Well, well, the Ares position is filled with a thrilling winner takes all Battle Royale-_Musée_des_Beaux-Arts-"Enlèvement_d'Hélène"(LucaGiordano,1634-1705)(48681613121).jpg) for our finalists but first, quite a bit of bonking, and then, sulking and a reconciliation. Robert loves a happy ending and so do we!

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Just a reminder for our Bingo Players, this can be counted as a Bonus Book, a Romance, a 2000 book or a LGBTQ read!

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Achiles carries out Patroclus on his back, with Helen's directions, and carries him out of the maze, so the next round includes our sexy threesome plus the Minotaur and, ick, Paris. The team has injuries but that doesn't stop them from some mutual appreciation, strategizing and sexual healing. Trial three is tense- hand to hand combat and is both perilous and sneaky! The Minotaur takes out Patroclus with a sword and intends real harm to him and Helen, even as Helen gets him eliminated. Paris shoots Achilles on his..not heel, so he's out. The final is between Paris and Helen and our new Ares gets a dagger in her slimy, toxic ex. However, the real drama is going on with the Thirteen, as apparently the barrier in Olympus is failing. Patroclus is in surgery and Eros gives them a message from Helen. Patroclus recovers and makes his wishes know to Achilles, who has to decide to stay as Athena's second in command or move to Helen's side. Ares has two new allies and Helen gets her happy ending!

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Achilles on Helen's progress:

"Part of me had hoped she'd be eliminated in this trial for simplicity's sake, but I can't stop the flare of pure pride. She made it through, and she did it in a clever way, too. 'That's our girl'" (Chp. 22)

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Achilles to Patroclus:

"'Listen to me Patroclus, I am never leaving you behind. Not in this fucking trial. Not in life. Stop acting like a fucking martyr". (Chp. 22)

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Achilles on his twosome:

"These two might be some of the smartest people I 've ever encountered, but they don't have the self-preservation the gods give children. If left to their own devices, they will ignore their bodies and end up seriously hurt. That's okay. If you won't look out for yourself, then I'll look out for you. I spare a quick glance, taking in their profiles. Something soft and tender stirs in my chest. Both of you" (Chp. 22)

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Helen relaxing after the second trial:

"It's nice. It's more than nice. It's an indulgence. I know better than to allow myself to enjoy. Yes, we all passed the second trial and granted our little trio a reprieve, but the end result is still the same. One of us will be Ares. The others will lose out on a dream they've spent far too long chasing" (Chp. 23)

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Helen on Olympus politics:

"'Even a precious princess isn't exempt from having to learn to swim in shark-infested waters. Information is just as dangerous as a gun, even more so in the right hands. The Thirteen will eat both of you alive'" (Chp. 23)

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Achilles seeing a promising future:

"I can clearly see a future where I'm married to Helen. The long, lazy evenings when she and Patroclus strategize until I get tired of all the talking and drag them to the bedroom" (Chp. 25)

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Achilles on health and safety:

"Today worrying about them in the trial has only heightened my need. We're not doing this in the shower, though. It's hardly the safest way to fuck even if everyone was fully healthy. With Patroclus's injuries and Helen's leg in danger of buckling, it's out of the question. I want them but I don't want either of them harmed in the process. Gods, I'm a fucking sap" (Chp.25)

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Helen on Patroclus's positive chat mid-sex:

"'You fight so fucking hard, Helen. To be taken seriously. To be seen as a person. To forget how often neither of those things happen.' He speaks in a soft murmur completely at odds with the way Achilles is sucking on my clit. I tense. I didn't ask for this. I'm already held down and spread open. Being stripped bare, too? It's too much" (Chp. 26)

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Achilles facing the grim future:

"No, it's far more like that things with Patroclus will fall apart if we can't find a way forward with Helen. He got a taste of how well she balanced the two of us. How can he be satisfied with only me now that he's had her, too?" (Chp,30)

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Okay, Olympians, we're on to the last book next. It's been a fun ride with these three!