Welcome back to Under the Silver Moon, I realized that in the last couple chapters I have focused on the plot so now I am gonna bring back in some Percy and Artemis romance.
AS ALWAYS I DO NOT OWN PJO or HoO :( SO SAD!
Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 20: A Night in the Palace
The moment Percy and Artemis arrived in the heart of Olympus, the air seemed charged with something indescribable. Unlike Camp Half-Blood, which buzzed with life and constant activity, Olympus exuded a timeless stillness. Here, the grandeur of eternity itself was palpable, and yet, there was a peace Percy hadn't expected.
He tried not to gawk as they ascended the marble steps leading to Artemis's palace, but it was impossible not to. The palace was breathtaking, a masterpiece of shimmering silver and alabaster, with spires that seemed to pierce the heavens. The moonlight danced along its surface, creating an ethereal glow that made it look alive.
Artemis glanced at him, her lips twitching in amusement. "You're staring," she teased.
Percy blinked and scratched the back of his head, trying to play it cool. "What? No, I'm just, uh... appreciating the architecture."
Her soft laugh was like the chime of silver bells. "It's fine, Percy. Most mortals never get to see this place. Your awe is understandable."
He grinned, his nervousness ebbing slightly. "Well, it's not every day you get invited to a goddess's home. Especially one as incredible as this."
Artemis arched an eyebrow, though her cheeks colored faintly. "Flattery won't earn you special privileges here."
"Noted," Percy replied, smirking as they passed through the grand entrance.
Inside, the palace was just as stunning as the exterior, if not more so. The walls were lined with glowing tapestries depicting Artemis's greatest hunts and moments of divine intervention. Each thread seemed to shimmer with its own light, creating moving scenes that told stories of bravery and triumph. Silver fountains bubbled softly in alcoves, their waters sparkling like liquid starlight, and the air was filled with the subtle scents of wildflowers and fresh rain.
"You weren't kidding about this place being peaceful," Percy said, taking in the grandeur. "I think I'd spend all my time here if I had a palace like this."
Artemis smiled faintly as she led him down a long, moonlit corridor. "It's peaceful, yes. But peace can feel lonely when you carry the weight of eternity. I built this palace to reflect my ideals—freedom, the wild, independence. But sometimes, it feels... empty."
Percy's brow furrowed, and he slowed his steps, studying her. He could hear the vulnerability in her voice, the hint of something deeper beneath her composed exterior. "Does it feel empty now?" he asked softly.
Artemis paused mid-step, glancing at him with those piercing silver eyes. A flicker of something warm crossed her face before she turned away, continuing down the hall. "No," she said, her voice quieter. "Not tonight."
The corridor opened into a breathtaking chamber. It was circular, with a domed ceiling that displayed a constantly shifting map of the night sky. Stars twinkled and constellations moved, their patterns swirling like a celestial dance. Cushions of various sizes were scattered across the polished marble floor, glowing faintly as though they were infused with moonlight.
"This is where I come to think," Artemis said, gesturing toward the cushions. "When the weight of my duties feels heavy or when I simply want to feel close to the stars."
Percy hesitated for a moment before settling onto one of the cushions. The soft, cool fabric conformed to his body like a cloud, and he sighed as the tension in his muscles began to ease. "I get why this is your favorite spot. It feels... timeless. Like the world can't touch you here."
Artemis sat beside him, her movements graceful, like flowing water. She leaned back slightly, her gaze fixed on the shifting stars above. "The world has a way of intruding, even here," she murmured. "But this place is a reminder of why I do what I do. To protect the wild, the balance, the freedom that so many take for granted."
Percy glanced over at her, watching the way the soft light illuminated her face. There was a quiet strength in her expression, but also a hint of weariness. For the first time, he truly understood the burden she carried—not just as a goddess but as someone who had chosen to stand apart, to shoulder responsibilities that most couldn't even comprehend.
"You don't have to carry it alone," he said quietly, surprising even himself with the certainty in his voice.
Artemis turned to him, her silver eyes narrowing slightly. "And who would share it with me?" she asked, though there was no malice in her tone, only curiosity.
Percy shrugged, offering a small, sheepish smile. "Me, for starters. I mean, I don't have divine powers or anything, but I'm pretty good at standing by people when it matters."
Artemis studied him for a long moment, her gaze unreadable. Then, to his surprise, a soft smile curved her lips. "You are... persistent," she said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I suppose that's one of the reasons I tolerate you."
"Tolerate me?" Percy echoed, pretending to be offended. "Wow. And here I thought I was special."
Artemis's smile widened, and for a moment, the tension between them dissolved into quiet laughter.
They spent hours talking, the conversation flowing as easily as the moonlit fountains in the palace. Percy told her stories about Camp Half-Blood and his adventures, weaving humor into his retellings of battles and blunders. Artemis listened with genuine interest, occasionally offering her own dry commentary that made him laugh.
Eventually, their conversation drifted into a comfortable silence, and Percy leaned back, his gaze fixed on the stars above. "I never thought I'd feel this... calm," he admitted. "Especially with everything going on."
Artemis turned her head toward him, her expression soft. "You bring a strange kind of calm with you, Percy. It's... unexpected."
He looked at her, his heart skipping a beat at the way her silver eyes seemed to glow in the dim light. Without thinking, he reached out, his fingers brushing against hers. To his relief, she didn't pull away. Instead, she turned her hand, entwining her fingers with his.
The silence stretched between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was warm, filled with unspoken promises and a connection that neither of them fully understood but both felt deeply.
"You know," Percy said, his voice quiet, "I never imagined I'd end up here. With you."
