Page 107 of The Tenth Muse

What if I never see Amalthea again? What if she dies? What if I live my entire life with this feeling in my chest, like a string leading me straight to her?

I change our flights.

We’re still flying back to the U.S., but there’s an extra-long layover in Greece now. Before it was in Munich. I’m not sure what I’m going to tell my mam, but I have to see Amalthea.

The sun beams brightly as I hike the Foloi Oak Forest. I told my mam this was something I needed to do alone. A personal journey of self-discovery. This is my Eat Pray Love, as cringe as that sounds.

I knew she’d understand.

The deeper into the forest I go, the more winded and tired I am, but I keep trekking along. I’m determined to find her. This place is still beautiful and mysterious, smelling of oak and other herbs. The caws of birds are like a cacophony as giant, swooping eagles lunge down from high in the sky.Harpies.

Familiar black wings and ginger-red hair come into view, and Amalthea wraps her arms around me.

“You came back?”

“I had to. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but it feels like I belong here.”

She pulls me into a kiss, her hand wrapping around my jaw, drawing my mouth into hers before she gently releases me. “That’s because you do.”

“It’s like a war in my head, Amalthea. I have my family and my job and my whole life, but there is this feeling in my gut like I need to be here instead. This feels stronger than me; it’s destiny. I know that sounds absurd.”

“It does not.”

“What do I do?” I ask, and she takes my hands in hers.

“You could spend half the year with me, and the other half with your family and the humans. Visit America, Scotland, and Kuwait, and then come back home to me,” Amalthea says, tears in her eyes. “You are my mate, you belong to me, but I respect that they have pieces of you, too.”

“Like Hades and Persephone?”

She shakes her head. “Do not bring the gods into this—let’s make our own story.”

about rose santoriello

Rose Santoriello is an author, chaos bisexual, and karaoke connoisseur. Currently being contained in the hellish swamps of Florida, they spend their free time at the zoo (their house), time traveling to the 14th century (the renaissance festival), and exchanging pleasantries (yapping to friends).

For stories full of queer joy, bleeding hearts, and neurodivergent/chronically ill fiends, join them @RoseSantoriello on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and more!

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author’s note

Stealing from the rich and corrupt is just another job for me.

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