn’tfeelevenasliveroftheconflictingfeelingscoursingthroughmerightnow.Thatshewouldofferreliefinsteadofpilingontheguilt.“Thatsimple.”
“There’snothingsimpleaboutit.Itgetsthornyandsometimesthecommunicationisbetterthanothertimes.Butthat’slife,isn’tit?”Sheshrugs.“What’sontheagendatoday?”
Ifollowherintothekitchen.Itdoesn’tevenoccurtometolie.“TheThirteenhaveameetingabouttheincreasedattacksagainstus.Afterthat,Ineedtosurveythereplacementglassdividerbeinginstalledinmyoffice.”
Pandoranods.“You’llneedsomeproteintogetyouthrough.”Sheeyesme.“You’rethetypetoflyrightthroughlunchwithouteating,aren’tyou?”
Guiltheatsmyskin,eventhoughIhavenothingtoactuallyfeelguiltfor.“I’mverybusy.Sometimesitslipsmymind.”
“Thoughtso.”Shenudgesmewithherhip.“Sitdownandletmefeedyou.Preferencesonbreakfast?”
Ituckmyrobemorefirmlyaroundmybodyandperchonthebarstoolattheisland.“Simple.Iusuallygrabaproteinbarorsomethingonthewayoutthedoor.”
Thelookshesendsmywayissofilledwithexasperationthatmyheartgivesafunnylittlethump.I’mgoingtohavetohavemychestlookedat.Alltheseskippedbeatscan’tbegoodformyhealth.Betweenthethreeofthem,myheartisworkingovertime.
Pandorastartsunloadingthegrocerybagsonthecounter.“Howaboutanomelet?Proteinandevenavegetableortwo.”
“Thatsoundslovely.”Myheartgivesanotherthump.“Butyoudon’thavetodothat.Really,I’mokay.”
“Iknowyou’reokay,justlikeIknowIdon’thavetodothis.I’mnotherebecauseIhavetobe.I’mherebecauseIwanttobe.”Shestartsmovingaboutmykitchen.Ittakesherallofthirtysecondstofindwhatshe’slookingforandgetapanheatinguponthestove.Shehumsunderherbreathassheworks.
It’s…Idon’tevenhavewords.
ThesurrealfeelingonlygetsmorepronouncedwhenHephaestusandAdoniswanderintothekitchen.Myhusbandhasmanagedtopullhimselftogetherinrelativelyshorttime.Hishairevenlookscombed.HegivesPandoraahug,aquicksqueezeofhershoulders,andpressesakisstohertemple.Adonisveersaroundhereasilyandgetstoworkstartingagiantpotofcoffee.Hiseyesarehalf-open,andI’mnearlycertainhe’snotactuallyawakeyet.Heneverisbeforehisfirstcupofcoffee.
It’snice.Thefourofusinmykitchen.Itdoesn’tfeellikethemenwalkedinandruinedthemoment.Instead,it’salmostasifthey’readdingtothelovelyfeelingofdomesticbliss.
Hephaestusleansagainstthecounterandcrosseshisarmsoverhischest.InoticehegetsseveralstepsoutofPandora’swaywhileshecooks,whichstrikesmeasstrangelycute.Heeyesme.“Youlookbetterthismorning.”
“Yes,well,youfuckedmedamnnearintounconsciousness.It’samazinghowlittlecapacityapersonhasforfearwhenthey’rethatexhaustedfromorgasms.”
Hislipsquirk.Notquiteasmile,butonhim,it’spracticallyburstingintolaughter.“Amutualbenefit.You’remuchmoreagreeablewhenyou’recoming.Ionlythoughtaboutstranglingyouoncelastnight.Twiceatmost.”
“Theseus.”Pandorawhipshimwithadishtowel,thesnapmakingmejump.Sheglares.“What’swrongwithyou?Don’tsayshitlikethat.”
Now’sthetimetodriveachasmbetweenthem,totellherthathe’ssaidmuchworsetome,hasactivelythreatenedme.Pandorawouldn’tbehereifshedidn’tcareaboutme,andshemighthaveamuchlongerrelationshipwithhim,butthefaultlinesarerightthereandreadytoexploit.
ExceptI…don’t.
Instead,Isitthereandlistentothemcasuallysnipeateachotherinawaythatspeakstoaverylonghistory.Therhythmoftheirconversationhasgroovesofretreadtopics,thesamewayarivercarvesoutacanyon.Thewordsmightbesharp,butfondnesspermeateseverysyllable.
Thiscan’tlast.Therearetoomanyobstaclesinfrontofus.ButIalmostwishIwaswrongaboutourlittlefoursome’sinevitablecollapse.
“Here.”Adonissetsamugofcoffeeinfrontofmeandtakestheseatonmyleft.
“Thankyou.”Iwrapmyhandsaroundit,lettingtheheatstealthroughtheceramicandwarmmypalms.
Heleanshiselbowsonthecounterandturnshisheadtolookatme.“Lastnight…”
“Yeah.”Itchangedeverythingandnothing.I’mstillmarriedtoHephaestus.IstillloveAdonis.We’restilldiametricallyopposedonmultipledifferentlevels.Maybethethreeofusworkedlastnight,butthatdoesn’tmeanwecouldeverworkinthelongterm.
Still,Ican’tnotsaywhatI’mfeelingrightnow.“Thankyou.Foreverything.Iknowthiswasn’teasyforyou.”
Hegivesaghostofhisnormalhappysmile.“Ienjoyedlastnight.I’mnothappythatyou’reindanger,butitwascathartic.”
“Cathartic.”Astrangeword,butitfits.Ibumpmyshoulderagainsthis.“That’sanewone.”
“Withyou?Alwaysasurprise.”
Pandoraspinsaroundandplacesaplateinfrontofme.TheomeletlookslikesomethingI’dorderatarestaurant.Iraisemybrows.“Thisisimpressive.”
“Yes,well,hecan’tcook.”ShejerksherthumbatHephaestus.“AndIhadplentyoffreetimewhileMinoshadhischildren,fosterandotherwise,dancingtohistune.Hiscook,Picus,wasfondofmeandtaughtmewhatheknew.”Hersmiledims.“Ihopehe’sdoingokaywithoutustheretofeed.”
“I’msurehe’sfine,”Hephaestusrumbles.“Minossenthimtoanotherhouseholdtostaybusy.”
Shegiveshimasharplook.“That’sthefirstI’mhearingofit.”
Adonisclearshisthroat.WhenPandoralooksathim,hegivesherhisbestcharmingsmile.I’mfaintlyamusedtoseeherblinkagainsttheforceofit.Sheshakesherhead.“Helloagain,Adonis.Youwouldbeashandsomeinthemorningwhenyou’vejustrolledoutofbedasyouarewhenyou’redressedtothenines.Gladtoseeyou’vebeenwellintheweekssinceI’veseenyou.I’massumingyouhavearequest?”
“IfIcanimposeonyoutomakeanotherplate,Iwouldbeendlesslygratefulandforeverinyourdebt.”
Shelaughssoftly.“Noneedforthetheatrics.I’mhappytocookforyou.”SheslantsaglanceatHephaestus.“Allofyou.”
“Whathesaid.Endlesslygrateful.”Onmyhusband’slips,thewordssoundalmostlikeathreat.
“Right.Sure.”Pandorarollshereyes.“Sitdownandstoplurking.It’sdistracting.”
“I’mgoodatlurking.”HewinksandamblesaroundtheislandtotakethestoolonAdonis’sotherside.
Idon’tknowwhattodowiththissideofHephaestus.I’veseenhimdangerousandfuriousandvicious.Butinthelasttwenty-fourhours,I’vealsoseenhimgentleandplayfulanddominatinginareallysexyway.Hewasborderlinecruellastnight,butIcan’tdenythathismotivationswerepure.Orcloseenoughtopuretocount.
ItcomplicatesthingsinawayI’mnotcomfortablewith.Hatinghimwassomucheasierbeforehetookcarewithmybody…andthenmyheart.BeforeIsawthetendernessinthewayhetouchedAdonisandthecomfortableamusementinherentinhisinteractionswithPandora.
Idrinkmycoffeeandletthemomentwashoverme.PandorateasingHephaestus.Adonisslippinginacommenthereandthere,hisattitudewarmingashiscoffeecupempties.
It’s…nice.
Itmakesmewanttostayhereinthisstrangelittleworldforever.Ican’t,though.Ineedtogetready,getmyheadonstraight,andgoofftothewarmeetingwithmybrother.
IturntoAdonis.“Ihavetogo.”
“Iknow.”Hesqueezesmykneeandliftshisvoice.“Dinnertonight.”
It’snotaquestion,butIstillfindmyselfshiftingsidewaystolookatmyhusband.He’smorerelaxedthanI’veeverseenhimandhenodseasily.“Sure,dinner.”
AdonisglancesatPandora.Herbrowswingupinresponse.“IgetthefeelingthethreeofyouwillforgettoeatifI’mnotaround.I’llbehere.”
Iwantyouhereformorethanfood.
Gods,what’shappeningtome?
Ishouldbetheonetotakeawreckingballtothismoment,toremindthemthatnoneofusareactuallyallies,andthislittlegroupwillfallapartatthefirsthitfromtheworldoutsidemyapartment.
InsteadIstandandroundtheislandtohugher.“Thankyouforbreakfast.”
Shecatchesmyelbowsandlooksupatme,herexpressiongoingfierce.“Staysafetoday,Eris.”
Mythroatgoestight.“Iwill.Ipromise.”
IhopetothegodsI’mnotlyingtoher.27PANDORA
Erisdisappearstogetready.IwaituntilI’veslippedplatesoffoodinfrontofboththementoleanagainstthecounterandsay,“So,whohadthebrilliantideatofuckthetraumatizedwoman?”
Adonischokes,spittingoutcoffee.“What?”
“Itwasme.”Theseusmeetsmygazesteadily.“Itseemedlikeagoodideaatthetime,andshe’ssteadieronherfeetnow.Itwasn’tabadidea.”
Irollmyeyes.“Youwouldthinkthat,wouldn’tyou?”He’snotentirelywrong,though.Shemusthavebeeninabadstatetomakehimsopanickedlastnight,butI’mnotsureIwanttoaddressthatrightnow.
Theseuscaresabouther.Ican’ttellifheknowsityet,butifhedidn’tcareatleastalittlebit,lastnighthewouldhaveturnedaroundandwalkedoutofherapartmentandneverlookedback.
Thatshouldcomfortme—IcareaboutEris—butIknowhimtoowell.Hewon’tletsomethingassmallascaringgetinthewayoffollowingorders.Minoshashisclawsintoodeep.IfhetellsTheseustomurderEris,Theseusmightfeelalittlebadaboutit,buthe’lldoit.
Itfeelslikewe’reonarunawaytrainheadingstraightforablown-outbridge.Idon’tknowhowtoslowusdown,don’tknowhowtogetoffthetracks.
Theonlyoptionistorideitdirectlytoourruin.
IshifttolookatAdonis.“Iexpectedsuchnonsensefromhim.What’syourexcuse?”
“Idon’thaveone.Itjustkindofhappened.”Heduckshisheadinareallycharmingway.Iunderstandwhattheyseeinhim.There’ssomethingaboutAdonisthatdrawseveryonearoundhim.ItwasevidentatMinos’shouseparty,tothepointwherenotevenTheseuswasunaffected.He’scertainlyaffectednow
Ieyehim.Yeah,he’sdownrightsmitten.It’sthereinthewayhisbodyseemspulledinbyagravitationalpullAdonisisputtingout.Theirshoulderskeepbrushing,andhegrabsAdonis’smugtorefillwhenhegetshisowncoffee.
I’veonlyseenhimlikethisoncebefore,withaguyhehadasummerromancewithrightafterMinosbroughtusintohishousehold.He’ssoftwithme,butit’sadifferentkindofintimacy,bornofoursharedtrauma.We’rebestfriendsandI’mclosertohimthananyoneelseintheworld,butitwillneverberomantic.
ItwillneverbeTheseuslookinglikehelooksrightnow,likehe’snotentirelysurewhattodowithhishands.He’sawarrior.I’veseenhimmovethroughaseriesofopponents—oneofthetrainingexercisesMinosinsistson—asifhe’swateranduntouchable.Hemightnotbeabletomovequitesofluidlynow,buthe’sstillgracefulinhisway.
Notrightnow.
He’smovinglikehedidwhenheturnedfourteenandgrewsixinchesinafewmonths.Hisbodywasnewandstrangeandhehadtorelearnhowtomovethroughtheworldwithoutslammingintothings
Ipressmylipstogether.Thisisarecipefordisaster.Idon’tknowiftheotherthreearen’tawareofit,orareintentionallyignoringit,butthere’snotmuchtobedoneiftheyaredeterminedtoseethecoursethrough.I’mnotsuretheyaredeterminedtoseeitthrough,though.Thewholemoodthismorningfeelsveryunreal,asifit’sabubblejustwaitingforsomeonetopopit.
Really,I’mahypocrite.Ihavenointentionofputtingdistancebetweenmeandanyofthesepeople.It’sjustgoingtohurtwhenthingsblowupinourfaces.“Theseus.”Iwaitforhimtolookatme.“Minoswaslookingforyouthismorning.”
Hemeetsmygazesteadily.“I’llcallhimonceI’mdonewiththemeeting.”
Somethinglikehopefluttersinmychest.Amonthago,hewouldhavedroppedeverythingtorushforhisphoneandapologizedthemomenthisfosterfatherpickedup.Still,IknowbetterthantobelieveMinos’sinfluenceiswaning.
“Isee.”Mybestfriendismanythings,butfickleisn’toneofthem.Itwilltakemorethanaprettyfaceandcharmingsmiletopullhimfromthatpoisonoushousehold.
Adonislooksbetweenus.“ShouldIgiveyouaminute?”
“It’sfine.”Theseusleansback.“Pandoraisworriedaboutmypriorities.”
Isnort.“Onlybecauseyourprioritiesaresuspect.”IfIknewwhatMinoswasupto,ImightbetemptedtogostraighttothatgoldenassholeinhistowerandusetheinformationtoleverageTheseus’sfreedom.
Except,no,I’mstillbeingahypocrite.NomatterhowlittleIlikeMinos,Iwon’tdoanythingtoendangerTheseus.There’snotasinglereasonforZeustohonorhiswordaboutnotharmingTheseusifhemarriedEris.Infact,therearehalfadozenreasonsoffthetopofmyheadtomakehisenemydisappearandsticksomeonehetrustsintotheHephaestustitle.
“It’snousetryingtotalksenseintohim.”Erisappears,lookingmoreputtogetherthanshehasarighttoafterbeinggonesuchashorttime.She’spulledherhairbackintoaslickponytailandgonewithaminimalmakeuplook…exceptforhercrimsonlips.Shepickedafittedblackdressthatshowsoffherleanframe,andblackheelshighenoughtomakeherthetallestpersonintheroom.
“Wife.”Foronce,Ican’treadtheexpressiononTheseus’sface.Or,tobemoreaccurate,therearetoomanyconflictingexpressions.Lust,anger,somethingliketenderness,maybethetiniesthintofvulnerability.Theseusdoesn’tknowhowtofeelabouthiswife.
Thatmakestwoofus.
“I’llwalkyouout.”Isay.
Shelooksatme.“That’sreallynotnecessary.Noneofthisis.”
Thereitis.Thefirstcrack.
Theseuscrosseshisarmsoverhischest.“Idon’tknow.Feltprettynecessarytome.”
Surprisepullsmeupshort.Nowisthetimewhenheshouldsnarlsomethingandstormout.Notstandtherecalmlyandstarehiswifedown.
“Fine.Itwasalittlenecessary.Yoursacrificehasbeendulynoted,butIhavetoleavenow.Youshoulddothesameifyoudon’twanttobelate.”IfIhadn’theardthepanicinTheseus’svoicelastnightandthenseenthefragilityinhereyesthismorning,Ineverwouldhaveknownwhathappenedyesterday.
Good.
She’stoostubborntoshowweaknesstotherestofthecity,andI’mgladofit.Enemieslookingforafracturetoexploitwillfindnone.
Thatdoesn’tmeanI’mcontentforherstubbornnesstoapplytome,too.“Youandyourhusbandhavemoreincommonthaneitherofyouwilladmit.Bothofyourprioritiesaremisguided.”Ishakemyhead.“Andyou’rebothtoostubbornbyhalf.Let’sgo.”
EriscatchesuptomeasIreachthedoor.She’sremarkablysubduedaswetaketheelevatordowntotheparkinggarage.Thedoorsopenandshereachesouttoholdthemthatway.“Myprioritiesaren’tmisguided.Irealizethiscitydoesn’tmeananythingtoyou,but—”
“ThiscitywillkillyouandmoveontothenextAphroditewithoutblinking.”Ispeaktooharshly,butit’sthetruth.
“Maybe.”Sheshrugs.“Sometimesthat’sthepriceofbeingapersonlikeme.”
“You’lldiefornothing,then.”Idon’tnormallyletmyfeelingsgetthebestofme,butshe’sspeakingsoreasonably,asifthedangertoherisbarelyworthmentioning.“SurelyyourlifeisworthmorethanbeingsomefootnoteinOlympianhistory.”
Erisgivesmealonglook.“Whatdidyouthinkwouldhappenwhenyoucametomycity,Pandora?”Shesaysitgently,whichsomehowmakesitthatmuchworse.“Evenifyoudidn’tknowMinos’splans,youhadtoknowhemeantharmtothepeoplewholivehere.DidyoureallythinktheThirteenwouldn’tstepuptogetbetweenourcityandtheonewhothreatensit?”
Guiltflares.Truthbetold,Ididn’tcareaboutthepeopleinthiscity,anymorethanIcaredaboutthepeopleontheislandweleft.TheonlypersonIcaredaboutissittingbackinEris’skitchen,probablyflirtingwithAdonis.
Iknowwhatkindofpersonthatmakesme,butImademypeacewiththatalongtimeago.Iliftmychin.“Howmanypeoplehaveyouhurtforthegoodofthiscity?Includingtheonesbackinyourapartment?”
Shedoesn’tflinch.Idon’thonestlyexpectherto.
Erisshrugs.“You’rejustprovingmypoint.Thegoodofthemanywillalwaysoutweightheneedofoneperson.”Shemakesaface.“I’mnoteagertothrowmyselfinfrontofabullet,butthere’sbeenriskassociatedwithbeingmesinceIwasborn.It’sjustmoreexplicitnow.”
“Ihatethis,”Iwhisper.“Ihatethatyou’reindangerandthatyou’reatoddswithTheseus.”
Herexpressiongoescontemplative.“Maybewe’renotquitetheenemieswewereafewdaysago.Idon’tknowiflastnightactuallychangesanything.”Erisnarrowshereyes.“Whataremyoddsofturninghim?”
IwishIhadbetternewsforher.ShemightseeTheseusasatoolthesamewayMinosdoes,butit’snotthesame.Ashusbandandwife,heandErisareclosertobeingonthesamefootingthanhimandthestand-inparenthefeelsheoweseverythingto.HerturningTheseusandhavinghimdancingtohertunewouldn’tbeideal,butit’dstillbepreferable.
It’llneverhappen.
Iturnandlookoutintotheparkinggarage.It’sfullofwildlyexpensivevehiclesandshadows.Noonearoundtohearmetellthetruth.“Notgood.Inhismind,Minossavedus.HesweptinafterareallytraumaticeventandseemedtogiveTheseuseverythinghecouldhaveeverdreamedof.”
“AfterthatpriesttriedtohurtyouandTheseuskilledhim,butnotbeforehealmostdisemboweledTheseus.Madehimquitetheperfectlittlesoldier-victimforMinos,Iimagine.”
“What?”Ispinbacktofaceher.“Howdoyouknowaboutthat?”Ihadgivenherthebaredetailsbefore,butIpurposefullykeptthingsback.
“Hetoldme.”She’sstillgotthatlookonherface,theonethatsaysshe’sseeingathousandpuzzlepiecesandconsideringthebestwaytoputthemtogether.“AfterIwasattacked.”
ThestoryofhowwecametobeinMinos’shouseholdisn’texactlyasecret,butTheseusdoesn’tshareprivatestories.Especiallynotonesthatinvolveme.Thepeoplewhoknowwhyhekilledthatpriestnumberinthesingledigits.“Eris.”
“Yes?”
Shedoesn’tunderstand.Howcouldshe?Ibarelyunderstandmyself.Whathappenedbetweenthemthatthingshaveshiftedthismuch?Idon’tknowhowtofeel.IwanthimfreeofMinos,butItrulydon’twanthimtoputonsomeoneelse’sshackles.Notevenhers.“Ifhetoldyouthatstory,thenyouroddsaren’tasbadasIthought.They’renotgood—Minos’sholdonhimistoocomplete—butthey’renotzero.”
Shesmilessuddenly.“I’veworkedwithworse.”
“He’snotatoytobefoughtover.”
“No,he’snot.”Shepauses.“Butifhedoesn’tgetoutofmyway,Iwillbeforcedtocrushhim.Iwon’thesitate,Pandora.Ican’taffordto.”
“Eris—”
Shecatchesmyhands,placingthemonherhips.“Comeoverearly.”
NothingIsaytoeitherofthemisgoingtochangetheirpathsforward.TheseusandErisarewell-matchedinanumberofways,includingtheirbullheadedstubbornnesstodancetotunessetbyotherpeople.Shewon’tthankmeforpointingthatoutanymorethanhedoes,andifIkeeparguing,itwillendthingsbetweenussoonerthanI’mreadytolethergo.
SoIdon’targue.Irunmyhandsuphersidesasshestepscloser.Inherheels,Ibarelycomeuptohershoulder,whichputsmerightattheperfectheighttoappreciateherbreasts.They’retrulylovelybreasts.Iwouldverymuchliketogetmyhandsandmouthonthem.
Iclearmythroat,tryingtofocus.“You’renotgoingtohavetimeformeifyou’rerunningaroundthecityputtingoutfires.”
“I’llmaketimeforyou.”Sheskatesherfingersupmyarmsandcupsmyface.“I’llalwaysmaketimeforyou.Thankyouforbreakfast.”Shepressesakisstomylips,lightandteasing.“Andthankyouforbeingthevoiceofreasonlastnight.BringinginAdonismightnothavegonehowyou’dthoughtitwould,butittrulydidhelp.”
Ipullhercloseandkissherproperly.EristasteslikemintandI’msmudgingherlipstick,butIdon’tcare.Ithinkmyhandsmightbeshaking,butIcan’tbesure.Whenshefinallyeasesback,I’mclingingtoher.“Iwasworriedaboutyou.Iamworriedaboutyou.”
“Iknow.”Shewrapsherarmsaroundmyshouldersandholdsmeclose.“Iknow.”
Ironicthatitfeelslikeshe’scomfortingmewhenshe’stheonewhowashurt.I’veknownthiswomanafewweeks,andIhavenobusinessfeelingliketheworldwouldbesignificantlydimmerwithoutherinit,butIdon’tmakeahabitofignoringhardtruths.
IcareaboutEris.Alot.Sometimeinthelastfewdays,I’veslippedrightovertheedgeofenjoyinghercompanyandfalleninto…falling.Maybethatshouldbotherorscareme,butthere’snouserailingagainstfundamentaltruth.Itsimplyis.AndthefundamentaltruthofthissituationisthatI’mfallingforEris.“Staysafetoday.”
