Decisions are made, Pearl is a little shit with Zoë but ultimately follows her orders... At the risk of hurting Thalia's heart. Who ever said leaving was easy?
(Lemon alert)
CHAPTER 6 - leaving you after loving you
Pearl sneaked out of the Aphrodite cabin just as the first rays of sun made their apparition. She pecked both Silena and Charlotte's forehead, who responded in kind before going back to sleep. The demigod felt drained but at the same time fulfilled, a paradoxical sensation.
She knew that sooner or later she would have to think about what the casual sex had meant for her, but now her mind was set on talking to Zoë. 'And making it to the dining pavilion for breakfast without looking suspicious. The less Thalia knows the better.'
She managed to get there in time, changed and refreshed. 'The perks of having the cabin all to myself.'
"Well," Grover said, coming to sit beside her, "someone looks feisty today."
Pearl smirked, filling up her plate with muesli. "Is this your way of telling me that I look really terrible?"
"I wouldn't blame you. I mean, with the prophecy and all."
"What will Chiron do?" she asked Grover.
"I wish I knew." He looked wistfully at the Artemis table. "I want to be part of that quest."
"Searching for Annabeth? Or trying to impress the Hunters?"
He blushed. "Very funny. There's something the manticore said, about the Great Stirring. I can't help but wonder... if all those ancient powers are waking up, maybe... maybe not all of them are evil."
"You mean Pan."
"I've let the trail go cold," he said. "I feel restless, like I'm missing something really important. He's out there somewhere. I can just feel it."
Before Pearl could utter some semblance of encouragement, someone cleared their throat next to them. "Excuse me, but could Pearl come with me?" Zoë asked, her silver circlet shining in the sun.
Said demigod had to bit back a couple of inappropriate jokes, which she blamed Becky for.
"Of course, of course," Grover answered for her before she could open her mouth, "I'll just be over there if you girls need me."
Pearl stood up, taking the lieutenant's offered hand, before making her way towards a secluded place.
"I assume you don't want to be overheard, no?"
"Indeed. It must stay confidential, at least until a decision is taken."
They reached a small clearing and plopped down on a log, Zoë more gracefully than Pearl. The lieutenant was back to looking all confident and bossy, something that made Pearl feel safer.
"You fought well against Thalia yesterday. We didn't even have to help thee."
Pearl was thrown off by the unexpected compliment. "Thank you, though we have been interrupted."
"By the Oracle, indeed. I think that you are aware of my dream, aren't thee?"
"Yes. Artemis needs your help."
"Our goddess needs us," Zoë rectified with a smile, squeezing her hand. "The Hunters must leave immediately."
"And go where?" Pearl asked, grateful at being considered as a huntress.
"West! You heard the prophecy. Five shall go west to the goddess in chains. And it would explain my dream, seeing as we know that Artemis is being held hostage. We must find her and free her."
"Yes," the demigod agreed. "But what about the rest of the prophecy? It says that campers and Hunters combined prevail. You will need to take at least one camper."
Zoë looked kind of smug, "But you're still a camper, technically speaking."
'Oh. She planned this. Wait. What about Grover and his own quest?'
"Wait. Three and two. I mean, we're supposed to have five, so three Hunters, two from Camp Half-Blood. That's more than fair, and that way you won't raise many objections," Pearl rushed out, feeling self-conscious under Zoe's calculating stare.
Zoë grunted. "I would prefer to take all the Hunters. We will need strength of numbers. But it does make sense, I guess."
"Which Hunters will you take with you?"
Zoë thought about it for a few minutes before lightening up. "I shall go, of course, and I will take Phoebe. She is our best tracker. Also, I wish for Bianca to come with us."
Pearl looked stunned. "Bianca? But… she's so new. Don't you think that it might be too risky for her?"
"She will do fine," Zoë insisted. "There is no better way to prove herself."
Pearl felt kind of sorry for her. 'I hope she doesn't feel totally unprepared.'
"And for the other camper? Who did you have in mind?" Zoë asked.
Pearl winced, already trying to come up with valid points to justify her choice. "I was thinking of Grover, the satyr."
Zoë wrinkled her nose, looking at her as if she had grown two heads. "I think not, young one. He is not even a half-blood."
"But he is a camper," she said. "And he's got a satyr's senses and woodland magic. He can even play a tracker's song." She could have been pleading for all she cared.
