The room was filled with murmurs, everyone eagerly awaiting the next chapter, when Hecate, her brow furrowed and gaze fixed on a distant point, raised a hand, demanding silence.

"I need to do something," she said in a grave, resolute voice.

Before anyone could formulate a question or react, the goddess vanished in a flash of silver light, leaving behind confusion and an unsettling emptiness.

In the next instant, she appeared deep within the temple of the Fates, a dark and sacred sanctuary where the threads of destiny intertwined like the very fabric of time itself. The structure was vast and ancient, with towering silver columns and walls that glowed faintly with the otherworldly light of the floating threads—delicate yet potent, like existence itself.

There, at the heart of the temple, chaos unfolded. Eros was unhinged. His eyes, usually soft and filled with tenderness, now burned with an intense red, a reflection of uncontrollable rage. He gripped Lachesis and Clotho with such ferocity that the Fates, mighty as they were, seemed to wither before him. Psyche, exhausted, was trying to hold him back, her hands desperately clutching his in a futile attempt to calm him.

"Eros, please!" Psyche pleaded, her eyes filled with desperation. "Let them go!"

But Eros did not hear her. His mind was consumed by the fear of losing her, his anxiety driving him into an unstoppable frenzy.

When Hecate arrived, accompanied by Atropos, the air grew dense, almost tangible. The goddess's footsteps echoed faintly, drawing Eros's attention. He turned abruptly, still clutching the Fates with brutal force. The moment his fiery eyes met Hecate's, his expression grew even more ferocious. He released Lachesis and Clotho without care, letting them collapse to the ground. In a blink, his figure disappeared and reappeared in front of Hecate with a speed only a god could muster.

Before anyone could react, Eros shoved Hecate violently against the temple wall. The air between them crackled with heat and tension. His eyes blazed a searing red, his fury threatening to consume him entirely.

"Where is she?!" he roared, his voice thundering through the chamber, raw with desperation. Hecate, utterly composed, did not waver. She held his gaze, unflinching.

Psyche, witnessing the scene, approached cautiously, her eyes pleading. She turned to the goddess, searching her face for an answer, a truth that could soothe Eros.

Hecate, still locking eyes with him, replied in a calm yet unyielding voice: "Kiara is safe, Eros. You have not lost her. She is unharmed."

With a growl of frustration, Eros pressed closer, his face mere inches from Hecate's, forcing her head against the cold wall.

"Do not lie to me, Hecate," he snarled, his voice a blend of anger and fear.

Hecate's tone remained steady, unwavering. "I am not lying. She is safe."

At that moment, Eros released her, as if struck by a flash of clarity. His breaths were still ragged, but his body trembled slightly, the rage beginning to ebb away.

"Where is she?" he asked again, his voice cracking, almost a whisper. This time, it was not rage but uncertainty that filled his words.

Atropos stepped forward, her ancient, wise gaze heavy with understanding. "You must calm yourself first," she said gently, her voice carrying the weight of centuries. "Then, we will tell you everything you wish to know."

"You ask me to calm down when you and your fucking sisters are the reason I almost lost her?" Eros rasped, his voice raw with pain and anger. His desperation was so palpable that he seemed oblivious to those around him.

"We understand your anger..." Lachesis began, but her words were cut short as Eros turned to her with a fiery glare.

"Anger?!" he shouted, his voice breaking under the weight of his emotions. He took a threatening step toward Lachesis, his eyes blazing with fear and love intertwined.

Before he could get any closer, Psyche placed herself between him and Lachesis. Her hands blocked his path, the goddess of the soul standing as the last barrier between Eros and his blind fury.

"Move," Eros said, his voice hollow, as if nothing of the god who had once loved Psyche remained. His gaze was cold, distant, unrecognizing.

Psyche did not budge. With a resolve only she possessed, she met his eyes directly.

"If you think acting like a beast will bring her back to you, you're wrong," she said, her voice clear and defiant. "You heard Hecate. Your little princess is fine."

Her words cut through the air like a blade. Eros froze for a moment, his body tense, his breathing still erratic. The fury lingered, but something shifted. The painful truth in Psyche's words struck a chord deep within him, though he resisted accepting it. His gaze softened for the briefest moment before he looked away, unsure whether to believe what he had been told.

Hecate, watching everything with a quiet intensity, understood this was only the beginning. She could see the fear that had driven Eros to this point—the anguish of potentially losing Kiara had consumed him. But there was something more: a truth he wasn't yet ready to face. The storm within him hadn't subsided, but at least he was beginning to grasp the magnitude of what was happening.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Eros demanded, his voice still hoarse, now devoid of emotion but tinged with a desperation he could no longer hide.

His piercing gaze moved from one Fate to the next, lingering on Atropos, Lachesis, and finally settling on Hecate, waiting for her to speak and give him the answers he so desperately sought.

[...]

Moments earlier, in another room, everyone had stared in shock at Hecate's abrupt departure, her absence leaving a lingering sense of unease. Zeus, rolling his eyes in visible impatience, rose to his feet, commanding attention.

"While we wait for Hecate, you are free to do as you please. I, too, have matters to attend to," the god announced before vanishing in a flash of lightning. Others followed suit, leaving the space empty of Olympians within seconds. Only the minor gods, demigods, and the Original family remained.