“IpromisethatI’lltry.”Shegivesmeonelastsqueezeandstepsback.“Feelfreetostayatmyplaceifyou’dlike.Asyoufoundoutthismorning,youhaveaccess.”
Grantingmeaccesstoherhomewasnodoubtpartofherploytoseduceme,butitwarmsmeallthesame.“Imightdothat.”
“Good.”Shepullsacompactandtissuefromherpurseandsomehowmanagestofixherlipstickinafewswipes.“Youstaysafetoday,too.”
I’mabouttopointoutthattheentiretyofOlympusisn’tafterme,butIdon’tgetachancebeforeatrioofpeopleinblacktacticalgearapproach.Itense,readytograbErisandhaulherbackintotheelevator,butshesighs.“MysisterwouldsendAchillesaspartofmyteam.”
Assoonasshesaysit,Irecognizetheunreasonablyhandsomewhitemaninthecenterofthetrio.He’stheonewhofoughttheMinotaurinthefinalArestrial.It’dbeenafearsomefight,goingwellpastthepointwhentheMinotaurwaseliminated.
Forhispart,hedoesn’tseemanyhappierwiththearrangementthanErisis.Hegivesheracoldlook.“Aphrodite.We’reheretoescortyou.”Hislipsthin.“Youweresupposedtowaitupstairsforus.”
“Oh,that.”Shewavesitaway.“IneededtohaveaprivateconversationwithmydearPandora.I’msureyouunderstand.”
Heturnsthatsteelygazeonme.“WhatIunderstandisthatanydangertoyouwillbeeliminated.”
Igocold.Nomistakingthethreatbeingdirectedatme.Erisstepsbetweenusanddrawls,“Aw,Achilles,Ididn’tthinkyoulikedmethatmuch.”
“Idon’t.Butifyougethurt,itwillmakeHelensad.Igooutofmywaynottomakemywomansad.”
“Luckyme.”Sheturnsandpressesanotherquickkisstomylips.“Seeyoutonight.”
Iwatchthemwalkaway,myheartinmythroat.There’snodenyingthatAressetErisupwiththebestpeopleshehad,butwillitbeenough?Wheneverycitizenofthiscityisapossibleenemy,thechancesofmakingitoutofthiswithoutlosingsomeoneIlove…
Itfeelsimpossible.28HEPHAESTUS
IwatchAdonisdodishesovertherimofmycoffeecup.Mywifewasright;IneedtogetmovingifIdon’twanttobelate.ButIcan’tleavebeforeIbuttonthingsupwithhim.
Heseemsfineenough,butIdon’tknowifItrustthat.He’sOlympian.Heliesaswellastherestofthem,evenifhedoesn’tseemtolietomeallthatoften.“Yougood?”
“Notreally.”Herollshishead,hisneckpopping.“Thiswholesituationismessy.”
“Messy”doesn’tbegintocoverit.TherewereafewmomentsthismorninginthekitchenwhenIforgotallaboutthat,though.ItwasjustnicetobetherewithPandorawhileAphroditeandAdonisdranktheircoffee.ThecasualintimacyrelaxedsomethinginmethatIcan’taffordtohaverelaxed,butIdidn’twantittoend.
Istilldon’t.
Thatdoesn’tpreventmefromrunningmymouth.“Youcouldwalkaway.Wedon’thaveachoiceaboutbeinghere,butyoudo.”Pandora,too,butIknowbetterthantotrytopushheragain.She’llmakeherowndecisions.Shealwayshas.
“Ireallycan’t.”Hefinishesthedishesandmakesquickworkofdryingthem.“Notfromher.Notfromyou,either.”
Mystomachdoesastrangeswoop.“Adonis—”
“Besafeouttheretoday.”
Thatmakesmepause.“Areyouworriedaboutme?”
Hehuffsoutabreath.“OfcourseIam.ThepublicofOlympusaremostlygoodpeople,buttheambitiousoneswithoutmoralcompassesarelookingateverysingleoneoftheThirteenandsharpeningtheirknives.YouareoneoftheThirteen.”
“Nooneiscomingafterme.”Isayitconfidently,evenasalittlekernelofdoubttakesseed.Minosishardlyacaringfatherfigure,butsurelyhewouldn’tputmeinapositionwhereitwaslikelyI’dbekilled…
Wouldhe?
“Youneedtogo,”Adonissaysgently.“Youcan’tbelateformeetingswiththeThirteen.Yourpositionisalreadyrockyenough.”
He’sright,butIcouldn’tgiveafuckabouttheThirteenandtheirrulesandritualsrightnow.I’mstartingtobeabletoreadhimbetter,though.Irecognizethestubbornsetofhismouth.Therewillbenoarguingwithhimaboutthis.“Justfinishingmycoffee.”Idrainthemug.“Thisconversationisn’tover.”
“Wouldn’tdreamofit.”Heplucksthemugfrommyhandsandpressesaquickkisstomylips.“Now,go.”
Igo.
Fifteenminuteslater,IwalkintotheconferenceroomwhereZeushascalledtheThirteenforwhat’sbecomeaweeklymeeting.It’sawasteoffuckingtime.Thereareallianceswithinthegroup,andplentyofthemareatoddswitheachother.IfZeussaystheskyisblue,Artemiswillsnarlthatit’spurpleoutofsheerspite.
NoteventheirhatredformeandMinosisenoughtounifythem,thoughyouwouldn’tknowitbytheglaresIreceivefromeverypersonintheroomwhenIwalkthroughthedoor.
Everyoneexceptmywife.
Shedoesn’tsmile,butherexpressioniscarefullyblank.Mightaswellrolloutthewelcomematformeafterthelasttwoweeks.Iwalkaroundthetable,carefultominimizemylimpasmuchaspossibleeventhoughmykneeacheslikeamotherfucker.
I’mstartingtothinkthatpainwillnevergoaway.
IdropintotheemptychairnexttoEris.Ishouldprobablysaysomethingtoshowcasethatshespentlastnightinmybedwillinglyanddoesn’thatemeasmuchassheshould,butthewordsdon’tcome.I’mnotonherside,butthatdoesn’tmeanIhavetokickherlegsoutfromunderherwhenshe’stryingsohardtokeephershittogether.
Zeusleansforwardandeveryonearoundthetablegoesquiet.Neattrick.Hiscoldgazeflicksoverme,hiseyesnarrowingtheslightestbitwhenheseeshowcloseI’msittingtohissister.
Heturnsthatlookontheemptychairinthecenterofthetable.“WhereisHermes?”
Dionysusclearshisthroat.“Shesaiddutycallsandmadealast-minutetripoutsidetheboundary.”
Zeusdoesn’tcurse.Hedoesn’tsomuchasblink.“Noonesanctionedthattrip,Poseidon.”
Poseidonshrugs.He’sabigfuckerwithpaleskinanddeepredhair.“She’sHermes.Shedoesn’tneedapproval.”Hisdeepvoicegainsanedge.“Unlessthelawshavechangedinthelastfewdays?”
Zeussweepsalookovertherestoftheroom.“Thenwemoveonwithouther.Let’sbegin.”
Beforeanyonecanspeak,thedoorsopenandMinoswalksin.
Shockmakesmefreeze.Whatthefuckishedoinghere?Hedoesn’tevenlookatme,hisattentionfocusingonZeusashesmiles.“Everyoneissoserious.AmIlate?”
“Rightontime.”Zeusdoesn’treturnhissmile.“Youhaveourattention.Whatdoyouwant?”
Minos’sbrowsdrawtogetherthetiniestbitingenuinesurprise.“I’msorry?Youinvitedmeheretoday.”
“Yes.Idid.”Zeusleansback.Nooneseemstobreathe.“Itireofthesegames,Minos.YoucametoOlympuswithanagenda,andI’veindulgedit.That’sfinishednow.YouwantsomethingfromtheThirteen.Let’sstopwastingeveryone’stimeanddispensewiththegames.”
Aboldmove.
Idon’tknowifit’sasmartone,butIkeepmymouthshutasIwatchMinos.Whateverhethoughtthismeetingwasabout,hedidn’texpectthis.Healsodidn’tgettothispointinhislifewithoutlearningtothinkonhisfeet.
HesmilesatZeus,asifhecanbeamhischarmrightintotheotherman’shead.“ButyoulikegamessomuchinOlympus.I’vemerelybeenhonoringmynewhomebyindulginginthem.”
“Youhaven’tansweredmyquestion.”
IflickaglanceatArtemis.She’snotkeepingherexpressionaslockeddownastheothers.Iftherewasn’tatablebetweenthem,shemighthavetriedtoattackMinos.I’msousedtoherlookingatmelikethatafterIkilledhercousinthatit’salmostnotworthmentioning.ThewayHerareachesoutandtouchesherarmbeneaththetableis,though.EspeciallywhenArtemisslumpsbackinherchairinresponse.Ididn’tthinkthosetwolikedeachothermuch.
Minosspreadshisarms,everyinchashowman.“IfIdidn’tknowanybetter,Iwouldthinkyou’reaccusingmeofbeingbehindthoseattacksontheThirteenIkeepreadingaboutinMuseWatch.”
“Whywouldn’tpeopleassumethat?”Zeus’svoicehasnoinflection.Noanger.Nofrustration.It’seerie.Heglancesatmeagain.“You’vedoneitbefore.”
“AsIsaid,Iamembracingthecustomsofthecitythat’sadoptedmeandmine.”Minos’ssmilegoescunning.“Nooneundermycommandhasmadeanyattemptsonthelivesofanyoneinthisroom.Feelfreetoverifythatinformation.”HisgazecutstoApollo.“ThoughIhaveafeelingyoualreadyhave.”
ThewayApollo’sjawclenchesverifiesthat.
Minoshadsaidhewasn’tbehindtheattacks,butIwasn’tsureIbelievedit.NowIam.He’salwaysbeenafanoflettingotherpeoplegettheirhandsdirtywhileheenjoyshislavishlifestylewithoutfearofconsequences.
Thebitternessofthethoughtgivesmepause.I’veneverbeenignorantoftheman’sfaults,butI’veneverfeltthisgrindingfrustrationwiththem,either.Hedoesn’tcarethatmywifealmostdiedyesterday.Realistically,there’snoreasonforhimtocare.
There’snoreasonformetocare,either.
ButIdo.
Idon’twantherdead.IfMinoswasbehindtheattacks,hecouldcallthemoff;atleasttheonesagainsther.Buthe’snot,whichmeanshe’sriledupthebeastthatistheOlympianpopulaceandthenhesetthemlooseonthoseincharge.
There’snocontrollingitnow.EveryoneoftheThirteenisatarget.
Evenme.Maybeevenespeciallyme.
“Areyoudonewithyourbaselessaccusations?”Minosmanagestosoundimperialanddisappointed,bothatthesametime.“Ihavecomehereoutofmyfeelingofresponsibilitytoyouforallowingmeandminecitizenship,butifyou’regoingtoactasifI’mtheenemy,Icanspendmytimeelsewhere.”
“Youaretheenemy.Wetreatenemiesaccordingly.”Zeusflicksahand.“Youmaygo.”
Foramoment,itlookslikeMinosmightargue,butheshrugs.“Verywell.IlookforwardtothenextDodonaTowerparty.”Heturnsandwalksataperfectlyreasonablepacetothedoor.
Itclosesbehindhim.Thesilenceisabarbedthing,threadedthroughwithshockaseverysinglepersonintheroomtriestoprocesswhatthefuckjusthappened.Evenme.ZeushasmoreballsthanIgavehimcreditfor.Idon’tknowthatit’llbeenough,butI’malittleimpresseddespitemyself.
Ishakemyhead,andit’sasifmymovementbringstheotherstolife.Everypersonatthetablestartstalkingatthesametime.Well,everypersonexceptZeusandHera.
Heletsthemtalkincirclesforafewminutesbeforeheraiseshishand.It’satestamenttohispowerthatitonlytakeafewsecondsforsilencetofall.Zeussweepsalookateachofus.“YouwillallacceptsecondarysecurityfromAres.”Hekeepsspeakingevenasmostofthemprotest.“Itdoesn’tmatterifMinosisbehindtheattacksonourpeople.Thesecuritymostofyouhaveisnotenough.”
Hadesliftsabrow.“Ares’speoplearenotwelcomeinthelowercity.”
Zeusclencheshisjaw,atinymovement,buthemightaswellhaveshoutedhisfrustration.“Youaremakingamistake.”
“IfHadesdoesn’ttakethesecurity,neitheramI.”Artemisshovestoherfeet.“Youshouldhavekilledhimfromthestart.”
“Wecannotaffordmorechangeover.”Zeusdoesn’traisehisvoice.
Myreluctantadmirationforhimgrows.Idon’tlikethefucker,andhedoesn’tseemtohaveadropofcharminhisbody,buthegetsshitdone.Itprobablywon’tbeenoughtobalancewhateverMinos’snextstepsare,buthe’sadangerousman.
Theystartarguingagain,andIlettheconversationrolloverme.Iwon’tbetakingAres’speople,butthere’snoreasontospeakmyintentions.I’lljustleavewithoutthemwhenthismeetingisdone.
Nexttome,mywifeisdoingthesame.
Ileancloseandlowermyvoice.“TakeAres’ssecurity.”
“Iintendto.”Heranswerissosoft,it’salmostlostinAthenapointingoutshehasherownsecurityforceandAresshootingbackaquestiononhowthathelpedheragainstthesniper.“Youshouldtaketheoffer,too.”
“I’mnotindanger.”
Shetouchesmyarm.“IfMinosistellingthetruth…yes,youare.Nomatterwhatelseistrue,you’reoneoftheThirteennow.Oneofus.”
Ialmostargue,butstopwhenithitsme.She’sworriedaboutme.Isearchherfaceforanysignoftheslysmileoralie,butforthefirsttimeinourmarriagesheseemsperfectlyearnest.“Onewouldthinkyou’dpaintthetargetonmybackyourself,”Isayslowly,testingthesenew,unchartedwaters.
“That’sjustit,Husband.”Shesmilessweetly,onlythetiniestedgepresent.“I’mtheonlyonewhogetstokillyou.I’llburyanyoneelsewhotries.”29APHRODITE
Themeetinggoesonforever,andwearen’tanyclosertosolutionsbytheendofit.IunderstandwhymybrotherinsistsongettingthewholeoftheThirteentogether…butIamalsostartingtoseewhyourfatherrefusedtodoit.
Thirteenpeopleinpowermeanswe’llneverbeunited,evenwithmassiveproblemsknockingonourdoorstep.Butthat’stheproblem.Someofournumberwouldhavetoseeanenemysurroundingourcitybeforetheybelievedthethreat.
Instead,theylookatMinosandthinktheyknowexactlywhathe’scapableofbecauseheremindsthemofthelastZeus.It’samistake—notthatthey’lltakemywordforit.
Thingsdispelliketheyalwaysdothesedays.Someonestormsoff—Artemisthistime—andtherestleaveinonesandtwos.Mybrothercatchesmyeyeandgivesasmallshakeofhishead.
Ah.Sowe’llbemeetinginasmallergroupafterthis.
“Seeyoutonight,Wife.”Hephaestussqueezesmyarmandrisesstiffly.Iwatchhimtrytocoverhislimpasheleavestheroom.There’sanuncomfortablefeelinginmystomach,almostlikeworry.ImeantwhatIsaidearlier.Iwanthimtotakemysister’sofferofsecurity.Notbecauseit’sanotherwaytospyonhim.NotbecauseIthinkitwillpullhimmorevisiblyontoourside.
BecauseIdon’twanthimtogethurt.
Gods,whatiswrongwithme?Ican’taffordtowavernow.TheworstpartisIcan’tevenpretendit’sbecauseIknowitwouldmakePandorasadifsomethinghappenedtohim.Ididn’teventhinkofherwhenIwasspeakingearlier.
Onceit’sclearthateveryonestillsittingisinvitedtothissecondarymeeting,Ilookaroundtheroom.“NoDemeter?”IcanunderstandkeepingHeraandHadesoutofit.Herawillbeonlytoohappytowatchmybrotherburn,regardlessofhowitaffectsthecity.I’mhonestlyabitsurprisedshehasn’tfacilitatedanassassinationattemptonhimalready.Hadesmayormaynothavebeeninvited,buthe’llbemoreconcernedwiththelowercity—andhispregnantwife.
“Demeterhaspriorobligations,”Perseussays.Helooksasperfectlyputtogetherasalways,hissuitpressedandhisblondhairseemingtoberecentlytrimmed.Gonearethefaintsmudgesofsleeplessnightsbeneathhiseyes,whichonlyprovesthathe’sgottenbetteratconcealerthanhewaswhenwewereteenagers.IfIhadn’tseenhimyesterday,Iwouldn’tknowhowhaggardhelookedonlytwenty-fourhoursago.
IglanceatAthenaandApollo.She’sdressedasimpeccablyasalwaysinadeepgraysuitwithapalersilverblousebeneathit.Apollohasonaveryexpensive,veryboringsuitandlookslikehe’sswallowedsomethingspiky.Itmakessense.He’samanwithaplan,andthere’snoeasyplantogetusoutofthis.
Helen’spulledthesamemakeuptrickPerseushas,andshelooksjustaspristineasever,asifshewasn’tlosingherdamnmindyesterday.She’swearingwhat’sbecomehercustomaryAresuniformforbusiness—aperfectlytailoredblacksuitwithabrightblousebeneathit.
Perseussteepleshishandsinfrontofhisface.“Wehaveaproblem.”
“Youcansaythatagain,”Helenmutters.Sheliftshervoice.“Halfadozenattemptsweremadesincewespokeyesterday.Beforethismeetingstarted,IgotacallthatmypeopleinterruptedawomanwithaknifegoingafterArtemis.Theyneutralizedthesituation,butit’snotevennoonyet.”
Interesting.Maybethat’swhyArtemiswasangrierthanusual.
Athenatapsasinglefingeragainstthetable.“There’snotmuchthatcanbedone.Theinformationisout.Thepublicwon’tbedistractedbypettyfeudsanddramatics.”Sheshootsasharplookatme.
IttakeseverythingIcandonottoflush.Pettyfeudsanddramaticshavealwaysworkedasabaitandswitchinthepast,andI’mgoodatusingthemtokeepthepopulace’sattentionwherewewantit.It’snotmyfaultthatwe’redealingwithsomethingsignificantlymorechallengingrightnow.I’mnotabouttoprotest,though.Ultimately,mypridematterslessthantheproblemathand.“Doyouhaveasuggestion,oristhatjustcriticism?”
Herlipscurve.Athenaalwayshaslikedpeoplewhoareprickly.It’swhywegetalongwellenoughwhenwe’reforcedtointeract.“Wekillyourhusband.”
What?
“What?”Apolloleansforwardtolookather.“Howdoesthathelpanything?Minoshasalreadyleakedtheinformationabouttheclause.Asyousaid,thecat’soutofthebag.”
“Yes,there’snotakingbacktheinformationaboutthatblastedlittlelaw.”Shetapsthetableagain.“Whichmeansthere’snoreasonnottouseittoouradvantage.YoucanbetMinoswilleventuallydothesame.Hemightnotbebehindtherecentattempts,butthatdoesn’tmeanhewon’tbebehindfutureones.”
ThelatterisnothingmorethanI’vealreadyconsidered.IlookatPerseus,whohasn’tsaidanythingyet.There’ssomethingalmostlikepanicflutteringinsideme.Theymeanit.TheyreallywillkillHephaestus.“Well?Yousupportthis?”
“Don’tyou?”Hisgazesharpensonme.“Youhatehim.What’smore,havingthatmaninthatpositionhurtsthecity.WerelyonwhoeverholdstheHephaestustitleandtheirpeopletokeepthemoretechnicalpartsofthecityrunning,aswellascomeupwithnewadvancementstobetterthequalityoflifeforourcitizens.Evenifhewasn’tanactiveenemy,he’snotsuitedtotheroleandyouknowit.”
Idoknowit.I’vethoughttheverysamethingsinthepast.There’sabsolutelynoreasonformetowanttoshovetomyfeetandyellatmybrotherforsuggestingsuchathing.There’snoreasonforittofeellikethewallsareclosingin.
Afewdaysago,Iwouldhavejumpedatthechancetobecomeawidow.ThismarriagewasonlymeanttoservethepurposeofdistractingthepublicanddistractingHephaestus,andit’sfailedatbothtasks.
Butthatwasbeforemyhusbandkneltinfrontofmeandbandagedmywounds.Beforehesavedmylife.BeforehecomfortedmeinhisownroughwaylastnightwhenIwasatmylowest.“Wegaveourwordthatwewouldn’tharmhimifhemarriedme.”
“It’sforthegoodofOlympus,”Helensayssoftly.There’ssympathyinhereyes,butalsoasteelydeterminationIknowtoowell.“They’reright.It’sagoodcall.”
Iwon’thavetodoanything.Justtakethepathofleastresistanceandallowthepeopleinthisroomtoplottomakemeawidow.Therewillbenomoreviciousargumentsthatturnintosex.Nomoretryingtooutmaneuvereachother.Nomorelyingnexttohisbigbody,quietlysnoringbesidemeandlullingmeintosleep.
I…can’tdoit.
Pandorasaidbringinghimovertooursidewasnearlyimpossible,butit’sfullyimpossibleifhe’sdead.I’lltakethoseodds.I’lltakeanyoddsrightnow.“Icanturnhim,”Iblurtout.
Athenasnorts.“No,youcan’t.”
“Yes,Ican.”Iliftmychin,fightingtokeeptheuncertaintyoutofmyfaceandvoice.IneedtoprojectthecoldbitchAphroditeortheywon’ttrustme.“He’ssmittenwithAdonis,andhe’swarmingtomedespitethetumultuousstarttoourmarriage.IfIcanturnhim,hisconnectiontoMinosmeanshe’llbeabiggerassetthananyoneelsewecanstickintherole.”
Perseusmightaswellhavebeenglazedoverwithice.“He’snotsuitedtothetitle.”
“Thestrengthofthetitleisthepeoplebehindit.Hephaestus’sseniorteamhasseenthreepeopleinthatposition.Onepersoncan’toutweighallthatexperience.”Helen’sproventhiswithAchillesandPatroclusinhercorner,butIwon’tthrowherunderthebuslikethatrightnow,notwhensheworkedsohardtobeworthyoftheArestitleevenbeforeclaimingit.Hephaestus’steamseemstohatehim,butthat’sbesidethepoint.
Ifanything,mybrother’sblueeyesgeticier.Nooneelseintheroomseemstobreathe.Perseusleansforward.Heopenshismouthandhisbrowfurrowsinfrustration.Itense,butheseemstodiscardwhateverhewasabouttosay.Hesitsbackwithasigh.“Youhavethreedays.”
Ijolt.“Threedays?That’sanimpossibletask.”
“Eitheritcanbedoneoritcan’t.Theamountoftimeshouldn’tfactorintoit.”
That’snotevenremotelyreasonable,andI’mabouttotellhimexactlythatwhenApolloshakeshisheadsharply.“Surelyyouaren’tentertainingthis.He’samurderer.”
PerseusturnsthatcoldgazeonApollo.“Murderisn’tanunforgivablesininthiscityandyouknowit.Ifwecanturnhim,he’llbeanassetinwhatevercomesnext.”
“WehaveanassetfromMinos’shouseholdalready.”
“Oh?”Heraisesaneyebrow.“Thenyou’reheretoreportthatyouroutreachtoAriadnehasbornefruit?”
Apollohuffsoutabreath.“No.Minoshasherunderlockandkey.She’snotevenactiveonlinerightnow.”
