Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson
An: Read and Review~ Next chapter is through Cadan's POV!

ch. 11 Through the Ocean's Eyes

"W-what?" The blonde could feel her bravery seeping away with every second. She didn't dare say what was on her mind for fear her thoughts would fail her.

"Calypso is right. She is first on who I love. She will always be first; it will always be true." In that moment Juliet bit back a cry of pain. Azurana could barely hold it back either. Her thoughts had betrayed her...she had lost to the sea devil that was currently smiling very smugly at her. 4000 years of waiting and all she got was a broken heart. Not even losing Cadan all those years ago could match the pain she felt at that moment. The tears could barely be contained within her eyes as she simply stepped back and went inside.

Cadan watched her leave confused. Why was she crying? What did he do? The rest of his family for all intents and purposes was looking at him with many different emotions. Sadness, anger, pity, shock...Calypso looked quite happy though he wasn't sure why on that either. Azurana's friend Nico shook his head and moved to follow the daughter of the sun god. With his movement everyone else dispersed. The immortal was left to his confusion and Calypso's overly happy face.

"I don't understand. What just...ugh, that girl was always so hard to understand."

"She is simply having a hard time facing the reality that I come first with you."

"You are first Calypso, you do not however come first." The sea beauty looked at Cadan like he had lost his marbles. The dark haired demigod however didn't seem like he was going to elaborate though.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You are first with me Calypso because I loved you first, that will never change. You do not come first. Azurana does. She always will. It took me a very long time to let go of you. I have no intention of taking up that flame again. It does not exist anymore. I love you but I am not in love with you. My heart...my soul is hers. Azurana took a lot of abuse to gain my love. As insufferable as it was in the beginning and as horrible as it ended...I would never let her go. The only reason I have not allowed myself to be alone with her is my own fear of her no longer wishing it. She is different. I wasn't sure if her love for me was still there. Now I fear she may not hear reason. Rest assured Calypso, if she is broken from this, you will pay. Jealousy was never a good color for you." With that he walked away. Cadan knew better then to go to Azurana now...so he simply let the time go by as he watched the water move. His father was trying to slow them down, wanting to keep his lost son on the ocean just a little while longer.

Cadan wasn't forcing it and by the looks of it neither was Percy. The two had got along remarkably well, even after they found out that both of them had fallen in love with Calypso and neither had stayed with her. One because of betrayal another because of the duty he had to save the world. Although Cadan suspected the grey eyed demigod girl that Percy was dating had something to do with it. The fact that there were other children of Poseidon and Athena that could get along astounded him. Cadan had always thought it was impossible and that Victor and him got along because they were great friends before the long standing feud between their parents had broken out. Apollo was asleep once more and the moon and stars were dancing upon the salty waves as the immortal continued to think on the argument that had occurred earlier that day. An argument over himself.

"You can't keep doing this to her, you know?" Christian had come to sit next to Cadan on the bow of the ship, his back to the ocean unlike his best friend.

"I know...it wasn't my intention to cause her such harm."

"Yet you continue to do so. You remember the last time you said those words?"

"Hey, mind telling me why our resident sunflower is looking so dreary?" Christian asked as he moved to sit next to Cadan with his back to the ocean. The green eyed sea child turned to face the same way. He didn't look very happy...in fact, Cadan was looking rather frazzled and frustrated.

"Honestly? I have no idea. I think I may have snapped on her a few nights ago."

"What? Cadan that girl adores you! Why must you continue to do this to her?"

"I didn't mean to! I can't remember anything I said. She was talking to me and then she mentioned Calypso and I...I don't remember. I blacked out. More then likely she spoke without thinking and I got insulted." The son of Hermes shook his head. How Azurana had fallen in love with such a temperamental demigod was beyond him. Then again...he did love Natalia and she was as bipolar about things as Cadan was.

"Cadan whatever you did you need to apologize for it. She can barely be in your presence without getting tongue tied."

"I want to apologize but she's avoiding me! I haven't been able to track her down long enough to say sorry. For being on a ship with only so many hiding places she sure knows how not to be found. I can't help it that I got angry. She was talking about her..."

"Azurana doesn't know that Calypso was your first love. She only knows that you had someone before...someone you lost. She has no idea it was Calypso. Give her a chance Cadan. I dare say that girl is completely in love with you."

