by Tina Folsom
“I can see,” she repeated. “Jonathan, I can see.” She ran toward him, hugging him before she rushed into the kitchen. Alice was there, already coming toward her.
“Sophia?” she asked, her voice incredulous as their eyes locked. “Oh, my God,” she gasped.
When Alice hugged her, tears streamed down Sophia’s face. She was happy and at the same time unhappier than ever before. For the only person she truly wanted to feast her eyes on wasn’t here. And he’d never come back. Her eyes would never see what they wanted to see: Triton.
Thirty-Six
Dionysus’ fist connected with Orion’s nose in one clean sweep.
“That’s for sending those three goons to kick my ass.” He landed a right hook under Orion’s chin an instant before the god of the hunters could bring up his arms in defense. “And that’s for screwing with Triton.”
“Hold on,” Triton interrupted from behind, “leave me something.” He’d teleported to Dionysus’ location just in time to see his friend deck his half-brother. But he wanted a piece of him too. In fact, he was spoiling for a fight.
Two days earlier, Aesculapius had restored Sophia’s eyesight. Triton had thought it would make him feel better, but it didn’t. Yes, he was happy when he saw how ecstatic Sophia was about seeing again. But then he’d watched her at night, and she’d cried herself to sleep again, just like the nights before. Nothing had changed. She was still unhappy, and the thought that he’d done this to her, that he was the cause for her pain, made him want to cut his own heart out.
Short of that, he’d settle for a beating at the hands of one of his fellow gods—whoever would take the bait. And Orion was just the kind of guy, who’d take him up on it.
Dionysus stepped aside. “Be my guest.”
Orion jumped to his feet, fists at the ready now. Perfect. Dionysus had already riled him up. There was no further need to provoke him. Triton planted himself squarely in front of his half-brother and waited for the first blow. It came within seconds and much harder than Triton had expected. No matter. The punch to his face was the first real thing he’d felt in days. At least it distracted him from the pain inside.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Triton asked as he wiped the blood off his lip. “You punch like an old lady.”
Orion’s response was a vicious uppercut to the nose. Pain seared through Triton’s head. “Defend yourself, you idiot,” Orion demanded.
Triton grinned. He had no intention of fending off the next blow either. He needed more, so he’d finally feel numb and wouldn’t be reminded every moment of his miserable life what he’d done to Sophia. Slowly, he raised his fists to his face.
“That’s better,” Orion commented and struck out. But instead of Triton using his arms to block Orion’s fists, he dropped them, given him a clear path to strike. The blow landed on his chin, snapping his head to the side. He felt blood fill his mouth, and spit.
“What the fuck?” Orion hissed and stepped back.
“That’s enough,” Dionysus interrupted before he turned to Triton. “What in Hades is wrong with you?”
Triton ignored him and instead motioned his arms toward Orion. “I don’t think we’re done.”
“Oh, we’re done. Whatever your game is, little brother, I ain’t playing anymore.”
“It’s not a game. It’s a fair fight.”
Orion glared at him. “It’s not a fair fight if you’re not even trying. If you’re looking for somebody to beat you up because you hate yourself, look somewhere else.”
Then he spun on his heels and teleported from the clearing.
“What was that?”
Triton turned and saw Dionysus leaning against a tree trunk, his arms crossed over his chest.
“What was what?” Triton tipped his chin up in defiance, despite the pain in his aching jaw.
“Why did you let him beat you up?”
Triton couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his laugh. “Because I deserved it. Wanna finish it off? Come on, be a friend.”
Dionysus shook his head. “Still not over Sophia, are you?”
“None of your fucking business.”
“Hey, I’m not the enemy. And no matter how much you provoke me, I won’t fight you.”
“Suit yourself.” If he couldn’t get what he needed here, maybe Hermes would oblige him. Triton turned to leave.
“None of the others will do it either. Besides, nobody wants to look like crap when they go to Sophia’s party tonight.”
Triton stopped in his tracks. “Sophia’s having a party?”