Zoë wavered. "Very well, then it's settled. Now we must not delay," she warned. "Today is Sunday. This very Friday, December twenty-first, is the winter solstice. Artemis must be present at this solstice," she explained. "She has been one of the most vocal on the council arguing for action against Kronos's minions. If she is absent, the gods will decide nothing. We will lose another year of war preparations."
Pearl nodded, biting her lower lip in thought. "Do you have any idea of what this monster might be?"
"This monster — the bane of Olympus. I have hunted at Lady Artemis's side for many years, yet I have no idea what it might be."
The demigod let out a hollow laugh. "Right, that's reassuring. We're kept in the dark, and yet we're willing to lose everything if it means saving them."
Zoë looked pensive. "It happens when you grow attached. I assume you're talking about thy friend Annabeth, right?"
"And Artemis."
The lieutenant tilted her head to the side, confused. "How come? If you still haven't even pledged thyself to her."
"No, but you have."
"I don't understand thee."
"I guess it's normal since you've sworn off romantic love," Pearl reflected.
At this, the huntress blushed, a look of understanding on her face. "I… It is not what you think it is."
"I'm sure it isn't," she said with a sideways smirk, lifting herself up as well as the other girl, "remind me of your age again, oh wise lieutenant?"
"Come here, you little…" But Pearl had already started running for her life, sprinting among the trees and laughing all the way to the sword fighting arena.
Upon reaching the arena, she feigned impatience while waiting for the other girl. Said huntress appeared a few seconds later, adopting a predatory stance.
'Oh shit. Find a distraction Pearl, and hurry.'
"You up for a challenge?" asked the sweaty demigod – slightly panting from her sprint, and backing away as the other girl stepped forward.
Zoë cornered her, an eyebrow lifted. "What do you propose?"
'So she speaks modern English too…'
"How do you feel about sparring?"
"Hm, fine. Let's do this," replied the huntress, taking her sword out of its sheath and looking far too smug for Pearl's liking. "And I hope it will teach you a lesson."
'Oh boy. What did I get myself into?'
They sparred for what felt like three hours for Pearl, taking breaks in between. The demigod was getting tired, all messy and sweaty from the intensity of the training.
"You have to be lighter on your feet, Pearl. Stand up and get ready," Zoë stated, still undefeated.
They took place, facing each other, sword in hand. Their weapons came together with a deafening crash, almost knocking Pearl's sword out of her hand. She barely managed to avoid the second blow, stumbling back. She tried to lunge forward, surprising her opponent, who quickly recovered from the shock. But the third blow knocked her sword into the dirt and sent her skidding on her ass.
Pearl groaned, still lying on the floor. "How do you do it?"
Zoë sheathed her sword and held out her hand to help the struggling demigod up.
"It comes with training," she said, pulling Pearl to her feet. "For what it's worth you're not a desperate case. You're a quick learner."
"Thanks," she replied, brushing the dust from her clothes and rolling her shoulders.
Someone cleared their throat behind them. Upon turning around, Pearl was met with the sight of an infuriated Thalia.
"Dionysus is calling a council of cabin leaders to discuss the prophecy," she said. "Unfortunately, that includes both of you."
As she was leaving, she glanced at Pearl's cleavage, "And you might want to cover those love bites, Casanova."
Pearl blushed a deep red, now taking in the way her shirt had come down. She could already feel Zoë's puzzled stare.
'She's getting mad at me for having some fun? I mean, it's certainly not like we're an item or anything for that matter. Plus, wasn't she the one to tell me how much of a prude I were?'
"Well, let's go."
The council was held around a Ping-Pong table in the rec room. Mr. D and Chiron sat at one end of the table while Zoë and Bianca di Angelo took the other end.
Pearl couldn't face Zoë's judging stare right now, so she sat with Thalia and Grover along the right. The other head councilors — Becky, Silena Beauregard, and the Stoll brothers — sat on the left.
Zoë started the meeting off on a positive note. "This is pointless."
And it went on and on… at some point Pearl had zoned out of the conversation, already knowing its outcome anyway. She frequently exchanged looks with Zoë, who looked quite unnerved. Maybe because of the Stoll brothers, who appeared rather suspicious.
She focused back on the conversation.
"I must agree with Zoe," said Chiron. "Artemis's presence at the winter council is critical. We have only a week to find her. And possibly even more important: to locate the monster she was hunting. Now, we must decide who goes on this quest."
