If only it was that simple. Maybe then I could pretend that we weren’t all plunging face-first into the beginning of a brutal war.

* * *

This time, Henry didn’t touch me.

As Walter stood to address what remained of the council, I left my hand on the armrest of my throne in case he wanted to take it, but his remained at his side. He’d barely looked at me since I’d confirmed that Calliope had done something to me, and I struggled not to blurt out the whole truth of it. There was nothing he could do to fix it anyway, and as long as I still loved Henry, it didn’t matter what else she did to me.

“We will continue to fight Cronus,” said Walter, and Henry averted his eyes from his brother. “It will not be easy, and after what happened today, I will not order any of you to help. If you do not feel ready or willing to risk yourselves for this cause, you may leave, and no one will think any less of you for it.”

I was certain that with how close-knit the council was, no one would back down. So when Dylan and Xander stood, I stared at them, shocked. They both acknowledged the council with a nod, and Dylan led the way out of the throne room. I knew he thought it was a losing battle, but I had never expected him or anyone else to abandon the rest of the council.

Neither had the others, it seemed. With Theo and Ella also missing, only ten of us remained, and I was sure Persephone had no intention of sticking around for the fight. If Henry insisted I couldn’t take part again, then the number dropped to eight.

“Very well,” said Walter. “The trap we have constructed will last us until the next winter solstice, and it is my intention between now and then that—”

“Brother,” said Henry. “If I may.”

“By all means,” said Walter, and Henry stood stiffly.

“Sisters and brothers,” he said, focusing on the pillars behind the pews instead of on the other members of the council. “I regret to say that I have decided to withdraw from the war, as well.”

My mouth fell open, and a murmur rippled through the remaining council members. Ava, who looked like a child curled up in her massive throne made of seashells, began to cry.

Walter shifted his weight, as if he were about to step forward, but at the last minute changed his mind. “We are counting on you,” he said slowly. “Together, with some time, we have a chance, but without you—”

“The Underworld is my realm, not the world above. I will seal it off and ensure that Cronus remains trapped until the winter solstice, but I have made my decision,” said Henry. “I ask that you all understand it was not made lightly.”

My mother stood, and she had the same look on her face that she’d worn when I’d decided to color my hair purple at eleven and get a tattoo when I was fourteen. Neither of those things had happened. “Henry, we are all frightened of the risks, but if you refuse to help us, we will lose. Surely you know that. The blood Cronus has already spilled—”

“It is a shame, and those of you who are injured have my deepest sympathies,” said Henry. “You of all people should understand why I am doing this, Diana. Kate is Calliope’s target, and you cannot deny that it is a miracle nothing happened to her today. I have already failed her twice, and I will not allow for a third time.”

I was on my feet before I realized what I was doing, the ache of my guilt and grief swiftly replaced by fury. “Don’t you dare use me as an excuse to abandon your family. Calliope will come after me whether you fight with them or not. I won’t stand by and let you do nothing just so everyone can blame me when the council loses.”

“No one would blame you, my dear,” said Walter. “Henry, without you, loss is inevitable. There is no one else capable of stopping Cronus, and if Calliope does not see the error of her ways within the year—”

“I am sorry,” said Henry. “I will not change my mind. You are not an excuse, Kate. If I step aside and seal the Underworld, no matter the outcome of the war, I will be able to keep you safe while continuing my duties and watching over the dead.”

“Why can’t you fight anyway?” I said. “Everyone’s going to die if you don’t.”

“Everyone may die if I do,” he said. “I will not risk your life. We have already seen the lengths Calliope will go to destroy you, and with Cronus’s interest in you, it is far too dangerous.”

Before I could sputter out a retort, Persephone stood. “What about the other Titans? If Henry—”

“What other Titans?” I said, my heart pounding.

Persephone gave me a look. “Would you let me finish? If Henry doesn’t want to help, then fine. There’s obviously nothing any of us can say to change his mind.” Her eyes flashed as she glared at Walter. “Father said no one would be judged for backing out. And before you throw a fit, Kate, we aren’t the only ones who can fight him. Not all of the other Titans were imprisoned. If we’re lucky, the ones who weren’t might be willing to help us.”

“The chances of the other Titans agreeing to fight on our side after we usurped them are infinitesimal,” said Walter, his expression hardening. “Nor would it be wise for us to risk giving Cronus allies.”

“Isn’t it worth a shot?” said Persephone.

“Rhea might help us,” said James, who’d remained quiet up until now. “I know where she is.”

“We do not have the time to court her,” said Walter. “We must prepare, and convincing her to go against her mate will undoubtedly take time—”

“Then let me do it,” I said, sounding much braver than I felt. “I want to do something.”

“Kate—” said Henry, but I cut him off.

“Don’t. You made your decision, now let me make mine. If you’re not going to participate, then we need to find someone else who will.”

“Henry is right,” said Walter. “You have had no experience with the Titans before. You are new to this life, and one wrong word—”

“Then send someone with me.”

“We cannot spare anyone,” said Walter tightly. “If you wish to go—”

“You can spare me.”

Ava spoke softly and without conviction, but her voice rose above Walter’s, and he paused. As they exchanged looks, something seemed to pass between them.

“Very well,” said Walter, and hope fluttered within me. Finally I wouldn’t be useless. Even if Rhea didn’t want to help, I would at least have the chance to try to make up for Henry withdrawing because of me. I couldn’t sit around and not do a damn thing when no matter what anyone else said, I knew their loss would be my fault.

A shadow passed over Henry, darkening the lines in his face until he was nearly unrecognizable. “Kate, please. Whatever concerns you have about taking the blame for this, how do you think I would feel if you did this because I withdrew and the worst happened to you?”

Something snapped inside of me. Of all the things he could use against me, this was the route he chose? “That’s the problem, Henry. I don’t know how you feel about me. Everyone else seems to have an opinion about it, but the only person I want to hear from is you. You won’t tell me though no matter how much I beg—all you do is risk the lives of everyone I love to keep me safe. How do you think that makes me feel?”

For a moment, he looked bewildered, but he quickly masked it with a neutral expression. “Before I met you, I was ready to fade. If something were to happen to you, my wishes have not changed.”

At first I thought I’d heard him wrong. He’d manipulated me before—the entire council had—but he’d never used his life against me. That was a line I thought he wouldn’t dare cross. Apparently I’d been wrong.

“Forgive me for not being worried,” I said, my words dripping with sarcasm as every small step we’d taken in the past few weeks crumbled. “Now that Persephone’s back in your life, I’d imagine you’ll want to stick around as long as there’s a chance she’ll kiss you again.”