"How did it go with the baby doctor?" Apollo asked, sitting beside me.

"Completely fine."

"Really?" He frowned. "Even the fainting?"

"I didn't faint, I felt faint, there's a different and yes. Cain was a complete Chatty Cathy in there and made sure she knew how my week was going so far."

"Good."

We sat in silence, watching as Kara talked to the people gathered around her. Everyone had been taken care of in the time we'd gone. Healing soups had been handed out, new clothes too and Hermes was already directing smaller groups through various portals he set up for them to go home; wherever that was. Deimos stood with Cain just to Kara's left, both keeping a watchful eye on the crowd and even from here I didn't feel like I'd dropped off his radar just yet.

"This has been a good opportunity for her," Apollo said after a little while. "They know her face now, they'll talk about her help. Her kindness. It's exactly what she needs to get herself established as a ruler, especially after she walked into Friggs court and dumped Thor there."

"I hope so. Didn't Cain start the same way?"

"No, not quite. He wasn't as public as this. To give him credit, he'd done more than Kara in the time she's been crowned, but you need to make sure the Others know what you're doing to establish that sense of power and control. Let them see you lead."

"I get it, but he wanted more than that. There was that council, and-"

"He's lived in your world too long. It was never going to work that way." I almost forgot how arrogant he could be.

"I'm not going to compare them with you. As they say, it is, what is. Kara's got this. I know she does and that's all that counts now."

I stop myself from saying anything else as a familiar face comes our way. She looks nervous, her hands threading together as she seems to hunch over in her approach as if she's trying to look as small as possible. The pissed-off looking Power beside me probably isn't helping and as Apollo tenses as if he's about to pounce on her I put my hand on his forearm, mostly to see if there's a switch there to turn off bodyguard mode.

"Your highness, I don't know if you remember-" She starts, bowing as she stops a couple of meters in front of us.

I shake my head and get up to go over to her, ignoring the groan from Apollo.

"It's just Elise," I remind her.

"I apologise." She bowed again.

"That's not necessary, really. Are you alright?" I ask her.

"I am, your high- Elise. Thank you for all you've done for us."

"I haven't done anything." The look she gives tells me she doesn't believe that for an instant. "The Queen is over there if you wanted to thank her."

"No, I saw everything. I was there, I know what happened. It's why I wanted to talk to you." I let it go, and nod.

"Talk to me about what, Yasmin?" Her name came to me at the right moment, her eyes widening slightly as she smiled. It disappeared the second I sensed Apollo inching closer. "Have you heard of personal space?"

I turn to glare at him and muttering under his breath he sits back down.

"Sorry, what's up?" I smile, as she looks like she's about to make a run for it now. I can't help be cautious, my powers are ready for whatever might come next yet only I hope she is planning anything bad.

"You talked about the Furies." She started, cringing slightly as I think she expected it to be a trigger word.

"Yeah, we're trying to find them. Mostly before they find us, again. They're bad news and not something you want to get involved in. Do you know something about them?"

Yasmin nodded. "They came through here, two, maybe three weeks ago. It's hard to keep track of time. He was scared of them. One wasn't well. She had a wound, I could smell the infection as I poured her wine."

That was good news.

"I can show you where they stayed? They left before any were awake. My sister and I, felt, normal, and think their arrival had Dionysus's hold on us weakened as he wanted all his power in case they tried anything. We were going to run away, go home." She quickly explained. "The two carried the injured one on a little stretcher they made from one of the beds. We followed them, maybe a kilometre or two but then Dionysus woke up. We hadn't gotten far enough to be out of his hold."

Tears ran down her face now and without thinking I hugged her. "Where's your sister now?"

"He killed her. A lesson to me, punishment for thinking we could escape." She sobbed.

"I'm so sorry."

"You killed him. It looked painful. Thank you." Yasmin sucked in a deep breath and wiped her eyes, and I realised she wasn't as old as she first looked. Angry, yet intelligent eyes met mine and I felt the truth to her words. "I can show you the path they were following. Maybe they left a clue or something you might find useful?"

"I would love it if you could." Still pulling her emotions back, she nodded and started in the direction of the town. I'd barely gone two steps when Apollo was back at my side and I kept my voice low. "You heard?"

