Chapter Fourteen
Leto hadn't loved Percy, not at first. Oh, it was easy to be attracted to him, with his sharp jawline, rough beard and long hair, and those eyes, Khaos, his eyes, Rhea's eyes, were a sight to behold. So no, she hadn't loved him at first. That came with time. But the attraction? The lust? That had been there from the beginning. From what she understood, Percy had been seventeen when he arrived in Tartarus, exiled to the Pit after escaping it once before.
His story was one that was whispered about by Titans and monsters alike. All knew not to ask him of it. Leto had been present when Koios disregarded that advise, asking what he had done to be sent down to Tartarus. She still shivered at the look that Percy had given the man, before calmly ejecting him from the Great Hall. That was the thing about Percy. It wasn't his passionate rage that was a concern. It was his cold rage, the one where he could spend a decade plotting against a foe, never once betraying his intention to destroy them.
But as with all things about Percy, Leto learned over time. It was shortly after they began their trysts, before any feelings were developed, or admitted, that he revealed he had left a girlfriend behind. She remembered the conversation clearly.
"I had a girlfriend, you know," Percy suddenly said, still running his hand up and down her back. Leto stiffened for a moment, before turning to face him, her hair cascading over her face.
"Should I be concerned that you're thinking about other women?" She drawled, arching an eyebrow at him, "especially after the morning we've had?"
He laughed, a genuine, humoured laugh, not the dry, calculating one he often gave in court.
"Not at all," he replied, not ceasing his ministrations, "I thought you'd want to know. Her name was Annabeth. A daughter of Athena. It's been over a century since I've seen her, now. I remember her hair, her eyes, her smile, but I can't remember her laugh. I wonder how much more I'll forget over the years?"
Leto wanted to frown. He had a Titaness in his bed, and another fawning over him, but he was thinking about a mortal girl?
"I don't think I have a future with her anymore," he continued, surprising her, "I'm a different man than I was when we were together. Hades, I'm a man, and that's the point. I wasn't when I left. But beyond all that, I was good, and now, admittedly, I'm not. She deserves someone good. Someone who isn't broken like me."
This time, Leto didn't hide her frown.
"You're not broken," she told him, taking his face in her hands, "you're a ruler, Perseus. You're meant to be a king, an emperor. A god amongst men. But you are not broken. Changed, perhaps, but we all undergo change. Do you think I was always the person I am today?"
"No," he laughed again, "because if you were, Zeus wouldn't have been able to seduce you."
"That's true," she agreed, before reaching down below the sheets, "but I've found someone much better than Zeus to occupy me."
Leto liked to think that was when she began to realise that she cared for Percy as something more than a bedmate, or a lover. He was a deeply complicated and self-admittedly flawed man, but that was what made him so much more than the others. Where other immortals refused to see what made them tick, Percy thrived off of being able to control it, and use it to control others. He knew when to be brash, and when to be humble. She didn't know where he picked up the intricacies of politics, but he took to it like… well, like a fish takes to water.
Their romance started not long after that day, in small increments. It started with less sex and more talking, and then they began spending time together outside of his bedroom, talking walks around the city, having meals together. Leto couldn't place the exact moment their relationship turned to one based on mutual respect and yes, love.
She was a Titaness, yes, but she had emotions. She felt love, hate, and everything in between, and the love she felt for Percy was the strongest that she could ever remember. Not even Zeus had managed to inspire this much emotion in her. She missed Percy. He was still in the field, crushing the last dregs of opposition, but she knew he would return to her. Bob had been right. There wasn't much in the world that could stop him from doing what he wanted. She cast her eyes to the west, not entirely sure why. It just felt right.
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Leto didn't meet the returning soldiers at the gates, nor did she call out to them from windows while they marched triumphantly through the streets. Instead, she waited at the top of the palace, watching the proceedings from a higher vantage point. She had seen Percy ride in on his Gryphon, waving to the people, and it went without saying that he would have been smiling the entire time. She had lost him when he entered the palace.
She heard him before she saw him. His armoured boots clacked on the black marble floor, betraying his presence. She didn't turn, instead keeping her gaze on the city. A moment later, she felt his presence behind her, both physically and metaphorically. Percy was by far the most powerful being she had ever met, and his power projected. But he was also physically impressive. He was tall, almost six and a half feet, and he had become broader in the years since they first met, packing more muscle on his body, though he was still lean, like a swimmer.
She felt his arms wrap around her waist as he leaned down, resting his chin on her shoulder. He smelled of earth, copper, and salt, but Leto found she didn't mind. It was still him.
"I've missed you," he murmured in her ear, causing a shiver to run down her spine. She turned around, resting her head against his chest-plate, the cold metal a stark contrast to the warmth he exuded. She leaned up an planted a chaste kiss on his lips.
"I missed you too, my love," she told him, "but I'd rather not embrace your armour."
"That makes two of us," Percy chuckled, "give me a moment."
With that, he slid out of her reach, vanishing back into the palace, leaving her alone of the balcony once more. She let out a content sigh. He was back. He came back to her.
