“Just like that,” I say faintly. This is happening so quickly, it’s making my head spin. “I don’t understand. You wanted Ares more than anything. You’re really going to set aside your ambition just like that?”
“No, of course not.” He hesitates, a strange look passing over his face. “When it came right down to it, you wanted Ares more than I did. I faltered. You didn’t. You deserved the win, princess. You earned it.”
“I…” I swallow hard. “But—”
“But that doesn’t mean I’m going to kick back and ride on your coattails for the rest of our lives.” Achilles grins. “Sometimes plans change. Make me your second-in-command. We’ll kick these fuckers into shape, and I’ll make a name for myself helping you keep Olympus safe. Really, it’s better this way. Instead of just another Ares, I’ll always be Achilles.”
There he is. Relief makes me a little weak. I should have known that nothing sets Achilles back on his heels for long. “Ambitious, aren’t you?”
“That’s not going to change.”
Thank the gods.
Patroclus clears his throat. “We…we make a really good team, Helen. I think we’d make an even better one with you involved.”
My disappointment is even stronger than my fledgling hope. “A…team.”
Achilles nudges Patroclus’s shoulder. “You’re being too careful. She thinks we’re offering a business partnership.” His grin widens. “Team in public. True triad in private. Patroclus has to take it easy for a few weeks, but there’s no reason we can’t tease him a bit in the meantime.”
“Achilles.” The exasperation in Patroclus’s tone is tempered by fondness. He turns back to me. “We want you, Helen. All of you. Will you have us?”
I’m already nodding. “Yes. How is that even a question? Yes, I’ll have you.”
“Good.” Achilles pushes to his feet. “Let’s get married.”
My jaw drops. “What?”
“Kidding!” He booms out a laugh but then goes serious. “At least for now. That can come later.”
Patroclus and I share a look, and this time, I don’t have to decipher the meaning. We’re both so hopeful for the future, so happy to have years ahead of us with this man at our sides. I don’t know if I believe in happily-ever-afters, but these two men are going to do their damnedest to convince me.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.