"Every word."

The cabin wasn't in as bad shape as the others. Before Dionysus had arrived, this might have been one of the few people who did remain here homes. The tiny kitchen was clean and tidy, the two bedrooms normal apart from the torn apart single bed remains. Blood had been smeared over the sheets, but there was nothing else that even showed they'd been here.

"Are we actually following her out into the woods, knowing what's out there?" Apollo whispered, stopping me as I went to leave the bedroom as he blocked the doorway. "I don't trust her."

"Honestly, as much as I want to, I don't either. The story is believable, but vengeance is what they do. If she lost her sister earlier, or while they were here, she could easily be part of a bigger plan."

"I half expected you to tell me not to be paranoid, and walk right on out there." He admitted.

Patting his chest, I smiled up at him. "Oh, but I am."

"This is cosy, am I interrupting?" Artemis doesn't sound like she cares if she was, and as Apollo shifted slightly out of the doorway, she stood there glaring at us. "I mean, really. What are you two thinking? No one would notice you sneaking off together and-"

"What are you on about, Art?" Apollo huffed.

"You, I understand. What better way to finally claim yourself a win, but nothing or no one is worth risking being back on the run for your life. Then again it is you I'm talking about so your answer will probably be yes. What if it wasn't me to come in?" She pointed her finger between us, her judgment was obvious and I really didn't like her tone. "What would you even gain, Elise? Is it why you've been acting differently later, brother?"

I realised before he did what she was talking about. "Seriously? I'm not even going to respond to this."

Walking out, Artemis didn't move; the side of her body finding mine to bump into as I passed. Getting outside, Yasmin was waiting, looking even more anxious than before and from inside I could hear the twins arguing as Apollo finally worked out what she had been implying. If I heard rumours when we got back to the palace about any of this, I was going to cut out her stupid fucking tongue.

"Is everything okay?" Yasmin asked, frowning as she looked inside. "Did you find anything?"

"There wasn't anything in there except for a judgmental-"

"Elise, do not take another step!" Apollo shouted as he came out. "I'm sorry, Art was out of line."

"When is she not, lately?" I glared at her as she sheepishly came out behind him before turning back to Yasmin. "I just have to tell the others we're going, are you up to for the walk?"

Yasmin hesitates before nodding. "I'll wait here."

I go straight to Cain, Apollo hot on my heels and Artemis behind him. All eyes are on us as we pass by Kara's little fan group, and I ignore the whispers that start or the new excited buzz that seems to surround them. Thankfully Kara does too.

"What's wrong?" Cain asks, stepping back from Deimos, we leave the group and stand aside on our own.

"Yasmin is up to something. She says she saw the Furies leaving, and had followed them for some of the ways. One of them is hurt. I believe that she just showed us where they'd stayed the night." I looked back at Artemis and was instantly angry all over again.

"I wondered where you three had gone to," He pulled me closer against him, but I was well aware of Artemis watching us. "It could be a trap."

"I know. This could also be the lead we've been waiting for. Can we really risk missing this?"

"No, but it also doesn't give us a lot of time to plan either." Cain tensed slightly, his eyes darkening. "Why is Artemis staring at you? Is she being, odd, about you know who, again?"

"It's nothing." I sighed. "I swear if there's a fucking rumour going around about me and Apollo when we get back to the palace I am going to lose my shit. She thinks something is going on between us and had a little fit when she just appeared because we were alone together and thinks I'm playing both of you."

"And you got so annoyed with me when you heard I'd banished her." He mused, and I couldn't stop myself from being just a tiny bit surprised I wasn't now trying to defend myself, and my feelings for him versus what she had to say. "Still blame me for doing it?"

"Ironically, no. We need to focus, and she isn't helping right now. I'm about to go for a walk in the forest after the Furies, with a possible secret agent, with my ex who I'm now having an affair with." I shrug. "Is it Thursday? This feels like a Thursday kind of drama."

"Ignore Artemis, Elle. She isn't important, and that infuriates her. It doesn't help that she was no better than Kara when falling under Dionysus control, worse even, as at least Kara managed to stay semi-aware."

"I don't care about her ego. I care about what might happen once we leave." I decide

"Elise?" Apollo called, already heading back towards Yasmin.