Damnit,Ihaven’ttextedEurydiceaboutAriadne.Icompletelyforgotinthemidstofeverythingthathappenedyesterday.Islipmyphoneoutofmypurseandtypeoutaquickmessageaskingforanupdate.It’sentirelypossibleshehasn’tmademoreprogressthanApollo,butIneedtoknow.
Myphonevibratesinmyhandalmostimmediately.WhileApolloandmybrotherkeepspeaking,Iglancedown.
Eurydice:I’mtakinghertotheclubtonight.
Holyshit.She’sreallydoingit.
Me:Keepmeupdated,please.
Eurydice:Ofcourse.I’llcalltomorrow.
Iplacemyphonebackinmypurse.EurydiceandAriadneisstillalongshot,evenifshe’smakingmoreprogressthanApolloonthatfrontrightnow.AriadnemighthavewarnedApolloaboutherfather’splans,butthatdoesn’tmeansheknowsmoreaboutwhathisnextstepsarethanPandoradoes.
Offeringthisinformationtothegatheredpeoplewillsignmyhusband’sdeathwarrant.IftheythinktheyhaveanotherwaytostrikeatMinos,theywon’tbotherwithHephaestus.“Thereisnootherway.”
“Thatremainstobeseen.”Perseuslooksatme.“Threedays,Aphrodite.”
Helenshifts.“Noneofthatchangesthethreatwe’refacingrightnow.IncreasedsecurityisinplaceforallmembersoftheThirteenwhoacceptedmyoffer,butit’sonlyamatteroftimebeforeoneoftheseattemptssucceeds.Theymightnotsuccessfullyengagetheclause,buttheycouldverywellkilloneofus.Ifthathappens,itwillonlyincreasethefrenzy.”
“Thenensureitdoesn’thappenwhilewefigurethisout.”Perseussaysitlikeit’saseasyasthat.“Ideastoturnthetide?”
“Weneedtogivethemsomethingelsetofight.”There’saflushinHelen’scheeksfromourbrother’srebuke,buthervoiceissteady.
Athenashakesherhead.“Yes,butmorethanthat.Acommonenemywillunitethecity.”
“Acommonenemywon’twork.”Apollodragshishandsoverhisface.He’sbeenworkinglonghoursanditshows.Unlikemysiblings,hehasn’tbotheredtotrytohidehisexhaustion.“Itmightbringthemajorityofpeopleinline,butthemajorityofpeoplearen’tattemptingmurderrightnow.ThecitizenswhohavealwayswantedtobeoneoftheThirteen,havealwaysbelievedthattheydeserveit,willkeepcoming.”Hesighs.“Wehavetogopublicaboutthebarrier.It’sthebestchancewehave.”
“No.”Wealllookatmybrotherashespeaks.Hisexpressiondoesn’tmove.“Thatisnotanoption.”
“It’stheonlyoption.”Apolloglares.“Theyneedtoknowwehavebiggerthingstoworryaboutthanpettypowersquabblesinsidethecity.Noteventhesemurderousfoolswouldwanttobeinchargeintheeventthatthebarrierfalls.”
“Findanotherway.”
Athenasighs.“He’sright,Apollo.Iftheythinkthebarrierisfalling,itwillonlyincreasethechaos.Peoplewillpanic.Somewilltrytoleave,whichwilleitherbeimpossibleorweakenthebarrierfurther.Wedon’thavetheanswersforwhyit’sfailing,whichwillonlyundermineourauthority.Wecan’ttellthem.”
“Threedays,”Ifindmyselfsaying.“GivemethreedaystoturnmyhusbandandfindsomethingonMinos.EvenifyoukillHephaestus,itwon’thelptheoverallclimateofthecity,anditmightjustmakethingsworse.”Ilookaroundtheroom.“Takethenextthreedaysandseeifyoucancomeupwithabetterplan.”
Perseuspushestohisfeet.“I’msureyouallhaveplacestobe.”
Everyonereluctantlystands.Ialreadyknowwhat’scoming,soIdon’tflinchwhenhesays,“Aphrodite,aword.”
HelensqueezesmyhandassheslipsthroughthedoorafterApolloandAthena,closingitsoftlybehindher.Icrossmyarmsovermychest.Mybrotherdoesn’tmakemewaitlong.
Perseusplantshishandsonthedeskandleansforward.“Areyoucompromised?”
Iflinch.“Excuseme?”
“Youheardme.”
“Areyoureallyaskingmethat?Ofallthepeopleintheroom,myloyaltyshouldbebeyondquestion.”
“You’reright.Itshouldbe.”
Aharshlaughburstsfree.Gods,Ididn’texpecthisdoubttostingquitesobadly.“Ihavedonejustasmuchasyouforthiscity.More,even,becauseyourwifeisanOlympiancitizenanddoesn’tthreatentomurderyouonaregularbasis.”
Hedoesn’tblink.“You’dbesurprised.”
Actually,Iwouldn’t.CallistoDimitriouisfuckingterrifying.
Butshe’snotwhowe’retalkingaboutrightnow.Myskinheats,andIdomybesttokeepmyexpressionaslockeddownasmybrother’s.He’salwaysbeenbetteratthisparticularskillsetthanIhave,andheprovesitnow.
“Iamnotcompromised,”Isaythroughgrittedteeth.Imightbesufferingfrompermanentindigestionandneedtohavemyheartlookedatbyadoctor,butIamnotsomenaiveinnocentwhowillletmytangledemotionscolormyactions.“Ihavealwaysdonewhat’sbestforOlympus,andIwillcontinuetodoso.”
Hestaresatmeforalongmoment.“Youreallythinkyoucanturnhim.”
Idon’tknowwhatIthink.MyhusbandobviouslyhasfeelingsforAdonis,andhe’streatedmewithmorecarethanIimaginedpossible.ButPandoraknowshimbetterthananyoneandshehasherdoubts.
Ohwell.I’vescaledunscalableoddsbefore.
Butwhy?WhynotjustletPerseuskillhimandbedonewithit?
Idon’thaveananswertothatquestion.“Beforeyouask,he’saterribleliarandifIgethimonourside,he’snotcapableofbeingadoubleagent.”
Perseussighs.“You’replayingadangerousgame.”
“Weallare.”Idropmyarms.“Ifthat’sall?”
“Itis.”Hestraightens.“Don’tgetkilled,Eris.Ifyoudo,ifHelendoes,I’llbecomethevillaintheywantmetobe.”
Achilldripsdownmyspine.Mybrotherisnotdemonstrativeandhe’scertainlynotonetolethisemotionsgetthebestofhim.Idraginabreathandstrivetokeepmytoneeven.“Ifoneofusgetskilled,youwilldowhat’sbestforthiscityjustlikeyou’vealwaysdone.”
Heturnsandlooksoutthewindow,shieldinghisexpressionfromme.“Doesthecityreallydeserveourblood?”
Thechillgetsworse,wormingrightintomybones.“Perseus?”
“Iusedtothinkitdid,butnowIwonder.Thefirstchancetheygot,theyturnedonuslikeferalbeasts.Maybeourfatherhadtherightideaaboutrulingthewayhedid.Ican’tmanagehislevelofcharm…butfearisalwaysanoption.”
Icrosstohimandtentativelytouchhisarm.“Hewasamonster.”
“We’remonsters,too.”He’sstillnotlookingatme.“Weneverhadachancetobeanythingbutmonsters.”
Actualfeartakeshold.Ourchancesofmakingitthroughthisaren’toverlyoptimisticatthispoint,buttheyfalltodamnnearzeroifmybrotherbuckles.Isteelmyselfandshovehisshoulderhardenoughforhimtospintofaceme.“That’senough.”
Foronce,he’snotglazedinice.Hisblueeyesarefieryandfurious.“Ihavetriednottobehim.IhavetriedtoworkwiththeothermembersoftheThirteen.Ihavefuckingtriedtobringpeacetothiscity.”Helaughs,harshandbitter.“YouhavethreedaysbeforeItakeaction.Iftheywon’tseereason,thenI’llgivethemsomethingtofear.”30HEPHAESTUS
ImeetPandoraatacoffeeshopafewblocksfromDodonaTower.She’ssittingatacornerboothtuckedoutofsightofthewindowstothestreet.Islidecarefullyintotheseatacrossfromher.“Whyhere?”ItwouldbemoresecuretotalkinMinos’spenthouse…Unlessshedoesn’twanthimtooverhearthisconversation.
Honestly,thatworksforme.
MyheadisstillspinningfromthemeetingwiththerestoftheThirteenandmywife’sconcernforme.Iwanttosayshe’stotallyoffbasewithit,butthemoreIthinkaboutit,thelesssureIam.
“Ididn’twanttodealwithgoingbackthere.”Shepassesacupofcoffeeacrossthetabletome.“Thisisamess.”
“Yeah.”
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”
That’sthequestion,isn’tit?Thefactthatit’saquestionatallisaproblem.Ihaven’twaveredinfifteenyears,andIcan’twavernow.Iclosemyeyesandinhaledeeply.ItneverusedtobetrickytoremembereverythingIoweMinos.Itneverfeltlikeaburdeninsteadofablessing.“WhatamIsupposedtodo?”
“Theseus.”Shebumpsherfootagainstmine.“YouknowI’minyourcorner,nomatterwhat,right?”
“Yeah.”It’sneverbeenaquestion,evenifwebuttheadsonaregularbasis.“Iknowthat.”
“Good.”Shesighs.“I’mworried.Thisplandoesn’tmakesense.EvenifMinoswasabletoreplacetheentiretyoftheThirteen—whichhedoesn’thaveenoughpeopletodo—itdoesn’tchangethefactthatthatridiculousclausemeanseveryoneofthemwillhaveatargetontheirback.Thepeoplewon’tfollowthem.”
She’snotwrong.Thegrowingunrestinthecityalmostfeelslikeaphysicalweightintheair.It’sdangerous,andashittonofpeoplearegoingtogetcaughtinthecrossfireiftheseindividualattemptsonpeople’slivesturnintoamob.
I’veonlyseenamoboncebeforeandthatshitgavemealifetimeofnightmares.Peoplestopbeingpeopleandtheviolenceisenoughtomakeevenmesick.IfthecitizensofOlympusbecomeamob,therewon’tbemuchleftofthecity
“He’snottryingtoreplacetherestoftheThirteen.Thehousepartywasaone-shot.”He’sagoodenoughliartofooltheThirteenthismorning,butwhathesaidmatchestheconversationIoverheardafewdaysago.“He’sgotsomethingelsegoingon.Someshipmentcominginthroughtheport.Idon’tknowthedetails.”
Shelooksatme,herdarkeyestroubled.“Thatdoesn’tworryyou?Iknowhe’sthetypetokeepthingsclosetohischest,butwhyarewejustdancingtothetunehesets?Idon’twanttoseeErishurt.Idon’tthinkyoudo,either.”
“She’stheenemy.”Thewordsdon’thavethesameringoftruththeydidevenafewdaysago.
“Areyousure?”Shepressesherlipstogether.“Andevenifsheis,don’tlieandsayyouconsiderAdonisanenemy,too.Iseethewayyoulookathim.”
There’snopointinlying.EvenifIwasgoodatit,Idon’tlietoPandora.“Itdoesn’tmatter.”
“Itmatters.”
Icurse.“No,Pandora,itdoesn’t.IfAdonisisn’tsmartenoughtogetoutofthewayofwhateverMinosisplanning,thenitdoesn’tmatterhowIfeelabouthim.”
Shesearchesmyface.“Areyoureallyokaywiththat?”
No.“Yes.”
“Liar.”Shedrainstherestofhercoffee.“Howdidthemeetinggo?”
“Idon’tknowhowtheygetshitdoneinthisplace.They’relikeapackofjackalstearingintoeachother.”Surelytheyknowthethreatthecityisfacing.I’vewatchedMinosdealwithsimilar,smaller-scaleconflictsovertheyears.Hesimplymakespeopledisappear.It’swhattheyshouldhavedonetousthemomenttheArescompetitionended.
Instead,theyoffereduscitizenship,andhalftherulingbodyshoweduptoMinos’sdamnedhousepartywithouttheirsecurityandallbutofferedhimtheirthroats.
Theydeservewhatevercomestothem.
Thereasoningfeelsflimsierthanever.Imightnotlikemostofthosefuckers,butIcan’texactlyfaultthemforpanickingnowthateverypersononthestreetcouldbepoisedtomurderthem.
CouldbepoisedtomurderAphrodite.
Idragmyhandthroughmyhair.“It’samess.”
“Yes,we’veestablishedthat.”Shesighs.“Somethinghastogive,Theseus.Shewon’tbetheonetofold.”
No,mywifedoesn’tknowhowtogiveup.She’llputonabravefaceandkeepgoinguntilsomeonesuccessfullykillsher.Thethoughtshouldn’tbotherme,butitfeelslikesandpaperundermyskin.Fuckingwrong.Frustrationmakesmyvoicerough.“SoI’msupposedtofold?”
“Ididn’tsaythat.”
“Butyou’rethinkingit.”
“WhateveryouthinkyouoweMinos,you’vepaidthatpricetentimesover,”shesaysquietly.“Idon’twantyoutopaywithyourlife,too.”
Thereitisagain,thatworrythatI’llbeoneoftheThirteenstruckdown.Iwanttoarguewithher.Iamnotsomepamperedrichpersonwhodoesn’tknowhowtodefendmyself.ButthedoubtplantedwithAdonisthismorningisbloomingintosomethinguglyinsideme.
Iglanceatheremptycup.“Youdone?”
“Yes,Theseus.”Shesighsagain.“I’mdone.”
“I’llwalkyouout.”
NeitherofussaysanythingasIpaythetabandweheadouttothestreet.IcallPandoraacarandwaitwithherwhileitarrives.Shestaresatthepeoplewalkingdownthesidewalk,allintentongettingtotheirdestinations.“Youshouldaskhim.”
Noneedtoaskwhatshe’stalkingabout.Ibitebackacurse.“EvenifIdid,I’mnotgoingtotellyouwhatthefuckhe’splanning.YousayyouseethewayIlookatAdonis,butIseethewayyoulookatmywife.”
Shegivesafaintsmile.“Ilikeherquiteabit.”
Ido,too.
Ishakemyhead.Wherethefuckdidthatthoughtcomefrom?“Itdoesn’tmatter.I’mloyaltohim.Iknowbetterthanexpectingthatsameloyaltyfromyou,butfuck,Pandora.Switchingsides?”
“Mmm.”Herridepullsupandshestepsoffthecurb.Sheopensthedoorandlooksbackatme.“Idon’twanttobeanymoreinvolvedinthisthanIalreadyam.I’minthiscityforyou.”Shepauses,darkeyesworried.“Butyoushouldknowwhathe’splanning,Theseus.You’repayingthepriceforhisambitions—notMinos.Ifyou’regoingtosufferbecauseofhim,youshouldatleastknowwhy.”
She’sgonebeforeIcanformananswer.Really,there’snoanswer.Pandora’salwayshadfaithinme.ThatI’dstandstrongagainstwhateverthefucktheworldthrewatus.ThatIwouldn’tbuckleunderthepressureofkeepingussafe.Forhowwellsheknowsme,she’sneverseemedtonoticehowfuckingscaredIwaswhenwewerekids.
ShewastheonlythingIevercaredabout.Notthebeatings.Notbeingdeprivedoffood.Nottheagonizingworktheyputusthrough.Pandora.Everyday,Isawherfighttokeepherlightshining,andeveryday,IwasterrifiedthatI’dwakeupandseethesamehauntedlookonherfacethateveryotherkidinthatplacewore.Iwentwithouttomakethat,sheneverseemedtoregisterwhatdroveit.
Fear.
Imighthaveprotectedheruptothatpointwherethatfuckingpriestgotideas,butwho’stosayIwouldhavekeptbeingsuccessful?Wewerekids.Tooweaktodomorethandrowninthewavesmadebypeoplemorepowerfulthanus.
Minoschangedthat.I’mnotacompletefool.Iknowheseesmeasatooltobeused.Notason.Neverthat.ButI’veseenthewayMinostreatshisonlyson.Bettertobeatoolthananeternaldisappointment.
Istopshort.WhatthefuckamIthinking?I’veneverdoubtedhim.Notlikethis.Yeah,Ihaven’tbeenanaiveinnocent,dancingtothetunehesang,butI’veneverquestionedhim.Notreally.
Ifyou’regoingtosufferbecauseofhim,youshouldatleastknowwhy.
“Damnit,Pandora,”Imutter.“Damnit,Adonis.Anddamnit,Eris.”Oneofthem,Icouldignore,butallthree?
IflagdownataxiandgiveMinos’saddress.Wemakeittwoblocksbeforethedriver’sincreasedfocusonmemakesmyskinprickle.Istoplookingoutthewindowandstartwatchinghim.Hishandsshiftrestlesslyonthesteeringwheelandhe’sstudyingmeasmuchashiseyesareontheroad.Notinacuriousway,either.There’sintentthere.It’shappening.He’sanobody,somerandomcitizen,butthatdoesn’tmeanhe’snotadanger
Ileanforward,gettingrightinhisspace.“Yeah,I’mHephaestus.Youmighthaveheardthenewsaboutthatnastylittleclause,whichmeansyouknowwhythatnewswasreleased.”
Helickshislips,histemplesdampwithsweat.“You’rethereasonweevenknowabouttheclause.YoukilledthelastHephaestus.”
Yeah.Idid.AndI’vebeenregrettingiteversince.“That’sright.”Idon’ttouchhim.He’sjumpyenoughtodriveusrightofftheroad,andIdon’twanttowastemymorningwiththatbullshit.Ilowermyvoice,injectingasmuchthreataspossible.“Soyou’regoingtodrivemewhereIneedtogo,andyou’renotgoingtotryanythingfunny.Ifyoudo,I’llsnapyourfuckingneck.”
Heswallowshard.“Yes,sir.”
Isitback,butkeepmyeyeonhimashedrivestherestofthewaytoMinos’splace.It’sonlynow,sittinghereinthebackseatofamanwhoconsideredkillingmetofurtherhisownpower,thatIcan’tdenythetruthanylonger.Theywereright.Allofthem.AndIwasfuckingnaive.
IbarelywaitforthecartostopatthecurboutsideMinos’sbuildingbeforeItossmoneyathimandclimbout.Mykneeisstiffandpainful,butItrytokeepmylimpminimizedasIwalkintothelobbyandtaketheelevatorup.
Luck—ifthat’swhatyouwanttocallit—isinmyfavor.MinosandtheMinotaursitinhisoffice,theirheadstogetherastheyexamineatabletbetweenthem.TheybothlookupwhenIwalkthroughthedoor.Minosopenshismouthtospeak,butIgettherefirst.“WhenwereyougoingtotellmethatIwasanecessaryloss?”
“Excuseme?”
Ishutthedoorandleanagainstit.“Something’sbeenbotheringme.”Noreasontotellhimwherethatdoubtcomesfrom.Itdoesn’tmatterforthisconversation.“Youaren’tbehindtheattacks,butthesecondyouhadoneofustriggerthatclause,itputatargetoneverysingleoneoftheThirteen’sbacks—includingmine.”
“Youknewthatwouldbearisk.”
Yes,butIhadn’tthoughtI’dfaceitalone.Somewhereinthebackofmymind,Ididn’tquitebelieveMinoswhenhesaidhewasn’tbehindalltheattacks.Oh,Idon’tthinkhe’shadahandintherecentones,butwhywouldn’thelooktoplacemoreofhispeopleamongtheThirteen?ThedaysafterItookthetitlewererifewithuncertainty;itwouldhavebeentheperfecttimetostrike.
Unlesshehasnointentionofasecondstrike.
Unlessheneverhadanintentionforasecondstrike.
“Noputtingthatcatbackinthebag,isthere?Everyoneknowsit’sathingnow,whichmeanstheThirteenwillbehuntedfortherestofOlympus’sfuture.Kindofhardtoenactplanswhenyou’reconstantlylookingoveryourshoulder.”Hedoesn’tcontradictme,justwatchesmeworkthroughitwithasmallsmileonhismouth.Holyfuck,I’mright.“Youdon’tplanonreplacingtherestoftheThirteenwithyourpeople,doyou?”
“Ourpeople,Son.”
Therewasatimewhen,eventhoughIdamnwellknewbetter,hearingthatwordfromhimwasenoughtooverrideanythingelseIcouldpossiblysay.Aweakness,andoneheexploited.“There’snotgoingtobeaThirteenwhenyou’rethrough,”Isaysoftly.
TheMinotaurgivesMinosalonglook,butthatfuckeralwaysplayshiscardsclosetohischest.Evenknowinghimforyears,Ican’tsayforsureifheknewaboutthisbeforeorifhe’sonlyhearingaboutitnow.
Minosleansback.“Don’tyouworryaboutmyplan.I—”
“Ithinkit’stimeyousharedthatplanwithus.”IglanceattheMinotaur.“Youwouldhavebeeninthecrosshairs,too,ifyou’dmanagedtokillArtemisandtakethattitle.Don’tyouwanttoknowwhathe’supto?”
Hecrosseshismassivearmsoverhisequallymassivechest.“Yes.”
Minosnarrowshiseyes.“Allright,boys.IsupposeIcanletyouinonsomeoftheplanyou’vebothmanagedtofuckuprepeatedly.”Thewordssting,butnotasmuchastheyusedto.Heshakeshisheadslowly.“Olympusisaripefruittobeplucked.Theyhavelittleexperiencewithanythingresemblingwar;peacehasmadethemsoft.”
“We’veheardthespiel.”I’venevertalkedtoMinosthiswaybefore,buttheeventsofthelastcoupledayskeepcompoundinginmyhead.Adonis’suncertainty.ThevulnerablelookinAphrodite’seyesthatshewasn’tquiteabletohide.Pandora’sfiercewords.Theworryallthreeofthemshareformysafety.
WhenIcametoOlympus,theonlythingIcaredaboutwasPandora’shappinessandMinos’sapproval.Now,thingsfeelmorecomplicated.
Minosglares.“OneofyouwassupposedtotakeAres.Theotherwasintendedtousetheassassinationclausetotakeanothertitle.WithtwointheThirteen,itwouldhavebeenenoughtostartthedestabilizationprocess.Youfailed.”HeturnsthatfuriouslookontheMinotaur.“Asaresult,wehadtotakeadifferentroute.Theendoutcomeisthesame.TheThirteenfall,andanewleadershiprisesinitsplace.”
Adifferentroute.Somethinghavingtodowithshipmentsintheharbor.Whatisheimporting?Iglareathim.“Youmeanyou’llriseinitsplace.”
Minosblinks,truesurpriseonhisface.“Isthatwhatyouthink,myboy?”Helaughs,thesoundfillingtheroom.“No,Ipreferproximitytopowertotakingitmyself.”Hegivesmeaslylook.“Fewertargetsonmybackthatway.”
Targetsliketheonecurrentlyonmyback.Notthathecares.I’veobviouslyservedmypurpose,andhedoesn’tgiveashitaboutthepotentialfallout.I’veneverfeltmorelikeafoolthanIdointhismoment.“Ifnotyouinaleadershipposition,thenwho?”
“Mybenefactor.”Hissmilewidens.“Olympusowesheradebt,andshemeanstocollect.”31ADONIS
I’mnotreallysurprisedwhenEristextsmeaninvitetohavelunchwithher.We’dbeenhurtlingalongbeforeshebrokeupwithmeandmarriedTheseus.Crashingintoeachotherandawayagain.IusedtobesosureIknewwherewewereheadedbeforethatpoint,andthenwhenitended,Iwascertainithadendedforgoodthistime.
