All rights belong to Rick Riordan
Chapter 37
Consequences
(Artemis)
If I had been nervous of my listeners when I told the Olympian council it was nothing compared to what I was feeling now, as the remaining members of the Titan council looked down on me. At least on Olympus there had only been one god who was in a bad mood over the news here there were seven anyone of which who could have acted badly. Not only at Percy's injury but also the fact Oceanus had been slain. Though the Titans had claimed they were helping in the hunt for the pair, I did not know if they were actually concerned about the search or were possibly even helping the pair secretly.
'As I am sure you are aware your missing members were sighted on the East Coast. Oceanus and Tethys launched an assault on CampHalf-Blood and were able to capture the camp alongside an army of Telkhines who served the pair. The remaining campers, Chiron and Dionysius were held hostage.' I explained as back-story.
'As you know Perseus acts as the Guardian of the Hunt now, when he is not fulfilling his duties here. I had chosen for today for the hunt to return to the camp for a while and we arrived on the outskirts of the camp and Perseus was able to detect something was amiss inside. After learning what the situation was we came up with a plan of action. Myself and Perseus were to engage the Tethys and Oceanus respectively while the hunters and Perseus's Nemean Lioness distracted the Telkhines and the gods of heroes rescued the captives.' I explained.
'A good plan, little risk to the captives. Adequate distraction factoring in the Lioness. Perseus would be suitable against my brother however I have doubts about you against my sister.' Koios said aloud which was understandable he was the Titan of Far Sight.
'Myself and Perseus confronted the pair after the hunt had began their counterattack, however Oceanus was aware already of our arrival and revealed the whole situation was a means of revenge against Perseus for the deaths of Gaia, Hyperion and Krios. Oceanus claimed to have seeked the Throne of Orthrys after killing Perseus and then attacking Olympus again after forcing you all to break your oaths.'
'He was always a bit delusional and different, After all he stood aside in the first war why would we have followed him into another underdog conflict and he may be the eldest child of our parents but he holds little authority over us. We only followed Kronos because he stood against our father.' Iapetus stated and several of the Titanesses nodded in agreement.
'After some more talking which resulted in Perseus annoying the Titan for the most part about how flawed his plan was, Oceanus attacked and Tethys followed her husband after rejecting the option of surrendering peacefully. I do not know the details of their fight as I became separated from them as I fought. I found myself unable to physically harm Tethys due to a shield of ice she created that prevented me from harming her with Arrows and unfortunately I was forced into close combat. I would like to say it was a close battle but the truth is I was outmatched and after a few moves Tethys was able to trap me when my knife was caught in her shield and she was able to start encapsulating me in ice.' I explained honestly, which was followed by Atlas laughing from the side of the room until his father turned to look at him in which he went silent.
'That is all I know of what happened. From what I learned afterwards Tethys threatened me and made Perseus surrender and he was captured by Oceanus before breaking free and disarming his captor, Literally. With Oceanus out of the battle due to his wounds Perseus attacked Tethys with more success than I did but was only able to cause her to retreat when the gods of heroes also confronted her and she fled to the safety of the sea or so I am aware.' I summarized from the little I had learned from Apollo.
'So was Oceanus also made to fade by Perseus?' Rhea asked and I turned to look at my paternal grandmother.
'No he was returned to Tartarus by my Lieutenant but as far I am aware he is still alive.' I answered.
'Good, he may be a fool but he is still a member of this council and as you can see we are depleted in number as it is. He may eventually come to see the error in his ways. The more troublesome of the pair is Tethys, she would always hide behind the anonymity of following Oceanus but she is by far the more intelligent as well being equally capable as you can attest to.' Themis answered.
'Very well Artemis now that the matter of our renegade siblings has been explained, perhaps you can explain to the rest of the council why my son arrived carrying a comatose Perseus earlier?' Iapetus asked getting to the real reason I was here after all.