"That's some serious danger you're facing," Connor Stoll said. "It sounds like at least two of the five are going to die."
"One shall be lost in the land without rain" Becky said, looking particularly worried. "If I were you, I'd stay out of the desert."
There was a muttering of agreement.
"And the Titan's curse must one withstand," Silena said. "What could that mean?"
Pearl saw Chiron and Zoe exchange a nervous look, but whatever they were thinking, they didn't share it.
"One shall perish by a parent's hand," Grover said in between bites of Ping-Pong balls. "How is that possible? Whose parent would kill them?"
There was heavy silence around the table.
"There will be deaths," Chiron decided. "That much we know."
"Oh, goody!" Dionysus said.
Everyone looked at him. He glanced up innocently from the pages of Wine Connoisseur magazine. "Ah, pinot noir is making a comeback. Don't mind me."
"Anyway, the people for this quest have already been selected," Zoë said, daring anyone to interrupt her, "Pearl, Grover, Bianca, Phoebe and myself will be the ones leading this quest. Two Campers and three Hunters. "
"And you weren't going to consult us beforehand?" Silena asked, looking outraged.
"Oh, I see," Zoë said sarcastically. "And I suppose you wish to volunteer?"
Silena blushed. "I'm not going anywhere with the Hunters. Don't look at me!"
"A daughter of Aphrodite does not wish to be looked at," Zoë scoffed. "What would thy mother say?"
Silena started to get out of her chair, but her girlfriend pulled her back with a soothing hand on her knee.
"Wait she's right. I want a say in this," Thalia stood and looked around, daring anyone to question her. "Why can't I go?"
Thalia and Grover exchanged looks.
'Why would she even want to go?'
"Oh," Grover said, suddenly aware of the problem. "Thalia has to go. I didn't mean... I'll stay. Thalia should go in my place."
"She cannot," Zoë said. "I won't risk it. You're too prompt to fight us, too impetuous. You act without thinking, too sure of yourself."
"I have to go," she said, knuckles turning white. "I need to be on this quest."
"Why?" Pearl suddenly asked. "Because you want to keep an eye on me? Well for your information, I'm perfectly capable of going on a quest alone."
Green eyes met dark ones, in a battle of stares. Silena, the Stoll brothers, and Becky were staring at the table, surrounded by a tense silence.
"Then it's final," Zoë said flatly. "I insist upon this. I will take a satyr if I must, but not thee."
Chiron sighed. "The quest is for Artemis. The Hunters should be allowed to approve their companions."
Thalia stormed out of the room and slammed the door, not even waiting for Chiron as he concluded the council.
"So be it," he said. "Pearl and Grover will accompany Zoe, Bianca, and Phoebe. You shall leave at first light. And may the gods" — he glanced at Dionysus — "present company included, we hope — be with you."
Thalia didn't show up for dinner that night, making Pearl feel even guiltier. 'Why the fuck am I feeling like this, honestly? I won't have to stand her anymore!' she thought as she sat on her bed.
"Pearl, make sure that Thalia doesn't come with us." Zoë said, entering her cabin and sitting next to her on the bunk. "She'll probably try to follow us."
"It won't be a problem," she said.
"Thank you. Both of you together would be a dangerous thing."
"We could handle it."
She smirked, poking her in the ribs. "The way you handled it at the creek yesterday night?" The lieutenant then exited the cabin, knowing how right she was as Pearl didn't answer. She'd nailed her.
Pearl stood at the saltwater spring, rubbing a coin in her hand and trying to figure out what to do about Thalia. Finally, she took a deep breath and stood up. She knew what had to be done.
Pearl silently made her way towards the Zeus cabin, carrying a water bottle inside of her trousers' pocket. 'It has to be done,' she mused, feeling anxious.
Zeus cabin stayed in its all high and might. The marble, high and bulky cabin looked like an ancient Greek temple. Its bronze doors were engraved with an almost holographic lightning. Pearl slowly opened the doors and made her way inside, slightly impressed.
'If Zeus is anything like his daughter…'
As she entered the cabin, she came face to face with the massive statue of Zeus, looking regal. It was located in the center of the piece, at the back of the hall. The ceiling was designed to show floating clouds. There were statues of golden eagles everywhere, and no beds at all.
