I knew I wasn't supposed to swoon over him—especially not after the way he'd been treating me since they found me—but ever since I left Juno, I hadn't stopped thinking about him. I never properly apologized. I never said goodbye. I missed him, and whether I liked it or not, he was one of the reasons I kept moving forward in this world.
He must've had his reasons for coming after me, even if he treated me coldly. I needed to talk to him. I needed to sort things out.
I approached him slowly. His presence was formidable, commanding—unchanging. Standing beside someone so composed, so honorable, made me feel unbearably small, like I didn't quite belong in his space.
"Gideon," I said softly. "You've been quiet since you finally saw me again. I don't know why you're here—whether you want an apology, or if you came to punish me for putting Theo in danger… for your people… for burning part of your kingdom."
I swallowed, then bowed deeply.
"I am truly sorry. I never meant to take Theo away or hurt anyone. I was only defending myself. Please forgive me for all the trouble I caused."
I straightened.
Nothing.
No reaction. No shift. No acknowledgment.
Was he really that angry? Then why was he here? Why search for me at all?
He felt… different. Nothing like the Gideon I remembered. I forced myself to push past the silence.
"Is Theo back in Juno?" I asked carefully. "How are the trees? Did my suggestion work?"
Still nothing.
That was my answer.
I turned to leave, my chest tight, when his voice finally stopped me.
"Are you done acting tough?" he said firmly. "Can I now take you back home—and as I promised, return you to wherever you claim you're from?"
I turned back, stunned.
"I thought we were done with this," I said. "I already told everyone—I can't go back to any of your kingdoms. I have things I need to do."
He stepped toward me.
"But I am not just anyone," he said. A pause. "I am responsible for you. I was the one who found you. You were under my care. It is my duty to take you back and protect you, Goddess."
Duty.
Responsibility.
So that was it.
My heart prickled painfully. He wasn't here for me—he was here for the Goddess.
"I'm not your responsibility anymore, Gideon," I said quietly. "You're not bound to me. I can take care of myself. Please—take care of your kingdom instead."
The more I pushed, the harder he pulled.
"You can barely rest," he snapped. "You push through pain like it's nothing. And Vera—how do you plan to protect yourself from her? Stop pretending you're stronger than you are."
"Who are you to tell me I'm not tough?" I shot back, my voice breaking. "You have no idea what I've endured just to still be breathing. I survived without you!"
"Stop it, Sienna," he said sharply. "You're scared. You're alive because of luck—or the Goddess. Go back to Juno. We'll find a way to send you home."
"Why would I go back to a place that never wanted me?"
His eyes hardened.
"Of course you'd say that," he replied coldly. "Why go back when you have a line of kings ready to take you? Bonded to you. You gave yourself to them so easily—but I'm the difficult one? Do I not deserve you as they do?"
The words sliced straight through me.
If he only knew how wrong he was.
"If that's what you think of me," I whispered, tears burning my eyes, "then think whatever you want."
The tension drew attention. Rocco was the first to step in, sensing my pain.
"Beast King," he growled, "did you dare hurt my treasure?"
I stopped it immediately.
"It's nothing," I said quickly. "He just told me Theo is safe. That's all."
Then I walked away.
⸻
The next day, Rocco left first.
"I wish I could take you home," he said gently, rubbing my back with a tender, lingering touch. "The children miss you. Please… don't take long."
Talon followed, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I trust you. Just don't disappear again." Then, glaring at Aspen, "And you—no funny ideas." He plant a kiss on my cheek, then took to the sky.
Aron lingered the longest. "I can stay," he offered softly. "Are you sure?" he asked, inhaling my scent one last time as he hugged me.
"I'll come to you," I promised.
Finally, only Gideon remained.
I thought he'd leave without a word.
Instead, he approached quietly.
"I'm sorry for yesterday," he said. "I shouldn't have spoken that way. The trees are blooming again. The harvest was good. Theo misses you."
He hesitated. "You're welcome in Juno anytime. I'll wait—when it's our turn."
He stepped closer.
Shame clawed at my chest.
I smiled—a smile that hurt—and looked straight at him.
He reached out… then stopped.
His hand fell.
He turned away.
And left.
Love has many phases—but feeling all of them at once is unbearable.