Reyna was just being toured around camp by Andrea, one of the praetors, when she saw him. Blond hair, blue eyes, athletic build – oh, gods. She had to admit he was pretty handsome.
Until he came crashing down onto her. Ouch.
Andrea helped the probatio get up. "Are you okay? Hey, you're not like the other legionnaires – you don't get hurt easily when this guy" – she threw an angry look at the boy – "accidentally hits them." She turned her attention to the boy. "Grace, why did you crash into her? She's just a new camper."
"It's not my fault! The little kids from New Rome dared me to play tag with them, and – and well, I didn't see the two of you." He looked at the girl he bumped into. Gods, she's pretty. He held out his hand and said, "Need help? I'm Jason Grace, 12, son of Jupiter."
Reyna swatted his hand away and introduced herself. "I'm Reyna, daughter of Bellona. And no, son of Jupiter, I don't need your help." She got up and walked straight to the First Cohort without looking back.
Once Reyna was out of earshot, Jason nudged his praetor. "She's a fighter, isn't she?"
"Well, what do you expect? She's a daughter of Bellona. We don't get one in every generation."
"But she's… different."
"Different, eh? Then I guess I know who can replace me as female praetor." She smiled slyly.
"But I'm gonna take Mark's place next year! I don't know if I can survive working with her."
Andrea put a hand on Jason's shoulder. "How sure are you that you're gonna be praetor next year, Jase? Wait and see, kid. You never know, she just might be your future crush or girlfriend."