Chapter Twenty-Four
ARES
I t’s a quieter chaos, being in this house with family. Mom spread out sandwiches for lunch and we’ve all just been enjoying this last day together before Kyra and I head back out this afternoon.
The sun is at its highest and the glow casts a warmth across the room. My eyes go to her repeatedly. I have always searched her out. Only now, I don’t pretend. Not after yesterday and the conversations I had with our parents, both together and apart.
A couple of days ago, it would have felt reckless to let my gaze stay on her. Now, I’m allowed to look. It’s no longer a secret.
“Bro,” Apollo sits down next to me.
I lift a brow and look at him.
“This is fucking weird,” he mutters under his breath. “She used to follow you around when we were little. Like you hung the moon. Now who’s following who?”
Before I can reply, Elena runs over to us.
“Uncle Ares, why do you keep looking at Auntie Kyra like that?” She’s got another stuffed animal under her arm and rocks back and forth on her feet.
The whole room goes silent.
I smile. “Do you want to know my secret, Elena?” She nods enthusiastically. “She’s my favorite.”
Elena grins and leans in. “Mine too, I won’t tell if you don’t.”
“Deal.” We shake on it, and she runs back to playing with her toys.
I stand up to see Kyra staring at me with a smile, her eyes soft.
It’s going to be okay. No more hiding. Our family knows and accepts it, and that’s all I could ask for.