I’mnotsureofanythinganymore.
HerbuildinglooksexactlythesameasithaseveryothertimeI’vecomehere.There’snowaytotellfromthestreetthatviolencewascommittedherejustyesterday.
Ipushthroughthedoorandsmile.“Hey,Sele.”
“Hey,Adonis.”Theytuckastrandofhairbehindtheirear.“You’relookinggood.”
“Thanks.”Iexaminethenewglassdivider.IfIhadn’tspentawholelotoftimeinthisplace,Idon’tknowifI’dnoticeit’sdifferentfromthelastone.Bothhaveafloralpatternetchedintofrostedglass.Theybothevenhaverosesinthedesign.Butit’snotthesame.“Issheinheroffice?”
“Yes,she’sexpectingyou.”Theytapafewkeysontheirkeyboard.“Youcangoback.”
IfindErisstandinginfrontofherdesk,frowningatabagwithtakeoutinit.Sheglancesupatme,andhereyesgosoft.“Hey.”
“Hey.”Iwishthingscouldbeaseasybetweenusastheyusedtobe,butI’mnotsureifit’sevenpossible.It’samistaketowishforthat,too,butIdon’tcare.Myheartisalreadyintatters.Mightaswelllightitonfire.Inodatthebag.“Yougotuslunchalready?”
“Notme.”Shegoesbacktostaringatthebagasifit’sasnakereadytostrike.“Pandorasentit,alongwithabitinglypolitenotesayingsheexpectsmetoeataproperamountandnotskipthismealinfavorofworking.”
Iraisemybrows.“Sheknowsyouwell.”
“Apparently.”Shesighsandshakesherhead.“Sorry,thisjustthrewme.ItshoweduprightasIwasabouttoorderforus.”Shepokesatthebagtentatively.“There’senoughfoodheretofeedasmallarmy,soIthinkitshouldworkforthetwoofus.”
It’sachallengetoholdmytongueasshecarefullyarrangesthetakeoutonherdesk.Silencesbetweenususedtobecomfortable.Nowthey’rethornywiththingsleftunsaid.DoIapologize?DoIdemandsheapologize?Whatdoweeventalkaboutnow?Gods,thisissoawkward.It’stheonlyexcuseIhaveforblurtingout,“Youlikeheralot.”
Erisfreezes.“Yes,Ido.”
Iwaitforjealousyorangerorhurt.Instead,allIfeelisconfusion.We’veneverhadanythingresemblingatraditionalrelationshipbefore,butIdon’tknowifwehavearelationshipatallrightnow.“Isee.”
Shesitsbackandmeetsmygaze.“Youlikehimalot,too.”
Guiltflares,butit’sdulledbythetruth.“Yeah.Alot.”
Herlipscurve,buthereyesaresad.“ImeantwhatIsaidlastnight.Imissyou.”
“Imissyou,too.”ButIcan’tleaveitatthat.Itseemsimpossiblethatprioritiesinmylifewouldshiftinjustafewshortdays,butit’shappenedallthesame.“Ifyou’veaskedmeheretoconvincemetodosomethingtohurtTheseus,I’mnotgoingtodoit.”
“Andyetyouwerewillingtoworkwithhimtohurtme.”SheholdsupahandbeforeIcansputteroutaresponse.“Idon’tblameyouforit,Adonis.IknowIbrokeyourheart.I’msorryforthat.”
Idon’taskherifshe’ddoanythingdifferentlyifshecouldgoback.Ialreadyknowtheanswer.Erislovesme,butherfirstprioritywillalwaysbethiscity.“Sowheredoesthatleaveus?”
“That’sthequestion,isn’tit?”Shesinksontoherchair,lookingtired.“I’mgoingtobefrankwithyou.”
“Whenhaveyoubeenanythingbutfrankwithme?”
Asmallsmileisheronlyacknowledgmentofthattruth.“Wehavetobringmyhusbandovertoourside.”
Ishakemyheadslowly.“Ijusttoldyou—”
“AndI’mtellingyouthatwehavetobringhimtoourside.Inthreedays.”
Threedays?Ihuffoutalaugh.“Youdon’taskformuch,doyou?Thattimelineisimpossible.You’resettingyourselfupforfailure.”
“I’dbetternotbe.”Sheslumpsbackinherchair.“It’stheonlywaywecankeephimalive.”
Iblink.“Excuseme?”
“Mybrotherisgoingtokillhimifwecan’tpullthisoff.”
Shockrootsmeinplace.Iplayherwordsbackthroughmyhead,buttheydon’tmakeanymoresensenowthantheydidafewsecondsago.“Impossible.”
“You’dbesurprised.IfZeuswantssomeonedead,they’renotlongforthisworld.”
Thetoneinhervoicemakesmethinkshe’snottalkingaboutthisZeusasmuchasthelastone.Herfather.Thelongshadowthatpoisonedsomuchofherchildhood.Themanwhotaughtherthattheonlywaytosurvivewastotreadothersunderfoot.Idon’tblameherforsurviving;I’llneverblameherforthat.
Butsometimes,inthedarkofthenight,Iwonderwhatitmighthavebeenlikeifhermotherhadlived.Ifherearlyyearshadn’tbeenatraininggroundforwhatZeusconsideredgoodleadership.Ifshehadn’twatchedherfathermarryandthen—allegedly—killtwomorewomen.
“Stopthat.”
Ijolt.“Stopwhat?”
Shegivesmeaknowinglook.“You’rethinkingdarkthoughtsaboutmyfather.He’sdead.Hecan’thurtmeanymore.”
Ifonlythatweretrue.Ishakemyheadsharply.She’sright.Thislineofthinkingisn’thelpinganyone.Iswallowhard.“Yourbrothercan’tseriouslymeantokillyourhusband.”
“Ihighlydoubthe’lldoitpersonally.”Shemakesaface.“Thenagain,he’sactingoutofcharacter,soIcan’ttakeanythingforgranted.”
TheveryideaofZeusbeingofftherailsis,frankly,terrifying.Wesurvivedunderthelastonebecausehewasmoreinvestedinbeingacharmingdictatorthanactivelyfeared,thoughfearwasanundercurrenttohisreign.Perseusdoesn’thavethatcharm.He’snotthekindofmanwhocantemptpeopletoflocktohissideandcurryhisfavor.
Ifhegoesthisroute,hisonlyoptionwillbetorulethroughfear.
“TheThirteengavetheirwordthatTheseuswouldnotbeharmedaslongashewentthroughwiththemarriagetoyou.”
“Iknow.”Shedropshergaze.“ThisisthepartwhereIsaytheylikelywon’tdoitpersonally,soit’satinyloopholetogivingtheirword,but…Iknow.”
Herresignationworriesmeasmuchaseverythingelsewe’retalkingabout.Erisisneverresigned.She’safightertohercore,butthere’snowayshecouldhaveanticipatedthisfromherbrother.“Tellmethatyourbrotherisn’tturningintoyourfather.”
“Hewouldnever.”Hereyesflash.“Allmyfatherwantedwaspoweroverothers.PerseuswantsthesamethingIdo—forourcityandourpeopletobesafe.”
Maybe.Probably.Butthatdoesn’tchangethefactthatErishasalreadyproventhatshe’lltrampleindividualsforthegreatergood.TheThirteenaresupposedtobeequalinpower,butit’snotthetruth.Hades.Poseidon.Zeus.Theystandabovetheothersaslegacytitles.Ifoneofthemdecidestotrulyabusethatpower…Idon’tknowwhatwouldhappen.“Eris,”Isayquietly.“Iknowhe’syourbrother,butZeusornot,hecan’tgoaroundmurderingpeople.”
Shedoesn’tlookhappy.“Ithinkyou’llfindthathecandowhateverhedamnwellpleases.EspeciallywhenhehasthesupportofseveralkeymembersoftheThirteen.”Erisshakesherheadhard.“He’snotbluffing,Adonis.Whatevermyfeelingsonhisplan,thefactremainsthatweeitherhavetotakeactionorstandbywhilehemakesmeawidow.”
Idragmyhandsovermyface.IknewhavinglunchwithEriswouldbedifficult,butnotevenIcouldhaveanticipatedthedirectionthisconversationhasgone.“Iwouldthinkthatwouldmakeyouhappy.Beingawidow,Imean.”
“Iwouldhavethoughtso,too.”Sheleansherheadbackagainstherchair,leavingthelonglineofherthroatexposed.There’safaintmarkthere,oneshe’salmostsuccessfullycoveredupwithmakeup.Ican’tbegintotellifit’sfrommeorTheseus,butIrecognizetheheatthatbloomsinmychestinresponse.I’mnotoverlypossessivebynature,butshewasourstotakecareoflastnight,andthere’ssomethingtrulypowerfulaboutthat.
“Eris…”
“Idon’twanthimdead.”Thewordsburstoutofher.Shestaresattheceiling.“MylifewouldbesignificantlysimplerifIdid.He’sapainintheass.He’scrudeandviolentandathreattoeverythingIholddear.”
Iwait,butshedoesn’timmediatelycontinue.Nothingshe’ssaidiswrong.Ifeelthesameway,whichiswhyIknowthere’smoretoit.“But?”
“But.”Sheexhalesslowly.“I’mnotonetocareaboutasobstory,buthe’sgotquitethesobstory.Itdoesn’texcusewhathe’sdone,butIunderstandit,andIresentthatIunderstandit.He’sverybadatcomfort,whichisalmostacomfortinandofitself,becausehetries.Withme,awomanheshouldhate.”Sheliftsherheadandmeetsmygaze.“Healsofuckslikeadream.”
Yes,thataboutsumsitup.Theseusisroughanddownrightviciousattimes,buthe’snotaone-noteindividual.“Idon’tthinkyoucanturnhimatall,letaloneinthreedays,”Isayquietly.
“Maybe.Probably.”Shegivesherselfashake.“ButapparentlyI’mnotquitethemonsterIthought,becauseIwanttotry.Pandoradoesn’tlikeourodds,butsheadmitsthere’saslimchancewecoulddoit.Willyouhelpme?”
Yes.FoolthatIam,Iwanttotry,too.Nomatterthathe’sanenemy,orwhyhecamehereinthefirstplace.IcareabouthimandIwanttohelp,andit’senoughformetostarttonodbeforeIcatchmyself.
ButIdocatchmyself.
BecauseTheseusisn’ttheonlybarrierbetweenusandahappy,peacefulfuture.
“Whataboutyouandme?Ifyoumanagetopullthisoffandwesavehim,wheredoesthatleaveus?”
“Us.”Shepressesherlipstogether.“I’dliketoaskyouaquestion.”
IalreadyknowIwon’tlikeit,notwithherstudyingmesoseriously,butInodallthesame.Thisisgoingtohurt,butsomuchofbeingwithErishurts.I’mallbutusedtotheexperience.“Okay.”
Sheopenshermouth,pauses,andthenseemstoforcethewordsout.“Doyouthinkweworkedonourown?Reallyworked?”
It’sonthetipofmytonguetosaythatofcourseweworked.Ilovethiswoman,thornsandviciousambitionandall.Ihaveforaverylongtime.Iwillcontinuelovingheruntilmydyingday,whetherornotwe’retogether.
ButthemoreIturnherwordsover,examiningthemfromdifferentangles,themoreIwonderiftherearen’tlayersI’vebeenintentionallyignoringfortoomanyyears.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“FarbeitfrommetopretendIknowwhatahealthyrelationshiplookslike,butIdon’tthinkit’stwopeoplecrashingtogetherandawayagainrepeatedlyoveradecade.”Shelooksdownatherhands,twistingherfingersinherlap.“Ithinkneitherofuswereentirelyhonestwitheachotheraboutwhatwewanted—whatweneeded.”
Blamingherforthatwouldbesoeasy.Shenevercheatedonme,butshealsoneverwaitedlongafterourbreakupfightstobephotographedwithothers,andIknowEriswellenoughtoknowthosephotographsweren’tforpublicity’ssake.Shetookthosepeoplehomewherethesheetswerestillwarminourbed.
ButwasIanydifferent?Mytimewithothershasn’tbeenasblatantlypublicized,butIwashardlycelibateduringourbreaks.IfI’mgoingtobehonest—andIcanbenothingbuthonestrightnow—partofmewasrelievedforthatfreedomevenasImissedher.
“Whatareyousaying?”
Sheseemstoforceherhandsapart.“I’msaying…”Anotherofthoselongexhales.“Thatneitherofusisreallybuiltformonogamy,andmaybeifwestoptryingtocramourselvesintothatbox,we’llbehappier.Maybeifwetrysomethingnewwecanhavesomesemblanceofasteady,healthyrelationship.”Sheshrugs.“It’sworkingoutformysister.Maybeitwouldworkoutforus,too.”
Partofmewantstoargue.Myparentsareincrediblyhappyandstablewithoutneedingtobepolyamorous.Alotofpeopleare.ButIcan’targuebecauseErisisright.“Lastnight…”
“Itfit.”Shegivesasoftsmile.“Idon’tevenlikehimmostofthetime,butIcan’tpretendthatitdidn’tfeellikeyouandIsuddenlybalancedeachotheroutinawaythatI’veneverfeltbefore.”
That’sexactlyit.Itfeltbalanced.There’ssomethingdeeplyironicaboutTheseuspotentiallybeingthestabilizinggluethatholdsustogether.Iswallowhard.“AndPandora?”
“Ilikeher.Alot.”Thatsoftnessonherfacebecomesmorepronounced.“Ifthere’sawaywecanmakeitworkwiththefourofus,Iwouldverymuchliketo.IknowthatsoundsnaiveconsideringourcurrentclimateandthefactthatbothTheseusandImightbedeadbeforetoolong,but—”
“Youwon’tdie.”Irefusetoletithappen.
Thismorning,IwasstillreelingfrombeinginbedwithTheseusandEris,butitwasdownrightlovelyinthekitchenwiththefourofus,PandoraandTheseusbickeringinthewayonlylongtimefriendscan,Erisrelaxedandindulgent,andme…Icouldbeathomethere.Itfeltalmostwrongtowantthatinthemoment,butmaybethatwasbecauseitclashedwithwhatIthoughtIshouldhave
“Iwantit,too.Himwithus.”Itakeadeepbreath.“Butthreedaystomakeithappen?That’sanimpossibletask.”
“Maybe.”Shepushesoneofthecontainersovertome.“Eatsomethingandlet’stalk.Wemightcomeupwithsomethingbrilliant.”
“Youhavealotoffaithinus.”Itakethecontainerandstarttoeat.Strangelyenough,I’mnotevenremotelysurprisedtofindPandorahasdivinedEris’sfavoriterestaurantandorderedthetakeoutfromthere.Itmightbeamanipulationtactic,butIdon’tthinkso.SheobviouslycaresforErisasmuchasEriscaresforher.
Eristapsherforkagainstthesideofhercontainer.“Whatifwetiehimtomybedandfuckhimuntilhecan’tthinkofanythingbutus?”
Asurgeofheatgoesthroughmybodyatthethought.IlikewhatI’vesharedwithTheseuswhenit’sjustthetwoofus,butIlikewhatwesharedwiththethreeofus,too.Iclearmythroat.“Thatmightwork,butonlyuntilherecovershissenses.”WesharealookandIsurprisemyselfbylaughing.“Eris,wecan’tkeephimchainedtoourbedindefinitely.”
“Pity.”Hersmile.“Ilikethat.Ourbed.”Sheliftsherdrink.“Let’smakeitthetruth.”
Twodaysago,InevercouldhaveguessedthatI’dbehere,contemplatingafuturewiththewomanIlovedandlostandthecompletelyunsuitablemanthatI’veteeteredrightovertheedgeoffallingfor.Now,Ican’timaginebeinganywhereelse.
Itouchmydrinktohers.“Deal.”32APHRODITE
IwishIcouldsayIhaveaplantobringmyhusbandaround.Idon’t.Ihavethepossibilityofaplan,butthat’shardlythesamething.Everythingridesonme—onus—beingabletoconvincehimthathe’sbestsuitedtoswitchsidesagainstthemanhethinkssavedhim.Somegoodfuckingandalittlebitofinfatuationisn’tgoingtobeenoughtocombatthat.Idon’tknowwhatwillbeenough…
ButPandorawillknow.
Herknowledgeisn’twhathasmyheartracingasAchillesdrivesusintomyparkinggarageandpullsupinfrontoftheelevatordoor,though.Heturns,bracingonearmacrossthebackofthepassengerseatsohecanlookatme.“Twoofmypeoplewilldoaquickwalk-throughofyourplaceandthenyoucangoup.”
“That’snotnecessary.”
Hedoesn’tblink.“We’vebeenthroughthis.Yoursisterputmeinchargeofyoursecurityand—”
“Andyoutakeitveryseriously,whichIdeeplyappreciate.”IttakesmoreeffortthanIwanttoadmittokeepmytonelightandmyfrustrationnowhereinevidence.Achillesisdoinghisjob,andasloathasIamtoadmitit,he’squitegoodatit.Holdingitagainsthimjustbecausehispresenceisnecessaryisshitty.
I’mnotsureIcare,though.
“Thereisnooneinmyapartment.Thesecurityinthisbuildingistop-notch.”AndifPandorabeatmehere,Idon’twantAchilles’speopletoscaretheshitoutofher.Ireachforthedoor.“Thankyoufortoday,butI’mleavingnow.”
“Aphrodite.”Hewaitsformetolookathim.“Ifyoudon’twantustosweeptheplacefirst,thenI’mgoingupwithyounow.”
“But—”
“Thoseareyouronlyoptions.Ifyoudon’tpick,I’mgoingtopickforyou.”HespeaksjustasreasonablyasIdo,whichiswhyittakesmytiredbrainafewsecondstocatchup.
Inarrowmyeyes.Iknowexactlywhathe’llpick,andIdon’tlikeitonebit.“Idon’tknowwhymysisterputsupwithyou,”Isnarl.
“Mycharmandgoodlooks,”hefiresrightback.“Plus,I’mtallenoughtoreachthehighshelfwithoutherhavingtoclimbupontothecounter.”
Helenisnotthatshort.“AndhereIthoughtitwasbecauseyou’resogoodinbed.”
Hegrins.“Agentlemanneverkissesandtells.”
Gods,butIlikehimevenwhenhe’sbeingstubborn.Idoseewhatmysisterlikesabouthim.Iprefermypartnerswithalittleless…everything…butAchillesdoeshaveacertaincharmabouthim.Whenhe’snotbeingapainintheass.“Youmayaccompanymeuptomyapartmenttoassureyourselfthattherearenoboogeymenhidingundermybed.”
Heglancesattheothertwoguardsinthecar.“Stayhere.”Hedoesn’tspeakagainuntilwe’reintheelevatorheadingup,butthenheturnstomewithanuncharacteristicallyseriousexpressiononhisface.“We’rebeingoverprotective,butit’sforagoodreason.Youcan’ttrustanyone,Aphrodite.Notwhenanyoneandeveryonecouldbeanenemy.”
Mystomachdropsout.“I’mawareoftherisk.”
“Thenstopfightingandletmedomyjob.”Aweightedpause.“Foryoursister’ssake.”
Damnit,buthe’sgotatrumpcardwiththatandheknowsit.NomatterhowlittleIliketheextrasecurity,IwouldhaveagreedtoitbecauseHeleninsisted.Iwouldhaveagreedregardless—I’mnotafool,andIwasjustattackedyesterday—butIwouldhaveputupmoreofafightifsomeoneelsesuggestedtheirsecurityteam.
Isigh.“You’reintheelevator,aren’tyou?I’mnotgoingtowaitforyoutoleaveandthentakeoffonmyown.”
“Youknow,Iwasn’tworriedaboutyoudoingexactlythatuntilyousaidsomething.”Hegrins.“ButPatrocluswasworriedaboutit,sohesuggestedIleavetwoofmyteamwatchingtheexits.”
“Yeah,yeah.”Irollmyeyes,evenasmychestgivesalittlepang.AchillesandPatroclusarenothinglikemyactualbrothers—they’renotcoldandreservedlikePerseusornaiveandidealisticlikeHercules—butinthelasttwomonthsthey’vebothfallenintoastrangesortoffraternalrolethatIenjoydespitemyself.
Itdoesn’thurtthattheylookatmysisterlikethesunrisesandsetswithher.
IttakesAchillesafewminutestodoathoroughsweepoftheplaceandevenashewalkstothedoor,he’sgotalookonhisfacelikehe’snothappy.“I’dfeelbetterifyouhadsomeoneinherewithyou.”
“No.”IsmileasIsayit,though.“IpromisetoletyourpeopleknowifplanschangeandIneedtoleave.”
Heshakeshishead.“Iguessthat’swhattheycallcompromise.”
“Neverheardofher.”
Hegrins.“Meeither.Butwe’llmakeitwork.”Heopensthedoor.“Seeyoutomorrow,Aphrodite.”
“Seeyoutomorrow.”Idon’tbothertopointoutthathehasmuchmoreimportantthingstodothanplaybabysitterforme.He’snotmypersonaldetailbecausethere’snooneelsecapableofdoingit;he’sherebecauseitmakesHelenfeelbetter.Ican’tfaulthimforthat.
I’veonlyhadtimeenoughtopickabottleofwineandpulldowntwoglasseswhenmydooropensandPandorawalksthrough.Ipause,drinkinginthesightofher.“Didyoudressupforme?”
Shelooksdownatherself,dressedinanotherbody-condresssimilartotheonefromtheothernight.It’sblack,cutlowonherbreastsandhighonherthighs,andithugshergenerousbodylikeasecondskin.
Iwanttopeelitoffwithmyteeth.
Pandoragivesmeaprettysmile.“Imighthave.”
“Thankyouforlunch.”Isetthewinebottledownandcrosstheroomtoher.“Itwasreallythoughtfulofyoutodothat.”
“Youdon’ttakecareofyourself,”shesayssoftly.SheslidesherhandsupmyarmsasItakeherhips.“Ifiguredevenifoneoftheguysgotthesameidea,bettertwolunchesthannone.Andlet’snotpretendyouweregoingtoremembertoeatonyourown.”
“I’mverybusy.”Iflush,butI’mnotentirelysureifit’swithembarrassmentorpleasure.There’salittlebitofbothinthere.“Thankyoufor…takingcareofme.”
“Mm-hmm.”Shestepscloser,pressingagainstme.Herexpressionissoftandopen.“IliketotakecareofthepeopleIcareabout.It’simportanttome.”
IneedtotalktoheraboutHephaestus,butthewordsfreezeonmytongue.We’vehadsuchlittletimealonetogether.Idon’twanttowasteittalkingaboutplansandfearandthefuture.Maybethat’sselfish,butIdon’tgiveafuck.“Icareaboutyou,too.”Ireleaseherhiptobrushastrandofherhairbackandletmyhandlingeronherthroat.“Iwon’tpretendthisdidn’tstartaparticularway,butI’mdrawntoyoulikeI’veneverbeendrawntoanyoneelsebefore.”
“NotevenAdonis?”Shesaysitwithaplayfultone.
Ishouldallowhertoteasethisintoajoke,butIcan’tquitemanageit.“It’sdifferent.”Itraceherjawwithmythumb.“Everything’sdifferentwithyou.”
“Eris.”Shebitesherbottomlipandmeetsmygaze.“Wedon’thavemuchtimebeforetheguysgethere.”
