The Tyrant's Tomb

“But the whole time I’ve been a leader here,” she forged on, “I was
looking for a partner. Praetors often partner up. In power. But also
romantically, I mean. I thought Jason. Then for a hot minute, Percy Jackson.
Gods help me, I even considered Octavian.” She shuddered. “Everybody was
always trying to ship me with somebody. Thalia. Jason. Gwen. Even Frank.
Oh, you’d be perfect together! That’s who you need! But I was never really
sure if I wanted that, or if I just felt like I was supposed to want it. People,
well-meaning, would be like, Oh, you poor thing. You deserve somebody in
your life. Date him. Date her. Date whoever. Find your soul mate.”
She looked at me to see if I was following. Her words came out hot and
fast, as if she’d been holding them in for a long time. “And that meeting with
Venus. That really messed me up. No demigod will heal your heart. What
was that supposed to mean? Then finally, you came along.”
“Do we have to review that part again? I am quite embarrassed enough.”
“But you showed me. When you proposed dating…” She took a deep
breath, her body shaking with silent giggles. “Oh, gods. I saw how ridiculous
I’d been. How ridiculous the whole situation was. That’s what healed my
heart—being able to laugh at myself again, at my stupid ideas about destiny.
That allowed me to break free—just like Frank broke free of his firewood. I
don’t need another person to heal my heart. I don’t need a partner…at least,
not until and unless I’m ready on my own terms. I don’t need to be forceshipped
with anyone or wear anybody else’s label. For the first time in a long
time, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. So thank you.”
“You’re welcome?”
She laughed. “Don’t you see, though? Venus put you up to the job. She
tricked you into it, because she knew you are the only one in the cosmos
with an ego big enough to handle the rejection. I could laugh in your face,
and you would heal.”
“Hmph.” I suspected she was right about Venus manipulating me. I
wasn’t so sure the goddess cared whether or not I would heal, though. “So
what does this mean for you, exactly? What’s next for Praetor Reyna?”
Even as I asked the question, I realized I knew the answer.
“Come along to the Senate House,” she said. “We’ve got a few surprises
in store.”