'He may not have been born a Titan but nevertheless he is a member of this council, so please explain Artemis as from what we were led to believe this was the fault of one of your hunters.' Koios stated and I knew Atlas had more than just told his father when he arrived before me. Then again he could flash directly inside the palace whereas I had to arrive outside and walk through the gardens with my companions, giving him more than enough time to drop Percy off and explain the long and short of it to the others.
'Yes Perseus was attacked by one of my Hunters using one of his own arrows she was able to secretly obtain earlier after an incident when he accidentally did the same to me. The hunter in question is currently being held in the underworld by Hades personally until the situation is resolved. I have not spoken to her, so I am unaware of her reasoning although she did not like him for upstaging her upon his arrival to the hunt. It is possible she mistook him saving me for something else.' I explained.
'With your leave, I was one of those who confronted her after the incident and she willingly surrendered her arms. So it is possible she simply did not understand the situation and over reacted upon seeing Percy saving Lady Artemis. From the distance she was at when she took the shot it is possible she did not fully observe the rest of those present and believed he was taking advantage of her. She is rash and quick to judge so she may have believed she was justified in her actions.' Reyna said addressing the council before bowing respectfully.
'So what you are saying is this entire situation was the result of a misunderstanding? That one individual jumped to a conclusion and reacted poorly and in doing so almost fatally wounded a member of this council. And that no one else supported her actions' Rhea summarized.
'Yes.' I said in agreement.
'Very well Iapetus go speak with Lord Hades and confirm what he knows about this hunter.' Rhea asked commandingly. She may not technically be the queen of Orthrys no more but she certainly could still act like it. The Titan of the underworld nodded and flashed out of his throne.
'So granddaughter, what is the current course of action required for Perseus to recover because from what I understand your brother must have already failed to heal him if he remains in a comatose state.' Koios asked and I thought it strange because this was the first time that I had visited that he had referred to me as his granddaughter.
'Yes despite my own and Apollo's best efforts though we were able to heal Perseus of his wound before it became fatal we were unable to synthesize a cure for the effect of the arrow which is what is causing his current situation. To heal him fully we were hoping to find an intact arrow that my brother can use or failing that hope you knew of some way in which to help. However the chances of finding one of his arrows fro what I know of his use of his bow is slim because of how rarely he used the weapon. I personally forbade him from using his own after he shot me with it.' I explained.
'Atlas go make yourself useful and fetch my son, he knows more about the in question weapon and its properties and may know of an alternative if we truly cannot find a replacement arrow.' Phoebe commanded and after some muttering to himself he bowed and left through a door in search of my uncle.
'While we await their return please take a seat, this is not a jury and none of you are responsible for this situation.' Rhea said waving a hand and summoning three chairs behind where we stood.
Mine and Nico's were appropriately designed mine of silver similar to the one Percy summoned back inside his tent on his first day. Nico's was obsidian with black cushions that reminded me of his fathers. Reyna however received a simple wooden chair but she seemed unconcerned as she bowed before taking a seat and I copied her.
I was now thankful I was not being blamed for Percy's situation as I sat on my chair and awaited the return of Iapetus and Atlas with Lelantos.
As it was Iapetus returned a full 15 minutes before the other two and we began again without them as Iapetus told the council what he had learned from Hades and confirmed my story. Though he had not actually talked to Tania himself he had agreed with my father and uncles in reserving judgment for Percy when or rather if he recovered.
After a small debate between the council they all eventually agreed with the decision just in time for the two second generation Titans arrival as they separated from one another and Atlas resumed his position on the sidelines while Lelantos presented himself to the council. As he did though I noticed one strange detail, he carried a bow in hand as well as the one on his back and it looked familiar.
'Lelantos as I am sure you are aware Perseus has been wounded and we would like your opinion on how to proceed or if you know of a way to heal him as you know the most about the weapon that inflicted the wound.' Themis asked jumping into questioning without giving the back story of everything else that happened.
