The Games Gods Play

“I will never force you into something you don’t want. But make no mistake, Lyra. I want you to be mine. Not a champion. Not a thief. Not a mortal. Mine. And no one else’s.”

“A dark king and queen, ruling Olympus and the Underworld side by side. This could be interesting.”

“I see the same person you saw in Persephone. A soft heart that cares too much. More than the world sees, because you make sure of it. Because the world should never know, or they’ll take advantage of you.”

“Twenty-three years ago, when I was still in my mother’s womb, she and my father came here to make an offering and pray for blessings on the birth. Her water broke, and your brother apparently took offense at her defiling his sacred sanctuary. As punishment, he cursed her baby—me, as it happens—that no one would ever love me. There. End of story.”

“She can Medusa me, for all I care. At least then I can turn assholes like you to stone with a single glance.”

“If I could kill the god of death, I would.”

“If you really meant that, you wouldn’t kiss me for him. To show him. You’d kiss me because you can’t not kiss me. Because I am the only thing you can see.”

“And to answer your earlier question…maybe I enjoy gazing at you, my star.”

“She is mine. And I protect what’s mine.”

“I called Athena a mean word and the wittle, baby goddess got her feewings huwt.”

“I’m warning you that nothing is ever as it seems with my brother. And when he wants something, he can be the most ruthless of us all.”

“This kiss will mark you as mine.”

“Seems to me that love can calm storms, end wars, make fools of smart people, and bridge the gap between life and death. Doesn’t that make it the most powerful?”

“I can’t give you a future, Lyra. I can’t care for you the way mortals need. It’s not in me. But I want you.”

“This is all I was thinking about during that farce of a meeting. Tasting you again. Making you light up for me.”

“So, you’re the asshole who put Lyra’s life in jeopardy by making her play in these fucked-up games.”

“You can do this, Lyra…because you’re mine.”

“A father who is looking down the barrel of being returned to the Overworld like a relic that no longer works. You need me to win to keep you here, living in the manner to which you’ve grown accustomed.”