Starcrossed

understanding this, Helen. We’re talking about the Fates, not a couple of overprotective parents with virginity issues. The Moirai can’t be avoided or tricked. Cassandra won’t be able to sneak out of her bedroom window and have sex with some hot guy she met at a party,” he said, pacing around. “Even if he was a man she truly respected, a man she could grow to love , the Fates would separate them. Fate herself would make sure Cassandra never laid eyes on that man again.”
    “How cruel,” Helen said, horrified.
    “And someday the Fates will separate her from us, her own family. You can barely tell now, but she and I used to be so close. She used to take my hand anytime we walked next to each other, but not anymore,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion. “She was the sweetest little sister ever, I swear. Such a big, warm heart and such a big, clever mind—all packed into the tiniest girl you’ve ever seen. Now she’s becoming more like them . Cold, meticulous, unrelenting.”
    Helen put her hands on his waist and waited silently until he was ready to pull her into his arms and relax against her, which he finally did in a wave. She had held him for only a few minutes when Ariadne came into the library and told Helen she needed to come out to the kitchen.
    “What is it?” Lucas asked.
    “Your mom found out about the whole cestus of Aphrodite thing and she’s sort of throwing a fit, Luke,” Ariadne admitted with a heavy heart, her gentle eyes darting between the two of them with sympathy. “Aunt Noel has asked for a meeting with Helen.”
    All the air seemed to leave the room, most of it sucked into Lucas’s lungs. Ariadne spun on her heel and Lucas took Helen’s hand.
    “Is this bad?” Helen asked Lucas breathlessly as they followed Ariadne through the house.
    “Yes,” he whispered. “Listen, will you promise me something?”
    “What?”
    “Promise me that no matter what my mother says, that this isn’t the last time you talk to me.” Lucas made her stop and face him. He held her by her stiff shoulders and placed his lips against her forehead as he spoke. “Promise that you will speak to me again. Even if it’s just once.”
    “I promise,” she stammered, not sure if this was really happening to her or if she’d wandered into some bizarre dream.
    She and Lucas went into the kitchen holding hands tightly, as though for the last time.
    Noel looked over at Castor and gestured to them as if they were “Exhibit A” in her prosecution.
    “Luke, go upstairs,” Castor said without being able to look him in the eye.
    “I think I’m entitled to hear this,” he replied calmly. Helen clutched his hand and glanced around at everyone’s solemn faces.
    Something was very wrong. Helen started to breathe so fast she felt like for the first time in her life she might actually hyperventilate.
    “I want you all out. It’s my hearth, and my sacred right by Hestia,” Noel said firmly, as if she were invoking some old ritual. “This is between Helen and me now.”
    After a few moments of silence, Jason was the first to move. Seeing the look in Noel’s eyes, he went to Lucas and physically separated his hand from Helen’s. If it had been anyone else, Helen was convinced Lucas would have put up a fight, but he allowed Jason to lead him upstairs. Everyone else filed out of the kitchen, looking sad. Everyone except for Pallas, that is. Helen noticed that he looked satisfied. Even a little smug.
    “Sit,” Noel said, pulling out a chair for herself, facing Helen. “You don’t understand what’s happening, do you?”
    Helen shook her head and swallowed. Noel asked another question. “Ariadne explained the Truce to you, right?”
    “She said the Houses have to stay separate or the gods will come back and start the Trojan War all over again,” Helen croaked through a tight throat.
    “Right. Now what does that mean? What would be the simplest way for the Houses to be unified?” Noel asked sharply. Helen shook her head again, scared dumb, and Noel continued. “There are two obvious ways. One House can destroy the others, or the Houses can intermarry. Usually this is impossible for Scions because the Furies keep everyone hating everyone else, but that isn’t an issue for you and Lucas.”
    Helen let out a giant breath of relief.
    “Is that it?” she asked. “Nobody’s marrying anybody! Lucas and I are way too young! We’re not that stupid.”
    Noel shook her head, as if Helen had