Nope. I was just trying to find a small place where I felt safe and protected. Somehow I'd been roped into this whole saving the world gig, and that was incredibly weird considering I had little ambition.
“Not true,” Cronus said when I mentioned something out loud about being a bit of a sad role model for other women. “You've been crusading for the animals since you were about six. I looked up your little campaigns and they were very moving. You've touched lives without even realizing it, with your natural happiness and effervescence. I bet more people than you think are grateful that you were born.” He paused. “Especially me. I would not have made it through this without you. None of us would have. If you want to consider that, and the fact you saved an entire race of ancient beings with your mere existence, then you are more important than you could ever know.”
“You saved the world with your actions,” Theia reminded me.
I cleared my throat. “Uh, I opened the box and released the sins. I almost killed the world.”
Everyone in the car laughed, and I was starting to think they might all just be a little eccentric. But there was no more time for them to put me on a pedestal, because we had just reached the end of the road. A very narrow, very overgrown, very abandoned looking road.
“Are you sure this is the right place?” I asked, leaning forward, quickly shoveling some chips into my mouth because I was definitely going to need the energy. I washed it all down with the last of the water, and as the Titans got out of the car, I did as well.
“Yep, we have to go on foot from here,” Cronus said, his eyes darting down to my protruding stomach. “Maybe you should stay here, Mais? I can have a couple of the Titans hang back with you. We only need ten.”
Right. Because there were nine sins, but Cronus was splitting the last one with Hyperion.
The others were slowly making their way up behind us, the procession of cars parking down the inclined road. “I won’t stay behind,” I said, not even having to think about it. “We always get into trouble when we're separated, so no more of that.”
Cronus’ lips twitched, and he moved around the vehicle. “What you said before … you know the sins were going to be released anyway. Without you waking me, they would have destroyed the world in months. You need to own your strengths, because you definitely have a handle on your weaknesses.”
Pressing my face into his chest, I forced myself not to laugh. “Weaknesses? What are you talking about?”
I was only teasing, but for a second he must have thought I was serious, because he started spluttering. I lifted my head as laughter burst from me. “Enough with building Maisey up. I'm starting to get embarrassed.”
“Look, I don't even like you,” Rhea said, having just got out of an open-top Jeep, hearing our discussion, “but if your circle doesn't build you up and support you, then get a new circle.”
I eyed her closely. “You read that off my Instagram, didn't you?”
She shrugged. “Where I read it isn't important. What is important is that those words are actually very true.”
There was kind of a lump forming in my throat. “I don't like you either,” I choked out. “But I think you're really resourceful even if you’re way too attractive to be my man's ex. You're a good person to have on any team.”
Rhea scoffed and walked away, but the look on her face was … different than normal. She liked me saying that, and I was glad I'd put my annoyance at her aside for a few minutes.
By the time all the Titans were with us, the sun had started to sink on the horizon and I hoped we wouldn't be trekking to an ancient volcano in the dark. With my luck, I'd fall right in. I wasn't exactly evenly balanced these days.
Thankfully, as Okeanos and Koios went ahead to use their powers and slash through the heavy foliage we were traversing, Cronus remained at my side.
It was louder here than I'd expected, birds and bugs and other things sending out a virtual orchestra of chirps and coos. And the heat … Lordy, the heat was intense in the way that gave you boob sweat before you could blink. And I was rocking a lot more in the boob department these days, so the sweat felt like my skin was crying. A sobbing mess.
Thankfully, my “circle of builders” didn't comment on the hot mess moaning and whining their way through the jungle. #Me
Cronus carried me more than any independent woman would admit to, but we were past the point of caring.#MyFeetHurt #MyBoobsHurt #SkinTears
“This would be better if I was naked,” I huffed, taking a second to stop and catch my breath. “That way the breeze would mop up the sweat.”
Cronus’ lips twitched. “Fine by me.”
Wrinkling my nose at him, I sighed. “Okay, let's get going before my legs refuse to walk any further.”
“Let me help you,” he said, moving forward to take my arm. We'd fallen a little behind the others at this stage.
I shook my head. “I can do it. You shouldn't have to carry my weight all the time.” His eyebrows rose and I laughed. “I mean figuratively and literally.”
His hands landed on my stomach. “You're carrying the most precious thing to both of us. Let me help you.”
Well, fuck. I really didn’t want to walk any further, and he was a Titan who could carry me like I was a small designer handbag, right?
Cronus must have seen the fight die from my face because his smile grew and he swooped down to haul me into his arms. The comfiest way to carry me with the belly was like a damn baby, but I didn't give a shit.