'Yes Milady, The problem is that Perseus uses the bow I am currently carrying which he gained from myself after our 'rocky' introduction. Like all sacred items that are specific to each of us only the owner can wield it, I can only pick this up an use it because it was formerly my own anyone else apart from Perseus and myself would be unable to lift it let alone utilize it. However from what Atlas told me on the way here and what I observed of Perseus himself is he was attacked with one of his own discarded arrows. The arrows unlike the weapon are not limited in this respect and any other individual could or in this case have fired the second hand arrow.' He explained.
'If you can use it why not summon another arrow already so we can use that.' Nico asked impetuously, apparently he was as annoyed by Titan bureaucracy as Percy was. However Percy was eligible to complain about it while here as he was a member while the young god was simply a guest as evidenced by the disapproving looks from several of the Titans for him disrupting the exposition.
'Nico wait and listen until Lelantos is finished if it was that simple I am sure he would have already done it.' Iapetus stated calmly and sternly.
'Unfortunately what Lord Iapetus says is true, there is a difference between the arrows I summoned from this bow and those Perseus does. Though the effect of the arrows is similar each arrows effect is specific to the wielder of the bow. Only an arrow from the wielder of offending arrow can be used to cure the wound. One of my own would be unable to cure Perseus's and vice-versa. The arrows are also cosmetically different as Lady Artemis could distinguish.' He explained drawing a arrow from the bow and handing it to me by the fletching. It felt strange to be addressed by my own uncle as Lady Artemis but then again I was technically a Olympian council member while he was only a minor Titan.
What he said was true, the arrow was generally identical to the ones I had seen Percy with except unlike his, this arrow was bronze while Percy's had been golden. Similarly to how Percy had Imperial golden wings while Lelantos had Celestial bronze ones as well. It was strange how that had happened but then again Percy was not one for following normal rules.
'He speaks truly the Arrows are different from Perseus's.' I informed them disheartened by the news.
'I took the liberty of searching Perseus's room but was unable to find any; he rarely used this weapon due to his low skill with the bow and his reluctance to learn how to use one. Especially after being mauled by his pet for nearly hitting it.' He said with a chuckle apparently Nemea had been another victim of his marksmanship but she had two advantages over me first she was nigh invulnerable and two Percy missed her.
'With Atlas's help we tried to make the bow summon an arrow by forcing Perseus's hand to pull back the bowstring but nothing happened which I suspect is a result of the bow realizing there was no desire from Perseus to create an arrow, I get it could be likened to a safety catch on a modern mortals firearm.' He added. That explained the lengthy amount of time they had been away. I had thought Atlas was simply procrastinating but apparently he was actually keen on trying to help, I seriously wanted to know what he wanted my father to agree to if he was this desperate to get in his good graces.
'So is there anything you know of that could help?' Rhea asked.
'Well from what I know all known arrows are accounted for. The first was destroyed by the Nemean Lioness when she stood on it, the one used to injure Lady Artemis and subsequently Perseus himself had been destroyed to save Perseus for the time being. There was the one used to treat Artemis's wound which has been used as well. Lady Artemis did he use any others?' He asked after recounting all the known arrows.
'No I forbade him after the first incident and from what I believe he brought the bow back here shortly afterwards and that was the last I saw of it.' I answered in agreement sinking into a depression as the options dwindled.
'Wait there may be one more, it is a long shot but it may be our only option.' He said becoming excited suddenly as he thought about something intensely leaving everyone else on tender hooks.
'Well Son explain what you have thought of.' Koios commanded impatiently.
'Well there was this one time myself and Perseus was practicing aerial combat and he tried to shoot me but missed me obviously and for that matter the entire mountain. I had been so amused at the time I fell out the air in laughter and accidentally broke a wing. Of course I had been so pre-occupied with my injury I did not see what came of the arrow and it is possible it is still somewhere down of the mountain.' He explained and suddenly there was hope again albeit a long shot.