“Wehaveenough.”Ileandown.Myemotionsmightbetangledwhenitcomestomyhusband,whenitcomestoAdonis,butitfeelssodamnclearwithPandora.“Letmekeepyou.”
“Ialreadytoldyou.”Shesmiles.“I’mnotthetypeofpersonwho’smeanttobekept.”
“Thenletme…”Whydoesthisfeelsoincrediblyvulnerable?MyinstinctsdemandIretreat,throwupshieldsbetweenus,butifIdothat,I’llloseher.Irecognizethat,acknowledgethismomentishunginthebalance.Pandoramightnotbeforkeeping,butIwantherinmylife.
Nomatterwhatelsehappens.
Ikissthecornerofhermouth.“Thenletmesharetimewithyou.Howeverthatlooks.Idon’twanttoletthisgo,butit’sbecomingincreasinglyclearthatnoneofusweremeantfor…atraditionalrelationship.”
“Areyousure?”Shesearchesmyface.“It’sboundtogetmessyfromtimetotime.”
Ilaughalittle.“Messierthanmemarryingyourbestfriendandhimseducingmyex?”
“Well…Probablynotmessierthanthat.”
“Thenwecanhandleit.”IhopetothegodsI’mnotlyingtoher.Iwanttohandleit.
Shekissesmebeforewecantalkourselvesoutofthis.Maybethatwouldbethesmartthingtodobecausethisissodamnedcomplicated.IfIwashonestwithmyself,I’dadmitIdon’tseeawaythroughwithoutcrashingandburning.
Ipullhercloseandkissherhard.WeonlyhaveashorttimeandI’mnotabouttowasteit.Shetastesofpeppermintandfeelslikeadreaminmyarms.Iwant…
Iwanteverything.
Ialwayswasgreedylikethat.
Ittakesefforttodrawawayenoughtosay,“IknowIsaidnosexbut—”
Shedigsherhandsintomyhair.“Don’tyougonobleonmenow.”
“Godsforbid.”Ismile.“Bedroomorcloser?”
“Closer,”shewhispersagainstmylips.
Perfect.
Imovebacktowardmylivingroom,takingherwithme.It’sanawkwarddanceofshortstepsandbumpingintoeachother,butIdon’twanttoaddevenaninchofdistancebetweenus.SomuchaboutmyseductionofPandorahasbeencalculated—atleastinpart—butthere’snothingcalculatedinthis.I’mfumblinglikeateenagerasIreachforthehemofherdressandworkitupoverherhips.
Wetumbleontothecouchinamessofquestinghandsandgreedylips.Pandorayanksmyshirtovermyheadandmyarmsgettangled.Icurseandhavetomoveoffhertofreemyself.Itaketheopportunitytodivestmyselfofmypantsaswell.“Getthatfuckingdressoff.”
“Sobossy.”She’sgrinningasshepullsherdressoverherheadandtossesitaway.Pandoradoesn’twaitformetosayanythingtodothesamewithherbra.Therearenopantiestospeakof.
Ihavetostopforamomentandjustlookather.
“Youaresofuckingbeautiful,”Imurmur.HerlushbodyisapresentI’vebeendyingtounwrapandnowthatwe’rehere,Idon’tknowwheretostart.Herwidehipswiththeirscatteringofstretchmarks?Hersoftbellythatlookssodamnkissable?
Mygazefallstothetopsofherthighs.No.That’swhereI’mstarting.Iwasthinkingaboutherpussyevenbeforesherubbedherselftoorgasmagainstmythigh.“Spreadyourlegs,love.”IshiveralittleasIheartheechoofmyhusband’svoiceinthewords,rememberhowhetoldmetodothesamethinglastnight.It’sdifferentwithPandora,though.Thewholedynamicisdifferentandyetnolessnecessary.Iwanttofillmysenseswithher,togetdrunkoffthesightandsmellandtouchandtasteofher.
Shespreadsherthighsslowly,teasingly.“Likethis?”
“Yeah.”Ilickmylips.“Justlikethat.”Isinktomykneesbeforeher.Idon’tknowifIbelieveinanafterlife,butsurelyparadiseisthismoment,Pandora’ssoftthighsandprettypussy.PerhapsI’mfindingreligionrighthere,rightnow.33PANDORA
IfullyintendedtobeacomforttoEristonight,nottoenduponthecouchwithhermouthbetweenmythighs.Oratleast…IthinkIdid.It’shardtothinkclearlywithherclevertongueworkingmyclit.Shehasthemostblissed-outexpressiononherface,asifshecouldspendhoursinthisexactposition,wringingwaveafterwaveofpleasurefromme.I’mcertainlynotopposedtotheidea.
Butnottonight.Notwhensomuchhangsinthebalance.
Idigmyhandsintoherlongdarkhairandtugheruptomymouth.Shetastesofmeandneed.It’stoogood;Ikeepexpectingittodispelthewayadreamdoes.Imoanagainstherlips.“Wedon’thavemuchtime.”
“Fuckthem.”
Gods,butI’mfallinginlovewiththiswoman.Itdoesn’tmatterthatit’shappeningfartoofastandfartoointensely.There’snoroomforhowthingsshouldbe,onlyhowtheyare.Ican’tseeawaythrough,nomatterwhichangleIlookattheproblemfrom.ThatknowledgescaresmemorethanIwanttoadmit.Ifthere’snopaththrough,thenthisendsintragedy.
I’veneverbeenafanoftragedies.Ipreferromanceswiththeirguaranteedhappily-ever-afters.
Desperationgivesmethestrengthtoflipus,topressErisbacktothecouchandkissherhardenoughtomakemyheadspin.Shesmellsexpensive,someperfumeIcouldneverafford.NotthatI’dwearit.Iprefertotrailmynoseacrosshercollarboneandinhaleitrightoffherskin.“Idon’twantyoutogethurt.”
Shedoesn’twastehertimewithmeaninglesswordsofcomfortthatwebothknowwouldbealie.Instead,shekissesmehardanddelvesherhandbetweenmythighs.Thistime,Idon’tstopherasshestrumsmypleasurehigherandhigher.ItellmyselfsheneedsthisasmuchasIdo,butthetruthisalwaysthesame.
Iamgreedywhenitcomestopleasure.
Thereissolittlehappinessinthisworld.CanIreallybeblamedforgraspingthethreadsofwhatcomesmywayandclingingtoitwithallmystrength?Itneverlasts,butthere’ssweetnessevenintheloss.Oratleastthat’swhatItellmyselfwhenithappensagainandagain.
Idon’twanttoloseEris,though.ThethoughtofherbeingyetanothercasualtyintheambitiousgamesofMinosandpeoplelikehimmakesmesicktomystomach.Ipullhercloser,kissingherasifmymouthcankeepherwithme,canensurehersafety.
Alie.Allofitisafuckinglie.
Thatdoesn’tstopmefromcomingagainstherfingers,mybodyshiveringandshaking.IbarelywaitfortheaftereffectstoeasebeforeIslidedownherbodyandsetmymouthtoherpussy.ShetastesbetterthanIcouldhavedreamed.
I’mstartingtodiscoverthat’sjustEris…BetterthanIcouldhavedreamed
Shesiftsherfingersthroughmyhairandliftsherhips.“Yes,rightthere.”Herlowvoiceisbreathywithneed.
KnowingIbroughthertothispointmakesmedownrightgiddy.Ifollowherlowurging,usingtheflatofmytonguetorubbackandforthonherclit.Herbreathinggoeschoppyandeverymuscleinherbodytightens.“Don’tstop.”
Anothernight,I’dleaveheronedge.WouldseejusthowfarIcanpushherbeforeherpatiencerunsoutandsheturnsthetablesonme.Nottonight.Tonight,IneedherorgasmmorethanIneedmynextbreath.
Shecriesoutmynameasshecomes,thesoundassweetasthetasteofheronmytongue.Igiveheronelastlonglickandthenliftmyhead.Desirethrumsinmyblood,butwedon’thavetimetoindulge.Still,Ican’tstopmyselffrompressingaquickkisstoherthighasIsitup.
Eriscatchesmywristandpullsmedownontopofher.Shewrapsherarmsaroundmeandinhalesdeeply.“I’mnotreadytobedoneyet.”
“Iknow.”Isettleagainsther,lettingherholdmeasourtensionsease.Forhowfierceanddownrightviciousthiswomancanbeattimes,she’ssweetrightnow.Withme.
Shesighs.“Thingsaregoingtogetuglytonight.Everyoneissodamnstubborn.”
“Iknowthat,too.”Ismileeventhoughitfeelsbitter.“ThoughIhopeyou’reincludingyourselfinthatlist.You’renowiltingflowerindangerofbeingsteamrolled.”
Erislaughsalittle.“No,I’mmanythings,butnotthat.”Shesiftsherfingersthroughmyhair.“ThingsmightbeeasierifIwas.Letotherstaketheleadandbecontentwithfollowing.”
Iknowshe’snotintendingitascriticismofme,butit’shardnottotakeitassuch.Itense.“Sometimesthat’stheonlywaytolive.Emphasisonlive.”
“Iwillneverfaultapersonfordoingwhatittakestosurvive,”shesaysquietly.“I’vedonealotofthingsI’mnotparticularlyproudofinthepursuitofsurviving…ButIalwayscravedmore.AssoonasIwasabletomoveoutofmyfather’shouse,Iwantedenoughpowertoensurenoonewouldmakemefeelhelplessagain.”
Iunderstandthatonafoundationallevel,evenifI’vegoneaboutthingsdifferently.“Wasitbad?Withyourfather?”
Sheopenshermouth,butseemstoreconsiderwhatevershewasabouttosay.“Yes.”Sheshuddersalittle.“Yes,itwasbad.”
“I’msorry.”AndIam.Evenifshe’scomefromanincrediblyprivilegedlife,thatdoesn’tmeanitwasfreeofharm.Unfortunately,monstersexistinallforms,inallwalksoflife.
“There’snogoingbackintimeandchangingthings.Eveniftimetravelwerepossible,there’snoonepowerfulenoughtochallengehim.Ortherewasn’tthen.”Shekissesmytempleandnudgesmetositup.“It’snotlikethatinOlympusanymore,thoughthegodsonlyknowifthatwillbetoourbenefitordetriment.”
Iunderstand.NomatterhowmuchIhateMinos,Ican’tdenythathe’seffectiveinpursuinghisgoals.Onlysomeonelikehim—someonelikeEris’sfather—couldcomeintoanenemycitywithasmallhouseholdofpeopleandtakethefirststepsofbringingtheentirepopulationtotheirknees.Ituckmyhairbehindmyears.“ImeantwhatIsaidthismorning.Idon’tknowifyoucanconvinceTheseustojoinyourside,andwithouthim,Idon’tseehowyouhaveevenasliverofchanceofsucceedingagainstMinos.”
“Evenwithhim,it’sstillalongshot.”Sheshrugsashoulder.“Butthealternativeissubmittingtodefeat,whichisnoalternativeatall.”Eris’slipsquirk.“Ifight,Pandora.It’stheonlythingIknowhowtodo.Itmightnotbeinanarenawithaweaponinmyhand,butit’snolessimportant.”
Worrywormsitswaythroughmystomach.I’mnotafighter.Irunfromdanger,preferringtoletflightbemyresponsetofear.TheonlypeopleIfightwitharethoseItrust.Realizationrollsthroughmeinaslowwave.Guessweshotrightpastthefallingstageandintofallen
Iswallowhard.“Idon’tknowhowmuchhelpI’llbe,butI’lltry.”
Hersmileisterrifyinglyfragile.“Thankyou.”
“Don’tthankmeyet.”Iriseunsteadilytomyfeetandgrabmydress.“Wemightaswellgetsomefoodordered.Godsknow,ifAdonisisanythinglikeTheseus,he’llbestarvingbythetimedinnerrollsaround.”
“Pandora.”Eriswaitsformetolookathertocontinue,moretentativethanI’veeverheardher,asiffeelingherwaythrougheachword.“Idon’tknowwhatthefuturebringsorwhatitwilllooklikeforthe…four…ofus,butI’mgladyou’rehere.”
I’mgladI’mhere,too.Idon’tknowwhereweenduporwhatitlookslike,either,butI’mcaughtinthetideofErisandTheseusandevenAdonis.Maybeit’snaivetothinkthattheonlywaythroughthisistogether,butIcan’tshakethebelief.IshimmyintomydressasErispullsonherclothes.
Shehesitatesandglancesatmydress.“Wouldyoulikesomethingmorecomfortable?Iexpectthiswon’tbeashortnight.”WhenIstarttofrown,sheblushes.“Imighthaveorderedinsomeclothesforyou.Um,youknow,justincaseyouwantedtosleepoveratsomepoint.Iwantedyoutobecomfortable,andwhileIdeeplyappreciatethesexydressesyouwear,Iknowalltoowellthatthey’renotforloungingaroundthehouse.”
“Youboughtmeclothes,”Isayslowly.Mystomachdips.It’sasweetgesture,butErisandIaren’tremotelythesamesizeandifshemisjudged,that’sgoingtofeel…reallybad.
Someofherembarrassmentseemstoflickaway.“Ifyou’vegotthatlookonyourfacebecauseIoverstepped,thenthat’sonething,butifyou’reunderestimatingmeandthinkingthatIwasham-handedinthisgift,thenhavealittlefaith.”
Mythroatfeelstight.“I’msureit’sanicegesture,but—”
“Havealittlefaith,”sherepeats.ErisslipsherhandintominebeforeIcandecideifIwanttoargue.Shetowsmedownthehall,andI’mbothsurprisedandstrangelypleasedwhensheturnstothedoorbeforeherbedroom.Shecatchesmylookandgivesasheepishsmile.“Idolistenwhenyoutalk,youknow.Iwantyouinmylife,butI’mnotgoingtotieyoudownorshoveyouintoarolethatdoesn’tfeelgood.Igetthefeelingyoudon’twanttoplaywifetome,andthat’sokay.I’mhappytogiveyouyourspace.”Shepauses.“ButIwouldlikeatleastsomeofthatspacetobeinproximitytome,nomatterhowyouchoosetoutilizeit.”
Idon’tknowwhattosay.Ihaven’ttriedtodatemuchuptothispoint.PeopleeithergetthewrongideaaboutwhatIwantinarelationship,ortheyhaveasignificantproblemwithTheseus’sroleinmylife,whichreallyjustcategorizesthemunderthefirstumbrella.TherewasalovelypersonbeforeweleftAeaeawhoseemedliketheymightbeagoodfit,atleastinpart,butthenweleftbeforeIcouldfullyrealizethat.
Erisopensthedoorandtugsmeintotheroom.It’sdecoratedinsimilarvibestotherestoftheplace,expensiveandsensual.Thecomforterisadeepceruleanandthereareawidevarietyofpillowsonthebedinwhiteandvaryingshadesofblue.Thickcurtainshangoverthelargewindowsoverlookingthecity.
Shewalkstoadoorwayleadingintoalargecloset.It’smostlyempty,butahandfulofobviouslynewclotheshangnearthefrontofit.
Thatsickfeelinginmystomachrisesagain,butItrytodoassheaskedandhavefaith.Icrosstotheclothesandfrown.Thesecertainlyaren’tEris’ssize.Aquicklookatthenearesttaghasmybrowsrising.“Thesearemysize.”Icheckanothertwo,findingthesamething.
“Ofcoursetheyare.”Shesoundsalittlesmug,butIdon’tholditagainsther.Notwhenshe’sgrinningwidelywithhappinesslightingherdarkeyes.“Doyoulikethem?”
Aspromised,they’recomfortableloungeclothing.Expensive,yes,butnothingsoovertthatitwouldgivemetheexcusetorefusethegift.Ialmostlaugh.AsifIwould.Maybetherearepeopleouttherewhovaluetheirpridemorethanfancygifts,butthelatterarefewandfarbetweeninmyworldandI’mnotabouttoturnthemdown.
Icrossbacktoherandgouponmytoestokissher.“Thankyou.They’relovely.”
Asoundfromtheentranceofherpenthousehasherliftingherhead.Herfrownclearswhenadeepvoicecallshername.“Oh,that’sAdonis.”Shepressesanotherquickkisstomylips.“Whydon’tyougetchangedandI’llgetthatfoodordered?”
“Okay.”Iturnbacktotheclothesassheslipsoutoftheroom.Impossiblenottotakethiseveningasasignthatwecouldreallywork.Oh,myrose-tintedglassesaren’tsothickthatIdon’tseethewidevarietyofpitfallsawaitingus,butErisisoneofthemostformidablepeopleI’veevermet.IfanyonecanmakeanontraditionalromanticsituationworkandkeepherselfandTheseusaliveintheprocess,it’sher.
IgetthefeelingthatAdoniswillgowhereshe—andwhereTheseus—goes.Whichleavesuswiththelastpotentialwrenchinthistangledsituation.Theseus.Idon’tknowwhathe’lldo.He’ssurprisedmeafewtimessincehemarriedEris,butthatdoesn’tmeanthathe’sgoingtocounteractmorethanadecade’sworthofloyaltytoMinos.
NomatterhowmuchIdesperatelywanthimto.34HEPHAESTUS
It’sthestrangestthingtowalkintoAphrodite’spenthouseandfindher,Pandora,andAdoniswaitingforme.They’veallgatheredinthekitchensimilartohowwewerethismorning,butthere’slesstensionintheair.AsIwatch,PandoraslipspastAphroditeandtrailsherfingersovermywife’sback.Adonisstandsalittleapart,buthisshouldersarerelaxedandhe’sworkingacorkoutofabottleofwine.
Aphroditeseesmefirst.Iwatchinconfusionasshewalksdirectlytomeandpressesherhandstomychest.“Gladyoucouldmakeit.”Sheevensoundslikeshemeansit.
“Gladtobehere.”IsoundlikeImeanit,too.
Damnit,Idomeanit.Idon’tknowhowthehomeofthewomanIwasforcedtomarry,thatIhatedaboveallothers,managedtobecomeahaven,butitfeelsthatway.It’snotjustbecausePandoraishere.OrAdonis.It’sthestrangecombinationofthem…plusAphrodite.
Eris.
Shestillhasn’tmovedaway,andIcan’tquiteliftmyhandstoreturnthealmosttentativetouch.ButIcan’tleaveitunanswered,either.“Howdidtherestofyourdaygo?”
Hersmileissmall,butitreacheshereyes.“Ionlyjumpedatloudnoisesafewdozentimes,butbetterthanyesterday.”Shepauses.“Yours?”
Partofmewantstoshutthisdown,tostopeventhetiniesthintofcamaraderie.ImightnotlikewhatI’velearnedofMinos’splans,butIcan’tjustshuckthemoff.Thethoughtofdoingsomakesmyskincrawl…
Ormaybethat’sthethoughtoflettinghimhurtthewomanstandinginfrontofme,herexpressionopenforthefirsttimesinceshewalkeddowntheaisletome.
Iswallowhard.“Itwasashitshow.Probablyforthesamereasonyourswas.”
Hersmilefades.“It’snotidealthatwe’reonoppositesidesofthisnow,nomatterhowwestarted.”
Howcoulditbeanyotherway?Idon’thaveananswerbythetimeshestepsbackandleadsthewayintothekitchen.Idon’tknowwhattoexpect,butPandorapressesaquickkisstomycheekandthenAdonishooksthebackofmyneckandkissesmehardenoughtomakemyskingohot.HereleasesmebeforeIcandecidetodoanythingmoreaboutit,though.
Myheadisspinning.ItfeelslikeIendedupinthewrongapartment,withalifethatlooksfamiliarbutisn’tthesame.Isn’treal
IfMinossucceedsinhisplans,they’llallhateme.EvenPandora.MaybeespeciallyPandora.Shewouldneveradmittowantingafamily,notwhenshe’sbeensuspiciousofMinosfromthestart,butthere’snodenyinghowrelaxedshelooksasshejokeslightlywithAdonisandgetshimflustered.Somethinghasunwoundinmywifeaswell,thoughnotasthoroughlyaswiththeothertwo.Eventhoughhershouldersaren’ttight,shewatchesthemwiththesameworrythat’swormingaroundinmychest.Asifdrawnbymyattention,sheshiftshergazetomineinamomentofperfectunderstanding.
We’regoingtobreakthis.
Wedon’twantto.Wewilltryveryhardnottobringharmtothisgroup.Butwe’rebothloyaltogreaterforces.Imightbewillingtoconsiderpeace,atleastwithAphrodite,butMinoswillneverbesatisfiedwiththatroute.AndZeuswon’trestuntilhe’sdrivenusfromthecity.I’dbetgoodmoneyonit
I’mnotsurewhatI’dsayifIhadthechance.Inevergetit.Adonisopensthefirsttakeoutcontainerandfreezes.Noonenoticesitbutme,buttheysureasfucknoticewhenheslapsPandora’shandawayfromanothercontainer.
“Hey!”Sherubsthebackofherhand.“Whatthefuck?”
“Eris.”Heglancesather.“Sniffthis.”
Aphroditehurriesoverandfollowshisdirection,leaningdownandinhalingdeeply.Shecurses.“Theyweren’teventryingtobesubtle.Theleavesarealloverthesalad.”
Ifindmyselfclosingthedistanceandlookingoverhershoulder.“Poison?”
“Yes,thoughwhoeverdidthisdidn’tchoosewell.Itwouldtakeeatingthisentiresaladandthensometogetafataldose,butI’mnotinthemoodtobeindigestivedistressforthenextfewdays.”Shecarefullyrefoldsthetopoftheboxandslidesitbackintothebag.
“Wheredidyouorderfrom?Whodoesthedelivery?”
Shestudiesmeforalongmoment.“Whatdoesitmatter?”
Adonisclearshisthroat.“I’mtakingthisout.”
PandoralooksbetweenmeandAphrodite.“I’ll…gowithyou,”shesaysslowly.“Forprotection.”
“Protection.”Hegivesachokedlaugh.“Right.Goodidea.”
Ibarelywaitforthemtoleavetheroomtostartinonmywife.“Whatthefuckisthatsupposedtomean?‘Whatdoesitmatter?’Itmattersbecausesomeonetriedtopoisonus.”
“No,theytriedtopoisonme.Iorderedthisbeforeyouarrived.There’snoconceivablewaytheywouldknowyou’rehere.”Shetucksherhairbehindherears.Foronce,there’snovenominhertone.“That’swhatyouwanted,isn’tit?AnarchyinOlympus.Ourexperiencedleadersreplacedwithmurderouscivilianswhoareunpreparedforwhatittakestorule.Yourpeopleareawarethatthebarrierisfading,andwhilethere’scurrentlynostandingarmywaitingtoconqueruswhenitfinallydoes,Ithinkwebothknowanarmyisn’tnecessarytotakeacity.Notanymore.”
Somethingstickyandbarbedtakesupresidenceinmychest.Ithinkitmightbeguilt.“Warispartoflife.”
Shesmilessadly.“Whyareyousayingthatlikeyou’retryingtoconvinceme?Iknow,Husband.”
“Itwasn’tsupposedtobelikethis.”Idragmyhandsthroughmyhair.“Iwasn’tsupposedto—”
“Care?”
Iglare.“Icareaboutpeople.”
“YoucareaboutPandora.”
That’snottrueanymore.Or,whatImeanisIstillcareaboutPandora—she’sfamily—butshe’snottheonlypersonIcareaboutnow.She’snottheonlypersonwhosesafetyIworryabout.“Idon’twantyoudead,”Ifinallysay.
