I didn't make excuses, and I didn't bring up what I'd gone through in the stone circle, everything I'd lost and how much it had hurt me. Carson had told me more than once that all the kids had lost someone to the Reapers. Now, I had, too. First, my mom and now Nott. Not to mention the bits and pieces of myself I'd sacrificed along the way just to stay alive. And there was more loss, suffering, and pain on the way-for all of us. I could feel it deep down in my bones.
Logan sighed. "I'm sorry, too, Gypsy girl. For that night in the library when I accused you of digging through my brain. I know you can't help it, that your magic makes you see things whether you want to or not. The truth was that I was afraid-afraid you'd see me for the coward I really was. But then when I found out you'd been taken by the Reapers, all that mattered was getting you back-and not being that coward again."
"You're not a coward," I said. "I never for one minute thought you were a coward. I'm the coward."
"Why would you say that?"
"Because I want you, but I'm afraid to be with you."
Logan started toward me, but I held up my hand, stopping him.
"I don't want to hurt you," I whispered. "With my-with my magic. You don't know what it felt like, to pull Preston's life out of him. What if I slip up and do it again? What if I touch you and do that to you? I'd never forgive myself. I don't know that I can forgive myself for doing it to Preston, even if it was the only way to save myself. The thought of ever hurting you, it just-it just makes me sick."
I wrapped my arms around myself and looked away. Logan reached out and cupped my hand with his cheek, raising my face to his. My eyes widened at his soft touch and all the emotions I felt pouring into me. His care, his concern, his understanding. The hot, pulsing warmth of his feelings took my breath away because it was exactly the same way I felt about him. The same way I'd always felt about him.
Logan gave me a crooked grin. "You won't hurt me. I know you won't."
"How can you be so sure?" I whispered.
His grin widened. "Because you're that Gypsy girl, and I'm the bad-boy Spartan. And I think it's time we were finally together, don't you?"
I stared at him, all of these emotions pouring through me, burning and burning, brighter and brighter, hotter and hotter, until they couldn't be contained and there was only one thing I could do. I stood on my tiptoes, wrapped my arms around his neck, and pressed my lips to his.
For a moment, the world just-stopped-and all I knew was the feel of Logan's lips on mine, the firm grip of his arms around me, the hard strength of his body pressing into mine. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world, and the kiss was everything I'd known it would be, everything I'd ever dreamed it would be-hot, sweet, sexy, intense.
But it was more than just a kiss. For the first time, Logan completely opened himself up to me. I saw and felt so many things, so many memories, so many emotions. All of Logan's doubts and fears, all of his insecurities, all of the worries that he worked so hard to hide from everyone else. I felt his strength, too-his determination to fight against the Reapers no matter what.
And most important of all, I realized just how much he cared about me.
I just felt-everything. The warm, fizzy, dizzying rush Logan got in his chest every time I smiled at him. The sly satisfaction whenever I laughed at one of his jokes. The lightness whenever we were teasing each other. Even the pride he had at how far I'd come as a warrior.
It all made me happier than I'd ever thought I could be.
When the kiss finally ended, the Spartan opened his eyes.
"Wow," he breathed out. "I know that I'm a great kisser, but you gave me a run for my money there, Gypsy girl."
I rolled my eyes, stepped back, and punched him in the shoulder. The Spartan just laughed. I started to hit him again, but Logan grabbed my hands, pulled me close, and kissed me again. The rest of the world just fell away-
"Woo!" someone whooped, interrupting us.
Surprised, we both drew back, breathless, and turned to see Oliver and Kenzie standing in the door to the gym, along with Daphne and Carson. Our friends all had smiles on their faces, and Daphne let out another loud whoop and started clapping, pink sparks dancing in the air around her.
"I guess the secret's out," Logan said.
"I guess so," I replied.
"Well, it's about bloody time," Vic muttered from his spot on the bleachers. "I was wondering if you two were ever going to wise up about each other."
Nyx barked, agreeing with the sword.
"Shut up, Vic," I said with a smile.
Logan put his hands on my waist and leaned down so that his forehead was touching mine. I marveled at the feel of his skin, at the strong circle of his arms, and especially at the fact that there were no more secrets between us.
Yeah, things were all kinds of messed up right now. Loki was out there somewhere, plotting against the Pantheon, along with Vivian, and the Reapers of Chaos were getting ready to rise once more. But right now, I was at the academy, safe, with Logan and my friends.
There would be time enough to worry tomorrow. About the Reapers, about Loki, and most especially about how I was supposed to kill the evil god. But today-today was about me and Logan and our feelings for each other.
"C'mon, Logan!" Carson called out from across the gym. "You can do better than that! Or do I need to come over there and show you how it's done?"
Logan turned around and glared at Carson, who just laughed. Then, the Spartan faced me again.
"What do you say we give them something to really cheer about, Gypsy girl?" Logan whispered.
I arched my eyebrow. "Bring it on, Spartan."
"Kids," Vic muttered in a fond voice.
And that was the last thing I heard before Logan lowered his lips to mine once more.