Luc paced the small room, his anxious energy diffusing into the very air. The pain he’d suffered still clung to him, and he grimaced as he relived his story.

These memories were still so fresh in his mind, and Hope felt nothing but pity for the man before her. Her rash statement at the banks of the Lethe seemed ignorant in the face of her father’s anguish. She watched him cross, back and forth, while he sorted through the words of his final account.

Luc stopped and faced Hope. “I asked Leto what time she would change, mentally trying to prepare myself for what was coming. But when I looked at her, I saw how scared she was. She was curled in a ball on the sofa, and her body language screamed her fear. I needed to do something to make it right. Something to show her how much I loved her.”

“I decided to go get all of her favorite things, just a quick trip to the grocery store. If we were going to be stuck inside for two days, we should have an indoor picnic, play board games, and watch movies. I was determined to make her experience of telling me her secret not just good, but great. I didn’t want her to feel unsure, but mostly, I wanted to make it right.”

“I figured I could stop by the conservatory and talk to my friend, Xan. He was the senior demigod at the time, and while he was brash, he had a good heart. He was older than any other demigod I knew, so I was hoping . . .”

Hope smiled at the mention of her friend, and she felt a new sense of connection to her father.

Luc shook his head. “There was so much I didn’t know, and I was hoping he’d have some insight. I needed to tell Leto my secret, and it felt impossible to broach the subject what with the part my father played in her curse. And there was the matter of my father, too.” His shoulders sagged with the weight of his burden, but he pressed on. “Anyway, I promised to pick up movies and treats and something for dinner. When I hugged her goodbye, my heart pounded as if it would beat its way from my chest. I was that nervous. But I kissed her and told her how much I loved her. And then I left.”

“It was late enough that I went straight to the conservatory. But Xan was gone. There were only two demigods in residence, a mere child and a bitter daughter of Eris. But I was desperate for help. I asked if they would listen, and both were willing, so, keeping it as vague as possible, I told them of my situation. It’s funny, I thought the child would hold more prejudice to monsters, but it was the older demigod who dismissed my worry with a wave of her hand. She repeated rhetoric about monsters not being fit to live, words all the demigods said. She stressed that Xan would tell me the same thing, and I feared she might be right.”

“But then the little boy spoke. He told me not to listen to her, that she was just sad because her husband had left her. Gods, he was so little but talked just like a grown up. A smart grown up. Dahlia, the other demigod, yelled at him then left, but the boy stared at me with his wide eyes and asked me if I really loved the girl who was a monster. I assured him I did. I’ll never forget what he said. Dads are supposed to take care of their kids . He was so cute and naïve, but that didn’t make what he said less true. Fathers are supposed to take care of their kids, and want what’s best for them. He said I should talk to my dad. And that love means you make it work, and always tell the truth.”

Luc closed his eyes, and Hope wondered what memories were there that he wasn’t sharing.

“I dismissed myself and thanked the young demigod for his time. Gods, I hope he’s okay. He was such a good boy. I told him to tell Xan that I said to take him under his wing. I’m not sure that was any help, but it was the best I could think of at the time to thank the little guy for his help.”

“There was never going to be a good time to confront my father, but as I drove away from the conservatory, I decided that if I approached him that very day, he wouldn’t be able to accuse me of hiding anything from him. I drove to a small outdoor temple on the outskirts of the city, a lovely park with lilies, laurels, and hyacinth. I hadn’t spoken face-to-face with my father for years. In truth, he only came to me when he wanted me to do something for him, so I wasn’t expecting him to answer my petition.”

“I made an offering at the shrine, and there was a moment when I worried he might actually appear, but the birds’ songs and crickets chirping were the only sounds. I told the shrine how I met Leto, a bit about our brief courtship, and finally the whirlwind wedding. I begged forgiveness for not inviting him to the nuptials. I told him of my wife’s kindness and patience, of her soft temperament. I was stalling, but I didn’t know how to say it. I begged for forgiveness; I pled my ignorance and unintentional offence. The one thing I would not apologize for was my love for her. I asked for his blessing, and then I climbed the shrine and whispered in his ear her name. I waited for the roof to crash down on me, and when it didn’t, I gathered my courage and whispered that Leto was the Sphinx.”

“Nothing happened. My panic drained, and with it most of my energy. I told myself that maybe my father wouldn’t be angry. Maybe he would give us his blessing. I left and went to the grocery store, the one on Mercer Island where I’d first met Leto. It was on the way home, and I was feeling nostalgic.”

“I filled the shopping cart with all of her favorites: movie candy, popcorn, chips, soda, steak and potatoes, and several kinds of ice cream. As I wheeled the cart to the check out, I grabbed a bouquet of flowers, something a little extra to reinforce my words. I thought I’d have two whole days to show Leto how much I loved her, regardless of her form, or more accurately, regardless of Apollo’s curse. More than anything, I wanted her to know that I was first and foremost the man who loved her.”

“I paid for the groceries and walked out to the parking lot. The sun had just set; I remember the evening sky was tinged with pinks and lavenders like the flowers I’d just bought.” Luc swallowed then rubbed at his eyes. After a deep breath, he continued, “I felt his presence before I could see him.”

He fixed Hope with a wild, desperate look. “I have never known such panic. I scrambled for words. I was frantic . . . pleading for a miracle. In truth, I couldn’t even tell you what I said. I just knew that if I didn’t get out of there . . .” Tears streamed down Luc’s face. He swiped at them roughly, as if frustrated with the way his emotions were spilling out. When he’d collected himself enough to speak, he merely said, “He’s fanatical about his ownership of the Sphinx.”

“He killed you.” Hope said the words, already knowing of their certainty, and her heart ached for what should’ve been for Luc and her mother.

Leto reached for her husband, and he pulled her into a hug.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered into her hair. “So, so sorry.” He pulled back far enough to see Hope. Luc smiled at his daughter, but his eyes remained filled with haunted pain.

“The next thing I knew I was at the river Acheron. Hermes was at my side, and he made payment to Charon so I could cross. I begged and pleaded, but the gods of the Underworld would not grant my petition. Truly, all I ever wanted was to love your mother.”

Hope wanted to speak, but words utterly failed her.