“Tell you about it later. But only if you tell me why you’re moping about like this.”
“Don’t ask questions when you already know the answer.”
“Fine. Then why don’t you go after her, since you can obviously not forget her?”
Triton let out a ragged breath. “Hasn’t Eros told you?”
“’Course, he has. So?”
“Then why are you even asking? The effect of his arrow will wear off, and I won’t love her anymore. I won’t even know who she is and that I ever loved her. I’ll cheat on her, treat her badly, and then leave her. You know what I was like before this. She doesn’t deserve that.”
“You’ve been back what, four days, five?”
Triton shrugged. He’d lost count. One day had blended into the next. Had it really been five days already? Yet he still remembered her as vividly as the moment he’d left her.
“And you think you still love her?”
“Yes.” As much as before. His feelings hadn’t lessoned.
“Ever considered that Eros might be wrong?”
Triton raised an eyebrow. A tiny spec of hope crept up his chest.
“What if you fell in love with her without the help of his arrow?”
“But he shot me.”
“Technically, Orion shot you with Eros’ arrow. But if Sophia and you were meant for each other, you wouldn’t have needed his arrow to fall in love. You would have fallen in love without his help.”
“You mean—” Triton didn’t dare complete his thought.
“Ergo, it won’t wear off.”
Triton stared at Dionysus, the words echoing in his head. What if he’d fallen in love with her because they were soul mates? And hadn’t Eros said that the effect would wear off within hours or three days at the most?
“Dionysus, how’s my face look?”
“Like crap.”
“You think you can help me fix that?” Triton gave him a lopsided grin.
“I’m a god, not a magician.” Then Dionysus chuckled. “But I’ll give it a shot.”
***
Sophia looked at the lavishly decorated dining room. Alongside the walls various food and drink stations had been built, but the middle of the room had been cleared so people could mingle. Tomorrow, the first guests would arrive, but tonight she’d invited the town to celebrate the opening with her.
She hadn’t forgotten anybody, least of all the workers, who’d helped her finish the renovations on time. After Triton had left, one of his friends had offered to continue helping her. And all the others had followed his example. Slowly but surely, she’d realized that none of them were entirely mortal. Many of them were minor gods, some were heroes—as the sons of a god and a mortal were called—and even some fairies joined in. With their help, the work was done in record time. Sophia didn’t ask how it was done and was sure that at some time or other magic had been involved.
Too often her thoughts had drifted to Triton and what she’d lost, but she knew she had to go on. People depended on her, and she wouldn’t let them down, despite how sad she felt inside. But she promised herself she wouldn’t dwell on it any longer. She had her eyesight back, and Dr. Zimmerman had called it a miracle. He’d examined her and declared that even the scar tissue from the operations was gone. He’d never seen anything like it.
Sophia suspected who she had to thank for it. Despite the fact that he’d left her, Triton had done something fo
r her that no other person could. She was grateful for it. She tried not to speculate why he’d left, but in the dark hours of the night it was hard not to think about him and what had made him leave.
She promised herself that tonight she would turn over a new leaf. Tonight she wouldn’t cry.
Sophia surveyed the crowd in the dining room. She had given Alice the day off and hired staff for the night, so that she could enjoy herself and mingle with the guests. Jonathan was also here, but the day after Dr. Zimmerman had declared her cured, he’d left her employ. She didn’t need him any longer.
Even the new bank manager had shown up. She’d given him a tour of the newly renovated guest rooms, and he’d been impressed. She caught Mr. Morton’s eye as he waved her to where he was chatting with one of the neighbors from the block.
Sophia approached. “I hope you’re enjoying yourself, Mr. Morton. Hi, Beth, it’s nice you could make it,” she greeted her neighbor.
“What a nice place. I always knew you had it in you,” Beth chattered. “And to do this all on your own. That’s impressive. Isn’t it, Mr. Morton?”
Morton nodded. “Not entirely alone though. I believe Miss Baker’s fiancé helped a great deal with all the work.”
