"Antonia! Antonia!"

It wasn't her name being called but the way it was being said that pierced the veil of sleep that shrouded Antonia. She shrugged it off better than she had when she'd woken to find herself in the audience of Aphrodite, but it still took longer than she liked. At least her scenery hadn't changed around her like it had when she'd transferred to that battlefield.

The battlefield! The second task!

Petrification forced away the rest of sleep. How could she think to rest when she'd done this cycle what she'd never done in the two thousand years she'd carried this curse? A vengeful goddess was looking to have her head. Antonia had to remain vigilant if she was to make it through what came next.

She felt as terrible as she had when coming to on Aphrodite's floor, but Antonia opened her eyes and sat up with the same enthusiasm she would have had if this was a normal morning. She made to stand, but surprise at her environment kept her rooted in place.

What sort of trickery was this?

Antonia had thought nothing could unsettle her as the battlefield had, but she was mistaken. Waking up in one of her father's gardens topped it. It wasn't the same shock to the senses like the gore and blood had been, but it jolted her.

Was it a replica hiding sinister surprises? If she stepped on the ground, would it swallow her whole? If she reached out to touch the softness of a flower's petal, would hidden blades lacerate her fingers? Would Antonia discover that the insects that frequented the garden had grown to monstrous proportions, and all craved a bite of her?

If it was real, and she was back home, what did that mean?

Aphrodite couldn't have given up. That meant the third task would take place here. What would it be? Could Aphrodite put others in danger with her tasks? If she could, would the goddess do something as terrible as forcing Antonia to choose between Eros and her loved ones?

What if Aphrodite did? Who would Antonia pick?

Though no one from her first life had been reborn with her each cycle, Antonia had lived with countless versions that were more or less the same people. There were a few that had treated her like a real family should, but they'd been far and few in between. How she felt about her current family was how it'd been for almost two thousand years. If she saw none of them again, it'd be too soon.

Yet, if Aphrodite threatened them, Antonia couldn't let that happen. She loved Eros and wanted the life they could form when given the chance, but not at the cost of anyone being in danger. How could she find true happiness with her love if someone had to suffer in the process? Then Antonia wouldn't be any better than the gods.

"Antonia is that you!" came the voice that had awakened her.

Hearing it again made Antonia realize what Aphrodite would do. It wasn't her father's or sisters' safety she needed to be concerned about. No, the goddess would do something horrible to Arron and to save him Antonia would be forced to sever all ties with Eros. Or maybe worse.

Would Aphrodite harm her son if it meant she got her way? Did the goddess have any limits?

"Stay away," Antonia tried to call, but the noise that left her was little more than a whisper.

When she swallowed, the lingering taste of decomposition made itself known. Unable to stop it, she gagged until she expelled the little contents of her stomach onto the ground beside the wire bench she'd woken upon.

"Antonia!" Arron yelled again and materialized beside her. He held back her hair and rubbed soothing circles on her shoulder as she finished vomiting.

When done, he sat beside her. Arron gathered her into his arms. Antonia shoved at him so he wouldn't smell the sick on her breath, but he wouldn't budge.

After a moment, she gave up and settled into the comfort of his embrace. It was wrong; she knew. She should prepare the best she could for the third task, but after what she'd been through, she needed the tenderness of a friend.

They stayed like that for many minutes. Arron stroked her hair, and Antonia willed the horrors of the last task to the farthest corners of her mind. Maybe she could trap them there.

"Are you feeling better?" Arron asked.

He positioned her so they looked at one another, but he didn't still his fingers.

"Yes," Antonia said, happy that her voice carried more volume.

The taste of vomit and death was now a bad memory. If she had some whiskey, she could wash them away further.

"Thank God."

He studied her.

"What?"

"Where have you been?"

Antonia opened her mouth to answer, but a sudden question made her change course. "How long have I been missing?"

"Three days."

Antonia's eyes widened to the size of her fists. How was that possible? How long had Aphrodite let her sleep before she'd roused her? How much time had passed from Antonia arriving on that battlefield to the appearance of the God of Fear?

Or had Aphrodite manipulated the passage of time to suit her wishes? Could the goddess do that? Was it a condition of the three tasks?

"I...I don't know..."

Arron's gaze narrowed. "Was Deros involved?"

The absurdity almost made Antonia laugh. "Excuse me?"

"He was the last one to see you. He claims the two of you had a disagreement and you stormed off to cool down. You were gone after that."

"He'd do nothing like that. Not to me."

"How can you be so sure? He's a stranger. Your mentor might like him but that doesn't mean he's safe."

Antonia shook her head. "That's exactly what it means."

"Your mentor can—"

"Where's Deros?"

"Your father didn't believe his story, so he has him locked away in the library until more evidence comes forward."

Antonia untangled herself from Arron. "He needs to be freed immediately. Take me to him."

She stood and struggled to find her balance.

