One moment, Eros was saving Antonia from his mother, and the next he was standing by a sapphire bridge, at the edge of the marsh that ran along the River Styx. On the other side of the bridge, he could see the bustle of new spirits going through being assigned their eternity. Various colored daemons flitted between the dead, all moving with the fast-paced determination Eros had grown to respect in the two decades he'd toiled for Hecate.

Styx, the nymph that lived in the river and had given it her name, bubbled to the surface of the nearby water. Her black, iris-less eyes regarded him, and tendrils of loathing crawled down Eros' back. He winced before he thought better of it. He opened his mouth to apologize, but Styx spoke before he uttered a sound.

"Your mother made a vow and evoked my name," the nymph said. Her voice was a thick hiss of hatred that threatened to devour Eros. "She broke it."

Though Eros had ensured the curse wouldn't continue, the three tasks and all their conditions still stood for this cycle. Once started, his mother was held to her word. By trying to force Antonia to love someone not of her choosing, Aphrodite had sealed her fate.

"You'll see to that she's punished?" Eros asked.

Styx smirked. "All do that cross me."

"How?"

It was a stupid question to ask, even if Eros had still been a god, but he couldn't help uttering it. Often, Styx went easy on the gods, especially those that had fought with Zeus in the Titan War. She liked the reputation of her being an unforgiving, merciless creature, but she had her soft spots like all nymphs.

Styx's smile widened. "You'll help me."

He couldn't, though. Being back in the Underworld meant one thing: he was dead. It wasn't the worst outcome he'd expected, but it was one of the more terrible ones.

Depression as he'd never known threatened to crush him, and he could have laughed at the unfairness of his situation. To be dead but still able to experience feelings was a sentence straight from Tartarus, expect it had always been this way. Why? Eros was sure Persephone wouldn't even know the answer.

"I can't haunt my mother," he said.

The nymph laughed and slipped back into her river.

Eros muttered some choice words at Styx's retreat. It was unwise, but what did he care? He was stuck in the Underworld, and the river nymphs here rarely left their bodies of water. She wouldn't seek him out.

Not long after Styx's departure, Eros spotted a figure approaching from his left. He sighed. He didn't want to, but he'd go with the daemon. It wasn't like he had another option.

No spirit could hide from the harpies that patrolled from the air. If one was unruly, the harpies could eat them. Eros had seen it once. It was a feat that should be impossible, and it was as horrifying as it sounded.

Eros turned to greet the daemon and stopped short. His mouth hung open. Why had they sent her?

Cassandra laughed as she closed the distance between them. It wasn't a kind sound, but it didn't hold the bitterness Eros was accustomed to.

"W-Why are you guiding me?"

Cassandra shook her head. "That's not why I'm here."

"What's going on?"

Cassandra didn't answer.

Instead, she took slow steps around Eros. She examined every inch of him and made clucking noises as she did so.

Eros didn't like the scrutiny, but he didn't demand she cease her actions. If Cassandra wasn't gloating about his death, then something else was at work, and a flicker of hope flared to life within him.

When Cassandra had had her fill, she resumed her spot in front of him. An emotion akin to admiration shined in her gaze.

"You did it. You became mortal."

"I wasn't lying. I'd go to any length for Psyche."

"How did it feel to be mortal?"

Eros considered giving the hero's answer, but he vowed a long time ago that he'd be nothing but honest with Cassandra (thinking his sincerity would win her approval). "It wasn't that much fun. Granted, I wasn't mortal for long."

Cassandra grimaced. "That's a shame, being taken out by your own mother. Even my father wasn't that cruel."

"It was an accident."

"Aphrodite aimed to kill." Cassandra's face took on a whimsical expression. "You love Psyche, don't you?"

Eros rolled his eyes. How many times had he declared his love? How many arguments had he and Cassandra had where he detailed all he'd gone through for Psyche?

Yet he could understand why none of that had proven his devotion. Gods went to many lengths to impress the mortals they pursued. Despite all they did, few sacrificed anything of themselves for love.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

"But would you stay here, like this? Forever mortal?"

"I don't have another choice."

A vial materialized from thin air and sat in Cassandra's small hand. Liquid the color of melted mercury sloshed against the vial's sides. It was both captivating and unsettling.

"What if you did?" Cassandra asked.

Eros gaped at her. Was she suggesting what he thought she was? Had Hecate lied to him? Was there a way to restore his godhood?

But what if it returned? If Aphrodite hadn't already killed Antonia, there was nothing stopping his mother from reinstating the curse. He couldn't go through that again. He couldn't let Psyche suffer anymore.

Eros closed Cassandra's fingers over the vial. "No. When I had Hecate make the spell, I intended to stay mortal. I can't risk putting Psyche through all that again to keep my power. It's not worth her pain."

For the first time in their long acquaintanceship, Cassandra beamed at Eros. The heart-melting act brought out the loveliness of her features, and Eros could see why she'd been considered the most beautiful woman of Troy. Her beauty came from inside and out, and Eros hated himself all over again for his hand in her fate. She'd deserved so much better than her short life had wrought.

"You are different," she said. "I didn't think it was possible, but you've proven me wrong. For that, I owe you an apology."

