Chapter XXXI
Demi
“Are you sure he’s the one, love?”
Jonas took my hand as we sat on the front porch steps of his cabin well after midnight. Well after the performance of my lifetime.
I squeezed Jonas’s hand back. A hand I’d once wished to hold for the rest of my life, even though I knew it wasn’t mine to have.
Jonas had seen me and loved me at a time when I’d needed him the most. And I’d selfishly let him, knowing I could never love him back.
Which was why when Roman told me he was coming on the show, I’d gotten ahold of Jonas via the Oracle Link.
There was no way I was letting him come without him knowing the truth.
I’d told him everything. About my locked heart, how Roman and I were soulmates and star-crossed lovers, bound by fate and cursed by time.
Of course, I’d told him about the quest and how if Roman couldn’t unlock my heart so I could fall in love by the next full moon, I was toast. Like burned, loveless toast.
I’d asked him to help me make a fool of myself in grand fashion.
“I’m sure.” I rested my head on his shoulder.
“You realize he’s just a well-dressed bloody knobhead, right?” Jonas muttered. “And don’t even get me going on the Cupid conspiracy.”
I giggled.
“Roman isn’t a knobhead. And what conspiracy are you talking about?”
“Oh, please,” Jonas scoffed. “You must know they blackmail politicians for favors and cash. And if the poor sods don’t pay up, the Cupid threatens to shoot some seedy character in the arse with one of his ‘arrows’—has them falling madly in love with the politician.
Next thing you know, they’re sobbing on national television, swearing they had a torrid affair in a broom cupboard. ”
I blinked. “Who told you that?”
Jonas had uncovered some truly heinous acts committed by the gods—no question. But he was also wildly susceptible to conspiracy theories.
“Please, everyone knows that.”
“Jonas, Cupids aren’t sanctioned to administer love pulses unless the Bureau approves the match.”
“You are so naive, darling. There are unsanctioned matches every day.”
“True, but we’ve done our best to crack down on those.”
“As noble as that is, these Cupids are vicious creatures. They’re practically terrorists.”
I snort laughed.
“Perhaps,” I said, not wanting to disagree with him. He’d just done me a huge favor. “But Roman isn’t. He’s a good guy.” I truly meant that.
“He threatened to beat me to a pulp if I did anything to hurt you.”
Surprised, I popped my head off Jonas’s shoulder. “He did? When?”
“As soon as I arrived. He pulled me aside and read me the riot act. It’s apparent he’s quite smitten with you.” Jonas smirked. “Not very kosher, though, is it? Him being the host of this farce and all.”
“True, but it’s not his fault we were unnaturally torn apart.”
“Yes, about that.” Jonas’s tone sharpened. “I think we need to uncover how that happened and expose it. My guess? Your wicked stepmother Psyche had a hand in it.”
“Huh. I never thought about that.”
She did hate my mom and me, sure. But how would she have known about Roman and me? And what could she really have done? Unless . . . maybe she’d kept me from my father. Maybe that’s why he’d never told me the reason he stayed away for the first sixteen years of my life.
What if I was supposed to have been in his world and missing out on that somehow messed up fate for Roman and me? Who knew? I wasn’t sure I ever would.
“She’s more evil than the Cupids,” Jonas pressed. “There’s a rumor she’s been secretly working with skin care companies worldwide, manipulating their formulas so no one will ever be as beautiful as her.”
That one I could almost believe. But . . .
“What could she have done to keep me apart from Roman?”
“Who knows? Perhaps she teamed up with Hera. Or even my mum,” he grumbled. “No doubt she was jealous of your beauty and talent. I’ll get to the bottom of it, love. Don’t you worry.”
No doubt he would, and he would feature it in Pantheon Confidential. Psyche would just love that. I could hear the counseling session between her and Hestia now. She’d probably blame it on my mom and me, as per usual.
“I appreciate that. But right now, all I’m focused on is getting Roman to recognize I’m his soulmate—and winning an Academy Award.”
Jonas let out a short hum of approval. “It was quite a show you put on.”
I laughed, remembering how all my besties had followed me to make sure I was okay.
Of course, Cassie had been in on the entire thing.
She’d played her part beautifully. All I’d said through my fake tears was that I just couldn’t believe he’d come and it was too painful to talk about.
That was Jonas’s and my shtick: say it was too painful, and then never talk about it again.
“Me? What about you?” I asked. “Your whole ‘I’m only here for you’ routine. You had me believing it.”
He paused.
“That’s because I was telling the truth.”
“Oh, Jonas.”
“I know, love. I’ve always known.” He sighed, gaze drifting into the distance.
I turned toward him, making sure to catch his eye, to finally face him. He deserved at least that from me.
His green eyes searched mine, hunting for doubt. But all he would find was determination. Determination to help Roman see the truth.
I lifted a hand to his cheek, which was rough with stubble. He really was beautiful. But he wasn’t mine. And I knew exactly who he was meant for—I’d save that revelation for later.
“It was never my intention to hurt you. I’m sorry I was too embarrassed—too cowardly—to tell you the truth back in school. I thought if anyone could unlock my heart, it would be you.”
But now, holding his hand, I realized the truth. His touch didn’t run deep. My heart didn’t even flinch.
“You saw past my ridiculous clothes and glasses. You tried to see the real me.”
He covered my hand with his own, pressing it more firmly against his cheek.
“There was no hiding your beauty. But I always knew something was missing. And now . . . I see you’ve found it. There’s something different about you. Lighter. Even more beautiful, if that’s possible. I imagine that prat Roman has something to do with it.”
I dropped my hand and grinned.
“There’s still a piece of me missing.” I tapped my chest. “But yes, I feel like I’ve found part of myself here—in Wyoming, of all places. And yes, Roman is part of that. But more than that, it’s me finally believing in the divine part of myself.”
“Just promise me you won’t get wrapped up in the Cupids’ evil schemes.”
“I promise.” I giggled.
“So, what now?” he asked.
“We follow the plan we made last night and hope Roman figures it out before it’s too late. Before I forget all of you. And maybe . . . you all forget me.” My voice cracked.
“That will never happen. I could never forget you.”
“You could—if Zeus wanted you to.”
Jonas’s jaw tightened. “The dirt I have on him . . .” His voice seethed.
“The only reason I haven’t exposed him is because of you.
And because I value my life.” He gave a humorless chuckle.
“But if he takes you away from us, I won’t hold back.
And don’t tell me I wouldn’t know the difference.
I would. You’ve left an indelible mark on me. ”
And in that moment, it was easy to remember why I’d once wanted him to be the one to unlock my heart.
“I don’t deserve you. Thank you for coming here.”
“Anything for you.”
I kissed his cheek and stood, smiling at my friend.
“You know, I hope I’m not the only one who finds love here.” I used my best mysterious voice.
Jonas cocked his head. “What are you on about, love?”
“Oh, you’ll see.”
It was going to be good. Unexpected. I flitted off but turned with one last request.
“Don’t be too rude to Roman in your interview with him tomorrow.”
“I’ll make no promises, darling. If he can’t handle a bit of cheek from your ex-lover, he doesn’t deserve you.”
“Good night, Jonas,” I laughed.
I walked away and tilted my face to the starry sky, whispering to my great-grandfather.
“Please, Zeus, let Roman love me enough to unlock my heart. Let me love again—let me love him again. I swear I’ll be the best goddess of love you’ve ever seen.
And, um, while I’ve got your attention, could you also make me an amazing actress for the next few weeks?
You know, so I can save Roman’s ridiculous show? That’s all. For now.”
Honestly, I was the best soulmate ever.