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In a land far, far away, there was a small country beside the sea. A soaring white castle stood at the center, where King Tristan ruled over the good people of Cypress. There was an oddity in the kingdom, however.

A secret, kept by the King and all those who lived in the castle.

One that many people had yet to figure out, but those who knew it held the secret close to their chests.

A strange magic seemed to surround the land, a beauty greater than anyone had ever seen. Even the very foam in the sea seemed to sparkle with it.

This magic that loved the Princess of Cypress, near as much as the people did. Her beauty was beyond compare, from her flowing brown hair, to the shine of her eyes, to the musical lilt to her voice.

A magic, that would lead some to make decisions, not for the good of the kingdom, but for their own hearts, their own desires.

Their own greed.

And that, is where our story begins, in a sparkling white castle near the sea.

Where everything was about to change.

*

Large, white marble arches flooded the corridor with the light of the midday sun. Golden sconces on the wall burned with warm fire, scorching the wall black behind them. The grand halls were empty, save for one, lone knight.

Light shone through the arches, off the polished flagstones, throwing golden light up to glint off the bronze knife of the knight traversing the corridor. The reddish purple of her tunic warmed her tanned skin, and her honey blonde hair flowed freely over her shoulders in gentle curls.

“Ser!” An out of breath voice called, footsteps echoing off the flagstones.

She met the eye of a young squire, as he quickly made his way through the corridor to speak with her. 

“The King wishes to speak with you.” He said, snapping his heels together and clasping his fist over his heart in a sign of respect. “It would be my honor to escort you, Ser Annabeth.”

Annabeth sighed, her gray eyes darkening as thoughts of why the King would summon her swirled through her head. “There is no need, Mitchell, I am almost there as it is. Thank you for letting me know.”

“Of course, Ser Annabeth. Anytime.” His voice was soft, and his eyes bright as he watched her walk away, and Annabeth sighed.

Everyone always wanted something from her. Whether it be the King, the squires, the Lords and Ladies, or the other knights, it was as if she was never granted a single moments peace.

At least the Princess was kind.

Her leather boots hit the stone quietly as she made her way to the throne room, and Annabeth braced herself at the large, intricately carved wooden door.

King Tristan was not an unkind man, but there was always something about those in such power that rubbed her the wrong way. What right does one man have to make the choices for everyone who lived there?

Given her father being Chief Advisor to the King, it wasn’t surprising. Having been around such people from a young age, well. Annabeth had made her opinion a very long time ago.

Not that she voiced them.

Annabeth was quite fond of having a place to live.

Her hand gripped the handle and pulled open the heavy door. 

It was dimmer inside the throne room, the light diffused through large stained glass windows. The colored glass drew patterns on the floor that danced over her boots as she made her way to the King.

King Tristan was not sitting on his throne, but standing to the side, gazing out across the water through an open window. His brown skin glowed in the sun, and dark hair shone beneath his golden crown.

He wore a muted red, quilted coat with golden clasps, the cuffs embroidered with sweeping vines in golden thread. With his dark pants, and shined boots, he struck an imposing figure, and Annabeth immediately lowered herself into a bow.

“Your Majesty. You wished to speak with me?”

King Tristan sighed, turning toward Annabeth as she straightened. “Yes, thank you for your promptness, Ser Annabeth. I have a…favor to ask of you.”

Annabeth clasped her hands behind her back, and nodded. “I am at your service, Your Majesty.”

King Tristan smiled. “As you know, my daughter came of age some years ago. And there are kingdoms in which it would benefit ours to ally with. The best way to do that is through marriage.” He said. “Have you heard of the Prince Perseus?” 

Annabeth’s mind whirled into action, and she remembered the stories told from passing traders of a prince who commanded his armies so well, who was so powerful, that the war that should have taken years was won in a little over six months. “The general who won the war for his Queendom? The one they call the Typhoon?”

Tristan nodded. “The very same. The Queen Sally has extended an offer to me. You see, the Prince is her eldest, but the Queendom of Montauk has been a Queendom for generations, and the Prince understands that. The Queen has a second child, a daughter, who is meant to take the crown. She has offered Prince Perseus’ hand in marriage, for him to join our Kingdom and rule alongside the Princess Piper.”

The Prince was to come here? To stay? Annabeth shifted her stance, unease filling her gut. “What is it you require of me, Your Majesty? I am quite sure the Prince will have his own guard, and be plenty capable of guarding himself.” 

The look the King gave her made Annabeth bow her head in deference. “You are to prepare the Princess, and make sure she is still here tomorrow when the Prince arrives. I know my daughter has a habit of running from things she finds displeasing, and you are to make sure that does not happen.” Tristan turned back to look out the window, and a soft breeze blew in, lifting his hair gently off his forehead, and he closed his eyes. “I know you are friends with her, and I trust you with her safety and well-being.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint you.” Annabeth brought one arm across her chest as she bowed, her hair falling over the shoulders.

“See that you do not, Ser. If you have any issues, report them to your father, and he will see to it.” King Tristan said, his tone clearly dismissing her.

Annabeth bowed again, backing away a few feet, before turning and striding out the door. Thoughts swirled in her head, all the information the King had given her joining the knowledge she had of the Queendom of Montauk, and the Prince Perseus. 

There had been a war, a year or more ago. There had been a band of invaders, surprisingly well equipped and strong, aiming to take over the Queendom. Montauk was a small sea Queendom, and it appeared from the outside easy to overtake. They did not have a large army, and their fortifications left something to be desired, and the invaders (whose names have purposefully been kept from records, and Annabeth knows, she looked) had thought they would be in and out before the day was done.

What they hadn’t counted on was Perseus.

Rumors have it, he only lost ten soldiers. In a battle that lasted for six months, only ten of his people died.

Ten.

It was unheard of, but when reports came through of the Prince’s powress is battle…

Prince Perseus was not afraid of the battles, always on the front line with his soldiers, leading them. They said he blew through the enemy line, a whirlwind with his sword, the last thing his enemies saw was a flash of green eyes and their own blood. 

There was a good reason he was called The Typhoon.

Annabeth climbed the staircase, heading towards the west wing of the castle, where Princess Piper resided. Her thoughts stayed with the Prince of Montauk as she made her way through the castle.

He commanded his troops with ease, listening to their concerns and ideas. Prince Perseus was so heavily revered by his people, it was astonishing to her that he would ever consider leaving his kingdom undefended. Even if what the King said was true, and there was another heir, Annabeth had never met a noble who would so willingly give up their own title like this.

Granted, the Prince was not truly giving anything up. He was gaining a kingship, or at very least becoming a King-Consort. Prince Perseus was just…

Giving up the rights to the throne he was born to. He could be king of his own country, the land in which he’d grown up, but he was choosing to let Montauk remain a Queendom. To let the legacy of his family stay intact, rather than taking it for himself.

There was something noble in that, and it touched a piece of her heart that made Annabeth’s cheeks heat. 

She shook her head. There was no time for that now, and besides, he was a prince and the Princess’s now betrothed.

Annabeth reached the landing, regarding the vine covered balconies with distaste, all the security concerns they presented running through her head. The Princess’ suite lay further down the corridor. Wooden doors carved with doves and vines hid her rooms from sight, and the two guards stationed outside of them looked up at her with relief.

Their heels clicked together, a fist clasped over their hearts in respect.

“Ser Annabeth! Thank the gods you are here. The Princess commanded us not to enter, but there have been many a strange noises issuing from within.” One guard said, and Annabeth remembered her name to be Lacy. Her dirty blonde hair was tied back in twin braids, her tunic a lovely dark teal. “But we didn’t dare open the door and defy a direct order from our Princess.”

The guard next to her rolled her eyes, her fist dropping to her side. The freckles across her face danced as she wrinkled her nose, pushing her black hair out of her eyes. “If anyone was going to do anything to us for going in when the Princess said not to, it would be Ser Annabeth.”

“Then it is a good thing you did not enter, is it not, Drew?” Annabeth said, her hand resting casually on the hilt of her dagger.

Drew’s eyes followed the movement of her hand. “Yes, Ser, it is.”

“Good.” Annabeth nodded back down the hall. “That will be all, I will take it from here. If the Princess requires you again, I will send for you.”

Lacy and Drew bowed their heads, and turned on their heels, heading back the way Annabeth had come from.

Annabeth waited until they were out of sight, and took a deep breath. There was no reason for her to feel the same way now as she did entering the throne room. The Princess was her friend. 

She was here to comfort her.

The hinges of the door glided soundlessly as Annabeth pushed it open, sunlight spilling out into the corridor from the wide, open window that dominated one wall.

The Princess Piper was indeed in the room. She sat on the sill of the window, slowly feeding a long rope made of her sheets and curtains down the side of the castle. 

“Princess.”

Princess Piper whipped her head toward the door, her brown eyes sparkling, seeming to shift in shade. Her deep brown hair spilled over one shoulder, intricate braids wrapping around the crown of her head. Her long, flowing, fuchsia dress was rucked up over her knees, her golden sandalled feet dangling out the window.

“Annabeth, I cannot do this.” Princess Piper said, her hands tightening on her makeshift rope. 

“Climb out the window? I should hope not.”

“A man I do not know! What is my father thinking?” Princess Piper cried.

Annabeth closed the door behind her, walking closer to the Princess. “What if he’s nice? He sounds brave.”

Princess Piper turned to look at Annabeth, disbelief written all over her face. “He could be as sweet as cake, and brave as a lion, but I do not want my life to be chosen for me!”

“We don not always get a choice, Princess.”

“So all of my choices are to be overruled by others?” Princess Piper said, her entire body tense. “Why does my father get a bigger say in my own life than I do? I am a woman grown, I should be able to choose my own spouse.”

Annabeth folded her hands in front of her and lifted her shoulders in a small shrug. “You are a princess. This is a way of you serving your kingdom, before you become Queen.”

Princess Piper swung her feet back into the room, bracing her hands on the edge of the window sill. Her eyebrows scrunched together and she tilted her head. “You cannot say you agree with him, Annabeth.”

“I never said I did, or did not, that is not the reason I am here.” Annabeth said, the look the King had given her fresh in her mind. “I am here for you, Princess. Sometimes we do not always get a choice.”

The Princess scoffed, throwing herself around to face the window again. “Well, this is my choice.”

Annabeth grimaced. She hated doing this, but as close as she was to Piper, she was also her knight, sworn to her protection. “As your friend, Piper, I hear you. It is…strange to be told you have to marry a man you have never met, to have your father betroth you with no consultation whatsoever. No matter the way things have been done before, I had thought your father above such things.”

“Thank you! Yes! So you see why I have to leave.” Piper said, looking at Annabeth over her shoulder.

Annabeth stood straighter and rested one of her hands on the pommel of her dagger, her gray eyes flashing. “But as your sworn knight, my lady, I cannot allow you to climb out that window.”

Piper hesitated, her hands tightening on the sheet-rope, and eyeing Annabeth with uncertainty. “You would not dare.”

“The King has tasked me with getting you ready, and making sure you are still here to meet the Prince tomorrow.” Annabeth said, and took a step forward. “I’m sorry, Princess, but if you continue to climb out that window, I will have no choice but to bring you back in by force.” 

Piper stared at her, her face unreadable. “If you were anyone else, I would call your bluff.” Her shoulders dropped as she heaved a deep sigh. “But I know you would.”

“I would.” Annabeth held out her hand. “I will stay in here with you though, as your friend, if you will have me. I will be with you every step of the way. You do not have to go through this alone.”

Climbing back into the room, standing, her dress falling in gentle pink waves to the floor, skimming the top of her golden sandals, Princess Piper looked every bit her station. Despite the fact that she had just been about to climb out a window. She took Annabeth’s hand and gave her a tired smile. “You are a good friend. Only the truest of friends would offer to be there for all of my future dates.”

“Of course. How else am I to test that he is worthy of you?” Annabeth smiled, leading the Princess over to sit in front of the fire.

Princess Piper folded her legs beneath her as she sat, pretending to think. “Why, through a series of deadly risks and trials, of course.”

Annabeth laughed, taking off her sword belt, and settling in. She would always cherish the time she could spend with the one person who knew her better than anyone.

*

Annabeth had been alone for most of her life. Her father had never really been around, becoming an advisor to the King as a relatively young man. They’d been friends when The King was just a prince, and when King Tristan had ascended the throne, he had requested her father specifically. A few years into Tristan’s reign, Annabeth’s birth had been a surprise to them both.

Especially given that her father, Frederick, refused to disclose who her mother was to the King. One day her father had just come to court with a baby swaddled in his arms, and asking if anyone knew of a good wet nurse. There had been an argument, Annabeth was told, and her father had come very close to losing his position. 

But a year later, when Piper was born, The King understood. It was not spoken of very often, but when the King revealed the new princess, the hum of the secret filled the air. 

Annabeth did not learn the truth of her parentage until she was seven years of age. Who her mother really was.

A goddess. Annabeth did not know her name, but felt a connection to her she could not explain. 

Which had helped her as she realized her father…did not care for her. Frederick had never wanted children, and that much was clear with how he treated her. He rarely, if ever, paid attention to her, leaving her alone to fend for herself. Left her alone while he went about his life as the Chief Advisor to the King.

Spending nearly her whole life alone let Annabeth learn skills she otherwise probably would not have, if she was just the noble daughter of The King’s advisor. Sword fighting and hand to hand combat, hunting, gathering, and tracking. Spending time outdoors always with a book in her pack, to study whenever she took a break, learning about whatever she could.

That was how she was able to learn sword skills, and hand to hand, reading through books and studying forms. Practicing them herself against trees and on one memorable occasion, a boy from the village who refused to spar with her again after she flipped him over her shoulder within the first five minutes of their spar. It was not Annabeth’s fault he was not as skilled as he proclaimed to be.

All of these skills, and her connection to the crown through her father, had made her a strong contender for knighthood. While Annabeth was not one to flaunt her father’s position, nor had she ever been given any indication that was something her father would approve of, the moment the knight in charge of training recruits had heard her surname, his eyes had widened.

“Chase? As in, the Advisor to the King?” 

“Yes, Ser. He is my father.”

“You…come with me.”

The knight, who Annabeth later learned was named Malcolm, had taken her to a side chamber where her father stood at a large table, leaned over a scroll of parchment. 

“Is there a particular reason you are interrupting me, Ser Malcolm?”

“Your daughter, my lord.”

“What about her?”

“Well…she is here, my lord.”

Her father had paused, his eyes lifting to take in Annabeth standing there, sweaty and dirty from training. Frederick Chase looked at her for only a moment before his eyes slid to Ser Malcolm. 

It was a look Annabeth recognized. Academic disinterest. She was not anything he was overtly interested in, was not one of his precious scrolls or books, so why would he care if she was there or not?

“Is there something you needed, Ser?”

“I…no, my lord. I just thought you should know.”

“And now I do. If that is all?”

Ser Malcolm had taken Annabeth back to the training grounds, given her a shield and a sword and pointed her towards a training dummy. As she walked away she had heard him sigh, muttering about bad parents under his breath, and felt something ease in her chest.

Annabeth had skillfully hacked away at the training dummy with a calmness that scared the other recruits around her, but she had realized something in that moment. 

Her father may not care about her, but other people did.

Ser Malcolm not mentioning the interaction, nor treating her any differently than the other recruits, had settled something in her. She had never wanted to get by on her name, nor had she ever really considered it an option. Knowing there were people out there who would treat her well despite it all gave her a glimmer of hope for the future. 

And when Annabeth knelt before the King and felt his sword touch her shoulders as he knighted her, she knew she had gotten there herself.

She did not need her father there.

Annabeth was just fine on her own.

That was, until she had been assigned to the Princess.

It was after a regular trip to visit a neighboring kingdom, to visit a friend of the Princess, Prince Leo. Many knights and guards were assigned to the journey, and they all went to their task with vigor. Everyone would do whatever they could to protect the Princess, even if there was no present threat of danger.

Annabeth had been a knight for little more than a year, and this was her first big journey away from Cypress. The road was fine, and the visit passed smoothly, with the teenaged prince and princess giggling together through the castle. They had stayed for a little more than a week, and Annabeth’s heart twinged as she watched Princess Piper say goodbye to the Prince Leo.

Her eyes sparkled with tears as she curtsied, before lurching forward to give him a hug, a laugh bursting out as Prince Leo spun her around. He whispered something in her ear, and the Princess’ arms tightened around him.

Princess Piper stepped back, delicately wiping the tears from under her eyes. “Till we meet again, Leo.”

The Prince grinned, lowering himself into a deep bow that made the Princess laugh. “Sooner than you would think, Pipes.”

They left, the Princess staring wistfully out the carriage window as they rolled through the countryside. Walking along outside the carriage, Annabeth would catch glimpses of her face, and the loneliness that covered it.

Annabeth looked away.

The journey back to Cypress was long, consisting of many days and short periods of rest. On their third day of traveling and as the sky darkened, their caravan was accosted on the road. Marauders and bandits surrounded them, swords and arrows flashing through the air. 

Annabeth had not wasted any time, jumping into the carriage with the Princess. The only thought in her mind was to protect her, and so when the bandits had attempted to enter, Annabeth had swiftly stabbed them and pulled the Princess out. Guiding her safely into the trees, her hand clasped securely in Princess Piper’s, quickly ending any attempt to stop them. Her sword shone red with blood as they passed through the trees, and Annabeth’s heart beat in her throat.

Her first priority was keeping Princess Piper safe. That day Annabeth must have slain half a dozen bandits in their attempt to kidnap the Princess. They had hidden in the trees for an hour, till the sound of fighting had died down and Annabeth could hear her fellow knights calling out for the Princess.

She had turned to look at the Princess who was standing close behind her, to tell her it was safe now, but her words died in her throat. 

Princess Piper slowly raised her hands and held Annabeth’s face between them. “Thank you, Ser, for saving my life.”

And the young princess leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to Annabeth’s lips, a flood of warmth filling her chest at the contact. It felt as if it were more than just a kiss, more than a thank you.

A bond was formed between them that day, and Annabeth was not sure anything could break it.

Princess Piper pulled back and smiled. “Come. Let us go home.”

Annabeth followed her back to the caravan, where they were greeted with relieved and impressed murmurs from her fellow knights, and swung herself onto her horse.

Her lips tingled.

On arriving back to the castle at Cypress, the Princess had immediately headed to see her father. Soon after Annabeth was called in to see the King.

“My daughter says you are quite the formidable fighter, Ser Annabeth.” The King had said, sitting casually on his throne, the Princess standing at his side.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Princess.” Annabeth had lowered herself into a low bow, and heard a dull smack.

“Father, do tell her already.” The Princess said, her voice ringing out strongly through the chamber.

The King gave his daughter an amused look, and said, “The Princess has requested you, Ser Annabeth, to be her knight.”

Annabeth stared between the two, her face scrunched in confusion. “Your Majesty?”

Princess Piper stepped down the few stairs, off the dais that sat the throne and held out her hands for Annabeth’s. 

Annabeth placed her hands in the Princess’.

She smiled. “Today you saved my life, Ser Annabeth. Your only thought was of my safety, and you skillfully protected me from all harm. If it is amenable to you, I would have you become my knight.” Brown eyes filled with warmth met gray. “Sworn to me. You are incredible, and I would like you by my side.” 

“Princess…” Annabeth said, her voice low. She lowered herself to one knee and brought one of the Princess’ hands to her lips, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. “I would be honored to serve you, Your Grace.”

The Princess grinned.

“Wonderful.”

*

They sat in Princess Piper’s chambers till the sun was barely peeking over the horizon, talking and laughing. Annabeth could see the Princess was still on edge about the betrothal, and she could not blame her. There were so many unknowns, despite the rumors about the Prince. With the way gossip spread from kingdom to queendom to kingdom, it was hard to know what was the truth or not. 

They could only hope he was as nice as people said, Annabeth thought as she walked back to her chambers, nodding to the guards who passed her in the hall. 

Tomorrow was certain to be a hell of a day. 

As the morning sun dawned, soft light filtered through the edges of her curtains. Annabeth was already up, fingers combing through her wet hair as she got ready for the day. Her armor lay out over her bed, organized and ready for her to carefully strap on. They were all meant to dress their best for the arrival of the Prince and his company, and that meant ceremonial armor.

She wound her hair around her finger, leaving it in a coil over her shoulder as she pulled on the sea green tunic. The colors they wore every day differed from those for ceremonial occasions. Princess Piper had once told her it was so everyone did not wear out their best clothes by wearing them every day.

Annabeth thought the King just preferred certain colors to see all of the time.

Belting the dark green trousers, Annabeth pulled open the door to her wardrobe. She grabbed the pair of dark brown leather boots nestled in the back, and a pair of thick socks. It was bound to be a long day, and she would rather be comfortable. 

After pulling on her boots, Annabeth began the long, meticulous process of putting on her armor. Donning the shirt of mail, slipping her arms through her breastplate. Making sure the straps were straight, and her bracers were on the right arms. She attached her cape under her owl feather carved pauldrons, and tugged brown leather gloves onto her hands. 

Annabeth sighed and picked up her helm. The owl head helm was a tribute to her mother, and she had heard tell of the other knights finding the helm creepy.

She smiled.

Good.

Moving through the castle, Annabeth heard the sound of distant trumpets. 

The Prince was here.

Annabeth quickened her pace.

She arrived at the Princess Piper’s chambers, and found her pacing anxiously around her room. Her sea green silk dress shimmered with her movements, the gold metal collar glinting in the weak morning sun. Golden arm cuffs wrapped around her upper arms, while a velvet choker with the symbol of her house, a dove, clasped around her neck. Her tiara sat on a nearby table, and Annabeth sighed. 

Setting down her helm, she picked up the tiara, watching as the three golden points gleamed, and moved toward the Princess. 

“What if I cannot do this, Annabeth?” Piper said, stopping as the other woman approached. “What if I do not like him?”

Reaching up and gently setting the crown snugly between braids atop the Princess’ head, Annabeth smiled. “You can do this, Piper. You like everyone.”

“What if he’s horrible?” Piper whispered.

Annabeth held her hand in hers, the golden and dangling bracelets on Piper’s wrists jingling gently and looked earnestly into her eyes. “Then we will end his line with him.”

Princess Piper let out a surprised laugh, and tightened her grip on Annabeth’s hand.

“I will hold you to that, Ser.” 

*

Peering through the large marble archways, Princess Piper tried to catch a glimpse of the Prince she was meant to be wed to. She could see carriages and horses and knights, but no glint of a crown. 

With a huff of disappointment, Princess Piper looked back inside. The castle was bustling with activity. Everyone was making last minute preparations for the arrival of the Prince and his entourage. Knights and guards nodded and bowed at her as she passed, and Princess Piper could feel the tension in the air.

Everyone was nervous.

Feeling a warmth at her side, Princess Piper met Annabeth’s eye, her best friend and her sworn knight. She would be with her every step of the way, and it eased a bit of the anxiety in Piper’s chest. Annabeth would not let her make a fool of herself. She was a Princess, after all, she had an image to maintain, and hopefully a good impression to make.

Lifting her skirt away from her feet, Princess Piper picked up her pace, headed for the throne room. Her father, the King, was waiting for her, and she knew she could not let him meet the Prince alone.

Who knew what embarrassing things he might say.

Ser Annabeth’s armor clanked next to her as she moved to keep up, and Princess Piper’s heart began to race as they passed unfamiliar faces in the halls. If there were already so many of the Prince’s people here…oh no. 

Princess Piper ran around the corner, stopping just short of the large wooden doors of the throne room, catching her breath. She straightened her dress and smoothed down her hair, taking a deep breath. Catching Annabeth’s eye, she nodded, and the knight pushed open the large door.

Entering the brightly lit chamber, Princess Piper stood tall, her eyes skating over the crowd of people in the room. Her eye briefly caught on a tall, broad shouldered, blond knight, before meeting her father’s gaze. 

The King appeared calm, but Piper knew she was going to be scolded once their guests were away. How was she to know they would get here earlier than any of them could have anticipated?

As she began to move through the crowd, Annabeth at her side, the King cleared his throat. 

“May I introduce my daughter, Princess Piper of Cypress.” King Tristan said, holding out a hand for hers.

Slipping her hand into her father’s warm one, she turned and got her first look at the Prince her father had chosen to betroth her to.

He was…

Handsome.

Prince Perseus had dark hair, so black it almost appeared blue, and beautiful sea green eyes that truly almost matched the color of her gown. His face was familiar, itching something in the back of Princess Piper’s mind. She bit down her gasp as she realized.

He reminded her of statues she had seen in her travels, statues of gods. She could almost see him chiseled of stone, if not for the warmth in his eyes and the natural flush to his tan skin. 

He had strong shoulders covered in a dark blue velvet coat, nearly the same color of his hair, that swept around his thighs. Dark trousers, with a lighter blue linen shirt, and dark brown boots, polished to a shine. A leather sword belt hung around his hips, with a beautiful bronze sword strapped to it.

Oh.

Prince Perseus met her eyes, a mischievous smile lighting up his face. One hand rested on the hilt of his sword, while his other arm crossed his chest as he bowed deeply from the waist. 

“Your Highness. It is a delight to make your acquaintance.” Prince Perseus said, his voice just as warm as his eyes. “I am Prince Perseus, it is an honor to be here.”

Princess Piper hummed, stepping forward and holding out her hand. “Well, Prince Perseus, the pleasure is mine. Please, allow me to give you a tour of the castle. There is much more to see than just the throne.”

“Why, thank you daughter, for stealing my guest away from me.” Her father said, his voice rich with amusement.

Princess Piper glanced back at him and gave him a wide, if slightly fake, smile. “I am only doing what my king father has taught me. Shall we, Prince Perseus?”

The Prince took her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to the back, and gestured toward the door. “Lead the way, Princess.” 

As they both moved toward the door, Annabeth and the blond knight Piper had noticed before, fell in step behind them. 

The exited into the bright corridor, the marble arches practically glowing with the morning sun, and Princess Piper felt pride for her home suffuse her. It was all beautiful. There was nowhere else she would rather live.

“Your home is beautiful, Princess.” Prince Perseus said, gazing through the archway to the fields beyond, the barest glimpse of the ocean in the distance. “I had not realized Cypress was so near the sea.”

Piper looked at him, before moving her gaze to the trees swaying in the wind. “Yes, it is quite close, less than half a day’s journey on foot. Even faster by horse.” She turned and continued down the corridor. “Is Montauk not on the water? I had thought you were a sea Queendom.”

Prince Perseus looked to her, surprise on his face. “Oh, yes it is. I love the ocean.” Something akin to melancholy passed over his face, and then, like a wave on the sand, it was gone. “I have never been far from the water, and while I am gladdened to be here, I was having a hard time adjusting to the idea of being so far inland.”

“Oh,” Piper said, surprise coloring her tone at his honesty. “That is fair, I do not know what I would do if I had to leave Cypress. It is all I have ever known.”

They began to walk again, their footsteps echoing on the smooth stone tile. Prince Perseus folded his hands behind his back and said, “Sometimes we have to do things we are not quite sure of. That is the only way we will grow.”

Piper glanced back at Annabeth, who was regarding the Prince with an unreadable expression. It was not too far off from what she herself had said the night before.

“Do you mind if I call you Perseus? Given the situation, I figure we could do away with the formalities.” Princess Piper asked, as their small group entered a courtyard full of flowers.

The Prince winced.

Piper looked at him, her eyes wide. “Oh, did I pronounce it wrong, I am so sorry-”

He was quick to alleviate her worries. “No, no, it is not that. It is just…” Here he looked to his knight, who nodded encouragingly to him, and Piper stifled a smile. “The only people who call me Perseus are old men who are trying to control my every move. My friends call me Percy.”

Piper laughed. “I can understand that, Percy. Please, call me Piper.” 

“Ah!” Percy grinned, throwing his hands out. “Two P’s! We were meant to be!”

“If you add the Prince and Princess, it makes four.” Piper said, leading him towards her flower garden.

His eyes sparkled as he laughed. “You’re right, maybe we should keep the formalities, then. If only for the…oh what is that word, Jason?”

Piper looked to the blond knight, Jason, as he walked behind Percy. She hadn not noticed before, she had been too far away, but his eyes were almost the exact color of the sky above. The lightning bolt clasps on his armor led her brain in one direction, and she was almost positive she was correct.

"Alliteration, Your Highness." 

“Right! Alliteration, all P’s all the time.” Percy grinned.

Piper smiled, her eyes still on Jason, her gaze sweeping down his person as he stood behind his prince. He had a golden spear strapped across his back, his muted blue cape draped over it. There was…something about him that Piper just could not shake.

They had fallen into an awkward silence, the four of them walking slowly through the garden Piper had carefully cultivated.

“Let me show you one of my favorite flowers.” She said, gesturing farther in. 

“It is morning, Princess.” Annabeth said behind her, her voice soft.

The Princess’ eyes shone as she smiled and said, “There is a certain beauty to the things that remain hidden from our eyes, is there not?” The warmth and joy of speaking of a thing she was passionate for radiated from the Princess, and the flowers around her seemed to grow ever taller towards her.

Many would say it wasn’t a princess’s place to dig in the dirt, but Piper enjoyed it. There was little else she would rather spend her days doing. To see the fruits of her labor, to bring beauty to her home.

It was fulfilling.

“Ser!” 

A voice called from the edge of the garden, and they all looked over, surprised. Ser Malcolm was standing beyond the garden, and Piper looked to Annabeth. She nodded at the older knight, before turning to the Princess.

“Will you be alright, Princess? I will return as soon as I can.” Annabeth said, apology on her face.

Piper sighed, nodding. “I am sure it is important, Ser Malcolm would not interrupt for nothing. Go, come find us when you are done.”

Annabeth clasped her fist over her heart, bowing to Piper and Percy, and turned away. Her cape billowed behind her as she strode away, and Piper stifled a laugh.

Oh, Ser Malcolm was going to get a tongue lashing to last the week.

She turned back to the Prince. “The flowers.” She said, stepping lightly over a flowerbed, into another.

Piper crouched down, her dress brushing the dirt, and smoothed her fingers over the leaves of a plant, its flower closed in the morning sun. The underside of the flower’s petals were a soft white, with dusky green leaves shaped like thin ovals with a serrated edge. 

Percy crouched at her side, his eyes intent on the flowers in front of him, and Piper felt a warmth blossom in her chest.

“What is it?” Percy asked, reaching a hand out to gently brush against the leaves.

“Moonlace.” Piper said, her voice reverent. “A visiting Princess from a far off island brought these for me. Many know of my garden, so there are many species here from places I have never been, but brought as gifts. I do what I can to make this all worthy of them.”

A voice spoke from behind her. “Your Highness, why does it not show the flower itself? I have not ever seen anything like it.”

Piper turned and met Jason’s eyes. He looked nervous to have spoken, but a gentle curiosity shone on his face that made Piper’s heart beat faster. 

“Moonlace will only open its petals under the light of the moon.” She explained. “Only under the light of the moon. The petals capture the moon’s glow and hold it, illuminating those around it and giving off the sweetest of scents.”

She held his gaze for a moment longer, before he ducked his head in deference, a faint blush covering his fair cheeks. Piper was sure the blush was because of her station, but something girlish and fluttering danced in her stomach at the sight.

Prince Percy looked between them and mischief fell over his face. Standing, he held out a hand to Piper, helping her up.

“I have been remiss, Piper. I have yet to introduce you to my Protector of Bodies, Ser Jason Grace.” Percy said, his lips twitching as he fought back a smile.

Delight flowed through her. “Protector of Bodies? Oh, that is a grand title. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ser Jason.” 

Jason’s face was closer in color to the rose bushes behind him, than his regular skin tone, as he nodded. “And you, Your Highness.”

“Have you been a knight long, Ser Jason?” Piper asked, brushing dirt from her hands. “I have heard tale of the Prince here, and his battle exploits, but never has news of one such as you crossed my ear.”

From the corner of her eye, Piper watched as Percy preened at the subtle praise, and suppressed a grin. He was much more down to earth than she had ever expected, and if he was anything that Piper wanted, she would be delighted.

However…

She smiled as Jason straightened, nervousness radiating off him.

“I was assigned to the Prince after the battle, Your Highness.” Ser Jason said. His hand fiddled with the edge of his cape, and Piper’s heart warmed.

Oh, she was in trouble.

“After he saved my life, he means.” Percy interjected. “I requested him specifically, as there was no one else I would trust more.”

