Reyna couldn't stop smiling. She had spent another night before finally returning to Camp Jupiter. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't quite stop smiling to the point where her cheeks hurt. She couldn't remember a time when she felt so happy. She was walking toward her quarters when Frank spotted her.
"You're alive. It's good to see you."
"Sorry, I didn't come in sooner. I had to wait until I was healed." She fought the blush creeping up her cheeks at the thought of her time healing with Richard.
"What happened?" Frank asked with concern. Frank may look like a football player, but he was teddy bear in reality. Which was ironic since he was a son of Mars, the god of war.
"It was a trap." Reyna stated simply. Frank's eyebrows rose in surprise. "We'll talk about it after I get changed. Give me twenty minutes."
Frank nodded in understanding. "I'll let Percy and Annabeth know."
"Percy's here?" She said surprised.
"There have been some power plays against you. I hope you don't mind. I called Percy to help out, while you were on your quest "
Percy had earned the right to be Praetor some years ago, but had willingly stepped down to make room for Jason and then Frank. It was a completely unroman thing to do, which she supposed was only natural since he was Greek. She had been Praetor for such a long time that there were a lot of people looking for any window to take the job. Her death would be very convenient. Percy was no threat to her since she knew he never even wanted power. He was only considered the leader of the Greek half-bloods unofficially.
And if Percy was here, it was no surprise that Annabeth was here. Ever since their trip to Tatarus, they became inseparable. Wherever Percy was, Annabeth was, and vice versa.
"You did the right thing." Reyna reassured Frank. "I'll see you in a bit."
Frank nodded and headed back as Reyna continued toward her bunk. She took off her armor and changed her shirt into a new purple SPQR shirt. Once she was changed she picked up the white T-shirt that Richard had let her use and held it to her. She inhaled his lingering scent, and the night came rushing back to her. A smile broke out on her face again, and that familiar flip flop in her heart started up again. She folded the shirt neatly, put it under her pillow, and headed out.
Frank, Percy, and Annabeth were all waiting in the Praetor's office. Frank sat in his Praetor chair. Percy sat across from him idlely twirling his pen, that she knew was actually his sword in disguise. Annabeth sat next to him, looking every inch a California girl. But Reyna knew what a deadly and intelligent woman she was.
"You really had us worried." Percy smirked as she made her way to sit down.
"Apparently I'm a little harder to kill." Reyna gave a grin smile.
"So what happened?"
"There were no kids in the lab when we arrived, but someone else was: a mercenary."
"A mortal?"
"Sort of. You know that line, beware the immortal mortal? I think it was talking about this mercenary."
"Wait, what are you saying?" Percy looked confused, as usual.
"I'm saying, he was so far gone he became a monster." Reyna sighed.
The room was quiet for a moment as they let that sink in. "So, what are we going to do? They're setting traps with immortal mortals. We should visit the auguries, or at least meet with the Senate." Frank looked worried.
"Actually, Batman may have found a trail to who's behind all of this. We just have to bug someone's phone at a charity ball and wait for their call."
"We?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow.
"Nightwing and I." Reyna clarified.
"Wait! You're going to a charity ball? Don't you have to dress up for those sort of things?" Percy looked surprised.
"Yes." Reyna fought the blush rushing up her cheeks.
"It just doesn't seem like you." Frank said stupidly.
"It is to stop them from kidnapping anymore kids, Greek and Roman." Reyna snapped, but her cheeks still felt hot.
"Do you think it safe to be near such, technology?" Annabeth's eyebrows were knitted together with concern.
"I'll be fine." Reyna said coolly. Leave it to Annabeth to find the one fault to her argument. But she couldn't tell her that Nightwing would be doing most of the technology stuff, lest they talk her out of it. Truth was she wanted to have this evening with him, to dress up for him.
"Okay, but you have another issue." Frank looked uncomfortable.
"Oh?" Reyna raised an eyebrow.
"Your sister has been calling daily for reports on your return. She's getting rather . . . aggressive."
Reyna sighed. "I'll call her. How have the troops been doing?"
"They're antzy. Everyone can feel a looming threat, but no one knows how to fight it."
