Chapter 10
Bright white sunlight bursts around limestone pillars surrounding a massive garden. In its middle lies an in-ground pool. Every so often, ocean nymphs jump out like dolphins. Percy lays across a chaise lounge, focusing his eyes over the water on Annabeth. She sits regally as Aglaea exfoliates her legs.
Her beige shirt is sheer, exposing a black strapless bra. She brings a cup full to the brim with ice and fruit punch to her lips and sets it on a small table, staring back at him. He leans forward as Aceso slathers Panacea's poultice over his scars. "Treatment is the first step of the healing process," she sing-speaks. Her pearl-colored pants billow at the cuffs like the train on a formal dress.
The clumpy powder wafts to his nose and he sneezes, startling the ocean nymphs. Hygieia walks by with a platter and hands him a tall glass of kiwi juice. "Thank you." "You're welcome." She turns into a snow-colored tornado and whirls out of the courtyard.
Panacea sits at the edge of the lounge, massaging Percy's feet. He sighs as her potion draws the inflammation from his wounds. Across the pool, Aglaea has finished beautifying Annabeth. Her legs, along with the rest of her body, give off a healthy glow. "Luminescence," the goddess smiles with satisfaction. The daughter of Athena rises and slowly makes her way over to Percy. He holds out his cup, prompting Hygieia's mini storm to speed past Annabeth and double-voice speak, "Be patient, son of Poseidon." Light darts through the spiral with every word.
Aceso places a heavy towel on his back and exits the sky-filled room. She leaves a scent of fresh linen in her haste. Iaso puts a hand on his shoulder as Annabeth approaches. Meeting her eyes, she threatens, "Do no more strenuous activity. Especially those which will result in this." She gestures at the towel and slinks toward the pool.
Annabeth stares her down as she moves. It was pretty daring, considering the fact that the goddess could kill her with one quick flash of her true form. Panacea rises and makes room for the demigod. She then nods at Percy and joins her sister by the water. Annabeth takes a seat on the lounge. "Does it hurt?" "Not anymore. She made it feel so much better." He points at Panacea, who's playing water frisbee with the nymphs.
"I didn't mean to scratch you up, but, um, it felt good. Really good." Her lips part into a smile, showcasing straight, white teeth. Percy blushes and smiles with her. Iaso looks at them and scowls, only to have her milky hair tugged by her sister. She pushes her away, ascends from the blue, and marches to the newlyweds.
"Could we not blurt our intimates to the world! Be considerate!" Her flowing dress becomes transparent as she morphs into a silvery wind and blows toward the clouds.
Dusk has come upon Bora Bora. The sun sits at the edge of the water. Couples frolic on beaches, some kissing and some holding hands. Inside the beach house, Hygieia and Aceso have just finished dusting wooden window seals in the living room. They sigh with contentment at a job well done. Percy walks in with Annabeth on his back. Panacea sits on a stool at the kitchen's island. He walks to her and bows, silently thanking her for the healing.
Aglaea skips past him with a dull razor. "You need a shave, son of Poseidon. The stubble messes up your tan." Her words are distorted by her severe pouting. He rolls his eyes and mumbles, "Does she only care about appearance?" "I AM the goddess of beauty and adornment. Appearance is paramount!" She reaches to remove his hairs when Hygieia's ivory-shade tornado snatches her up and out of the house. "Leave her alone! She's just trying to help him!" Aceso runs after her sisters. "Let's get out of here." Annabeth slides down and pulls her husband through the front door and into the lagoon, where he creates an air bubble around them.
Schools of fish in all sizes and colors swim past. A mako darts over Annabeth's head. "She wanted to eat you, but I said no," Percy explains to her. "You can tell genders, too?" "Their thoughts have different tones." "You're amazing." He grins at her and flashes his trident marking. "Just comes with being a son of the ocean god. I think Tyson has it too." She considers the statement momentarily, then snaps back. "I'm asking my mom to release them." "The goddesses? Why would you do that?" "Because they're everywhere!" "They keep the house clean, which is more than I can say for us. It's either them or the harpies." "Or, we just pick up after ourselves. It's not like we're five, Percy."
The sea has gotten darker with the absence of the sun. Annabeth swims to the surface and walks to the shore. Percy trails behind her, pulling drops of water into levitation with his fingers. When they step inside the house, an eerie tranquility and the scent of lemon Pledge overtake them. "Did they leave?" Annabeth asks no one in particular. "You did say they were everywhere," he dries his hands and wraps his arms around her hips, kissing her shoulder. She spots fresh fruit, jewels, and a headband crafted from celestial bronze on the coffee table. "That belongs to Aglaea." He lets her go and walks to the gifts. "I guess we didn't have to ask. They already knew."
How's everybody? I'm thinking three more chapters and I'll end this. It's been fun.