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"Soon you will bemy ear The look on Henry’s face was ed your mind, have you, my dear?"

My eyes locked on Henry He had to understand it was all an act "No," I said "I haven’t changed htened, his hands balled into fists as if he were seconds away fro to find Calliope," said Henry "You stay here"

My eyes widened, but despite my silent protest, Henry leaned across the cradle to kiss my cheek At least he understood

As he left the roo to ether, you will never know tears," he murmured "You will never know pain You will only know joy and happiness Everyone will bow to you Everyone will know that you, Kate Winters, are my queen And they will all love and fear you for it"

I didn’t want to be feared I didn’t want anyone to bow to me, but Cronus would never understand what it meant to be happy without absolute power He would never understand why I would always love Henry and never love him But at least Henry wasn’t here to hear this

"What are you doing?"

Cronus’s hands stilled I tried to turn, but he blocked my way Not that it mattered I would’ve known that voice anywhere

Ava set a load of blankets down on the dresser and moved toward us, her eyes focused on Cronus She couldn’t seeto?"

"The baby," said Cronus smoothly "Someone must ensure his education"

"No, you weren’t," said Ava, advancing on him Her hands trembled She was as afraid of Cronus as everyone else "You said Kate’s nahtened and dropped his hands Apparently he’d realized thatan invisible person’s shoulders didn’t do ument "What of it?"

Ava eyed him "Kate’s here, isn’t she?"

"Perhaps," he allowed "Perhaps not"

My stomach twisted into knots She was so close that I could reach out and touch her if I wanted to

"I want to talk to her," said Ava "I know you two communicate I know you can hear her and she can hear you, and--and I want you to tell her so"