With the great gods gone, the demigods began to relax. For the first time in a long while, Greeks and Romans found a chance to converse without urgency or tension.

Meanwhile, Luke and Klaus stood engaged in a seemingly casual discussion, though their occasional glances toward Kiara and Eros betrayed their true focus. Klaus measured each word carefully, while Luke struggled to maintain his composure, his attention clearly divided.

Kiara, on the other hand, stayed close to Eros, observing her surroundings but never straying far from him.

Suddenly, she felt Eros shift uneasily. Turning to ask if he was all right, she was left stunned as he vanished in a blink, leaving only empty space behind.

Her reaction was immediate. She stood abruptly, her heart racing, her face a mix of shock and worry. Her wide eyes stayed fixed on the spot where he had been, unable to process what had just happened.

Hypnos and Thanatos, noticing the abrupt disappearance, exchanged quick glances before approaching Kiara with urgency. Their movement caught the attention of others, who turned their curious gazes toward the young woman.

"Where did he go?" Hypnos asked, frowning as he stared at the empty space.

"I don't know," Kiara whispered, her voice barely audible. She extended a trembling hand toward the place where Eros had been, confusion etched across her face as she struggled to find answers she did not have.

Suddenly, a thunderous noise echoed through the hall, silencing all conversation. A brilliant rift began to open in the center of the room, the air thick with an overwhelming, electrified energy. All eyes turned to the phenomenon, a mixture of awe and fear washing over them.

From the rift emerged Hecate, enveloped in her usual aura of authority and mystery. Klaus, raising an eyebrow, crossed his arms with apparent indifference.

"Oh, good, you're back, mother," he said dryly, though his comment went entirely unnoticed as Hecate ignored him completely.

The goddess's gaze locked onto Kiara with an intensity that made the young woman uneasy. Feeling the weight of the stare, Kiara turned slowly, her breath catching when their eyes met.

Behind Hecate, two figures emerged swiftly from the rift. One was Psyche, her face weary but calm, and the other... Eros. But this was not the same Eros who had vanished moments earlier. His eyes burned with a wild combination of desperation and relief, his body tense, his movements frantic, as though driven by a force beyond his control.

When his gaze met Kiara's, his expression shifted instantly. Relief flooded his face, and, ignoring Psyche's attempts to stop him, he strode toward Kiara with unwavering purpose.

"Eros, wait—" Psyche began, but her voice was lost as he advanced without hesitation.

In mere seconds, Eros reached Kiara and, without hesitation, wrapped her tightly in his arms as though he feared losing her again. The tribrid, though stunned, returned the embrace, sensing his desperation in every movement.

Only then, Psyche approached with weary steps, her gaze fixed on Eros and Kiara, while Nemesis watched her with a hint of unease from the sidelines.

Still clinging to Eros, Kiara raised her eyes toward Hecate and Psyche, confusion evident on her face. She didn't understand what was happening, but the tension in the air was palpable, and the looks both women cast her way seemed to conceal truths yet to be revealed.

A chill ran down Kiara's spine when she noticed the dark glare of her father, fixed upon them. Almost involuntarily, she began to pull away from Eros's embrace, but the god wouldn't let her go completely. Instead, he cupped her face gently with his hands, holding her with a tenderness that starkly contrasted his earlier frenzy. His fingers brushed her skin as if he needed to confirm that she was truly there, that she wasn't a dream.

"Eros..." Kiara whispered, her voice trembling, unsure of what to say or do.

Before she could react, the god leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss filled with need, desperation, and relief.

Kiara gasped in surprise, her eyes flying open as she tried to process what was happening. For a moment, her body instinctively responded, hesitantly returning the kiss. But the noise in the room quickly broke through her daze.

A chorus of murmurs and exclamations of surprise filled the air, shattering the moment. Kiara pulled away abruptly, her heart pounding in her chest. Psyche, who had been watching the scene with evident boredom, let out an exasperated sigh.

"This has to be a joke," she muttered wearily, crossing her arms as she raised an eyebrow at her husband.

Eros seemed oblivious to Psyche's reaction and the collective murmurs in the room. His eyes remained fixed on Kiara, and a faint smile graced his face. Despite his relief, there was something in his gaze—a mix of vulnerability and fear of losing her again.

"Are you okay?" Eros asked softly, his eyes studying every detail of her face as if trying to memorize it.

Kiara opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She tried again and again, but her mind was too scattered to form a coherent thought. Finally, when she managed to react, she glared at him, her cheeks flushing from both the kiss and the attention of the entire room.

Stealing a quick glance behind Eros, her eyes scanned the expressions of those present. All eyes were on them, mouths agape, gazes incredulous. But what caught her attention most was Luke.

Unlike the others, he didn't seem surprised. His expression was dark, serious, and there was something in his eyes that made her chest ache. It wasn't anger, nor was it indifference. It was something deeper, something she couldn't quite decipher.

Turning back to Eros, she found him still staring at her as though she were the only thing that mattered in the universe. His gaze remained intense, fixed, almost desperate, as if he feared she might vanish if he looked away. Swallowing hard, uncomfortable under the weight of his stare, she raised her voice, seeking answers.

