Annabeth was positively giddy with excitement, although she tried hard to not show it. She kept her face in a pouty expression, but she was certain that Athena could hear her heart hammering in her chest. Once inside Atlantis' city gates, she couldn't help but look out on the streets. She had never been to Atlantis before, but the streets looked war torn, much like Olympus' streets. She remembered when they had received news about Percy fighting Polybotes. The giant's army fought right here. Percy had been fighting for his life again. The thought made Annabeth's heart constrict. The people stood on the side of the streets respectfully as they rode past. They looked indifferent to the procession. Although there was the occasional child that looked on in awe. The sea sprawled out on one side, its harbor already filled with ships. On the other side of the carriage was shops and houses. The moment the palace came into view, Annabeth lost her battle to keep her excitement to herself as a large smile overcame her features.

Athena narrowed her eyes.

"Just because you thwarted my plans to stay behind, doesn't mean I'm not excited to see Percy." Annabeth looked out the window in time to see Percy standing at attention as though he were a soldier. He looked tense. He had grown since she last saw him. His muscles were more developed and defined. She felt her cheeks heat up at the thought.

"Don't think that you will get any time with him. I'll be keeping a close eye on you." Athena interrupted her thoughts.

"Naturally." Annabeth said coolly, even as she racked her brain to think of some way to be with him without Athena knowing.

The carriage came to a stop, and Athena got out. Annabeth took a deep breath and followed. She wanted to laugh at Percy's surprised face. He looked like a fish with his mouth open. Then again, she never wanted to kiss a fish so bad.

"Annabeth?!" Percy exclaimed.

Amphitrite jabbed Percy sharply with her elbow. Annabeth found the whole thing humorous.

"Queen Athena." Poseidon bowed respectfully. "We are honored by your presence."

Athena gave a thin smile. "I'm tired and would like to retire to my room immediately." Annabeth wasn't surprised by her mother's behavior, and it seemed that Poseidon and Amphitrite weren't either.

"Of course." Amphitrite motion for a member of staff to approach.

Percy suddenly blurted, "Queen Athena, thank you so much for coming." He bowed deeply, perhaps a bit too deeply. But he was trying, and Annabeth loved him all the more for it.

It only momentarily stopped her progress as Athena completely ignored him and continued to follow the servant.

She was rushing things so Annabeth and Percy wouldn't have any time together. Well, Annabeth wasn't going to let her get away with it. Annabeth stepped forward and curtsied first to King Poseidon then to Queen Amphitrite. Then she stepped before Percy. Just being so close to him made her feel dizzy. He grinned back. She held out her hand. Percy quickly took it. Shivers ran up her arm, even though his hand was warm. "Prince Perseus." She acknowledged.

"Princess Annabeth." He replied as he bowed down and gently placed his lips upon her hand. His lips were warm, and she desperately wanted them on hers. Athena cleared her throat sharply. Percy immediately released Annabeth, to her disappointment.

"Come along Annabeth." Athena narrowed her eyes.

Annabeth gave him an apologetic smile as she slid past him and followed her mother into the palace. It was a modest palace, mostly favoring practicality over design. What design she did see was strong and beautiful. It was so different from Athens' delicate golden columns. She was so taken by the sculptures and art along the corridor that she didn't even notice how far back she had fallen from her mother. She also didn't see the hand grab hers out of nowhere. She nearly screamed until she heard her name called out in a whisper. "Annabeth."

She knew that voice anywhere. The hand stuck out from behind a tapestry draped across the wall. She moved it back to see a hidden passage from behind the wall. Servant pathways. There standing in the narrow hallway stood Percy. "I had to see you." He said with his green eyes boring into hers.

But he didn't get to finish as Annabeth wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. If he was surprised, he didn't show it as he passionately kissed her back. The world disappeared with her safely tucked in his arms. Athena and her statue faded away. The oncoming war wasn't even a thought. Only Percy's lips on hers seemed to matter. His strong muscular arms holding her tight. Everything about him consumed her. She even almost forgot about him going off into enemy territory by himself. The thought enraged her. She broke the kiss and punched him in the shoulder, hard.

"Ow! What was that for?" He rubbed his shoulder.

"What were you thinking, going off by yourself into enemy territory? You could have been killed!" She scolded.

"First off, I wasn't alone. I had Frank and Hazel with me. Second off, Nico had been kidnapped. I wasn't just going to abandon him, especially after the promise I made to his sister. Third off, I was following your advice. You're the one that told me to follow my instinct."

"I also told you not to do anything stupid." Annabeth countered.

"Be honest, you're just upset that you weren't there with me." He smirked.

"That's not true. You're a prince and that means you can't go running off whenever you want to."

"And what would you call our little trip out to the Sea of Monsters?" He raised a questioning eyebrow.

"That was different, I'm not an heir. I'm dispensable."

Percy gave her a look that she couldn't quite place. It made her heart pound and her tongue feel heavy. She could feel her eyes begin to close as he leaned in.

The tapestry flew open, startling Annabeth so bad, she flew to the other side of the narrow hall. "Your highness!" An older servant exclaimed in surprise. She had an incredibly tall stack of linens that she balanced with one hand. "I beg your pardon. I didn't mean to, I mean, I didn't know . . ."

"It's alright, Sandra." He said with a twinkle in his eye.

The servant glanced at Annabeth, "Queen Athena is in a rage looking for you. She'll be here any minute."

Annabeth felt her arm throb in echo of the last time she challenged

temper. "Hide!" Annabeth pleaded with Percy as she turned to leave. Then she turned back for a quick kiss. "Now, hide. She'll be suspicious."

The last she saw of him was his cheeky smile before the tapestry fell between them. Sandra unceremoniously dropped her stack of linens. And whispered, "Follow my lead." Then she got on her knees and started saying over and over, "I'm so sorry, your highness, I didn't see you."

Annabeth just saw Athena turn the corner when she bent over to help her. "It's alright," she said loud enough for Athena to hear, "I didn't see you either. Let me help you."

"Annabeth! Where have you been?" Athena yelled.

"Sorry mother, I was just admiring the architecture."

Athena eyed the nearby busts and tapestries with a disapproving look. Even Annabeth saw the tapestry still moving back and forth. Athena quickly pulled it aside, making Annabeth's heart stop. Athena looked down the empty hall with eyes narrowed. Then she turned toward to the servant.

Sandra started speaking in a rush, "Please forgive me. I wasn't looking where I was going."

Athena gave her a studying gaze before saying, "Come Annabeth. You don't want to cheapen yourself by studying this." She gave one last look at the surrounding decor.

"Yes mother." Annabeth followed Queen Athena, but not before mouthing a quick, "Thank you." to Sandra, who smiled knowingly back.

As they walked, Athena kept glancing back. Annabeth kept trying for her innocent face, but she felt sure that her mother could see Annabeth's freshly kissed lips and smell Percy's scent on her. When they got to their room, Athena spoke for the first time. "Just so we're clear, I have already sent word to Amphitrite that that boy is not to be anywhere near you tonight. Jason, on the other hand, is expecting a dance with you. You are to wear the blue gown. It's his favorite color."

Annabeth barely registered Athena's ramblings. She was suddenly wondering if Percy would like her in blue.