Chapter 7:

I don't remember falling asleep, but when I opened my eyes, the boys were snoozing away, each of them wrapped tightly around me. I smiled softly and kissed both of their lips before untangling myself without waking them to dress. When I finished, I stepped outside the hut to see Nightshade grazing in the brush. I walked over to her and she lifted her head only for a pat before going back to her breakfast. "Good morning girl. You really shouldn't have brought them here….but I guess you know what's best for me, don't you?" she nickered and hit my leg with her head.

I giggled and walked through the woods for a while, just seeing where exactly I had settled. When I came upon the shore I had smelled when I arrived, the sun was just barely coming up as I dipped my toes into the water. I was enjoying the cool feeling when I took a deep breath and smelled more than just the scent of ocean. I opened my eyes and found Poseidon walking from the tide to join me on the beach. He placed his hand on my knee and gave me a smile.

"Hesperia, it is good to see you my darling." I returned his smile and placed my hand over his, lacing our fingers together. "It is good to see you as well, Poseidon. What brings you to see me?" he gave my hand a squeeze and sighed. "I do wish this meeting was a happier one, but I am here on behalf of my sons." I blinked, looking at his face as he stared into the water. "What is it?" "They have gone against the camp's wishes, traveling to get the fleece." "Do you know that Hermes has already spoke to me about this?"

Poseidon nodded and turned to look at me, saying, "I did, he also helped Percy and his friends to get started on their journey as well. But I cannot get involved myself, as to not upset Zeus and the others. So my meeting here is never to have happened." I shook my head, rolling my eyes at him. "Oh of course not. None of this happened." I leaned against him, bumping our shoulders together. He joined into my laughter before sobering. "I leave them at your mercy, my sweet. I can give you a small amount of assistance."

He glanced out at the water and I noticed the small, but sturdy boat out and anchored. Poseidon turned back to me, taking my hands into his and looking at my wounds from where I used my powers to burn the chains off back at camp. I didn't have much to help the healing, so they were on the verge of getting infected. "Hesperia, you should have taken better care of these. Allow me." he pulled the water from the shore and wrapped it gently around my wrists. The soothing pulse from his power flowed from the water into my skin, healing the wounds little by little.

"They still may scar a small amount, but this should take care of most of it." he finished with my wrists and looked down at my legs, moving his fingers in a movement to tell me to hand him my feet next. I did so, leaning back on my hands and looking at the beautiful sunrise as he worked his water along my ankles. I felt the water disappear as he finished and I felt a lot better, but didn't move just yet. After a moment, I sat back up, dropping my toes back into the water to enjoy the soothing touch again. Poseidon cleared his throat and I turned to look at him, he moved closer to me, pulling me against his chest.

He leaned over to me, pressing his forehead to mine and our noses brushed slightly. "I have missed you beyond what I can bear, my heaven. I need you…" I froze, he had spoken to me about his feelings, but never declared them before. I felt him move forward, our lips almost touching when I jerked my head back, sliding out of his grip. "Hesperia?" he asked and reached out for me, but I held up my hand, stopping him. "Poseidon, I would have soared so high hearing those words from you…last year."

His eyes widened just a bit before he sighed and nodded, taking my hand in his again. "I see, my chance has slipped by me." I smiled and caressed his face, sighing. "I truly am sorry, but anything I have felt for you pales in comparison to how I feel about them…I would have never thought I could feel this strongly for someone, let alone two people. They will forever hold my heart, always. I cannot return your love, nor anyone else's…other than those two." he leaned into my touch, not wanting to let us part.

I smiled sadly at him, about to pull away when we turned at the sound of footsteps. We were so caught up in our words that they were upon us before I could remove my hand. Their eyes were wide, partly amazement at the God before them, partly was because of the girl they loved was so close to him and holding hands and touching his face. I cleared my throat and stood, Poseidon following suit, but stayed behind as I walked over to the guys.

Their eyes were guarded, but the betrayal was clear as day. "Good morning my loves. I'm sorry I didn't want to wake you." I took their hands in mine and kissed their cheeks. "Yeah, morning." Travis said, his eyes lifting to see Poseidon behind me. "What's going on?" Conner asked and I smiled, glancing over my shoulder at the god at the shore. "I was just being visited by an old friend." I made sure to enunciate the last word, hoping they would trust me. "Huh…friend." "Cozy for friends." I sighed, they were a bit jealous, but I wanted them to know they had nothing to worry about.

I pulled they gazes down to me, forcing their eyes into mine, whispering, "My sweet boys, only you two can have my love. Now and forever. I am completely yours as you two are mine. Even the gods and goddesses can not make me love them as I love you two." I bared my heart for them, knowing this was all I could do, they would either believe me or not. After a moment, they smiled brightly, hugging me tight and kissing my cheeks. I breathed them in, loving that they would always be there for me.

I stepped out of their arms and asked them to gather everything useful from the hut to start loading into the boat. They gave Poseidon a look, before bowing deeply and hurrying off. "I would say you have those two wrapped around your finger." I shook my head and walked over to him, asking what he wanted me to do. "As always, it is up to you. Sail wherever you want, I won't tell you where to go, but they went to the sea of monsters to find the fleece on an island."

I rolled my eyes, knowing he was trying to give me the most hints as possible without actually telling me what to do. "Poseidon, I will do this favor for you…however I would like for you to return it by informing me of something." he cocked his head to the side in curiosity and waited for me to ask. "When I was formed in this body…was I also turned mortal?" he looked away from me and began to chew on his lip. I sighed, guess I had my answer.

"It is a little more complicated than just a yes or no answer, I'm afraid. While you can be injured, no one truly knows to what extent is your limit. None of us ever thought about it and none thought about testing it to see. And you have been at the camp for a very long time, while your body hasn't changed much, it has aged. You may be able to die just like any other mortal, or you may be reincarnated like the monsters and other creatures. We just don't know, Hesperia. You are always our treasure, none of us want to see you harmed. Please, for the sakes of those who love you, be careful and cautious."

I nodded, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze before releasing him. "I will. But you better go before they notice you gone and begin to look." he nodded and leaned down to my ear, breathing softly, "Forgive me for saying…you looked beyond beauty last night. Truly awe-inspiring to see the pleasure on your face." I jerked back, my face flaming red and I wanted to punch him in the face for spying like that. They weren't supposed to look into private matters on mortals. He held up his hands and spoke again, "I didn't mean to, I was searching for you to meet and gift you the boat. When I saw what was going on, I looked away…I only saw your face, I swear it."

I sighed, there was nothing to be done about it now, I narrowed my eyes at him. "Do not ever intrude on my private life again. I will never forgive you nor will I ever speak to you again if you do. Do you understand me?" he chuckled and nodded, bowing deeply to me as the guys returned. "Poseidon, I thank you for your gift, but I do believe that some time is needed before we meet again. I bid you farewell." I took a step back and pressed a hand to my cheek, feeling the burn of blush on my face. The guys stepped up to me as Poseidon backed away from us into the water.