"I know...the thing is I think I may be falling for her too. She's always so bright and happy. When she smiles I swear the world gets brighter. I could easily listen to her sing forever. I don't know what to do. It's been so long since I've ever thought of loving someone and then all of a sudden I find myself wanting her. She's so young..."

"She's old enough. Cadan she tries so hard to get you to notice her. Although if you keep doing this to her you might just break the poor girl."

"But how am I going to apologize if she won't come near me? It wasn't my intention to cause her such harm. I thought it was sweet of her to come out to talk to me..." Cadan sighed in frustration. What was he going to do with the blonde?

"Well I may have a solution. She wanted to know when our next port is. She mentioned to Natalia that she forgot something at port that she really wanted to get."

"Our next port isn't for another week...but the closest port is only three days from here. It's out of our way but-"

"Even better. I'll tell Natalia that you're making a special stop at port for Azurana, even if it is out of the way." Cadan grinned at his best friend. No matter what trouble it was, at least he knew Christian would always help him out.

"Natalia will undoubtedly pass along the info...maybe then she'll brave my presence enough for me to apologize for what I did. I just wish I could remember what I said to her."

"I don't know but this should help. I'm off to my angel of death. Goodnight."

Cadan shook his head at the memory, fingering the necklace that Az had given him. At least he remembered this harm. That one hadn't gone over so well but in the end it helped them break the ice and just...be.

"Yes and it wound up being a bigger problem then we had thought. Somehow Calypso has caused another fissure between us. Only this time she's aware of what Calypso was to me."

"Why did you do it? After all these years? Why pick now to kill her? That's what you're doing Cadan. Of all things why did you pick Calypso? We know you still love her but we were sure that Az meant more to you."

"She does! I wouldn't give up Azurana for the world. Calypso is first because I loved her first. Azurana will always come first though...I wasn't aware that's what they were fighting over. Yet again I find her hiding from me."

"Can you blame her?" With a sigh Cadan shook his head. No, he couldn't blame Azurana for avoiding him. It was the reason he had avoided her. "Why didn't you come to her sooner? Ease her fears? If you had then perhaps Calypso wouldn't have had so much oil to fuel the fire."

"I was afraid of what she would say. She's different Christian. Her eyes are dulled...her spirit is locked up in a box it seems. Like she lost her drive...her happiness. The magic that always sparkled in her eyes is gone. The cruelty and harshness of the world has gotten to her. 4000 years is a long time. I wasn't sure she still felt the same."

"We did that to her. Us being ripped away. The gods didn't foresee it happening. Azurana has suffered. She burned Africa. It's no where near the lush landscape it once was. Her grief and anger and sorrow were so strong that she just couldn't hold it in. All Azurana did for those years we were locked away was see the world through dead eyes. One of her arrows brought down a son of Zeus. She didn't fire the arrow but it was one of hers. Do you know what the gods did? They ripped Delphi, her last friend, away. She resides in a mortal now. Az has been alone for a very long time. It's amazing any piece of her is still intact although now..."

"Why would the gods do that to her? It wasn't her fault! None of it! I did that to her. It was my doing that got her to sink Atlantis, she didn't shoot the arrow that killed the son of Zeus. Why punish her for things that shouldn't have been blamed to her."

"Because it was her arrow. Her energy blast. Regardless of the cause they were hers in the end. The responsibility laid with her and therefore so did the punishment. I don't agree with it but that is the train of thought that Zeus governs with."

"Azurana...no wonder the sparkle in your eyes left. How can I apologize to her now? Christian I cannot lose her." His sea-green eyes seemed almost desperate as they pleaded with the sandy haired immortal. In truth, Christian just didn't know how to answer. He wasn't sure Azurana could be fixed again. The look in her eyes showed her broken soul for what it was, a girl longing for the man she loved. And now that she believed she no longer had that man...well, her broken heart might not mend.

"I don't know. Just pray she braves the outside of her cabin. Otherwise you might have to venture inside her room."

"I pray to every god that will listen that she does...how was she before you came to release me?" Christian smiled softly as he stood up to head to bed.