'Lelantos, go now and see if you can locate this errant arrow.' Rhea commanded.
'I am going too.' Nico exclaimed suddenly.
'Son of Hades know when it is time for you to speak.' Themis said scornfully.
'No he is right they should accompany him after all it is better for them all to be searching than simply sitting here awaiting his return.' Iapetus said in reply.
'I agree with Iapetus what is the harm in them searching as well?' Koios said and several of the Titaness's nodded in agreement.
'Very well Artemis and her companions will also search. Until they return this council is dismissed.' Rhea commanded and the Titan council flashed out of their thrones. Seriously how lazy are you when you need to flash around the same building you are already in at least Olympus is a city this is a single structure.
Now it was just the three of us, Lelantos and Atlas left in the room before the other Titan annoyed apparently that I was not in danger of being blamed for this incident left through a doorway and slamming it shut on the way out.
'Very well then Lady Artemis, if you would all follow me outside we can come up with a plan to search.' Lelantos said before turning and walking towards the way we came in and we followed close behind mindful to keep clear of his wings especially now that I knew what a dangerous weapon they could be after hearing of what Percy's did to Oceanus.
After passing the great gates we were finally back in the courtyard before the gardens beyond and I could see it was starting to darken in the sky beyond meaning I was running out of time before I had to return to the chariot for the night.
To be honest we had a pretty decent search squad. One goddess of the Hunt, a former Titan of hunter's skill, a Roman Huntress and a minor god.
'The arrow is beyond the gardens otherwise one of Atlas's daughters would have found it and made it a point to bring it back angrily the same they do with any and all litter left in their patch of weeds.' He said loud enough for the closest Hesperide who was watering a flower pot just outside to hear before she showed him a hand gesture in response and carried on.
'How can you call that a patch of weeds?' Reyna asked annoyed.
'Only joking little huntress, that one gesture is the most exciting thing she has done in weeks but nevertheless we will need to split up to search the mountain and the surrounding countryside effectively.' He replied and Reyna acknowledged the joke with a nod.
'I have a better idea that hopefully will let this take minutes.' Nico said drawing my attention as we all looked at him with upraised eyebrows.
'Well then please do explain.' Lelantos asked.
Rather than reply he simply put his fingers to his mouth and whistled as if for a dog.
'Well what was that supposed to accompl—' Reyna began before a massive shadow appeared on a wall of the courtyard and out stepped a massive Rottweiler.
The dog was easily 10 feet tall and twice that in length but Nico ran up to it and it laid on the floor and rolled over playfully almost crushing a flower bed while the Hesperide watched closely.
'Ok is it now common for everyone to own a hellhound, Percy had one now it is the latest fashion.' Reyna said in disbelief as the god rubbed the dogs head playfully.
'Cerberide.' He shouted back to us.
'A what?' I had to say.
'Not a hellhound a Cerberide. One of the children of Cerberus and Mrs. O'Leary. Unlike the others though he only had one head so my dad let me keep him.' He said turning towards us.
'Wait so all those two headed ones patrolling your father's palace are this ones siblings but they are all smaller by a lot.' I stated remembering the time I had walked past the black palace and seen the new addition to security but they had all been the size of regular dogs similarly to Orthus.
'Yeah they are the runts of the litter, the two three headed ones guard the Fields of Punishment and I got Jay here.' He said proudly.
'Wait you called it Jay, why?' Reyna asked in confusion.
'Well I was in my palace organizing a get together of the Argonauts when my dad gave him to me and Jason was the first ghost I saw and named Jay here after him.' He explained.
'Ok that's nice but how will this speed up our search if anything it has wasted time.' Lelantos said impatiently.
'Patience, do you still have that other arrow?' Nico asked holding a hand out as the Titan searched his quiver for the arrow and handed it over.
Nico took the proffered arrow carefully before suddenly placing it on the ground and stomping on it and snapping the head of as we all looked at him in shock before he threw the headless arrow shaft towards the hellhound like dog who opened his mouth and began to chew on it before swallowing.