"Go. I'll be close by but stay alert. Deimos can handle things here, Ares is due back any second." His kiss goodbye is anything but short and sweet. I'm not sure who it's for, me, him or Artemis who I know is still watching.

His power, no his very presence surrounds me and as his hands press into my back I think that's the only thing keeping me upright as I'm tipped back ever so slightly. My hands manage to hold onto his shoulders, a tether keeping us bound and opening my eyes, I need to make sure we haven't just disappeared to someplace I'd much rather be, being lowered onto a bed or hey, a sofa or something so he can own me completely.

Instead, I've spun around and stood up properly again despite my knees literally feeling weak right now. Breathless I rest my head on his chest, before daring to look up into those dark eyes, full of mischief.

"Not fair. You can't kiss me like that and then send me away."

"Make me regret it later." He smirked as Apollo called my name again. "Love you, Elle."

"Love you too." I feel like I'm floating as I head towards Apollo, and ignore Kara's attempt at failing to hide her laughter as I passed. "Okay, ready."

No one says anything as we start walking, which then turns into a bit of a climb as it's all uphill to get out of town and no one bothered making a better path around the small rocky outcrop we're faced with.

"So, the Furies did this with a stretcher?" I ask Yasmin as Apollo helps me over the last, larger boulders.

"They used their powers to get up here." She pointed out, clearly wondering why we didn't just do the same.

Looking at Apollo, that was my question too.

He ignored it.

"Of course. We don't. Always use our powers." I lied as we kept walking, suddenly breathless. "I'm not sure how much you know about me, but I used to be like you. Mortal. Apollo lived there too for a couple of years."

"I've heard the rumours. You earned them by defeating Zeus."

"Not completely true," but I'll let that one go. "My point was, we prefer to do things the Other way sometimes. It's not all powers and magically climbing up mountains."

"That was hardly a mountain" Apollo pointed out.

"Felt like it!" I mumbled back.

Yasmin smiled, relaxing a little.

"We followed this path, over here." She guided us behind some bushes and sure enough, a much smaller track ran alongside the main path. "You can use the bushes to hide if you need to."

"Smart move." I smiled at her, yet she quickly looked away giving me the feeling that it had been a warning.

Apollo moves onto the main path and I follow Yasmin on the other though keep him in sight while also keeping an eye on our surroundings. Again, we all fell into silence, keeping a steady pace.

"Are you nicer than other Powers, because you were like us or are all the people from your world like you?" Yasmin broke the quiet, slowing to walk beside me as she seemed genuinely curious for my answer.

"I don't know. I guess we're like your people. Some are nice, some aren't so nice." I shrug.

"Powers are never, nice. Nothing good ever comes from them being involved in our business. We expected to be left to rot. Fend for ourselves until death was received. You made them help us, and you got the Queen here as you said you would." I wasn't sure if this was a conversation or she was just thinking out loud.

"They're changing. Slowly, but surely, they are. The Powers want to be better, do better." I promised. "Kara, the Queen will make sure it happens."

"No, down in these parts, we are the forgotten. Easy prey for those like Dionysus."

I didn't know what to say, so I said nothing as we kept going.

"Elise," Apollo called and I quickly left Yasmin and that load of awkwardness. "You good?"

"Is there really enough time for things to change here?" I whisper.

"I never thought so, but I guess time will tell."

"That sounds like you've changed your mind?"

"You have that effect on people. Stay sharp, I smell Satyrs." I sniffed around and that only made him laugh.

"I don't. Is that your kink coming out again."

"And you've ruined our moment. It's not a damn kink, I'm just paying attention."

"They won't be stupid enough to try anything, again, will they?" Looking around I see nothing out of the ordinary.

"Possibly not, but they're watching."

"Okay. Act normal." I decide.

"Do you even know what that means?" He teases.

We keep walking because apparently I do and spot Yasmin a little further ahead. She's hunched back over again, her chin tucked in against her chest as she flicks her hand by her head as if there's a bug she's trying to shoo away.

"I don't think she got the memo." I nudge Apollo, still looking in her direction. "Just, give me a minute."

"Bunny, what-" I shushed him, heading towards her.