Aphrodite’seyebrowsshootup.“Fromyou,that’spracticallyadeclarationoflove.”
“Oh,shutthe—”
Sheholdsupahand.“Idon’twantyoudead,either.Irealizeit’shorriblyclichétostarttofallforyourownhusband,buthereweare.”
“Aphrodite…”Iclearmythroat.“Eris,I—”
Onceagain,shecutsmeoff.“DidMinostellyouthatheplanstokillme?”Shegrabsawineglassandfillsitnearlytothebrimwithredwine.“Becausemybrotherwantstomakemeawidow.I’mcuriousifthey’refollowingthesameplaybookwhenitcomestoourmarriage.”
Itense.“Zeusisgoingtotrytokillme.”
“Nothimpersonally.”Shepauses.“Probably.Afewweeksago,Iwouldsayhe’dneverstooptomurderforfearofturningoutlikeourfather,butmybrotherisn’tactinglikehimselfthesedays.”
Hearingthatshouldmakemehappy.Zeusisunraveling.That’sawinforus.Except,asIthinkofthecold-eyedmotherfuckerwhoisEris’sbrother,I’mnotsureunleashinghimwillbeanythingbutadanger.Ilearnedearlytoavoidthecoldones,becausewhentheyshatter,there’softenaninfernoofragebeneaththeexterior.Or,inscariercases,there’snothingbeneathbutanevendeeperfreeze.IhavenoideawhichZeuswillbe,butIsuddenlydon’twanttofindout.
“Whatafuckingmess,andusinthemiddleofit.”Ifindmyselfchuckling,agrimsoundthathasnojoyinit.I’mnotremotelysurprisedwhenErisjoinsme.Herchuckleturnsintogigglesandshetipsuntilshebumpsagainstmyshoulder.Betweenoneraggedlaughandthenext,we’reclingingtoeachotherandlaughingsohardtearscreepfromtheedgesofmyeyes.
“Absolutely.”Sheleansherheadagainstmyshoulder.Itfeels…nice.Everythingaboutthisfeelsnice.Ironic,maybe,thattheonlyotherpersoninthisfucked-upcitywhounderstandsexactlyhowimpossiblethepositionI’minismywife,who’sinanidenticalposition,evenifit’sontheoppositesideofthisconflict.
We’retwosoldierstrappedinatrench,anditwon’tmatterwho’sfiringtheshotswingingtheirwayoverhead.Abulletisabullet.Itonlytakesonewell-placedshottoendusonceandforall.“Whatdowedo?”Idon’tmeantoaskit,butthismomentfeelstoohonesttoretreatfrom.Atleastnotyet.
“Idon’tknow.”Sherubsherfaceagainstmyshoulderalittle.Tensionslowlyfiltersbackintoherbody,andIalreadyknowIwon’tlikewhatshesaysnext.“I’mnotgoingtofliponthecity.AreyougoingtofliponMinos?”
AweekagoIcouldhaveansweredwithouthesitation.Now,I’mnotsosure.IknewIwasjustaweaponforMinostopickupandattackOlympuswith,butsincetakingtheHephaestustitle,thatrolehasstartedtofeellikewearingsomeoneelse’sskin.Tootight.Tooconstricting.AndwhenI’maroundMinos,IfeellikeIcan’tbreathe.
ButIowehimsomuch.
Doyou?
HearingPandora’svoiceinmyheadfeelssoreal,Iactuallyturntolooktowardthedoor,expectinghertobestandingtherewithAdonis.
It’stheonlyreasonIseetheattackcoming.
Igetaflashofabroad-shoulderedpersoninblackwithamaskpulleddownovertheirface.ThentheonlythingIseeisthegunthey’repointingatus.Idon’tthink.There’snotimeforthat.IshoveEristowardthefloor.“Getdown.”
Thebulletpingsoverourheads,butI’malreadymoving.Itakeonestepbeforemybodyservestoremindmethatmykneeisnot,andwillneveragainbe,abletosustainthiskindofmotion.Istumbleagainstthecounter,barelydodginganotherbullet.
Outofthecornerofmyeye,IseeErismovingandcurse.Shewon’tbecontenttostaydownandsafethistime.Theonlyweaponreadilyavailableisthewinebottle.Igrabitandflingitattheattacker’shead.
Theythrowuptheirhandjustintimetodeflect,buttheimpactsendsthegunskitteringacrossthefloortowardthehallway.Stilltoofaraway,buttheydon’thaveit.Anopportunity,andoneIcan’taffordtomiss.Idiveforit.IfIcangetmyfuckinghandsonit,Icanendthisnow.
They’removingbehindme,rushingtowardthegunevenasIscrambleforit.Close.Toodamnclose.I’mnotgoingtohaveanyrangeonthis,evenifIcangettherefirst.Myfingertipsbrushthecoolmetalrightasabootconnectswithmyribs.Painflares,turningmymindhazyandred.Iopenmymouth,butthere’snoairtoinhale.Mylungshavelockedupinmychest.Fuck,thathurts.
“No!”
IrollontomysidejustasErisrunsattheattacker.“Stop,”Irasp.Shedoesn’thearme,orsheignoresme.
Ourattackerturnstofaceher.Icatchaglintofmetalintheirhandsandtrytoshoutawarning.Myfuckinglungshaven’tunclenched,though,anditcomesoutasagarbledyell.Theattackercurses.WhichiswhenIseethatmywifehasoneofherkitchenknivesinherhand.
“Don’t.”Again,thewordbarelymakesitpastmylips.Itrytoinhale,butmylungsarestillseizedup.Fuck,fuck,fuck
Theattackerstumblesback.Theyshouldbetakingthismomenttopresstheiradvantage,butthey’retoobusyavoidingherstrikes.They’regoodstrikes,quickwithoutover-extendingherarm.Itstillwon’tbeenough.IhavetogetonmyfeetandIhavetodoitnow
Idon’tgetachance.
Theattackerhasbackedclosertomeandtheylookdownandmeetmygaze.Mydeathisinthosedarkeyes.TheyignoreErisentirelyandbringtheknifedown.It’lltakemeinmychest,maybemyneck,andthere’snocomingbackfromthatshit.Iinstinctivelythrowmyhandsup.
Theynevermakecontact.Erishitsthemhardenoughtotakethembothofftheirfeet.Theattackerlandsontheirbackbesideme,theirheadslammingagainstthefloor.Theylaythereforabeat,andIthinktheymightbestunned.
AtleastuntilErisrollsoffthemandIseetheblood.
Notjustblood.
TheirfuckingknifeisstickingoutofEris’sstomach.
“Fuck!”thelowvoicesays.Theattackerscramblesback.Distantly,Iregisterthatthey’rehereforme,notforher,butthatdoesn’tmeanasingledamnthingtothegrowingpuddleofbloodaroundherbody.
ImanagetocrawltoherjustasthedooropensandAdonisandPandorawalkbackintothepenthouse.Pandoracriesout,butAdonisspringsintomotionwithouthesitation.Anothertime,I’dmarvelathowhegoesfromeasygoingcharmertosomethingfuriousandviolentinthespaceofaheartbeat.
Ourattackerneverseeshimcoming.
Hepunchestheminthesideoftheheadandtheyslumplikeapuppetwhosestringshavebeencut.Adonisshovesthemtothefloorandflipsthemontotheirstomach.“Pandora,gettheziptiesfromunderthesinkandthenbringmemyphone.”He’sallbusinessasheyankstheblackmaskfromtheirhead,revealingawhiteguywithshortdarkhair.I’veneverseenhimbefore,butthatdoesn’tmeanasingledamnthing.
IpressmyhandstoEris’sstomachandgocold.Toomuchblood.Toomuchfuckingblood.“Eris.Wife,lookatme.”
“Sobossy.”Thewordsaretoofainttobringmeanyamountofcomfort.
“Eris?”Adonisisbymysideinaninstant.“Don’tmovetheknife.”
“Iknownottomovethefuckingknife,”Isnap.“Callsomeone.Now.”Desperationbubblesupinsideme,burninglikeacid.IleandowntolookintoEris’sglazedeyes.“Hangon.Helpiscoming.”
“Stabbed.”Shegivesapainedlaughthatcutsoffhalfwaythrough.“Helenwillnever…letmeliveitdown.”Thelastbitcomesoutonanexhale,thewordssofaintthey’realmostincomprehensible.
“Thenyou’dbetterlivesoshecanyellatyou.”Iglancedownandmystomachlurches.Myhandsarecoveredinherbloodtomywrists.Toomuch.She’slosingtoomuch.“Don’tyoudaredieonme,Wife.”
Shesmilesalittlebuthereyesclose.“Nopromises.”
Fearmakesmeshake.“Where’sthatfuckingphone?”Iroar.
“Here!”PandoraskidsuptousanddropsitintoAdonis’shands.
It’sjustaswell.Myhandsareshakingtoomuchtodial.Istareintomywife’seyesasAdonisbarksordersintothephone.Ibarelyregisterhiswords.I’mtoobusytryingtowillthecolorbackintoEris’sface.
IknewIdidn’twantherdead,butit’snotuntilshepassesoutinmyarmsthatIrealizeexactlyhowmuchIwantheraliveandwithme.35ADONIS
I’veneverknownfearlikewhatIfeelinthetenminutesittakesfortheparamedicstoarrive.They’renotthesamepeoplewhohelpthemainpopulationofOlympus;theseareateamspecifictotheThirteen.It’stheonlyreasonItrustthemenoughtomovebackfromEris’sunconsciousbodyastheysweepin
ThatandthefactZeusfollowedthemin
Helookslikeshit,andIdon’tgiveafuckbecauseErisisdyingonherfloorandit’shisfault.Isurgetomyfeetandamonhiminahandfulofsteps.Hedoesn’tbothertofightmeasIslamhimagainstthewall.Later,thatwillbotherme.Rightnow,Iflat-outdon’tgiveafuck.
“Youdidthis.”
HelookspastmetowheretheparamedicshavestrappedEristoagurney.“Ihadnothingtodowiththis.”
Islamhimagainstthewallagain.“Don’tlietome.Iknowtheultimatumyougaveher.”
Zeusfinallyfocusesonme.Hisblueeyesflash.“ThenyouknowIgaveherthreedays.”Heshovesmeoff,easilybreakingmyhold.“ThenyouknowIwouldneverendangermysister.”
“Notwithoutcause.”Myheartisinmythroatastheparamedicswheelheroutofthepenthousejustasthreepeoplerushin.IimmediatelyrecognizeAresandhertwopartners.She’spale,buttakesinthesituationinasingleglance.“Achilles,youandPatroclussecuretheattacker.Alive.IwantanswersandIwantthemassoonaspossible.”
Foronce,Achillesdoesn’thaveanarrogantremarkinresponse.HemovesefficientlytothedownedattackerandcheckstheziptieIfastenedaroundtheirwrists.Apparentlysatisfied,hehaulsthemupandpassesthemtoPatroclus,whokeepsthemontheirfeetwithasternhandontheirshoulder.
Theleadparamedicpauses.“Wewon’tknowthefullextentofthedamageuntilwegetherintosurgeryandgetthatknifeout,”shesaystoZeusandAres.“Wouldoneofyouliketoridewithustothehospital?”
“Iwill.”ZeusstraightenshisjacketthatIrumpledwhenIslammedhimintothewallandturnsawayfrommeasifhe’snotconcernedImightattackhisexposedback.
IactuallytakeastepforwardbeforePandoracatchesmyelbow.Sheshakesherhead.“Don’t.”
“Easyforyoutosay.I—”
Shedigshernailsintomyskinandnarrowshereyes.“Donottellmewhatisorisn’teasyformetosay.”Sheshiftscloser.“Fightingrightnowdelayshergettingtothehospital.HaveyourpissingmatchwithZeusafterweknowshe’sokay.”
Zeusdisappearsthroughthedoorwhilesheholdsmeback.Iwaitabeatandthenstepawayfromher.IfIhadn’thadsuchanicechatwithherwhilewedisposedofthepoisonedfood,Iwouldhavebeenherewhentheattackerfirstshowedup.Icouldhavestoppedthem.
Aresturnstous,herhazeleyesnarrowed.“I’mgoingtohavesomequestionsforallthreeofyou,butitcanwaituntilafterErisgetsoutofsurgery.”Hervoicebreaksalittleonthelastword.
Achillesclaspshershoulder.“She’sgoingtobefine.JustlikePatrocluswasfineafterthetournament.”
HerfacegoeshardasshelooksdowntowhereTheseusisleaningagainstthewall.“Ifmysister—”Hervoicebreaksoffandsheswears.“IwillfinishthejobIstartedinthemaze.”
Itense,fullyexpectingTheseustosayordosomethingtoescalatethesituation.HisobviouscontemptfortheThirteenisinflammatory,tosaytheleast.Buthedoesn’tsayanythingatall.HejustnodsatAresandwatcheshersweepoutoftheroomwithhermenandtheirprisoneratherback.
Thedoorslammingshutspringsusintomotion.PandoraandIhurrytoTheseus.Wegotoourkneesoneithersideofhim.Shereachesforhim,butstopsbeforetouchinghim.“Areyouhurt?Yourknee?”
“No.”Hestrugglestositupstraighterandwinces.“Maybe.Notmyknee,butthatfuckergotinagoodkick.”Hegingerlytoucheshisrightside.“Mighthavecrackedarib.”Heturnshisattentiontome.“Didyourecognizehim?”
“No.I’veneverseenhimbefore.”Whichonlymeanshewasn’toneofAthena’s.Mystomachdropsout.Erishastobeokay,butthethoughtofhowcloseIcametolosingthembothleavesmeshaky.“Let’sgetyoutothehospital,too.”
“No.”
Iblink.“Whatdoyoumean,no?”
“No.”HenodsatPandoraandtheysharealookIcan’tquitedecipher.Theseusclearshisthroat.“IhavesomethingIhavetotakecareoffirst.”
Ilookbetweenthem.“Erisjustgotstabbed.Whatcouldyoupossiblyhavetodothat’smoreimportantthancomingtothehospitalwithme?”Iknewhewasahardman,ofcourse,butthisisanotherrealmentirely.Ifnotforthepanickedwayhe’dcommandedEristostaywithus,Iwouldthinkhe’sentirelyunaffected.
Pandorapressesherlipstogether,darkeyesworried.“Areyousure?”
IfeellikeI’vemissedanentireconversation.“Areyousureofwhat?”
Theseusignoresme.“Yeah.”
“Doyouwantmetogowithyou?”
“No.Igotit.”
Frustrationlancesmythroat,hotandcloying.“Whatthefuckareyoutalkingabout?Gowhere?”Igritout.
Hefinallylooksatme.“Thishasgonefarenough.I’mgoingtodealwithMinos.”
“DealwithMinos.”Surelyhedoesn’tmean—
“Notpermanently.”Theseustakesmyhandandallowsmetoleveragehimtohisfeet.“Idon’thaveitinmetodothattohim,evenifhedeservesit.I’llmeetyoubothatthehospitalinalittlewhile.Bethereforourwomanwhenshewakesup,evenifIcan’tbe.”
Ourwoman.
Thetwowordstollthroughme,changingsomethingforever.He’sright,though.Erisisours.Allofours.Iclearmythroat.“Whatareyoudoing?Ifyouaren’tgoingtokillhim—”
Herollshisshoulders.“I’mgoingtomakesurethisneverhappensagain.Nottoher.”TheseusstalksoutofthepenthousebeforeIcanfigureoutaresponsetothat.It’sonlywhenthedoorclosesbehindhimthatIrealizehestillhadEris’sbloodonhishands.
“Hecan’tstopit.”Ifeelnumb.Itwon’tlast,butit’salmostpleasantforthisbeatofsilencebeforewehavetomove,beforerealitycomescrashingbackin.“Hecan’tstopanything.”
“You’dbesurprisedwhatTheseuscandowhenhesetshismindtoit.”Pandoracan’tquitemasktheworryonherface,though.“Comeon.IwanttobethereforEriswhenshewakesup.”
Ilookatthebloodstainonthemarblefloor.“Goonahead.I’mgoingtocleanthisup.”
“Adonis,”shesayssoftly.
“Idon’twanthercomingbackandhavingthefirstthingsheseesbeareminderofwhathappenedtoher.”Ican’tgobackintimeandsaveher.Ican’tfixthis,nomatterhowmuchIwantto.ButIcanmakedamnedsureshedoesn’thavetofacethememoryalloveragainwhenshecomeshome.
Shehastocomehome.Ican’tallowmyselftoconsideranotheroutcome.
Pandoranodsslowly.“Okay,that’ssmart.Let’sdoittogether.”
“Youdon’thaveto.Ican…”
She’salreadymovingintothekitchenandpokingaroundbeneaththesinkuntilshefindsthecleaningsupplies.Ittakesuslessthantenminutestoremoveeverytraceofbloodfromthepenthouse.Itseemslikeitshouldbemoredifficulttoeraseevidenceofsuchcatastrophicevents,butmynumbnesshasmeinastranglehold.
Idon’tthinkI’mgoingtobreatheuntilIseeErisandcanconfirmthatshe’saliveandwell.Oraswellascanbeexpectedconsideringtonight’sevents.
Pandoratakesmyhandaswestepintotheelevator.She’sstartlinglywarm,andI’mnotashamedtosayIclingtoherasthecardescends.“Shehastobeokay.”I’vesaiditadozentimessincewestartedcleaning.Idon’tseemtobeabletosayanythingelse.
“She’sgoingtobebetterthanokay,”shesaysfirmly,justlikeshehasansweredmeeveryothertime.“She’sgoingtocomeoutofsurgeryspittingmadandreadytomakewhoeverisresponsiblepay.”
Ishakemyheadslowly.“BestIcantell,theattackerwasn’tthereforEris.Iftheywere,theywouldn’thavepanickedwhenshegotstabbed.Theywouldhavefinishedthejob.Icouldbewrong,butIdon’tthinkso.”
Pandoratensesbesideme.“TheywerethereforTheseus.”
“Ithinkso.”WhichmeanstheyweresentbyoneoftheThirteen.
Ihatetoadmitit,butIbelievethatZeusisn’tresponsible.HewouldwaituntilTheseuswasn’tnearEristohavehispeoplestrike.No,thiswassomeoneelse,someonewhodidn’tnecessarilycareifEris—ifAphrodite—wascaughtinthecrossfire.
Maybeevensomeonewhohopedshewouldbe.
“Whosentthem?”Pandoralooksupatme,hernormalhappyexpressionnowhereinevidence.ShelooksfuriousenoughthatIalmosttakeastepback.“Youhaveanidea.”
“Itwasn’teitherofhersiblings.Butthereareplentyofpeopleamongthatgroupwhowouldn’tcareifshegotcaughtinthecrossfire.Theywouldn’tshedatearifshedies.”Artemis,inparticular,hasplentyofreasontohateTheseus…andErisforstandinginherwaywhenshewantedrevengeforhercousin’sdeath.
“Adonis.”Pandora’shandbecomesavisearoundmine.“Rightnow,she’saloneandhelplessonanoperatingtable.Doyouthinkoneofthemmighttrytotakeadvantageofthat?”
Idon’tknow.Idon’tfuckingknow.Artemishasnoovertinatthehospital,butthatdoesn’tmeanshe’snotcapableoffinishingthejob.“Weneedtomove.Now.”
Mycarisintheparkinggarage.Wehurrytoitandthenwe’reflyingouttheexitandtowardthehospital.“Zeuswon’tletanyonehurther.”MaybeifIsayitenoughtimes,I’llactuallybelieveit.Hewon’tletanyoneclose…exceptthenursesanddoctorsandwhoeverelseisneededinthesurgeryroom.“Godsdamnit.”
“What?”PandoraclutchesthehandleabovethedoorasIflyaroundaturn,runningaredlight.“We’renotgoingtohelpErisifwedieonthewaythere!”
“Everyoneistheenemy.”Ihavetoforcemyfootofftheacceleratoraswecomeupagainsttraffic.“That’swhatyourpeoplewanted,isn’tit?Lookatusnow.Somedoctorornursemightdecidetokillherrightthereonthetabletotakehertitle.”
Pandoralookssick.“Itwasn’tmyplan.Iknowthatdoesn’tmakeitbetter,anditmightactuallymakeitworsebecauseIcamewithMinosevenknowingtherewassomethinggoingon.ButIneverwantedanyonehurt.”
It’ssotemptingtotakemyangerandfearoutonher.It’salsonotfair.Iknowhowthesethingsworkbetterthanmost.Peopleatthetopmakethedecisionsandtipthedominoesover.
It’severyoneelsewhopaystheprice.
Tenminuteslater,we’rescreechingintothehospitalparkinglot.Pandorahastokeepmefromsprintingwildlyintothehospital,thoughwemoveataquickwalkthat’salmostarun.Shelacesherfingerswithmineandprovidesasteadyingpresenceeventhoughherlipsaretightandhereyesworried.
Webarelymakeittwostepsinsidebeforewe’restoppedbytwopeopledressedinblackwithapatchontheirrightshouldersofhelmetandaswordcrossedwithaspear.“Nocivilians.We’rehavinganemergency.”
“Letthemthrough,”saysatiredvoicebehindthem.“They’rewithus.”
Ares’ssoldiersparttorevealthewomanherself.AchillesandPatroclusflankher,bothlookingjustasworriedasIfeel.Sheeyesme.“Yougotherefast.”
“Weweremotivated.”Istepforward.“Anynews?”
“No,notyet.Wehaveourteaminthere,though.ThebestdoctorsontheThirteen’spayroll.They’llseeherthrough.”Aresspeaksinthequiettoneofsomeonebarelyhangingon.
“Theclause—”
“Theyareourpeople,”sherepeats.HereyesarecolderthanI’veeverseenthem.“AndtheyknowI’llpersonallyputabulletbetweentheireyesiftheytrysomething.”
It’snotaguarantee,butit’sallwehave.I’mnotadoctor.Ican’tperformsurgery.Itakeashakybreath.“Okay.”
Pandoraissqueezingmyhandsohard,I’velostfeelinginmyfingers,buthervoiceisrelativelyeven.“We’llwaitwithyouuntilweknowshe’ssafe.”Sheglancesatme,asilentmessagetherethatI’mintotalagreementwith.NeitherofuswillbesentonourwayonceEriswakesup.Idon’tcareifIhavetofightAres,Achilles,Patroclus,orevenZeushimself.IamgettingintothatroomtoseeEriswithmyowneyesandmakesuresheknowsshe’ssafenow.
Butshe’snottheonlyoneI’mworriedabout.
IallowPandoratoleadmetooneoftheuncomfortableseatsinthewaitingroom.Wesinkdownandexchangeanotherlook.“WillTheseusbeokay?”
“Idon’tknow.”Alineappearsbetweenherbrows.“MinoshasbeenverycarefultousedisappointmentandpraiseinturntokeepTheseusinline,butthatwaswhenTheseusworshippedthegroundhewalkson.IfheconfrontsMinosdirectly,thatwon’thold.Idon’tknowwhatMinoswilldo.”
Despitemybestefforts,IthinkbacktothefinalArestrial.TheMinotaurfoughtAchilles,Patroclus,andHelenatthesametime.HealmostkilledPatroclus,andwhenHeleneliminatedhim,hekeptfightingandmighthavekilledAchilles,too.I’veneverseenanythinglikeit.Thewholetimeheenactedsuchviolence,hedidn’thaveanyexpression
“IfMinossetstheMinotaurafterTheseus,whatwillhappen?”