Piper looked over in surprise. “It would seem we have that in common. My personal knight also saved my life before she was assigned to me. That is why I chose her.”

“Is that so?” Percy’s eyes gleamed, and a crooked smile came across his face. “You know, I have an idea. Who knows us better than our knights?”

Excitement flowed through Piper and she snuck a glance at Jason as the meaning behind Percy’s words dawned on her. “They are with us every day, at all times. Our closest confidants.”

“Exactly. As I am sure there are duties we both will have to attend to separately on the morrow, I would suggest a swap.” Percy said, walking over to rest a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “After all, there is no one I would trust more to take good care of you than Jason here.”

“An outside perspective.” Piper said, a smirk playing across her lips. “Oh, Jason, you are going to have to spill all the little details about your Prince. I would be delighted to hear.”

Percy froze for a moment. “I…well, I shall just have to request the same of your knight when she returns.”

Piper’s smirk turned to a full blown grin. “I wish you luck. She would never reveal my secrets.”

“I can be very persuasive.” Percy winked.

Laughing, Piper started deeper into the garden. “Come, I will show you more while we await Ser Annabeth’s return. Ser Jason, do you like blueberries?”

*

Ser Malcolm’s face was serious as he took the letter back from Annabeth, slipping it into a box that he locked. 

“The Princess has made request that this be handled smoothly and, preferably, with little to no violence.” He said, his gray eyes trained on her face. “There is an enchantment, supposedly, on the locket.”

Annabeth glared at the box with the letter, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger. “What kind of enchantment?”

Ser Malcolm sighed, leaning against the table and rubbing his forehead, his ceremonial armor clanking with each movement. “That is the crux of it, no one is sure. The Princess is sure the locket is a relic from her mother, and therefore…”

“Some kind of love magic?” Annabeth said, mild disgust settling in her gut. “I do not know what the Princess wants with such a thing, but I trust her more than some merchant.” 

“I still cannot believe he tried to sell it to Princess Piper for fifty gold pieces, as if he does not know it rightfully belongs to her.” Ser Malcolm said. “Sometimes I wonder what the good of such merchants is, they cannot be selling anything for a fair price. Why do people keep buying from them?”

Annabeth shrugged, thinking of the line of stalls in town, and how many of the merchants she would call ‘reputable’. “There are more of this brand, if I am being honest. Especially about the traveling groups. There is little we can do about it though, lest the King decides to intervene. Until then, all we can do is avoid them.”

Ser Malcolm nodded, blowing out a huff of air. “Well, I suppose you should get back to the Princess. I was uneasy leaving her with just the Prince and his knight, but…this was important.”

Annabeth smiled at him. “I would not have left her if I thought there was any danger, but I understand. I do not quite trust this new Prince just yet, and we know our Princess. She loves to make friends.” She stepped back and made for the door. “I should get back. I will go tomorrow night to the merchant, and I will be going by myself, Malcolm.”

He pushed off the table, concern overtaking his face. “Annabeth, is that wise?”

Annabeth looked back over her shoulder, a grim smile on her face, and said, “Always.”

Opening the door and walking into the breezy corridor, Annabeth listened for a moment. Someone was bound to know where the Princess was, and-

Ah.

A passing maid whispered excitedly to the physician she was walking with, their hushed voices carrying to her spot in the hall.

“Did you see, the Princess went into the garden with the Prince Perseus, and neither has emerged!”

“Do you think this means they find the match agreeable? I know there was some talk about the Princess-”

“I certainly do not think she would spend so long alone with him, were she not interested, Will.”

“You  are  right, as usual-”

Annabeth barely spared a glance in their direction, before she headed back towards the garden. They really had remained in the garden this whole time? She could only imagine the things they had found to speak of and fought to keep her groan in.

The short time she had spent with the Prince Percy, Annabeth had found him a tad…immature for her. Which had surprised her, given all the things she had heard of his battle prowess. She could not quite match the two up in her mind. The war general who won countless battles for his Queendom, ultimately giving what was said to be the final blow on the battlefield, ending it then and there, with minimal casualties.

And then the Prince who joked and laughed about wordplay with his knight, who openly longed for his home and the ocean, his heart on his sleeve. Annabeth was not sure she had ever seen anyone with their emotions laid so bare on their face before.

It was unnerving.

And she did not quite trust it.

Stepping out into the courtyard, Annabeth looked down the paths of the garden. She wondered if she was going to have to search the whole thing before she found them, when laughter floated to her on the wind.

Looking to her left, she saw the subtle gleam of the Princess’s crown in the midday sun, and began to make her way back towards them. 

As she got closer, something was…different. The Princess stood much closer to the Prince’s knight than the Prince himself, and her smile was something Annabeth had not seen before. And then the way the Prince Percy looked between Piper and his knight, a knowing smile on his face…well. This could not be good.

Piper caught sight of her hovering on the path, and her face lit with mischief. Turning to the Prince she muttered something, and made her way over to Annabeth with a bounce to her step that put the knight on guard. 

“Your Highness.” Annabeth bowed her head as the Princess approached.

“Yes, hi, you know you do not have to do that-” At Annabeth’s pointed look, she stopped and sighed. “Ser Annabeth. I need you to do something for me.”

Annabeth studied her face, suddenly on alert. “Anything, Princess.”

Piper grinned, and whispered, “When I introduce you to Percy, I need you to introduce yourself as my ‘Protector of Bodies’.” The lack of formality shocked Annabeth enough that she nearly missed the end the Princess’s sentence.

“What.”

“Please, Annabeth, for me?” Piper asked, widening her eyes and looking up from under her lashes at Annabeth. “Just this once?”

Annabeth was confused and suspicious of the pleasantly smiling Prince over the Princess’s shoulder. This was going to end badly, she just knew it. “We have already met, Princess.”

“Not officially!” Piper said, a grin spread across her face. “Please?”

Annabeth sighed, knowing she would regret this later. “Fine.”

The Princess giggled, and grabbed her hand, practically dragging her back over to her companions. “Percy, Jason, I have someone I would like to introduce you to.”

Looking up at the Prince, Annabeth could not help but notice the kind look in his eyes, and the hard line of his jaw, the crooked curve of his lips, and felt herself looking at him for just a moment too long.

Unfortunately, he was handsome.

Once again, Annabeth bowed her head. “Your Highness, I am Ser Annabeth-” Piper nudged her with her elbow and she sighed, “-Protector of Bodies. It is a pleasure to meet you properly.”

Prince Percy’s face lit up and the laugh he let out was so loud and joyous, it startled the birds in a nearby tree. 

For but a moment, Annabeth was mesmerized by the sight of his smile, the long line of his throat as he threw his head back, the hint of stubble on his chin, his hand pressed to his chest. Then he lowered his head, his eyes green as the sea in midsummer meeting hers, the gold of his crown glinting in the sun, and Annabeth was thrown back to the reality of the situation.

Prince Percy.

Princess Piper’s betrothed.

What was she thinking?

“Protector of Bodies!” Prince Percy grinned, sharing a look with Piper. “A mighty title. It is a pleasure to meet you officially…Ser Annabeth, you said?”

Giving a curt nod, she said, “I did, Your Highness.”

The Prince hummed, his eyes not leaving hers. “Annabeth.”

And her heart raced. Why did he have to say it like that, like he was holding her name in his mouth, delighting in the feel of it, savoring it? What was his game?

Annabeth glared at him, and felt Piper slip her hand into hers. 

“We had an idea while you were gone, Annabeth.” The Princess announced, tugging Annabeth by her hand farther into the garden. “What if we switched?”

Annabeth ripped her eyes from the Prince to stare in astonishment at Piper, who’s eyes sparkled with a particular mischief that Annabeth knew boded trouble for her. “Switched, Princess?”

“Yes, switched.” Piper turned to Prince Percy and his knight. “As a way to get to know each other better while we are both occupied with our own duties tomorrow. Spending time with those closest to someone gives you a better idea of their character, would you not agree, Percy?”

The Prince looked between Piper and her for a moment, a knowing look on his face. Giving his knight a sly look, he said to Piper, “I would, Piper. And there is none I would trust with your safety more than Ser Jason.”

“Princess, you cannot do this-” Annabeth said, tightening her grip on her hand.

Piper smiled at her and squeezed back. “I think it is a good idea, Ser Annabeth. After all, there is none in the kingdom more formidable than you. Perhaps the Prince Percy could learn a thing or two from you.”

“Piper-” Annabeth hissed. “Please, what would the King say-”

“I can handle my father.” Piper said.

“This is dangerous, Princess-”

“It is decided.” Piper said, turning her smile to Ser Jason and ignoring Annabeth. “I will see you tomorrow morning, Ser Jason. I look forward to spending the day with you.”

“And…I you, Your Highness.” Ser Jason said, his voice soft and nervous as he clasped his hand over his heart and bowed his head. “I swear on my life to do everything within my power to keep you safe.”

“Ser Annabeth.” Prince Percy stepped forward, his hands folded behind his back. “It would be my pleasure to spend the day with you, I am sure there is much you can teach me. Of my betrothed, and the land of Cypress.” He smirked at her. “I am not too sure about sword skills, but Princess Piper says you arw…quite skilled with your knife.”

Oh, what she would give to be able to run him through with it.

She said nothing, her eyes narrowing, and Prince Percy’s smirk grew.

“All right,” Piper said, stepping between them. “We have been out of doors all morning, why don’t we adjourn inside for a midday meal? Ser Annabeth, if you could lead the way.” 

Judging by the look Piper gave her, she had not missed a single thing about that interaction. The look promised a conversation, and Annabeth dreaded the very thought.

Bowing her head, Annabeth turned on her heel and began to lead them back up the path to the castle. Food, at the very least, was something to distract her from committing an act of treason.

*

The next morning, Jason ran his hand through his short blonde hair as he thought of the day ahead. The tunic he had donned for the day felt tighter than usual as he made his way towards the dining room to meet with the Princess Piper.

He tugged at the cuffs of his sleeves, and rolled his shoulders, trying to get comfortable, before he gave up. He knew it was not truly the shirt, nor his trousers, boots, or cape. It was not his sword hanging from his belt.

 He was nervous.

He had just met the Princess yesterday but…everything about her sent his heart racing.

Percy knew, of course. There was little he could hide from the Prince, and Jason knew he had not been the most subtle yesterday. From stuttering through questions, to the blush that covered his face every time she looked at him, Jason was never one to be able to hide when he had feelings for someone.

There was something about Princess Piper that sent his heart racing every time he looked at her, and he was not sure what to make of it.

Jason was lucky he was not put in the stocks for even having such a thought. After all, he was just a knight and the Princess was, well.

A Princess.

He nodded to a Cypressian guard as they passed, and thought back on the conversation with Percy after they had adjourned for the night.

“Your Highness-”

“Jason, what have I said? We  are  alone, there is no need for formalities. Not from you.” Percy said, unhooking his sword-belt and laying it across a table. “Especially given I have asked you on this journey with me, you may speak to me in any manner you please.”

Jason folded his arms, his bracers clanking against his breast plate. “And what if the way I please is with as much formality as possible?”

Percy grinned, sitting in a chair to take off his boots. “Well, then I suppose I cannot stop you, can I?”

“Percy, today, with the Princess-”

“You two seemed to hit it off fairly well, from my view.” Percy said, a knowing look on his face.

“She is your betrothed. And a Princess.” Jason said, his heart clenching painfully in his chest. “There is no way…it is pointless to even consider.”

Standing, Percy walked over with one boot still on, and laid his hand on Jason’s shoulder. “I think you forget your own station, Jason, in your wish to be a good knight. A ward of Montauk would be just as valuable a marriage as a prince would be. That would still connect our kingdoms. In fact, given that this will be a Queendom and if I wed the Princess I would end up King-Consort, it is even maybe the better solution. Especially since I am first-born.”

“You can not  be serious.”

“Why would I lie to you?” Percy said, turning away. “Besides, I, uh…well. I should say, someone else has caught my eye.”

Jason stared at Percy’s back, watching as he nervously shifted from foot to foot before turning to look back at Jason with a guilty look on his face.

“I know I should  not even be thinking this , it isn’t proper, and we are here for my betrothal after all, but…I can not  help it.” His eyes were wide, pleading for Jason to understand.

“Who?” Jason asked.

Percy fell back into the chair, leaning back with a dreamy look on his face. “Ser Annabeth.”

The laugh burst out of Jason’s mouth so suddenly, and Percy’s face flushed. “Sorry, it  is  just…she doesn’t like you, at all.”

Percy sighed, and a smitten grin spread across his face. “I know.” He rubbed his hands over his face, leaning down to finally pull off his other boot. “Gods, Jason, what am I going to do?”

“Get her to like you, for one.” Jason quipped, ducking the boot Percy threw his way. “No, I mean. I do  not  know. This would be a whole lot easier if it were the other way around.”

Percy scoffed, running a hand through his hair, and getting his fingers stuck on his crown. “Oh gods-Jason-”

Stifling his laugh, Jason helped untangle his fingers, and took his crown and set it on the table next to him. “Did you forget you had it on?”

“I do  not  want to talk about it.”

The memory of Prince Percy sulking brought a smile to his lips, loosening his shoulders as he came to the door to the dining room. The door was wooden and carved with many fruit bearing vines. Jason resisted the urge to reach out and brush his fingers over the delicate carvings, and instead grabbed the door handle.

The dining room was filled with light, as most rooms in Cypress Castle were, but somehow it was even warmer, and more inviting. The deep brown wood of the table, with its warm red cloth, and golden tableware lent itself to this feeling, but Jason knew the true source sat primly to the right of the head of the table.

The Princess Piper very nearly seemed to glow in the morning light streaming in from the windows. The soft pink of her dress and the gold of her jewelry looked lovely against the dark of her skin, and Jason knew he was staring for too long.

But when the Princess turned her eyes to him, and a smile lit up her face, Jason found he did not care.

“Ser Jason! Come, sit, sit. Ser Annabeth and I were just talking about our day. Would you like some grapes?” Princess Piper said, gesturing to the chair beside her and the bowl of grapes.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Jason said, bowing his head as set his sword against the wall, and  slipped into the seat. “And yes, thank you.”

Ser Annabeth held the bowl out to him, and he smiled at her. “Thank you.”

“My, you are polite.” Princess Piper said. “Not to worry, a few weeks here and we can break you of that habit.”

Footsteps on the other side of the table made him look up to see Percy walk in with a plate of muffins. “I would not count on it. Believe me, Piper, I have tried. Jason here is the golden boy back home, and sometimes my own mother prefers him over me.”

Ser Annabeth muttered something under her breath that Jason did not quite catch, but it made Percy grin.

“I can be very persuasive.” Princess Piper said, giving Ser Annabeth a pointed look. “Either way, we have much to do today, so I am afraid breakfast will have to be rather fast.”

Percy looked up in interest. “Oh, what is it you are up to today? I know you are not meeting all the various dignitaries with me, because then of course it would be halfway tolerable.”

The Princess laughed, and Jason felt his heart nearly stop. Gods, it was almost like music.

“It is the tenth day of the month, I always go to town to spend the day around my people at this time. I used to go more often, but there have been more bandit sightings, and crooked merchants near town recently and my father thought it not safe.” Princess Piper said, giving a sad smile to her plate. “But I will not be cut off from them completely, there is no good in that.”

Ser Annabeth smiled at her, and Jason watched as Percy turned his head quickly away, twin red patches on his cheeks. 

“The townspeople love the days the Princess visits.” Ser Annabeth said, a softness to her voice Jason had not expected. “They always say there is nowhere they would rather live than Cypress, because where else would the Princess herself choose to visit them, and act as though she would rather live among them than in a castle?”

The Princess ducked her head, pushing her food around her plate. “I do not think anyone says that, Ser Annabeth.”

Ser Annabeth gave her a look, turning to Jason. “Do not believe her, Ser Jason. You will see for yourself soon enough.”

“I look forward to it.” Jason said.

“Enough of me,” Princess Piper said, her cheeks tinged a beautiful pink. “Percy, you said you are meeting dignitaries?”

Percy looked up from his plate in surprise, his eyes darting towards Ser Annabeth for a moment. “Oh, yes. I spoke to my advisor last night, and they had given us yesterday to begin to get to know each other, seeing as that is the whole reason we are here.” He explained. “Today, however…I am to meet the various nobility of your kingdom, and they are going to…how did Chiron put it, Jason?”

Jason gave him a small smile and pretended to think. “I believe he said, ‘Judge you’.”

Princess Piper looked concerned. “Judge you?”

“My worthiness, I believe.” Percy said. “They are very protective of you, Piper.”

She huffed. “Protective. It sounds more like them making choices for me. As if my opinion on my own betrothal does not even matter. Not that it would be the first time.” Princess Piper smiled grimly, nudging a grape to the side of her plate with her fork. “After all, they did not even tell me about you until two days ago.”

A feeling fizzed in Jason’s chest, and he knew Percy was thinking along the same lines.

“You did not know?” Percy said, shock written across his face.

Jason watched as Ser Annabeth and the Princess exchanged a look, and Ser Annabeth turned to scrutinize Percy.

“We did not find out until the day before you arrived.” Ser Annabeth said, a piercing look in her eye. “Are you saying you were a part of the decision?”

“The-” Percy rubbed his hands over his face before meeting Ser Annabeth’s eye. “The day before we arrived? We had been on the road to get here for a fortnight. And my mother had been in correspondence with the King for a few months before that. He did not tell you? Ask you, even?”

Jason watched as a range of emotions crossed Princess Piper’s face, and felt his heart ache at the sadness there. He could not imagine such a major decision about his life being made for him, without his consent. For her own father to not even tell her…

The Princess pushed her plate away and stood. “Ser Jason, are you ready to leave?”

Standing quickly, Jason nodded. Picking up his sword and attaching it to his belt, he glanced to the other side of the table and saw Ser Annabeth half out of her seat, eyes locked on Princess Piper. There was an intensity in her eyes that kind of frightened Jason, and he was glad he was leaving the room. 

Next to her, Percy was staring blankly at the table in front of him. Jason knew he must have complicated feelings over the information he had just gotten, and Jason wished he could stay to help. 

But the Princess was already out the door, and Jason did not want to leave her alone. Percy would just have to make do with Ser Annabeth.

Jason sighed.

He was going to be hearing about that later.

*

The road to the town was well maintained, and Princess Piper had chosen to walk. She had gently told her carriage driver she could manage, despite his protests, and giving a silent nod to Jason, they had set off. 

It was not a long walk, but it felt it with the silence that permeated the air. It was almost as if the birds had stopped singing and the bugs had stopped buzzing with the weight of Princess Piper’s mood. 

It was not uncommon for kings to arrange marriages for their daughters, but in Jason’s experience, the Princess usually at least has knowledge of the arrangement being made, if not a choice between a handful of potential suitors. It was odd that King Tristan had hidden it from Princess Piper. They appeared to have a good relationship, but maybe the King was afraid of what the Princess would do if given the choice.

Though, taking it away from her entirely does not seem to be the right course of action from Jason’s perspective.

After all, he knew exactly how his sister would react to being told she was to be wed to a stranger, and it was hard for him to imagine anyone reacting any differently. Especially as Princess Piper had just as strong a personality as Thalia.

“Ser Jason.” Princess Piper said, glancing his way as they walked slowly down the packed dirt path. “How was it that you came to be in the service of the Prince?”

Jason’s mind immediately strayed to his mother, and he felt a pang in his chest. He knew the Princess was trying to distract herself, but he wasn’t sure this was a story she would really want to hear. “It is not that happy of a story, Your Highness.”

The Princess hummed. “I would like to hear it anyway, if you are willing.”

Meeting her eyes, Jason knew he would tell her whatever she wanted. Especially with the information they had told her that morning, if he could distract her from those negative emotions, he would.

He took a deep breath and looked around. They were alone on the road. If ever there was a time to tell his life story, it was probably then. And Jason wanted her to know him, he had a deep yearning for her to have a part of him.

“Of course.” Another breath. “My sister and I are wards of Queen Sally, she took us in when it came to be too dangerous for us to be out on our own after our mother died.”

“Too dangerous?” Princess Piper asked, her eyes wide. “Why was it dangerous?”

Jason swallowed, and thought back to the rumors of the Princess’s mother, and knew if anyone were to understand, it would be her. “What do you know of the gods?”

He watched as her shoulders tensed, and wished there were an easier way to tell her about his past. Princess Piper looked at him with cautious eyes, and said, “I know a bit. Are you saying…oh.”

Her eyes widened as she stared at him, taking in his features, his sky blue eyes, the long line of his nose, his strong jaw, and Jason knew she had guessed.

“Your father is…” Princess Piper trailed off, her hand fiddling with an opalescent jewel hanging from her bracelet.

Jason nodded. “Zeus. Both my sister and I are godlings.”

“Both of you.” She breathed. “I had already…you…but both. That is…I was not expecting that, Ser Jason.”

“We do not advertise it, Princess. It was something of an open secret back in Montauk, but we are never sure how people will take it given his…reputation.” Jason said.

“I have heard of other children of Zeus, there is one my father knows, another king.” Princess Piper said. “It is strange. One would assume there are other gods besides Zeus, but we do not really hear about them. Or if they have children.”

Jason gave her a grim smile. “The reason, Princess, and do pardon my language, is he is known to be a little…loose. Sexually speaking.”

Princess Piper gave him a very serious look, and said, “He’s a whore.”

“And morally as well.” Jason said.

The Princess’s laugh rang out through the trees, and Jason felt as if the world restarted around them. Birds began to sing, and a butterfly fluttered across their path. The wind gently tugged at their clothes and the sun warmed his shoulders. Everything was beautiful in the wake of her voice.

There was not a world Jason could envision where he did not fall madly in love with her.

Her laugh dying down, but leaving a pleasant smile across her face, the Princess said, “I do not know if you are aware, Ser Jason, but I am, how you said, a godling as well.”

“Yes,” Jason said, giving her an apologetic smile, “I did know. Percy is one as well.”

Princess Piper stopped suddenly, her golden sandals scuffing through the hard packed dirt. “What?”

Jason turned to look at her, taking in her surprised face, and wondered what else her father had hidden from her. “Did you know there is a god of the sea? I do not know his name, that is something the family keeps close to their chest, but there is a reason Montauk is so well protected. And why our battles were fought on land, rather than sea.”

“But would you not have better advantage in the sea, if the god is on your side?” Princess Piper asked, beginning to walk again.

“We would, and that is something our enemies learned very quickly. Now if they attack, they do so from the land, and as far from the water as they can get.” Jason said.

The Princess hummed, gazing out towards the town as they approached. “So, is that why you are Percy’s knight? From being the son of a god?”

Memories of the last battle played behind his eyes, and Jason looked to the sky.

“No I-” He took a breath, and said, “I saved him in battle. He was wounded…”

The clash of blades sounded in the distance as Jason marched forward with the rest of the infantry. The army from Attica had arrived sooner than expected, and the Prince and Jason’s sister had gone to meet them.

They had both gained notoriety in this war, given their prowess in battle, and Jason worried for them. It made them targets, and no matter their skill on the battlefield, they were still human, and therefore fallible.

Even the finest armor could not stop a quicker blade.

As they approached, the other infantry men began to clang their spears and swords against their shields, taking up a chant.

With each bang, they said, “ Ty…phoon…Ty…phoon…Ty…phoon .”

The Typhoon.

The name Prince Percy had been given after his men had witnessed him whirling through enemy ranks, while the morning mist appeared to collect around him and spiral with him like a hurricane. He had almost single-handedly won that battle.

Almost.

If it had not been for Thalia. She had been right at his side the entire time, with her spear and bow and arrow that always seemed to crackle with electricity. She tore through the battlefield like a bolt of lightning, quickly earning herself the title Ampere .

Electricity.

They had won battle after battle, giving themselves a respite, and Percy had pushed further, scouting ahead. Thalia was at his side, and Jason swore their bickering would alert the enemy before they ever saw them.

The ring of metal meeting metal met their ears a few minutes after Percy and Thalia disappeared from sight. Jason stared in the direction they had gone, his eyes squinting in the dim dusk light, in time to see a crackle of lighting over the ridge.

“They had gone off on their own, and by the time I got there-”

Even the soldiers chanting Percy’s name could not stop the blade that found its way through the break in his armor.

The line stuttered to a stop as their general fell to his knees, clutching the knife that stuck out from under his arm. Thalia was too far away, occupied with her own fight, and there were Atticans closing in on Percy.

Jason broke ranks.

His spear was in his hand in a second, and he swung it wide, sparking across the armor of the Atticans closing in on the Prince. Jason stood over him, taking out each enemy one by one, while Percy breathed laboriously under him.

When they were all down, and the infantry had surrounded them, Jason dropped to his knees beside Percy.

“Your Highness, we need to get you out of here.”

“Jason, what have I said about titles?” Percy breathed out, his hand slick with his own blood gesturing.

Lifting Percy’s arm over his shoulder and heaving him up, Jason said, “You would prefer if we don’t use them, Your Highness.”

“We’re - ugh, gods - we are equals, Jason. Please.” Percy planted his feet, and turned towards Jason. He raised his bloody hand to Jason’s face, and met his eyes. “Call me by my name.”

Jason’s heart stuttered in his chest as the Prince’s green eyes seemed to pierce into his soul, and it was a wonder Percy was the only one bleeding out.

“If…” Jason sighed, unable to look away.

“Jason.”

“Percy.”

Prince Percy’s face split into a brilliant smile, and he lurched forward, unsteady on his feet, and pressed a warm kiss to Jason’s lips.

“I carried him from the battle, to a medical tent half a mile away.”

Jason’s chest burned as Percy pulled away from him, his eyes shining.

“Thank you, for protecting me.” Percy said, beginning to walk again.

There was not time for him to think about what happened, as Percy was hastily bandaged up, water poured over the wound, and together they plunged back onto the battle, side by side.

And soon, with Jason and Percy together on the battlefield, it was over.

They had won.

“It was not until the battle was over, and we were back in the castle, did the Prince ask me to be his knight.” Jason said, holding out his hand for Princess Piper as they encountered ruts in the road from carriages near the town. “He said he had never met one as brave as me, and could not think of anyone else he would rather have by his side.”

Princess Piper sighed, not releasing his hand. “It is almost…romantic.”

Jason gave her a small smile. “He has grown to be my closest friend, despite himself. I am glad to be in his service.”

“So, I do not have much at all to worry about?” Princess Piper teased. “He is my betrothed after all.”

Laughing, Jason led the way into the town, watching as the townspeople reacted with delight to the sight of their princess.

“I should think not.”

*

The sun had not fully set when Annabeth arrived in town, after checking on the Princess post their day apart. Piper had been safely ensconced in her room with guards posted at the door, and she had pleaded with Annabeth to stay. Her eyes were shining, and it was as if there was a warm pink glow surrounding her.

“Please, Annabeth?” Piper pleaded, holding Annabeth’s hand. “I want to tell you about my day, Ser Jason was…” She sighed.

“I will be back soon, Princess.”

“Can it not wait?” Piper asked.

Unfortunately, the traveling merchants were due to depart tomorrow morning, and there was no time left.

It could not wait.

As much as Annabeth would rather be with the Princess, discussing the events of their days, she had a job to do. Though, Annabeth would have to make sure to thank Ser Jason for getting Piper’s mind off the betrayal of her father. She still could not quite believe the King had hidden the betrothal from Piper completely, it was unlike him.

Usually, they shared everything.

What changed?

Annabeth sighed. She would have to think of the King’s betrayal later. At the moment, she needed to focus on not being discovered.

Annabeth had been told on more than one occasion she had…a presence. The simple, common clothes she wore helped her to disappear, and she knew none would suspect it was her.

Not unless they got a glimpse of her face, that was.

She pulled the hood of her cloak farther over her head, obscuring her face in shadow., and pulling her cloak tighter around herself.

The town was quiet, most people having retreated into their homes for supper. A scant few townsfolk remained in the square, quietly arguing over wares with various merchants and vendors. Annabeth watched, partially obscured in shadow, as the merchant she was looking for tried to pawn off item after item, with no success.

Annabeth smiled under her hood, and made the mental note to tell Ser Malcolm. The townsfolk were not buying from this merchant, no matter how much he tried, and she knew Malcolm would be glad to hear of it. Their people had some sense, probably well earned from being swindled.

Interestingly, even the other merchants did not seem inclined to speak to him, no matter the amount of people around or if he attempted to start a conversation. He was just that unlikable, it seemed.

The sky darkened, and the shadows lengthened, covering Annabeth completely as night fell. The merchant lit a lantern, and set about packing up his wares, and she knew there was no time left.

As the other merchants talked to each other and headed off to eat, he was left alone. Annabeth stepped out of the shadow and quietly made her way over to his stall, ignoring the dingy hand painted sign and resting her arms on the splintering wooden counter.

“Octavian.”

The scrawny merchant looked up, his face gaunt and sneering as he peered under her hood. “Ser Annabeth. I am done for the day, it seems you have missed you chance.”

Annabeth sighed. “You would turn away good business?”

“Is your business good?” Octavian said, his voice mocking.

Smiling, Annabeth nodded to a silver jewelry box sitting on the table behind him. “How much?”

Octavian glanced between her and the box, a disbelieving smile on his face. “Nothing you can afford, I assure you, Ser.”

“I heard you tried to sell it to the Princess.” Annabeth said, keeping her voice light.

Humming in agreement, Octavian stroked his hand over the top of the box. “Yes, I thought she would very much like to wear it…though she was not willing to meet my price.” His cold blue eyes met her’s. “The Princess was here today, you know. Without you.”

She held his gaze, straightening up. Pushing the side of her cloak back, Annabeth’s hand moved to rest on the hilt of her dagger, and she watched as Octavian’s eyes followed the movement.

“You know why I am here, Octavian.” Annabeth said, her voice low.

“Are you going to pay for it?”

“If it actually belonged to you, I would. But it belongs to the Princess.” It was truly dark now, the only light coming from candles in windows and Octavian’s lantern. The moon was hidden behind a dark band of clouds, and Annabeth was grateful. It would make what came next easier.

The moment stretched out as they looked at each other, and between one breath and the next, Octavian had grabbed the silver box and turned to run out the back of the stall.

Annabeth took off after him, her cloak flying out behind her as she ran after the merchant. He ducked between houses, headed towards the forest, and Annabeth knew she had to catch him before he reached the trees. She knew just how easy it was to lose someone in the forest.

Running quietly, her leather soled boots softening her steps, Annabeth gained on him quickly. When Octavian glanced back, she was close enough to see his eyes widen in alarm.

Reaching out, Annabeth’s hand fisted in the back of his shirt, the other grabbing his upper arm. She yanked him harshly to a stop, and threw him to the ground. They were at the edge of the trees now, and Annabeth pressed Octavian into the damp dirt and moss.

“You should have just given it to me.” Annabeth said, conversationally. “This would’ve gone much better for you.”

Octavian glared. “There is nothing you can do to me.”

Annabeth slipped her dagger out of her belt and held it casually in his sight line. “Is that right?”

“You’re a knight!” Octavian said, his voice tinged with panic. “The King will hear about this!”

Smiling, Annabeth pressed her blade under his chin, and released her hold on his arm. Not taking her eyes off of him, she carefully pried the silver jewelry box from between his hands.

Thumbing open the clasp, and gently opening the lid, Annabeth checked that the locket was truly in the case. Despite the intensity of the movement moments before, the locket laid perfectly on its velvet cushion. The delicately carved golden flowers and vines almost seemed to glow in the darkness, with a beautifully detailed dove flying through them.

The sight of it seemed to tug at a string in Annabeth’s chest, in her heart, and she knew this was it. She could see why Piper had fought so hard for it and had been so upset when Octavian had refused her.

This was undeniable proof of her mother.

“That is mine.” Octavian growled.

Annabeth closed the case and tucked it beneath her arm. “It could not more obviously belong to the Princess if you tried, Octavian.”

She pushed herself up off the ground, releasing him and standing up. “It is good you are leaving in the morning. I would not want to know how the King would react to knowing you kept such an item from him, let alone the Princess.”

Octavian’s face paled, and he scrambled to his feet. “You will regret this, Annabeth.”

Brushing the dirt from her pants, Annabeth hummed. “Somehow, I cannot see that happening.”

The look in the merchant’s eye promised retribution, but Annabeth was not concerned as he scuttled back to his stall. There was nothing he could do that Annabeth could not handle, and she had gotten what she came for either way.