Artemis's lips quirked into a small smile. "Neither did I. But here we are."
Slowly, almost hesitantly, Percy leaned closer. His heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't stop. When their lips met, the world seemed to still. The kiss was gentle, a quiet acknowledgment of everything they had shared, everything they hadn't yet said.
When they finally pulled apart, Artemis rested her forehead against his, her silver eyes closed. "You have a way of making me forget the world," she whispered.
Percy smiled softly, his hand tightening around hers. "Then maybe we should forget it, just for a little while."
And for the rest of the night, under the shifting constellations and the watchful gaze of the stars, they did just that.
The constellations above continued their slow dance, a mesmerizing swirl of light and motion that filled the chamber with a serene glow. Percy leaned back on the soft cushion, Artemis's hand still in his, marveling at the quiet magic of the place. Despite everything—the prophecies, the cryptic threats, and the looming danger—he felt at ease. It was a rare, fleeting moment of calm in a life that had been anything but.
Artemis shifted slightly, her silver cloak pooling around her like liquid moonlight. She traced small patterns on the fabric with her free hand, her expression distant. Percy watched her, not wanting to disturb her thoughts but unable to keep his curiosity in check.
"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked softly.
She glanced at him, the corner of her mouth lifting in a faint smile. "A mortal saying. How quaint."
Percy chuckled. "Well, I figured since I don't have any drachma on me, I'd offer something more... affordable."
Artemis shook her head, though her smile lingered. "I was just thinking about how much has changed," she said after a moment. "About how much I have changed."
"Change isn't a bad thing," Percy said. "Even for a goddess."
Her silver eyes met his, searching. "Change is inevitable, yes. But for immortals, it can be... unsettling. We are not meant to waver in our roles. We are the constants, the unchanging pillars that mortals rely upon." She paused, her voice dropping slightly. "And yet, here I am, questioning everything I once thought immovable."
Percy reached out, gently placing a hand on hers. "Maybe that's not a bad thing. Maybe it just means you're growing. Even gods can grow, right?"
She tilted her head, considering his words. "Perhaps. Or perhaps it means I've strayed too far from who I'm supposed to be."
"Who says you're 'supposed' to be anyone but yourself?" Percy countered. "You're Artemis. You've done more for the world than most of us could even imagine. If anyone has earned the right to figure out what they want, it's you."
Her expression softened, and for a moment, she looked at him with something like wonder. "You have a way of simplifying things, Percy Jackson. It's... refreshing."
He grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
She leaned back, her gaze returning to the constellations. "There is something to be said for simplicity," she admitted. "For seeing the world not as a goddess, but as... something more human."
"Human's not so bad," Percy said, his tone light. "We've got pizza, movies, and some pretty amazing people. I mean, you've met me, right?"
Artemis rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face betrayed her amusement. "Your humility is truly inspiring."
The conversation shifted as the night deepened, turning to lighter topics. Percy found himself asking Artemis about her favorite hunts, and she shared stories of mythical creatures he had only ever read about. Her voice was animated as she recounted the thrill of the chase, the joy of the wild, and the quiet satisfaction of protecting the natural world.
"Okay," Percy said after a particularly impressive tale involving a golden stag and a forest that seemed alive, "I have to ask—what's the weirdest creature you've ever hunted?"
Artemis arched an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a mischievous smile. "Weirdest? That would have to be the feathered serpent of the Amazon. It was said to have the head of a jaguar and the body of a snake, with feathers that shimmered like a rainbow."
"Sounds like something I'd rather admire from a distance," Percy said, shaking his head. "What happened to it?"
"I spared it," she said, a hint of pride in her tone. "It wasn't harming the balance, merely protecting its territory. Sometimes, the greatest act of strength is restraint."
Percy nodded, impressed. "I could learn a thing or two from you."
Artemis's gaze softened. "You've already shown great restraint, Percy. More than most mortals would in your position."
Eventually, their laughter and conversation gave way to a companionable silence. Percy leaned back against one of the glowing cushions, his hand still loosely clasped in Artemis's. The shifting stars above cast a soft, silvery light over her face, highlighting the delicate lines of her features.
"You know," Percy said quietly, "I've faced a lot of impossible things. Monsters, gods, prophecies that made my head spin. But sitting here, with you? This feels more unreal than any of that."
Artemis turned to him, her silver eyes glimmering. "Why?" she asked softly.
"Because it's you," he admitted, his voice steady despite the rapid thudding of his heart. "You're... well, you're Artemis. I didn't think I'd ever get to see this side of you. Or that you'd ever let me."
Her expression shifted, a flicker of vulnerability passing through her eyes. "You're right. I wouldn't have, before." She hesitated, as if weighing her next words carefully. "But you've shown me something I didn't think was possible. That perhaps... there's more to existence than duty and solitude."
Percy smiled, a warmth spreading through his chest. "You're not alone, Artemis. You don't have to be. Not anymore."
For a long moment, she said nothing. Then, slowly, she leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder. The gesture was small, almost tentative, but it spoke volumes. Percy held perfectly still, his heart pounding as he let the moment settle around them.
The stars above continued their eternal dance, oblivious to the two figures beneath them. For once, Percy didn't feel the weight of the world pressing down on him. All he felt was the quiet, steady presence of Artemis beside him.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, this is my second longest chapter with 2,222 words, just behind chapter 17 with 2,571 words.
This story has been so fun to write and to further develop my writing skills, Do not worry I'm not done with this story just yet I look forward to many more chapters and maybe even a sequel sometime in the future. Let me know what you thought about this chapter.
As always Please review and Tell me what you think,
Till next time.