Goddess (Starcrossed 3)

“Of course,” Helen replied, sitting up.

She remembered Orion telling her once that he’d been given a dream about a field full of Scion bones. He’d interpreted it as a warning of the Scions’ extinction. Apparently, he was right. A shudder ran through Helen, and Morpheus put an arm over her shoulder, concerned by her distress.

“You know, you really are a big softie,” she told him.

“I am. I should try being more

terrible and garnering more respect and fear and trembling and all that. But I keep forgetting.” He pouted sweetly. Helen gave him a warm smile, then grew silent.

“What is it?” Morpheus asked.

“I need your help.” Helen looked at her friend, hoping he knew what to do. “I need to find a way to remove Aphrodite’s curse on my bloodline.”

“May I ask why?” Morpheus asked, his head tilting curiously.

Helen had a ready answer—because she wanted to be able to be with Lucas, even if he was her cousin. But before she could speak the words, she realized it was much more than that.

“I don’t want to owe her or anyone else a child,” she said. “If I ever have a baby, it will be by my choice, not someone else’s.”

“Ah.” Morpheus regarded her sadly. “There is no power I know of that can remove a goddess’s curse. But if you don’t want to have a child, don’t. All you need to do is live forever and the Face will always exist.” Morpheus chuckled softly. “I believe that was Aphrodite’s point to begin with, wasn’t it?”

Helen breathed a surprised sigh. “You’re right.” A slow grin spread across Morpheus’ face, and Helen’s matched it. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Eternity, though.” Helen frowned suddenly. “How is it, really?”

“I’ve been enjoying it,” Morpheus said with a shrug. He gestured to his big bed, the twinkling stars, and elfin people who danced and played in the outlying poppy fields. “It helps to spend it in your own world, doing what you love, and surrounded with the right people, of course. Or person.”

Morpheus changed his appearance into Lucas’s and crawled across the gigantic bed toward her.

“My offer still stands, you know,” he whispered in Lucas’s voice. “Stay here with me and be my queen. Or, we can trade off if you prefer. At night we can come here, and during the day we can live in your world.”

Helen scooted away from Morpheus-as-Lucas, groaning pitifully. “You’re totally cheating.”

He caught her and rolled her under him, his face just inches above hers. “Stay,” he pleaded. “Here with me, or in your Everyland with the real Lucas. Or any combination you like. We can all share. But whatever you decide, it’s better if you never go back to Earth. You’re going to be hurt terribly if you do.”

Helen’s throat went dry at the seriousness of his look. “I can’t avoid a fight with Zeus by hiding.”

“I wasn’t speaking of Zeus. I was speaking of those close to you. They are conspiring, even in their dreams, to betray you.”

Helen stiffened and pushed him back.

“What is my mother up to this time?” she asked, not a doubt in her mind about who in her inner circle would betray her. Morpheus shifted back to his own face, which looked confused.

“She’s been drugging your father, of course,” he said. “But that’s not . . .”

“What?” Helen trilled, cutting him off as she jumped out of bed, shaking with anger. “Daphne has been drugging my father?”

“Yes,” Morpheus replied in his gentle manner. “It’s not harming his body in any way. That’s why the pretty Healer twins can’t detect it.”

“What the hell?” Helen babbled, nearly hysterical at the thought. “Why is she drugging my dad?”

“To keep him asleep, of course. Don’t worry. I’ve made sure he’s having nothing but wonderful dreams.”

Helen clenched her fists to keep herself from screaming, and then leaned over to give Morpheus a quick kiss good-bye. “Thank you for taking care of my father, Morpheus. I owe you. And if you ever need anything from me, anything at all, just ask.”

“Wait, you’re in danger!” Morpheus began, but Helen knew that already. She couldn’t stay and listen to another one of Morpheus’ well-meaning pleas to stay away from Zeus. She needed to get back because her mother had some serious explaining to do.