I left my cabin somewhat dazed I had no idea what time it was but it was still dawn. My first instinct was to head towards Annabeth's cabin but then reality hit me. I changed my course towards the beach and when I arrived I saw the perfect figure of the goddess of love walking near the canoes.
"Good evening, Percy dear."
"Mrs. Aphrodite."
"Oh just Aphrodite, Percy, the missus is Hera."
"All right, Aphrodite. Why did you call me?"
"We have to talk, Percy. I can't let my favorite couple since Helen of Troy and Paris to be separated. You two are so cute". She said in the same baby voice my mom uses when she shows Annabeth my baby photos (and that's something she loves to do).
"If you don't want us to be apart, why did you do all this?"
"Percy, we already discussed that. It was not my idea".
"But...
"Listen to me, I don't have much time, I still have to talk to my daughter and Leo Valdez." I nodded as she motioned for me to take a seat in one of the canoes.
"I spoke to Annabeth before that day with the darts, I know that you know and that you were listening, you don't need to apologize for spying on us." The goddess would not let me speak, and I decided to just let her speak.
"Percy, you have to understand that she is in love with you, from the bottom of her heart. You just have to remind her. Let her know how much you love her".
"I will." She smiled so tenderly that I felt my ears change color.
"That's what I mean". She said holding her emotion." That's why I'm going to tell you something that maybe I shouldn't. Annabeth is strong"
"I already know that".
"But you can't imagine how much. I had not seen any demigod resist as much as she did that day to my magic. She had successfully overcome my spell three times, conscious and unconsciously. And I think you know perfectly when". I meditated her words remembering.
"In the infirmary when she was asleep." Remembering that she said my name after kissing her.
"She did".
"When I saw her with the iris message ". The sparkle in her eyes when she saw me was really there.
"You are missing one."
"When she woke up yesterday morning!" She had said my name again before waking up completely.
"Exactly!". She clapped like Annabeth does when I understand something that she is explaining to me.
"But why she could do it asleep?"
"Because your subconscious or the term that I prefer, your heart looks for the way to show you the truth and the moment you are most vulnerable is when you´re asleep".
"And what do I do now?".
"Leave some clues for her feelings to surface". She looked at me as if expecting some reaction but I just looked at her confused.
"Everything you need is here." She said handing me a box, I opened it and looked up at her.
"What am I supposed to?" But she was already shining so I just managed to close my eyes.
"Good luck Percy".
...
Across the camp, at Hephaestus' cabin another demigod was being awakened by the same voice that had given Percy hope and a not-so-simple plan.
"Aphrodite". Leo said sleepily and rubbing his eyes. He got out of his bed, stumbled on some materials that he had left behind before going to sleep, and walked out to the cabin where the goddess was already waiting for him.
"What's going on?". The boy said yawning.
"Those manners dear, cover your mouth. I need to tell you a few things. First of all, I am proud of you for how you have supported Piper, as a mother I thank you".
"You´re welcome, but why did you have to do this mess?."
"Don't be so pessimistic. Have I not made your love life more enjoyable these months?"
"Is it amusing that I like a girl who has a boyfriend? Or that when I finally met the one girl who could be the love of my life I'd never see her again? Or what is worse, that she is on an island and I can not find it?!". He had finally done it, he had let off steam and his frustration with the goddess responsible for his love misfortunes, he had done it with Piper and he had even told Annabeth how he felt, they had both supported him but they could do nothing to help him.
"I understand you, dear, that's why I will give you a gift. For everything, I've put you through. Of course, it is up to you whether she stays".
"What?".
"You have to be a gentleman." That said, she began to shine as Hephaestus' son covered his face with his hands.
"She?".
...
Piper was already outside her cabin, waiting for her mother.
"Dear". She heard someone call her.
"Finally, where were you, mother?" She said impatiently.
"Chatting with Percy and Leo, dear, I had some unfinished business with them." She touched her hair with her hand and was immediately combed, irritating the girl.
"So they are more important than me?"
"No Piper, don't be silly, you are my daughter. It's just that theirs was not as complicated as yours".
"Whatever".
"How is your father?".
"Mother! This is serious!".
"Okay, okay, I just wanted to know how he was. Tell me did you think about the prophecy?"
"Yes, and I think I solved it."
"Go on". Piper pulled out a sheet where she had written the prophecy and made notes.
A bet between former rivals
Problems will bring to your progeny
Loves put to test and new romances will arise
A divine help may not be so helpful
Released feelings of happiness and disgrace will bring
And in the end, only one the bet will win.
"The rivals are Poseidon and Athena."
"Right".
"The problem is more than obvious, the loves put to the test are the couples in the camp and the new romances were caused by the darts".
"Go on".
"The help is you with the other darts, not only Percy and Annabeth."
"Gods you look like Annabeth with this kind of thing." Piper ignored her even though she had thought the same.
"But the feelings released... I still do not understand that."
"My dear, this is the crucial thing ...
"Well, you can tell me."
"You know that I can't".
They were silent for a few minutes, Aphrodite expected her daughter to tell her what she was dying to say.
"Say it, Piper".
"Is Jason really spelled?" She looked up at her mother with tear-filled eyes yearning for a positive response for her.
"I think you already understood that part of the prophecy, it's just that you don't want to see it for yourself."
"So...
"If you want to know the truth without asking him directly, take this." She handed her a device similar to one of Leo's radios.
"It's a recorder, don't worry, you won't attract monsters. You can only use it once, press this button". She said pointing to a green button "Ask a question and to hear the answer, press the red button".
"Any question?".
"You know what I mean Piper. And you also know what to ask already". Piper nodded slightly and looked at her mother again.
"Any advice?"
"You have to know the full story before judging and keep your mind but especially your heart open". The familiar divine glow began to emerge from her but before she disappeared Piper said.
"He met someone."
"What?" Said the goddess, ceasing to shine.
"Dad. A chef, she is really nice". A nostalgic smile crossed the goddess's face.
"Give him my greetings".
"I will".
She looked down to the recorder and pressed the green button.
"How does Jason feel about me?" She pressed the red button and an image came out of the recorder, like an iris message. In the image she could see Jason in his cabin, he was sitting on the edge of the bed and in front of him in a chair was her mother, Aphrodite.