Arron steadied her. "He's fine, and his release can wait. You need to see the doctor."

Antonia smacked his hands away. "I'm uninjured."

At least physically, but she couldn't imagine how she'd describe what she'd been through without sinking into complete madness, let alone have anyone besides Eros believe her.

She had to think of a story fast, though. Antonia doubted her father would hold back questioning her until the doctor deemed her healthy. As soon as he saw her, he would demand what had happened.

No doubt, her sisters had him thinking she'd run away to avoid her obligations. Maybe they'd even spun a tale of how she'd been leading Arron on for kicks or to make Tesoro look terrible.

Should she keep herself hidden until she came up with a believable story?

No, she had to get to Eros. He deserved his freedom, but, more importantly, his mother was likely with him. Was Aphrodite torturing her love as Antonia wasted seconds trying to convince Arron to do what was right? Maybe the goddess had already gone too far, and Antonia had lost Eros forever.

"Antonia, I'm thinking of what's best—"

"I don't need you."

Antonia turned on her heel and started a slow but purposeful march out of the garden to the mansion. Keeping her footing was difficult, yet she didn't stumble or fall. The entire time, she told herself that if she could survive two encounters with gods bent on her destruction, she could manage walking.

Halfway through the garden, heavy footsteps fell in step behind her.

Antonia didn't look over her shoulder as she said, "Don't try stopping me."

Arron came up to stroll beside her. "Wasn't my intention."

"You'll vouch for his release?"

"He wasn't involved with your disappearance?"

Antonia glared at him. "How many times do I have to tell you?"

Arron held up his hands in surrender. "I'm double-checking. You're not... You're upset, and maybe you're not thinking clearly."

Antonia snorted. "My thoughts have never been clearer."

The look that crossed Arron's face told her he didn't agree, but he didn't press the issue. He kept his mouth shut and linked his arm with hers. With his support, they got inside the mansion much faster than if forced to keep Antonia's pace.

As soon as they came in one of the side doors the servants used, they ran into a maid. She gasped when she saw Antonia.

Arron commanded her to find the nearest guardsman and have him inform the President of Antonia's unexpected appearance.

"Yes, sir," the maid said and fled from the room like a startled deer.

"Couldn't it have waited?" Antonia asked.

Arron shook his head. "Everyone is on patrol looking for you. We would have been discovered long before we reached the library. Might as well get it over with now."

"Well, I'm not waiting for my father."

Arron sighed. "No, of course not. Deros needs his freedom, though I can't guarantee your father will keep it that way."

Antonia's lips twisted into a humorless grin. "I'll give him no other choice."

She didn't know yet what she'd do if her father blamed Eros regardless of the story she told. By now, he must have heard the rumors that had flitted around before Aphrodite had whisked her away, and they'd likely gotten worse in her absence. Her father would go to any lengths to ensure he stayed in Arron's and his father's good graces.

Arron patted Antonia's hand. "Let's not get worked up about things that haven't happened yet. We must focus on one thing at a time."

Antonia nodded and let him lead her to the library. They passed many servants, but a gesture or word from Arron kept them from approaching. Many left as soon as the pair passed, and it wouldn't be long before the whole building knew of her arrival.

Two guards stood beside the library doors. Shock replaced their stoic expressions. They bowed to Arron and Antonia, though their eyes never left her face.

"Ma'am, you've been greatly missed," the one on the right said once he straightened.

"What happened, Miss Olmos?" the other blurted.

"Now is not the time," Arron said, and the way the guardsmen responded to him impressed Antonia. They regarded him like they did her father, though with much more obvious respect. When had he found the time to win over the elite guard between placating her father and romancing her?

"But we've been instructed to—"

Antonia cut off the left guardsman. "I want in," she said.

The right one shook his head. "I don't think that would be wise, Miss Olmos. The President has given us clear orders."

Antonia stared down the guardsman. She couldn't recall his name, but she'd sparred with him once. For an older man, he was still limber and as fast as a striking snake. He'd given her a pleasant challenge, though she'd beaten him. He'd kissed her hand afterward and thanked her for her time. He was a good man who strived to serve his country.

"No punishment will come for you following my orders," Antonia vowed.

The guardsmen exchanged looks.

Antonia had a reputation for keeping her word to the servants. While many treated her no differently than her family, she never sought vengeance by getting them in trouble with the President. Antonia may have hated how they acted, but she understood most of them were doing what they thought her father expected of them.

The few that had shown kindness had been dealt devastating blows from her sisters.

"Deros wasn't behind your disappearance, was he?" the right guardsman demanded.

"I'd sooner see him hang than spend a moment in his presence if that were the case."

The guardsmen groaned.

"Fine," they said and stepped aside.

"You can wait out here," Antonia told Arron.

As she expected, he shook his head. "Now that you're here, you aren't leaving my sight."