"Why are you acting so strange?" she asked, trying to sound firm, but her tone betrayed the confusion that consumed her.

Eros didn't respond. His expression stayed serious, unmoving, as if her words hadn't reached him. It was as though he was lost in his own thoughts yet unable to tear his eyes away from her. Kiara felt a shiver run through her as she realized that, in that moment, nothing else seemed to matter to him.

The discomfort was broken by Psyche, who approached with a casual stride. Her immediate presence caused a ripple of murmurs among the minor gods and demigods present. Everyone seemed to expect an explosion of jealousy or anger after what she'd witnessed, but instead, the goddess wore an expression of boredom, almost indifference, though her eyes betrayed a faint hint of relief.

Leaning slightly to one side, Psyche peered around Eros to look at Kiara. Her gaze swept over her with a mix of scrutiny and disinterest before she delivered a comment laced with sarcasm:

"You disappeared, girl," she said in a soft yet firm voice.

Kiara blinked in confusion. "What? I was only gone a few days," she replied incredulously, her mind racing to process what Psyche had said.

A scoff escaped Psyche's lips, almost a laugh. "You've been missing for a month," she declared, her tone teetering on the edge of exasperation.

The revelation hit Kiara like a lightning bolt. Her eyes widened as she glanced between Psyche and Eros. Confusion and shock overwhelmed her.

"A month?" she murmured, struggling to comprehend what she'd just heard. Her gaze finally landed on Eros, seeking confirmation, but he simply stared at her with a mix of reproach and sadness. His silence spoke volumes.

Psyche sighed, rolling her eyes with dramatic flair. "Eros and I searched everywhere for you," she said, crossing her arms. Though her tone was light, her words carried a weight Kiara couldn't ignore.

The tribrid took a step back, clutching her chest as she tried to piece everything together in her mind. Everything inside her seemed to crumble under the weight of this revelation.

As Kiara stepped away from Eros, breaking the only contact that seemed to anchor him to reality, the god let out a low, guttural growl. His gaze darkened even further, and he stepped toward her, his hand reaching out as though needing to touch her again—as though that was the only way to keep his sanity intact.

Before he could get closer, an invisible, swift force violently shoved him backward, slamming him into the wall with a loud, resounding thud. Eros grunted from the impact, only to find Klaus standing before him, gripping his throat with brutal strength.

The hybrid's eyes burned with restrained fury, his jaw clenched as he spoke in a low, menacing tone dripping with danger. "Give me one good reason not to tear your head off right now for daring to lay your hands on my daughter," he spat, his grip tightening around Eros's neck.

The hybrid's eyes burned with restrained fury, his jaw clenched as he spoke in a low, menacing tone dripping with danger. "Give me one good reason not to rip your head clean off your shoulders and leave your remains as a warning to anyone foolish enough to think they can lay a hand on my daughter," he hissed, his grip tightening around the god's neck like the jaws of a beast ready to devour.

Eros's eyes, once glowing faintly red, flared with fierce intensity. A deep growl rumbled from his chest, and with a swift motion, he knocked Klaus back several steps with a forceful swipe. The Original barely stumbled but only grew angrier.

Hecate, who had been watching from a corner with feigned calm, stepped forward, her voice ringing out with firm authority. "Niklaus, stand down!"

But he didn't listen. His fury was an unstoppable torrent, and he moved quickly, ready to immobilize the god once more.

Eros, breathing heavily, his shoulders rising and falling with each breath, stood poised for the next clash. His glowing red eyes blazed, and the tension in his body was like a storm on the verge of breaking.

When Klaus was close enough, he had no chance to react. In the blink of an eye, Eros raised a hand, seized Klaus's head in an unyielding grip, and, with a sharp, brutal motion, twisted his neck. The sickening crack echoed throughout the room.

Klaus's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, and a deathly silence filled the space as everyone stared in stunned horror.

Kiara, frozen in shock, took a few seconds to react before a strangled cry escaped her lips.

"Eros!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with disbelief and confusion, unable to process what she had just witnessed.

The god turned to Kiara at the sound of her voice, his gaze locking onto her as though nothing else in the room mattered. He stepped toward her, but before he could close the distance, two invisible forces restrained him. Kol and Elijah had intervened, enraged at what the god had done to Klaus and determined to protect their niece.

"Not another step," Kol growled, appearing in front of Eros while Elijah gripped his arm, his face tight with disapproval. But the god was undeterred.

With terrifying ease, Eros grabbed both Originals as if they were mere dolls. In seconds, the chilling sound of bones snapping pierced the air as he broke their necks with swift, precise movements. The brothers' lifeless bodies collapsed to the floor, joining Klaus.

For a brief moment, the room was engulfed in stunned silence. Demigods recoiled, retreating behind the goddesses present, their fear and confusion palpable. But Kiara, still standing before Eros, did not move back. Her gaze held no fear, only concern as she looked at the god, who seemed completely unhinged.

Eros took another step toward her, but this time, Thanatos and Hypnos appeared, intervening with lightning speed. Both gripped him firmly, struggling to hold him back.