"Hey, Yasmin, how much further?" I called out. It was impossible to miss the way she jumped, or the shock on her face as if she'd forgotten we were ever then. Her eyes darted behind me, to Apollo and then back to me. "You okay? We can take a break if you need it. I know you've been through a lot lately."

Stopping beside her, she looked down to where my hand sat on my stomach. I quickly fidgeted with my shirt, fluffing it out to try and hide what I'd just revealed but I knew she hadn't missed it.

"I only came here looking for my sister. She went missing months ago, and there was talk of a power in the area, which never leads to anything good. I left home to find her, my parents didn't want me to. They already gave up on her."

"My brother was taken a few years ago, by wolf-shifters. I know what's that like, scared you won't find them, or what you will find when you do."

This seemed to surprise her. "Before you become a Power? Did you find him?"

"Yeah. I got him back only then we both ended up being taken, and we were intended to be sacrificed. It was a whole thing, but with some help from our friends and family, we are now both still here." I took her hand, trying not to cringe at how hot and sweaty it is. "I wish we'd come sooner and been able to save your sister, too. If I hadn't saved, Jordan, I'd want to do a lot worse than what I did to Dionysus."

Yasmin nodded. "I'd want to hurt him like that, like what you did."

Her voice changed slightly, less terrified, angrier. I wanted to be the ally she needed, but I couldn't right now.

"Even though we survived, I still wanted vengeance. Revenge for what was done to us." I stopped as Apollo joined us.

"How much further?" He asked.

She hesitated. "Maybe we should go back. There's probably nothing. As with the cabin."

"Let's still just check." I enthused, and as I started to walk she grabbed my arm. "Is something wrong?"

Say yes.

Say yes.

Instead, her eyes narrowed on Apollo, the anger returning. "It's just a little further."

"Great." I looked at him, and he gave a little nod. "Not much further, Apollo."

"I heard."

"Good." Then we can both be ready for anything.

The others weren't too far away and if Apollo was right and it was more Satyrs, then I wasn't too worried. I was worried about the way Yasmin fell behind us, and the way the forest fell silent. That sweetly sour rotting smell finally became clearer to me, and it wasn't the only thing I sensed. There was something emitting power up ahead as a portal did and the more I reached out to try and see what else was around, the less I found.

I didn't realise until I bumped into Apollo that we'd moved closer together, back to back as we searched the area around us. Movement overhead caught my attention, and looking up, a large, brown feather came down. Weird.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Elise!" Yasmin screamed as something crashed through the trees above us and looking at her, she ran. "Run, run while you can."

"If I had two more minutes with her, we could have avoided this." I didn't see anything, but whatever it was seemed to be circling above us as the light was moving as it came through the tree canopy above us.

"You could've had an hour. This was always going to happen." He argued.

"Is it a portal up ahead?"

"Let's find out." Apollo's hands glowed, while I had my sword in mine. I kept my eyes up as we kept moving, yet his arm shot out to stop me. "Not a portal. It's a trap."

"I don't see anything."

"It's like a tripwire. If we step into it, well, I don't know what will happen. Portal, maybe. Cage, possibly. Either way, we don't want to go any further."

"And our friends up above?" I ask cautiously.

"Waiting for us to step in."

"Furies parting gift?" Apollo shrugged. "And you know what, I don't blame Yasmin for buying what they were selling."

"I do. She will face the consequences once this ends."

"Example A on why she doesn't like your kind. Dionysus just did, whatever that all was. The Furies used her for this setup and now you want to want, kill her, for some bad choices after a really shit time."

"Our kind." He pointed out. "She doesn't matter now, anyway. Let's go back, get the others and-"

A loud screeching sound came from above us, the distinct sound of flapping wings and the rush of wind had as nearly falling over as some kind of angel creature, swooped us. It screeched again as it retreated.

"The hell is that? Is it an angel or some kind of giant fairy?"

"Angels are like unicorns in your world." Apollo grabbed me, dragging me towards the bushes. Yasmin was right, they are good for hiding. "And it's a million times worse if it is what I think it is."

"Just once can you give me good news?"

"Let's go."