Looking down at the silver box in her hand, her thumb traced over a curious triangle symbol carved in the bottom corner. One side thicker than the other two, Annabeth could not help but think she had seen it somewhere before.

Shaking her head, Annabeth tucked the jewelry box under her arm and began to make her way out of town. Princess Piper was waiting for her, and she was not one to stay away from the castle longer than necessary.

The sounds of laughing conversations met her ears as she walked back through town, and Annabeth felt a small smile come over her face. It was nice, she thought, to hear the joy of the townsfolk. So much of her time was spent around royalty and political machinations that there was never a moment to let her guard down, except for around the Princess. And even then, it was few and far between.

Skirting around the lamplight leaking through shutters, Annabeth made it to the edge of town when she felt a prickle on the back of her neck.

She pulled her dagger from her belt once more and whipped around, holding her blade to the throat of her stalker.

Prince Percy stood behind her, a surprised smile on his face as he raised his hands in surrender. “Ser Annabeth. What a coincidence.”

Annabeth narrowed her eyes, and did not lower her blade. “Your Highness. Why are you following me?”

“I just happened to be in town.” Prince Percy said, raising his shoulders in a shrug before he seemed to reconsider. “I saw you, and was coming to say hello.”

Frowning, Annabeth took in his appearance. No crown. A simple peasant shirt and trousers with a dark cloak thrown over top. It mimicked her’s, and Annabeth wondered just what the Prince was actually doing in town.

“What are you really doing here?” She asked, tightening her grip on her dagger.

Prince Percy eyed the bronze blade with apprehension. “Are you going to put down the knife?”

Annabeth hummed. “I’m considering it. Answer the question.”

“If you insist.” Prince Percy said. “If I am to be living here, I wanted to experience the town.”

“And you could not do that in the daylight?”

The Prince sighed. “I did not want to experience it with all the trappings of royalty. The people here, they do not know me yet. This may be my only chance to experience the town and the people as they are, not in the way they are performing. And besides, we were busy today.”

Annabeth’s chest burned with a feeling she could not identify. A familiar yearning in the Prince’s voice echoed within her and she thought back to the sounds of laughter behind closed shutters.

She lowered her blade.

“I suppose that is an acceptable reason.” Annabeth said, slipping her dagger back into her belt. “But it is dangerous for you to be here alone. Whether your wear the trappings or not, you are still a Prince, Your Highness. And you are not even armed.”

Prince Percy smirked, mischief lighting up his green eyes, and he said, “Aren’t I?”

Suddenly, his sword appeared in his hand, the bronze blade almost seeming to glow in the darkness.

Annabeth jerked back, her eyes wide. “What…how did you do that?”

“I am a man of many secrets, Ser Annabeth.” He said. “Maybe you can learn them one day.” The Prince’s eyes gleamed and his body relaxed as he smiled and Annabeth stared at him incredulously.

“Sure.” Annabeth said, staring at the sword. “Alright, no, really. How?”

Slipping his sword into his belt, Prince Percy turned and began to walk back toward the castle. “You will have to spend more time with me to find out.” He looked over his shoulder at her, smile still on his face. “Say, the Princess’s garden, after sundown tomorrow?”

Annabeth scoffed. “I just spent the entire day with you, Your Highness. And even then, I have duties that I cannot just abandon to supposedly learn your secrets.”

He turned to face her completely, but kept walking backwards. “Even later then? Mid-night?”

“My lord-”

“However long you take,” Prince Percy said, placing a hand over his heart, “I will be there, my lady.”

“This is not a good idea, Your Highness.”

“I will see you then, Ser.” The Prince said, turning back around and walking off into the darkness.

Annabeth huffed in annoyance, an unwitting smile spreading over her face as she watched the Prince walk away.

Gods help her.

*

“He is insufferable.”

Piper laughed, wrapping her arm around Annabeth’s as they walked through the orchard. “Oh please, he is not that bad.”

“You haven’t spent an entire day alone with him, yet, Piper!” Annabeth said, grinning at the Princess. “All your interactions have had either me or Jason as a buffer. It was just him and I, and I do not think I have ever heard a more self obsessed man in my life.”

“I thought he was rather down to earth.” Piper said, lifting the skirt of her pink gown as she stepped over a pile of leaves.

Annabeth groaned, reaching out to move a branch from their path. “I have never met someone who is so in love with their own voice, he would not stop babbling about his castle, and he is impulsive.” She turned to look Piper in the eye, a look of disbelief on her face.

“Did you hear that I had to chase him down when he ran after a flock of seagulls that had wandered from the seashore? It was right after he met with my father, too, and he definitely saw.” Annabeth complained as she lead them through the orchard.

“And have you seen his hair? The way it falls into his face, has he never heard of a comb? And the smirk! Like he thinks just one smile will get me to do anything he wishes, well I will tell you it is not going to work-”

“Oh my gods,” Piper interrupted, laughing harder. “You like him!”

“What?” Annabeth pulled her arm from Piper’s and stopped to stare. “Like him? I cannot stand him.”

Piper grinned and tucked her arms behind her back, swaying back and forth excitedly. “You cannot fool me, Ser Annabeth. I have known you a long time, and I have never heard you speak of anyone else this way.”

Scoffing, Annabeth began to walk away, hearing the crunch of Piper’s sandals on the leaves as she followed. “Maybe I have just never met anyone as annoying as he is.”

“Or, you like him.” Piper said, the grin still evident in her voice, even though Annabeth refused to look. “Did you not say last night that you ran into him in town?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Just the two of you? Alone?” Piper’s voice was teasing, and Annabeth rolled her eyes.

“We did not go together, Princess.” She said, glancing over her shoulder at Piper’s gleeful face.

“But you saw him, and you spoke. What did he say?”

Prince Percy’s parting words from the night before echoed through Annabeth’s head.

“However long you take, I will be there, my lady.” 

Her heart warmed in her chest, and she viciously squashed the feeling down. It did not matter what she felt, if she felt anything at all. Piper and Prince Percy were betrothed. There was nothing to happen.

“He asked if I would meet him tonight.” Annabeth said, almost instantly regretting it when Piper squealed loudly and grabbed her hand, pulling her to a stop, a branch snapping loudly under the sole of her boot.

“He asked you to meet him? Annabeth! Why didn’t you tell me last night?” Piper said, mock betrayal covering her face.

Annabeth smirked at her. “And when would I have had time to do that? Between one Jason and the next?”

“I did not talk that much.”

“I could barely even get a word in to agree with you.” Annabeth said. “But, I would not have stopped you anyways.”

Piper hummed, narrowing her eyes at her knight. “Are you going to go?”

Annabeth looked up, through the branches of the trees, and avoided Piper’s gaze. “Go where?”

“To meet the Prince!” Piper nearly yelled in her excitement.

“No, of course not.”

Piper squeezed her hand. “Why not?”

Lowering her eyes to meet Piper’s, Annabeth said, incredulous, “In case you have forgotten, he is your betrothed!”

Smirking, Piper released Annabeth’s hand and crossed her arms. “And what does that matter, if you do not like him?”

Annabeth froze, heart her pounding in her chest. No, she didn’t like him, but how would it look for the Princess’s own knight too be seen taking a moon lit stroll in her garden with the Prince, all alone?

She did not like him.

Right?

Annabeth pulled her sea green cloak around her, trying not to think how it near perfectly matched Prince Percy’s eyes, and looked back at Piper.

“Okay, fine. I will go, if only to convince you I am telling the truth.” Annabeth said, ignoring Piper’s squeal of glee. “But I do not like him, Piper. He’s a prince. We have nothing in common.”

“You are friends with me, and I am a princess.” Piper said. “Do we have nothing in common?”

Sighing, Annabeth smiled and tucked her arm back through Piper’s. “It is not the same thing, and you know it.”

“I think you are just making excuses.” Piper teased, pulling Annabeth back toward the castle. “Come, you can at least let me help you decide what to wear if you insist on lying to me.”

“I am not dressing up for this, Piper.”

“I seem to have suddenly gone deaf, what was that?”

“Princess!”

*

After a torturous afternoon with the Princess attempting to get Annabeth to wear any number of gowns, she was free. And now she finally had the chance to bring the locket to Ser Malcolm.

Slipping the silver jewelry box under her arm, Annabeth made her way to the courtyard where Malcolm was training a handful of new guards and knights. The familiar sounds of wooden swords met her ears, and Annabeth smiled.

A young knight, who could not be more than thirteen winters, dropped his training sword at the sight of her walking into the courtyard.

“Ser Annabeth!” He said, straightening, and clasping his fist over his heart.

Placing a hand on his shoulder, Annabeth laughed. “Please, Michael, there is no need.”

Michael didn’t move, but his cheeks burned red. “Ser Malcolm says we are always to respect those who have already taken their oaths, Ser Annabeth.”

“Indeed I did, thank you for remembering your teachings, Michael. We will make a knight of you yet.” Ser Malcolm said, coming up behind them. “Ser Annabeth.”

“Ser Malcolm.” Annabeth said, clasping her own fist over her heart. “If you had a moment, I have it.”

Ser Malcolm’s gray eyes sharpened on her. “You have it?”

Annabeth nodded. “I would have come to you last night, but the Princess comes first, as always.”

“Of course.” Ser Malcolm said, turning to look out over the trainees. “Let me find someone to finish up here, and then I will meet you in the war room.”

“Ser.” Annabeth bowed her head, and turned to go. She gave Michael one last smile and laughed to herself as his face reddened once more.

Making her way back through the castle, Annabeth took a deep breath. The past few days had been busier than most, and she could not see that stopping anytime soon. Especially since-

“Ser Annabeth!”

She stopped, turning to see Prince Percy and Ser Jason standing at the foot of the stairs. Prince Percy was looking at her with a stunning grin on his face, and Annabeth felt her breath catch in her chest.

His dark blue quilted coat was open over a light green tunic, belted securely at his waist. His bronze sword hung from his belt, and his hand, adorned with a ring with the crest of Montauk on it, rested on the pommel. His golden crown glinted across his forehead in the midday light, and Annabeth found herself at a loss for words.

Gods.

Shaking herself, Annabeth said, “Prince Percy.” She bowed her head. “Ser Jason. If you would excuse me-”

“Wait, wait.” Prince Percy said, reaching out a hand. “Please, walk with us.”

“I am sorry, Your Highness, but I am afraid I have urgent business to attend to.”

And she could not be around him, it seemed, without adequately preparing herself.

“Are you certain?” Prince Percy asked, before immediately ducking his head. “I apologize, of course you are. I will-uh, we will see you later, then? At dinner?” He looked at her with an earnest look that made her skin tingle.

Annabeth met his eyes and said, “Yes. I will see you later.”

His eyes lit up, and she regretted looking at him at all. Her heart pounded in her chest, and Annabeth turned quickly.

What was happening to her?

Honestly, she had met him three days ago, there was no reason for her to feel so…intensely.

She climbed the stairs, clutching the jewelry box tightly, trying to ignore the pounding of her heart. This was ridiculous. She needed to get it together, she had more important-

“Annabeth.”

A hand on her shoulder stopped her, and she met Ser Malcolm’s eye. “Are you alright?”

“I am fine.” Annabeth said, straightening. “I was lost in thought, that is all.”

The look on Malcolm’s face told her he did not believe her. “If you’re sure.”

Nodding, she reached out and opened the door to the war room. “Whatever the case, we have more important things to discuss.”

He furrowed his brow as they walked in. “If you are having problems, Annabeth, that is just as important as anything else. You are important.”

She sighed. “There is nothing you can help me with, Malcolm, though I dearly wish you could.”

“I am here if you change your mind. I am always here.” Malcolm smiled, his gray eyes warm and caring as he looked at her.

“As am I.” Annabeth joked, stepping up to the massive wooden war table that dominated the room. “You could almost say it was our jobs.”

“You are hilarious.” Malcolm deadpanned. “Now, where is the locket?”

Placing the silver box on the table, Annabeth flipped the clasp, when Malcolm stayed her hand.

“Do you see that?” He said, pointing to the strange mark she had noticed before. A triangle with one side thicker than the other two, carved into the corner of the box.

“You have seen it before?” Annabeth asked, her eyes trained on Malcolm’s face.

He looked…troubled. “It is the mark of an old inventor. He created a great many things, some even say he crafted wings that allowed him to truly fly.”

“That is impossible.” Annabeth said, definitively.

Malcolm shrugged. “I cannot say I have ever met him, so I cannot say for sure. I do know that-” He glanced at her, and resigned himself to whatever he was to say. “Well, I know the person he had most contact with in the castle was…your father, Frederick.”

Annabeth stared at him. “My father?”

“I do not know. He was before my time as a knight, but…if he was such an inventor, why would he make something as trivial as a jewelry box?” Malcolm said, staring down at the silver box.

Annabeth did not know, but the feeling she’d had when she looked at the symbol was beginning to make more sense to her. She had a connection with this man, this inventor, though she could not figure how.

A jewelry box by a great inventor…

“Do you think…” Annabeth’s head swam as a million thoughts all fought to be heard at once. “Do you think there is something special about the box itself? A way of masking the magic of the locket? Potentially…a way to hide it from its creator?”

Malcolm’s eyes were wide, his voice hushed when he said, “The goddess? It is possible, but why…”

“I think there are things we will never have answers to, lest we find this illustrious inventor.” Annabeth said, her hands moving back to the clasp. “Either way-”

She lifted the lid, and the very air in the room changed.

The light through the windows turned warm and golden, the air light and sweet with the scent of roses. The same glow she’d seen in the dark of the town, now seemed ever brighter in the midday light. The locket shone, and it was as if the very walls of the castle were welcoming it home.

“Gods.” Malcolm gasped. “I did not think-”

“It did not feel like this before.” Annabeth said, as the warmth tugged at the thing in her chest that spasmed whenever she saw Prince Percy. “I do not know what is happening.”

Malcolm’s hand hovered over the delicately carved locket. “Have you opened it?”

She shook her head. “I was going to let the Princess…”

“I think you should go and get her. She should be here for this. After all, it is…her mother.” Malcolm swallowed, and closed the lid of the jewelry box, flipping the clasp closed.

The room darkened, and Annabeth shivered.

“Are you sure?” She asked, pulling her cape around her arms. “You do not think it dangerous?”

“She needs to see this. I would tell the King but, I believe Princess Piper has first right to this.” Malcolm said.

Annabeth gave the jewelry box a wary glance, and said, “Okay. She should still be in her chambers, I will go-” She shuffled toward the door, her hand on the handle when she turned back.

“I think we are right, Malcolm.” Annabeth met his eye as he stood protectively over the box. “If that box is capable of concealing such a power, the inventor must have done so for a reason.”

Ser Malcolm sighed, dropping into a chair beside the table, his hand rubbing over his face. “If that is the case, when you return we are going to have to speak to the King…and your father.”

The coldness of the room seemed to seep into her bones, and Annabeth felt her entire body tense.

“Let us see what the Princess thinks. Then we will decide what to do.”

Annabeth pushed open the door, stepping quickly into the hallway and shutting the door just as quickly as she began to walk.

Once out of the immediate vicinity of the locket, and the box, the warmth of the day flowed back over her skin. It concerned her, the power the locket held, but that would not stop her from getting the Princess.

After all, Annabeth had done all of this for her.

As she climbed the stairs, thoughts swirled through her mind unbidden. Images and voices, Prince Percy asking for her company, a boy she had know as a child shyly handing her a flower, Princess Piper taking her face between her hands to-

She shook herself.

What was happening to her?

As she approached the landing near the Princess’s quarters, Annabeth came upon a peculiar sight.

Prince Percy and Ser Jason stood, gazing around them in confusion. The Prince rocked himself back on his heels, and nearly fell when he noticed Annabeth standing at the top of the stairs.

“Ser Annabeth! I am so glad you are here.” Prince Percy grinned, his eyes sparkling. “Jason and I are in need of your assistance.”

Ser Jason gave the Prince an odd look, searching his face for something Annabeth wasn’t privy to. “Yes…we were looking for the Princess.” Jason looked back at Annabeth, his cheeks flushing under her critical gaze.

Annabeth’s boots echoed across the stone as she took a step forward, her eyes steel as she looked at them. “What for?”

Putting his arms behind his back, and standing straight, Jason nudged the Prince beside him. Prince Percy startled, tearing his gaze from Annabeth.

“Oh, right, yes!” The Prince said, stepping closer to Annabeth. “We were looking for the Princess, but knew it would not be appropriate for us to seek her out in her private chambers. Jason and I were waiting for a guard or knight or…someone, to come by, to inform her.”

“Dinner is not soon enough?” Annabeth said, pushing past them.

The Prince followed her. “Am I not allowed to wish to spend more time with my betrothed? All I wished for was a walk around the grounds.”

Annabeth’s heart squeezed, both from his proximity and his words. “It will have to wait, my lord.” She said, striding down the hall toward the Princess’s chambers, the Prince and Jason at her heels. “The Princess currently has other business to attend to.”

“I do?”

The three of them stopped in their tracks, and Annabeth met the Princess’s eye as she exited from a side room.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Annabeth said, giving her a small bow. “Ser Malcolm and I have a thing of great importance to share with you.”

“Ser Malcolm?” Piper’s gaze searched the hallway, stopping for longer than she should on the blushing form of Ser Jason. “Where is he?”

Casting her gaze uncertainly at the two men beside her, Annabeth said, “He is awaiting us in the war room, Princess. We have…an item of importance to share with you.”

Piper’s eyes widened, and she reached for Annabeth’s hand, grasping it tightly. Her voice was no more than breathless whisper when she said, “You found it?”

“Yes, Your Highness, and-”

“We must go at once.” Piper said, pulling Annabeth down the hall.

“I see you are rather busy, at the moment.” Prince Percy said, amusement lacing his tone as he kept in step with them. “Ser Jason and I will take our leave of you then.”

Piper stopped, causing Annabeth to run into her back. She looked back at the two men following them, her eyes lingering on Jason. “No, no, you should come with us. After all-” Piper’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper “-it is the business of a godling. Maybe you can offer an insight.”

Annabeth stared at her in disbelief, before realization struck her.

The Prince was…

A godling?

Prince Percy straightened, a seriousness coming over his face like Annabeth had never seen. “It would be my honor, Princess.”

Annabeth’s mind thundered with the realization as the Princess led Jason and Prince Percy down the stairs. This was not something she had ever expected, even the Princess being the daughter of a goddess was a shock to her. The Prince as well? How many godlings were there, and no one knew?

She quickened her step, catching up to Princess Piper and pulling her in close. “Are you serious? The Prince is-”

Piper gave her a soft smile. “Jason as well. Seems we are in like company, Annabeth.”

As they stepped off the last stair, Prince Percy turned to her. “Ser Annabeth…” There was a fear behind his eyes that she did not understand.

“You are one as well?” He asked, stopping outside the door to the war room. “A-”

“Godling?” Annabeth nodded. “I did not know…”

“Nor did I.”

For a moment, all they did was stare at each other, and Annabeth felt herself nearly get lost in the green of his eyes.

Jason cleared his throat.

“We are a bit busy, you two.” Piper said, a sly grin on her face that promised to Annabeth a lengthy conversation.

Fantastic.

“Just open the door, Princess.” Annabeth said, straightening.

Ser Malcolm was pacing near the window when they entered, a look of relief on his face. “Oh good, Your Highness. I was beginning to worry.” His eyes darted to the two men who had entered with them, but he kept his silence.

“You have found it, Ser Malcolm?” Piper said, her voice wavering. “The locket?”

“Actually,” Annabeth said, leaning against the table near the jewelry box, “I did.”

Piper gaped at her, shoving her shoulder. “Annabeth!”

“You were preoccupied.” Annabeth said, a grin on her face. “But, now that we have you here…”

Ser Malcolm flipped the catch on the jewelry box and lifted the lid.

Light flooded the room. Back was the warm, golden light from the window, the locket seeming to bask in the glow. The scent of roses filled the room, and the three newcomers let out astonished gasps.

“It’s beautiful.” Piper whispered, running her fingers along the edge of the box. “It feels like…”

“Love.” Prince Percy said, his wary gaze locked on the piece of jewelry from where he stood near the door. “It feels like love.”

Her gaze slipping to Jason for a fraction of a second, Piper turned to Annabeth. Her eyes were wide, and it was almost as if her skin glowed in time with the locket. “Annabeth-”

“Princess.” Annabeth said, holding her hand out. When Piper had placed her own in it, she continued. “This locket, it is undeniable proof of who you are, and who your mother is. By all rights, this locket belongs to you. Ser Malcolm and I have not opened the clasp. We do not know what lies inside.”

“We are leaving that choice to you, Your Highness.” Ser Malcolm said, bowing his head in deference as he stepped away.

“Piper…your mother is-” Prince Percy seemed unable to finish his thought, his arms slack at his sides as he took in the subtle glow that had surrounded her.

Meeting his eyes, Piper gave him a soft smile, warmth radiating from her. “The goddess of love. Though, I do not know of her name.”

“Of course.” Jason breathed, his face a soft pink as he gazed at the Princess, seemingly unaware he spoke at all.

Piper turned her dazzling smile on him, and Annabeth thought the poor man was going to pass out.

“Princess?” Annabeth prompted. “Would you like to do this alone?”

Facing the jewelry box again, Piper squared her shoulders and shook her head. “No. I brought you all in here, and you are all as much a part of this as I am. And besides-” She smiled at Annabeth “-I might need my best friend, depending on what is inside.”

A bolt of affection for the woman beside her speared through Annabeth, and she gave a tight nod. “I will always be by your side, Your Highness.”

Reaching out, the light seemed to intensify as Piper’s hand neared the locket. The gold shone, welcoming the touch of the Princess, and Piper…sparkled.

Her slim fingers flipped the delicate latch, and the Princess gently lifted the locket from its velvet cushion. She cradled the locket in her hands as she examined the contents.

Piper’s breath caught.

“Annabeth…” She whispered. “Look.”

Peering over her shoulder, Annabeth saw what had affected Piper so.

A small picture, of a beautiful woman with long, flowing brown hair, and fair skin, holding a small bundle. A baby, with the brightest eyes she had ever seen. And beside them…

The King. Piper’s father.

So that meant the baby…

“Oh, Piper.”Annabeth breathed, placing a comforting hand on her arm.

“Like you said,” She laughed wetly. “Undeniable proof.”

“There is a piece of parchment.” Annabeth said, seeing the other side of the locket. Folded and pressed tightly, a small piece of parchment was nestled securely in the other half of the locket.

Carefully, Piper pried the parchment from the locket, and held the tiny slip between her fingers. “I do not know if I can read this.”

Facing Annabeth and the three men, Piper held the slip out to her knight. “Please.”

“Princess, I cannot.” Annabeth shook her head, sliding back on her foot and placing a hand over her heart. “They are words for your eyes. Yours alone.”

“Annabeth, what if-” Piper clutched the locket to her chest, her eyes filling with tears. “Please, I do not know what I would do if she…what if it is all a lie?”

A warm hand landed on Annabeth’s shoulder as Prince Percy stepped past her to stand next to the Princess.

“If you would allow me, Your Highness, I would bear this burden for you.” Prince Percy said, his voice low, but strong. A knowledge shifted behind his eyes, and Annabeth realize he had probably gone through similar emotions regarding his father. The Princess seemed to think the same thing, and after searching his face for a moment, Piper pressed the parchment into his hand.

Scanning the parchment, Prince Percy’s face…changed. It hardened, a fire in his eyes that had Annabeth suddenly seeing the war general he had been before her.

“What?” Annabeth asked, not taking her eyes from the Prince’s face. “What does it say?”

Prince Percy strode forward, planting the parchment firmly to the table and laying it flat. “It is from the goddess. She-” Closing his eyes, the Prince took a deep breath, “She warns of war.”

“War?” Ser Malcolm exclaimed, his hand going to the hilt of his sword.

Despite the glow of the locket, it was as if the temperature in the room plummeted. The Princess wrapped her around around herself, shaking her head.

“No. Cypress is at peace. We have no enemies.” Piper said, her voice full of conviction.

“We all have an enemy. And he will do whatever it takes till he is in control.” Prince Percy said, stilling leaning heavily against the table.

“It is not possible, Percy.” Jason said. “He is dead.”

“No,” The Prince muttered. “He isn’t.”

Looking between the two men, Annabeth had enough. Pushing past them, she slid the parchment from their grasp, turning to the Princess. Together, they bent their heads to read the words so carefully scrawled on the tiny slip.

My dearest daughter,

Danger is coming. One who was once defeated will return, and when he does, you will need this. Use it well, my love.

Annabeth could feel the sob building in the Princess’s chest, and lifted her head, grabbing Piper’s hand. “I am with you, Princess.”

“Annabeth…” Piper looked up, her eyes confused and brimming with tears. “How could she…? How could she know?”

The chair scraped against the floor as Annabeth pulled it out, leading Piper to sit. “We’re going to figure this out.”

The locket was still clutched tightly in Piper’s hand, the photograph of the little family visible as it dangled against the side of her leg.

“We are going to have to tell the King.” Annabeth said, looking up at Malcolm. “Ser Malcolm, could you-”

“Wait.”

Piper stared at Prince Percy, where he still stood leaning against the table. “You know what this is speaking of.”

“Piper-”

“Tell me.”

There was something different in the Princess’s voice. A commanding tone that left no room for argument, if they would even be capable of it. Annabeth had never heard her speak such a way before, and her concern grew when the locket’s light…pulsed.

Her words pulled the story from the Prince as he straightened, hands fisted at his sides.

“There was a man who fought in the war. He was not on our side, nor the Atticans.” Prince Percy said, looking up at all of them. “It was as if he was there just for the killing.”

“But there were people he did not kill. People, who if he came to them on the field of battle, he would not raise his sword against.”

Annabeth shook her head, gesturing with the parchment in her hand. “That does not make any sense. Who did he not kill?”

A bird cried outside the window, as the sun shone through, glimmering against the outside of the locket.

Prince Percy grimaced. “He stayed his blade against godlings, and only godlings.”

“He could tell?” Piper asked. “In the heat of battle, even?”

“I do not know how. But when we met on the field of battle, Luke did not attack me, nor Jason, or Thalia. He only killed mortals, those with no godly blood in their veins, indiscriminately. He did not care whether they were from Attica or Montauk, they all fell to his blade.” Prince Percy bowed his head.

“He is the reason I lost any soldiers. They did not die from Attican blades, but by his.”

Annabeth’s heart stuttered in her chest. “Luke?”

“He only spared those of godly blood?” Ser Malcolm asked, leaning forward against the table. “You have that many among your men, that is was noticeable?”

“Six others, besides Jason, Thalia, and myself.” Prince Percy said, his eyes shadowed and sad. “By all rights, we should all be dead. Every one of us has faced his blade and come out on the other side to tell of it. If only the same could be said for the rest of my soldiers.”

“And you think…this man is who the goddess is speaking of?” Annabeth asked, speaking around the lump in her throat. “It would make sense.”

Images flashed through her mind, a young boy with his hand held out to her, a house near hers lit with flame. Whispers in her dreams of something coming.

An owl on the fence post in midday.

“It would make sense.” Annabeth whispered, her hand gripping the handle of her dagger.

Prince Percy stared at her, his brows furrowed in thought. “Ser Annabeth-”

“We must tell the King.” Piper interrupted. “This is not something my father can go on not knowing. We must prepare.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Ser Malcolm bowed his head and strode out the door.

Piper lifted the locket in her hand, fingers gently drifting over the portrait within. “I would like to be alone now.”

“Of course, Princess.” Prince Percy said, nodding to Jason as he bowed, and together they left.

Annabeth knelt beside Piper’s chair. “Princess-”

“You as well, Annabeth.” Piper did not meet her eyes, as her own glistened with unshed tears. “Please.”

“I will be right outside should you need me, Princess.”

“No.” Piper stood and paced toward the window, the breeze lifting her hair from her shoulders. “Go speak to Percy, I am sure there is much you can learn from each other.”

Annabeth shook her head, though Piper could not see. A disbelieving laugh built in her chest. “What does that mean, Piper?”

A smile ghosted across the Princess’s face as she cradled the locket in her hands. “You will see. Go.”

*

The sun was setting as Percy and Jason exited the war room, and his mind spun with every revelation from the past few days.

From Piper not knowing of the betrothal, to the implication that Luke was back…he could not help but think it was all connected.

He just could not believe it. It had been months of King Tristan corresponding with his Queen Mother. To think, all that time he had kept his own daughter in the dark, while making huge decisions for her life.

In Percy’s opinion, Piper was taking it very well. And he had a sneaking suspicion a certain someone was the main reason.

After leaving the war room, nerves frayed and emotions high, Percy had turned to look at his knight, his best friend.

“So…you did not offer to stay with the Princess.” Percy said, scuffing his boot against the polished stone of the corridor as they walked.

Jason darted a look at him from the corner of his eye, and kept walking, a blush seeping into his cheeks. “No, of course not, Your Highness. That would have been highly inappropriate.”

Percy grinned. “And also, she asked to be alone.”

Jason’s cheeks reddened further. “Yes. And that.”

“You do not have to hide it from me, you know.” Percy said, reaching out a hand to stop Jason from moving forward. “We have known each other near our whole lives, Jason. I have never seen you act like this for someone else.”

“My Prince-”

“Jason.”

“Percy. You know this cannot happen.” Jason said, taking a step closer, the grand windows behind him lighting his blonde hair like a halo. “She is your betrothed.”

Percy studied the man in front of him, taking in the sincerity and the pain and longing in his clear blue eyes, and felt his own heart twist. Here was someone he cared about, and his own actions were causing him pain.

And it was even worse, because Percy did not feel that way for Piper.

Not the way he felt for Annabeth.

“Jason, I-”

The door to the war room opened behind them, and Ser Annabeth walked out, a strange expression over her face. Percy could not place it, but when her eyes met his, the look in them changed. Darkened, swirled.

And Percy was not sure it was a good one.

“Ser Annabeth.” Jason ducked his head quickly, hiding his red cheeks. “Would you like company as you wait for the Princess?”

Percy grinned at his friend, nudging him with his elbow. Jason threw him a dirty look, and raised his gaze back to Annabeth.

“No.” Annabeth’s eyes had not left his. “The Princess told me to leave.”

“What?” Percy frowned, stepping closer. “That seems unlike her.”

Concern for Piper flowed through his chest, and for a moment Percy considered going back into the war room to make sure Piper was okay. But all plans left his head at Annabeth’s next words.

“She also told me to speak to you.”

“Me?” He looked at her, knowing the shock was written clear across his face. “I do not…why?”

Annabeth narrowed her eyes at him. “I was hoping that was something you could tell me, Your Highness.”

Piper wanted him to speak to Annabeth? Of course, Percy was already planning on spending time alone with the Princess’s knight, but how could Piper…

How does she know?

A thought constricted his throat. She did not think…that he was deliberately flirting with someone else when they are meant to be betrothed? Percy had thought they were on the same page…His eyes once again went to the war room doors. He needed to speak to Piper.

A hand landed on his shoulder, and Percy jerked back to reality, looking up at Jason.

His knight’s eyes were soft with understanding, and he tilted his head down the corridor. “You two go. I will stay here and guard the Princess.”

Annabeth shook her head, her soft blonde curls falling in front of her face. “The Princess said she wishes to be completely alone.”

“I understand that, it is just-”

Percy straightened and cleared his throat. “Given the knowledge we have just gained, it is not wise for Piper to be completely unprotected. Ser Jason will not enter lest she gives him the word, but he also will not leave. Her safety comes before anything else.”

Annabeth glared at him. “You are expressly defying the Princess’s wishes.”

“I did not hear her give such a command, so I am doing no such thing. I am simply protecting my betrothed in the best way I know how.” Percy said, leveling his gaze with Annabeth’s. “And sometimes, the best way to protect someone is by disobeying.”

He may not act it most of the time, but Percy is a Prince, and a war general. He knew how to command a room, and the intricacies of disobeying orders for the good of others.

It was something he had specifically taught his soldiers, and Percy knew it had saved countless lives.

Jason stepped up next to her as she stared Percy down, and lowered his voice. “I know you do not wish for her to come to harm either. Let me do this. All we want is for the Princess to be safe.”

Silently, Annabeth tore her eyes from Percy’s and an understanding seemed to pass between her and Jason. Something, Percy was sure, only another knight would understand.

“All right.” Annabeth said, gripping Jason’s forearm tightly. “But you do not leave here, no matter what, do you understand?”