Sheflinches.“Bloodandtears,Adonis.Bloodandtears.”36HEPHAESTUS
PureragecarriesmeallthewaytoMinos’shome.Ican’tstopreplayingtheattack.Ishouldhavebeenstronger.Faster.Fuckingsomething.Theattackergotthedroponus,butErisshouldhavestayeddown.Whatwasthefoolwomandoing,rushingatthefuckingassassin?
Tryingtoprotectme.
Ican’tpretendthecloyingfeelinginmychestisanythingbutguilt.It’sstickyandsharpandeverybreathseemstodriveitdeeperintomylungs.Shewastryingtoprotectme,herenemy,themansheonlymarriedtokeepthisfuckingcitysafe.
Thecitydoesn’tdeserveher.TheThirteensureasshitdon’t.
Ishoveopenthedoorhardenoughthatitbangsintothewallbehinditandtriestorebound.Icatchiteasily.“Minos!Wherethefuckareyou?”
Ittakessecondstoreachhisofficeandfinditempty.Ichargeintohisbedroomwiththesameresults.Thosearetheonlytwoplacesinthisapartmenthespendsanytime,whichmeanshe’snothere.
Footstepssound,butIknowbeforeAriadneroundsthecornerthatit’snotthepersonI’mseeking.Sheskidstoastop,hereyeswide.“Theseus.Ohgods,isthatblood?”
“Yes.”Istartpasther.“Whereishe?”
“Shouldn’tyou,um,maybewashyourhands?Takeabreath?”
Idon’tgrabAriadneandshakeher,butthetemptationisthere.“Whereishe?”Irepeat.Ikeepmywordssolow,they’realmostincomprehensible.Idon’tcare.IfIstartbellowing,I’mgoingtoannihilatethisapartment.Iwanttoripintothewalls,tosmashandbreakwhateverIcangetmyhandsonandhowltothefuckingmoon.
NoneofitwillmakeadifferenceorensureErislives.
Ariadnehesitates.Shelooksaroundandstepscloser.“IheardaboutAphrodite.I’msorry.”
“Ariadne.”Itakehershouldersandleandown,gettinginherface.“Wherethefuckisyourfather?”
“Areyougoingtokillhim?”shewhispers.
Idon’taskherifshe’dtrytostopme.Minos’srelationshipwithherandIcarusisnolessfuckedthanhisrelationshipwithmeandtheMinotaur.It’sjustadifferentflavoroffucked.Maybeshedoesn’tknowifshewantstostopmeorgetoutofmyway.That’sfine.Idon’tknowwhatIwantrightnow,either.“Whereishe?I’mnotgoingtoaskagain.”
“Getyourfuckinghandsoffmysister.”
IlookoverslowlytofindIcarusinthedoorway.He’sgotabaseballbatinhishandsandwhilehedoesn’tlooklikeastone-coldkiller,Ihavenodoubthe’dtakethatdamnedbattomyheadandwastebothourtime.IdropmyhandsfromAriadne’sshoulders.“Myfightisn’twitheitherofyou.TellmewhereheisandI’llgo.”
Icarusadjustshisgriponthebaseballbat,butdoesn’tlowerit.“She’sOlympian,Theseus.Surelyyou’renotgoingtoburnbridgeswithallofusoveryourwife.”
“Iamputtingastoptothis.”
“It’stoolate,”Ariadnewhispers.“There’snostoppingit.”
Igiveherasharplook,butI’mnotabouttofoldnow.Itdoesn’tmatterifwecan’tstopMinos’sgreaterplan.Idon’tgiveafuckaboutthiscityasawhole.ButI’llbedamnedbeforeIletErisstayinthecrosshairs.“I’mnotgoingtoaskagain.”Idon’twanttohurteitherofthem,butiftheystandbetweenmeandtheirfather,Iwillgothroughthemtogettohim.
“He’smeetingwiththeMinotaurdownstairs,”Icarussays.“Intheapartmentthey’rebothpretendingwedon’tknowabout.”Herattlesoffthefloorandnumber.
Minoshasasecretresidence.Ofcoursehedoes.He’sneveronetokeepallhiseggsinonebasket…ortoleaveincriminatingevidencelyingaroundwhereoneofhischildrenmighthappenonit.Thefacthedidn’ttellmeabouttheapartmentisjustmoreproofthatIamexpendabletohim.I’veplayedmyroleandnowhehasnomoreuseforme.
Later,thatmighthurt.Maybe.Rightnow,I’mtoofuckingfurioustoworryaboutit.
Iturnandheadforthedoor.Everystepsendspainflaringinmyknee,butIignoreitjustlikeI’vebeenignoringitfordays.I’llpayforthenegligencelater.Ifthereisalater.
Itdoesn’ttakelongtogetdowntothefloorandapartmentIcarusdirectedmeto.It’sonlyasI’mraisingmyfisttobangonthedoorthatIpausetowonderifhesteeredmewrongandI’mabouttobargeinonsomeinnocent.
Butwhenthedoorfliesopen,it’stheMinotaurglaringatme,hisscarredfacepulledintounforgivinglines.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
Insteadofanswering,Ishoulderpasthimintotheapartment.Onelookaroundconfirmsit’sexactlywhatI’dexpect.Acommandcenter.There’sadeskwithseveralcomputermonitorssetupinfrontofafancychair.Nootherfurniture.
Minoswalksoutofthedoorwayleadingintoahall.“What’sallthis?”Healmostmissesastepwhenheseesme,butMinosistoogoodtobethrownoffbymypresence.“Son,youhavebloodonyourhands.”
“Callthemoff,”Itellhim.
Heraiseshisbrows.“Whatareyouonabout?Callwhooff?”
Thisishowwe’regoingtoplayit?Iexpectednothingless,butIstillwanttowrapmyhandsaroundhisneckandsqueeze.Iflexthem,andhisgazefallstoclockthemove.Hisbrowsrisehigher.“Lookslikeyou’vehadaneventfulnight.Fillmein.”
“No.”
Hiseyesflash.“Whatdoyoumean,no?”
“Iamdoneplayingthisgame.Yousetmeuptobeexpendable,andbecauseofthat,mywifeisontheoperatingtablerightnow.Idon’tgiveafuckaboutyourplanoryourgoals.Ifshedoesn’tsurvivethenight,I’llkillyoumyself.Fuckyou,andfuckyourplans.”
Justlikethat,hischarmingmaskfalls.“Checkyourtoneandtrythatagain.Youdon’tgettotellmewhenyou’redone.Itellyouwhenyou’redone.You’reaweapon,ifapiss-poorone.YouronlyjobistoannihilatewhateverenemyIpointyouat.”
Iknewit,buthearinghimstateitsoclearlybreaksthelaststringofhisholdonme.“Notanymore.”
Hetakesamenacingsteptowardme.“TheonlyreasonyouhavethattitleandpowerisbecauseIdeemedthatyoushould.IcantakeitawayaseasilyasIgaveittoyouandputyourassrightbackonthestreetswhereIfoundyou.”
There’sasenseofreliefinlettinggo.Itwillhurtlater.Woundsalwaysdo.Butinthismoment,it’sfreeing.Istarehimdown.“Fuckthetitleandfuckthepower.I’llresign.”
Hejolts.“What?”
Ihadn’tmeanttosaythewords,butnowthatthey’vebeenvoiced,theyfeelright.“I’llresign,”Irepeat.Ifindmyselfgrinning.“Yeah,fuckthistitle.”I’mnotagoodfitforit.Ineverhavebeen.Nottomention,powerisn’tallit’scrackeduptobe.It’sbroughtmenothingbutgrief,andI’moverit.“Fightyourownfuckingwar.I’mdonedoingitforyou.”Iturnandstartforthedoor.
“Ifyouwalkoutofhere,you’redeadtome.”HisvoicesurgesintoaroarasIkeepmoving.“Doyouhearme,youlittleshit?You’llbenobetterthantheseOlympianverminandI’llexterminateyoualongsidethem.”
Iglanceovermyshoulder.ItstrikesmethatMinoslooks…small.Eversincehetookmein,he’sfeltlargerthanlife.TheonlygodIworshipped,theonlypowerIdevotedmyselfto.Now,withhischestheavingandhismouthworkingwhilehetriestofindtheexactcombinationofwordstohurtmeenoughtomakemebuckle,he’snothingmorethanaman,andapatheticoneatthat.
IhavenoallegiancetoOlympus.I’mnotanattackdogswitchingsides—switchingmasters.ButI’vefoundmyfirstsliveroftruehappinesshere,andIwon’tletanyoneendangerit.Notevenhim.“Ifyoutouchoneofmypeople,Iwillcomebackhereandskinyoualive.YoutaughtmetodothatwhenIwasseventeen,remember?Therewillbenomercyforyou.Don’tfuckwithme.”
Minos,godofmyteenageyears,flinches.
That’sallIneedtoturnaround…andfindtheMinotaurblockingthedoor.Istareathim.We’vebeenrivalsandenemiesandoccasionallysomethingthatalmostresemblesfriends.There’snothingofthatinhiseyesnow.“Getoutofmyway,”Isaysoftly.
HisemptygazeflicksovermyshouldertowhereMinosisstillcursingandthrowingthreatswithenoughvenomthatI’mgladhe’snotarmed.“Mightbeamistake.”Hematchesmytone,hiswordsdesignednottocarry.“Backingthewronghorse.”
“I’mnotbackinganyhorse.”Webarelytalk,andeventhen,it’susuallyaboutfightingtechniquesorweapons.Still,afterspendinghalfmylifeathisside,Ican’thelpthedesirenottoleavelikethis.“I’mchoosingtobehappy—ifIcanfigureoutwhatthefuckthatlookslike.Youshoulddothesame.”
AnotherglanceatMinos.TheMinotaurshrugs.“I’mwhereIwanttobe.”Buthemovesslowlytothesideandallowsmetopass.
Islipoutoftheroom,butIdon’ttakeafullbreathuntilI’mbackinmycarandwingingmywaytothehospital.Myhandswon’tstopshaking.IthinkImadetherightcall—oratleasttheonlycallavailabletome—butthere’sapitoflossinsidemethat’sgoingtobeabitchtowadethroughwhenthingscalmdown.
Iftheycalmdown.
Iparkinahurry,readytochargeintotheemergencyroomanddemandanswers.Unfortunately,mybodyisfuckingdonewiththeabuseI’veheapedonitMykneelocksupasItrytoclimbout.Icurseandslumpagainstthesideofthecar,grittingmyteethandridingoutthepain.Thehospitalisrightthere,butIcan’tpowerthroughitthistime.I’vebeenignoringmylimitsfordays—weeks—andnowI’mpayingtheprice.
“Theseus?”
IlookuptofindAdonisstandingafewfeetaway,hisfeaturesdrawn.Heholdsupanunlitcigaretteandgivesasheepishsmile.“Seemedagreattimetostartsmoking.”
“Throwthatshitaway.”ItrytoputweightonmylegandhissoutabreathwhenallIgetformytroubleisarushofagony.“Badforyou.”
He’sbymysideinaninstant.“Yourkneeoryourribs?”
“Knee.Putitthrough…toomuch.”
“IsupposefightingforyourlifeandthenchargingofftoconfrontMinoswilldothat.”Heslipsbeneathmyarmwithoutasking,whichIappreciateevenasIcurse.ThetruthisthatI’mnotgettingintothathospitalwithouthelp.
“News?”
“Notyet.”Hedoesn’tlookatmeaswemakeourslow,painfulwaytotheslidingglassdoors.“She’sstillinsurgery.They’renotevenupdatingZeusandAres.”Apause.“Areyouokay?”
“No.”Igritmyteeth.“ButIwillbe.”
Thetwopeopleinquestionstareatusaswemovethroughthedoors.ZeusglaresatmeandIglarerightback.Thismotherfuckerbetternotthinkhecankeepmefrommywife.Hestalksuptous,andjustlikeeveryothertimewe’vestoodclosetogether,I’msurprisedtofindhe’snotparticularlytall.He’sgotabigpresence.
Zeuseyesme.“Findsomewhereelsetobe,Hephaestus.”
Hephaestus.I’vefuckinghatedthatnamesincetakingit.MaybeIshouldbalkatshuckingitaside,butthetruthisthatitfeelslikeaburdenandI’msickofcarryingburdensforotherpeople.“I’mdone.”
“Excuseme?”
“Considerthismyresignation.I’moutasHephaestus.”
Henarrowshiseyes.“Whattrickisthis?”
“Notrick.”IseePandorasittinginawaitingroomchair,herkneebouncingnervouslyasshewatchesus.Ifinallyunderstandwhatshe’sbeensayingforyears.Gods,it’samiracleshe’sputupwithmycontraryass.IturnbacktoZeus.“I’mdone.BeingoneoftheThirteenisanightmare.Youallcanfuckrightoff,justlikeMinoscanfuckrightoff.”
Ifanything,heglaresharder.“Ifthisissomeploy—”
“Forfuck’ssake,Zeus,”Adonismutters.
IgivehimasqueezeevenasIkeepmyexpressionlockeddownasbestIcan.“Suspectmelaterifyouwant.Rightnow,you’restandingbetweenmeandmywife,andIwilltakeyououtatthekneesifyoudon’tgetthefuckoutofmyway.”Iseemtobesayingthatalotlately,butit’sthetruth.
Hestepsslowlyoutofmyway.“Youfuckwithher,I’llcutyourthroatmyself.”
I’vespentmostofmylifegettingintofightswithdangerouspeople,soIhaveplentyofexperiencewhensomeone’sbluffing.Zeusisn’t.Itmakesmelikethefuckeralittlebit.Igrin.“Ifuckwithyou,you’llhavetogetinline,becauseshe’llbethefirstonetoputabladetomythroat.”
Hehesitatesandnodsshortly.Thenhegetsthefuckoutofmyway.Aboutdamntime.ImakeitthreestepsbeforeIpause.WhatI’mabouttodoismoreabetrayalthanresigningfromthetitle,butI’mnotgoingtopryErisorAdonisoutofOlympus,whichmeansIhavetokeepthefuckingcitystandingforthem.“Minoshasseveralshipmentsintheharbor.Idon’tknowifthey’llbeunderhisname,butyouwanttogettowhateverthatcargoisbeforehedoes.”
Zeusstaresatmealongmomentandthengivesasharpnod.AsIturnfromhim,he’salreadypullingouthisphone.
Pandorasurgestoherfeetandrushestous.ShepullsbothmeandAdonisintoahug,andImanagetoholdthemtomewithoutitbeingincrediblyawkward.MaybeI’mgettingbetteratthiswholecomfortthing?
It’seasierwhenIdon’thavetofindwords.There’snothingtosay.Eriswilllive.Irefusetobelieveinanyotheroutcome.WithoutmeasHephaestus,itmeansweonlyhaveonesetofenemiestodealwith.Yeah,thatmeanstheentirefuckingcity,butstill.We’llfigureitout.
Wemanagetogetthreeseatsagainstthewallandsitthereasthesecondstickby,oneofmyhandsclutchedineachoftheirs.Istareatthedoor,willingthedoctortoarrivewithgoodnews.Idoitforsolong,thatwhenshefinallydoes,Ialmostdon’tbelieveit.
She’sacurvyexhausted-lookingwomanwithlight-brownskinandherhairhiddenunderacap.Sheeyesus.“Shemadeitthroughsurgery.Twoofyoucangoback.”Sheholdsuptwofingers.“Ifyoumakeafussaboutit,noneofyoucangoback.Sheneedstorest,andI’mnotgoingtohaveyoufightinginmyhospital.”
“I’llgo.”Zeusstepsforward.IfullyexpecthimtotakeAres,butheturnsthosecoldblueeyesonme.“Youcoming?”
Forasecond,Ithinkhecouldn’tpossiblybespeakingtome,butAdonisgivesmeasqueezeandthenhestandstohelpmetomyfeet.“We’llberightherewhenyou’redone.”
Itakeadeepbreath,feelingweirdlyadriftasIwalkawayfromthem,butAdonisandPandoraaren’ttheoneswhoneedmerightnow.
Mywifeis.37APHRODITE
Gettingstabbedhurtslikeabitch.Idonotrecommendit.MaybeIshouldhaveagreedtotheextrapainmedsthenurseinsistedon,butmybrainisalreadyfoggyfromwhatevertheygavemetokeepmeunderduringsurgery.I’maloneinthishospitalroom,andvirtuallyhelpless.I’mnotgoingtomakeitanyeasieronsomeonewhowantsmedead.
Gods,I’mtired.
Iclosemyeyes.Justforamoment.Justtogivemeabreakfromspinningmymentalwheelstryingtoseeawayforward.ItfeelslikeI’vebeenchurningformyentirelifeandyetI’mreallynobetteroffthanIwasasachild.
AllthefreedomIfoughtfor.Allthepower.AndyethereIam,onceagainthetargetoftheviolenceIfoughtsohardtoescape.It’snotthesameasgrowingupinmyfather’shouse.It’snotremotelythesame.
Ifeeljustastrapped.
ThedooropensandIjolt.“Fuck,thathurts.”
Iexpectedthenurse,ormaybeadoctor.Ididn’texpectmybrotherandmyhusbandtoentertheroomwithoutbloodshed.Theybothlooklikeshit.Perseusprobablyhasn’tsleptindays.Theseushasbloodstainedinthecreasesofhisfingers.
Ihaveneverbeensogladtoseetwopeopleinmyentirelife.Mylowerlipquivers,andIcan’tseemtomakeitstop.“Isthatblood?”Myvoicecomesoutstrange.Iwanttoblamethedrugs,butIfeelsmallandweakandunforgivablygladtoseemyhusband.“Areyouokay?”
Helooksdownathishandsandcurses.“IthoughtIgotitall.”
“Shittyatyourjobasalways,Theseus.”
Iglareatmybrother.Iknowhisbitchyattitudespawnsfromworry,butthatdoesn’tmeanI’mgoingtoliehereandlethimdrivethewedgebetweenmeandmyhusbandanydeeper.“HeisHephaestus,andyouwillrefertohimassuch.”
“No,he’sreallynot.”Perseussaysitwithoutanyinflection.“Heresignedhistitlelessthananhourago.Itwasallverydramatic.”HeglancesatTheseus.“WhileIappreciatethetipabouttheships,youweretoolate.Theywereunloadedsometimelastnight.Poseidonhasnoideawhatwasinsidethem.”
“YouhavealltheresourcesofOlympusatyourdisposal.I’msureyou’llfigureitout.”
Thewordsdon’tmakesense.Nottheresignation,andnotwhatevershipthey’retalkingabout.IknowIshouldcareaboutthelatter,butIcan’tgetpasttheformer.“Youresigned?”
HegivesPerseusadirtylookandroundsthehospitalbedtosinkgingerlyintothechairnexttome.“Ihavesomethingstosay,butI’llwaituntilthispuffed-upparakeetleaves.”
Mybrothercrosseshisarmsoverhischest.“Ileftmysisteralonewithyou,andshe’sbeenalmostshotandsuccessfullystabbed.Anythingyouwanttosaytoher,youcansayinfrontofme.”
Theseus’sjawgoestight,andIcan’thelptensing.Thetinymovementsendsafreshwaveofpainthroughme.Ishouldhaveexpectedit,butitcatchesmebysurpriseandIwhimper.Helooksbackatmeandtakesmyhand.“DoIneedtogetthenurse?”
“No.”Myvoiceishoarse.“No,I’mfine.”
Henarrowshiseyes.“Yourefusedmorepainmeds,didn’tyou?”Mybrotherstartscursing,butneitherofuslookathim.Theseussqueezesmyhandslowly,almostlikehe’snotsureifit’stherightmove.“We’lltalk,andthenyou’lltakeyourmeds,Eris.Promiseme.”
“It’snotsafe,”Iwhisper.
“I’llwatchoveryou.Noonewillgetclose.”
It’satestamenttohowweakIamrightnowthatIwanttolookintothosewords,tominethemforproofthathecaresaboutmeasmuchasI’vestartedtocareabouthim.Iclosemyeyesforamoment,fightingtothinkinsteadofjustfeel.Itdoesn’twork.I’vebeeninastateoffightorflightfordays,andmybodyjustgivesoutandgoeslimpwithreliefknowinghe’llstandbetweenmeandanythingthatcomesthroughthedoor.Iwetmydrylips.“Whatdidyouwanttosay?”
Heleansforward,asseriousasI’veeverseenhim.“I’mdonewiththiscityanditspowergames,withMinosandhisbullshit.I’mdonebeingaweapon.Yourbrotherisright;IresignedfromtheHephaestustitle.”Hegivesaself-deprecatinggrin.“IthinkwebothknowIwasshitatit,andthecostistoodamnhigh.”
“But…”IfindmyselfgrippinghishandasifIhavethestrengthtokeephimwithme.Ifheisn’tworkingforMinosandisn’toneoftheThirteen,there’snothingtokeephiminOlympus.Hehatesthiscity;he’sneverbeenshyaboutexpressingthat.“You’releaving?”
“What?No.”Heshakeshishead.“Pandora’snotgoinganywhere,andIcan’treallypicturealifewithoutAdonis.Notanymore.”
Igiveatremblingsmile,alltooawareofwhohedidn’tlist.It’sokay.Imarriedhimforpolitics,notforlove.Forpower.Funnyhowthatringssohollowrightnowwhenmyheartfeelslikeit’sturningtodust.“Adonisdoeshavethateffectonpeoplehecaresabout.”
“Yeah,hedoes.”Helooksdownatourlinkedhands.“Besides,you’vemorethanprovenyoucan’tprotectyourself.IfI’mnotHephaestus,there’sonlyonetargetinourhousehold,andIthinkwecanfigureoutawaytokeepyousafe.”
There’snotenoughairintheroom.“What?”
Theseussqueezesmyhandagain,surerthistime.“You’remywife,Eris.Ihaven’twantedtostrangleyouinnearlyaweek.That’slove,don’tyouthink?”
“Don’tjoke.Notrightnow.Notaboutthis,”Iwhisper.There’sahorribleburninginmythroatandbehindmyeyes.IamaKasiosandwedon’tcry.Iinstantlymakealiaroutofmyselfwhensomethingwetslipsfromthecornerofmyeye.
“I’mnotjoking.”Mybrotherscoffs,butTheseusjustleanscloserandlowershisvoice.“Iwon’tpretendIknowwhatproperlovelookslike.I’mjustfeelingmyway.IwantAdonisinmylife.Atmyside.Iwantthesamewithyou.IwantyoutofeellikeyoucanbewithPandora,too.”
It’stoogoodtobetrue,andyetallIcanseearepitfalls.“We’llneverbesafe.Thecityiscomingdownaroundus,andMinosisn’tgoingtostop.”
“He’snotgoingtostop,”heagrees.Now,hefinallylooksatPerseus.“Findoutwhathehadinthoseshipsandyou’llgetanideaofwhathe’splanning.He’sgoingtocontinuetodestabilizethecity.Probablyhassomethinguphissleeveforthebarrier,too.Theenemyisn’tatyourgatestoday,butyoucanbetyourassthey’llbetherethesecondtheycangetaccesstothecity.Attherateyou’regoing,therewon’tevenbeafight.They’llshowup,offyouandwhoeverisleftstanding,andtakeover.Alltheyneedisagoodstoryandthepublicwillwelcomethemwithopenarms.”
“Iamaware,”mybrotherbitesout.“Ifyouhavenothingmoretoofferbywayofinformationandyou’renolongeroneoftheThirteen,what’stostopmefrommakingyoudisappear?You’vecausedmeandthiscitynothingbutproblems.”