'Do you have any more of those on you?' he asked the shocked Titan who shook his head as he regarded the dog who was unconcerned about the dangerous weapon he had just consumed.
'Good see Jay here can find just about anything he has eaten before if you ask him which can be a lot of things by now as he is a living disposal unit. If you thought Arion had a strange diet Jay here is worse that is why I nicknamed him the 'Jayzor blade' He can eat through just about anything including Diamond as Hazel tried to give him a massive diamond dog biscuit and he ate it in about 30 seconds.
'Then why even snap the arrow?' Reyna asked.
'He may have got indigestion and I don't want him throwing up Minos.' He said so non-chalantly that I was not even sure if he was joking or if the dead king seriously had been eaten.
'Ok then, lets see what he can do.' Lelantos said apparently now impressed with the gods pet as he picked up the broken arrowhead and caused it to dissolve in his hand.
'I can't, I have to return to my chariot for the night someone needs to supervise it as it crosses the sky.' I said noticing the sky was becoming extremely dark.
'I'll do it.' Reyna said looking towards me.
'You can't only I can fly it.' I said in shocked reply.
'That's not true, your chariot is like Apollo's anyone can fly it with your permission. I will just be a burden down here as you will have to wait for me while you can all fly or flash around as you search besides I still have not completed my training in hunting itself.' She said rationalizing it.
In truth I had let someone else fly my chariot on occasion but Zoe had been with me for centuries before I let her. By comparison Reyna had been for a few weeks. However she spoke the truth without her we could move a lot quicker and I would rather not waste time and wait till the morning.
'I am trusting you on this Reyna do not disappoint me and certainly never tell Thalia, you too Nico or I will feed you to your own dog.' I said threateningly which was followed by the dog licking his lips as he watched his master.
'Yes Lady Artemis.' They both said as I grabbed the Roman demigod and flashed to my chariot just as it came over the horizon.
(Diana)
As per usual when I flashed to the chariot I reverted aspect and spent the next ten minutes explaining how the chariot operated although I told her it was in auto pilot and she jut needed to keep an eye on the elevation and keep it equidistant from the Earths surface.
After she was comfortable and I was sure she would not fail me I flashed back.
Now normally I would be annoyed at being forced to work together with two males especially immortal ones but I guess time spent with Percy had removed a bit of my stigma against his gender as I appeared alongside the pair who were both sitting on the grass waiting for me drinking cans of Redbull.
Now Percy would have come up with a bad pun about how he and Lelantos must have fallen in a vat of the stuff to get so many wings and everyone would have looked at him stupidly but it was one of the cute things about him.
When they noticed me they both quickly finished the cans before throwing them towards the waiting Cerberide who simply swallowed them without chewing. Nico did a double take as he looked at my Roman aspect not probably used to my Roman form even though he had seen me as Diana before.
"Now that you have returned we may begin.' Lelantos said stretching his wings as he stood up careful to avoid Nico as he also rose to his feet to his side.
'Hey Jay, remember the arrow, go fetch me an arrow.' Nico called playfully over to his pet who's head suddenly perked up at the command as he began to sniff the air before he suddenly turned to a side and began to take run in a straight line through the garden leaving a trail of devastated flower beds and angry nymphs.
'I guess I should have told him after we left the gardens.' Nico said with a grin before disappearing into a trees shadow.
'There is going to be his father to pay once we get back but until then, oh well.' Lelantos said light heartedly before rising into the air and following the path of destruction. Me I simply ran after the dog, it had been centuries since I was last able to chase after a monster in this form and I could use the practice besides, where was the fun in simply flashing everywhere.
'You have got to be kidding me.' Nico said looking up.
'No one can ever tell Perseus.' Lelantos said from above our heads.
'He may have missed his target but at least he hit a target for once in a manner of speaking.' I said as I looked at the billboard in front of us.