“Of course, Ser Annabeth.” Jason clicked his heels together and clasped his fist over his heart, bowing his head to her. “I will not desert my post.”

Annabeth mimicked his pose, and said, “See that you don’t. I am not one to trust the safety of the Princess to just anyone, Ser Jason.”

Percy watched this display and crossed his arms. “You seemed perfectly fine with it when you were my knight for the day.”

Jason sighed as Annabeth turned her burning gaze back on him, and Percy felt a thrill in his heart.

Oh, this woman being mad at him should not make his heart race like that.

He was done for.

“That was before there was a war on the horizon, Your Highness.” Annabeth sneered, and somehow she had made the honorific sound like an insult.

“I am merely pointing out the inaccuracy of your statement.” Percy said, his heart pounding faster as Annabeth strode closer.

“Let us speak quickly, for if only to get it over with sooner.” Annabeth practically growled, brushing past him to stalk down the hall, and it took everything in him to not sigh dreamily as she passed.

“Percy.”

He turned back to where Jason stood, stationed against the wall near the door. “Yes?”

“Be sure not to make her hate you, yeah? That would not do any of us good.” Jason gave a wry smile, tinged with exhaustion.

Percy gave him a soft smile back, and pressed his own hand to his heart. “Believe me, Jason, that is the exact opposite of my intention.” He turned to follow after the now distant figure of Annabeth, and called over his shoulder, “Be safe.”

“You as well, my Prince.”

*

Annabeth had stopped at the edge of the garden when Percy caught up to her, his breaths loud in the quiet evening air.

For a moment, he just looked at her.

The fall of her golden hair resting on her red-purple tunic, and the cut of her jaw lined with tension as she glared out over the flowers. Annabeth was beautiful, that was a fact Percy had known from the first moment he saw her, but her anger lit something in him.

A fire that had been waiting to be kindled in his chest, and she was the spark.

He knew, he should not try to make her angry on purpose, but it had been a long while since Percy had felt so…alive.

“I suppose we did meet in the garden after all.” Annabeth said, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.

“I will be honest, I did not expect you to come.” Percy smiled, tucking his hands behind his back to hide his fidgeting.

Annabeth’s hand rested on the hilt of her dagger, and Percy wondered if she was remembering it pressed to his throat the same way he was.

Though, her feelings of the situation were probably not as…heated, as his.

“I had not planned on it.” She confessed. “What ever is happening between the two of us…it cannot. You are betrothed to my Princess. You are a Prince. Nothing can happen.”

“Do you think that is what Piper wished for us to speak of? How you do not think we should even try?” Percy said, unwilling to give up.

She was silent, and the sounds of nature swelled to cover for her. Crickets chirping beneath bushes as the sun slowly set, the gentle breeze through the leaves of trees, and the distance but ever present crash of waves against the shore.

Percy did not know if he had ever been in a more perfect moment.

He understood where she was coming from. They were of two completely different ranks, but things like that had never mattered to him. He was betrothed to someone she was sworn to protect.

That was where things began to get more complicated.

Annabeth did not wish to hurt Piper, and neither did Percy, but he knew they would not be. The Princess had her sights set on someone else. Another blonde knight Percy knew, he thought, fighting to keep the smirk from his face.

There had to be another reason that she was holding back.

“What is it?” Percy whispered into the still air between them, resisting the urge to reach for her hand.

She turned to face him fully, an expression on her face Percy had not yet seen. Lips taught and eyebrows pressed together, she almost looked as if…

Annabeth was going to cry.

“I do not know you, Your Highness.” She said, her voice low but the strength of it nearly knocked him back. “We met a mere few days ago, and most of that time, we have not interacted. I do not know why I feel the way I do, but I do not run away with boys I barely know. Not anymore.”

Her voice broke on her last word, and Annabeth turned and strode deeper into the garden, away from him.

Percy quickly followed after her, his hand digging in his pocket for the handkerchief his mother had conditioned him to carry. “Wait, Ser Annabeth! What does that mean?”

Her cloak brushed against the lush flower bushes lining the path, the hydrangeas swaying with the contact, as she whipped back around to face him. Tears slid silently down her cheeks, but Annabeth’s eyes were clear as she looked at him.

“Prince Percy, can you keep a secret?” Annabeth asked, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

Stepping closer, Percy rested a light hand on her arm and guided her towards a short bench near a patch of red and orange pansies. With his other hand, he gave her the handkerchief.

“It is just Percy, I think, if we are in the secret keeping level of friendship, Ser Annabeth.” Percy smiled, letting go of her and folding his hands in his lap. “Anything you say to me, shall remain between us. You have my word.”

“I am not sure you will wish for such informality once I tell you, but you may call me Annabeth.” She said, dabbing the handkerchief under her eyes.

“Oh, I highly doubt that, Annabeth.” Percy said, savoring the way her name felt in his mouth, fighting down the grin that threatened to emerge. “There is little you could have done to make me think any less of you, or anything that I myself have not done worse.”

She sniffled, the fabric of the handkerchief twisting between her fingers as she avoid his eyes. “I would wait, to make such statements.”

“I do not think of this often, or ever, really. It is not a time in my life that I am proud of, and I…have never told another person this story. Only one other person knows, and I had hoped to never see him again, but given everything I have learned tonight…that does not appear to be possible anymore.” Annabeth said, the breeze picking up her hair off her shoulders.

Percy sat beside her, his full attention on her words.

“When I was a child, I was unloved. I am sure it is something you have seen before. The child of a god unwanted by their mortal parent.” Her voice was full of bitterness, and Percy’s heart ached for her.

He wished, more than anything, that she had been able to have a childhood like his, with a mother who loved more fiercely than anything else. But she was right. He had met countless godlings who had been rejected by their mortal families, just for how they had been born.

As if the mortals were not part of it at all.

“I was a lonely child.” Annabeth continued. “My father was here, at the castle, for most of his time. He was rarely home, and when he was, we fought. And so I learned to thrive in the loneliness. I practiced sword fighting against trees, and when I could, a kid from town. But most of the other children avoided me. All except for one.”

“A boy who lived a few houses away from me, with just his mother and no father. The townsfolk whispered about him, too. I think that is why we were drawn together.” She wiped away another tear that had escaped, her voice going unusually quiet as she continued.

“We spoke, we played, we hit each other with branches, pretending to be knights. We learned more about each other. He was a godling. Just like me.”

A stone dropped in Percy’s stomach as he began to see where the story was headed, and he almost wished for her to stop. He did not need to know this, it was not important, she could keep her secret.

But it was important. Percy knew that, deep in his chest, and so did Annabeth.

She continued her story.

“We got very good at pretend sword fighting, and learning how to survive off the land around us. That is when he suggested it. Running away.” Her shoulders tensed, and Annabeth wrapped her arms around herself. “He wanted to go, go and find our parents. Our real parents. He wanted to find the gods.”

“And I wanted to go with him. I did not feel loved by my father, and I thought-I thought if maybe I could find my mother, everything would be okay. And so we planned to run away.”

Her breath hitched. “And then, the day we had planned to leave, my meager belongings packed away in a small pack I carried against my back, I went outside to meet him. And there he was, standing in front of his house.”

“His house, that he had lit with a torch. I stood there, stunned, as his house was shrouded in flame, and-and the shouts of his mother began to pierce the air.” Annabeth was fully weeping now, and Percy reached out and clasped one of her hands between both of his.

“I just stood there as he burned down his house with his mother inside. He…he was only fourteen. And he killed her.”

Percy slid closer to her. “And you did not go with him.”

She shook her head, sending her curls flying. “I turned around, horrified at his passionate destruction of the only person who had ever loved him, and fled to the castle. And that is the day I joined up, to learn to be a knight. After seeing that…I knew I never wanted to be so helpless in such a situation again. Maybe if I was a knight, I could’ve-I could have saved her.”

“You were only a kid, Annabeth.” Percy said, his voice soft as he looked at her. “You are not responsible for the actions of others.”

She met his eyes, the redness that surrounded her’s making the gray even more prominent. “I did not tell you this for your pity, or for you to make me feel better. I am telling you because…because…”

“He was Luke.” Percy said. He smiled sadly at her, squeezing her hand. “I figured it out fairly quickly. Your story…matches with things I have learned about him.”

Annabeth swallowed, looking down to their joined hands, and Percy knew she was going to pull away.

So he threaded their fingers together, and tilted his head to catch her eye again. “I do not think any less of you for your past, Annabeth. In fact, I think you are braver than most others I have met. And I have met a lot of very brave people, as a military general.”

“Please, not following a boy who burned his own mother alive is not bravery. It is cowardice that I did not do anything about it then.”

Percy looked up to the darkening sky, and asked, “How old were you?”

He could see her shifting from the corner of his eye, and she said, “Twelve. I was twelve years old.”

A laugh bubbled from his chest before he could contain it, and he raised his hands in defense, one still clasped with hers, when she gave him a dirty look.

“I’m sorry, but Annabeth. You were twelve. It is not as though this happened a year ago, when you were an adult with resources. You were a child, a lonely child who found someone who seemed to care.”

Percy held her gaze, leaning closer. “It is brave and incredibly strong of you, to have left him and gone in the complete opposite direction. You could very easily have seen the horrible things he had done, and went with him anyways. He was the one person you knew for sure cared, and you walked away from that. I cannot think of anything braver.”

She stared at him, stunned for a moment, before a slow smirk came over her features. “Not even wading into a legion of enemies all by yourself?”

“Ah, well.” Percy grinned, letting her change the topic to one not so emotionally charged. “We are not talking about me. And besides, I was never actually alone, no matter what the stories say. They are famously biased. Thalia was almost always by my side, as was Jason.”

Annabeth hummed. “So the stories are not true, then? Your troops do not call you The Typhoon? I knew it sounded too fantastical to be true.”

“I will have you know, I earned that title. I got very, very dizzy during that battle.”

Annabeth laughed, and Percy decided then that he would give anything to hear that again.

Together, they sat in companionable silence, as the day darkened into night, and across the garden bed, the moonlace opened its petals, beginning to glow under the light of the moon.

“Thank you,” Annabeth whispered, as they watched the silvery white petals fall open. “For listening. And for keeping my confidence.”

Percy watched her, the way she moved, the way the moonlight shone on her skin, and the way her mouth moved as she spoke.

Gods.

“Anytime, Annabeth. I am here, if you wish to speak more. I have some stories of my own it is probably best you hear.” Percy smiled.

“I look forward to them. Now though, I best get back to the Princess.” She stood, and their hands fell apart, and Percy desperately missed the contact. “May I escort you inside, Your Highness?”

He stood, and inclined his head to her. “Of course, Ser Annabeth.” He said, the formality grating against his throat, but he knew the moment had passed.

Percy would find another. And another.

Until forever.

*

Night had fallen completely when Percy and Annabeth returned to the castle proper, and yet they found it bustling with activity. Guards and squires scurried around with arms full of weapons and armor, while servants wove between them, carried bolts of fabric and building supplies.

Percy watched as a young knight, stumbled at the sight of Annabeth and the swords he carried clattered to the ground.

“Ser Annabeth! Oh, gods, I am so sorry, please ignore me-”

Annabeth gave him a soft smile, and when the young knight’s face turned the color of a tomato, Percy could not blame him. He felt the same way.

“Do not worry, Lee, it was my fault for startling you.” She said, helping him gather the blades back into his arms. “Could you tell me what everyone is doing at such an hour? I must have missed an announcement.”

Ser Lee straightened up, his embarrassment falling away as he stepped fully into his role. “The King has called for war preparation to begin immediately. He has not given any details, but I did hear he was looking for the Prince.”

His eyes slid to Percy, and Annabeth’s joined. “Me?”

Ser Lee nodded earnestly. “Yes, Your Highness. King Tristan wants your military expertise, as a former war general.”

Percy met Annabeth’s eyes as her shoulders tensed. “And given our enemy, it is even more imperative you speak with him.” She said. “Would you like me to accompany you, Your Highness?”

Given everything they had just spoken of in the garden, Percy smiled at her. “No, it is quite all right, Ser Annabeth. I believe I can manage on my own. However, if you happen to see Ser Jason, could you send him my way?”

She held his gaze for a moment longer, the tension bleeding out of her, and his heart warmed at the sight. He did not know it was possible to care so much for someone in such a short period of time, but here he was.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I will be sure to do that. If you would excuse me.” Annabeth bowed her head, sweeping her cloak around herself as she took to the stairs.

Ser Lee’s eyes followed her as she left and he let out a dreamy sigh. Percy stifled a laugh.

Clapping his hand on the young knight’s shoulder, Percy grinned at him. “Cheer up, Lee. At least you get to see her regularly.”

The knight looked up at him with wide eyes, seemingly unaccustomed to such familiar treatment from royalty. “Y-yes, my lord.”

Percy’s smile softened. “If you could just tell me where to find the King, I will let you get back to your duties.”

As Percy wove through corridors and halls on his way to the King, he let his mind wander.

The hustle and bustle of a community preparing for war is a situation Percy is not unfamiliar with. It had been his life for the past year, and now his hard won peace was ending again. All because of Luke.

The memory of the other man’s cold blue eyes formed in his mind, his two toned sword flashing through the air.

“You are not going to win, Perseus. This is not even the half of it.”

Percy clenched his jaw, leveling his sword to the other man. “This ends with you and me, Luke. I will not let you hurt anyone else.”

“Oh,” Luke said, a grin splitting his face. “If only you had any say in that.”

A cold breeze blew between them, rustling the fabric of abandoned flags across an unusually quiet battlefield. Thalia must be elsewhere, leading their troops against the main bulk of the Attican army, leaving him alone with what he considered to be a bigger threat.

The man who wove through his ranks, slaying near anyone who came in contact with his blade, leaving a trail of Montauk and Attican soliders alike in his wake.

“You could join me, you know.” Luke said, conversationally, as if they were not holding swords to each other’s throats. “We could use someone with your power.”

“You have to know there is not a chance in hell of that happening.” Percy growled. “Why do you spare us? What is your goal here? All you are doing in turning more people against you. We could help you, Luke!”

A crazed laugh burst from the other man, and a fire burned behind his eyes. “Help me! Perseus, you cannot even help yourself.” Luke said. “We do not spill godly blood if we can help it, but if you refuse to join, there is nothing left I can do to protect you.”

Percy felt as if someone had punched him in the chest, the way all his air left his lungs. Protect him? Is that what he called slaughtering his soldiers, good people who only wanted to protect their home? The weight of all the lives he had taken, mortal or godling, nearly buried him every day.

But Percy did it, to protect his home.

What was Luke protecting?

Blood?

No. Percy stared into the rage filled face before him, and he knew what Luke wanted, what they all wanted.

Power.

Power, the like that Percy had, and Thalia and Jason. The power of every godling in Montauk and Attica. All under his control, all because he spared their lives in battle.

Percy slowly shook his head, the sound of pounding feet approaching. His army was coming to his side, and soon Luke would be overwhelmed. They could beat him.

“There is nothing you have that I want. You want my power? You are going to have to take it from me.” Percy said, tightening his grip on his sword.

Shouts made their way up the hill, and Luke tore his eyes from Percy to glance down the hill, and that is when Percy struck.

His sword, named for the swift currents of the ocean, sliced through the air and split open Luke’s face.

From the top of Luke’s brow to the edge of his jaw, Percy tore the tender flesh, sending a river of blood flowing down the other man.

As Luke cried out, raising one hand to hold his face together, Percy said, “See. Your blood is the same as the mortals you killed. There is not anything special about you.”

Percy kicked out, sending Luke stumbling back, his sword clattering against fallen soldiers. “You have no power here, Luke. Now go, before I change my mind and let Thalia take your head. I never want to see you on my land again.”

Those hate-filled blue eyes met his again, blood changing one to almost purple and-

“There you are, Perseus.”

Percy wrenched himself from the memory to find himself once again outside the war room, a hand pressed to the cool stone beside the door as his chest heaved. Before him, in the open doorway of the war room, stood King Tristan.

“Are you well?” King Tristan asked, stepping further into the corridor.

Pushing off the wall, Percy tugged his coat back into place, and resisted the urge to wipe the fine sheen of sweat that had gathered on his forehead. “Yes, Sire. Just gathering my thoughts.”

The King studied him for a moment longer, before he tilted his head toward the war room. “Well, pick them up and come in. We have much to discuss.”

“Of course, my King.”

Percy followed him back into the war room, finding it much fuller than when he was last inside. And sadly, bereft of the one person who would make this gathering more bearable.

“Where is the Princess?” Percy asked, still scanning faces for a sign of her warm brown one.

“Oh, my lord, we know you like to spend time with your betrothed, but a war council is not really the place for a Princess, is it?” The King’s advisor said, shuffling a stack of parchment in front of him.

Anger flared in Percy’s stomach, and his mind flashed to the only time a lord had insisted Thalia be removed from their war council.

He had not needed his hand, anyhow.

“Why ever not?” Percy asked, tempering the anger in his tone.

The man’s eyes looked up to his in shock, darting between him and the King. “My lord, it is not her place.”

Percy crossed his arms firmly over his chest, letting the full force of his glare fall on the man. “Is she not to be Queen? You would leave her in the dark of something that pertains to the health and well-being of her kingdom?” Percy turned his gaze to the King. “Was she not the one who informed you of this danger in the first place? And you, what? Sent her back to her chambers?”

“Perseus, this is hardly the place for this conversation.” King Tristan said, sitting calmly in the very chair Piper had sat in mere hours ago. “Remember your place, son.”

Percy’s answering grin was cold. “You are right. I do remember my place.” He turned for the door. “I will be retrieving the Princess. If you wish for my knowledge of the threat we all face and my help in this war, I would suggest waiting for my return.”

He pushed open the door as a flurry of whispers broke out behind him, and the King’s advisor cried out, “My lord-!”

And Percy slammed the door behind him.

*

Still fuming with indignation, Percy climbed the stairs to Piper’s chambers, and found an unlikely sight.

Jason, standing guard outside the carved wood double doors that led into Piper’s rooms.

“Well, well, if it isn’t my long lost knight.” Percy said, as he crested the last stair. “What have you been doing all this time?”

Jason sighed, his shoulders drooping with exhaustion. “Percy. I have to tell you, the-”

“If this is about the King and his advisor, I already know.” Percy said, his voice dark. “I just came from the war room. I refused to participate without Piper.”

Nodding, Jason leveled his eyes to Percy’s. “She is very hurt. Annabeth is with her.”

Percy grimaced. He should have been there.

“Okay. Okay.” Percy murmured, stepping forward to knock on the door.

A voice faintly floated through the thick wood. “Jason? You can come in.”

Percy pushed, gently cracking open the door and sticking his head in. “Hello. Not Jason.”

Piper sat, hunched over, on a soft looking pink chaise, Annabeth leaning against her legs on the floor. The Princess’s face was ruddy, and her eyes red.

They had made her cry.

A feeling Percy could only describe as similar to what he felt when his younger sister cried overtook him, and he pushed his way fully into the room.

“Piper, I am so sorry I was not with you.” He said, dropping to his knees in front of the chaise. “When I heard they would not let you stay for the council, I left, and told them I would not help them lest you were included.”

Piper stared at him for a moment, her face slack with surprise. “You told them that?”

Percy nodded, holding out his hand for hers. “I do not know what they were thinking. You are to be the Queen, and they think they have any right to kick you out of a war council?” He shook his head in disgust. “I may have…yelled, a bit.”

“For me?” Piper asked placing her hand in his, curling her fingers gently around his. “What did you say?”

“I do consider you a friend, Piper. Of course I did, for you. You deserve to be there, and I told them such. The King’s advisor tried to tell me it was not your place, when it could not more obviously be your place.” Percy said, waving his free hand through the air. “Truly, I have not spent much time with the man, and I do not wish to.”

Casting a glance at Annabeth, Piper smirked. “You and Annabeth have that in common.”

“Oh, you do not like him, Annabeth?” Percy asked, ignoring Piper’s look of delight at the informal address.

Annabeth avoided his eyes, pressing herself further into Piper’s legs, causing the other woman to push at her shoulders. “As he is my father, I believe it best I do not answer.”

Her words from the garden came to mind, her father being here, at the castle, more often than he was home with her.

“Your father is the King’s Advisor?” Percy said, his voice low.

“Yes.” Annabeth said, succinctly.

Percy did not know what to say to that, and Annabeth did not seem to want to dwell on the topic. So, he moved on.

“I came here to bring you to the meeting, Piper, and I am afraid if you are not to go, then neither shall I.” Percy laid his other hand atop of hers, now holding her hand between both of his. “I would not do you the dishonor of leaving you alone.”

Piper gently nudged Annabeth off her legs, and pulled herself to her feet. Brushing down her dress so it laid the way she wished, Princess Piper lifted her head, looking every inch the royal she was.

“Well then. What are we waiting for?”

*

Piper walked into the war room for the second time that day, her face free of tears and her head held high. The council members, various advisors, and high level military personnel all avoided her gaze as she stared around the room. The only one it seemed, who was brave enough to meet her eye, was her own father.

King Tristan looked at her, a pain hiding in his eyes masked behind his carefully cultivated expression. “Daughter.”

“My King.” Piper replied, curtly.

She felt Percy walk in behind her, and knew Annabeth and Jason were right outside the door. She could do this. She was strong, and Percy would make sure none of them discounted her words. They could do this.

Together.

Taking the empty seat to the right of her father, Piper nodded to Percy.

He gave her a grim smile in return, and she faced the rest of the room. “My lords, ladies, and councilmen, we have gathered here to discuss a threat to our kingdom and the safety of our people. A threat, that a few of our number have faced before. Prince Percy, if you would.”

He had not taken a seat, instead standing near the head of the table. With his shoulders back, and his feet planted firmly, Piper could see the war general he had been. Even if he was wearing the quilted coat of a nobleman, Percy’s bearing showed he knew what he was doing.

And before he even spoke, everyone had turned their rapt attention to him.

“My good people,” he began, his hands folded carefully in front of him. “I do not know the extent of what you know of the war in my country. The details were not spread, at the request of myself and others involved. We feared that if word got out of what we faced, specific people would try to join the cause.”

King Tristan cocked his head, the crown on his head shimmering in the candlelight. “And what cause would that be, Perseus?”

Piper watched them, curious. She knew of course, what Percy was speaking of, having discussed it earlier that day. What she was interested in, however, were the nobles reactions.

Most of them did not believe in the gods, or if they did, they kept their beliefs carefully concealed. As much was obvious, she had learned, given their reactions to the King’s announcement of her birth. Her father had no wife, and returned to the castle one day with a babe swaddled in his arms. Piper’s birth was announced to the various nobility around at the time, and the circumstances of it.

And yet, they did not believe it. Even with other evidence, their bountiful harvests and near constant pleasant weather, they did not believe.

Piper lifted her hand to trace against the locket she had placed around her neck.

She could make them.

There was a power within it. She could feel it. Her words held more weight when she drew on it, as she had unthinkingly earlier. When she had demanded Percy tell her what he knew.

But…

Piper could not bring herself to it. It did not feel right. They were going to have to convince them with what they had: The Truth.

Percy leveled his gaze, sweeping across the gathered nobility. “They rally under the banner of the gods.” Disbelieving sounds broke out, and Percy silenced them with a look. “Our common enemy operates under the belief that children of the gods are more powerful, and better suited to rule those they deem lesser, that is; those who are not of godly parentage or ancestry.”

“This is preposterous.” An older noble, whose name Piper forgot on purpose, spoke out from down the table. “We all know the gods do not exist. This is the work of a madman.”

Another spoke, Lady Marie with her deep black hair, who had been Piper’s teacher as a child. “I must agree. Just because this enemy believes he is working with the will of the gods, does not mean we must also.”

“He is not working for the will of the gods.”

Heads turned back toward her, the men sighing. “And what does that mean, Princess?” The same man asked.

Piper stood from her chair, planting her hands firmly on the table before her. “This man is only fighting for himself. He wishes for power, to rule unopposed. He is using the guise godly blood to get what he wants. Thinking himself better than the average person because of his connection to the gods.”

Her father was looking at her, a strange expression on his face. “How do you know this, Piper?”

“The Princess and I spoke of this earlier when we first heard of the threat.” Percy said, his face stoic with the exception of his eyes. The green swirled and crashed with the fervor and anger of the ocean in a storm. Those closest to him inched back in their seats. He went on to explain how Luke had killed those without godly blood, the pain in his voice evident as he spoke of those he had lost.

If Piper did not already know the Prince’s heart lay elsewhere, as did hers, this moment would probably be the moment she fell completely for him. The strength of his conviction was truly something to behold.

Instead, all she felt was pride in being able to call herself his friend.

“And you say you met this young man on the battlefield, and…despite everything you have told us, you let him go?” Frederick Chase asked. “Why?”

Percy’s clasped hands tightened, his knuckles whitening as he stared at Annabeth’s father. “At the time, we did not know of his plans, only what we had witnessed with our own eyes. I do not know about you, Advisor, but I do not tend to kill those who have not drawn their blade against me.”

“Just what are you implying-”

“That is enough, Frederick.” Her father said.

Percy and Frederick kept eye contact as the older man sat back in his chair with a huff.

Piper hid her smile. Annabeth must have told him of her childhood when they spoke earlier. Luckily for Frederick, Percy was an honorable man. At most, he will tear him down in this war council, and frankly, Piper was excited to see it.

The man from earlier, whom Piper begrudgingly remembered to be Duke Gabriel, spoke again into the tense silence. “This man’s beliefs do not change the fact: the gods do not exist.”

Exchanging a look and a subtle nod with Percy, Piper said, “There are two children of gods in this room with you right now, and there are two more standing outside those doors. The gods exist. They do not interfere with mortal affairs to the extent the stories lead you to believe. But they are real. I am proof of that.” Her hand went back to the locket, feeling it pulse with its own warmth.

“Are you willing to go against the word of your King, and your Princess in this matter, Duke?” Piper asked, staring him down.

King Tristan shifted in his seat and pinned his gaze on Duke Gabriel as well. “Yes, my dear Duke, are you?”

The man visibly swallowed and shook his head. “No, Your Majesty. Of course not.”

“Now, this council is not to determine whether the gods exist or not, though one would be awfully remiss to not heed the Princess’s words on this matter. We are a war council.” King Tristan looked again to Percy. “As a war general who won his war, Prince Perseus is great asset to us.”

Percy inclined his head. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Having fought against this enemy before, Perseus, what would be your first course of action?” King Tristan asked.

Gesturing for the rake, Percy used it to push the small figurines representing soldiers and settlements around the table. “Given we have not yet heard word of Luke actively attacking, our best course of action would to be to shore up our defenses. Fortify the castle and the town against any chance of a siege, and be more cautious of the people we allow to enter.”

Leaning with his hands on the table, Percy continued, “If we are able to catch him before he is able to infiltrate the town, we could stop all of this before it even begins.”

Piper frowned, tilting her head in thought. If…

Percy, it seemed, had noticed her small movement. “Princess? What is it?”

“I was thinking,” Piper said, leaning forward in her chair. “Did you not say that Luke held his blade against those of godly blood?”

“I did.”

“Would it be possible to only station guards and knights who are of godly parentage?” Piper asked. “It just seems that if Luke is truly reticent to attack godlings, it would be our best advantage if they were our first line of defense.”

The council members murmured among themselves, and Percy stared at her. She could see his thoughts flying behind his eyes, and knew he was thinking of his own battles against Luke.

This would work, if they did it. She could feel it.

“There is a small issue with that, however, Your Highness.” Frederick said, folding his hands atop his parchment. “As of now, we are unaware of there being any godlings within Cypress’s guard, besides the ones you have alluded to already.”

“And you are certainly not joining the guard, Daughter.” King Tristan said, a rare twinkle in his eye.

Piper gave her father a small smile. “Of course not, Father. But there must be a way for us to find more. I believe it highly unlikely that it was only my knight and I before the Prince arrived.”

“She is right, of course.” Percy said. “In Montauk, it was something of an open secret. And therefore, children of gods knew they would be safe in our company. If there is any knowledge of the Princess’s parentage, there is a very strong chance you have godlings in your guard already.”

“But how are we to find them?” Frederick asked, in a tone that suggested this was what he had intended to say all along.

“Princess Piper and I will speak to them, I am sure between the two of us, we will be able to find them.” Percy smiled brightly at her. “Of course, if that is all right with you, Princess?”

Returning the smile, Piper nodded. “It would be my pleasure, Prince Percy.”

All of the lords and ladies in the room, including her father, were looking between the two of them with pleased smiles on their faces, and Piper felt her heart sink.

It was not going to go over well when they figured out how to tell them they were not to be married.

That is, Piper did not wish to be. She had not actually spoken to Percy about it.

Well. They would have plenty of time together as they searched for godlings. What a better time to tell him she was falling in love with his knight?

Piper sighed, leaning back in her chair as the council meeting continued, tuning it out.

That was sure to be interesting.

*

As the war council ended, after deciding just how they would fortify the town and castle, Percy appeared at her side as the council members filed out.

“Princess,” He said, a smile on his face as they kept up the formality in front of the lords and ladies. “If I may-”

“Perseus.”

Both of them looked up to see King Tristan standing near his chair, one hand resting on the ornate back and the other on a polished dagger he always kept on his belt. He looked the very image of a king, and Piper knew there was a painting of him, younger, in nearly this exact pose.

“I would like to speak to my daughter alone.” Her father said.

Percy straightened immediately, bowing his head to the King. “Of course, Your Majesty. Princess,” He took her hand and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles, and darted his eyes toward the door. “Have a wonderful evening.”

Piper got the message. They would speak when she was done with her father. “And you as well, Percy.”

He grinned and left the room, likely to explain everything that happened to Annabeth and Jason.

Her father watched him leave, and shut the door behind him. “It is nice to see you and the Prince getting along.”

“Yes,” Piper said, tucking her hands behind her back so he could not see her fidget. “He has become a good friend.”

King Tristan paused as he turned back to her, before a sad smile pulled at his lips. “Ah. I see.”

Walking back to his chair, he sat and gestured to the one she had recently vacated. “Please.”

As she sat, she watched as her father removed his crown and ran a tired hand through his hair, destroying his kingly image. It always amazed Piper the way he would look younger like this, when he was less put together. But his eyes would always remain the same. Older than his fifty-some years and full of love for her.

Which was why she could not reconcile this man with the one who had made such a major life decision for her.

“Why, Father?” Piper whispered, breaking the silence. “You have been planning this marriage for months, and you did not tell me. Did not even give me the choice, or a chance to agree. Why?”

He raised his eyes to hers, and said, “It is complicated, my love.”

Piper reached out and took his hand in hers. “Then un-complicate it. An arranged marriage?”

“Your mother would not approve.” He said, huffing out a laugh.

“What?” Piper was confused, unable to follow his train of thought. “Of Percy?”

He shook his head, his other hand lifting to push a strand of hair out of her face. “Of the arrangement. She believes in the beauty and necessity of love in our lives, and would never wish for you to marry for anything but love. But…”

When he did not continue, Piper squeezed his hand. “But?”

“I was afraid, Pipes.” Her father whispered, the nickname slipping out. He had not called her that since she was small, and Piper felt her heart squeeze in her chest.

“What was there to be afraid of?” She asked.

Tristan grimaced. “Unfortunately, quite a lot. I had gotten word of the truth in the war on Montauk. I had learned of Luke and his obsession with those of godly blood, and how Perseus had defeated him.”

Piper stared at him, shocked at the words he had uttered. He…he had known? Of Luke and the war and the danger to Cypress? The danger to her? And he…arranged a marriage?

“I do not understand.”

“I have never made a formal declaration of who your mother is, though I supposed that has changed now after this meeting.” Tristan said, staring towards a darkened window. “However, given I have no queen, and your relationship to me is undeniable, there are few options for how your birth came to be.”

“I would like to think I am the kind of king who, if I had fallen in love with a peasant woman, would have married her anyways, and that the people of Cypress know that.”

He sighed, and said, “Of course, that would leave the only other option as being-”

“A goddess.” Piper said, a small smile on her face. “It is not that uncommon. After all, Frederick-”

“Yes, yes. I believe that is a reason there were not many questions when I presented you to the court as a babe.” Tristan smiled indulgently. “My best friend had unknowingly laid the groundwork already, and people whispered, but they never questioned.”

“Is that not a good thing?”

“In a way, yes. We do not have people trying to deny your chance at the throne. But, as it is something of an open secret, there is no telling who knows.” Tristan said, looking back at her. “Do you not see, Piper? Why I was afraid when I heard of Luke and his aspirations?”