'Really Zeus? Really?' Pearl thought. A distant noise of lightning rang in Pearl's ears, and she turned her head towards the sound. She saw Thalia laying in a cot, covering her body with a bedsheet, in a niche that she arranged by pushing one of the eagle statue against the wall. Her belongings were arranged around the cot.
"Why are you here?" Thalia snapped, clearly hostile.
Pearl had to use her charms. "Hey, I'm sorry about what I said. It wasn't fair. And I guess I should have told you about what happened with Silena and Charlotte."
Thalia seemed to relax a bit. "It's ok Pearl, I was going too far too. I was treating you like you were mine. I thought they were Zoë's hickeys actually"
'If she's letting this go so easily it means that she already planned her next move. Zoë was right, she's going to follow us.'
Pearl couldn't help but smile, seeing right through her game. "Do you know why I came here?"
Thalia shook her head, looking curious.
"I want to make it up to you, Thals," Pearl offered, taking a step forward.
The dark haired girl smiled, "It can be arranged..." She took off her bedsheet, revealing her naked body. Pearl was taken aback. 'Was she waiting for me?' she mused.
Thalia smirked as Pearl' eyes roamed over Thalia's athletic body. Her legs were folded by her knees, as she rubbed her own clit circularly. Their eyes met.
"Do you like me like this?" Thalia asked. Pearl automatically nodded. "Will you give me a hand?" Thalia asked again, Pearl was completely drown in her electric eyes. She felt herself getting wet.
"Yeah, sure," Pearl gave a shy smile, and leaned down. She sneaked out her water bottle from her trousers, and rolled it discreetly to a corner where Thalia couldn't see it.
She leaned towards Thalia's legs, lowering herself. She kissed Thalia's feet, licking her toes and brought her tongue towards Thalia's inner thigh. She left low bites, marking her skin, and Thalia sighed in contentment.
Pearl straddled Thalia, roughly grabbing her hips with her hands. Thalia's eyes closed as Pearl touched her clit.
"Oh fuck. You look so tasty" Pearl complimented. Thalia began to pinch her own nipples, as Pearl slowly circled her clit with her tongue.
"Oh Pearl! Just like that! Eat me out!" Thalia moaned.
The atmosphere was full of Thalia's moans and the wet sounds coming from Pearl's mouth. Pearl used her fingers to rub Thalia's clit as she nipped at her nether lips. The other girl gripped her hair with her free hand, thrusting Pearl's head between her legs.
"Ahh! You slut!" Thalia cried out, as she came. Pearl didn't waste any of Thalia's juices, licking them clean. Then she shoved her fingers, wet with Thalia's cum, into the girl's own mouth. Thalia sucked and latched on them with a pleasured face.
"I'm so tasty," Thalia muttered, and Pearl refrained from the urge to giggle. Thalia pulled Pearl onto her naked body, then kissed her deeply.
"Your pussy tastes so good," Pearl said, as they broke out for air. Her hands slipped down between Thalia's legs, two fingers sneaking into Thalia's entrance, and she began to finger her.
"Ohh!" Thalia's eyes snapped open, as she felt Pearl's fingers pumping in and out of her.
Thalia's hands were clinging onto Pearl's back, her nails digging into the soft flesh. She was moaning loudly, due to the pleasure Pearl gave her. She slowly rolled up Pearl's shirt, and got her breasts out of her black bra. She began to suck them, earning a slow moan from Pearl.
"Yes baby! Just like that!" Pearl moaned, encouraging Thalia to fondle and suck them, as Pearl's fingers worked really hard at Thalia's entrance.
"Fuck yeah! Ohh!" Thalia announced as she came for the second time. Pearl took her fingers out of Thalia's wet, dripping pussy. She took off her shirt and bra, all the while biting Thalia's lower lip.
As she recovered from her orgasm, Thalia took the upper hand, pining Pearl underneath her body. She breathed in the demigod's sweaty body, unclasping her belt, and taking off her trousers.
"Take off your panties" Thalia demanded. Pearl lifted her legs and tossed the garment aside.
"Hmm you're so wet for me, darling," the brunette smirked, throwing Pearl's legs over her shoulder and leaning in. She began to eat her out, fingering her ass.
"Shit! Just like that!" Pearl moaned, her mouth forming an O as Thalia plunged her tongue into her entrance.
"Ohh yes! Thalia! Yes! Yes! Baby! I am so close!" Thalia continued her assault on Pearl's pussy.