Sophia swallowed hard. She’d forgotten about the meeting they’d had and the fact that Triton had claimed to be her fiancé. “Yes, yes, he did. More wine?” She needed to bring the conversation to another topic before curiosity about her so-called fiancé spread.
“You are engaged?” Beth asked, her mouth gaping open. “Nobody’s told me. Why has nobody told me about that? Where is he? Are you going to introduce him to me?” Beth couldn’t stop talking as her head bobbed from side to side as if looking in the crowd trying to spot the man, who was Sophia’s fiancé.
“Oh, he couldn’t make it tonight,” Sophia answered hastily. Next week she’d invent some story and tell Beth that they’d broken it off. There’d be some gossip—Beth was one of the major gossip mongers in the neighborhood—but it would die down.
“Are you sure?” Morton asked, “I thought I saw him in this room only a few minutes ago.”
Sophia’s heart raced. He’d seen Triton here? “You must be mistaken, Mr. Morton. He would have told me if he could make it after all,” she lied. Morton had to be wrong. After all, he’d only met Triton once, and only for a few minutes during which he’d certainly graced Sophia with more scrutiny than her companion.
From the corner of her eye, she spotted Alice trying to get her attention. “Excuse me, Mr. Morton, I think Alice is looking for me.” Relieved not to have to carry on the conversation, Sophia went to Alice.
“I didn’t want to disturb you, but it looks like people are devouring those hors d’oeuvres. Are there any more?” Alice pointed at one of the tables. She was right, the platter was nearly empty.
“Let me check in the kitchen.”
“I’ll come with you,” Alice offered.
“No, Alice, you’ll enjoy yourself. You’re not getting anywhere near the kitchen tonight, and that’s an order.”
Sophia squeezed through the crowd and slipped out of the room. The kitchen was empty. She opened the fridge and peered inside. The caterers had left several more platters, but none of the most popular hors d’oeuvres were left. She let the door fall shut. “Darn.”
“Something wrong?” a voice came from behind. Sophia spun around. She recognized the man as one of Triton’s friends, who’d helped out at the house after Triton had left.
“Sorry, I don’t think I even know your name,” she apologized.
“Hermes,” he said and smiled. “Can I help out with something?”
His aura identified him as an immortal. “Hermes. You wouldn’t be, uh, …?” She made an upward movement with her head, indicating heaven.
He winked at her, then put his finger on his lips. “I know you can keep a secret. So, what is it you need?”
“You wouldn’t be able to find some more of those hors d’oeuvres?”
“The ones with the figs?” he asked.
“Those are the ones.”
Hermes stretched out his arm. A moment later a platter full with the little delicious nibbles appeared on his palm. Sophia stared at him in wonder, but after everything she’d been through, it didn’t surprise her anymore.
“Why don’t I bring these to the guests and you go out on the balcony and relax a little? You look tired.”
“But I have to mingle,” Sophia protested, even though she did feel exhausted.
Hermes pushed her toward the door to the balcony. “Relax a little. They're all too busy eating and drinking to even notice you’re gone.”
“Thanks.”
Sophia stepped out onto the dark balcony. The air was warm. She raised her head and looked out over the water, the moonlight reflecting on its surface. No clouds were on the starry sky. It was beautiful. She filled her lungs with the ocean breeze.
“Good evening, Sophia.”
Her heart stopped. “Triton.” He’d come back.
Before she could turn to look at him, he was behind her, his hands clasping her shoulders, preventing her from turning around. “No, don’t look at me. We have to talk first.”
He was so close, she wanted to lean into him, feel her body melt into his. But was he back for good, or had he only come to explain to her why he’d left in the first place? Would he leave again?
“I’m sorry, Sophia. I hurt you. I owe you an explanation.”
She swallowed. So, he’d only come back to lighten his own conscience. Sophia stiffened under his hold. Would he tell her now that he’d never loved her?