We go to move, but don't get a chance to do anything as claws land on Apollo's shoulders and yank him upwards. I can only watch, not quite comprehending what just happened or what I'm actually seeing and I have seen a lot of weird, mythical creatures. Thankfully, he doesn't have any issues with the current situation and gets himself free, the only problem with that was another swoops in and seems to knock him onto the ground now. He lands with a thud that makes my heart stop. Apollo doesn't move for a second before his groan snaps me into action.

"Shit. Apollo!" I start to run over to him as another one of whatever those bird people are swoop down to grab him again.

I can't get a clear shot at them with my powers, they're too fast and there are too many making me lose my focus, but my sword manages to connect with one of their claws. Again and again, I am now their target, but my sword is ready. They screech in pain, and as more descend, they seem to change their plan and make sure I'm not going to be able to get to him before they do.

"Get out of here!" He orders, another claw grabbing his shoulder which makes him cry out as the talons dig in.

"Not without you."

Everything I have goes into attacking that creature that was holding onto him now. It's a feathered woman, her legs morphing into something resembling an eagle with her arms blending to wings. There's even a tail, but it won't help her as she's flung away from him. Probably not the best move as now her claws have managed to completely shred his skin as she held on as best she could. Seeing the blood makes my stomach churn and as another swoops in, I barely dodge this attack. Since when does blood make me woozy?

Then the bird peoples attack stops. Not questioning it, I get o Apollo and grabbing his good arm, I hesitate in leaving as Cain's presence is unmissable. More screeching sounds out from the trees, but no attack follows. Everything suddenly goes silent except for Apollos short, hard breaths before it starts to rain feathers. Spinning around, Cains at the tripwire and now it's impossible not to see it.

"What is happening?" I whisper.

"Its. Not. Healing." Apollo groans and I look away from the tripwire.

"Why not?"

"I don't, know." He gets out between clenched teeth.

"Go, get away from here." Cain orders, not even looking at us.

"But-"

"Just do it, the further the better. The Harpies will smell the blood and go into a frenzy like sharks. More will come. They always hunt in separate flocks."

"Harpies?" I repeat before Apollo attempts to stand, but instead falls completely. "Shit."

Dropping to my knees I grab hold of him, and we're back with the others. I wave at Artemis and Hermes, not seeing Deimos or Kara.

"What happened?" Artemis asks, her mood shifting to something a little more frantic as she realises Apollos hurt.

"Harpies attacked us, he can't heal himself."

"Hermes." Artemis put a handout and he instantly took it. "Go somewhere safe, Elise. Anywhere. We'll help Apollo."

I just nod, feeling completely overwhelmed as the trio vanish and considering how much blood and gore I've been around in my life, seeing his blood on my hands makes me practically gag now. Somehow I manage to clean my hands, and my head feels spacey as I see more blood on my jeans.

Looking around, mostly for one of my friends I realise that the people still here had all stopped to watch. The soldiers moved slowly, yet with purpose acting as a line of defence between me and them, but I couldn't even comprehend what they meant right now. I wasn't sure that it was even necessary until Kara appeared with Yasmin. Seeing her bound and tossed onto the ground gave them a new reason to hate us. The change in the air and the energy vibrating around me was instant and toxic. They didn't know what she'd done, or if they did, they wouldn't care because again it came down to us versus them. Thanks to Dionysus, the line had never been deeper.

"Let her up." Moving to help Yasmin, Kara stopped me.

"Elise, are you kidding right now?" Kara angrily whispered.

A mixture of betrayal and empathy swirled inside and following my gut, more violence was going to get us nowhere.

"No. This is as much your challenge as it is mine." I decided, forcing down the urge to punish Yasmin for the state Apollo was in and for making me think she actually wanted to help us. I still believed a part of her did and that's what I held onto now. "Do better. Kara."

"She led you into a trap! Harpies are out there!" She argued.

"I don't even know what a Harpy is!" I groaned. "Your good deed here is about to be replaced by whatever happens next. I'm angry, yes, but the Furies used her pain, she lost a sister. I don't blame her for any of this."

"This is pregnancy brain talking." Kara decided. "You've lost your fucking mind."

"I forgive her. You can too." I pushed.

"Apollo's hurt, Cain's, I don't even want to know what's going out there right now, and you want me to just, let her go because you feel sorry for her?"