"Eros, calm down!" Thanatos demanded, his voice tinged with disbelief as he fought to restrain him.

"Hecate, what's wrong with him?!" Hypnos shouted, his tone desperate as he strained against the god's violent thrashing.

Hecate, who had been watching from a corner with her usual composure, now bore an expression of rare uncertainty. For once, she seemed at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, Eros continued to struggle, his blazing eyes fixed solely on Kiara. Every attempt to subdue him only seemed to fuel his fury. But then, without warning, his body stilled. His breathing remained ragged, but he no longer resisted.

Thanatos and Hypnos exchanged confused glances, then realized the reason. Kiara had stepped forward, moving toward the god despite the chaos surrounding her.

Eros barely breathed as he felt her hands on his head. The tribrid, her face tense and her gaze resolute, placed both hands on his temples. A radiant light emanated from her palms, an energy that seemed to calm the charged atmosphere.

Everyone watched in complete silence, transfixed, as Kiara's power enveloped Eros. His resistance melted away. His body trembled faintly, but his fiery eyes remained locked on hers, as though he was still searching for something, something only she could provide.

"It's okay, Kalós. You're okay..." Kiara murmured, her hands still glowing softly, her voice carrying a mixture of sadness and profound concern.

Eros, his breath still uneven and his eyes clouded, stared at Kiara as if she was the anchor tethering him to reality.

With a shaky sigh, Kiara whispered something inaudible, words laced with a power that surged through Eros like a lightning bolt. Slowly, his eyes began to close, and his body surrendered to the sleep induced by her will. His tense posture softened, and before he could collapse, Thanatos caught him swiftly in his arms.

"Psyche, come here," Kiara called, her voice steady yet gentle. The goddess approached without hesitation. Then, turning to Hecate, Kiara spoke again. "Can we postpone today's chapter?"

Hecate nodded, immediately grasping the gravity of the situation. She turned to the demigods and others in the room, giving clear instructions on how to occupy themselves for the rest of the day.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Kiara enveloped the four gods in shadows and transported them to Solaris, though this time to a different room than the one she had shared with Luke. Thanatos wasted no time carefully placing Eros on the bed, his gaze fixed on the god with a concern he made no effort to hide.

"How did it come to this?" Kiara asked as she approached the bed, sitting beside the god who lay in a deep sleep.

Psyche, realizing the question was directed at her, let out a tired sigh. She glanced around the room for a place to sit, then headed for the small sofa at the foot of the bed, settling into it without hesitation.

"I told you before, girl. When you disappeared, he completely lost his mind," Psyche replied, her voice weary and tinged with reproach.

Kiara averted her gaze to the god lying before her, her eyes filled with profound sadness. She extended a trembling hand toward him, taking one of Eros's hands into her own, holding it as if it were fragile.

"I didn't want this to happen..." she whispered, almost to herself, as her fingers gently brushed over his hand. "I didn't want to hurt him like this."

Psyche watched silently, allowing Kiara's words to fill the room. "You are everything to him, Kiara. You always have been. That's why your disappearance broke him."

Psyche's words hung like an undeniable truth. Though Kiara didn't look up, she tightened her grip on Eros's hand, as if that silent connection could ease the pain she had caused.

"Alright, I'm confused," Thanatos interjected, crossing his arms as he looked between Psyche and Kiara.

"What?" Psyche arched a brow and turned toward him.

"What's going on here? Because you're not acting like your usual self—jealous of your greatest enemy, also known as my niece." Thanatos smirked with mockery, leaning slightly toward Psyche.

Psyche let out a soft, amused laugh, looking at him with mock disdain. "Well, your niece took him from me."

Thanatos's and Hypnos's eyes widened in unison, the latter having been observing quietly from a corner.

"I didn't take him!" Kiara protested, visibly offended as she let go of Eros's hand to face Psyche. "And you told me you were over it!" she added, glaring at the goddess.

Psyche raised her hands in mock surrender, her smirk unwavering. "I am over it, yes. But that doesn't mean I can't make you squirm a little over it, girl."

Kiara pressed her lips together, clearly struggling to keep her composure as Thanatos watched the exchange with a mix of confusion and amusement.

"Wait, so... are you together?" Hypnos interrupted, his expression a mix of curiosity and bewilderment.

"Yes," Psyche replied at the same time Kiara said, "We never made it official."

They turned to look at each other immediately, Kiara appearing guilty as Psyche gave her a judgmental stare. An awkward silence fell over the room, so thick that even Hypnos stepped back, uncomfortable for having asked.

Finally, Psyche smiled, though her expression lacked any warmth. "You went back to him, didn't you?"

Kiara avoided Psyche's gaze, her eyes returning to Eros, still deeply asleep.

"Kiara," Psyche called firmly, her voice laced with meaning, breaking the silence once more.

"I..." Kiara began, but her voice faltered, and she hesitated to continue.

Psyche sighed, a bitter edge in her tone. "After everything you did to have him, and you throw it away for Luke Castellan."

"It's not that simple, Psyche!" Kiara shot back, shaking her head, her voice tinged with desperation.

Psyche leaned back against the sofa, crossing her arms with an air of indifference. "I bet you don't even know what you want," she said softly, though her words were loaded with intent. "And I bet you're ignoring that poor boy."

