I waited beside the door to the guest room, my eyes only on Eli. Apollo and Hermes finally finished healing him after an hour of intensive work. “Both of you can go get some rest before Leto starts reminding you to rest.” They were almost gray from the effort they expended.

Apollo smiled and said, “She is always a mother.” Bill left with Hermes.

From his bed which now had clean sheets, Eli called me to come to him. “Athena, my love. I am sorry for worrying you.”

“The reasons are justified.” I paused before asking in a whisper, “Is she gone? Is she really gone?”

“From me, yes. But, she is still out there, somewhere. We have to find her.”

“You aren’t doing anything. You are staying right where you are for the next couple of days.”

“I will not argue. You really did beat the crap out of me. Even now, inside and outside hurts.”

I put my hand on his head and kissed him, reminding him that I still love him. He didn't return my kiss, but he was still in pain. “Rest, now.” Ares and I exited the room and I pulled the door closed. Feeling worse now than I did before.

“Athena,” Ares asked, “Can you feel her in there?”

I shook my head. “There is only one person.”

“Maybe Eli was finally able to take control,” Ares persisted. “Maybe you really did beat the crap out of her and she is unconscious.”

“What are you saying?”

“You should put the wards back up around the room he is in. Just for now, until we know for sure.”

Ares was right, so I wove the barrier again to keep my husband trapped in the guest room.

Ares and I went back to the living room. I was very concerned about Helios’s condition and I didn’t know what to do. I spent long minutes contemplating the problem hoping something would come to me.

“How could I damage something so beautiful?” I asked.

“Are you referring to Helios?” Ares asked.

“Of course,” I retorted.

“You did it to save his life. Not to punish him. You had to get rid of the witch.”

“And now, we have to find her again.”

“Yes, we do. I would counsel you to wait until Titan finds Hecate. She will surely help.”

“And in the meantime?” I asked. Ares didn't answer.

Two days later, I released Helios from the guest room prison and he immediately showered and dressed in blue jeans and a gray t-shirt. I didn't remember seeing him wear gray ever before. Not his best color, but the shirt was nicely cut.

Helios said little in those days immediately after ridding him of Circe. He looked haunted somehow. I suspected it was because I hurt him so badly. He ate enormous amounts of food, presumably to restore his energy, and slept long hours.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

I did little beyond watching him, thinking at any moment, I would have my Helios back. It didn’t happen. We were, it seemed, forever changed.

Three days after beating up Circe, Nike contacted me from Olympia because some fishermen were trying to land their boat on the island and a heated argument ensued. I told her I would be there within the hour and went to the bathroom where Helios showered. Water streamed over his perfect skin.

“Are you feeling better?” I asked him.

He stepped out of the shower and said, “Yes, much better.”

I looked over his perfect body and could find no scar or blemish. His penis was healed from the first time Circe inflicted damage on him. “It looks like Apollo and

Hermes worked overtime to heal your manly parts,” I told him, trying to involve him in my life, again.

He looked down as if he had never seen himself before and then said, “Yes, it does look that way.”

I put my arms around him and said, “I truly miss your long hair. Do let it grow again.” I pulled him close and he no longer smelled like vanilla and cinnamon. Maybe it was just his hair that reminded me of those scents. He smelled faintly of earth and sweat. Those scents were probably overshadowed by the heady aroma of his hair. He lightly touched me but didn't pull me into his embrace. “Am I not forgiven for hurting you?” I asked him.

“Of course you are,” he said.

“What is really wrong?”

“I feel like my brother Atlas, with the world on my shoulders.”

“Let me help. Let me in.” He was still shielding like crazy. “Remember how you helped me after I was Phobos’s guest for an evening?”

“I will let you in soon. Not, yet,” he said and almost pushed me out of his way. Okay. He just needed some more time to process all of the recent events.

In Sonaran, the language of Helios’s home planet, I said, “I still love you so very much.”

He frowned for an instant and if I hadn’t been watching, I would have missed it. His response was to give me a small smile that didn't reach his eyes.

While he dressed, I said, “I am going to Olympia. Why don’t you come, too, so you can visit your horses,” I suggested.

“Not yet. I get fatigued very easily.”

I had never known him to pass up an opportunity to visit his horses. Circe must have hurt him more than I thought. Or worse, I did. I nodded. Perhaps he will be well in a few days.

I walked to the kitchen, leaving Helios in our bedroom. “Ares,” I called, and then, “Bill.” Half of my power partnership arrived in the kitchen with the inevitable Hermes tagging along. “I need to go to Olympia. You two need to come with me.”

“And Helios?” Bill asked me.

“He declined the invitation.” Ares and Bill looked at each other and Ares said, “Give me a minute to finish up what I was doing on the computer.” He vanished from the kitchen.

“Bill, I haven’t spent much time with you, lately.”

“Athena, you have had your hands full. I don’t feel left out.”

“Have the pair of you had breakfast?”

“Yes. Leto won’t let anyone get away without eating something.”

“Why don't you give Nike a call and tell her we are coming in,” I said to Bill and he nodded while he dialed the phone. He moved to the pantry to make his call.

“How’s Helios?” Hermes asked me.

I just shook my head and shrugged my shoulders. The answer wasn't an easy one. Helios was hiding from me, so I didn’t have a clue what was really going on inside. I couldn’t remember him ever doing that before. I was always the one hiding from him.

I hoped getting away from the Highrise for a few hours would allow me a chance to think about all that happened.

Ares returned to the kitchen and said, “Okay, let’s go,” and Hermes transported all of us to Olympia.