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Chapter Forty-Four

Prometheus

C onfused, I gape at the Nymph. Why am I imagining here instead of Hebe? Why is she even here? I think I took her form once, but that feels like a lifetime ago.

As if sensing my desires, my delusion shifts from the Nymph to my wife. She is wearing one of the dresses of her people, and the skin of the Nubian Lion is draped from her shoulders. Her skin no longer bears the trace of my power flowing through it. She looks like she did when I first wed her, only her skin is glowing.

How could I have ever thought Hebe was anything other than beautiful? Her heartbroken expression is both fierce and kind, just like her heart. She is everything I ought to have desired in a bride, yet could never deserve.

Smiling around the amber in my mouth, I let my head roll to the side. In a moment, I will have enough strength to look back upon her fierce beauty. In a moment, I can pretend that it is just her and me on this cliff and that all my blood is still within me. In a moment . . .

The Eagle squawks suddenly and its beak stops tearing into my flesh.

I watch in confusion as it jerks backward, a spear protruding from its stomach. Then another spearhead joins it.

Suddenly, Hebe is right behind it, grabbing hold of both the spears embedded into the bird and using them to lift the Caucasian Eagle. She hoists it to the side, throwing it like her rage gives her strength.

The Eagle lands several cubits away and goes still. I can’t help but notice that Hebe didn’t throw it off the cliff. Likely, she intends to retrieve her spears and a few tokens from the corpse. Ever practical, my wife.

Even though this is only another blessed delusion from Hades, I cannot help but grin. For once, I don’t feel the eagle tearing into me. My stomach still aches because though the eagle is dead in my dream, it is still devouring me. Still, I’m gazing at my little warrior again . . .

“You are magnificent,” I murmur, the necklace falling out of my mouth before I can catch it again.

Hebe’s gaze follows it. “What’s that?”

I frown. Why doesn’t my delusion of Hebe remember her own cousin’s gift? “The token of our marriage.”

“I know that, but why was it in your mouth?” Hebe’s soft hands press gently against my stomach like she’s trying to staunch my bleeding. It stings and I can think of a dozen other places I’d prefer her touch.

“To protect it.”

“You really are fond of it.”

“I love it, actually, and intend to keep it forever.”

Hebe’s beautiful, tear-filled eyes dart up to meet my gaze. “Why?”

“Because, as you well know by now, I am a selfish creature. If I was to be bound to a life of eternal agony, I wanted every moment of that to also be bound to you, my wife.”

Her lips part in surprise, her hands still splayed over my stomach. Hebe leans closer to increase the pressure.

I stare at her lips. If only she could lean a little closer . . .

“Why are you here?” Hebe whispers. “Why did Zeus do this to you?”

“Because I stole his Fire.” Strangely enough, my stomach is aching less now. Almost like it is knitting back together rather than being torn to shreds.

“I-I don’t understand.” Hebe furrows her brows. “ I stole the Fire—”

My lips brush over hers. I’m desperate for more than this imaginary taste, but it is all I can reach— and may be all I can bear. “ Shh , Little Flame. I am the thief and must always be so in Zeus’ eyes.”

“But why ?”

“So curious. You truly have become flesh of my flesh.” I let my temple rest on hers since I haven’t the strength or will to pull away. “Don’t you understand? I certainly don’t. And yet . . . I will die a little every day if that’s what it takes to give you a chance at a better life.”

Hebe inhales sharply.

“I brought you back from the brink of death. Do you really think there is anything I wouldn’t do for you?” My eyes drift closed despite how much as I wish I could continue to gaze at her. “My suffering is too little a price to spare you and save those you love, don’t you think?”

“No.”

“No?” Pure surprise gives me the strength to open my eyes again.

“No.” Hebe lifts her chin. “Because I love you most of all.”

Then her lips are fully on mine.

For a delusion, this is the realest experience I’ve ever felt. Hebe is holding me while I heal and her mouth confirms her confession of love without words . . .

I gasp when she pulls away. “You’re— you’re actually here, aren’t you?”

“Of course.” Her gaze falls to my stomach and her eyes widen.

But I can’t look away from her. “But you knew the truth. I’m a trickster.”

“Even so, have I ever proven myself a coward?” Hebe’s hands move across my stomach, her words laced with awe. “How could I turn my back on the husband I bound myself to?”

“Easily enough, I should think.”

“No. Just as you don’t despise me for all that I’m not, I love you for all that you are— trickster and all.”

Joy like I never thought I’d experience again shines through me. If my hands were free, I’d embrace Hebe. But since they’re not . . . “You asked me once what I desired most in this world. It’s you. A life with you. ”

Hebe beams back at me and caresses my face like I wish I could do in return. “I told you once what I wanted was to be a legend renown to the ages.”

“And I stole your glory, didn’t I?”

“You paid the price, so you get to be the legend. I am just honored to be your hero. And . . . Prometheus, I think you’re healed.”

Startled, I glance down at my stomach and see . . . flesh. Just flesh. Well, mostly. There are a few rags and several jagged scars where my skin was torn apart and pieced back together. But I’m whole again.

I didn’t think I’d ever be whole again. “Hebe— how?!”

“You infused your power into me. I’ve just given a little back.”

Grinning, I wish more than anything to throw my arms around her and kiss her. But since I’m still chained, I have to settle for her peck on my mouth.

“Run away with me,” she murmurs against me.

“I thought only cowards run.”

“You’ve been brave enough.” She pulls away far too quickly. “Let me see about freeing you now.”

The smile falls off my face. “Hebe, wait—”

“Yes, Hebe, listen to your husband .”

The intruding voice causes me to lift my gaze from Hebe. I find Zeus watching us with a grim smile. His gaze falls on the dead Eagle before turning back to us. “It looks like I have two pets to avenge. And two souls are here to pay the price.”