Kiara flinched as if the words had struck her physically. Her shoulders sagged slightly, and she seemed smaller, as though she wanted to disappear. She hated to admit it, but she knew Psyche was at least partially right.

The weight of the truth hung in the air, making the room feel smaller than it was. Kiara clenched her jaw, avoiding Psyche's gaze as her eyes drifted instinctively back to Eros. His presence, even in sleep, was a constant reminder of how complicated everything had become.

"So let me get this straight," Hypnos spoke again, frowning at Kiara. "You're with Eros in the future, but you're with Hermes's son here?"

His exaggerated confusion was so pronounced that even Thanatos seemed amused in the corner.

"I... ugh, it's complicated, okay?!" Kiara snapped, pressing a hand to her face as she tried to hold herself together.

Psyche let out a mocking laugh, unable to hold back. "That's an understatement," she commented with a wry smile, reclining even more comfortably on the sofa as if enjoying the spectacle.

Kiara glared at Psyche, though the faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her discomfort. "I don't need your stupid comments, Psyche," she muttered through clenched teeth, but the goddess merely raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed.

"Someone has to say it," Psyche replied, twirling a strand of her hair. "This isn't just complicated, Kiara—it's a mess. What do you think will happen when they both find out? Because trust me, they will."

"They already know," Thanatos interjected, his tone serious as he crossed his arms. "Well, at least Eros does. Isn't that why he's like this?"

Kiara pressed her lips together, her gaze returning to Eros, whose breathing remained slow and even. "I didn't want this to happen," she whispered, her voice heavy with guilt. "I thought I could... handle it."

"Sure, because handling two men in love with you always works out perfectly," Hypnos quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he gave her a look of disbelief. "Kiara, even for gods, this is a mess."

Psyche's smile turned bittersweet, her expression softening ever so slightly. "Handling it isn't enough, girl. Sooner or later, you'll have to choose. And when you do, someone will get hurt."

The silence that followed was so oppressive that even Hypnos, usually carefree, looked away uncomfortably. Kiara said nothing; she only tightened her hold on Eros's hand as if seeking answers in his peaceful face.

"It's... it's not fair," Kiara murmured, her voice breaking just enough for everyone to notice. "Luke was dead. I had a right to move on, didn't I?" she asked, her eyes fixed on Eros, unable to meet anyone else's gaze.

Thanatos stepped closer to her, his presence steady and grounding. Standing beside her, he spoke with an uncharacteristically gentle tone. "No one's saying you didn't have the right, Kiara. But the way you're handling this... it's not right."

She closed her eyes, clenching her jaw as she fought to keep herself from falling apart. "I didn't want this. I never wanted to hurt anyone."

"And yet, you are," Psyche interjected from the couch, arms crossed. Her tone wasn't cruel, but it offered no solace either. "Sometimes, wanting isn't enough."

"Kiara," Thanatos said again, his voice softer this time, almost a whisper. "You need to decide. For them. But most importantly, for yourself."

Finally, she looked up, her eyes filled with unshed tears as her lips pressed together tightly. The truth stood before her, undeniable, but facing it felt like an unbearable weight.

Before anyone could say more, a low groan from Eros drew all their attention. Their gazes turned toward him as he began to blink, his eyes slowly adjusting to the bright light of the room.

Eros blinked several times, his gaze locking on Kiara as though he couldn't quite believe she was there. Finally, his eyes steadied on her, and with a raspy voice, he asked, "Angel?"

Kiara felt pierced by his gaze but said nothing, merely watching him in silence, as if words might shatter the fragile moment they were sharing.

Psyche, visibly bored by the turn of events, sighed and stood from the couch with a nonchalant air. Moving swiftly, she grabbed Hypnos and Thanatos by their hands, steering them toward the door.

"Where are we going?" Thanatos asked, not exactly resisting but clearly curious.

"Anywhere but here," Psyche replied, throwing a wry smile at Kiara before gesturing toward the door.

Without another word, the three stepped out, disappearing quickly into the hallways of Kiara's palace, leaving her alone with Eros, who continued to gaze at her with a mix of disbelief and wariness. The silence in the room was heavy but not uncomfortable, as though they both knew everything was about to change.

Kiara couldn't help but smile sadly at him, a glimmer of nostalgia in her eyes. "Hey, Wingy," she murmured, gently caressing his face, letting her touch glide softly along his skin. Her expression of seriousness softened as she delicately brushed a strand of hair from his face.

Eros gazed at her with eyes that still struggled to focus, as if it were hard to believe she was truly there. "I missed you," he said, his voice low but filled with a warmth only he could offer.

Kiara let out a soft laugh, but the sadness lingered on her face. A single tear betrayed her, sliding down her cheek and landing on Eros's skin. "I missed you too," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Without saying a word, Eros carefully lifted his hand, as though afraid a sudden movement might make her disappear. His fingers threaded through her hair with an intimacy that made the world outside fade away. Gently, he pulled her closer, tilting her face toward his, and with infinite tenderness, he kissed her. It was a sweet, cautious kiss, as though Eros feared that touching her might cause her to vanish once more, as she had so many times before.