"Pretty much." Looking at Yasmin, the ties on her fall away and as I go to help her up, Kara stops me. "Kara."

"Elise."

"Look around. This isn't a battle you want." People are shouting now, the soldier's role changing from peacemakers to the royal guard.

"It will be your funeral, and then mine if this goes wrong." Kara snaps, and with a look of disbelief on her face, she extends her hand to Yasmin. She only stares at it, like she's expecting it to suddenly destroy her. "Your forgiven, we know the power of persuasion the Furies have."

Ever so slowly, Yasmin accepts the hand up yet her eyes are locked on me the entire time.

"Thank you, your highness." Yasmin keeps her chin tucked down against her chest, bowing to Kara before doing the same to me only instead she falls to the ground and grabs my legs. "I never wanted, I didn't know. Powers do not help us. Ever. You've saved my life, again."

Silence took over our audience, as no one knew what to do now and as Kara forced a smile, as fake as it was to Yasmin, one by one, they all bowed down too.

"Do not let our paths cross again," Kara warned, her rage barely contained as she glared down at the other woman before pulling me away from her. That fake smile was back on her face as she waved to our onlookers. "Go back to your people. We are all finished here."

Yasmin couldn't get out of there quick enough.

"Wait!" I called and she instantly stopped. "What can you tell us about them, for real this time."

"It's true, what I said. Dionysus powers did weaken over us and I went to run. He'd killed my sister the day before, she fainted while serving dinner. She was sick. Exhausted. He made me watch, told me I needed to be better than her if I wanted to live. The Furies caught me as I escaped, promised me revenge. They set the trap, told me if any other powers came through, to bring them out here. I just had to get to you to step over the line. It would have stopped your powers and the messengers would have been able to grab you and deliver you to them." She quickly said. "That's all I know, I promise. I swear on my life!"

I looked at Kara. "Elise don't you even-"

I'm back with Cain in an instant, Kara right behind me. We both freeze at the chaos we walk into and are now in the middle of. Feathers litter the ground like snow, I'm sure I see a hoof and a few Satyr legs in the mess.

Cain doesn't seem bothered or even particular stressed about it all until he sees us. One hand is held out in the direction of the trip line, and the glow is only getting brighter as a wall of energy climbs higher in front of him.

"Why are you here?" He groans, before glaring at Kara. "Did you find that creature?"

"Yes, and you won't like the rest of my story." Kara looks at me and I shrug, guessing they were talking about Yasmin. That was going to be a later problem.

"You will thank me for it one day." I step closer to Cain. "We need a Harpy alive. They're supposed to be taking whoever comes through here to the Furies once caught."

That only seemed to make him angrier and with a shout of effort, the wall came down with a loud crack. The force of the breakdown had us all needing to take a step back and balance ourselves, but at least that was one part done.

"It's too late," Cain admitted. "They're gone."

"Can we chase after them and-" I started

"They're dead." He corrected awkwardly.

"Oh." Looking around, I could see it all a little clear now. It was more than just feathers, it had been a massacre. "All of them?"

Before he can answer, I turn away and throw up. Kara holds my hair out of the way and rubs my back gently. Someone offers me some water and once I think I can breathe again, as well as open my eyes, I turn back to him.

"Okay, so that happened. What now?" I ask.

"I don't know." Kara sighed. "You sure you're alright?"

"Blood is making me queasy today."

"Let's just get out of here, and go home." Kara decides as Deimos appears, and in front of him was a still breathing, fully intact Harpy taking a nap. "Where did you get that?"

"I doubt it was Costco." That gets me abandoned as she throws my hair against my face; I hadn't even realised she was still holding onto it. And then I see Deimos arm. "Are you hurt?"

"Tiny scratch." He confirms.

"That is not tiny and-" I spin around. "Just, need a second."

I'm dry heaving again and this time it's Cain who comes to soothe me.

"Take it to the dungeons." Kara orders. "And then get yourself checked out, Deimos. Apollo couldn't heal himself after he was attacked. Yours isn't as bad, but I'm not taking any chances. Let's get out of here, mostly for Elise's sake as she's making me feel nauseous now."

"Shut. Up." I snap at her between deep breaths. "But good idea."