Piper released a heavy breath, the pain in her father’s voice making her heart ache. “You were afraid he would learn of me, and come for me.”

He nodded. “I could not allow for such a thing to happen, my love. You are more important to me than anything else in this world, I could not risk you being hurt.”

“But he is not hurting those of godly blood.” Piper said, frowning.

“We know he did not hurt those on the battlefield, when there was no time to speak, only the flash of a blade and the spray of blood.” Tristan said, his voice darkening. “There is no telling what he would do to a godling should they refuse to join his side.”

“Father-”

“Your mother confirmed my suspicions.”

Piper felt her heart stutter in her chest. “What?”

Her father’s eyes shone with unshed tears as he gripped her hand tighter. “She left me a message. We have not spoken, face to face, in a long while…but there was no doubt this was from her. Just as you knew the locket and note were from her.”

He pulled a slip of parchment attached to a blood red ribbon from his pocket. “I found this one night many months ago, attached to the stem of a deep red rose. It laid on my pillow, and the center was that perfect red, while the outer petals slowly turned a decaying black. It was a warning.”

He handed her the slip, and Piper read the words written in the same elegant handwriting her note had been in.

Beware the once defeated.

The four words glared up at her like a curse, and Piper quickly handed the parchment back. “The once defeated? And you took that to mean Luke?”

“I had heard he was not killed during the battle, and along with his motivations. I knew there was none other she could be referring to.” Tristan said.

“That seems like quite the leap, Father.” Piper said meeting his eyes. “I mean, how can you be sure?”

Her father did something she did not expect then. He unhooked the dagger from his belt and held it out to her.

“What…”

Tristan took a deep breath and said, “This dagger was once gifted by a goddess to a Princess of a long gone kingdom. It is said to have the ability to show the holder their future, should they gaze upon the blade.”

He carefully slid the leather sheath away from the blade, his fingers tightening around the handle beneath a delicately carved metal cage made to look like flowing fabric. The blade itself shone, a mirror finish, and Piper tore her gaze from it.

“You looked into the blade.” She said.

“Yes.” Tristan said. “In the blade I saw…flames. And a man with a fierce scar bisecting his face, his eyes flaring an unnatural gold. And I knew, this was our future, the future of Cypress. The flames of war were upon us, and that man was responsible.”

Piper took the knife in her hands, avoiding looking directly at the blade and focused on the hilt. A small word was inscribed there…the name of the blade.

Katopris.

From the corner of her eye, the blade flashed, and instinctively, Piper looked.

She gasped as her image was reflected back at her, then blown away as if by wind, replaced with her friends, surrounded by flames. Percy stood with his sword drawn, eyes closed in concentration. Annabeth was behind him, and she pushed him out of the way, throwing herself in front of him, a thrown dagger thudding into her shoulder-

“No!”

Katopris clattered to the floor of the war room as Piper stood, scrambling back from the blade. “No, no, that cannot be the future.”

“Piper, what did you see?” Her father asked urgently, guiding her back to her seat.

She stared back at her father and shook her head. “No. I will not give it the weight of belief. But you, you already have.” Piper reached down and picked up the dagger, slipping the sheath back over the blade.

“I could not risk you or the kingdom by ignoring such an omen, especially after your mother sent a similar message.” Tristan said.

“All right.” Piper said, the information slowing sinking in. “What I still do not understand, Father, is why the arrangement? Especially if you believed there was to be war, it does not make sense to me.”

Tristan gave her a sad smile. “The arrangement is a ruse, I am afraid.”

Piper did not think she could be any more shocked than she already was, but this statement rattled her. She pushed out of her seat and paced over to the night-dark window. She did not think she could look at her father without screaming, so she waited.

“My love, you must understand.” She heard the scrape of his chair as he stood and walked up behind her. “The Prince of Montauk was purported to be the strongest general the land had ever seen, and he had already faced this threat once before, and come out on top.”

“Piper,” Her father’s hand lightly grasped her shoulder as he stood behind her. “I wanted him here, not to marry you, but to protect you.”

She turned around, knocking his hand off her shoulder and glaring at him. “Then why did you lie to me? You could have told me the truth. No,” She said, when he tried to interrupt her, “you did not have to tell the truth to the lords and ladies and all of Cypress did you not want to, but you could have told me. Your daughter. The person whose life you upended with a surprise betrothal.”

“I thought you would not agree.” Tristan said.

“And this is better? What if I had truly fallen in love with him, Father? Would you ever had told me, even if I had asked? And what of Percy?” Piper spat her words at him, walking back around the table towards the door. “He is first in line, for all rights the throne of Montauk is his to claim. You would so callously rip him from his birthright, without even telling him the real reason?”

Her father’s face was set with conviction and Piper could not look at him. “To protect you, Piper, I would set the world on fire.”

Piper laughed. “The thing is, if you had told Percy and I the truth, we would have done it. He is one of the most honorable people I have ever met, and had you explained to him what you have told me, he would have come. Because that is the kind of man he is.”

She had reached the door and yanked it open, startling Annabeth, Jason, and Percy who had stood talking in low tones in the middle of the corridor.

“Piper,” Her father called from behind her. “You cannot-”

“I do not think you have any right to tell me what I cannot do anymore, Father.” She said. “I will handle this the way I see fit, the same way you have done.”

And with that, Piper closed the door and walked away, Katopris clutched to her chest.

*

A month had passed since the first war council, and Percy was concerned.

After Piper had, in a quiet but heated voice, told them of the truth of his presence here, and they had all reacted, she had gone quiet for a while. He could not blame her, the fact that her father had hidden this from her for so long rocked him to his core. He could not imagine how it must feel for Piper.

When Piper came back to herself, her eyes had changed, and Percy knew Annabeth had noticed it as well. She still spoke and smiled the same, stepped closer to Jason to watch him blush, but that night in the war room had changed her.

And given the fact she had not spoken to the King in this past month, Percy suspected the reason.

The three of them had done their best to cheer her up, and it worked, if only for a moment. But that was better than nothing, and given the fact they were preparing for war, any joy they could get was worth their weight in gold.

Now, they stood together on the edge of a sparring pit. Piper’s green dress and his own tunic being snagged by gentle fingers in the wind as they watched their knights circle each other.

Jason and Annabeth stood in the ring, both holding a staff in place of a sword. They were demonstrating the techniques Percy had described to the watching crowd of knights and guards, only a few dozen of whom were of godly blood.

It had been interesting going through the ranks and speaking to them about their family histories. There were some who were so reluctant to speak of their parents it was almost a dead giveaway, while others their openness was the perfect cover.

One of the more surprising discoveries had been Ser Malcolm, who had been in the room with them when they had opened the locket. Apparently, he had been the one who had trained Annabeth to be a knight., and…they shared the same godly blood.

When she had heard, the look on her face was so comical Percy and Piper had all but collapsed with the force of their laughter.

Annabeth purposefully swung wide with her staff, gripped tightly in two hands, so Jason could step into the opening. Then, she switched her grip, dropping one hand to her side and sliding the same foot back, giving her plenty of room to hit the base of Jason’s staff with her own and twist it from his grasp.

His staff clattered to the ground and her’s was pinning under his chin. Jason raised his hands in defeat, and Annabeth released him to a loud wave of cheers from the watching knights.

She grinned widely, bowing dramatically and turned to face Jason again. He was looking at her with a fierce determination that Percy was familiar with and knew Annabeth had her work cut out for her.

But, as she readied her stance, her blonde hair sticking to her sweaty skin and her gray eyes focused even as her chest heaved, Percy would bet anything she would come out on top.

“You know,” Piper said, smirking at him as he watched her knight. “You should do something about that crush you have.”

Percy did not take his eyes off the match, but he felt his cheeks heat anyway. “I have not the faintest idea what crush you speak of.”

Piper leaned lazily against the pole that marked the edge of the ring, plucking at a small banner that hung from the rope strung between them. “Please, I can practically hear your drooling thoughts. Oh the way Annabeth’s skin shines, and her absolute mastery of the blade-”

She cut off with a laughing shriek as Percy flicked water from her own goblet at her.

“I could say the same about you, Piper.”

“I have not had a crush on Annabeth since we were fourteen.”

“What-no, I meant Jason.” Percy said, resisting the urge to childishly stick his tongue out at her.

Piper sighed heavily. “I think that is a dead end, my dear friend.”

Percy stared at her in disbelief as the crowd cheered for Annabeth again. “Are you serious? Piper, are you mad?”

“He has not shown any interest in these past few weeks!” She exclaimed, before glancing around and lowering her voice. “All he has done is act the same way you and Annabeth have around me, as if he is scared any moment I am going to break into pieces. It is not the way a man acts when he is desperately in love with me.”

“Piper, you must know he cares for you.” Percy said.

“I know.” She said, her eyes on the knight in question. “I am not, by the way.”

“What?”

She kept her eyes on Jason, but spoke to Percy. “I am not going to break into pieces. You can all stop walking on eggshells around me. So my father lied to me. There is nothing we can do about that now, all we have control over is what we do going forward.”

Percy smiled at her and held out his hand for hers. She let him take it and he squeezed. “And what we do going forward, is talk to Jason.”

Piper snorted. “Yes, all right, I will speak to Jason when you speak to Annabeth.”

Turning back to the match, Percy watched as Jason whapped Annabeth in the ribs with his staff, only for her to completely sweep his legs out from under him in the next moment.

As Jason hit the ground, Percy laughed and said, “Yeah, all right.”

As the knights paired off and began to practice their own drills, Jason and Annabeth came over.

Jason immediately swept his hand through his sweaty hair and reached out, smearing the sweat over Percy’s face.

“That is for pairing me with Annabeth.” Jason deadpanned, still breathing heavy.

Piper laughed and Jason whipped his head toward her, his blush hidden by his already flushed face.

Yeah. Not interested in her at all, Percy thought as he wiped off his face.

Annabeth grinned at Jason and said, “I could go easy on you, but that would make the demonstration pointless.”

“Think of it this way, she let you get one hit in, that is something!” Percy said, clapping his hand to Jason’s shoulder.

Jason shook his head. “That would make me feel better if she had not obviously planned it that way.”

“Do not feel too bad, Jason.” Piper said, pushing off the post to stand next to him. “Annabeth spars like most people play chess, I do not think anyone has beat her one on one in years.”

“I do not know, I want him to feel a little bad.” Annabeth said, nudging the other knight with her elbow.

“Okay.” Jason said, stepping behind Piper for protection. “I am done, Percy if you need to demonstrate anything else, you can fight her. I have enough bruises to last me a while.”

“Oh come now, Jason, I do not want to hurt his precious prince ego by putting him on his ass in five seconds.” Annabeth said.

Piper pressed a hand to her lips, hiding her grin, but Percy saw it anyway. “I think that sounds like a challenge, do you not, Percy?”

Percy narrowed his eyes at Annabeth. “I do not know how I feel about you talking about my ass, Ser Annabeth.”

Annabeth crossed her arms over her chest, the muscles in her forearms flexing. “Oh? Are you going to do something about it, Your Highness?”

They grinned at each other and Percy felt heat flare in his chest. He did not know how he had spent so much of his life without knowing her, but he knew he would never make that mistake again if he could help it.

Percy had not noticed before, but her eyes almost turned blue in the midday sun.

“Okay, everyone! The Prince is going to face off against current undefeated champion, Ser Annabeth Chase!” Jason shouted, hands cupped around his mouth. He looked at Percy’s startled face and grinned. “You are welcome.”

The knights and gathered guards shouted excitedly and scrambled to clear the field in preparation.

“Is this fair?” Percy asked as Jason handed him his real sword. “I mean, Annabeth just went many rounds with you in the ring. Is that not an unfair advantage for me?”

Annabeth, accepting a sword from a grinning Ser Malcolm, said, “Truthfully, that was just a warm up for me. While it was fun sparring against someone new, I have not been truly challenged in a long time.”

“Thank you, Annabeth.” Jason said, sarcasm coating his voice as he stole Percy’s goblet of water.

“Of course.”

“So, I am a challenge?” Percy grinned at Annabeth.

“Do not get ahead of yourself.”

Jason shoved him toward the center of the ring and Percy shot him a dirty look. “Get going, Your Highness, your audience awaits.”

As Percy walked into position, he glanced down at Riptide in his hand. The bronze, leaf shaped blade practically glowed in the sunlight and realization struck him.

He looked up to Annabeth across from him. “If we are using real blades, we should put on armor.”

Annabeth tilted her head at him while she tied her hair back with a strip of fabric. “Are you that confident in getting a hit in?”

“I do not want to accidentally harm you, Annabeth.” Percy said, sincerity practically dripping from his voice, and he had to concentrate to keep the blush from rising in his cheeks.

She smiled, lifting her sword and settling into her stance. “A little risk is half the fun, right?”

Percy sighed.

He raised his sword.

Sinking into position, Percy’s mind sharpened as he took a deep breath. There was a reason he was the youngest General in Montauk history, and it was not his good looks.

Annabeth slid one foot back as Ser Malcolm shouted, “Begin!” and Percy stepped to the right as she sprang towards him.

In her momentary confusion, Percy swung Riptide up, slashing across her torso, only to meet her sword with a clang.

They separated, circling each other like wild animals.

Percy lunged, spinning to his left as Annabeth brought her sword up and stepped into his defense, trying to force him to lock blades with her.

But Percy saw the shift of her weight and stepped back as she stepped forward, tossing his sword from his right hand to his left and went to press against her throat, ending the spar.

As he went for it, she was gone.

Annabeth had ducked under his blade, and quickly stepped behind him. He could see her from the corner of his eye and saw the flash of her blade.

Twisting his torso, their blades collided and Percy slid Riptide down till their hilts were crossed. And he pressed forward with all his weight, forcing her sword to twist out of her hand and fall to the dirt beneath them.

Holding his sword under Annabeth’s chin, Percy stared at Annabeth’s shocked expression. Both of them were breathing heavily, and he could feel his hair sticking to his sweat slick forehead, but…

Percy felt exhilarated, and from the look in Annabeth’s eyes, so did she.

The gathered crowd was silent as Percy stepped back, releasing Annabeth and ending the fight.

Annabeth bent down and picked up her sword and met his eyes again.

“Again.”

Percy grinned.

They sparred again, and again, with the knights choosing sides, and cheering on their preferred opponent. They kept going, until Piper shouted at them from the sidelines that they were all going to miss dinner if they did not go in soon.

Percy and Annabeth stood in the center of the ring, sweat dripping from them as the sun dipped below the horizon. Percy raised his arms above his head, taking deep breaths as their audience trickled away, hooting happily at them as they passed.

Annabeth flopped down into the dirt, laying flat on her back as she caught her breath.

Piper and Jason wandered over, both of their eyes wide.

“So…that certainly was something.” Piper said conversationally.

“I kept score.” Jason said.

Percy dropped his arms, stabbing Riptide into the ground. “Who won?”

Annabeth peered up at him blearily from the ground and grunted in agreement.

Jason grimaced. “It was pretty back and forth the entire time, and you both ended up tying. Twelve matches, six wins each.”

Sitting up, Annabeth shook the dirt out of her hair and said, “There goes my perfect record.”

Percy held his hand out to her, and she stared at it for a moment before taking it. He pulled her to her feet and grinned at her. “Better luck next time, I suppose.”

She rolled her eyes. “You are going to want to stitch up that cut on your cheek.”

Percy lifted his hand to his face and his fingertips came back coated in blood. He had completely forgotten she had managed to snag the tip of her sword on his face.

“Oh, right. It is no matter, and I certainly would not want to waste your physician's time.” Percy said, wiping his hand off. “Jason, do you have any water?”

His knight produced a water-skin from his belt. Percy took it, uncorked it, and dumped half of it over his head.

Piper gasped in surprise as Percy felt the gash on his face begin to close on its own.

“What…how do you do that?” She exclaimed, stepping forward to poke at the newly healed skin.

“It is, ha, still tender, Piper, thank you, and a gift from my father.” Percy said, pulling Piper’s hands away from his face. “There are some perks to being a godling, I suppose.”

“Your father?” Annabeth said, staring hard at him. “Who…”

Looking between Percy and Jason, Piper gasped once again. “The-you said the god of the sea protects Montauk.” She said, her wide eyes on Jason. “He is-your father?”

Percy had not realized they did not know, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yes…”

Annabeth planted her sword in the dirt and leaned against it. “No wonder they call you the Typhoon.”

Uncomfortable with the sudden attention, Percy searched for something to say. “Right…so, dinner?”

*

It did not seem to matter how much time passed, Piper thought. Her head still swam with her father’s face as he admitted he had lied. That he had used her as a pawn in a chess game she did not even know she was playing.

The knowledge of this, this betrayal sat like a weight in her chest. Piper knew she would have to speak her to father again eventually, but with all of the war preparations, she was able to avoid it. Busying herself with directing supplies and helping Percy, it was all just a distraction.

She knew that, and yet…

Piper had no intention of stopping any time soon.

A few days had passed since Percy and Annabeth had sparred, and Piper had her mind firmly made up on what to do. It was clearer than ever to her that Percy had feelings for her knight, and Piper was going to help him do something about it.

The sun had set, leaving the light of the waning moon and stars to light the courtyard. Piper stood in the center, breathing in the cool night air, and waiting. There were fewer and fewer moments she had alone these days, and while she did not complain, she would take the solitude when she could.

However, she was out here for a reason, and being alone was not it.

“Hey,” Percy said, coming up behind her. “What’s going on?”

Piper smiled up at him, her hand going to her mother’s locket, the metal warm against her skin. “Percy, yes, come with me.”

“Piper, what-”

She had already begun to walk, heading for her garden. As Percy caught back up to her, she tucked her arm in his.

The look Percy gave her in that moment was more concerned than the action warranted, but Piper just sighed. The concern was not going to go away until she talked about it, and she had not desire to do such a thing.

“Why are we out here?” Percy asked, laying his hand atop her’s where it sat tucked under his arm. “Not that it is unpleasant to simply walk with you, Piper, but I cannot imagine this is the sole reason you requested my presence.”

“No, you are right.” Piper sighed, slowing as they reached the path to the moonlace. “I wish to speak to you away from the prying eyes and ears of the castle.”

Percy nodded, eyeing the torch lit silhouette of the castle behind them. “That I can understand.”

“So, I was thinking, what if we empty out the homes on the edge of town and fill them with the knights and guards we know to be godlings? We could put up the displaced villagers in the castle, of course, until the danger is past.” She said, eyes on the stars as she spoke. “I know it is not preferable, but I would feel better knowing we are not putting innocent people in harms way.”

“That is a good idea.” Percy said, staring at her. “I am sorry, you want to discuss strategy?”

Piper met his eyes and nodded. “Of course. I feel as if people do not believe me capable, and therefore leave me out of the important discussions. As we saw with the war council all those weeks ago. But, if I am to be Queen one day, these are conversations I must participate in.”

Percy pulled them to a stop and turned to face her completely. “No one thinks such a thing anymore, Piper. Not after you came up with the best plan out of any of them. You could join the meetings, none would stop you.”

“While that is true, I do not completely trust all of the people in that room.”

A frown creased Percy’s brow, and he said, “You believe we have a mole in our midst?”

“It is not so much that I believe there to be one now, but…when people are sufficiently scared, they do act rashly. War is a time when a person’s allegiance is truly tested, and many fail. I have read enough of history to know that.” Piper said.

“While that is true, it can also bring out the best in people.” Percy said, his voice soft. “Do not discount everyone just yet.”

Piper smiled and gripped his hand. “I am here with you, am I not?”

“That you are,” Percy laughed. “Now-”

A startled squeak sounded down the path where they had just came, and they turned in time to see the top of a young maid’s head as she ducked behind a bush.

“Well, that is inconvenient.” Percy muttered, beginning to walk towards them.

“Wait,” Piper pulled him back. “They will go away.”

“How do you not know they are not the very spies you are afraid of?” Percy whispered.

She smiled. “Percy. Kiss me.”

He stared at her, shock written across every inch of his face. “What?”

“They are going to keep watching us unless they have sufficient gossip to spread. So kiss me, and then they will leave. We are betrothed, are we not?” She grinned. “We are bound to sneak a kiss or two before the wedding.”

Percy gave a disbelieving laugh, and brought his hand up to cup her cheek. “All right, you have made your case.”

Piper had to rise to the balls of her feet to meet him as he leaned down, and when their lips met in a sweet, gentle kiss, she almost regretted the fact that she was not going to marry him.

They heard a giggle and Piper broke the kiss to looking around quickly, watching as the maids ran excitedly back to the castle. She smiled, and took Percy’s hand, pulling him further into the garden, where they would be obscured by the taller bushes.

“See,” She said, grinning up at him. “I told you.”

He sighed, looking as if he was resisting to urge to roll his eyes. “You were right, of course.”

“Of course.”

Percy smiled. “Admittedly, that was a very nice kiss.”

“It was. If it were not for the fact I think I am in love with your knight, I would consider marrying you for real.” Piper said, gently swinging their hands between them.

“I could say the same.” Percy said. “Your knight though, not mine.”

Piper laughed. “We are pathetic, truly. Both of us fallen for the person we should not.”

“Whatever are we to do with ourselves?” Percy said, pressing his hand to his forehead dramatically.

“Certainly we are to perish, my dear Prince.” Piper said, holding a hand to her heart.

They both broke into giggles, falling over each other as they walked.

It was nice, Piper thought. Not the distraction she had thought to find, but a good one none the less.

“I am surprised.” Piper said, when their laughter finally abated. “I did not think you would admit your feelings for Annabeth so readily.”

Percy lead them to a bench and flopped down onto it, sighing. “I think after our spar the other day, anyone who does not know how I feel is fooling themselves.”

“It was quite passionate.” She said, sitting next to him. “It has been some time since Annabeth had found someone to challenge her, and the single minded focus you both had during the fights was certainly something to behold. As if nothing else existed besides the two of you.”

“Truly, I have never felt anything like it.” Percy’s face was wistful as he spoke, and Piper could practically see the love he felt written across his expression.

“You should tell her.”

“What, no no!” Percy waved his hands through the air in panic. “She has just barely begun to like me as a friend, I am not going to ruin that by confessing my feelings for her. Anyhow, we have only known each other for a few weeks. There is no way to know-”

“I know.”

“What?”

Percy stared at her as she unhooked Katopris from her belt, having grabbed it from her bedside table before heading to the courtyard. “Do you believe in prophecy, Percy?”

“That depends,” He said. “Is it a good one?”

“I do not know if you can only believe in the good and not the bad.” Piper said, looking down at the sheathed blade. “This dagger shows glimpses of the future.”

“How can it do that?” Percy asked.

Piper raised her head, her eyebrows creasing. “I…do not know. My father gave this to me the night of the war council, and said it was a gift a long time ago, from a goddess.”

“All right.” Percy said, looking down at the sheathed blade. “What does this have to do with Annabeth and I?”

“That night, when my father unsheathed the blade to show me, I saw you, and Annabeth.” Piper said, avoiding Percy’s eyes. “In the blade, I saw you surrounded by fire, your sword drawn, and Annabeth at your side. And then…”

Percy reached out and slipped his hand under hers, intertwining their fingers and holding tight. “And then?”

“Annabeth shoved you behind her, leaping in front and-and taking a dagger that was thrown at you.” Piper sniffled, tears winning the battle and slipping silently down her cheeks.

“What?” Percy’s voice was smaller than she had ever heard it. “W-why?”

Piper gave him a watery smile. “I do not think either of us can say she feels nothing for you, knowing this.”

“Piper…why did you not tell us this, all those weeks ago? You have been holding this alone.” Percy’s eyes shone with his own tears. “You should have let us help you.”

“I did not wish to burden you, given everything else going on.” She said, squeezing his hand. “And I thought, if I refused to believe in it, then I could prevent it from happening.”

“Piper, I….”

Pulling her closer, Percy wrapped his arms around her in a tight, warm hug, pressing a kiss to her hair as she cried against his shoulder.

They stayed like that, in each other’s arms, for a long time. Piper’s tears finally ran dry and she pulled back, smiling sadly up at Percy.

He stifled a laugh, reaching up and smoothing down her hair around her face where it had stuck up from they way she had her face pressed into his shoulder. One of his hands stayed on her cheek when he finished. “We have to tell Jason and Annabeth.”

Piper shook her head, knocking his hand loose. “No. We cannot. What if that causes it to happen?”

“What if them not knowing is the thing that causes it to happen?” Percy said softly. “There is no way to know which way the pendulum will swing. All we can do is give our friends the information they deserve to have. We cannot keep this from them any longer, Piper. Please.”

His sea green eyes were so earnest and full of sincerity and understanding, that they almost made her want to hate him. But she could not. He was right.

“Okay. Okay. But we tell them together, all right?” Piper said, her own eyes pleading. “I do not think I can do it alone.”

Percy nodded. “I will be at your side for as long as you will have me, Piper. I promise.”

Smiling, Piper wrapped her arms back around him. “Thank you, for everything.”

“Any time, Princess.”

*

The morning air was crisp and clear, signaling the arrival of autumn, and Jason was grateful to be done with the sweltering heat of the summer.

He stood on a balcony a short distance from Percy’s chambers, gazing down on the courtyard below. Princess Piper was standing on the steps, directing those with supplies where to go, and showing a handful of guards the best way to begin to board up the windows.

She was wearing a dress that looked as if she had taken the reflection of the morning stars on the sea and fashioned them into a garment. A beautiful, shifting array of blues, greens, and purples that shimmered with every movement. It was only further complimented by the golden cuffs she wore around her upper arms, the delicate chain belt at her waist that held an ornate dagger, and the shining crown on her head.

She was the very picture of stunning beauty, and it was amazing any of them could get their jobs done with her there.

But Jason knew the true beauty of Princess Piper lay not in her wardrobe, nor even anything physical. The kindness and love that radiated from her every pore were exquisite and near divine. The light that shone from her eyes when she laughed was something that Jason wanted to see every day for the rest of his life.

A shoulder knocking into his pulled him from his thoughts, and he turned to see Percy leaning against the railing beside him.

Jason sighed. “Your Highness.”

“Jason.” Percy smiled tiredly, his hair still mussed from sleep and his crown crooked on his head. “What are you doing out here on this lovely morning?”

“Percy…” Jason said, a warning note in his voice.

“It could not possibly be that Princess Piper is down in the courtyard right now. We should say hello-” Percy laughed as Jason clasped his hand over his friend’s mouth. Percy mumbled something behind his hand and Jason narrowed his eyes.

Percy held his hands up in surrender, and Jason took his away.

The Prince smiled, sneaking a look over the railing to see Piper. “Jason, I love you dearly, but the pining is getting to be a bit much for me. You need to tell her.”

Jason looked at him, resignation written over his face. “How can I tell her, Percy, when she is a princess, and despite the circumstances, still your betrothed?”

Percy sighed, leaning his back against the railing. “As of now we have not had any reason to betray the King’s secret. You telling her you have feelings for her will not change that. In any case, we can keep up the ruse while the two of you figure things out.” He said, tilting his head toward Jason. “No one would question my knight being with ‘my betrothed’, anyhow.”

“This is your perfect opportunity, Jason. I will not take that from you.”

Jason watched Piper catch a stumbling maid and laugh with her as they gathered the candlesticks she had dropped. He glanced back at Percy, and said, “How am I to know my feelings are returned? I will not make a fool of her.”

Grinning, Percy shook his head. “A blind man could see how the Princess feels for you.”

“Percy, I-I do not know.”

Turning to face him and grasping both of Jason’s shoulders, Percy said, “Then do not think, Jason. Just act. Trust me. I would not give you this advice should I think you were only to get your heart broken.” He physically turned Jason toward the hallway and shoved him. “Now go.”

And…Jason went.

As he made his way down the stairs, he tried not to second guess his decision. Percy believed in him, and he trusted him. He would not convince Jason of this lest there was truth in it.

Jason was going to tell Piper how he felt.

He-

It seemed the distance had only dulled her beauty, as when Jason rounded the corner, all the breath left his body. There she was, smiling at a young knight as she carried a bucket-full of arrows.

It was almost as if the sun shone only on Piper as she moved, dress shimmering in her wake.

And then her eye caught his and Jason felt as if his heart had stopped in his chest.

“Ser Jason!” The brown of her eyes appeared to glow in the morning light, as Piper moved happily toward him. “Are you here to help with the fortifications? And here I thought Percy was taking all your time for himself.”

“Princess…” Jason breathed, a smile overtaking his face just from being near her. “Uh, no. I came here to speak with you, if I could have a moment of your time?”

Piper tilted her head, eyes confused. “Of course, Jason. Let us go inside, they can do without me for a few minutes.”

And she took his hand, causing his heart to race, and lead him to an out of the way room. Pressing her shoulder to the door, Piper attempted to leverage it open and succeeded in moving it a few inches.

She huffed in annoyance, and Jason smiled. Moving next to her and meeting her eyes, they pushed together, stumbling as the door fell open.

Entering, Piper brushed off her dress casually and waved a hand. “No one uses this room anymore, so we should have privacy.”

Pushing the door shut again, Jason took in the few chairs and table covered in cloth to protect them. This must have been a spare meeting room, or perhaps for dining. He took a deep breath, and immediately regretted it, coughing as he inhaled dust.

“Oh no, Jason.” Piper said, amusement coloring her voice as she came up next to him. Patting his back lightly, her closeness tightening his chest in a way unrelated to the dust.

Jason straightened, taking a more shallow breath and smiling. “I am all right, Princess.”

“Please,” She said, reaching for his hand. “You need only call me Piper, we have had this discussion. We are friends, are we not?”

Heart fluttering in his chest, Jason nodded. “Of course. I have something I would like to tell you.”

Piper lowered her head, “I have something to tell you as well.”

Jason looked at her, gently placing a finger beneath her chin and lifting it up to meet her eyes. They were full of apprehension and fear, and Jason heart ached.

He did not know what she saw in his own eyes, but Jason knew he needed to act before he lost his nerve. “I am afraid if I do not go first, I shall never say it, Piper.”

Her brow furrowed, and Piper nodded. “What is it?”

“I…” Jason froze, his heart pounding and his head light. He had to do this. He could not stop now. Taking a breath, he started again.

“Piper, ever since the day I met you, it is though I have never lived until that moment. You have brought a light into my world I never thought possible.” Jason raised his hand to cup her jaw, his thumb skimming the smooth skin of her cheek.

“I know it is not proper, as I am but a knight and you, a princess. That does not stop the way I feel. You have changed me, in every way, for the better.” Jason took a deep breath, looking into Piper’s eyes as they filled with tears. “I love you, Piper, and I do not think I shall ever stop.”

Piper lifted her own hand to his cheek as her tears fell, and her other hand fisted the front of his tunic. “Jason…” She whispered.

He knew she could feel the way his heart pounded in his chest, fear and longing warring for dominance inside him. Jason wiped her tears with his thumb and whispered, “If you do not feel the same, I understand.”

She shook her head quickly, stepping even closer. “No, Jason, that is not it. I…with everything that has happened and will happen, I had forced my own feelings to the back of my head, but you…you, Jason have not left my mind since we met.”

Jason’s breath shuddered as Piper wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself to the tips of her toes. “I believe I have fallen deeply in love with you, Jason Grace, and I have no intention of getting out.”

And when her lips met his, warmth and joy spread through him. As his eyes fell shut, and he wrapped his own arms around her waist, Jason could not help but think this was too good to be true.

But when Piper pulled back, pressing her forehead into his and began to giggle, Jason decided he did not care.

*

The next time Percy saw Jason, he was standing in the courtyard next to Piper. The both of them stealing glances at each other and blushing, and Percy grinned.

He felt someone stop at his side and turned his head to see Annabeth. She was staring at Jason and Piper herself, her gray eyes calculating.

“They finally figured it out, I see.” She said, glancing at Percy.

Crossing his arms, Percy could not help but laugh. “It only took a lot of pushing, but they got there eventually.”

Annabeth mirrored him, leaning back against a nearby pillar. “Do you think they will be more or less insufferable with the flirting now?”

They watched as Piper laughed at something Jason said, her hand resting on his arm. Jason’s face was bright red, but his grin said he did not want to be anywhere else.

“More.” Percy said, startling out a laugh when Annabeth spoke at the same time as him. “Good to know we are on the same page, Ser.”