"You owe me an apology? Why? I'm the one that—"

Cassandra shushed him. "We've gone over that more times than I care to recall. We've put that to rest."

"I don't understand, though. In what reality would you have to apologize to me?"

"There have been a lot of individuals who I've forgiven since my death. Most did worse to me in life than you ever did, yet your actions were the ones I couldn't pardon. I... can't say why.

"I haven't enjoyed carrying around this hatred, but I couldn't let it go. Until now." Cassandra smiled again. "You're amazing, Eros, as good as the best of mortals, and I'm sorry it took drastic measures for me to realize that. I forgive you."

The urge to hug her overcame Eros, but he didn't reach for her. She might no longer dislike him, but that didn't mean she'd accept him touching her. They were far from friends.

Cassandra held out the vial again. "Drink this."

Eros shook his head. "I've given up my godhood."

"Hecate told you there was no cure for what you've done, and she didn't lie."

"Then what will that do?"

Cassandra put her free hand on her hip. "Did you think Hades would let you go through all that to have you wind up here before your mortal life had started?"

"But... it must be my time. The Fates—"

"Like Hades a lot more than they should. I haven't known a time when they've said no to him."

That flicker of hope erupted into a fire of endless possibility that Eros didn't quench. He couldn't believe it. He was getting another chance. This was a blessing he didn't deserve, but he wasn't going second guess Hades' gracious mistake.

Eros took the vial and uncorked it. He put it to his lips but paused. "Does that mean my mother hasn't sent Psyche here?"

"For now, she's still among the living. That won't be the case if you wait too long."

Eros required no further encouragement. He tipped the liquid into his mouth. A taste like pomegranates dipped in acid coated his tongue, but he didn't spit it out. He downed it all in one swallow and pulled a face when it cleared his throat.

The effects were immediate.

Eros' transparent form faded into nothingness from the feet up. The sensation didn't hurt, but it was a strange experience he wouldn't seek to repeat.

"Spend your mortality wisely," Cassandra said as his head went.

Eros wished he could offer her parting words, but he forgot all about that when the Underworld disappeared and was replaced by the library where he'd left Antonia and his mother. His spirit self stood beside his collapsed body, which Aphrodite had pulled into her lap and was rocking.

Antonia was a distance away, and her red-rimmed eyes never left Eros' unmoving face. Arron was still by the library door's, frozen in time like the rest of the mansion.

On its own accord, Eros' spirit joined back with his body. His vision went black right before his bodily senses returned to him in full force. The unexpected rush forced him to jolt out of his mother's embrace as he coughed until his chest burned.

Strong arms cradled him close.

"I didn't mean—My baby, I'm so—You shouldn't have—"

Eros tried to pry her off, but he was no longer a match for her goddess strength. He despised it, but he'd have to wait until she had her fill of pointless comforting.

She blubbered as she crushed him to her chest. Eros endured it because he could see Antonia over the top of Aphrodite's head, and the disbelieving happiness she rained on him was more than enough to see him through his mother's mania.

Antonia mouthed over and over "I love you, " and with each silent declaration, Eros praised Hades. If not for the god's unexpected kindness, none of this would have been possible.

A half hour passed before Aphrodite settled down. When she did, she pulled Eros back and searched his face.

"Are you hurt?"

Eros shook his head. His muscles were as sturdy as fresh custard and at any moment his stomach threatened to dispel its contents, but he couldn't complain. He was alive, and he fared better than he had after someone had stabbed him.

"My baby, I'm sorry. You know I wouldn't mean—Wait." Realization Eros had been waiting for crossed her face. "Were you being dramatic and pretending to die?"

"No."

Aphrodite jerked her head at Antonia. "That blast would have killed her but should have done little more than inconvenience you. How did you die?"

Eros took a deep breath.

"Mother, I'm mortal," he said in a rush.

His words were like a slap to her face. She jerked so hard she dropped her arms.

Eros scrambled to his feet. He didn't rush to Antonia as he longed to, though. The less attention he drew to her, the better.

Aphrodite remained on the floor, too baffled to notice she no longer held her son. "Why?"

"To end this all. Psyche has dealt with your curse for too long. I'd do anything to bring her spirit peace."

Aphrodite's hand fluttered to her throat. "But that means—You'll die one day. You'll be in the Underworld, for eternity!"

Eros shrugged. "That's the price of being mortal."

His mother whirled on Antonia. "You—"

The library doors burst open, one almost knocking into Arron.

Hephaestus charged into the room; Argura on his heels. Both narrowly missed trampling over Antonia's friend.

Argura dashed to Antonia after giving Eros a quick glance.

Hephaestus came to stand at Eros' side. "Leave," he told his ex-wife.

Aphrodite gaped at him. "You're involved?"

Hephaestus chuckled. "Didn't think I had it in me, did you? Well, like about everyone else, I'm tired of your infantile game. Let your son be happy. It's such a little thing to ask."

Aphrodite rose to her full, formidable height. She advanced on her ex-husband.

To his credit, Hephaestus showed no fear as Aphrodite glared at him with hate hotter than the Phlegethon River. She was the stronger of the two and would have no trouble maiming him, but the god didn't flinch.

