She was supposed to be the prize. She entered the tournament instead. She won.

Helen Kasios — sister to Zeus, daughter of the man who shaped Olympus's worst traditions, former gossip site fixture, current Ares — is not what the headline says she is, and has spent her entire adult life making sure the headline is too useful to correct.

The glitter is armor. The recklessness is calculated.

The warmth is real but she'll take it back before she lets it be used against her.

She is in a triad with Achilles Kallis and Patroclus.

She did not plan for that. She said yes before she could reconsider. She has not regretted it yet, which is new enough to be frightening in its own right.

Olympus is watching her. Its barrier is failing. Her brother wants her alliance. The Thirteen are fractured.

She has forty minutes before the next thing requires her face on it.

She will be enough for all of it.

She just needs a minute to be sure.