Aphrodite wrapped her trembling arms around herself. "I never meant for the children to die. You can't imagine how many times a day I ache over what I let happen."

"There was no way you could have stopped it?"

Aphrodite shook her head sadly. "Even my powers are limited by the Fates. When Julian started for my temple after their deaths, I held my breath, thinking that finally he would turn to me. Then, he saw that slut wearing Priapus's robes. She threw herself at him and begged him to take her virginity before the ceremony where Priapus would claim her. Even then, Julian tried to get past her, but she wouldn't let him. Had he been thinking clearly, I know he would have denied her."

Aphrodite's face darkened in rage. "If not for Alexandria, I would have had my son that day. I know he would have called on me. But it was too late. The moment he released himself in her, it was too late." "And still you refused to help Julian?" "How could I choose one son over another?" Grace was aghast at her question. "Isn't that what you did the minute you let Julian be placed inside a scroll?"

Aphrodite's eyes flared with such malice, Grace took a step back. "Julian was the one who refused me. All he had to do was call for my help and I would have given it to him."

Grace couldn't believe what she was hearing. For a goddess, Aphrodite was incredibly selfish and short-sighted. "All this tragedy because the two of you refuse to acknowledge each other. I can't believe you'd make Julian strong, and then curse him for the strength you gave him. Instead of waiting for him, sending others on your behalf, did it never occur to you to go yourself?"

Aphrodite raked her with an indignant glare. "I am the Goddess of Love and you would have me crawl? Have you any idea what an embarrassment it is to be me and have my own son hate me?"

"An embarrassment for you? You had the entire world to love you. Julian had no one."

Aphrodite took an angry step forward. "Stay away from him. I'm warning you."

"Why? Why would you warn me and not Penelope?"

"Because he didn't love her."

Grace froze at the words. "Are you saying-"

Aphrodite vanished.

"Oh, come on!" Grace shouted at the ceiling. "You can't just poof out in the middle of a conversation!"

"Grace?"

She jumped at Beth's voice. Whirling around, she saw her peeping in through the door.

"Who are you talking to?" Beth asked.

Grace gestured around the room, then thought better of telling Beth the truth. "Myself."

Beth looked skeptically at her. "You always yell at yourself?"

"Sometimes."

Beth arched one dark brow. "Sounds like we need to have a session," she said as she walked off.

Disregarding her, Grace wasted no time gathering her things. She wanted to get home to Julian.

As soon as she opened the door to her house, Grace knew something was wrong. Julian wasn't there to greet her.

"Julian?" she called.

"Upstairs."

She dropped her keys and mail on the table and ascended the steps two at a time.

"You're not going to believe who stopped by…" Her voice trailed off as she reached the door of her bedroom and saw Julian with one hand cuffed to her bed. He was lying in the middle of the mattress, shirtless, with his brow damp.

"What are you doing?" she asked as dread consumed her.

"I can't fight it anymore, Grace," he said, his breathing labored.

"You have to."

He shook his head. "I need you to shackle my other hand. I can't reach to do it."

"Julian-"

He cut her words off with a bitter, harsh laugh. "How ironic is this? You, I have to beg to chain me, while the others did it freely within hours of my incarnation."

His gaze bored into hers. "Do it, Grace. I couldn't live with myself if I hurt you."

Her throat tight, she crossed the room to where he lay.

When she was close enough, he reached out and cupped her cheek with his free hand. He pulled her to his lips and kissed her so thoroughly she thought she might pass out from it.

It was fierce, demanding, a kiss of longing. And one of promise.

He nipped her lips with his teeth as he pulled away. "Do it."

She ran the silver cuff around her bolster.

It was only then Julian relaxed. Until that moment, she hadn't realized just how tense he'd been the past week. He laid his head back on her pillows and took a deep, ragged breath.

Grace reached out and touched his damp brow. "Good Lord," she breathed. He was so hot it practically singed her skin. "Can I do anything?"

"No, but thanks for asking."

Grace moved to her dresser to get her clothes. As she started unbuttoning her blouse, Julian stopped her. "Please don't do that in front of me. If I see your breasts…" He threw his head back as if someone had stuck a hot brand to him.

Grace realized just how comfortable she had become with him. "I'm sorry," she said.

She went to the bathroom to change, then made a cold compress.

She returned to the bedroom to bathe his fevered brow. She brushed her hand through his sweat-dampened hair. "You're on fire."

"I know. It feels like I'm lying on a bed of coals."

He hissed as she drew the cool cloth over his skin.

"You haven't told me about your day," he said breathlessly.

Grace choked on the happiness and love that filled her. Every day, he asked her that. Every day, she looked forward to coming home to be with him.

She had no idea what she would do when he was gone.

Forcing herself not to think about it, she focused her attention on taking care of him.

"Not much to tell," she whispered. She didn't want to burden him with what his mother had said. Not while he was like this. He'd been hurt enough in his life; she had no desire to make it any worse.

"Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No."

Grace settled down by his side. She spent the night alternating between reading to him and bathing his feverish skin.

Julian didn't sleep that night. He couldn't. All he could feel was Grace's skin on his, smell her sweet floral scent. It invaded his head and made his senses reel. Every nerve in his body screamed for her.

Grinding his teeth, he clenched the silver chains in his fists and fought down the swirling darkness that tried to claim him. He didn't want to surrender to it.

He didn't want to close his eyes and miss a minute of being with Grace while he was still sane and whole. If he let the darkness take him, he might not wake up from it until he was in the book. Alone.

"I can't lose her," he whispered. The very thought of it shredded what little of his heart he still possessed.

The clock in the hallway struck three. Grace had fallen asleep a short time ago. She lay with her head and hand on his belly, her breath falling gently across his stomach.

He could feel her hair tickle his skin, her warmth seeping into his soul.

What he wouldn't give to be able to touch her.

Closing his eyes, he laid his head back and allowed himself to dream for the first time in centuries. He dreamed of nights spent with Grace. Of days laughing by her side.

He dreamed of a day when he could love her as she deserved to be loved. A day when he would be free to give himself to her. He dreamed of having a home with her.

Most of all, he dreamed of children with happy, gray eyes and sweet, impish smiles.

Julian was still dreaming of those things when the morning light broke and the clock struck six and Grace woke up.

She rubbed her face against his chest, nuzzling him in a way that was sheer torture.

"Good morning," she said, smiling.

"Good morning."

She bit her lips as she ran her gaze over his body, her brow wrinkled by concern. "Are you sure we have to do this? Can I not let you up for a little bit?"

"No!" he said emphatically.