Kiara returned the kiss with a warmth that reached his soul, as if time had condensed into a single heartbeat. Despite the uncertainty, despite the chaos, for a moment, it was just them.

They parted slowly, the air between them heavy with unspoken emotions. Kiara smiled, but the expression never reached her eyes, as though a shadow lingered within her.

Eros, as always, saw through her. He knew something wasn't right. Without hesitation, he gently guided her down onto the bed beside him, pulling her into his chest. She rested there, closing her eyes briefly as the sound of his breathing became her only solace.

Eros stroked her hair with a tenderness only he could offer, his fingers weaving through her locks as his gaze remained fixed on the ceiling. "How are you?" he asked, his voice low and comforting.

Kiara tensed slightly at the question, knowing she couldn't lie to him but also not wanting to burden him. "I'm fine," she replied, though her voice wavered, betraying her.

He smiled faintly, his eyes still fixed on the ceiling's painted constellations. They seemed to absorb him, but his thoughts remained entirely on her. "Before I found you, Hecate and the Fates..." His voice faltered for a moment, and Kiara caught a flicker of anger in his tone. "They... told me about their plans and what they've done."

The original didn't respond, maintaining her silence, but her tension was palpable. Eros took it as a sign to continue. "They brought back your friends... your family," he said, letting the words linger in the air before adding, "Luke..."

Luke's name hit Kiara like an unexpected blow. She tried to maintain her composure, but something inside her shifted. Eros noticed the faint tremble in her body and fell silent, watching as her mind wrestled with his words, unsure how to proceed.

"I... I'm sorry," Kiara murmured, her voice trembling as though the words might somehow lighten the burden pressing on her chest.

Eros looked at her gently, though his tone remained calm, almost indifferent to her apology. "Sorry? What for, Angel?" he asked, curious but without judgment.

Kiara grimaced, feeling a lump form in her throat. The tenderness in his voice, the way he spoke to her, left her disoriented, unable to fully process it. She didn't feel deserving of such kindness, of the love he so easily gave her. "Luke... I..." The words caught in her throat.

Suddenly, Eros stood up from the bed, and Kiara, seeing him, sat up as well, her gaze filled with fear, as if she anticipated an angry reaction from him. "I understand," Eros said, his voice steady, though his expression remained gentle and calm.

Kiara quickly shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears that threatened to spill. "No, you don't understand. I... he and I... we had..."

Eros winced, grasping the implication of her words. Despite the pain forming in his chest, he brushed it aside with ease. Swiftly, he moved toward her and cupped her face with gentle hands, his touch filled with tenderness. "Kiara, I understand," he repeated, this time with a profound calm meant to soothe her.

She looked into his eyes, searching for any sign that what he was saying wasn't true, that she could trust him without fear.

The god met her gaze with deep understanding, his words imbued with a truth only he seemed to grasp. "Luke was taken from you in the worst way... you know I understand better than anyone what that feels like," he said, his voice soft but resolute, like a whisper laden with emotion.

Eros's words caused a sob to escape Kiara's lips. The memory of losing Luke, so sudden and painful, overwhelmed her once again. She remembered the emptiness, the despair she'd felt, believing she'd never see him again.

But Eros's hands remained on her face, and despite the ache in her heart, his closeness anchored her to the present, offering her a semblance of comfort in his touch.

"I don't blame you for wanting to return to him after everything," Eros continued, his gaze steady and free of judgment, only filled with understanding. "I get it. You haven't had a moment of peace since everything changed."

Kiara closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. Though part of her felt guilty for her conflicted emotions, Eros's words wrapped around her like a soothing balm, allowing her to finally breathe without the suffocating weight of guilt.

She exhaled deeply, her voice filled with uncertainty. "I don't know what to do," she admitted, the weight of her confusion and pain reflecting in her lost gaze.

Eros watched her with unwavering empathy, understanding the turmoil in her mind. "You need to stop being so hard on yourself. You don't have to have all the answers right now, Kiara."

She shook her head softly, as though his words couldn't fully calm the storm within her. "I don't want to hurt him... I don't want to hurt him or you," she said, her voice breaking under the strain of her emotions.

The god looked at her intently, his tone steady as always. "You could never hurt me, Angel," he said, each word resonating with an undeniable truth only he seemed to believe.

But Kiara, trapped in her inner conflict, doubted him. Her mind spiraled with questions about whether it was fair to anyone involved, whether the decisions she was making would ultimately destroy them all, including Eros. "What if I do?" she murmured, her voice barely audible. "What if, in the end, I hurt both of you?"

Eros gazed at her intently and, in a low whisper, replied, "I don't think you could hurt us any more than we've already hurt you."

Kiara glared at him, frustrated. "This isn't a competition, you idiot," she said, rolling her eyes.

Eros's laughter filled the room, but Kiara wasn't in the mood for jokes. With a playful huff, she kicked him lightly, clearly irritated by his interruption of her guilt-ridden monologue.

"All right, all right," Eros said, brushing it off as he let himself fall back onto the bed.

Kiara glared at him, her eyes narrowing. "Your fun's going to end when he finds out you kissed me," she said, her tone heavy with warning.