After 20 minutes of chasing the dog it had finally found our objective and sure enough there the arrow was imbedded in a Target store billboard in the exact centre of the logo with the super sized Rottweiler sitting at its base wagging its stump of a tail playfully.
'Who is a good boy; you're a good boy aren't you.' Nico said playfully as he stroked the dogs head before he waved a hand over it and it disappeared into the shadows and back to the Underworld I guessed.
'Lelantos would you kindly retrieve that, so we can get of the side of this highway.' I asked highlighting the fact we standing on the side of the road were it not for the mist I am sure there would have been an accident what with three people one of whom was floating in the air on almost a dozen wings as well as a massive dog would have gained peoples attention pretty quickly.
The Titan flapped a few wings and gained some elevation so he was level with the imbedded arrow before gripping the shaft in both hands and placing his feet against the board and pulled careful to keep the arrow straight and not break it before finally it gave and he surged back 10ft before leveling out with the arrow in hand.
'One super rare and powerful arrow.' He said holding it out as he landed.
'Good work then let's get back.' I said.
'Hey what about me where is my congratulations, it was my plan that found it and so quickly.' Nico protested.
'True but it was your pet that did all the work and he is not here any more for us to thank.' Lelantos answered before rising into the air and heading back up towards Orthrys.
'Return to Olympus and get my brother to come here as quick as he can and thank you for your help but I do not think it would be wise for you to return after all it was your pet that trashed the gardens and I think they will be out for blood.' I said to the young god who after a few seconds thoughts nodded and flashed out, as it was not possible for anyone but my uncle to shadow travel onto Olympus.
I considered running back to the palace but the thought of running up a mountain was one I was in no mood for despite the positive outcome of the search and instead I chose to flash back and walk through the gardens. While I awaited my brother's arrival.
As it was I ended up waiting nearly an hour for the fool to arrive afterwards he would complain that Nico interrupted one of his dates with one of the muses. I was always surprised that any of them would still even go out with him after all he seen them all before at one point or another before he invariably cheated on them, normally with another member. Yet still they would come back to him after a while.
Lelantos had already informed the council of the success of our search. So the pair of simply stood waiting in the courtyard as watched my brother pass through the gardens trying to chat up the Nymphs who were in no mood for it as they ferried materials and plants around towards the devastated areas.
'Hey sis, hey uncle L.' He said as he arrived.
'About time you got here.' I said coldly before stepping inside the palace followed by the pairs footsteps and Apollo's mutterings about trying to be nice and friendly.
I had to drop back after a while however because I did not actually know where I was headed and eventually I settled into following Lelantos as he led us through the twisting corridors until he came to a large door that read simply Perseus which Lelantos simply pushed open and I followed him inside eager to find out what Percy's home was actually like inside.
As expected the place was filled with all the comforts of modern mortal society but there were touches of his true nature here and there such as the wall length fish tank an the slightly ostentatious gold decorations here and there but unlike my brothers monstrosity of a home they were not the sole decoration of the place and it was not that bad to see. There was also the enormous cat bed which I found amusing to see. I also noticed the swimming pool and other fitness facilities behind a partially open door until Lelantos opened another door and I found myself in Percy's bedroom much to my embarrassment as I flicked from the simple decorating in the room to the comatose figure occupying the bed.
I watched as Lelantos gave my brother the arrow we had retrieved before he placed Percy's bow back on a rack to the beds side next to an axe I recognized as having belonged to the Minotaur.
'I will be outside if you need anything.' He said before leaving and heading into the lounge area
'Whatever you do Apollo don't mess this up, it was lucky we managed to locate that arrow.' I warned him as like before he concentrated his energy on the projectile he held and it began to glow before finally the light dropped away revealing a golden scalpel unlike the last one though this one was flawless.
'See nothing to worry about sis, I am a professional.' He said with a proud smile on his face as he flipped the scalpel between his fingers back and forth.
'A professional idiot, now hurry up and heal him.' I muttered loudly so he could here.