Annabeth rolled her eyes, a small smile on her face, and stood. “I need to go to town to help evacuate the townsfolk. Would you mind telling Piper for me?”

Eyeing the happy couple, Percy shuddered. “I would rather not interrupt them, personally.” Turning back to Annabeth, an idea struck him. “Why don’t I come with you?”

She had already started to walk away, but turned back to stare at him suspiciously. “You?”

“I do not know if you recall, but I was a general. I know how to get people moving.” Percy grinned, walking up beside her.

“These people are not soldiers. You cannot just shout at them and expect that to work.” Annabeth said. Despite her words, she started walking again.

Frowning, Percy said, “That was not the kind of general I was. Those under my command were like my family, we trusted each other. We trained together and we knew each other inside and out.”

“And you think that is applicable to the situation here?” Annabeth said, taking a turn Percy had not expected and continuing to speak. “You do not know these people, Your Highness.”

“I know that, but the same princi- okay, where are we going?” Percy asked as the scenery turned unfamiliar.

Annabeth stopped in her tracks and stared at him incredulously. “The stables? Did you think we were going to walk the whole way?”

“I, well, no, I had not considered it-”

“Did you walk the last time you went to town?” Annabeth asked, a grin overtaking her face. “No wonder you and Piper get on so well, it is as if you are the same person.”

Percy could not help but smile back, the light in her eyes drawing him in. “You would make fun of me for something your Princess also does?”

Annabeth turned, flipping her hair over her shoulder and resuming her walk. “Yes, I would.”

Laughing, Percy jogged back to her side, taking the rest of the walk in silence. When the stables came into view, Percy could not help but be taken by the beautiful head that hung out of one of the stalls.

“Oh, you are gorgeous.” Percy said in an awed whisper as he approached. Smoothing his hand over the black horse’s muzzle, Percy bent his head, gently expelling his own air into the horse’s own nostrils.

The horse snorted back, leaning it’s head into Percy’s hand, and he grinned.

When he looked up, Annabeth was watching him. “What?” He asked, the elated grin still hanging on his face.

A strange expression crossed her face, but Annabeth ducked her head. “Nothing.” She pulled a bridle and  other tack from the wall and handed it to him. “His name is Blackjack, he has not had a rider in many years.”

“No?” Percy said, looking back at the horse. He pressed his forehead to Blackjack’s, and closed his eyes. Emotions flooded him, and Percy felt tears begin to prick behind his eyes.

He pulled back, gasping. “Oh. Oh, I am sorry, Blackjack.” He said, smoothing a hand over the horse’s face and gazing into the sad brown eyes. “It was not your fault, you must know that. You were only listening to your rider.”

Blackjack whinnied quietly, nuzzling into Percy’s chest.

“How…I do not understand.” Annabeth said, staring at him.

Percy began to slip the leather bridle over Blackjack’s head as he said, “His last rider, a man. He was attacked while on patrol, wolves in broad daylight.” Shaking his head, Percy picked up a saddle blanket, swinging it over Blackjacks back. “He had stopped, dismounted, when they came from the trees. And he told Blackjack to run, to go home.”

Tightening the saddle’s straps and going back to feed Blackjack a rogue carrot he had found on the shelf, Percy said, “He did, and when he led other knights back to the site-”

“Travis was dead.” Annabeth said, her eyes on her own saddle straps. “Nearly unrecognizable. Even his own brother-”

She took a shuddering breath and Percy filled with regret. “I should not have brought it up. I am sorry.”

“No.” Annabeth came around the lovely dun horse she was saddling to meet his eyes. “But how did you know that? I did not even know that much, no one did. All we had was his body and Blackjack.”

Giving one last pat to Blackjack, Percy faced her completely. “It is going to sound strange.”

“As opposed to everything else you have done?” Annabeth said.

“Right.” Percy swallowed, rubbing his hands together. “Blackjack told me.”

She stared at him, her face blank. “You are insane.”

“I am not lying.” Percy stepped forward, his eyes pleading with her to believe him. “Somehow I can…feel his emotions, hear his thoughts. I do not know how it happens, but it has been this way ever since I was a boy. I have an…unusual affinity with horses.”

“You must know how this sounds.” Annabeth said.

“Any more ridiculous than gods and godlings and magic lockets?” Percy asked. He did know how it sounded, but that did not make it any less true.

When Percy was a child, first learning how to ride in lessons with his cousin, Hazel, the Horse Master at Montauk had insisted on putting him with their most docile mare.

She had been lovely, and had said such sweet things to Percy, and he loved her. But his eyes had caught sight of a golden stallion with a dark black mane, and he wanted nothing more than to ride him.

Waiting until the Horse Master’s back was turned, Percy slipped between the bars of the corral, and walked quietly up to the horse.

The horse had tossed his head and flattened his ears to his head, his mind spewing enough foul words to last Percy a lifetime. That was, until Percy produced an apple from his pocket and gently fed it to the irritated stallion.

He had begrudgingly prodded Percy’s shoulder for more, causing him to laugh and the Horse Master to whip around.

Percy had gotten quite the scolding, and learned that the horse, Arion, was all but wild, and had refused to let anyone ride him. That was, until Percy, and later, Hazel. She actually had a stronger bond with the horse than he did.

They had all asked his trick, but Percy could only say he spoke to them. It was the truth, and hanging over the crossbars of the corral, tossing apples and things to Arion with his cousin laughing at his side, Percy knew they would not believe all of it.

Just as Annabeth was having trouble believing him now.

“It is all right.” Percy said, turning around and mounting Blackjack. “We should get going.”

Silently, Annabeth pulled herself up on her horse and followed him out of the stable.

After they had been riding for a few minutes, she broke the silence. “It is not the strangest thing I have seen.”

Percy glanced at her from the corner of his eye, noting how she nervously fiddling with the reins. “Oh?”

“Yes. There is a Prince, in a Queendom not far from here. He and the Princess are friends and…he tries to hide it, but he is capable of carrying and creating fire with his bare hands.” Annabeth said, her voice hushed.

Percy looked at her in surprise. “You know Leo?”

“Of course you know him.” She muttered. “Magic is not an unfamiliar thing, I was merely surprised, is all.”

“Was that an apology?” Percy asked, his voice full of glee. Leaning forward, he patted Blackjack’s neck and said, “Blackjack, that sounded like an apology, did it not?”

The horse whinnied loudly in response, and Percy laughed.

“Oh, shut up.” Annabeth said, urging her horse forward into a gallop.

*

As they got nearer to town, it became obvious something was wrong.

Plumes of smoke rose out of the trees and screams echoed from the distance. Without looking at each other, Percy and Annabeth both urged their horses faster.

“Oh gods.” Annabeth muttered, the flames coming into view as they licked up the side of the thatched houses.

Townsfolk ran between the burning buildings shouting and carrying buckets from the well and a nearby stream, their faces covered in soot and sweat. A few guards and knights who had already been in town were helping but even as one house went out, another went up in flames.

“Ser Annabeth!” A recently knighted Ser Michael came up to her, panting and streaked with soot. “We were getting the towns people out of their houses when they all suddenly began to catch fire! Ser Lee went to find who was lighting them, but he has not come back.”

Panic flared in her chest and Annabeth stared out over the burning village with fear in her heart, memories flooding her. Luke with his back to his house burning down, his mother screaming inside. The cold, unfeeling look on his face.

She was frozen atop her horse Guido, when she heard boots hit the ground next to her.

Turning her head, Annabeth saw Percy.

Gone was the affable Prince who had teased her mere minutes ago, and in his place stood a hardened war general, the ocean roaring in his eyes. He handed Blackjack’s reins to Michael and said, “You have done a good job. Take Blackjack and head back to the castle and warn them we are under attack. Protect the Princess.”

He turned his hard eyes to Blackjack and said, “As fast as you can, Blackjack.”

The black stallion tossed his head, and as soon as Michael had slipped into the saddle he whipped around and galloped away. Soon he was a tiny black spot in the distance, but they did not have time to watch.

Percy was already moving, and Annabeth slipped off her horse to follow him.

“It is him, Annabeth. Are you ready for this?” Percy said, his voice low as he swept a bucket off the ground and passed it to her.

“As ready as I will ever be, I suppose.” She said. “You are the son of the sea god, are you not? Do you have…?”

Percy glanced to her, his face unreadable. “Control over water? Some. But that will not be any use to us unless we stop the one who is setting the fire.”

Handing the bucket to a passing villager, Annabeth drew her knife and followed Percy down the line of houses. They were in various stages of burning, all set at different times.

“Once one house is put out, they light another.” Percy muttered under his breath, his sword appearing in his hand. “They are close by, watching.”

The anger in his voice nearly caused Annabeth to stop walking, not used to this side of him. As they passed by knights and guards, Percy called out orders, starting a receiving line for buckets, passing them up and down the line. It was more efficient, and what they should have been doing all along.

Panic wiped everyone’s minds of the proper procedures, all of her knights having never been in a serious situation before. It was lucky, truly, that Percy had rode out with her.

In the time it took them to walk the length of the houses, near where the merchants set up their stalls, two houses had been put out thanks to Percy’s direction.

His competent actions, firmly guiding the knights and villagers in what to do, and his change in demeanor set Annabeth’s cheeks heating, not from the fire, but from…him. She had been denying it to herself, and to Piper, but the truth now stood in front of her. Percy’s crown glinted against his forehead in the firelight, his eyes calculating and his movements sure.

Gods.

She was in love with him.

She was so fucked.

Annabeth was half a step behind Percy when he stopped, staring down an alley between two houses. It was the same alley she had found him in a few weeks past.

It felt like a lifetime ago.

And standing where they had stood, was a familiar, if older, face.

Luke.

Annabeth stared at him, her eyes wide, taking in all the differences in him. The most notable being the thick scar that ran from his eyebrow to his jaw.

The hate in his eyes, however, was not new.

“Well well well, if it isn’t General Perseus. A little far from home, are we not, General? No wonder…” Luke said, stepping forward, lit torch in hand. “Well, we all know Thalia cannot hold Montauk on her own.”

Percy made a low noise in the back of his throat, hand tightening on the hilt of his sword. “Luke.”

Luke grinned, the scar on his face carving a river into his skin. “What is wrong, Perseus? Scared?”

“You are supposed to be dead.” Percy said, taking a few cautious steps into the alley.

The other man patted his own arms, dirty with the ash falling from the burning buildings. “Am I? That usually requires actually running one through with that pretty blade of yours, General.”

The mocking in his voice was evident as he grinned at them.

Annabeth stepped closer to Percy’s back, scanning the surrounding area for any surprises. “Your Highness?”

Luke’s eyes skated over her in mild interest, and Annabeth glared painfully back. “There are people here you seem to care for, are there not, Perseus?” He kicked a burning board back into another house, the thatched roof quickly catching as shouts went up from inside. “That is good to know. Very good.”

“What do you want?” Percy asked, his shoulders tense.

“Oh, Percy, Percy.” Luke said, turning away. “I think you know. After all, my ambitions have not changed since you gave me this little…gift.” He gestured to the scar dividing his face.

Watching Luke walk away, a feeling burned in Annabeth’s chest. She was not going to let this end without getting answers. He was not going to just leave after burning down their town. Not again.

“Hey!” She shouted at his back, stepping around Percy as she stooped to the ground and picked up a stone. Lobbing it at the back of his head, Annabeth said, “You are not getting away with this that easily. Why are you burning Cypress? Did you not have enough the last time?”

The stone hit with a dull thud, and blood began to seep into the blonde hair of the man before them. He turned, hatred on his face. “This dingy little town means nothing to me. And neither do you. You would dare to, what, throw a rock at me?” His laugh was tinged with madness as he drew his sword and pointed it at her. “Do you even know who I am, little knight?”

Annabeth gave him an unimpressed look, her dagger already drawn in her hand. “Do you know who I am, Luke? Or does family mean that little to you?”

It was almost as if his eyes glinted gold, reflecting the fire around them, and he raised his sword. “Mortal peasants mean nothing to me.”

Luke lunged, and a furious wind buffeted him back, knocking him off of his feet.

Annabeth whipped her head around, and saw Percy.

His sword was drawn, its eerie glow lighting the maelstrom that had gathered around him. A ferocious gale of water and wind, that put out the fire of the buildings beside them, and tore dirt and rocks up from the ground.

“I stopped you once Luke.” Percy said, walking towards the other man. “And I will do it again.”

“You stopped NOTHING, you puny excuse for a godling. You think one measly cut is enough to stop me?” Luke shouted, struggling to climb to his feet. Rocks and water pelted the man, soaking the dirty leather jerkin he wore. “This is only the beginning, Perseus. I have already gotten my prize.”

Percy shot forward, his sword swinging in a deadly arc through the air. Luke stumbled back, the blade catching the bottom of his jerkin, slicing it apart.

Luke pressed back, bringing up his own two-toned sword to clashed against Percy’s. The two men traded blows, neither getting a solid hit in, and Annabeth had to admit it, Luke was good.

She circled the fight, trying to find an opening behind Luke, but he seemed to sense her intentions. His blue eyes met her’s, and before she could react, Luke had ducked under Percy’s guard and grabbed her arm.

He pressed the blade of his sword under her neck, drawing a thin line of blood. “If you want your precious knight to live, Perseus, you will let me go. My quarrel is not with you today.”

“I find that hard to believe. Let her go, Luke.” Percy said, the wind swirling faster around him.

Annabeth could practically feel the grin next to her ear, and resisted the urge to flinch when Luke whispered to her, “Sorry, little Annie. But her life is worth more to me than yours.”

Before she could process his words, Luke shoved her forward, causing her to stumble into Percy.

He caught her, his hands on her arms to steady her. “Are you all right, Annabeth?”

She stared up at him, her eyes wide. Luke had disappeared between the buildings, and with the chaos of the fires, they knew it would be impossible to find him again.

But something…

Annabeth sheathed her knife, horror dawning across her face. “We need to get back to the castle. Now.”

The urgency in her voice moved his feet, and Percy quickly pulled her out of the alley. “What is going on?” He asked, pushing through villagers.

“He’s going after the Princess.” Annabeth said, running for her horse.

“What?”

The sound of hooves made them both look up, Blackjack nearly flying down the road toward them. Michael leapt from the horse before he had fully stopped, tumbling to the ground, shouting.

“Your Highness! It’s-they have-they have taken Princess Piper!” Ser Michael said, tears streaming down his face. “Please, they need you, please.”

Annabeth did not hesitate, leaping onto Guido and snapping the reins.

This could not be happening.

Not Piper.

Not her best friend.

No.

*

Darkness swallowed his world, and Jason could not remember going to sleep. His head throbbed, and loud noises slowly filtered into his consciousness. What was…?

“Ser Jason? Can you hear me?” A muffled voice asked, and Jason felt a hand lightly shake his shoulder.

“Wha..what hap’ned?” Jason mumbled, prying his eyes open.

Ser Malcolm hovered over him anxiously, fear lining his face. “Do not move, you have been hit in the head.”

Jason scrunched his face in confusion. “What?”

“Ser Jason…” Ser Malcolm said, looking up at approaching footsteps. “I-”

“Jason?” Percy’s voice said, and his friend dropped to the ground beside him. His skin was covered in black dust, and he smelled strongly of sea water and fire. “What happened?”

“I do not…know…” Jason whispered, his head ringing.

Percy looked at Ser Malcolm. “Has there been any sign of her?”

The knight shook his head, and Percy’s face darkened.

Any sign of…her?

Jason’s eyes widened, his memory coming back to him.

Piper.

He gripped Percy’s sleeve, drawing his friend’s attention back to him. “They took her, Percy.” Jason said, panic coating his voice. “They were dressed as servants, we thought they were bringing supplies but they-they got behind me and must have knocked me out, but they took her, Percy, they took the Princess.”

“I know.” Percy said, putting his hand on top of Jason’s. “It was Luke, we saw him in town. He had set it on fire, but it must have been a distraction so he could grab Piper.”

Jason’s heart sank, and he squeezed his eyes shut. He wished more than anything they could go back to that morning, when Piper had been held safely in his arms. Now, he was just a knight who had failed to protect the woman he loved.

“It was not your fault.” Percy murmured, squeezing his hand. “They had planned this, none of us knew. If we had…”

“I never would have left the Princess’s side.” Annabeth said, standing near Jason’s feet. Her eyes were red, pain and rage etched into every line of her face. A line of blood stood out against the pale skin on her throat. “Did you see what they looked like?”

The three of them stared at Jason intently, and he began to push himself up. Percy helped him into a sitting position, hands hovering in case he passed out again. It did not feel right to continue laying down, when they should be doing something to find Piper.

“There were…two of them?” Jason tried to recall, the memory fuzzy. “One had dark hair and a patch covering one eye. The other…kind of scrawny? Light hair? It is had to remember.”

“Scrawny…” Annabeth whispered, turning to Ser Malcolm. Her hands twisted into fists. “Ocatvain. Oh, I should have run the fucking weasel through when I got the locket.”

Ser Malcolm stood and gripped her arm tightly. “At least we know now, and can take the proper measures.”

Annabeth yanked her arm from his grasp. “It is not enough.” She said, her voice breaking. “They took her, Malcolm. I should have been here to stop it.”

“You were doing your duty-”

“My duty is to the Princess!” Annabeth yelled. “I am her knight! My only duty is to be by her side and protect her, and I was not there.”

Ser Malcolm looked at a loss and Jason shook his head.

“I am sorry, Annabeth.” He said.

She looked at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears, and she shook her head. Turning on her heel, Annabeth paced away, running her hands through her hair.

Percy gripped Jason’s shoulder, and said, “She does not blame you, she is just upset.”

Jason watched her walk away, and sighed. “I blame me.”

*

Sunlight dappled through the canvas of the tent, shining against the fabric of her now dirtied dress. Piper glared at the man who stood before her, flexing her wrists against the torn strip of fabric used to bind them.

The man who had grabbed her stood off to the side, leering at her, and she recognized him. Octavian. The merchant who had tried to get her to pay fifty gold pieces for her mother’s locket. The man who had hit Jason had left as soon as he had finished her binds, mumbling under his breath.

But the man standing before her, a scar curving across his face and his blue eyes filled with fire, Piper could guess who he was.

“What do you want with me, Luke?” She asked.

He grinned. “Ah, has your betrothed been speaking of me? Or was it your knight? I had an interesting encounter with the both of them earlier, Princess. Would you like to hear?”

Luke walked over to a small table, fingers grazing against her locket and Katopris, which had been taken from her when as they tied her up. He jerked his head at the Octavian, who slowly stalked out, eyes never leaving Piper.

She shuddered and Luke smiled at her, his scar pulling at the edge of his lips. “No? You would rather I talk about these wonderful gifts you have given me?”

“They do not belong to you.” Piper said, doing her best to summon her courtly persona, after being dragged through the mud and tied to a chair.

“Oh, Princess. I think you will find everything belongs to me.” Luke’s eyes flashed a glowing gold, and Piper recoiled.

That most certainly was not a good sign.

*

Annabeth paced in front of the doors to the Throne Room, her hands fisted at her sides. King Tristan had taken Percy into the meeting, but had not let her enter.

She understood, in some way. She was not with Piper when she needed her most, and the King knew it. Annabeth would be surprised if she kept her post when this was over and done with.

But right now, she could be useful. Piper had been taken and Annabeth was going insane waiting for the King to make a decision. All she wanted was to go after her, but there was protocol to follow. The King had final say in everything, and his advisors would try to guide his thoughts, even for his own daughter.

Jason stood a few feet from her, bandage wrapped clumsily around his head, and eyes red. She was not angry with him, not truly. They had all been fooled.

She did not want to imagine the things they could be doing to Piper while they wasted time with politics. If she had her way, they would have gone after her the moment they had found the right direction.

The Throne Room door slammed open, startling them both. Percy stood in the doorway, rage in every line of his body.

Annabeth heard her own father’s voice from inside the room. “You will show respect to the King!”

“I will show him respect when he earns it, by doing something to find his daughter.” Percy spat over his shoulder. “Rather than sitting on his throne, arguing.”

He turned to face them fully again, locking eyes with the King even from the distance and said, “If the Princess dies, it is on your head.”

And with that, he slammed the doors shut, cutting off the shocked cries.

“Percy?” Annabeth said, staring at him, stunned. “What-”

“We are going to get Piper.” Percy said, nodding his head to the entrance of the corridor. “They were too busy arguing to realize they are wasting time, and who knows what has happened. I will not let this go on any longer.”

His anger matched her own, and Annabeth breathed a sigh of relief. “Good.”

Jason was on their heels. “Do you know where they took her?”

“Ser Malcolm said he found tracks heading towards the sea. Awfully ironic,” He said, rolling his eyes. “But there was not any effort to hide their tracks, so we very well could be walking into a trap.”

Annabeth shoved the main doors open, heading straight for her horse. “I would like to see them fucking try.”

Percy grinned at her, whistling to Blackjack as he trotted up to them. “I must say, I like this side of you, Annabeth.”

“I am going to make them regret taking her.” Annabeth said, her voice low as she hoisted herself into the saddle. “I hope they make their last moments count.”

“Vicious.” Percy laughed, wheeling Blackjack around.

“I do not have a horse.” Jason said.

Annabeth held her hand out to him. “We have no time, ride with me.”

“Annabeth-”

“Jason, I swear to all the gods, if you do not get on this horse right now I will leave you.” Annabeth said.

“Yes, Ser.”

He settled in behind her, and she snapped the reins. Guido shot forward and they followed Percy and Blackjack to the trees.

“Do we have a plan?” Jason asked, one arm wrapped around her waist. “Or are we just charging in? I am fine with either, honestly.”

“I always have a plan, Jason.” Annabeth said, urging her horse faster.

They rode in silence, trees whipping by them, and the smell of the sea getting stronger with every step. It was not long before Percy began to slow.

“They are not too far ahead.” Percy whispered as they came up beside him. “What is this plan of yours, Annabeth?”

She grinned. “We go on foot from here.”

*

Her mother’s locket dangled from Luke’s fingers as he twirled Katopris in his other hand. Muffled voices could be heard outside the tent, but Luke paid them no mind.

“How one such as yourself came to hold two gifts from a god escapes me.” He said, Katopris flashing in his hand as he flipped the blade. “Tell me, Princess, would you like to rule?”

Piper stared at him, attempting to slip her hands through the strip of fabric that bound her hands. If she could keep him talking long enough, there was a chance she could break free, and grab Katopris and escape. Keep him talking.

“Would I like to rule my kingdom? When I am Queen, I will do my duty.” Piper said. “Not that that means anything to you.”

“Not your kingdom, Princess.” Luke said. “Every kingdom, every queendom, any land not held under a monarchy. Would you like to rule the world?”

“You are mad.” Piper said, feeling her binds loosen against her wrists.

“Not quite.” Luke said, gazing down into the polished blade of Katopris. “There is something I have, and I suspect you have as well, that makes us more fit to rule than regular mortals.”

He looked up at her, his handsome face glowing with passion, the blue of his eyes gleaming brightly despite the dim light of the tent. “Our godly blood brings us higher than any other, gives us more right to control and the power to do so. If you were to join the cause, Princess, we would be near unstoppable. We could have anything we wanted.”

“And when we are in control, we will finally have the power, the strength, to take on the gods themselves.” The conviction in Luke’s voice burned brighter than the few candles in the tent, and Piper knew how he had convinced so many people this way.

But his words struck her, freezing her movements as she stared at him in shock. “Take…on the gods themselves?” She repeated. “I do not understand.”

Luke’s teeth flashed as he grinned. “The time for gods is over, Princess. I intend to make it so.”

Walking back to the table, Luke laid the locket down, his eyes catching Katopris again, and this time, his face changed. The light in his eyes died, his skin paling as he stared down at the polished blade. A cold chill swept through the tent, and Piper knew she was out of time.

With one final, powerful tug, Piper pulled her hands free of the fabric binding them, her wrists chafed and red from the effort. While Luke’s eyes stayed on the blade, Piper lunged forward, snagging the locket off the table and attempting to knock Katopris from his hand. A shout sounded from outside the tent and a clash of blades.

Luke’s eyes snapped to hers, flashing gold as the flap of the tent was thrown open.

*

Jason’s heart pounded in his ears as he crept behind Percy and Annabeth. They had found the kidnappers camp easily enough, and despite everything, there did not appear to be many people around.

Two men stood outside the largest tent, speaking in low voices, and that was all.

So much for his great army.

Annabeth scoffed under her breath as they crouched in the tree line. “Octavian. I should have known he would be involved in something like this the little-”

“Is that the merchant from town?” Percy said, squinting. “When I was there by myself, he tried to sell me a literal stone he had picked up from the ground for twenty pieces of gold.”

“That sounds like him.” Annabeth’s glare was deadly, and Jason was never more grateful to be on the same side as her. “I will handle him, Percy, you take eyepatch.”

Percy glanced back at Jason, an apology in his eyes. “Jason was knocked unconscious not too long ago, you are really going to send him against Luke by himself? We do not know what is happening in that tent, we should wait until we can all go in together.”

“That is a nice sentiment.” Annabeth whispered, turning her glare to him. “But we do not know how much time we have, and whether others are coming back. We do not know what kind of fighter eyepatch over there is, and the noise is bound is attract Luke’s attention. “

“Believe me,” She said, every muscle in her body pulled taut, fear and anger fighting for dominance behind her eyes, “I want to get in there with Piper more than anything, but Luke took her for a reason. He is not going to kill her while was take care of them. This is the best option, Percy.”

“What if he just takes her somewhere else? We will be distracted, how will we stop him?” Jason asked, his hands clenched so tightly he could feel his fingernails beginning to pierce his skin.

Annabeth grinned, and Jason felt a trill of fear flood through him.

“I do not think Luke really considered the placement of his camp.” She said, gazing to the east. “In one direction lie the armies of Cypress. And in the other-”

“The sea.” Percy said, a small smile taking his face. He stared at Annabeth with a wonder that made Jason’s heart ache and yearn for the Princess inside the tent. “How did you know-”

Her grin fell. “Unfortunately, Luke has not changed much since he was a child. This has never been his strong suit.”

“All right.” Percy said, turning to Jason. “Are you okay with this?”

Jason looked past him, pulling the bandage from his head and tightened his grip on his sword. “We have to get her back. And if he has hurt her-”

“Then he will not see morning.” Annabeth said, her voice dark.

“We will join you once we have taken care of these two.” Percy said. “Be careful, Jason, I do not want you getting hurt.”

“Well, you will just have to hurry up then.” He stood, ducking quickly behind a tree and beginning to skirt the edge of the camp.

Percy and Annabeth split, each heading in a different direction. Before long, they had disappeared from Jason’s vision and he was alone.

He wove through the trees, heading for the back of the tent. He planned to check the perimeter and make sure there were no surprises, when he heard a shout from the front of the tent. Jason’s feet carried him faster than his brain could comprehend, and he saw Octavian with his face pressed into the dirt and Annabeth’s knee pressed into his back.

Percy was a few feet away, and his sword clashed loudly against the other man’s, and Jason knew he was out of time.

He stepped to the front of the tent and threw the flap open.

His eyes met Piper’s and relief spread through him, even as she threw herself away from Luke and Jason attacked. Swinging his sword, rage flooding his chest as Luke parried his blow with Piper’s dagger.

“Oh the little knight, come to save the Princess?” Luke grinned, shoving Jason back. “You were never as impressive as your sister, Little Jason. Why do you not quit, and go back to dogging your Prince’s footsteps? It is the only thing you are useful for, really. A human shield for those more powerful than you.”

Piper had made her way over closer to him, and the red-raw of her wrists where she had been bound made a bolt something white hot flash through him.

Sparks flashed down the length of his golden blade, and Jason felt the electricity flow through him, and wind begin to whip around the tent. He took a step toward Luke and thunder rumbled in the distance.

“You will never touch her again.” Jason said, continuing his advance. “I will make sure of it.”

“Jason…” Piper whispered, and Jason felt a tug on the back of his tunic as she reached for him. “Not now. We cannot.”

As she continued to pull on his tunic, Jason reached his free hand back, feeling for hers. As their fingers wound together, Jason’s heart settled, and the wind died.

She was okay. She was okay, and there was no reason for them to stay. Jason stepped back, Piper pulling him towards the entrance to the tent.

Luke watched them go, hatred burning on his face, and Katopris still clutched in his hand.

*

The scent of the sea stirred his blood as Percy skirted the campsite, his eyes locked on his target. He knew Annabeth’s plan was sound, but he had an ache in his chest, sending Jason in alone. Sending him to face Luke alone, and Piper having already faced him alone…

Percy knew, as a war general, sometimes you had to send people out on their own missions, with their own tasks, in order for things to work, to save the most people. You had to put a few people in slightly more danger in order to win.

That did not make it any easier.

If Percy could face every evil, every battle, every sword and arrow himself, he would. In order to protect the people he loved, Percy would take on the world.

His eyes strayed to where he knew Annabeth was, though he could not see her. She was…

Percy sighed, shaking his head. He needed to focus.

Watching the man with the eyepatch, his clothing ragged and his sword chipped, Percy wondered how he got involved in this. This life obviously was not treating him well, and Percy’s sword to his throat was not going to make that any better.

As he approached through the tree line, his target turned his back and Percy pulled Riptide from his pocket and lunged.

Their swords met as the man whipped around, the clash loud and surely alerting Luke to their presence. Jason needed to hurry.

Percy shoved him back, their blades ringing out as they slid against each other, and saw Annabeth pin Octavian from the corner of his eye.

“You do not have to do this.” Percy said, watching as the man’s face twisted in hatred.

“That sure is something coming from you, General.” He spat, circling Percy, looking for an opening.

The honorific rocked Percy, and he tried to look closer, but he did not recognize the man. “Who are you?” He asked.

The man’s smile lacked any trace of warmth, a cold look in his remaining eye. “I am not surprised you do not remember me. After all, what is one missing godling from your ranks? If you even knew what I was. I certainly didn’t.”

His voice was bitter as he continued, “But still, when they took me, I had hope the great General Perseus, one who everyone spoke of in such reverent tones, how he valued his men and did everything he could to protect them, would come and rescue me.”

“And when they dropped me at the feet of my mother, after so many months of capture and torture and failing hope, all I had left in me was a thirst for revenge. Against you, your kingdom, and everyone like you.” He stepped closer and brought his sword up. “She took my eye, and now I have my chance.”

He lunged, and Percy sidestepped, bringing his own sword around to stab at his side, drawing blood. Then he grabbed for the man’s wrist, twisting it and forcing him to drop his sword.

He thrashed in Percy’s grip and the proximity made realization flood through him.

“You were in Thalia’s squadron.” Percy breathed out, wide eyes on the man’s face. “We counted you among the dead…Ethan.”

Ethan ripped his arm from Percy’s grasp, and swung his fist to connect firmly with Percy’s cheek, causing him to stumble.

“I lived.” Ethan seethed, picking his sword up from the ground. “With no thanks to you.”

His eye caught something behind Percy and he shook his head. “This is not over. I will make you pay.” And he turned, sprinting into the trees, away from the camp, away from Luke, from Percy.

Percy turned, his heart heavy in his chest, and watched as Jason and Piper backed out of the tent, hand in hand. Sparks died along Jason’s sword and Piper held her mother’s locket tightly in one fist.

“Oh thank gods.” Annabeth said, where she still had Octavian pressed face down in the dirt. “Piper.”

She stood, rushing to the Princess’s side, eyes checking her over.

“You did it.” Percy said, trying for the relief he knew he should feel, but Ethan’s words kept echoing through his head. “I’m glad you are both okay.”

Annabeth’s face was dark as she took in Piper’s wounds, but she nodded. “We should get back to the castle.”

Jason began to lead Piper to the trees, and Percy closed his eyes, calling for Blackjack and Guido, feeling their hooves pounding his his chest as they responded. “The horses-”

“No!”

Annabeth’s shout shook him, and his eyes flew open to see her throw herself in front of him, a dagger slamming into her shoulder. Horror spread through him, and he looked up, seeing Luke’s shocked face standing at the mouth of the tent, arm raised from  the throw.

“Annabeth!” Percy caught her as she fell, blood quickly soaking her green tunic. “No, oh gods, Annabeth.”

Her face was pale, and her eyes fever bright as she looked up at him. “You save me and I save you. That’s the deal, right?”

“What are you talking about?” Percy wanted to shake her, to make sense of what she was saying. “There was never a deal, Annabeth, you do not owe me anything.”

Annabeth smiled, and her eyes fell shut.