"She was starting to get her old spark back. The old Azurana is still there...she's just buried deep down. I wish you the best of luck Cadan. We'll help where we can but ultimately you must be the one to fix her." With that the immortal son of Hermes left. Cadan wasn't sure how to fix it. Azurana still wasn't coming out almost a week later. Even when they went to look for Luna, the girl only came out to find her cousin. All the while she stayed away from Cadan, gravitating instead to Nico. It made him angry that the son of Hades would be so close to her when he was not. Still, he couldn't fault him. At least Nico was getting her to smile...even laugh once or twice. They found Luna in a village that was shrouded in nightfall for half the year. She was under the ice of the large lake just outside the village but they eventually found her. Luna was quite happy to be out of the ice and into a warm bed.

Cadan wanted to talk to Azurana but found that even when she was out of her room, she was out of his reach. How was it that she could do that? The sea child was so distracted that he didn't even realize that they were moving to their next destination, Las Vegas, until half a day later.

"Why Las Vegas?" Percy shrugged his shoulders as he guided the ship.

"It's where the most marriages happen. They figured that would be the most likely place to find the daughter of Hera. I'm not sure how it correlates but that's what was decided. You look tired Cadan, go rest. I've got this." The immortal nodded to his younger brother and headed for bed. He didn't make it there. Instead he moved into Azurana's room, knowing the girl was asleep with the moon so high. There she was. Curled up in the blankets on her bed, long hair framing her lithe body. Slowly Cadan moved to lay down next to her, pulling her close. Even if she kept a strong distance between them while awake, once asleep she snuggled into his body.

"Azurana...my sweet beautiful Azurana. I am sorry for what I did to you. It is not what you think. Calypso does not own my heart. How could she possibly have it when you hold it so closely guarded to you? You have kept it all these long centuries...it astounds me that you never let me go. I wish things had been different...perhaps then the world wouldn't have been able to damage you. Please, forgive me. I am yours, I shall always be yours. You promised me forever Azurana. Allow me the chance to give you the same...

~flashback from Az's POV~

"Wow. This room is amazing! It's so close to the ocean." Azurana ran to the bed and hopped up on it, only to move to the window. She could almost feel the salty spray as the waves beat against the stone beneath the open window. Cadan smiled at her, joining her on the bed.

"It's the closest one to the water. I thought you might like it."

"I love it! Can I stay in here? This room?" The demigod shrugged. How was he going to tell her?

"You could...but it's someone's room already."

"Oh. Is it your father's? I don't think he'd like me being in his room if it is."

"No, my father's room is in highest room in the central tower. He likes to look out at his kingdom. Me? I prefer to be as close to it as possible." Azurana stopped and looked at Cadan who was sitting right next to her. She was...in his room?

"T-this is your room?" At his nod her face went red. She hadn't thought of it being his room. It occurred to her that it should have since he hadn't shown her his room yet.

"You can stay, if you like."

"B-but I've...I've never-"

"Been in bed with another?" Cadan supplied. Of course she hadn't. Apollo would have protected her well and she came to the ship at just 18. Smiling softly he moved to hold her close.

"I will be gentle if you give me the chance. If you wish I can simply hold you...just stay. Stay with me Azurana."

"Until my heart stops and Olympus falls." Cadan's smile grew at her promise to him. Azurana simply glowed with love and happiness. They were at the top of the world and she gave herself freely to him. It wasn't until he'd had her that their world came crashing down...

~end flashback~

Cadan didn't know how to take away the pain that encased the once carefree girl. He never wanted to let her go. He knew he would have to before she woke up. The immortal slipped his sand-dollar and ocean stones necklace off and placed it around the blonde's neck.

"To say I'm sorry for what I did to you. You never deserved it...none of it." With a kiss to her soft lips, Cadan slipped from her room. His neck felt naked without the necklace around it. Ever since it was given to him, he had yet to take it off. It was where it needed to be though. He knew it would say what he had been unable to. All he could hope was that Azurana would forgive him or at the very least, talk to him. He woke up the next morning to find Calypso standing over his bed.

"You gave her the necklace? Why would you do that? That is such a precious item to the sea. Why would you trust her to have it? I don't understand."

"You wouldn't Calypso. Azurana was the one to give it to me. Ironically because I snapped at her for something she had said about you. I still have no idea what I said but it was enough for her to seek out something as valued as that. It wasn't worth much to others but she knew it would mean a lot to me. That necklace was her apologizing for insulting me. You hate her because she has my love. My heart. Yet you do not even take the time to see why. If only you knew what lengths she has gone to for me. It amazes me that I could have captured her attention so much."