Antonia rolled her eyes and pushed her way into the library. Arron followed and closed the doors behind him. The guardsmen returned to their posts, though both fidgeted.

"Antonia!" a voice sweeter than honey said from across the room.

Not caring that she had needed help to get to this point, Antonia darted toward her waiting love. She moved like a drunk warthog and barely avoided knocking against tables and chairs, but she got to her destination without incident. She threw herself into Eros' waiting arms.

The way Arron had held her had filled her with a gentle comfort that had soothed her nerves. Being tangled around Eros was like holding a lit flame. Where their skin touched, it burned. Having him so near was reckless and unwise, but Antonia was too consumed with awe to care. This was all she needed. If it destroyed her, so be it.

Antonia tried to kiss Eros, but he kept himself out of reach. Antonia growled her disappointment. He laughed yet didn't comply with her unspoken demand.

After his laughter died, he looked her over. His lips pursed as he caught the small details that hinted at her ordeals.

Under his scrutiny, Antonia played through what had happened, but in his embrace, she didn't feel the horror as strongly as she had. It had all been worth it to be here with him.

"Did you beat my mother?" he asked when he finished.

"The first two tasks."

"You lost the third?"

"I haven't had to face it yet."

Eros frowned. "Why would she send you back here if you haven't completed the last task?"

"Can she—"

A slight, but noticeable change came over the room. Antonia couldn't pinpoint what it was until she caught sight of a fly.

At first, nothing about it seemed wrong. When she investigated it closer, though, she noticed how its wings weren't moving yet it hovered in mid-air. Unless insects had developed magical powers, something divine was at work.

"You cheated!" Aphrodite screeched from the library doors.

Antonia and Eros faced the goddess who looked more unhinged than when Antonia had last seen her.

Wrinkles had formed where she'd pulled on her clothes. Her hair stuck out in unbecoming points from her head. She was as red as an overheated pot, and it wouldn't have surprised Antonia if steam sprouted from her nostrils.

Beside the enraged goddess stood Arron, frozen. The expression he wore gutted Antonia. It was clear he knew he'd lost to Eros. His eyes shined with tears Antonia knew he wouldn't shed, and his mouth turned down with heartache he'd hide when he wished her and Eros well.

As much as she hated seeing him in so much pain, Antonia couldn't change her mind. While this devastated him now, it wouldn't last. A remarkable woman would recognize his greatness and bend over backward to prove her worthiness. He would find love and if the Fates had any integrity, they'd weave untold bliss into his life's thread.

Antonia tore her attention from her crestfallen friend to the threat that had stalked her for two thousand years. "I did not," she said.

"How else could you have gotten by Phobos?" Aphrodite demanded.

Eros' eyebrows shot up his forehead. "Facing Phobos is one task?"

"Always the second one," Antonia answered.

Eros glared at his mother. "You could give Tartarus a running at the most monstrous in existence."

Aphrodite ignored him. Her gaze never left Antonia. "How did you do it? What did you promise him? What sort of magic do you have that turns my sons against me?"

Antonia snorted. "I don't have to do anything. You being yourself is enough."

Eros took Antonia's hand and squeezed it. "Don't," he whispered.

Aphrodite let out a piercing scream. In another cycle, it would have driven her to hysterics, but now Antonia couldn't feign fear if she tried. She wasn't in the clear yet, but Eros was mortal now and whatever happened, Antonia's spirit would finally take an eternal residency in the Underworld. This certainty wrapped a thick blanket of peace around Antonia that all of Aphrodite's strength couldn't pierce.

When the scream died, the goddess advanced on the couple.

"You can't have him," she roared with enough force to shake the walls. Books fell from their shelves to land in jumbled piles on the floor.

Antonia tightened her hold on Eros' fingers. "He's not yours to give or take away."

Aphrodite stopped in the center of the room. She raised her hands, which had taken on a fierce, pulsing pink glow. The glow gathered into a sphere that the goddess held between her palms.

"I command love. Your heart will belong to another!" she yelled and launched the sphere at Antonia.

Faster than Antonia could blink, the sphere smacked into her chest. She stumbled back as the raw energy seeped into her skin, past her ribcage, and clawed at her heart.

Once its grip solidified, Antonia's emotions erupted in a flurry of confusing activity. Her certain desire for Eros clashed with a sudden typhoon of longing for Arron. Her head threatened to burst as she fought to stay conscious over the powerhouses of passion.

"That's cheating!" Eros cried.

"Stay out of this," Aphrodite ordered.

Another ball of energy was forming in the goddess' hands. If it hit Antonia, she knew it would shred her to pieces. One mortal was never meant to feel all this at once.

The sphere left Aphrodite's hands. Antonia closed her eyes, unwilling in her final moments to look death in the face.

A force knocked into Antonia and she fell to the ground. Her eyes snapped open in time to watch as Eros took the death blow meant for her. He convulsed once and collapsed at Antonia's side.