Thalia looked up for a second, propping herself up on her elbows. "Yeah? Do you want to cum? Do you?" Pearl nodded, cried "Yes!"
Thalia stopped, took her finger off Pearl's asshole. Pearl gave her a disappointed look. "Then beg for it," she murmured sexily.
"Please! Make me cum!" Pearl begged.
Thalia smirked, "Sorry but I couldn't hear it baby."
"Please make me cum!" She cried louder. Thalia began to lick her nether lips, this time rubbing her clit.
"Oh yes! Thals! Don't stop! Please!" Pearl's chants filled the atmosphere in the Zeus cabin. "Yes! Yes!"
Pearl's body arched up as she came, screaming loudly. Her juices squirted out onto Thalia's face and torso, who was watching her with greedy eyes. Pearl put her legs down and started sucking her own juices off Thalia's fingers as Thalia shoved them in her mouth.
"Salty," Thalia whispered, as Pearl finished off licking her fingers. She laid down on the bed. "Get on top of me, back to my body," Thalia murmured.
Pearl did as she was said. Thalia began to fondle one of her breasts using her left hand as the right went down, slipped between her legs and began to finger her, using two fingers.
"Oh! Wow!" Escaped from Pearl's mouth. "Please don't stop! Don't you dare stop!" She felt so good, as Thalia nipped her collarbone while doing this to her. Pearl was enjoying this, eyes wide opened.
"Gods! Thalia! You're doing great! Harder!" She screamed as Thalia added another finger. Thalia's smirk grew, "Are you enjoying this, my slut?"
"Yes I am! Gods!" It happened again, Pearl's body trembled, as she squirted. She titled her head and kissed Thalia again, tongues battling for dominance.
"I'm going to sit on your face," Pearl whispered, then she stood up and lowered herself onto Thalia's face, finally kneeling over her. Thalia began to eat her out as Pearl sneaked a hand and began to rub her clit.
Pearl rocked her hips back and forth rhythmically, as Thalia ate her out. Thalia was moaning into Pearl's core, as the demigod finger fucked Thalia continuously. Thalia breathed in the smell of Pearl's pussy, panted heavily as Pearl worked her fingers inside of her.
Pearl came first, juices squirting right onto Thalia's face, making the other girl come as well. Thalia backed away from Pearl's legs and said, "Sixty nine?"
Pearl agreed breathlessly. "Yes" She turned over Thalia's face, lowering herself on to her body.
'I wish Annabeth could be here with us.' She thought for a split second, before Thalia began to lick her pussy.
They delved in each other's pussy as time passed. They were moaning softly into each other's core, occasionally squealing as one bit the other's pussy. They slowly and unknowingly reached the edge and again came hard as they pressed their heads hard between the other's legs.
"Wow!" Pearl whispered, sitting in the cot.
Thalia looked up, eyes clouded by lust. "Wow indeed. Open your legs."
As Pearl did what she was told, Thalia too opened her legs and slowly slid herself between Pearl's legs. Their cores were touching, sending shivers down their spines. Pearl felt so aroused, she had heard of this, but never tried. She came back to herslef, as Thalia began to grind her pussy against Pearl's.
Soon they found themselves grinding against each other. Pearl let Thalia get the upper hand, Thalia took Pearl's right leg over her shoulders as she fucked Pearl.
"Fuck! That's good Thals! So good!" Pearl moaned loudly, as Thalia's pussy clenched with Pearl's own.
"Shit! You fucking whore! This is so hot!" Thalia moaned as she thrusted harder.
Within mere minutes, both demigods were spent. "That felt so good!" Thalia said slumping back.
"But we are not done yet. Are we?" Pearl asked, her eyes meeting Thalia's wide ones.
'One more, and she'll be too tired to move,' she thought, glancing sideways at her water bottle.
"Maybe you were right," Thalia said after a while, "You're not a prude after all, Pearl."
Pearl shrugged, glancing sideways at the sleepy girl, "And whose fault is that?"
All she received was a faint chuckle, before Thalia fell asleep in exhaustion. Pearl then stood up from the cot, took her water bottle from where it was and poured it on her body, feeling reinvigorated. Then she put her clothes back on, pecked the cheek of a sleeping Thalia and went away.
'Sorry Thals, but you left me no choice. I hope you can forgive me,' were her thoughts as she made her way towards the Camp entrance.