Eros tensed immediately, looking at her with a mix of disbelief and dread. "Nooo, please no," he groaned, throwing himself back onto the bed and covering his face with his hands, tugging at his hair in dramatic distress. "He doesn't know yet?"

Kiara smiled wickedly. "We're just getting started with this circus, Wingy. Dad has no idea what we are or what we've done behind his back."

Eros groaned, grabbed a pillow, and smacked it against his face, burying himself under it completely. Kiara couldn't help but laugh as she climbed onto his lap, trying to pull the pillow away. "He doesn't even know we're friends?" Eros asked, his voice muffled by the pillow.

The hybrid, still laughing, kept tugging at the pillow. "He just found out... and your past self got an epic beating."

Eros pulled the pillow off his face, staring at her in surprise and slight offense. "What? My past self?"

Kiara grinned as she made herself comfortable on his lap. "He was here, but he disappeared before you arrived... I guess it'd be weird having two versions of someone in the same place."

Eros looked at her seriously. "And you're telling me Apollo hit me?" he gasped, feigning offense.

Kiara smirked mischievously, nodding. "Yeah, in front of everyone."

Eros stared at her, offended, but when he saw how she mocked him, he playfully slapped her ass with some force. Kiara let out a small yelp, half in surprise, half in amusement. "Hey!" she exclaimed, though her smile still lit up her face.

The god suddenly paused, as if something about Kiara's position had triggered a reaction. His hands, as though acting on their own, slid slowly along her hips, gripping them with the gentle familiarity of someone who had known her for lifetimes.

Kiara's playful smile disappeared in an instant, replaced by a serious, icy look. "Don't even think about it," she said, her voice low and firm.

But Eros, with a mischievous smile, didn't allow the emotional distance between them to stretch too far. "Oh, come on," he insisted, mischief gleaming in his eyes. "You left me for a month... the least you could do is make it up to me." His movement was almost imperceptible, but clear enough to make her feel even closer to him, their bodies nearly merging.

Kiara observed him, unyielding, though her gaze involuntarily fell to his lips, betraying herself.

Eros noticed the shift in her attitude, an arrogant smile spreading across his face. "You want it too, don't you?" he murmured. Before she could move, he leaned in toward her, bringing his lips closer with the promise of inevitability.

Yet before the kiss could happen, a voice shattered the tension in the room. "You two don't waste time, do you?" Luke said from the doorway. He leaned against the frame with his arms crossed, his playful grin evident despite the serious look he wore.

In one swift motion, Kiara scrambled off Eros's lap, standing upright as she faced Luke with embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed instantly, and her voice came out shaky, overwhelmed by the situation. "Luke... I... this wasn't... you know..."

Luke's laughter cut her off, and before she could feel more flustered, Eros joined in, both of them reveling in her obvious discomfort.

Kiara glared at them, a growl escaping her lips. "Stop laughing," she demanded. Though they quieted, the smirks remained firmly on their faces.

Luke sauntered over to the bed and plopped down beside Eros with a casual nod of acknowledgment. "You calm now?" he teased, his tone laced with amusement.

Eros, who had been entirely focused on Kiara moments before, felt his cheeks flush faintly. He glanced at Luke with mild annoyance. "Fuck off," he muttered, though his voice was so soft it barely registered, and his attempt at irritation couldn't mask the slight smile tugging at his lips.

Luke, seizing the chance to tease further, flashed a crooked grin before turning to Kiara, who stood watching them in silence. Her expression was enigmatic, but Luke wasted no time breaking the tension. "What's the matter, Kie?" he asked playfully. "Living out your fantasies?"

Without hesitation, Kiara darted forward, grabbed a pillow, and smacked it firmly into Luke's face. The hit landed with force, and while Luke seemed momentarily stunned by her speed, his laughter erupted soon after. Kiara, breathing heavily, stared them both down with a defiant expression.

Luke's laughter eventually faded, leaving a thick silence between the three. Calmly, his gaze shifted from Eros to Kiara before he broke the quiet with a question that was far too casual for the weight it carried.

"So... you two are together in the future?"

Kiara froze instantly. Her body seemed to want to sink into the mattress, her eyes avoiding Luke's and focusing on some undefined point in the distance. Eros, however, responded with a low sound, almost a murmured confirmation, barely breaking the atmosphere.

Luke side-eyed him, his jaw tightening. "Subtle as always," he remarked, though his tone lacked true irritation. He then turned back to Kiara, his expression softening as he noticed her stillness, her absence.

"Kiara," he called, his voice firm but not harsh. She barely reacted, her breathing too slow, too measured. Luke tilted his head, observing her carefully. "Why are you acting like this would break me?"

Kiara finally looked up, and for a brief second, Luke saw what she was trying to hide. There was exhaustion in her eyes, a weight that shouldn't be there. "I..." she began, but her voice cracked. She dropped her head, her hands nervously playing with the edge of the blanket. "I didn't want to fail you."

Luke sighed, the sound heavy but patient. "You didn't. Stop thinking that," he said gently, as if trying to remind her of something important. "This isn't your fault, okay? I'm not going to judge you for something I always knew could happen."