"Well, between the three of us, I think we can keep things calm." Reyna said confidently. "If there is nothing else, I had better address my sister."
"Good idea." Frank grumbled as he got up.
Reyna followed the others out of the office. Frank and Percy headed to the arena, while Reyna headed to New Rome. "Reyna, I'll walk with you."Annabeth called out.
Reyna turned to see Annabeth give Percy a quick kiss and then run up to her side. She gave Reyna a friendly smile as the both turned toward New Rome. They walked in silence for some time before Annabeth said, "How has Hylla been, besides upset about her only sister going dark?"
"Fine, I guess." Reyna answered vaguely.
"You should probably try to level down the smile before you call, though."
"Wh . . .what?" Reyna stumbled to a stop.
Annabeth let out a small giggle, which Reyna had never heard her do, ever. "Boys are clueless, but to those who have been there, well, you're practically glowing."
"I am?" Reyna pressed her hands up to her cheeks.
"Can't stop smiling, dressing up nice for someone, and late reporting in. I'd say, he kissed you?"
Reyna blushed furiously, and opened and closed her mouth a few times trying to figure out what to say. She should have known better than to expect to get anything by Annabeth.
"Oh my gods, he kissed you!" Annabeth said a little bit louder as Reyna had just confirmed her suspicions.
"Shh, shh." Reyna looked around nervously.
"I remember when Percy first kissed me." Annabeth smiled as she looked dreamily in the distance. Then she snapped back to reality. "What are you going to tell your sister?"
Hylla had never really fully recovered from Circe's island. During their captivity, Hylla had taken it upon her to protect Reyna as much as possible, resulting in her being handled very roughly and brought back in tears. When they finally escaped, they were given the option to either join the Amazons or Camp Jupiter. Reyna shouldn't have been surprised that Hylla chose to go with the Amazons. She could never look at men in the same light after what she had experienced. But the subject of boys had never really entered their conversation in the past. In fact, they were both so busy with their respective leadership roles, they hardly ever talked. "I don't know. This is all so new. I'm not sure where this is headed."
Annabeth nodded in understanding. "Well, good luck." Annabeth said as they approached the border.
Terminus, the god of borders, seemed to be in a pleasant mood, and took their weapons without too much nit picking. Annabeth left Reyna at the building that held the sole phone in New Rome. Reyna shooed everyone out of the room before she started her call. She would need privacy.
The phone only rang once before it was picked up. "Do you have news?"
"Hello, Hylla." Reyna answered.
"Reyna! Are you alright? What happened?"
"I'm fine. I got stabbed in the midsection, but I was able to heal quickly, thanks to some quick thinking of my partner."
"A mortal boy saved you?" There was a note of disbelief in her voice.
"We saved each other." Reyna corrected.
"I still don't understand why you have to work with a mortal, did it have to be a boy?"
"He's a good guy and he works hard to save others. He's a true hero." Reyna defensively.
"Those wannabes don't even come close to a hero's life." Hylla snapped.
"How would you know, if you never met one?" Reyna countered.
"Since when have you changed your tune about them?"
"Since working with one. Nightwing and I have been able to save over fifty kids, mostly due to his efforts."
"Kids taken by mortal's hands."
"And monsters. Don't you see? They're working together, so we need to work together."
There was silence on the other end for some time until she finally breathed, "I suppose it is necessary to have to put up with him, for now. Just don't get attached. I know you still have delusions that romance still exist."
"It's not a delusion." Reyna said defensively.
"I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I don't need your protection anymore, Hylla." Reyna said irritably.
"We always need to look out for each other. Men are selfish, and will always put themselves first."
"Nightwing is different."
"We'll see. Be careful, don't get too close, and watch your back."
"I'm always careful." Reyna sighed. She deliberately refused to address the other promise. Hyllahung up the phone, signaling the end of the call.
Reyna hung up her end and sat back. She was already too close to Richard. She couldn't deny the way he made her feel, not anymore. She couldn't imagine him betraying her, but still the thought nagged at her. She shook it off. She had other things to worry about. Her job was under attack and she needed to get a dress.
