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?And then what?? Noel pleaded gently. All the anger had gone
from her once she saw how invested Helen was, how much Helen
cared. ?You could both stay true to your word and never touch each
other, but what do you think that will do to your relationship over
time? What do you think it will do to Lucas?? Noel paused and
looked at her hands in her lap.
?It?ll be hard, but we know what?s at stake. . . .? Helen began, trying
to bargain.
?I?ve already been told that I?m going to lose my daughter to
madness. I can?t lose my son as well,? Noel interrupted, her eyes
wide with fear. ?Please, Helen. I?m begging you. Stay away from
Lucas. If you get a little distance from each other, maybe he?ll be
able to let you go before it?s too late.?
?You?re talking like I?m going to drive him crazy or something,?
Helen said, frustrated. Noel gave her a piercing look that warned
Helen not to belittle the situation.
?The cestus isn?t some silly love potion you can buy at the county
fair. This is a relic from the goddess of love herself, and if you don?t
think it?s possible for someone to be driven mad by love, it?s only
because you haven?t truly felt it yet.?
?Then I?ll take it off. . . .?
?You will not,? Noel ordered. ?The cestus has probably saved you
more times than you can know. Do I need to remind you again
how important your life is??
They sat staring at each other for a few moments while Helen
struggled with her thoughts. She?d read the Iliad, and she?d hated
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Paris and Helen as much as Lucas had. She saw them as selfish. So
selfish that they were willing to watch a city burn to the ground