I'm still fighting to control my stomach when we appear in Cain's room and sitting on the end of the bed, I close my eyes. Tingles flood my chest, working their way to my stomach yet nausea doesn't ease. A few deep breaths later, I open my eyes to find Cain clean, and changed; so am I. Not having vomit or blood on me was definitely a bonus. Even my mouth felt mintier.

"This pregnancy is breaking me." I groan, flopping backwards to lay down.

"Are you sure that's what it is?"

Nope. Not now, and feeling a little anxious, I prop myself back up on my elbows. "What else would it be? I doubt I've suddenly created an aversion to blood considering my past."

Ever so slightly, his eyebrow raises as he stands across the room watching me. The shadows cling to him, and this version of Cain is one I hadn't seen for some time. Anger and uncertainty cover his face, the emotions fading as I stare at him which was also worse as far as he was concerned. The distance between us felt like it was literally growing despite neither of us moving, until I did and reaching out to touch him, his hand caught my wrist stopping me.

"What's wrong?" The last time he was this conflicted, I ended up stuck back in time. Going with my other hand, he stopped me again. "Cain?"

Cains' hands eased their hold slightly, sliding up to take mine in his as our fingers threaded together. I let him pull me closer before he drops my hands behind his neck and I keep them there; holding on. His hands run down my back, settling at the base of my spine and forehead to forehead, I don't know what to say.

"What do you think of me now, Elise?" He asked a few minutes later. Not expecting that question, or understanding it, I moved to see him properly and searched his eyes for an answer, there wasn't one there. "Do you regret, this? Us?"

"What? No. Why would you think that?" I frowned. "It's literally a blood thing. It's nothing about you. Cain, I love you. I know what you are capable of, what you've done. I've seen the good too. Today changes none of it. I'm not, like, repulsed by you or anything if that's what you're worried about."

"I felt more myself today than I have in a long time." He admits, sounding almost embarrassed about it. "I didn't hold back, I didn't stop and consider what everyone would say or think of me. How it would impact you."

"Don't hold back, because of me. It won't change how I feel for you." I promised.

"It might. I see you and Kara, the lengths you go for one another. Tell me she has never been threatened or jealous of you, of us." It was more demand and I couldn't tell him what I wanted to say without it being a lie so I kept my mouth shut. "Thought so. So far, you've overcome those issues, but how long will that last, if I, we, even fucking Ares keep pushing and testing her? His idea, training them all again. It wasn't to help them. No, it was to see if he could get us to a breaking point, where we wouldn't hold back and get them all to submit to us. They all know what we are both capable of solo, never mind together. They just choose to forget it now."

I'd be stupid to protest everything he just said, and somewhere along the lines, I'd wondered why Ares was suddenly my Mr Proactive when it came to his fellow Powers and the status of their ability. When he'd first done some training with me, I remember him saying it was each to their own. Something about Cain made Ares take pity on him which is why he had once trained him after his arrival here. The ass-kicking Thor had managed to bring on was partly due to the surprise of the attack, but also because Cain had held back.

So did Hades.

It was then I thought about the card the Magician had pulled for me. The Empress. I still didn't understand any of it, but then I had thought.

Empress trumps Queen.

"Elle?" Cain asked cautiously. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Sorry, just thinking." I smiled at him, sliding my hand up his neck to rest on his face before pulling him down to me. His mouth met mine with an intensity that instantly made me breathless as I wanted him to feel just how fine we were. "I love you."

The words faded into a moan as I kept him close, my nails digging into his back as the more control he sought, I gave. Willingly. Completely. I could feel his heart racing as my palm rested on his chest, it was going as fast as mine and pulling away slightly, I met his gaze, willing him to keep this going while also knowing there were a million other things that we had to.

"Don't hold back anymore." It was an order, and I felt him pause, thinking about what I was saying. "Don't hide who you are, I want you. All of you. All of the time. They can say and think what they want. It doesn't matter. They are our friends, we see and support them for all that they are, all that they can be, and they will do the same for us."

"And if they don't?" A wicked smirk appeared on Cain's face, his eyes dark with anticipation that did a whole bunch of new, good things to my so fickle stomach.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm excited to find out."