“No.”Ithurtstoraisemyvoice,butIdoitallthesame.“Don’tyoudare.”
Helooksfrustratedenoughtoripouthishair.“Youknowthecost,Aphrodite.Thecitycomesfirst.Beforeourpersonalhappiness.Beforeeverything.ThatmanisathreattoOlympus,andheneedstoberemovedbeforehecancausemoreharm.”WhenIjustglare,hecurses.“Evenifwedon’tkillhim,youhavetogetadivorce.You’reAphrodite.Ifyou’remarried,youneedtobemarriedtosomeonewithpower.Ifhe’snotHephaestus,he’snoone.”
He’sright.Ihatethathe’sright.Istareatmyhandlinkedwithmyhusband’s.Rightnow,thethingtodoisfreemyselfanddeclarethatIwantadivorce.TorisefromtheashesofthiscatastrophicrelationshipandsetmysightsonsomeonewhowillhelpstabilizethepowerstructureinOlympusasmuchaspossible.Oneofthescionsofapowerfullegacyfamily.Someonewhowillbefirmlyinmypocketandwhosealliancewillbenefitthecity.
I…don’twantto.
Theseusrunshisthumbovermyknuckles.“Aren’tyoutiredofbeingaweapontheypickupanduseuntilit’sbeatenandbroken?Isureasfuckam.You’vesacrificedsomuchforthiscity,andthefirstthingtheydotothankyouistrytokillyouandtakeyourpowerfortheirown.”Hisvoicegoeslowandfierce.“Theydon’tdeserveyou,Eris.”
“Shutthefuckup,”Perseussnaps.“Youdon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.Whatwe’retryingtoaccomplish.”
“TryingandfailingfromwhereI’msitting.”
“Stopit.Bothofyou.”Idon’tyell,buttheybothobey.Ilookatmybrother,attheblatantevidenceofthepricethecitydemandswrittenacrosshisface.Hewon’tbend,andhewon’tbreak,buthemightdoexactlyashethreatenedandturnintothemonsterthecityrequires.
Ifsomeoneaskedmeaweek—evenafewdays—ago,IwouldhavesaidIhavethesameresolveasPerseus.ThatI’mwillingtopaywhateverpriceOlympusdemandsaslongasthecitybenefits.MaybeIwasnaive,butIneverexpectedtheburdentobesoheavy.“WhatifIwasn’tAphrodite?”
Perseusflinches.“Aphrodite—”
“HernameisEris.”
Idon’tlookatTheseus,evenasmyheartfeelslikeitjustsprungwings.Instead,Iholdmybrother’sgaze.“Wecan’tloseHelenasAres—she’stooformidableandshe’sproventobeagoodfit—andyou’reZeus.ButwiththreeofusintheThirteen,it’sputsomeofthelegacyfamiliesontheoutswithus.Weneedthemifwe’regoingtounifyandsurvivethis.”
“Don’t.”
Iclearmythroat.“Iwon’tpretendthisisn’tselfish,Perseus.”Igingerlytouchthebandageonmystomach.Itwasveryfoolishtoskipthosepainmeds,butatleastmymindisclear.EvenifitfeelslikeI’mfree-falling.“I’msotired.Iwassuitedtobattlesofpublicperception,notoneswithgunsandknives.”MythroatburnsandIswallowafewtimes.“Pleasedon’tmakemedothis.Please.”
“Oh,Eris.”He’satmysideinaninstant.Hedoesn’ttakemyhand;we’renotthatkindoffamily.Buthedoesshiftdownuntilourfacesareeven.“I’mnothim.Iwon’tmakeyoudoanything.”
Him.Ourfather.
Againstmybestefforts,anothertearslipsfree.“I’llstillhelp.”
“Iknow.”
“Imightbeabletodomorethisway.”
Hislipscurvethetiniestbit.“Iexpectnothingless.”Perseus’sattentionshiftstoTheseusforalongmoment.“Iwantformalresignationsfrombothofyouonmydeskbytheendoftheweek.Thesooner,thebetter.ItwilltakesometimetogettheHephaestuscompetitionmoving.”Henodsatme.“Doyouhaveasuccessorpicked?”
Ihadn’t,butintheend,it’stheeasiestchoiceintheworld.“Sele.They’veworkedfortheAphroditeofficeforaslongasIhave.They’reformidableandgoodattheirjob,andtheycomefromtheBarosfamily,whichisoneoftheoneswho’vebeenwafflingoverrecentevents.Itwillbringthembackintothefold.”
“Verywell.”Hestraightens.“I’mgladyou’reokay,Eris.”Perseusdragsahandthroughhishair.“I’malsoselfishlygladthatIwon’thavetoworryaboutmoreattemptsonyourlifeifyou’renolongerAphrodite.Noone’sgettingclosetoAreswithAchillesandPatroclusintheway.”
“Andyou?”
Hegivesanotherofthosesmallsmiles.“Icantakecareofmyself.”Thenhe’sgone,slippingoutofthehospitalroomandleavingmealonewithmyhusband.
Ican’tquitebelievewhatjusthappened.Allmylife,itfeltlikeIwasheadinginasingledirection,reachingthepinnacleoftheThirteenandthenusingthatpowertoservethecitythatismyhome.It’ssillytothinkthatIdon’tknowwhoIamifI’mnotAphrodite—Iheldthepositionforlessthanyear—butIfeelabitempty.
Maybeit’sshock.
Iswallowhardandlookatmyhusband.“Didyoumeanit?Allofit?”Itseemsimpossiblethatwe’vereachedthispoint,consideringwherewestarted.Thesmall,politicalpartofmybrainwhispersthatIneedtoreleasehishand,totakeawayanyindicationthatImightcarejustasmuchashedoes,butIignoreit.
Wewillalwayshavepowerforthesakeofwhoweare,butthatdoesn’tmeanithastoownusandouractions.Wegettochoosenow.Iwanttochoosehim.TochoosePandoraandAdonis.
Iwantthemtochooseme,too.
IwantTheseustochooseme.
“YouknowIcan’tlieworthadamn.”Hegrinssuddenly,theexpressionlightandalmostgiddy.“Iknowwe’renotfree,butfuck,itfeelslikeit.”
Islowlyrealizethathe’sright.ThatstrangeemptinessisaweightlessfeelingIbarelyknowhowtocomprehend.It’sasifI’vebeencarryingaroundananchorformostofmylifewithoutrealizingthatsettingitdownwasanoption.Withoutit,IfeellikeIcouldfly.“Whatabout—”
ThedooropensagainandAdonisandPandoraspillintotheroom.TheyrushtomysideandthereareseveralchaoticminuteswhiletheytrytoensureI’mokayandTheseusfinallybringseveryoneuptospeed.
It’s…nice.Reallynice.
Thisisn’twhatIthoughtmylifewouldbe,butIcan’tdenythathavingthethreeofthemherefeelssorightImightcry.Again.
Pandorapressesmyknucklestoherlips.“I’msogladyou’reokay.”
“Me,too.”
Adonisstaresdownatme,darkeyesserious.“YoureallymeantoresignasAphrodite?”
There’sawealthofhistoryandpaininthatquestion.WhyamIdoingitnowwhenIwouldn’thavedoneitforhimalone?WhydidItakethispositioninthefirstplace?It’shardtomeethiseyes.“Yes.I…”Itakeadeepbreath.“I’msorry.I’msorryforallthepainIputyouthrough,andI’msorryforpullingyouintothismess.”
“Speakforyourself.”Theseusstilllooksdownrightgiddy.“I’ddoitallagainandthensometoenduphere.”
Adonisnodsslowly.“Youwererightbefore.Weweren’tquiteagoodfitwithjustthetwoofus.”HelooksatTheseus.“Maybethingsneededtoplayoutthiswaytogetushere.”
It’ssuchapurelyAdonisthingtosaythatanotherdamnedtearslipsfree.“Iloveyou.”
“Iloveyou,too.”Heclearshisthroat.“Letmegofindthedoctorandseeifwecanmakeaplanforgettingyouhome.”
PandoraturnstoTheseus.“Youreallymeanit?You’reresigningthetitleandcuttingoffMinos?”
Someofhisjoydimsalittle.“You’vebeensayingIshouldfindmyownwayforyears.Ishouldhavelistened.”
Farfromcondemninghim,shelaughs.“Onedayyou’llfinallyadmitthatI’msmarterthanyouandalsohavebetterperspective.”
“Yeah.”Hisgazetrackstome.“YousawthevalueinErisbeforeIdid.”
“Yep.”Shetakesmyhandagain.“Gods,butI’mhappythatyou’reokay.Iwassofuckingworried.”
Farbeitfrommetomissanopportunity.Igiveherasweetsmile.“Doesthatmeanyou’removingin?Bothofyou?”
“Yeah.”Theseuslaughs.“Yeah,wherethefuckelsewouldIgo?”
Pandoraraisesasinglebrow.“Thisisn’tgoingtobeoneofthosethingswhereImoveinwithyouandyousuddenlyexpectmonogamy,isit?”
“No.”Ishakemyhead.“ImeantitwhenIsaidIwon’ttrytoshoveyouintoabox.Ican’tpretendtherewon’tbehiccupsandmissteps,butifyouwanttobringpeoplebacktotheapartment—”
“No,”Theseuscutsin.“It’sasecurityrisk.”
“Ifyouwanttobringpeoplebacktotheapartment,”Italkoverhim,“thenthat’smorethanfine.Iwantittofeellikehometoyou,whateverthatmeans.”
Pandorasnorts.“Theseuslookslikehe’sabouttohog-tieme,solet’stablethisdiscussionforlater.”
“Deal.”Thefactthattherewillbealaterisstillprocessing.Itouchmybandageagain.I’malive.Morethanthat,IhaveafuturethatIbarelydareddreamabout.OneIthoughtcompletelyimpossibleforme.
Adonisslipsbackintotheroomandgivesusaquickupdate.We’llbehereforabit.Apparentlystabwoundsaren’tsomethingyoucanjustcheckoutofahospitalwiththesamedayyou’readmitted…especiallyifthey’restomachwounds.
“Eris.”
IfocusonTheseus.“Yes?”
“Youdon’thaveto.”Helooksmarkedlyuncomfortable,whichmeanshe’sabouttotrytobesweetorcomforting.“Resign,Imean.Ican’tpretendIknowyourwholehistory,butyoufoughthardtogetthattitle.Youshouldn’thavetogiveitup.”
That’sthething.Itdoesn’tfeellikegivingupanything.Itfeelslikearelease.“YousaidMinosmadeyoufeellikeaweapon.Myfatherdidthesame.”Gods,whyisthissohardtosay?“I’mdonebeingaweaponforotherpeople.I’mnotgoingtopretendIwon’tkeepfightingforOlympus,butI…don’twantittobethisway.OrthewayIwas.Iwantsomethingelse.Iwantyou.Allofyou.”
Forthefirsttimeinmylife,Iwantlove.
Notpower.
More,Icanhaveit.Withthesethree.Together.ENJOYTHISSNEAKPEEKATTHENEXTUNSPEAKABLYHOTBOOKINTHEDARKOLYMPUSSERIES,MIDNIGHTRUIN.1EURYDICE
Themusicisadeep,throbbingbeatthatseemstosoakintoeverymoleculeoftheroom,incitingtheoccupantstosin.Or,ifnotinciting,thenatleastsmoothingawayanylingeringworriesaboutclingingtotheperceptionofpuritythattheuppercityvaluessohighly.
We’renotintheuppercitynow.
IglanceatmyphoneforthefifthtimeintenminutesandcurseundermybreathwhenthetextI’mwaitingforfinallycomesthrough.
Ariadne:Mydadputusonlockdown.I’msorry,butIcan’tcometonight.
I’vespentthreeweeksandhalfadozenfailedattemptstryingtogetAriadneintoHades’skinkclub.Lyingthroughmyteethabouthownoonewillknowwhosheis.Feelingguiltyforcoaxingherintowhatisessentiallyatrapwhensheshowsallevidenceofbeingalovelyperson.Thatguilthasfadedthankstotheeventsofthelastmonth.
PeoplearedyingandthefaultlieswiththeVitalisfamily.WithAriadne’sfamily.Herfathermightbetheonepullingthestrings,butthelittlehintsAriadnegaveApolloatthathousepartysixweeksagoweren’tenough.Sheknewthiswascomingandshedidn’twarnus.
Thatmakeshertheenemy.
Anenemythat’snotwalkingintomytraptonight.Isigh.Notthatthisismuchofatrap,exactly.It’smorethatI’vebeentaskedwithattemptingtocoaxherovertoourside.Ifthat’snotpossible,thenIsuspectsomeonewilljustflatouttakeher,butI’mthecarrotinthissituation.
Notthatanyoneknowsit.
Ilookaround,myguiltflaringforacompletelydifferentreason.I’vebeeninmybrother-in-law’ssexclubhalfadozentimesinthelastcouplemonths.IhavenodoubtsthatHadesisawareofit,thoughI’mcarefultoonlyshowupwhenIknowheandPersephonewon’tbepresidingovertheactivities.
ThisisthefirsttimeI’vecomealone
ItfeelsweirdnottohaveCharonasmyever-presentshadow.Hewouldn’thaveapprovedoftonight’sactivities,soIsnuckoutwithouttellinganyonewhereIwasgoing.Theclubmanager,Hypnos,hasseenmearoundenoughnowthatthebouncersdidn’tstopmewhenIwalkedthroughthedoor.Zirdoesn’tknowmyarrangementwithCharon,whichworkswellenoughforme.Charoninitiallyallowedmeaccesstotheclub,withonecaveat:I’monlyallowedtowatch.He’slooseneduptherulesabit,butit’shardtobecomfortableindulgingwhenhe’slookingovermyshoulder.
ButCharonisn’thererightnow.
Theroomisatruedenofiniquity,allartfullydesignedtoseducethesenses.Thelightsarealwayslowwhentheclubisopen,butacleverlyhiddenwaterwayaroundtheedgeoftheroomthrowsdizzyingreflectionsontotheceiling,givingtheimpressionofusbeingunderground.I’veseenthefurniturearrangedinadozendifferentways,buttonightit’sthetraditionallayoutwithcouchesandchairsandcushionssituatedtoallowplentyofspaceforconversationand,well,fucking.
Iinhalethescentofsexandsmoothmyhandsdownmytightminidress.Mybodythrumsinresponse.It’sbeen…solong.Ihaven’tbeenwithanyonesincetheeventsoflastDecember,andsomehowninemonthshavegoneby.Foralongtime,IwasfocusedonputtingonefootinfrontoftheotherandnotlettingthepainofOrpheus’sbetrayalbreakme
Butnow?
Ilookaroundtheroom.EveryothertimeI’vecomeherehasbeenwithCharonbabysittingme.Idon’tknowifHadesputhimuptoit,orifhe’stakenituponhimselftobemyguidetothelowercity,butIwashardlygoingtoindulgewithhimlookingovermyshoulder.He’smadecommentsmorethanonceabouthowIcouldifIwantedto,butitfelttoostrange.Istillhaven’tdecidedifitwasagoodstrangeorabadstrange,though.Eitherway…he’snotheretonight.
“I’veseenyouaround,alwayswatching,neverparticipating.”
Ijoltandturntofindamanhastakenupaspotagainstthewallnexttome.He’saveryattractiveSouthAsianmanwho’saboutmyheightwithaslimbuildandsmilingeyes.Healsolooksincrediblyfamiliar,andnotjustbecauseI’msureI’veseenhimafewtimesduringmyvisitshere.
Heholdsoutahand.“Thanatos.”
RecognitionclicksasIslipmyhandintohis.“You’reHypnos’sbrother.”NowthatIsayit,Iseethesimilaritiesbetweenhimandzir.Samemedium-brownskintone,thickdarkhair,andrefinedfeatures.Theyalsobothhaveincrediblysensuallips.NotthatI’venoticed.ExceptIhave.
“Guiltyascharged.”Insteadofshakingmyhand,heraisesittopressalightkisstomyknuckles.Itshouldbecheesy,buthisdarkeyesinvitemetoindulgehim.
Ifindmyselfsmilingasheatstirstolifelowinmystomach.It’sbeensolongsinceI’veevenwantedtoindulge…No,that’salie.Butit’sbeenaverylongtimesinceI’veencounteredsomeonewhowassafetoindulgewith.SomeonewhoIcouldspendafunnightwithandnotworryaboutshatteringarelationshipIvalueintheprocess.
One-nightstandsaren’tusuallythewayIoperate—Igetattachedveryquicklyoncesexentersthepicture—butperhapsit’stimetomakeanexception.“It’snicetomeetyou.”
Thanatosliftshishead,butdoesn’treleasemyhand.HeholdsmeinalightgripIcouldbreakatanymoment,heatlickingintohisdarkeyes.“Itstrikesmethatyouhaven’thadaproperintroductiontothedelightsoftheclub.”
He’sflirtingwithme.Idon’tknowwhythatsurprisesmesomuch.IsupposeI’vebecomesousedtoblendingintothebackgroundthatIexpectittobethedefault.ItcertainlyiswithCharon.Themantreatsmekindly,butit’sclearhe’sneverfeltthesameflickerofdesirethatplaguesmeinhispresence.
I’velearnedthehardwaywhathappenswhenyougiveyourhearttoamanwhodoesn’tcherishit.Irefusetodoitagain.
Thanatosisn’taskingformyheart.He’snotaskingforanythingatallrightnow.Itakeaslowbreath,inhalingtheevocativescentofhiscologne.He’sstillholdingmyhand.Ifindmyselfsmiling.“Byallmeans.Introduceme.”
Hisgrinisbrightandcharming.“Itwouldbemypleasure.”
Iignoretheguiltthatclingstomeasheleadsmetoanemptycouchnearthewallfarthestfromthedoor.I’mnotcertainifit’sintentionalornot,butIappreciatethesliverofprivacythelocationoffers.There’sanunspokenrulethatwhatgoesonhereisn’tmentionedoutsidethesewallsunlessmysisterandherhusbandwishittobeso,butthatdoesn’tmeanIwanttoriskthegossipgettingbacktothem
Theywouldn’tunderstand.Oh,maybeHadeswould,butPersephone?Never.Toher,I’mherbabysistertobeprotectedatallcosts.Sheneverstopstothinkthatmaybetheblanketofprotectionsheandourothersistersprovideissuffocatingmeslowly.IfsheknewIwashere,shewouldsweepinwithalltherageofavengefulgoddesstostrikedown
Andshouldtheytouchme?
Unthinkable.
ExceptThanatosistouchingmenow.Hesitscloseenoughthatwe’repressedtogetherandturnsovermyhandtotracethefineveinsofmywristwiththetipsofhisfingers.“You’vebeenheremanytimesinthelastfewmonths.”
Iliftmybrows.“Haveyoubeenwatchingme?”
Heshrugs,completelyunselfconscious.“Everyonewatchesyou,Eurydice,andnotjustbecauseyou’rebeautiful.”Hisfingerstrailuptotheinsideofmyelbow.“You’reabsolutelycaptivating.”
I’mawarethathe’stryingtoseduceme.HemightnotbetheoneIwantifI’mbeingtrulyhonestwithmyself,butwhat’stheharminallowingmyselftobeseduced?Hehaskindeyes.MaybewhatIneedtogetoverOrpheusonceandforallisn’tagreatlovetosweepawayeverythingthatcamebefore.MaybewhatIneedisastringofkindloverswhodon’tstirmyheartbutaremorethancapableofstirringmybody.
Thanatoscertainlyisdoingagoodjobofit.Histouchisn’tanythingthatwouldbeinappropriateinanotherpublicsetting,butIfindmyselfholdingmybreathashecontinuestotracelightpatternsovermyskin,eachsendingazingofdesirethroughme.
Irelaxslowlyagainstthebackofthecouchandlookupathim.“You’requitecaptivatingyourself.”
Hissmiletakesonaself-deprecatingtone.“I’mnottooshabby.”Hisfingerstrailslightlyupmybicep,thebacksofhisknucklesbrushingagainstmybreast.Heholdsmygaze.“MayI?”
Ican’tquitecatchmybreath.Idon’tknowwhathe’sasking,butIwantitallthesame.“Yes.”
Thanatosleansin,closingthelastlittlebitofdistancebetweenus,andkissesme.It’sagoodkiss.It’slightandintentional,atestandaseduction,allwrappedintoone.Itmakesmeshiftinmyseat,butmyheartstaysunfeelinginmychest.
Perfect
AtleastuntilThanatosleansbackandIcatchsightofthepreviouslyunoccupiedchairacrossfromus.It’snotunoccupiedanylonger.Nowit’sbeenclaimedbyalargewhitemanwithintenseblueeyes,shouldersthatfilladoorway,anddarkhairthatreachesnearlytohisshoulders.Myheartgivesahorriblethumpinmychest.
Charon
Thanatosgoesstillinresponsetomytension.Heturnstofollowmygazeandseemstostopbreathing.“Charon.”
“Thanatos.You’reoverstepping.”Hisvoiceiscalm.It’salwayscalm.IonceoverheardHadesspeakingwithmysister,expressingconcernthatCharonhadlosthiscustomaryhumorinthelastyear.Persephonehadrespondedthathe’dgrownupalotbecauseoftheeventsthatcontinuetodestabilizeOlympus.Ithinkthey’rebothwrong.He’sstillgothumor,butit’sbecomeadrythingthatfliesrightovermyheadattimes.
Hedoesn’tlooklikehe’slaughingnow.
Infact,helooksalmostmurderous.
Thanatosshiftsawayfromme.“I’msorry.Ididn’trealizeshewasyours.”
“She’snot.”Hedoesn’tmove,doesn’ttakehisgazefromtheotherman.“Butshe’snotforthetaking.”ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thisseriescontinuestoevolveinthemostdelightfulofways,andIcannotthankmyreadersenough.Noneofthiswouldbepossiblewithoutyou,andIamsoincrediblyhumbledbyyoursupport.
EndlessthankstoMaryAltmanforalways“Yes,and”ingmywildplans.Thisismymostambitiousbooktodate,andIwouldneverhavedaredtryitwithoutyoursupport.Can’twaitforthenextone!
Thankyoutomyagent,LauraBradford,forcontinuingtochampionthisseries!
ToPamJaffreeandKatieStutzforbeingthebestpublicistduoanauthorcouldeverwant!Youwranglemychaos,andIdeeplyappreciateit!
ThankyouDominiqueRaccahandToddStocke;RachelGilmer,JocelynTravis,andSusieBenton;DianeDannenfeldtandCarolynLesnick;IndiaHunterandHeatherHall;TaraJaggers,StephanieGafron,andDawnAdams;BrianGrogan,SeanMurray,andElizabethOtte.
EndlessloveandappreciationtoJennyNorbakandMelodyCarlisleforbeingthebestgroupchatapersoncouldeveraskfor.Idon’tdeserveyou!ThankyoutoNishaSharmaforalwayshavingmybackandtalkingmethroughsometrulyridiculoussituations.ThankyoutoPiperJDrakeandAsaMariaBradleyfordraggingmeoutofthehousetoawritingretreatthatwasoneofmyfavoriteexperiencesthisyear!
ToTim…Man,lookatusnow.Istillcan’tquitebelievethatthisisourlifenow,butyouneveroncedoubtedthatwe’dgethere.Yourfaithinmehasgottenmethroughsometoughshit,andIwouldn’twanttobeonthisjourneywithanyoneelse.ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
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