"It doesn't amaze me...you don't realize the effect you have Cadan. Still, if she gave it to you why would you give it back? Do you not want her gift anymore?" Calypso was sitting on her own bed in Poseidon's room. Their room was by far the most crowded with three people in it but somehow they managed.

"No...I gave it to her to apologize for hurting her like I did. She knows how important that necklace is to me and for me to give it back...it was given as an apology I felt it only right to give it back as one. Both had the same level of guilt. Do not try to understand because you will fall short. Very few understand the love we have. It even surprised Aphrodite." Cadan stood up and left without another word. What else was he supposed to say to the sea beauty? She would never understand. Azurana had proven not only her loyalty but love and devotion countless times. Once he was on the deck he noticed Az doing some stretches. She didn't see him until she finished. It was hard to sense Cadan when on the ocean.

"Oh...hi..."

"Hello. What were you doing?" The blonde turned around and shrugged, her long ponytail swishing with her.

"I was doing yoga. Stretching...what are you doing up so early?" Cadan found his attention drawn to the necklace around Azurana's neck. She was actually wearing it.

"I couldn't sleep and Calypso wouldn't leave me alone so...I came here. I am glad I did." Azurana blushed but he could see her reluctance still. He moved a little closer, pointing to her neck again.

"I see you got the necklace."

"Uh, y-yeah...I just don't understand why. I thought you loved this-"

"I do. Very much...but it was the only way to show you how sorry I am for hurting you like I have all these years. Especially for hurting like I did that day." Cadan moved forward a little to touch the girl that he so longed to hold. Christian had been right. If he wasn't careful, he could break her...

"I've waited so long for you..."

"And I have dreamed of nothing but you while asleep." The blond shook her head and backed a few steps up.

"But Calypso is free and you-"

"She is not who I wish to be in my bed. She may be first but Azurana you are first." Apollo's daughter scoffed and looked up. Cadan felt the pain of the unshed tears that were shining in her eyes.

"Cadan that makes no sense."

"It does when you look at it from my point of view. I loved her first...she is first, always. But you are first. I will always pick you over her. Always. I did not understand what you were fighting about." The girl before him reminded him so much of the one that had left his ship so long ago. He wanted to mend her but didn't see how he could.

"Cadan..."

"Azurana listen to me. You waited years for me, years. All the while you were slowly taking over me. You have me. Please, let me have you." It was only a moment of hesitation before Azurana came into his arms. He had her. She was his once again.

"You said I was different. I wasn't the same. I thought maybe you didn't want me anymore and then that thing with Calypso-"

"You are different. The world has not been kind to you. Your eyes do not hold the light they once did. I hope that one day I will see a glimmer of it again." Cadan could feel the wet tears trailing down Az's face.

"You have no idea...but you're back. You're here and with me. It's all worth it if you're here." The feeling Poseidon's son had was indescribable. It was like he was home...finally home and whole. The blonde in his arms was truly his missing half.

"Can you tell me about it? Your time on your own. I want to know." Azurana pulled away a little from Cadan's arms.

"That is a long story Cadan and not much of it is good..." Cadan didn't care. This was the life he'd missed. His world had kept going for 4000 years and he wanted to know what had happened to her.

"We have plenty of time till Las Vegas and I have nothing to focus on but you. Tell me. I want know." The older immortal led Azurana to his favorite spot at the bow of the ship and sat down. It would take awhile and Cadan wouldn't like most of the story or the darkness that had surrounded Azurana all those centuries. But at least he would know...most of it.

Yet neither demigod saw the unseen hand that had been moving Apollo's daughter. It was there in her past, small instances that guided her, but no one saw it. No one, but there was one who could feel it. Only problem was she could not break free to warn her family. She was still trapped, unable to be unsealed until all had gathered together. No, Azurana was not invincible...and if she wasn't careful, she would fall off the dangerous ledge she was teetering on.

An: Here's the next chapter. I had to keep forcing myself into Cadan's mind, which is hard for me. So please forgive me if he isn't how I've portrayed him previously. None-the-less, here it is! Next chapter they go to Las Vegas, land of casinos, chapels,and the Layer of the Lotus Eaters! Not that it will be relevant to my story. Please review~