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To say that Zoe had been surprised to be approached by a Empousa was an understatement. She wasn't even sure the monster could be classified as a monster. Her only form was that of a young woman, no donkey or metal legs involved. She didn't know how it was possible, but Mikaela, a new Hunter, and a daughter of Hecate had taken one look at the Empousa, before making a declaration.
"My mother did this to you," she had said, drawing surprised glances. The Empousa just bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement. Artemis had yet to say anything, and was instead scrutinising the monster-girl-thing.
"Why are you here?" Thalia asked, leaning on her spear. Her fellow lieutenant was more open-minded than most would have been.
"I was sent to the surface to seek out Zoe Nightshade," the Empousa declared, and that caused a reaction. Several of her sisters drew their weapons, but Zoe immediately raised her hand.
"Who sent you?" She asked.
"Lord Regent Iapetus, on behalf of Lord Perseus," the girl told her. Annabeth stiffened up slightly at the mention of Percy. It had been three years since they had found out he and Leto were together, and the daughter of Athena had thrown herself into her duties as a huntress. But Zoe knew she still felt something for the son of Poseidon.
"And what does my grandfather want?" She pressed.
"Lord Perseus is soon to be crowned the King of Tartarus," the girl stated, "the Lord Regent told me you may want to attend. Something about a friendship?"
"Why would Zoe go visit a male?" Another Hunter, Rebecca, sneered.
"That male is the reason I am no longer in Tartarus," Zoe replied, before shrugging, "he is a friend."
"Are you going to go?" Thalia asked her. Zoe shrugged again.
"It's not my decision in the end," she tilted her head towards Artemis, "and even then, it would have to be approved by both Lord Zeus and Lord Hades."
"Forgive me for interrupting," the Empousa said, "but I was instructed to pass invitations to several others as well. Lady Artemis herself is one of them. Lord Poseidon is the other, but I have no way of contacting him."
"Just those two?" Zoe inquired, wondering what her grandfather was planning.
"Well, those two were the only ones I was told I had to invite, but there are tentative invites in place for most deities, save a select few." The girl replied.
"Such as?" Artemis finally joined the conversation, not shifting in the slightest.
"Lady Hera may not attend, nor may Lord Zeus," The Empousa stated, "Heracles is to be denied an invitation as well, though that is because both the Lord Regent and Lord Perseus himself don't believe they would be able to restrain themselves from killing him. He must have wronged someone close to them."
Zoe hid a smile.
"Why not my father and his wife?" Artemis asked, leaning forward.
"Regardless on whether or not he had a choice, Lord Zeus sentenced my lord to Tartarus," The Empousa explained, "and I wasn't given an explanation for Lady Hera. Just… a very long string of curses from Lord Perseus."
"I thought my Iapetus sent you?" Annabeth challenged, expecting the girl to quiver in fear.
"The Lord Regent sent me initially, but after Lord Perseus returned from campaigning in the field, he recalled me before I could come, and extended my orders." The girl replied calmly, not in the least threatened by one of the most famous demigods in the world.
"You're not scared," Zoe noted, "how old are you?"
"Just under a millennium, milady," the Empousa answered, "I was raised in Enotita. As for my lack of fear—well, spend enough time around Lord Perseus, and there's not much in the world that can scare you anymore."
"Why?" Artemis was very clearly intrigued by the statement. Zoe didn't blame her. She was too.
"Lord Perseus is—forgive me, Lady Artemis—the most dangerous being alive. Twelve Titans have fallen to his blade, and close to three dozen more were captured or surrendered to him during his campaigns," the Empousa wasn't the least fazed by the glare that was shot her way by many a huntress, "his control over his power is unprecedented. I once saw him manipulate a Hellhound into shattering all it's bones, using just the blood that ran through its veins. It was not a pleasant sight."
"But you are not scared of him?"
"Why would I be?" The girl was genuinely confused, "only those who are disloyal run any risk of his anger. I am loyal, and I always will be. I have no reason to fear Lord Perseus."
"Thank you for your time," Artemis said, "I will contact my uncle, and ask him to meet with you. Is there anywhere in particular you wish to meet with him?"
"I assume the coast would serve him best, my lady," the girl answered, "Perhaps Yorktown, in Virginia?"
"Very well, I will ask him to meet you there," Artemis replied, "good luck, girl."
The Empousa bowed her head before retreating into the woods, vanishing into the shadows, leaving the Hunters alone once more.
"Are we really considering this?" Mikaela asked, "I've heard the stories of Tartarus. It's not somewhere I'd look forward to visit."
"Who said anything about we?" Artemis replied, "Zoe and myself were invited. I don't want to risk any more of you in the Pit."
"Respectfully, Lady Artemis," Thalia began, which meant the follow up would be anything but respectful, "Old Kelp Head is about to become a king, a sentence I never imagined myself saying before in my life. I'd rather get dragged through a valley filled with nails than miss this."
There were murmurs of agreement from the others, causing Artemis to sigh.
"Very well," she declared, "but I must first talk with my father. It may be wise to wait for the invitation to be extended to my uncle. He will support the motion."
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There ya go! Leave a review or send me a PM! Next chapter is the coronation, and we're going to see the interaction between Artemis, Apollo, Percy, Leto, and Annabeth. I have no idea how it's going to go.
Cheers, CombatTombat