Chapter Eight

Aelia's POV

Ah, there's nothing better than embarrassing your boyfriend in front of roughly a hundred demigods before breakfast.

Malcolm was still sulking behind me as we walked to the arena. I glanced back and saw crowds of campers following us.

"You could have at least allowed me to finish my breakfast! Those were the best waffles I've had in a long time! I just got back from a quest! Cut me some slack!" Malcolm whined.

I rolled my eyes, stopped, and turned around. Malcolm crashed into me.

I would've gotten a concussion if it weren't for him catching me. As Malcolm steadied me, I regained focus.

"Please tell me why I put up with you." I sighed.

Malcolm grinned. "Well, I'm hot, I'm awesome, I can kick butt, I'm-"

"Totally humble." I put in sarcastically.

Malcolm laughed. I punched his arm.

"Malcolm Dean, you may be a son of Athena, but you're definitely Percy Jackson at heart."

Malcolm frowned. "Is that an insult or a compliment?"

I laughed and winked at him. "Your decision." Then I walked away, leaving my boyfriend speechless. As usual.

Malcolm hurried after me. He slung an arm over my shoulder. Without warning, I used his arm as a handle and leapt onto his back.

"Ride like the wind, Bulls Eye!" I yelped.

Malcolm laughed and took off for the arena. And he did not make the ride a fun one. I swear I popped my hip bone sometime back there.

When he finally let me off, my knees buckled. I nearly collapsed.

"How was the ride, Lia?" Malcolm asked; his expression smug. The message was clear: That was payback.

I rolled my eyes and was about to flip him off but then realized that many young campers were watching, and there was Chiron to worry about.

So I settled for punching his shoulder.

"Ouch." Malcolm smiled and stuck out his tongue.

"Why don't you fight already?!" An Ares guy shouted.

I locked eyes with Malcolm. "Ready to get you're as- I mean your butt whipped?"

Cue chuckles from senior campers.

Malcolm noticed my almost slip up and smiled. "I should be asking you the same thing."

I drew my Celestial bronze sword. He drew his own.

We circled each other. Finally, Malcolm lunged at me.

Big mistake.

I quickly sidestepped and slammed him in the back with the butt of my sword. Malcolm regained his balance and quickly turned around.

He aimed for my rib cage. My eyes narrowed. I parried his attack and threw one of my own at his arm.

Malcolm went to defend himself, which I was expecting. With his left flank undefended, I slashed across his jeans, deep enough to tear his pants, but not deep enough t cut him.

Malcolm stumbled back. His eyes hardened in determination. Before I knew it, we were a blur of attacks, deceptions, blocks, and parries.

Finally, Malcolm sent my sword scattering across the stones. His own blade was only an inch away from my undefended neck.

"Game. Set. Match." He said.

Malcolm grinned and lowered his sword.

Another big mistake.

Faster than he could blink, I kicked his sword hand and Spartan kicked him in the chest. The blade went flying and Malcolm landed with a thud on his back. I straddled him, digging my forearm into his neck, a knee on his torso.

I blew a stray hair out of my face and smirked down at him.

"Never let your guard down, Blondie. You should know that of all people." I whispered to him.

Malcolm groaned and turned red.

"Is it that impossible to beat you?" He asked,

I laughed and got up. "Pretty much." I answered. I held out my hand for him, which he took.

Forgetting that we had a crowd of spectators, Malcolm pulled me into a hug. My hands flew to his chest, and he fixed his arms around the curve of my back.

We stared into each other's eyes.

"I believe we need to catch up where we left off." He whispered.

I smiled and stood up on my tippy toes (despite my hatred for it) because he was taller than me.

Our lips brushed against each other. Then, Malcolm leaned in and fully kissed me. Our lips moved in slow sync. My heart raced. Butterflies zoomed around my stomach.

Why did I have to love him so much?

I tangled my fingers into his (surprisingly) messy hair. His hand cupped my cheek.

I zoned out. I was only focused on him and him only. I ignored everything around us.

When we finally pulled away, my hearing came back, and I was greeted with squeals and wolf whistles and (just why?) cat calls.

Malcolm wrapped his arms around me. I laid my head in the crook of his neck.

Then, because he was so determined to ruin the moment, he swung me up and I was on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"What the- Malcolm! Put me down!" I yelled.

Malcolm chuckled and calmly shook his head. "Sorry, no can do, babe."

I was seriously about to kick him where the sun doesn't shine, but decided against it. I did pummel his back though. As if it helped. He has a spine of steel.

I felt us moving. "Where are you taking me?" I demanded,

"Well wouldn't you like to know?" He asked, patting my butt.

"For the love of Zeus! Yes!"

Malcolm didn't answer.

"Malcolm!"

Still no answer.

By now, campers were laughing and pointing. I finally decided to give up. Just like a common child of Athena, Malcolm was stubborn. A bit too stubborn if you ask me.

Finally, I felt myself being put down. Malcolm was grinning at me. I thumped his chest.

"What in Tartarus is wrong with you?" I asked,

Malcolm smiled some more. The nerve. He gestured behind me.

We were on the lake docks. That was obvious.

"I just wanted some time alone with you." Was all he said. I calmed down.

Again, why did he have to be so sweet?

Malcolm took my hand and brought me to the edge. He sat down, his legs hanging over the edge. I sat down next to him and laid my head on his shoulder. Malcolm snaked an arm around my waist.

"This is nice, isn't it?" I asked,

"What do you mean?"

"After 14 years of struggling to survive, after 14 years of watching our loved ones die, after 14 years of sacrificing too much, after 14 years of arguments, after 14 years of suffering, it's nice to finally have some peace." I answered.

Malcolm nodded. "Yeah. It really is nice."

We sat in silence, gazing out over the sparkling water.

"Malcolm… do you ever think about Mark or Leana… or about Noah?"

He sighed. "Yeah… I miss them."

I nodded. "They chose Rebirth you know." I told him.

Malcolm nodded. "I know."

More silence.

And we stayed like that for a long time, just soaking up each other's presence, enjoying spending time together. It was really fun to finally hang out Malcolm… especially what happened over the summer.

I smiled.

Malcolm is finally here. With me.

We were safe.

Until something exploded from the bushes.