"You've made a terrible blunder, getting involved."

Hephaestus threw out his arms. "What's the worse you can do? I've already been married to you."

Aphrodite raised a hand, but not to her ex-husband. It pointed at Antonia. Argura hopped in front of her, but her body would make a poor shield.

"I can end her worthless existence now."

Hephaestus' face darkened. "I wouldn't."

"Oh, and what will you do?"

"It's not me you have to worry about. If you paid attention, you'd have spotted the claim that clings to her."

Aphrodite squinted at Antonia and snarled. "So, what if that creep claims her? It means nothing if she doesn't accept."

"Do you take Hades as your patron god?" Hephaestus asked Antonia.

Despite looking confused, she didn't hesitate to answer, "Of course."

Hephaestus smirked. "Prepared to take on all the Underworld?"

Aphrodite scoffed. "He wouldn't dare, not for one mortal."

"Willing to take that chance?"

Aphrodite said nothing for a minute, and Eros could see that his mother was considering battling the Lord of the Dead if it meant she could keep her son away from his love.

He hadn't thought it possible to loathe his mother any more than he did but watching her, his revulsion reached new heights. At one point she'd been everything right in the world, and now she represented everything in himself he'd expelled or would work the rest of his life to destroy.

"Mother, stop," Eros said. "You've lost. Accept it."

Aphrodite cupped his cheek. A facade of tenderness hid her previous murderous rage. "Remember all the fun we used to have? We can have that again. I'll even leave your mortal alone. Just come home with me. We can restore your immortality. It'll be like nothing changed."

Eros shook his head. "You still don't understand, do you? When you cursed Psyche, you lost my respect. Since then, you've shattered all my love for you. There's nothing left I can give you except my disdain."

"Being mortal—dying—is preferable to being with me?"

"As long as I have Antonia."

Aphrodite wailed, but when she saw it had no effect on her audience she stopped. "Fine," she huffed. She glared at Hephaestus. "You'll regret budding into this."

Hephaestus smiled. "Whatever you do to me will be worth it for this moment."

Without another word, Aphrodite vanished.

Arron shifted, and his mouth dropped open with surprise as he took in the scene in front of him. Before he said anything, Hephaestus snapped his fingers and paused time again.

Eros couldn't help sniggering at the ridiculous look that froze on Arron's face.

Someone swatted his arm, and Eros turned to see Antonia standing next to him. "Be nice to him," she warned.

"You have to admit, it is hilarious."

Antonia flashed the briefest smile as she looked at Argura. "Who are you?"

Argura dropped her glamour. "My name is Argura, but I'm a water nymph, and Eros' only friend."

Eros stuck his tongue out at her.

Antonia nudged his arm again before continuing. "Have you been my governess, or equivalent, in each cycle?"

"Most cycles."

Antonia nodded and then pointed at Hephaestus. "You're Hephaestus?"

The god inclined his head.

"You're new in this."

"You wouldn't have made it to this point if I hadn't gotten involved."

Antonia threw her arms around him. To Eros' shock, Hephaestus didn't bulk at the unsolicited affection. "Thank you," she whispered against his chest.

Hephaestus patted her back with awkward strokes until she pulled away. "You turned out better than I could have ever hoped," he said.

He cleared his throat, and Eros swore he saw something like tears glitter in the corner of the gruff god's eyes. They were gone before Eros could get a better look.

"I need to get back to my forges. No telling the mess the cyclopes have made," Hephaestus continued after a pause.

"Like that, you're gone?" Antonia asked.

Hephaestus smiled. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you keep up on your training."

Antonia sighed. "Oh, joy."

Hephaestus' laugh lingered long after he'd disappeared.

Once more, time returned to normal.

Arron reanimated. His lips opened and closed like a fish flopping around on a pier. A small squeal escaped him when he locked his gaze on Argura, who hadn't reapplied her glamour before Hephaestus had left. His eyes rolled into the back of his skull, and he crumpled to the floor in an unconscious heap.

One guardsman rushed to him while the other called for help. Neither had noticed the room's three other occupants yet.

Argura rubbed her hands together. "I'll take that as my cue to leave. Time to test my mortality."

Sadness washed away Eros' amusement. He'd forgotten he'd granted her immortality as long as the curse remained. If he'd been a god still, he would have proposed an extension on the offer until she grew bored.

"I—"

Eros stopped himself from pleading with her to stay. She'd already wasted two thousand years on him. She'd missed so much by helping him save Psyche. The least he could do is let her enjoy what time she had left any way she chose.

Argura patted his cheek and then Antonia's. "I won't be gone forever."

"Okay," they both murmured.

They clung to each other as they watched the water nymph skip from the library and down the hall. Eros didn't think she bothered to turn invisible.

When she was gone from sight, the two lovers looked at each other. Shouts and heavy footsteps echoed throughout the mansion as everyone tried to make sense of the chaos that had followed in the wake of Antonia's unexpected arrival.

Potential disaster was coming their way, but neither worried. They'd made it through two thousand years dealing with Aphrodite's curse. They could handle what the next eighty years would bring.