“Annabeth, do not fall asleep, come on, you have to stay awake.” Percy could feel the panic bubbling in his chest, and he looked up, casting around for something, anything that could help.

All he saw was Jason and Piper, standing a distance away, staring in shock at the sight in front of them, and an empty clearing.

Luke was gone, and Annabeth was bleeding out.

He needed-

Hooves pounded behind him, and suddenly Blackjack was at his side, lowering himself to the ground. His large, dark eyes met Percy’s and understanding passed between them.

Percy did not want to move her with the blade still in her shoulder, and began to rip his tunic apart to try and staunch the bleeding. She was going to be okay. She had to be.

She had to be okay.

*

Riding back to the castle on the back of Annabeth’s horse, her arms wrapped around Jason’s waist, but all of Piper’s focus was on the woman on the horse ahead of them.

Annabeth sat, her head lolling against Percy’s shoulder as he supported her as they rode as quickly as they dared. The Prince had pulled Katopris from Annabeth’s shoulder and quickly bandaged it with strips he had ripped from his own shirt. The horse they rode had seemed to sense Percy’s distress, though Piper thought it was a horse from her own stables, not one he had brought with him.

The relationship he had with the horse was not the only thing she had noticed. While she had not known him very long, Piper could see the way his face changed when Annabeth had gotten hurt.

When she jumped in front of him, and took the knife that was meant for him.

As Annabeth fulfilled the prophecy they never had the chance to tell her of.

Piper watched the way Percy’s arm tightened around Annabeth’s waist as they went over a fallen tree, her blonde hair loose and spilling over his shoulder. She could practically feel his concern radiating from him.

There was a different feeling about the two of them. Piper did not know what all had happened while she had been taken, but whatever it was…changed them.

Despite Annabeth’s precarious situation, Piper could not help but smile. She pressed her face into Jason’s back and felt him glance over his shoulder.

“Princess?” Jason said, concern dripping from his voice. “Are you all right?”

Piper hummed against his back, scooting closer and tightening her arms around his waist. “Yes, love, I am okay. Just…”

Jason took one hand from the reins, and held it over hers, careful of the wounds on her wrists. “What?”

Snuggling closer, Piper pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “Happy, Jason. Just happy.”

She knew he was still confused, especially given Annabeth’s wound, but she could not help it. Piper knew in her heart that Annabeth would be okay, and that no matter what happened from here, she would have Percy at her side.

The Prince and the Knight.

Piper looked at Jason and smiled.

Yes. That would work.

*

The courtyard was full of people when Percy arrived back with the others. Knights and guards lined the perimeter, while a few lords and ladies conversed on the stairs. The guards parted for him like a wave, their eyes widening as they realized who he was supporting.

Jason and Piper followed after him, and the gap closed behind them.

“Prince Percy!” Ser Malcolm shoved his way through the crowd that had formed, and stared back at the Princess. “Princess Piper. I am so glad you are safe.”

“Ser Malcolm.” Percy said, turning his own attention to Annabeth. He pressed his fingers under her jaw, and felt her pulse thump strongly against them. “Help me get her down, will you?”

Malcolm’s face paled as he looked at Annabeth, but reached his hands out, supporting her as Percy slid her carefully off Blackjack. Piper and Jason came to their side, after handing Guido’s reins to a nearby guard, as Annabeth’s feet hit the cobblestone.

She was still unconscious and Percy could not get the image of her throwing herself in front of him out of his mind. Why would she…

“Princess!” A young lord ran down the steps, his round face shining with relief. “Oh, I am so glad you are safe. You should go see the King, he will want to know you are back.”

Percy jumped off Blackjack, and nodded to Piper. “I will come with you. Jason, Malcolm, if you would-”

“Of course.” Jason stooped down and picked Annabeth up, holding her securely in his arms. “Ser Malcolm, if you would lead the way.”

They disappeared into the castle with Annabeth, and Percy kept his eyes on them until they turned the corner.

Percy sighed, rubbing his hand tiredly over his face. “What is that saying, Piper? Out of the frying pan-”

“And into the fire.” She completed. “It will not be that bad. And Annabeth will be all right, she is strong.”

They began to make their way into the castle, and towards the war room. Percy said, “I do not know, Piper. It was almost impossible for me not to follow her, damn the King.”

His heart ached, knowing she was hurt because of him, and he had not remained by her side. And now he had to go do politics and face the ire of the King for disobeying direct orders.

Piper placed her hand on his arm and gave him a soft smile. “You still could, you know. I would cover for you with my father. Although, our physician is very strict and rarely lets people in the room while he works.”

Percy placed his hand over hers. “No, I have to speak with him about this. Thank you, though.”

“Thank gods.” Piper said, falling into him. “I did not want to go in there alone.”

Percy laughed, despite himself. “You are very brave.”

“I know!” Piper said.

They climbed the stairs in silence, Percy’s mind fuzzy with concern. One consolation was that Jason had gone with Annabeth. He felt better knowing she had someone close by.

“So,” Piper said, interrupting his thoughts. “Are you going to tell me what is going on between you and Annabeth?”

“What?” Percy stopped walking, and stared at her. “Nothing, I mean, nothing you do not already know?”

Piper gave him a knowing smile, and Percy began to think she knew more than he did. “I have known Annabeth a long time, and you, comparatively less, but I am fairly good at recognizing love when I see it.”

“Love?” The word came out as a breathless whisper, and Percy cleared his throat. “Nothing, we went to town this morning to make preparations, and found it in flames.”

“What?” Piper’s face drained of color.

Nodding, Percy continued. “It was Luke, he set the fire as a distraction so he could grab you. And he…we exchanged words and fought and then he caught Annabeth and threatened to kill her.”

“Oh gods.” Piper’s eyes were wide as she took in his story. “What happened?”

Percy shook his head, giving a small shrug. “I pressed the attack, and he let her go. And in my desire to make sure she was okay, Luke got away.”

“And that is when Octavian and the other one took me.” Piper said, nodding slowly. “Luke was not there when I first arrived, they planned it very well.”

“That is why we are going to tell your father we have to attack first.” Percy said, starting to walk again.

“First? Is that a good idea?”

Percy looked at her, standing straighter and regaining the bearing of a war general. “I will not put more innocent people in harms way just so we can wait in the safety of the castle for an attack.”

Piper stared at him, watching as he transformed from the affable prince to the hardened war general before her eyes, and gave a curt nod. “Then I will back you.”

“Thank you.”

*

The voices in the war room fell into a hushed silence when Percy pushed open the doors, holding them open for Piper to walk through first. A few lords stood from their seats, but Percy and Piper paid them no attention.

The King stood from his chair as Percy shut the doors, and walked over to his daughter. “Piper…”

“Father.” She smiled and embraced him.

The whole room averted their eyes as King Tristan hugged her back, his eyes glistening with tears. “You are safe, I-” He looked up at Percy. “I cannot express my gratitude enough, Perseus.”

“There is no need, Your Majesty.” Percy said.

“Especially given he disobeyed direct orders.” Frederick Chase muttered from down the table.

Percy glared down the table at the man. “You should know, Frederick, your daughter is currently in the infirmary with an injury she sustained doing her duty.”

The man froze for a moment, before beginning to rearrange the papers in from of him. “She also disobeyed orders.”

“You-”

“Enough.” Piper said, pulling away from her father and stepping up to the table. “Ser Annabeth was injured serving me, as is her duty as my knight. If she were to not have come for me, she would have been betraying her oath. I believe that bears more weight than any order.”

Percy stared at Piper as her voice reverberated through the room, and the locket she had reclasped around her neck began to glow.

“If Prince Percy and the knights had not taken the initiative, I could very well be dead. Now,” She said, meeting the eye of everyone in the room and lifting her wrists, showing how raw her binds are rubbed the skin. “Prince Percy has something to say, and you will listen, for it could mean life and death.”

For a moment, his voice escaped him as he met Piper’s eyes. There was a power behind her words, a sense of control that had nothing to do with being a princess. The glow around her faded but Percy was standing in awe of her, and a little frightened.

What could Piper do with that power?

“Perseus?” King Tristan prompted, shaking Percy from his thoughts.

“Yes, of course, thank you, Princess.” Percy straightened his shoulders and lifted his chin, meeting the eyes of all the various nobility around the table, the King last. “We must send a scout to search the area. Luke is out there and he is sure to be rallying his forces for an attack. I propose we attack first.”

King Tristan stepped closer to the table, examining the map of his kingdom. “Our people have never been to war, Perseus, and you wish for us to make the first move.”

“War is coming, whether you want it or not.” Percy said. “Waiting for Luke to storm the castle is far worse than seeking him out and meeting him in fair combat on the field. Making the first move saves innocent lives. I will not stand by and allow innocent people to be hurt when I could have done something to stop it.”

His mind flashed to a face half covered with an eyepatch, hatred and betrayal burning in the other. Ethan believed he betrayed him, left him for dead, and Percy did not wish for anyone else to feel such a pain. Not if he could help it.

A lord spoke from the other end of the table, his arms folded across his chest. Percy did not recognize him, but his green eyes stared at Percy with a confidence that felt familiar. “And who would lead these armies, Prince Perseus?”

Percy held his gaze, and said, “I will. Cypress is meant to be my home, and I will defend it as such. I would not see her fall if it is within my power.” He smiled, and watched as a few lords and ladies leaned back from the sight. “And it is within my power.”

A handful of lords who had been nodding along to his words stood, clasping their hands over their hearts. “And we will fight with you, Your Highness.”

“No.”

Heads turned to King Tristan where he stood, his head bowed as he leaned with his hands on the war table.

“Father?” Piper said, stepping closer to him.

He shook his head and raised his eyes to meet Percy’s, his face grave. “I am sorry, Perseus, and my lords, but this is not a battle you can fight. If you are to ride into battle, you may not take any soldiers but those of godly blood.”

Piper gasped, grabbing the King’s arm. “Father, no, that is a death sentence, there are too many-”

“Do you understand, Perseus?” The King said, his eyes locked on Percy’s.

“Father!”

“I understand, Your Majesty.” Percy said, and Piper whipped her head around to stare at him incredulously. “If you will excuse me, I must begin preparations.”

He turned and walked out the doors, hearing Piper call after him. He made it a ways down the hall before she grabbed his arm, pulling him to a stop.

“You cannot be serious about this, Percy.” Piper’s warm brown eyes pleaded with him and Percy looked away. “We have no idea what his forces look like and you want to go into battle with barely forty soldiers? That is a death sentence, Percy, I will not allow it.”

“Piper,” Percy said, slipping his hand into hers and squeezing her fingers. “You must realize, we have no choice. We know Luke is hesitant to kill those of godly blood. If we brought those without it into battle it would be guaranteeing their deaths to save our own lives, and that is not something I am willing to do.”

He resumed walking, heading to where he assumed Ser Malcolm still was, making to let go of Piper’s hand.

She held on tighter and stayed at his side. “And you must set out today?”

“As soon as we can.” Percy turned to her as he heard her sniffle, his heart aching as the tears fell down her cheeks. He stopped once more, and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her shaking body. “I know this is frightening, Piper, but you must remember. I have been through war before, I know what I am doing and we will make it out of this.”

He pulled back and tilted his head to meet her eyes. “I promise.”

Piper shook her head, tears falling faster. “I do not want to lose you, any of you. We have only just-” She choked on a sob, pressing a hand to her mouth.

Percy pulled her back into the embrace, holding her as she cried. He felt as if his heart was being torn in two, and he knew it would nearly kill him to leave Piper and Annabeth behind.

War was something he was familiar with, as was leaving behind those he loved. During the war with Attica, he had left his mother and younger sister in Montauk, under the protection of guards and a few trusted knights. They would do anything for the Queen and Princess, and so Percy worried less.

And he took the others closest to him, with him. Thalia and Jason stayed at his side through the entire battle.

This felt different.

Annabeth was too injured to fight, and Piper was not trained. Though, he was sure after this, she would be changing that.

Percy felt as though he was leaving his heart behind in the castle, with nothing but a few walls keeping his from total destruction.

He thought of how Piper had spoken in the war room, and an idea occurred to him.

Maybe…they had more defenses than they thought.

Piper wipes the tears from her cheeks as she stepped back, her eyes bright. “If this is something you must do, I understand. I only wish I could help.” She laughed bitterly, rubbing her arms. “I am afraid I feel rather useless.”

“Maybe you do not have to.” Percy said, his mind spinning as his idea formed.

Piper stared at him. “What do you mean?”

“What you did in the war room, when you convinced them to listen.” Percy looked at her, seeing her confusion. “How did you do that?”

“I did not do anything.” Piper said. “All I did was…speak. Put conviction behind my words so they would know I meant it.”

Percy’s eyes dropped to the locket around her neck. “I do not think that was only conviction, Piper.”

Her hand went up and she touched the warm metal. “You think my mother had something to do with this?”

“Whether it was from the locket, or something you have always had inside of you, Piper your voice has a power like nothing I have ever seen before.”

“My voice?”

“You can tell people to do whatever you want, when your put that conviction, that power, behind your words, and they will do it. Without question.” Percy shook his head. “And it is not because you are a Princess.”

“You believe I have…a power in my voice that is not from my station but…my godly blood?” Piper had one hand pressed to the locket, and her other arm wrapped around herself. “I had a similar thought once, but...how does this help us?”

Percy swallowed. “Inevitably, someone will break through our line and make their way for the castle. You could stop them.”

“Stop them?”

“Make them leave. Convince them, the way you convinced those lords and ladies to listen. You need not do anything else. Just make them leave.” Percy said.

“Convince them.” She repeated. “I am sorry, this is a lot to take in.”

Percy reached for her hand again. “I understand, believe me. The first time I used my powers and realized that I was the one doing it…my heart did not stop racing the entire day.”

“I am sorry to put you in this position so soon. If we had more time-”

“But we do not.” Piper said, squeezing his hand. “Luke is sure to be preparing an attack, and we must get there first. I will do everything I can here.”

“You can do it, I believe in you, Piper. No one loves Cypress more than you, and you will keep it safe.” Percy said, giving her a small smile.

“Let us hope you are right, Percy.”

*

Piper could feel the pressure of her conversation with Percy threatening to push her over the edge. It was now her responsibility to keep the entire castle safe, using a power she had barely even realized she had.

It was terrifying.

The only thing keeping her together was Percy’s steady presence at her side as they made their way toward Annabeth’s room. He believed in her, and Percy was one of the most powerful people she knew.

If he believed, than there must be some truth in it.

Right?

Piper pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind, determined to focus on them later. Right now, Annabeth needed her.

They reached her door, and Piper did not hesitate, pulling it open and rushing in. The sight that greeted her was far calmer than she had expected.

Ser Malcolm sat on a small stool by her bedside, with Jason leaning against the large wardrobe set across from the bed. Their resident physician, William, fussed over Annabeth where she lay propped against a mountain of pillows.

Annabeth’s face was covered in a sheen of sweat, and her shoulder was wrapped tightly in white gauzy bandages that showed just how much she was still bleeding as the fabric stained a deep red.

But her eyes were open and filled with relief when they met Piper’s.

“Annabeth!” Piper nearly sobbed, tears welling in her eyes as she rushed to her bedside. “Oh, I am so glad you are all right.”

“As am I, Princess.” Annabeth smiled softly, reaching for her hand. Then, her eyes slid past Piper, focusing on something behind her. Her expression changed, a heavy warmth and small measure of guilt lit up her gray eyes and Piper knew Percy must have entered behind her.

“You’re alive.” He said, moving to stand near the foot of her bed.

Annabeth tried to shrug, but winced as the movement jostled her shoulder. “As are you.”

“All thanks to you.” Percy’s voice was soft, and suddenly Piper felt as if she was intruding on something private. “Why did you do it?”

“Did you think I was just going to let you die?” Annabeth said. “My job is to protect you. Luke was aiming to kill, and he does not miss.”

Percy shook his head. “It is Jason’s job to protect me.”

“I suppose we never truly switched back then, did we?” Annabeth said, glaring at him. “What, are you angry with me? I saved your life.”

Piper averted her eyes, and saw Jason, Malcolm, and William do the same. She was in the middle of wondering if she could manage to slip out unnoticed when Percy spoke again.

“No. But you got hurt because of me, because I was not paying attention.” The pain in his voice was palpable, and Piper saw him shift uncomfortably from the corner of her eye. “It is my fault.”

Annabeth sighed, closing her eyes and sinking back into her pillows. “You really are an idiot, you know.”

William let out a surprised laugh, quickly muffling it behind his hand as Ser Malcolm hit his shoulder.

Percy barely paid them any mind, his eyes focused squarely on Annabeth. “I am not the one jumping in front of flying blades.”

“Like you have never done it before.”

For a long moment they just looked at each other, and the air between them seemed to heat. Piper fought to keep the smile from her face.

“If you two are done flirting, we do have business to attend to.” Piper said, grinning as Percy blushed and Annabeth rolled her eyes.

Percy cleared his throat. “Yes, you are correct. Ser Malcolm, may I speak to you in the hall?”

The knight nodded and followed Percy out of the room, nodding to Piper and Annabeth. Jason went after them, giving Piper a small smile as he passed.

The door closed, leaving Piper and Annabeth alone with William. The physician busied himself with grinding herbs with his small mortar and pestle in the corner.

“How are you really feeling?” Piper asked, trying to catch Annabeth’s eyes as she stared at the door, as if willing it to turn invisible so she could see what was happening on the other side. “And do not lie, I know you too well for that.”

Annabeth sighed, glancing down at her shoulder. “It hurts, but nothing I cannot handle. The medicine Will gave me, however, is making it hard to keep my eyes open.”

Piper squeezed her hand. “Sleep does help us heal, you should know that.”

“I keep trying to tell her, but she refuses to listen.” William said, moving around the bed. “I have a salve that should help with the pain, but it will sting for a moment when it comes in contact with your skin.”

“And then you are going to sleep, Annabeth.” Piper said, nearly pouring her conviction behind her words, before realizing what that would mean. And Piper would never take away her friend’s free will in such a way. “I mean it. There is nothing you can do until you are healed.”

Annabeth’s honey blonde curls flattened against her pillow as she slipped down the bed. “This would be much easier if I did not know there was a war going on.”

Piper watched as William unwrapped Annabeth’s shoulder to apply the salve, but looked away as the swollen, bloody flesh was revealed. “Well, maybe when you wake up next, it will be over.”

“What?” Annabeth’s eyes pierced into hers. “Piper, what are you talking about?”

“I should not have said anything.” Piper said, cursing herself. There was a reason Percy had not spoken to Malcolm in the room, and the feverish light in Annabeth’s eyes was it. Her knight would do nearly anything to be out on the field of battle, no matter how injured she was.

“Yes, you should. What is going on?” Annabeth said, hissing in pain as William spread the herb mixture over her wound. “Piper. Tell me.”

Piper sighed, pressing her hands to her eyes. “Once our scouts come back with his location, Percy will lead a battalion to meet him, launching the attack ourselves.”

“You cannot be serious.” Annabeth said, her face pale from fear and blood loss. “How many soldiers is he taking? All of them, I hope?”

Piper did not answer right away, causing Annabeth to reach out and pull her hands down from her face. “Piper? How many?”

She kept her eyes on their hands, and whispered, “Only those with godly blood.”

Annabeth’s hand went slack in hers. She did not say anything, leaning against her pillows and covering her own face with her hands. Her body shook slightly with tremors, and Piper knew they were not from the wound in her shoulder.

“Trust me, I am not happy about it either, but it was not his decision. It was my father’s.” Piper said, keeping her voice low. “I am afraid, Annabeth.”

Dropping her hands from her face, eyes burning with determination that Piper did not know what to make of, Annabeth said, “So am I, Princess.”

*

Annabeth lay under the heavy covers of her bed, drifting off alone. William had given her an elixir for the pain, warning her it would make her drowsy, but Annabeth thought this was an understatement. She could barely keep her eyes open.

She supposed it was a good thing Piper had left, muttering about taking time to prepare, though Annabeth’s foggy mind could not figure out what she meant. There was no one to stay awake for, given that Percy and Jason and Malcolm had never returned from their conversation. Their conversation about launching an attack themselves.

Suspicion clouded her mind as she drifted to sleep, leading her to dreams that were something…more.

Luke’s face dominating her dreams as he stared into the blade of Katopris, images flashes before his eyes. Fire and blood, and the world shattering. All of it at his hand, or…no. Someone else was pulling the strings.

The flash of gold she’d seen in Luke’s eyes.

A power far greater than him, that spoke to him in the quiet, slipping through the rage in his mind like it was nothing. Controlling his arm, even when he tried to abort the throw when he saw Annabeth move.

Family.

She saw her own face, younger, her gray eyes wide with betrayal and anger, and felt Luke’s heart tear in two as he turned away, leaving her and the house he had grown up in to burn.

Even back then, a voice whispering in his mind. Godlings are more powerful, you are better than them. You deserve to rule. To have control. I can give it to you. All you must do is…

Flashes to battles Luke had fought, murders he had performed at the behest of another, meeting Percy amidst a sea of bodies and blood. The searing pain of Percy’s sword slicing his face open.

The rage when he had learned Luke was unsuccessful in recruiting the son of the sea god.

The knowledge of what would happen if Luke did not succeed this time, if he did not take Cypress. It would cost him his life. Another would be in control.

He  would be in control.

And Luke could not let that happen.

Families protect each other.

The vision of a familiar field, on the outskirts of the village, where no one had lived in years. All that was left was a small, crumbling cottage, near the remains of the burnt shell of another.

That is where it would happen.

The final battle, the place where he would either turn Percy or kill him.

Luke held in sword flat across his palms, holding back a flinch when it burned white hot with power, grimacing when his eyes flared gold and…stayed that way.

Luke stood, his movements smoother than should be possible, and even in a dream, Annabeth knew without a doubt.

That was not  Luke. Not anymore.

Something else stood up in his place.

Annabeth woke up in a cold sweat, the sound of trumpets outside her window ripping her from her dreams. She pulled herself from bed, panting from the effort and the pain, and stumbled to the window.

Below she could see the courtyard, and various banners, held in the hands of knights mounted on horse back. Their armor gleamed in the midday sun, and there was a somberness to the air that made her heart clench in her chest.

They were preparing for battle.

And they were not taking her with them.

She scanned the crowd, looking for Percy and his distinctive, green hued armor and cape that looked as though it was sewn from a wave. Annabeth found him, the glint of his golden crown catching her eye as he spoke to Jason and Malcolm beside him. His face was serious, and Annabeth knew she was running out of time.

Knights around him were still running around, preparing, but soon, they would leave.

And Annabeth was going with them. Especially since she knew exactly where they needed to go, and the best ways to get there.

After all, it was her old home.

She would never forget.

“William!” Annabeth shouted, stumbling for her wardrobe and throwing it open.

Her door burst open as the physician barged in, panic lining his face. “Ser Annabeth! You should not be up, you-”

“I need you to bind my shoulder.” She said, crouching to pull her armor out. “Retrict movement as much as possible, to prevent as much further injury as you can.”

“Ser Annabeth, I cannot with good conscience let you leave this room.” William said, shutting the door behind him. “Even if I were to bind your shoulder, it would leave you even more vulnerable to attack. There is good reason the Prince did not seek you to go with them.”

She shook her head, checking over her armor and making sure all the pieces were there. “You must know me well enough by now, Will.” Annabeth said, staring into his blue eyes. “I will go whether or not you help me, but your help could mean the difference in my return. Please.”

He held her eyes for a moment longer, and sighed. Running his hands through his shaggy blonde hair, William said, “All right. But you will have to sit still, I will not be chasing you around as you try to put on your armor at the same time.”

Annabeth dropped to sit on the edge of her bed, causing her armor to rattle as she jostled it. “Deal.”

*

Adjusting the straps on her bracer, Annabeth strode into the busy courtyard, eyes scanning the small amount of knights already mounted on horseback. There were not nearly as many as they would need and her heart felt as if it would break free of her chest with the panic that spread through her.

She did not know how she knew, but Annabeth’s dreams held the haze of reality. These things happened, or were going to happen, and she was afraid.

Luke was just a man, no matter his skill with a sword, that is all he was. Godly blood or no, it was possible to defeat him, as it was any of them. But this…Annabeth did not even know what to call it.

Was it a god? Or something worse?

It had taken over Luke’s body and they had no idea what it was capable of, or whether it was even possible to defeat it.

And that scared her more than she truly wanted to admit.

Annabeth shook the thoughts from her head, as she realized her arrival in the courtyard was not unnoticed. The knights who had spotted her whispered to others, and soon near all eyes were on her.

Including three sets that mattered the most.

Piper dashed from Jason’s side, her magenta dress flying behind her as she moved to grip Annabeth’s hands. “What are you doing, you should be in bed!”

“I am fine, Princess.” Annabeth said, avoiding the green eyes that were boring into her and craning her neck. “Have you seen my horse?”

“Annabeth, are you crazy?” Piper tightened her hold on her hands. “You cannot go out there.”

“She’s right.”

Percy had walked up behind Piper, his face pale as he looked at her. “You should be resting, if the blade were another two inches to the left, you would be dead, Annabeth.”

“Then it is a good thing it was not.”

“Annabeth.”

Her face was hard, eyes piercing Percy’s as she stepped closer to him. “I will not let you go into this fight alone, and without all the information.”

She had to tell him of her dreams, and what awaited them in that lonely field, but the words stuck in her throat as he raised his arms.

“I am not alone.” He said, gesturing to Jason and the rest of the godling knights that surrounded them. “You need to stay here, for your own safety.”

“And what about your safety, Your Highness?” Annabeth said the honorific like a curse, glaring. “You will not do this without me. This is my home, my mistake, and I have as much right to defend it as any of you.”

Percy stepped closer, and she could feel his breath on her cheek when he spoke. “You have not made any mistakes, Annabeth. None of this lay on your shoulders, and you do not have to sacrifice yourself for some perceived guilt. None of this is your fault.”

“Is it not?” Annabeth held his gaze. “I have something to tell you, and I do not know what to make of it.”

“It cannot wait?” Percy studied her face as she shook her head, finally nodding. “All right. Let us go inside, and maybe I can finally convince you to stay here.”

Annabeth could not find the strength to smile, and looked over his shoulder, scanning the crowd of knights. “I would not count on it. Michael!”

The young knight locked eyes with her, his face flaming red as he ran up. “Ser Annabeth! I-”

“Michael, could you find my horse for me?” She interrupted, mentally apologizing to the excitable knight. “I will be joining you all momentarily.”

“Of course.” He clasped his fist to his chest and bowed his head, scrambling off in the direction of the stables.

“I know a place we can talk.” Piper said, reminding them of her presence as Percy took a hasty step back, color flooding back into his cheeks. Piper gave Jason a sly look that Annabeth did not have time to interpret, and lead the way into the castle.

Jason and Percy stayed near her as they walked, and Annabeth could feel their worry radiating from them like heat from a campfire. It took everything she had not to roll her eyes, and if she did not have genuinely important information to tell them, she would have just snuck out to do this on her own.

Piper took them to a door, a little ways down the main hallway, and shoved her bare shoulder against the wood. The door creaked open and the four of them piled inside the dusty room.

Jason went to Piper’s side and examined her now red shoulder, as she smiled at his fussing.

As happy as she was for them, Annabeth knew she was going to shatter their peace with a few words.

“What is it, Annabeth?” Percy asked, his voice quiet in the unused room. “You look…”

He did not finish, but Annabeth knew her fear was exposed, shining through her eyes. But she met his, and said, “I know you may not believe what I am about to say, but I need you to listen. It could mean the difference in winning or losing, life or death.”

Percy stepped closer, and held out his hand, waiting till she placed her own on top and his fingers curled around hers. “I told you before, I will always be here to listen should you need me. That has not changed.”

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Annabeth could not help the way her stomach fluttered at his words. When all of this was over…

She shook herself. Focus.

“I know where the battle will be, and…that we will be fighting something else.” Annabeth said, describing her dreams to them. Laying all of her feelings aside and speaking in a detached manner of the promises Luke had made her as children, and the fear in his eyes as he had held his sword in his hands.

The way something else had stood up in Luke’s place.

“You think something has…taken over Luke’s body?” Jason asked, stepping closer to Piper. “What is it?”

Annabeth’s hand tightened around Percy’s and she said, “I do not know. Whatever it is, it is powerful. Changed Luke’s eyes to-”

“Gold?” Piper whispered.

Meeting her eyes, Annabeth nodded. “Gold. How did you know?”

“I saw it, when he had me captive, I watched as his eyes changed color, but they went back to normal. I thought the stress of the kidnapping was getting to me.” Piper said, wrapping her arms around herself. “And…my father had a vision in the blade of my dagger.”

Piper unhooked the ornate dagger from the chain around her waist, holding it up to the light. “He saw Luke, surrounded by flames, and his eyes an unnatural gold.”

Jason shook his head. “You are saying there has been a force inside of him this entire time, fighting to take over?”

“No.” Percy said, looking out the dusty window, a faraway look in his eyes. “I think it was just waiting.”

“Waiting for what?” Jason asked.

Annabeth studied the Prince, still holding his hand. “You think whatever this is has been here the whole time. That it is the one making the decisions.”

Percy nodded, turning back to face them. “It has been waiting for this moment, and I cannot figure out why. But if it has taken over Luke’s body, we are less prepared than I thought.”

Luke’s young voice echoed through her mind, families protect each other, I will protect you.

She had a hard time seeing this as protection.

But as the words and the dreams she had had swirled through her head, Annabeth had a realization.

After killing his mother, Annabeth was the only family Luke had left. If he considered her that way, and…he had looked so frightened.

Families protect each other.

And even if he had no love left for her, Annabeth knew she could never live with herself if she turned her back again. Running from this now was not bravery, and the man who held her hand tightly in his had told her she was brave.

She was not going to let him down.

“I have a plan.”

*

It had taken some convincing, but Annabeth joined them on horseback as they rode toward where their scouts, and her dreams, had told them to go. They did not take a direct route there, instead curving along a path long grown over.

It was, she had explained, how she used to sneak away from home and spy on the knights training up at the castle. If no one saw her, there was no one to tell her father or send her back home. No one else used the path, or even knew about it. It was the perfect way to sneak up on their enemies.

Percy stayed by her side atop Blackjack, giving her a grim smile when she met his eyes.

None of them were happy with her plan, but they did not have any better ones.

Jason was riding a bit farther away from them. Percy had given him command of their forces, and the knight was taking them seriously. His voice had not quavered when he told the godling knights their orders, and they all watched him with trusting eyes. It was a sight to behold, and Annabeth kind of wished Piper had been there to witness it.

Jason was leading the knights because Percy had refused to let her fight Luke alone. He had not taken no for an answer. He was, unfortunately, backed by both Jason and Piper, and Annabeth was too tired to argue. Her shoulder ached under the weight of her armor, and she wished they had been able to wait another day.

But war waits for no one, and neither did Luke. They had no time left. It was time to strike.

And while Annabeth had protested the Prince staying with her, it was nice knowing he would be there. Watching her back. Besides, given how Luke had spoken to him before, Percy was the perfect distraction.

Annabeth raised her hand, drawing their forces to a stop and dismounted from Guido. When she patted the horse on the flank, and Percy gave him an encouraging nod, Guido snorted and wheeled around, racing back toward the castle.

She was to go on foot from there, while the rest of their forces stormed the field on horseback. It was the only way she could see that Luke and whatever was controlling him would be distracted enough to not notice her sneaking up behind them.

“Go.” Annabeth whispered to Percy, drawing her dagger. “I will loop around, come up from the rear and wait for the opening you create for me.”

Percy’s hands tightened on Blackjack’s reins, his green eyes piercing through her as he said, “Be careful.” His voice was taught, almost as if he was holding himself back from saying more.

He looked away.

Annabeth nodded, watching him lead the knights forward and then slipped into the trees.

It was time to end this, once and for all.

*

Percy’s heart thundered with the beat of the horses hooves as they galloped for the field Annabeth was certain they would meet their enemy in. Her plan was a good one, but that did not stop the anxiety that threaded its way through him.

Blackjack must have sensed his swirling emotions, whinnying quietly as they tore through the forest, a question in the sound.

You sure, boss?

Percy was not, but they had no other choice. This was ending today, whether he liked it or not.

He just wished the plan did not rely so much on risking Annabeth’s safety by going off alone. There could be any number of guards spread through these trees, even if Percy had not personally seen any. It was naive of them to think their attack was not expected, in fact they were probably counting on it.

