“Don’t.”
I clear my throat. “I won’t pretend this isn’t selfish, Perseus.” I gingerly touch the bandage on my stomach. It was very foolish to skip those pain meds, but at least my mind is clear. Even if it feels like I’m free-falling. “I’m so tired. I was suited to battles of public perception, not ones with guns and knives.” My throat burns and I swallow a few times. “Please don’t make me do this. Please.”
“Oh, Eris.” He’s at my side in an instant. He doesn’t take my hand; we’re not that kind of family. But he does shift down until our faces are even. “I’m not him. I won’t make you do anything.”
Him. Our father.
Against my best efforts, another tear slips free. “I’ll still help.”
“I know.”
“I might be able to do more this way.”
His lips curve the tiniest bit. “I expect nothing less.” Perseus’s attention shifts to Theseus for a long moment. “I want formal resignations from both of you on my desk by the end of the week. The sooner, the better. It will take some time to get the Hephaestus competition moving.” He nods at me. “Do you have a successor picked?”
I hadn’t, but in the end, it’s the easiest choice in the world. “Sele. They’ve worked for the Aphrodite office for as long as I have. They’re formidable and good at their job, and they come from the Baros family, which is one of the ones who’ve been waffling over recent events. It will bring them back into the fold.”
“Very well.” He straightens. “I’m glad you’re okay, Eris.” Perseus drags a hand through his hair. “I’m also selfishly glad that I won’t have to worry about more attempts on your life if you’re no longer Aphrodite. No one’s getting close to Ares with Achilles and Patroclus in the way.”
“And you?”
He gives another of those small smiles. “I can take care of myself.” Then he’s gone, slipping out of the hospital room and leaving me alone with my husband.
I can’t quite believe what just happened. All my life, it felt like I was heading in a single direction, reaching the pinnacle of the Thirteen and then using that power to serve the city that is my home. It’s silly to think that I don’t know who I am if I’m not Aphrodite—I held the position for less than year—but I feel a bit empty.
Maybe it’s shock.
I swallow hard and look at my husband. “Did you mean it? All of it?” It seems impossible that we’ve reached this point, considering where we started. The small, political part of my brain whispers that I need to release his hand, to take away any indication that I might care just as much as he does, but I ignore it.
We will always have power for the sake of who we are, but that doesn’t mean it has to own us and our actions. We get to choose now. I want to choose him. To choose Pandora and Adonis.
I want them to choose me, too.
I want Theseus to choose me.
“You know I can’t lie worth a damn.” He grins suddenly, the expression light and almost giddy. “I know we’re not free, but fuck, it feels like it.”
I slowly realize that he’s right. That strange emptiness is a weightless feeling I barely know how to comprehend. It’s as if I’ve been carrying around an anchor for most of my life without realizing that setting it down was an option. Without it, I feel like I could fly. “What about—”
The door opens again and Adonis and Pandora spill into the room. They rush to my side and there are several chaotic minutes while they try to ensure I’m okay and Theseus finally brings everyone up to speed.
It’s…nice. Really nice.
This isn’t what I thought my life would be, but I can’t deny that having the three of them here feels so right I might cry. Again.
Pandora presses my knuckles to her lips. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Me, too.”
Adonis stares down at me, dark eyes serious. “You really mean to resign as Aphrodite?”
There’s a wealth of history and pain in that question. Why am I doing it now when I wouldn’t have done it for him alone? Why did I take this position in the first place? It’s hard to meet his eyes. “Yes. I…” I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all the pain I put you through, and I’m sorry for pulling you into this mess.”
“Speak for yourself.” Theseus still looks downright giddy. “I’d do it all again and then some to end up here.”