“You don’t owe me anything.” She didn’t want to hear the truth. All she wanted was to hold onto the happy memories she had with him. “Please leave.” Before he destroyed those memories for her.
“No, Sophia. Please listen to me. I know I’ve been a jerk, leaving you like that when you needed me most.”
“I’m fine now.” It was lie. Yes, she wasn’t blind anymore, but she still needed him. Her heart felt empty without him.
“I’m not. I’m not fine without you. I’m miserable without you.”
Sophia straightened. He was unhappy without her? “But—”
“I have to tell you what happened. The god of love, my friend Eros, shot me with one of his arrows, so I’d fall in love with you.”
“Against your will. Then you only loved me because of that.” She wished he’d never told her that. He’d loved her but didn’t want to love her. How cruel could life be?
“Wait. That’s not the whole story. Yes, he shot me to help me, because Zeus had changed the rules of my punishment. What I told you that night was the truth. Or at least I thought it was. I was punished by Zeus. He took away my powers and exiled me. I had to find a woman who’d love me for traits I didn’t think I had: kindness and selflessness. Traits you, Sophia, awakened in me.”
Triton sighed. “Sophia, you don’t know what I was like before I met you. I was a philanderer. I cheated, I treated women like objects. I wasn’t a good man. Not the man you deserve.”
So this was the kiss off. This was the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ speech. Why did he have to come back? “I don’t want to hear any more.”
“You have to. Sophia, I’ve changed. You changed me. You, agapi mou, made me a better man. You taught me to care about somebody other than myself.” He hesitated before he continued. “There’s something else I haven’t told you yet. We’ve met before—before your accident. You rejected me when we first met, not because you didn’t like the way I looked, but because of the kind of man I was. But I couldn’t forget you. I’m sorry, I didn’t have the courage to tell you who I was, but I was too scared you’d simply kick me out on my ass if you knew who I was.” He slowly turned her in his arms.
When Sophia faced him, she finally saw the man she’d given her heart to. His face was illuminated by moonlight. Adrenaline shot through her body. “You. It’s you!”
No wonder somethin
g had been so familiar about his scent and his body when he’d first entered her house and her life. Triton was the man from the bar, the man she’d called a himbo, the one she’d brushed off so callously because she’d thought he was shallow. He was even more handsome than she remembered him. This couldn’t be real. He’d snuck into her life without telling her who he was.
“You deceived me!” she snapped and jerked out of his hold. “How could you do that?”
“I was desperate, Sophia. I wanted you, and you wouldn’t give me a chance. Frankly, you did right to reject me when we met in the bar. I was an arrogant asshole then. I wasn’t worth your love. But I wanted it, by the gods, how I wanted your love.” His look was suddenly haunted. “What I didn’t realize was that all the time while I was trying to make you fall in love with me, I fell in love with you instead.”
He suddenly smiled at her, but she was still seething with anger.
“You snuck into my life. Like a thief.”
“I never wanted to hurt you. I know what it might look like now, but I wanted to protect you. I couldn’t have done that if you’d tossed me out. Don’t you see, I couldn’t tell you who I was or you would have cut me out of your life. You thought I was unreliable. I wanted to prove you wrong. I had no intention of hurting you.”
His words were sincere and so was the look in his eyes. Instinctively, she knew he spoke the truth. Sophia felt her anger simmer down. Still, he had hurt her in the end. “You left me.”
He shut his eyes for a second as if it caused him pain to look at her. “The night I left you, Eros showed up. He told me what Zeus had done. Do you remember when I was so confused because I couldn’t conjure up a conch shell even though you’d confessed your love for me?”
Sophia nodded. “But you got your powers back later.”
“But not until I confessed my love for you. See, what Eros told me that night was that Zeus had changed the terms of my punishment without telling me. I had to fall in love. Not you.”
Understanding dawned for Sophia. “And once you had your powers back, you left. You didn’t need me anymore.” It hurt, the knowledge that once he had what he wanted, he’d left.