Goddess (Starcrossed)

losses, but mostly the House of Thebes. Castor was now Head, and there were many supporters who whispered that he always should have been, regardless of which Delos brother was born first. Daedalus had somehow talked his way out of being overthrown. He’d given a great speech, agreed to share leadership with Orion, and his House had forgiven him. All the Houses would rebuild, as would the army of Poseidon’s creatures, unfortunately. Helen knew that someday the Scions would have to deal with that threat again. Poseidon and the other Olympians couldn’t curse her friends and family, but they could still find ways to work against them. The Scions would have to always be ready for that.
    Just like Helen would have to be ready to repay those three tasks she promised Hecate. Helen hoped that the Titan didn’t ask her do anything immoral. But even if she did, someday Hecate would call in the debt, and Helen would have to pay no matter what was asked of her. Her debt didn’t worry Helen as much as Lucas’s did.
    They were both painfully aware of the fact that Lucas could still be called to serve in the Underworld at any moment. He’d insisted that Helen stay on Earth while he went to Hades, which she thought was a ridiculous idea. It was an argument in process, but Helen was pretty sure she’d win. There was no way she was ever going to live without him again, and she knew that he couldn’t live without her, either. She figured in another century or two, he’d give up.
    Unlike the Myrmidons. There were only three of them left, for which Helen was grateful. She knew they would hunt her forever, always seeking a way to get rid of her. Hector watched the family like a hawk and kept on the alert for Myrmidons. Helen had the sneaking suspicion that he liked it that way. Hector was always happiest when there was someone close to him who needed protecting.
    The one person Hector couldn’t save was Ariadne. She was devastated about Matt and was starting to pull away from the family. Helen checked in on her every day, but she knew there was no solution. Ariadne would miss him always. At least she and Helen had that in common.
    Things were still a bit shaky between Lucas and Orion, despite the fact that Orion did little more than hold Cassandra’s hand. Helen knew from experience that Orion would wait as long as he had to for Cassandra to be ready for something more, but Lucas was still keeping his eye on the situation. Helen supposed a big brother was a big brother, especially when the guy that’s following his little sister around like a puppy was an actual Adonis, like Orion. Eventually, Lucas would come around. Cassandra and Orion were opposites in a lot of ways, but they obviously adored each other more and more with every passing day. Helen couldn’t think of two people who deserved happiness more than they did.
    Except maybe Daphne.
    Helen knew her mother had done some terrible things; most of them to Helen herself, but Helen didn’t feel anger when she thought about Daphne. She felt sadness. She truly hoped that Hades gave Daphne her wish and reunited her with Ajax in the Elysian Fields. She’d earned it, after all. In the end, Helen’s wicked witch of a mother turned out to be quite the hero.
    Last on Helen’s list of never-ending worries was Zeus. She could still feel him in Everyland when she turned her concentration to it, which she did several times a day, just to make sure.
    Everyland. The loss of it still hurt like crazy, but even setting foot there would be impossible for Helen now. She’d taken Zeus by surprise when she’d tricked him, but she had no illusions about what would happen if she tried to go back to Everyland. Zeus would be ready for her, and he’d send her to Tartarus before she took three steps. That didn’t stop Helen from dreaming of it every night. When she closed her eyes, Helen could smell the wildflowers and hear the wind.
    “Helen,” Lucas whispered, waking her. Her head was in his lap, and his hand was stroking her hair. “I have to go.”
    Helen sat up on the couch and nodded, rubbing her forehead and trying to shake off the dream. Lucas narrowed his eyes, studying her.
    “Are you okay?” he asked gently. “Was it Everyland again?”
    “Always,” she admitted, looking down at her hands.
    “Helen! Come upstairs, now,” her father called down impatiently. “It’s time for Lucas to go home.”
    Helen and Lucas grinned at each other and stood. They both thought it