They spent a week discussing truce plans. Reyna never let other people see the Son of Hades. She'd inadvertently let him see her wariness more than once.
At the end of the week, Nico cut their meeting short when he noticed how tired she was. After quietly arguing, she reluctantly agreed. They continued that pattern for another week.
No one would have guessed that they had any verbal contact, Reyna still pretended to shun her opponent. Even Octavian was fooled.
After a visit, Reyna was getting ready for bed. Just she was going to sleep, the alarm sounded. She sighed. Probably someone sleepwalking again. She walked outside.
"Ah praetor. We seem to have found a spy. The Ambassador of Pluto no less." Octavian pointed to the son of Hades, who was being held by two Roman guards.
"How can you be sure?"
"We found this on him," the augur held out a Celestial Bonze sword. "Look familiar to you?"
Reyna had on her best poker face as she thought. "Keep him under surveillance. We'll decide what to do with him later." They tied Nico up and dragged him away.
"Praetor, do you really think that's a good idea?"
"Not tonight, Octavian. I'll deal with him."
"But-"
"Go," Reyna said forcefully, leaving no room for argument. She walked away.
She motioned for the guards to leave as she knelt down to Nico's level. He was tied to a pole with his hands behind his back.
"You idiot," Reyna said as soon as the guards were out of earshot.
"I wasn't planning on getting caught."
"You're usually more careful!"
"You never told me you stationed a guard between you tent and the woods! Why did you put him there anyway?"
"I didn't station anyone there," Reyna cursed in Latin.
"Octavian?"
"Most likely," Reyna looked at him," They didn't hurt you, did they?"
Nico shifted a bit. "No."
"Liar."
"Prove it."
"They took too long to bring you back."
"Smashed me into a tree. I think some ribs are broken."
"May I?"
"Uh, sure." Reyna slowly pulled up his shirt to she large bruises forming.
"You were just going to sit here, and let this get worse?"
"I was going to-"
"Shut up." Reyna left and returned with a med kit.
"Why are you helping me? If someone sees you, your reputation is toast."
"I'm a roman, not a barbarian." Reyna worked in silence, having to readjust whenever Nico moved.
"How much longer?" Nico whined, not unlike a little kid.
"As long as you keep moving," Reyna sighed," I'm just tired of this. This fighting, demigods versus demigods. It isn't right."
" I know."
"Done. Don't hurt yourself anymore, I am not your mother that you can run to whenever you a boo-boo."
"Or what?"
Reyna leaned in towards him. "Do you need a reason?"
"Reward more like."
Reyna closed the distance. She went forward because Nico couldn't himself.
Octavian watched from afar. He smiled. Oh, this was just what he was waiting for.