Chapter 8:

Once he was gone, I took the guys hands and led them to the shore, pointing at the boat. "There is our ride, are you sure you are coming with me?" they nodded, giving my hands a squeeze. "We are not leaving you again." Conner said and Travis followed up, "And you are not leaving us again." I smiled, leaning up to kiss their cheeks in turn. "You want to start loading? I'm going to tell Nightshade to head back to camp, since we are going by sea, she shouldn't wait up for us." they agreed and I walked back into the forest, searching for my companion as they headed to the boat.

I found her napping in a small clearing and patted her as she began to stir, sensing I was near. "Hey sweet. Thank you again for bringing the guys to me, I feel a lot better with them with me. We are going to be traveling by sea from now on though, so you may want to head back to camp. Be safe for you there." she nickered and rubbed her head against my shoulder, stretching her wings out. I stepped back a few paces, letting her up and flap a few times, before she trotted over to me, pressing her face to my cheek. "What is it?" she pushed against my face again, making me stumble.

"Nightshade, are you alright?" she pushed me again, before turning and taking to the sky in a swift motion. I sighed and shook my head, she was just as wild as the day I met her. I walked back to the beach and the guys had finished loading and were wrestling with each other and laughing. I smiled, they were so care-free and it was amazing that they loved me. I leaned against a tree as they continued on, evenly matched for each other. Travis got the upper-hand, flipping Conner over his shoulder and onto the ground with a huff.

I burst out laughing and they look up to see me, then join into my laughter. Travis helped his brother up and playfully shoved each other as they came over to me as I was calming my laughter down. "You two truly are something else." Conner scooped me up in his arms and began to walk toward the water. "What are you doing?! Put me down!" I said, squirming in his grip, but he held me tight as his feet hit the water, splashing up on us. He gave a turn and tossed me in the air like a child. Travis was right there to catch me though, laughing and cradling me close to his chest as he entered the water too, winking at his brother.

"Guys! Quit it!" I shouted as they went further in, almost as their thighs. "Alright!" they laughed together before Conner took my feet and Travis had my arms, swinging me twice before letting me go and launching me into the air. I gasped for breath just before I hit the water, going completely under to the echoes of their laughter. I popped up, shoving my hair from my face as I coughed, wiping the water from my eyes. They were still laughing, holding onto to each other as they continued on. I growled, maybe I needed to return the favor. They were wiping the tears from their eyes as I stood up, my clothing clinging to me.

I pulled the power from inside of me and released in an intensely bright light, making them shield their eyes. I rushed forward, tripping them both and knocking them into the water. I grabbed their shoulders and shoved down with all my might, dunking them both completely under as they shouted. I laughed and let them come up as my light died down, going back to the normal sunlight. They spluttered and coughed, before breaking out in smiles and laughing along with me. I held out my hands to assist them in getting up, but instead, they jerked me down into their arms.

They held me tight as we dripped water all over, chuckling as we sat together in the sunshine, feeling carefree for the moment. Soon enough, the moment had to pass and Conner looked me with a frown on his face. "So, are we planning on going after the fleece as well?" I chewed my lip, shrugging. "I'm not sure. I mean the camp needs it. But I'm sure the camp has sent someone after it. And I'm also sure that Percy and his gang are either already on the way or will be soon." I sighed, there was a lot after the fleece already, maybe for once, we didn't have to follow.

I stood up and looked at the boat with all of our gear waiting for us and groaned. "Yes, we will be going after the fleece. Thalia's tree desperately needs it to keep the camp safe for future and present campers. No matter what, we all must do our part to help with the camp." they agreed and we climbed into the boat, settling in as I looked to the motor, trying to see how to start it. "Hesperia, we got this, just sit back and watch the masters." Conner said as he and Travis moved me to the side and took my place at the motor. They quickly got it working and we shot down the sea faster than I thought possible for such a small boat.

We didn't speak much as we traveled, taking turns running the boat as we went through the night. I was taking my turn as the stars were shining bright and sighed, looking to my old home. My family were looking down on me, glowing their gorgeous light onto my skin. I wanted to be with them again, I wanted to shine with them. I didn't realize that I was tapping into my powers until I heard a gasp. Travis stretched and came over, running his hand along my luminous cheek. "You are magnificent, so beautiful." I leaned to his touch, not realizing that I was crying, until he wiped a tear away.

"You should be sleeping," I said, taking his hand into mine and away from my eyes. "Talk to me, what is making you cry?" I smiled and pointed up, he followed and stared at the sky. "You miss living with the Gods and Goddesses?" I shook my head quickly, pointing to myself. "Travis, I am a star given human form. I miss my family and friends. The other stars. I miss looking down at the world and not living the dark parts." "But if you went home, you wouldn't be here with us. Do you want to leave us?" I gave his hand a squeeze and told him, "Travis, I have already chosen you and your brother over the Gods and Goddesses, along with my family. The two of you are my heart, as I hope I am yours."

He smirked and leaned over to me, pausing right before my lips, "Of course you are. You are our everything Hesperia." I smiled as his lips found mine and completed our sweet kiss. I surged forward, getting onto his lap as I wrapped my arms along his neck. The boat jerked to the left, knocking us over as we laughed and held onto each other. "Woah, what's going on?" I heard Conner groan as he sat up. I glanced up from Travis's head and he did the same. Conner saw us and cleared his throat, before busting out laughing. "Geez, can't keep your hands off her for a few hours, Bro?" Travis shrugged and helped me up as he took over the boat steering, getting us back on track. "We will be coming up on the sisters soon."