She wanted to throw it—preferably at Hektor’s head. And then go back to Alindale and do the same thing or worse to her siblings.
How dare he come here?
This was my safe space.
How could she start getting over him if he was here?
“Honey?”
Zara spun around. “Did they really tell you everything?”
“Enough,” Mom said. She stood at the doorway, her face drawn into a mask of worry. “We wanted to respect your privacy, so we hoped you would say something first. Your brother and sister warned us that your, uh—dragon, was it?—might be coming here.”
“You knew he was coming?” she exclaimed. “And you didn’t say anything?”
“Because you would have run away,” Mom pointed out.
She threw her hands up in the air. “I can’t believe this. My own flesh and blood betrayed me.”
“Sounds to me like he really wants to make amends. And the goddess Aphrodite helped him, meaning she knows what’s in his heart.”
“What about what I want?
“If anything, you should get some closure,” Mom added. “Just give him a chance to say his piece and he can go.”
“He really hurt me, Mom.” Zara hated how her voice trembled. “I thought I loved him and…”
“I may not have magic like you and your siblings, but I can feel that he’s really sorry. Love isn’t always easy, Zara. But it’s worth it.”
“You and Dad make it easy,” she sniffed.
“We do.” A small laugh bubbled from her lips. “But there’s more to a relationship than good times. You know in the beginning, your Papá and I had a lot of problems and miscommunications. We had so many differences, including language and culture.”
“But you made it work.”
“That’s the operative word, honey. Work. It takes work.”
“Mija, are you okay?” Papá asked as he padded into the living room.
“Yeah, I’m good. Sorry I lost my temper back there.” She took a deep breath. “I’m just not ready right now. I’m still confused.”
“Take your time, Zara,” Mom urged. “I’m sure Hektor will wait for you, whenever you’re ready.”
Papá tugged at his collar and laughed nervously. “Er, yeah about that…I sort of, invited him to stay.”
“You what?” Zara burst out. “With us? Here?”
“Yes, in one of the guest rooms.”
“Argh!” Zara stomped a foot on the ground. “How am I supposed to be around him?”
“Honey, it’s a thirteen thousand square foot house,” Mom reminded her.
“Besides, what was I supposed to do?” Papá said. “When I asked him if Aphrodite was going to give him a ride back to Alindale, he had this ‘oh shit’ look on his face. I don’t think he planned on going back without you. Then I asked if he had a place to stay and he said he didn’t really know where to go.”
“He could have offered to check into a hotel.”
“Hotel? Does he even have money or a credit card?” Mom asked.