Gritting his teeth, Percy pulled Riptide from his pocket, the bronze cloak pin shimmering as it stretched into his sword. That was one secret he had not the chance to share with Annabeth, and he could only hope they both lived long enough for him to tell her.

Along with one other thing.

A few very important words.

Percy shook the thought of her from his mind as they broke through the line of trees into a small field. One house stood, overgrown with vines. Another only a burnt shell, just as Annabeth had described. That was not freaky at all, Percy thought.

And in front of them stood Luke, and a small army of soldiers behind him.The man sneered, and as Percy drew nearer, he caught sight of Luke’s eyes.

His eyes that looked as if they were made of pure gold.

“To arms!” Luke, or whoever it was, shouted, lifting his two tone sword.

Percy charged right for him, lifting himself out of the saddle and twisting as he launched himself through the air, his sword falling in a deadly arc as he did.

He would end this.

For Montauk.

For Cypress.

For all of his soldiers who had fallen to Luke’s blade.

Percy was going to end this, if it was the last thing he did.

*

Standing in the courtyard of the castle, Piper held her eyes closed. She knew guards surrounded her and the entire castle. She was free to focus.

Focus, Piper.

The voice inside of her almost felt as if it did not really belong to her, even as it sang with power. She pressed her hand to the locket at her throat, feeling its warmth pulsing in time with her heartbeat.

She could do this.

It was hard, watching the people she loved ride off to war without her, but Piper knew she had an important role to play here. There was no one else as powerful as her within these walls, and she would protect her people.

If it was the last thing she did.

The guards in front of her shifted, and Piper opened her eyes.

A lone figure approached from the road, a sword clutched in his fist and a dark eyepatch covering one eye.

One of her kidnappers.

She took a deep breath.

Piper supposed it was time to see what she was truly made of and do her part to end this, for all of Cypress.

*

The clearing between the trees was barely big enough to be considered a field, Jason thought as he rode through. The few small houses that remained were the only marker that this place was ever inhabited by people, and the burnt carcass of another home showed just how long it had been.

The army they rode to face scrambled to gather their weapons, and Jason felt a surge of relief. Their plan to attack first was not in vain after all. The enemy was unprepared.

His spear was in his hands as they plunged into the opposing ranks, and the feeling of it penetrating the unarmored flesh of his enemies was not a feeling Jason was soon to forget.

One particular stab ripped him from his mount, sending him tumbling to the ground. Rolling quickly back to his feet, he caught a blade on the shaft of his spear, twisting quickly to knock the blade from the man’s hands.

Jason yelled out, slamming his spear to the man’s chest and sending bolts of electricity charging through him.

The man dropped, and Jason stepped over him, sights already set on the next enemy. It was time for this to end, and they would take them all down.

Together.

*

“Hey!” Percy said, keeping his voice conversational as he swung his sword at Luke’s throat. “Heard you have been looking for me.”

Riptide met the two toned sword with a clang as searing gold eyes stared into his, a grin splitting Luke’s mangled face.

“Oh yes, Prince Perseus…I have wanted to meet you for a very long time.” His voice was…different. Deeper. Sharper. It sent chills through Percy, as he shoved Percy back, bringing his blade down over his head.

Percy slid one foot back, pulling the same move he had used on Annabeth during their spar, avoiding the crushing blow of his blade. “Glad I can finally make your dreams come true.”

Taking a deep breath and concentrating, Percy felt the moisture in the clearing gather to him as he spun, pushing off the ground and using the momentum to bring his sword down as a storm began to swirl around him.

Luke’s arms shook as their swords collided, and the sickening grin on his face made fury spiral through Percy, and the wind picked up.

A flash behind Luke caught Percy’s gaze, but he did not look. He did not dare draw attention to the figure that stalked out of the trees, her bronze dagger held tightly in her hand. Percy pressed the attack, forcing Luke to take a step back and really showing him why his people called him The Typhoon.

The storm spun faster, and Percy grinned.

*

The clash of blades reached her ears as Annabeth skirted the clearing, ducking behind trees at any sign someone could be looking her way.

She had watched as Percy leapt from Blackjack, and her heart screamed as his and Luke’s blades connected. The way Luke moved was different than when they had fought him in the alley between burning houses, and that was all the proof Annabeth needed.

It really was not Luke anymore.

She tightened her hold on her dagger, and snuck between the trees as wind and water began to swirl around Percy. Power lit his eyes as he grinned and the storm spun faster, his own personal hurricane.

She had to hand it to him, he made a very good distraction.

The wind buffeted Luke back, making him lose his footing as Percy pressed the attack. The Prince was a whirlwind with a blade and no matter what Luke did, the storm surrounding Percy deflected his strikes.

Annabeth advanced, grateful for Percy’s storm, as it kept the other godlings on the field from approaching to help their commander. She was close enough to strike, and raised her dagger, when Percy spoke.

“I am not going to let you hurt the people I care about ever again.” He growled, slicing across Luke’s chest with his sword, causing the other man to stumble back.

This was her chance. The opportunity her plan had created.

Then why was she not moving?

People I care about…

Luke’s face, younger, streaked with soot, flashed behind her eyes, his lips mouthing a phrase that she had never let go of.

Families protect each other.

Annabeth hesitated, her dagger dipping as the memory swirled through her head as fast as Percy’s storm.

It was enough.

Luke must have sensed her, and before she knew it his elbow flew back, ramming into her injured shoulder and dropping her to the ground. He pulled her up roughly, and held his blade to her throat.

“I would not be too sure about that, Perseus.” Luke mocked. “You should have been paying better attention to those you care for.”

Percy’s storm slowly died around him, but the power and anger that had fueled it stayed on his face. “Let her go, this is between you and me.”

The golden eyes flashed as he laughed, pressing his sword farther into Annabeth’s throat. She felt the skin break, and blood begin to seep down her neck. “I think we both know that is not true, Perseus. Why else would I be here?”

Luke raised his free hand to gesture at the clearing, and her old house, and his.

Annabeth’s breathing turned shallow as she tried not to move, her shoulder screaming with pain. “Luke, I know you are in there.”

He grinned. “You do not know anything.”

The pain of her injury dulled in comparison to the years old wound that she had kept carefully hidden in the back of her heart, tearing open as Annabeth called on her memories.

Memories of her childhood, of Luke, of family.

“You do not have to do this.” Annabeth said. “Remember? Families protect each other, Luke.”

His breath caught behind her, and Annabeth pressed on. “Families protect each other, and I will never stop considering you my family, Luke. Please.”

The pressure of his blade at her throat lessened the tiniest bit, and Annabeth knew, she knew, she could get through to him. Whatever it was that was controlling him was losing its grip. She could do this.

“Come home, Luke. Please come home.”

*

“Halt! Who goes there?” The guard in front front of her shouted. Piper peered around his shield, and watched as the man Percy had called Ethan made his way toward her.

“I am here to speak with the Princess, not you.” Ethan spat, raising his sword. “Do not make me say it again.”

“It is all right.” Piper said, one hand holding tight to her locket, while the other gently guided the guard out of the way. “Where is your friend, Octavian? Not attempting another kidnapping?”

“No,” Ethan said, his one good eye glaring at her. “That coward barely helped the first time, but that is not why I am here.”

“Then why are you here?” Piper asked, studying him. His clothes were raggedy, and his chest heaved with breath, as if he had run the entire way here, and not very carefully.

For a moment, he did not answer, and the silence that settled between them rested heavy on Piper’s shoulders.

“I am here,” Ethan said, and the tightening of his fingers on his sword was the only warning Piper got, “to kill you, Princess.”

He swung and panic flared in her chest, and Piper cried out on instinct-

“STOP!”

Everyone in the courtyard froze as her voice echoed off the cobblestone and pillars. Ethan’s sword was closer to her than she was comfortable with, and Piper took a step back, before focusing her gaze on the man in front of her.

“Ethan.” Piper said, pouring all of her concentration behind her words, keeping him still while the rest of the guards in the courtyard unfroze. “Leave.”

His eye blazed with fire as he strained against her words. “No.”

Clenching one hand around her locket and raising the other, holding it out as if it would give her words more power. “Leave here, Ethan. Do not come back.”

She could see his resistance crumbling as her power forced him to obey, and Piper knew it would take one more push. Gathering her strength into her throat, Piper felt the warmth as the words flowed over her tongue.

“Leave Cypress, Ethan.”

And his sword clattered to the ground and Ethan stumbled backwards, shock and anger covering his face as his feet carried him away.

Once he had disappeared into the trees, Piper leaned over, clutching her chest as she took many, heaving, breaths. A guard ran to her side, and helped her stand straight.

“Are you all right, Princess?” The concern in his voice was nearly masked by the awe that radiated from him, and Piper gave him a small smile.

“I think I am.”

*

The battle raged around them, but Annabeth paid it no mind. All of her attention was focused on the man behind her. The words she had spoken hung in the air between them, and she held her breath.

Luke’s grip slackened, his sword falling from Annabeth’s throat as he whispered in a choked voice, “Family…”

And Annabeth turned in his arms and drove her dagger under his ribs, and twisted her blade.

She watched as his eyes flared gold, blue seeping in around his pupils. The gold tried, tried to keep its hold, but as Luke coughed and blood dribbled from his lips, all that was left was the cool, icy blue.

Luke stared at her, and said, “Oh.”

And he collapsed to the ground, Annabeth catching him at the last moment, kneeling down beside him.

All around the clearing, godlings watched as Luke fell. The small army Luke had come with stumbled back, running for the trees once their commander lay in the dirt. It seemed as though he was the only thing holding them there, and with Luke out of the picture…well. Their allegiance was broken, and they ran.

A few knights gave chase, to make sure the threat was gone, but most gave a quiet cheer, and set about tending the wounded.

Percy dropped next to her, helping her lower Luke to the ground as the blonde man stared at the woman above him.

“Thank you…Annie.” Luke coughed, blood coating his lips. “I do not…remember the last time I was…myself.”

She saw Percy’s eyes slide to her at the nickname, and focused instead on her dagger sticking from Luke’s stomach. “You have done a lot of bad things, Luke. But it is over now.”

He almost seemed to smile. “Yes…because family…always protects each other…thank you…for protecting me.”

Luke’s eyes shifted to something behind her, and Annabeth’s heart twisted when she heard Jason cry out-

“Percy, look out!”

*

The retreating backs of Luke’s men sent a wave of relief crashing through Jason’s heart. His spear was bloody, and while the fight was short, he was drenched in sweat. Electricity still crackled at his finger tips, and as much as he tried to shake it away, sparks still danced across his hands.

Maybe it would even help, he thought. He jogged over to a downed knight, his shocking touch causing her to gasp. Jason wandered the battlefield, helping anyone he could, when he glanced toward where Percy and Annabeth knelt around the fallen body of their enemy.

It all felt too easy.

And that is when Jason’s eyes caught the eyepatch.

Before he even registered what was happening, Jason was moving, sprinting toward his Prince, and shouting-

“Percy, look out!”

-but he was not fast enough.

Ethan’s blade slipped between the plates of Percy’s armor, stabbing him from behind, in the small of his back.

Jason tackled the other man, ripping him away from the Prince, and punching him square in the jaw. Ethan’s head whipped to the side, and his body went limp as electricity coursed through him.

“Oh gods.” Annabeth gasped, gripping Percy’s arm as he stumbled, trying to stand. “Percy, you should-”

“I’m fine, is jusss-” Percy’s words slurred together, and his knees gave out.

“Percy!” Annabeth caught him, one of her hands pressing against his back and coming away covered in blood. “We have to get him back to the castle, quickly. Blackjack!”

Jason’s heart squeezed in his chest at the desperation in Annabeth’s voice, and he tried not to listen as she began to mutter to the Prince, but could not help but hear.

“Come on, Percy, stay awake.” She whispered, patting his cheek. “Stay awake, is that not what you told me, why can you not listen to your own advice? Your Highness, please, look at me. Percy look at me, please.”

Jason could see Percy’s eyes begin to slip closed, and then Annabeth did something that surprised him.

She gripped his chin, turning his face toward her, and she kissed him.

Oh.

Averting his eyes, Jason saw the rest of the knights doing the same. Oh, Piper was going to be so mad she missed this.

A weak laugh made him turn back, and Jason saw Percy gripping Annabeth’s shoulders for support, and his clear green eyes focused on her face.

“If you wanted to kiss me, Annabeth, you needed only ask.” Percy said, his voice warm.

The relieved smile on her face took all the bite from her words as she threatened to leave him there to bleed out, and Jason breathed a sigh of relief. Percy was going to be okay.

Blackjack trotted back into the clearing, and Jason grabbed the water-skin that was tied to his saddle.

“Here, Percy, hold still.” Jason said, uncorking it. He poured half the water over the wound, and forced Percy to drink the other half. “You should be fine enough to ride back, but I would still hurry.”

“Thank you, Jason.” Percy said, a sappy smile on his face, and Jason knew it had nothing to do with him.

“Well I certainly am not going to kiss you, Your Highness, so I would suggest you get moving.” Jason deadpanned, smacking Percy lightly on the arm with the water-skin.

Percy rolled his eyes and let Annabeth help him onto Blackjack. “It would not be the first time we kissed when I was injured, would it?”

“I am trying not to make a habit of it.”

“Afraid you like it too much?” Percy grinned.

Jason tied the water-skin back on Blackjack’s saddle as Annabeth hoisted herself up, looking bemused at their conversation. “Do you want another stab wound, Your Highness? Remember, you are out of water.”

Percy laughed, and Annabeth urged Blackjack into a trot, taking them away from him. Percy called over his shoulder, “I could say that was treason, Ser Jason!”

Now it was Jason’s turn to roll his eyes, ignoring the Prince as he rode away with Annabeth.

Turning back to the field of injured knights and enemies, Jason set to work. Their causalities were minimal, given the other side were not aiming to kill, but there were still quite a few injuries.

Jason whistled, calling his horse to his side, and digging through his saddle bags for the bandages Percy had made them all carry.

Time to get to work.

*

The next few days passed in a blur. The anxiety of the coming battle was gone, leaving behind injuries and relief. Prince Percy and Ser Annabeth were confined to bed rest under the strict observation of their physician, William, though he was not quite sure how to handle Percy’s magical healing.

Piper hid her laugh behind her hand, leaning back into Jason’s warm chest as Percy tried to get up from his bed, only for William to push him back down and threaten to strap him there if he tried again. She had spent her time walking back and forth between Percy and Annabeth’s rooms, keeping them company while they recovered.

And Jason was always by her side.

When he had heard of her encounter with Ethan, she feared he would crush her with how tightly he hugged her. Even when Piper had assured him she was perfectly safe, and could handle herself, he still made her promise not to do anything like that again without him there.

Piper had promised, standing on her toes and giving him a tender kiss on the cheek.

A knock interrupted William and Percy’s argument, and Percy called for them to enter.

“Your Highness.” The young squire bowed to Percy, before turning to Piper. “Your Highness, the King has requested your presence in the throne room.”

“Thank you, Mitchell.” Piper said, giving the young man a smile that set his face ablaze.

She made to follow him from the room, after telling Percy she would be back, when a hand caught her’s.

Piper turned back, her heart fluttering as she met Jason’s sky blue eyes. “Jason?”

His cheeks pinked and he gave her a shy smile. “May I accompany you, Princess?”

Piper tilted her head, sharing a sly look with Percy, before she stepped closer, placing her hand lightly on Jason’s chest. She fingered the ties of his tunic and watched his blush darken. “I was not aware there was somewhere else you would rather be, Ser Jason.”

Jason stared at her, shaking his head as his smile widened. “You are teasing me.”

“You just make it so easy.” Piper said, giggling when he took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

Percy sighed from his bed, flopping back onto his pillows. “You two are so sweet you make my teeth ache, you know?”

Piper rolled her eyes, pulling Jason toward the door and said, “Maybe if you actually spoke to Annabeth, you could be too.”

The pillow he threw at her hit the door frame as she ducked from the room, laughing.

The corridors in the guest wing were nearly empty, almost everyone taking the time to enjoy the good weather, or helping to rebuild the burnt homes in the town. And since they were alone, Piper stayed close to Jason, swinging their joined hands between them as they made their way to the ground floor of the castle.

The light blue gown she had donned that morning matched Jason’s eyes in a way that made her heart flutter, but was slightly too long no matter how much they hemmed it. So, while one hand was in Jason’s, the other held a fistful of her dress so she would not trip.

Jason was similarly dressed in a sky blue tunic that complimented his deep blue cloak beautifully. As Piper looked at them, she could not help but think they made an especially handsome pair.

“What do you think your father wishes to speak of?” Jason asked suddenly, his anxiety clear in his voice.

Piper squeezed his hand, watching as fall leaves drifted past the windows. “I am not sure. I have not really spoken to him since the war council.”

The way her father had avoided her gaze as he had sent them into battle with only a small battalion of soldiers still stung her heart. Even when she had stood alone in the courtyard, he had not-

No. He had not known her plan, and so she could not blame him for that, but that did not mean it was not hard. Piper thought of the kind of king Percy would be, someone who would never let his people go to war without him, and wondered how her father could stand to sit on the sidelines.

“Hey,” Jason said, pulling them to a stop. “It is going to be all right. I will be just outside the door if you need me.”

Piper stared up at him, taking in the love that radiated from his expression. She raised her hand, gently tracing the line of his jaw with her finger tips, and whispered, “What if I tell him?”

Jason’s brows furrowed as he processed her words, and she could see the moment they clicked. His eyes widened by a fraction, and his hand tightened around her’s. “Are you sure?”

“Honestly?” She asked, a small smile sliding across her lips as she looked at him. “There is little else I am as sure of, as I am of you.”

The smile Piper got in return made her feel as if she was staring into the sun, and when Jason leaned down to kiss her, she knew there was no where else she would rather be.

*

The door to the throne room creaked as she pushed it open, catching sight of King Tristan standing before an open window, his throne vacant.

“Father?” Piper said, the door shutting quietly behind her. “You wished to see me?”

King Tristan turned from the window, and gave her a sad smile. “Yes, my love. Please, come here.”

She crossed the grand room, taking his hand when he held his out. “Father-”

“Please, Piper. Let me go first.” He said, placing his other hand atop her’s. “I wish to apologize.”

“Apologize?” Piper repeated, staring up into warm brown eyes, so much like her own.

“I realize I have made choices that affected your life without consulting you, and I am sorry. I never should have arranged the betrothal without your consent.” King Tristan said, his mask nowhere in sight as he looked at her. The sincerity on his face, and in his voice began to crack the wall she had built against him.

“I do not deserve your forgiveness, though I will ask for it anyways.” Her father whispered.

Piper watched him for a moment, studying his face and letting herself work through the tangle of emotions in her chest. The past few days had been busy, with the clean up from the battle, and tending to her wounded friends, Piper had not really taken the time to shift through the feelings she had.

While she had initially been furious, and so upset, Piper could see now why he had done what he did. Having seen Percy’s power up close, and Jason’s, she knew they were far safer with them here than they would have been otherwise.

But that did not excuse keeping her in the dark.

Piper sighed, turning and pulling her father towards the dais his throne sat upon, tugging him down to sit on the edge with her. “Father, I understand why you did what you did, even if I do not approve of your methods.” She said, giving him a stern look that felt silly coming from child to parent. “I wish you had informed me of this match when you had first considered it. Even if you had kept the whole truth from me, you should have at least told me that.”

“Piper-”

“Please,” Piper said, cutting him off. “Let me speak.”

When he nodded, she continued, “We were safer with Percy and his knights here, you were right about that. But that does not change the fact that you used my life as a pawn in your scheme to win this war.”

“And I do not intend to let that continue.” Piper said, meeting his eyes.

When she did not continue, Tristan squeezed her hands and asked, “What does that mean, Piper?”

“It means I am breaking off the betrothal.” She said, giving him a moment to process before she continued. “Neither I, nor Prince Percy have any interest in its continuation, and given that the Prince is an honorable man, he would never force me to wed him if I did not wish it. So it is done.”

Tristan looked devastated, and Piper’s heart twinged, but she held her ground.

“But my love, I do not wish for you to rule alone.” Tristan said, reaching up to sweep a stray hair back behind her ear. “I fear-”

“You needn’t.” Piper said. “I will not be alone.”

His confusion was so thick, Piper had a hard time keeping her giggles at bay. “But with no king by your side-”

“There will be no King of Cypress.” Piper nodded. “Yes. There will only be king-consort, and Cypress will become a Queendom.”

“I am afraid I do not understand, daughter. If you are rejecting the Prince’s betrothal-”

Piper smiled. “There is another. One whom I have fallen so deeply in love with, you must forgive me for keeping it from you.”

Tristan narrowed his eyes, staring at her hard and asked, “Is it Annabeth?”

And this time, Piper could not stop the laughter. “No, Father, I believe her sights are set on a particular Prince we know.”

“I had assumed as much, given his concern.” Tristan nodded. “I just did not think anything would come of it, because-”

“Percy would never do something while he was betrothed to someone else.” Piper said, her laughter fading to a small smile. “But, since it is over, he and Annabeth are free to do what they want.”

Tristan stared off into the distance, and Piper could see the thoughts speeding through his head as he tried to figure it out.

She decided to put him out of his misery. “You do not have to guess, Father. He is a knight. Ser Jason of Montauk.”

Recognition flashed through his eyes, and his face turned considering. “I see. And you truly care for him?”

Warmth flooded her as she remembered Jason’s smile, the feel of his hand in hers, her lips on his, and the comfort she felt from his very presence. “I do, Father. With my entire being, it is as if…he is the piece of me that has always been missing. When I am with Jason, I finally feel whole.”

Tristan sighed, a suspicious shine to his eyes. “And this Jason? He feels the same way?”

“He does.”

“Then, I suppose you have every right to marry whom you please.” He smiled, squeezing her hands once more, before pulling them to stand. “I am sorry for forcing the betrothal, my love, I-”

“I understand, Father.” Piper said, leaning forward and giving him a kiss on the cheek. “And I do forgive you, for if you had not arranged this, I may never have met Jason.”

Tristan huffed out a laugh, looking at her with such love and care that Piper felt her own heart swell. “You are so much like your mother, you know. That bright love shining from you, it is impossible to look away.”

Piper smiled, straightening and looking every inch the Princess, and soon Queen, that she was and said, “And that is what I hope Cypress can be. A place of love and light where any who wish it are welcome. I will make sure of it.”

“I suppose I will be leaving Cypress in the best hands possible, when my time is through.” Tristan said.

“You will be.” Piper said, holding her head high, and laughing when her father shook his head. “Now, come and meet Jason, properly.”

As she lead her father toward the door, Piper could feel how everything had changed, and sent a silent thought to her mother.

Thank you.

A warm breeze blew in from the open window, smelling brightly of roses, and Piper smiled.

And she opened the door to the rest of her life.

*

After days of laying in bed, being threatened by her physician, and watching Jason and Piper cuddle as they sat with her, Annabeth had had enough. She was a knight for crying out loud, she could handle a little shoulder ache. She had gone into battle with it, for gods sakes.

Annabeth swung her legs out of bed, and pulled on a fresh tunic, belting her dagger securely around her waist, pulling on her boots and heading for the door. But the moment she reached it, a knock sounded through the thick wood.

She paused, her hand an inch from the handle, and waited. When the door did not open, she heard someone sigh on the other side, and footsteps begin to walk away. And when she quickly pulled open the door, she was met with the surprised face of Prince Percy.

“Oh.” He said, pausing mid-step and turning to face her. “I thought you might have been asleep-”

“No, I was just leaving-”

“-and I did not want to bother you…leaving?” Percy asked, as he caught her rushed words. “Anywhere special?”

Annabeth stared at him, studying the sweep of his hair across his forehead and how it fell into his green eyes. And she realized what was different.

“You are not wearing your crown.” She said, belatedly realizing that did not answer his question.

But Percy’s smile sent the butterflies in her stomach fluttering, and she did not care.

“Yeah, it can get pretty uncomfortable when laying down.” He said, rubbing the back of his head. “William had be confined to bed rest, despite the fact that I am fine.”

Annabeth sighed, leaning against the wall beside her door. “Yes, because when one is stabbed in the back, they are usually fine.”

“You are one to talk, miss shoulder injury.” Percy said, pointing to her shoulder where the bulky bandages tightened her tunic. “I suppose William has had you trapped too?”

Pulling her door shut and starting down the hall, Annabeth said, “He is worse than a mother, I swear.”

Percy grinned, following after her. “So, prison break for us, yeah?”

“Help me sneak out?” Annabeth asked.

The smile he gave her was devastating and it took everything Annabeth had not to lean forward and kiss him.

“Any time.” Percy said softly, gesturing down the hallway. “Shall we?”

As they walked, Annabeth replayed the moment after Percy had been stabbed in the silence. Her emotions were already shattered, having lost Luke, and then she had almost lost Percy.

Percy had almost died, and he did not know how she felt. He did not know how whenever she saw him her heart picked up speed, and it felt like everything would be okay as long as he was there. How, even when he was annoying, and they bickered, she never wanted to stop talking to him. How she wished to be able to kick his ass in the sparring pit for the rest of their lives, and kiss him in the morning when they woke up.

He did not know, and it was almost too late to tell him, because one man bent on revenge stabbed him through the seam of his armor, and she almost lost him.

And when Annabeth held him in her arms, her hands covered in his blood, all she could think of was how she did not want to live without him.

So when she thought he was slipping away, Annabeth pressed her lips to his, in one last desperate attempt to get him to stay with her.

It had worked, somehow, but now…she did not know what to say.

So they walked in silence, her heart pounding against her ribs as they wove through the castle corridors, until they were met with the cool autumn air.

Percy stopped in the middle of the courtyard, and turned to look at her. “Want to go to the garden?”

Annabeth pretended to think, and nodded. “All right.”

Percy reached for her hand, and pulled her after him into the Princess’s garden. They wandered like that, hand in hand, until they came across a familiar bench.

“Oh,” Annabeth said, her cheeks flushing. “This is where I cried.”

Percy shook his head, pulling her down to sit with him. “This is where you trusted me. Can I ask you to again?”

“I will always trust you, Percy. Especially after everything-” She could not make herself finish, but squeezed his hand and whispered, “Of course.”

“Will you trust me when I tell you I am being honest? That what I say next is the entire truth?” He pressed.

Annabeth struggled not to roll her eyes, and she knew Percy could tell by the way he smiled. “Yes, Percy.”

“My sword is a broach.”

Annabeth stared at him as the words flew out of his mouth in a rush. His cheeks blazed red under her stare, and Annabeth said, “What.”

“You asked me once, when we met in town, how I pulled my sword out of thin air.” Percy said, slipping something from inside his pocket. “The truth is, I didn’t. I took it from my pocket, because when I am not in need of it, Anaklusmos turns into a broach. Magically.”

He placed the bronze broach in her hand, and Annabeth studied the crest of Montauk stamped into the metal. A large fish surrounded by curving waves, and she stifled her laugh.

“Are you sure?” She asked.

“Am I-of course I am!” Percy said, a disbelieving smile on his face. He took the broach back and flipped the clasp on the back.

And Annabeth gasped as it grew into Percy’s now familiar sword.

“When Luke stabbed you, I thought that was it, and I realized I never kept my promise.” Percy said. “Even though you did meet me here in the garden, like I asked, I never gave you my secret. Which felt especially bad when you had given me so many. So, I vowed that if we made it out of this battle alive, I would tell you the first chance I got.”

As she studied the blade, Annabeth could not help but be a little disappointed. “Is that…all you wanted to tell me?”

“No.”

“Oh.” Annabeth glanced up at him as he took the sword from her and stuck it back in his pocket. “Okay.”

“Okay.” He said, taking a deep breath. And another.

And another.

“Percy-”

“Sorry, this is harder than I thought to get out, I do not know how Jason did it.” Percy said, pushing a hand through his hair and shaking his head. “No, you know what, it is not hard. I am just-”

“Scared?” Annabeth finished, weaving her fingers through his. “Don’t be.”

He met her eyes and Annabeth never wanted to look away.

“Okay.” He whispered, and scooted closer to her. “Annabeth…I know I came to Cypress under different circumstances, but there has never been anyone here who I have felt connected to, more than you.”

“From the moment we met, I have not been able to get you off my mind, and each interaction has only strengthened that feeling until I…fell in love with you.” Percy said, his voice soft in the evening air, the scent of flowers washing over them. “Everything about you, Annabeth, from your laugh, to your brain, to your incessant need to be right about everything, to your strength and conviction to do what you must, even when it is hard…”

Percy held both of her hands in his, his thumbs smoothing over her fingers as he spoke. “You are a star that fell from the heavens to stand before me, and I have never experienced a love as strong as this, and when you kissed me after I was stabbed, I thought, maybe-”

“Percy.” Annabeth said, her eyes shining as she looked at him, and she felt as if her heart was going to burst. “What about-”

“Piper called off the betrothal this afternoon.” Percy said, gripping her hands tighter. “I went to speak with her, and she told me. She also told her father about Jason, and you should have seen Jason’s face after being interrogated by the King.” Percy mimicked the pale, dead-eyed look Jason must have had, and Annabeth choked out a laugh, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Oh gods, did I say something wrong? I am sorry, I have been known to come on too strong.” Percy said, reaching up and wiping her tears away with his thumb, and Annabeth pressed her cheek into his palm.

“No, I doubt I would have believed any less.” Annabeth said, letting his warmth sink into her before she continued. “When we were on the battlefield, there was a moment, however brief, where I thought I lost you. And it made me realize I never want to go through that again.”

Percy’s brows creased as he took in her words. “What do you mean?”

Annabeth sighed and leaned forward, pressing her lips to his. Warmth spread through her from the point of contact, and she sank into the feeling, especially when Percy wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

She pulled back and rested her forehead against his, smiling at his dazed expression. “I mean,” She said, giving him another small kiss, “that I love you, Prince Perseus. And I do not wish to let you go.”

Percy grinned, pulling her even closer, and kissing the corner of her mouth. “Well, then it is a good thing I am not going anywhere.”

A cold feeling seeped into her heart at his words, and Annabeth pulled away, clutching her hands in her lap.

Not going anywhere.

But he would, would he not? Leave Cypress and go back to his home in Montauk.

The thought of being apart from him was so excruciating, Annabeth did not want to give it a voice, but she had to. She had to know.

“What is it?” Percy asked, concern coating his voice.

“I…have to stay here.” Annabeth whispered, staring at her hands. “I have a responsibility to the Princess, I cannot leave Cypress.”

Her heart felt as if it were splitting in two as she waited for the moment Percy told her he had to go back to Montauk, his home, where he was in line for the throne. And Annabeth could not go with him.

Percy cleared his throat, and took her hands back between his. “I do not know what you thought I meant when I said I was not going anywhere, but I meant it. When I spoke to Piper earlier, we discussed it, as long as it is okay with you.”

Annabeth met his eyes. “Discussed what?”

“Well, because of the betrothal, my younger sister is already in line and ready to take the throne when my mother abdicates, and keeping Montauk’s legacy as a Queendom is very important to us.” He smiled at her and pulled her back in. “And I love it here, and I love you, and nothing could ever make me leave here while you wish for me to stay.”

It took a moment for the words to register in her brain, and when they did, new tears rolled down her cheeks. “You want to stay?”

Percy nodded, once again wiping away her tears, and said, “We can always take a boat and sail up the coast to visit Montauk, as I am sure my mother will insist, she will love you, and you can finally meet Thalia.”

Annabeth wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. “I think I can live with that.”

And this time when their lips met, Annabeth knew it would not be the last time. They had the rest of their lives, and she could not imagine a better future.

*

In a land far, far away, there was a small country beside the sea. A soaring white castle stood at the center, where King Tristan and Princess Piper ruled over the good people of Cypress. There was an oddity in the kingdom, however. There was a secret they had hidden for years, but had to be exposed for the good of their people.

Cypress was home to many with godly parentage, and their power and love for the kingdom ultimately saved it.

Their power, their magic, flowed through the land. It shone through the golden leaves of the trees, the crash of the waves on the shore, and in the love residing in the castle.

Two young couples, their hearts intertwined in ways no one could have foreseen when the first betrothal was made. How the Princess’s smile would glow when her chosen knight held her hand, or how the Prince of Montauk left his home and title for the chance to stay with the one he loved.

Everything had changed in Cypress.

And they could not wait to see what happened next.