Eros, who had remained silent until now, lifted his head slightly, observing Kiara with a serious expression. He didn't speak immediately, as if waiting for the right moment. Finally, he broke the silence with a steady yet cautious voice.

"Luke's right," he said, looking at Kiara with a rare gentleness that only surfaced when the moment demanded it. "You're acting like you have to carry all this alone, but you don't. Not now, not ever."

Kiara didn't respond. Her shoulders slumped slightly, as though their words were only beginning to sink in.

Luke leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he studied her closely. "Kie, look at me," he urged calmly. She did, though hesitantly. "I'm not mad. I couldn't be. I just want to know what's going on with you. You seem... not yourself."

Kiara swallowed hard and blinked several times, trying to keep her expression steady, but in the end, the guilt betrayed her. "It's just too much," she admitted quietly. "I didn't want it to end up like this. I didn't want..." She paused, unsure how to continue.

Eros stepped in, his tone lighter, as if trying to gently pull her out of the darkness. "Kiara," he said, leaning slightly toward her. "You've got both of us, right? No matter how things turn out in the future, you're never going to be alone."

Luke shot Eros a quick glance, as if weighing his words, but said nothing. Instead, he added with a more relaxed, almost teasing tone that was filled with warmth, "Annoying as he is, he's right."

Eros smirked arrogantly, raising his eyebrows. "Thanks for admitting it."

Luke scoffed but returned his gaze to Kiara. "See? You don't have to carry all this by yourself. And you don't have to hide how you feel."

Kiara let out a long sigh, saying nothing. Slowly, she crawled across the bed, settling herself right in the middle of the two. The silence that followed was calm, comfortable, as if they'd finally found a space where words weren't needed.

But, as always, Eros couldn't stay quiet for long.

"So... are you still going to make it up to me?" he asked suddenly, breaking the peace with that unmistakable cheeky tone of his.

Luke let out a low chuckle, shaking his head in feigned disappointment. "Unbelievable," he murmured, as if the situation was too much to handle.

Kiara turned toward Eros, glaring at him, her patience clearly worn thin. "Asshole!" she snapped, punching him in the chest.

"What did I do now?!" the god complained, rubbing the spot where she'd hit him, as if it actually hurt.

"You ruined the moment," she accused, deliberately turning her back on him and facing Luke instead.

Eros huffed, clearly offended, and shot a pointed look at Luke, who didn't even bother hiding the mix of amusement and smug satisfaction on his face.

"Asshole," Luke said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Eros stared at him, affronted, leaning back slightly as though the very idea was outrageous. "Just because you're Kiara's epic love doesn't mean I'll let you get away with such disrespect."

Luke burst into genuine laughter, leaning slightly forward as he threw an arm around Kiara's shoulders, pulling her closer. "You're so dramatic," he teased, grinning at Eros with deliberate cheekiness.

Eros rolled his eyes, crossing his arms, but the faint smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. Kiara, sandwiched between the two, sighed, though she couldn't stop a small smile from forming either.

A brief, comfortable silence fell over the room until Luke broke it with a calmness so casual it was instantly suspicious.

"So, how do you plan to deal with Apollo?"

The question landed like a bucket of cold water. Both Kiara and Eros froze, turning simultaneously to stare at Luke.

"What do you mean?" Kiara asked, her furrowed brow betraying the growing worry behind her words.

Luke looked at her with mock pity, tilting his head as though about to drop a bombshell. "Eros kissed you in front of Klaus."

Eros scoffed, utterly unbothered. "And?"

Luke turned toward him slowly, looking at him with the kind of exaggerated exhaustion one might use with a clueless child. "And? Are you stupid? You just made him even angrier. When Klaus wakes up, the first thing he'll do is run straight to Apollo and tell him everything."

Eros snorted again, this time with a dismissive smirk. "How childish. Running to the husband because he can't handle things himself."

Kiara shot him an exasperated look. "Remember, they're not from the future, Eros. They still hate you as if breathing depended on it."

The god tilted his head toward her, his smile full of provocation. "They don't need to breathe, Kie. They're immortal."

Luke groaned, clearly fed up, and rolled his eyes before leaning into Kiara, resting his head against the crook of her neck with a heavy sigh.

"I don't get how you like this idiot," he muttered against her, his voice muffled but clear.

Kiara let out a brief, tired laugh as Eros stared at Luke, feigning indignation. "Hey!" the god protested, crossing his arms.

Luke didn't even bother lifting his head, his grin barely contained. "Shut up."

The atmosphere settled into an odd mix of calm and playful mockery—a fragile truce between the three of them.

Hey there!

Here's a new chapter—one that's a bit... complicated. Honestly, I don't even know what to say about it, but I hope it doesn't leave you with too many questions (or confuse you even more).

To start, I decided to bring in the Eros from the future because... well, I felt like it. But honestly, I needed someone who knew everything Kiara's been through, and who better than our favorite winged god? Psyche... well, she's just a filler, lol.

There was a lot of chaos in this chapter, and a few not-so-secret secrets were revealed.

By the way, I'm considering doing a Christmas special, but let me know your thoughts first!

Don't forget to leave a comment and tell me what you thought of the chapter.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT! PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! <3