'Geez calm down sis you could wake him up.' He said jokingly.
'Father have mercy on you if you don't hurry up because I sure as hades wont.' I said angrily.
'Fine.' He said simply as he bent down to Percy's side where the arrow wound had been before he suddenly stuck the blade in and it dissolved in his hands. Apollo seemed unconcerned as he placed a hand over Percy's forehead and then turned with a smile.
'All done, give it a few hours and he should wake up like you did. Now I can go tell Dad the good news and hopefully see if Calliope is still interested.' He said before flashing out and I was sure he rushing more for the muse than to tell our father.
I looked back to the now thankfully just resting figure on the bed and I could not resist brushing some of his black hair from his face so my view was not obstructed as I sat with my hand on his cheek I did not notice Lelantos enter.
'I thought so.' He said simply getting my attention as I snapped my arm to my side and looked at my uncle innocently.
'What do you mean?' I asked panicked however I tried to keep the volume low so as not to disturb Percy.
'That this is more of a mutual thing than he is aware of.' He said nodding his head towards Percy.
'Lelantos. I can explain.' I said hurriedly.
'It is not my concern, though I will tell you one thing that I overheard a few months ago between your mother and him while I was on my balcony. The pair of them was on the roof talking about you.' He said hinting towards my cut off eavesdropping session.
'At the time I thought he was mad but you seriously do care for him don't you? Now he may have forbid you mother from telling you but not me so what if I tell you he liked you back. Now proceed with that information as you see fit but for everyone's sake do not kill him.' He said with a smile before walking out and leaving me alone with Percy and my thoughts as I considered my uncles words.
It was true, someone had confirmed that Percy did like me. It may have been through eavesdropping but then again I had been doing the same in the first place when I was cut off.
From now on I had a choice: stick to the current situation and carry on the status quo of both of apparently unable to tell the other how we truly felt while both of us feeling hollow inside or I could follow my heart and try to give it a go against the rules I set myself so long ago and the teaching and rules of the hunters. For so long I had believed in my own code and now it was hurting me so much as I looked at the sleeping figure in front of me and thought of the even worse pain when I had thought I was going to lose him.
One could not exist while the other remained.
I either lost everything I had ever stood for or I lost the only chance I ever had at love. There was no middle ground what would the hunters do if I set an example by falling in love when for three millennia I had scorned any of my hunters who had done the same sometimes outright punishing them or prospective loves.
The more I thought about both sides of the argument the more anguished I became that I failed to notice my tears dropping onto one of his bandaged broken wings staining the white linen.
Unknowingly to myself though my left hands brushed against the hilt of one of my knives and I subconsciously drew the blade and held it before as I regarded the man in front of me and the blade that could end my problem.
Two options both filled with pain and hardship both physical and emotional.
I regarded the blade and considered the consequences of that path, I would feel pain at his death but it would pass in time and what was immortality but an abundance of time to get over pain. The Titans and a lot of the gods would not be happy and I would be liable to be punished but a least I would maintain my integrity and keep to my long held values. The problem is I could not control how others would react especially Poseidon after all I had confessed my feelings to him and he was already on edge and what was the point of appeasing the hunters if an angry god simply punished them instead.
The more I looked at the blade the more I realized how much of a foolish option it was that I simply threw it away across the room sickened that I had even considered it.
Which left me with two options again painful neutrality towards him or admitting my feelings and hoping he returned them and dealing with the consequences from my hunters and more importantly my father after all he was apparently the only one of our parents that would stand against it.
As I stood there looking at his face and his closed eyes I was glad he could not see my anguished expression or the sorry state I appeared at present.
However as I stood there I had failed to notice the passage of time as I considered my options which had one more problem to throw at me.
When his eyes opened and locked with mine gold to silver.
AN. Sorry about the cliffhanger, No not really.
I am currently about to start replacing all the original chapters with most of the errors removed as the first few are admittedly rife with them and to remove all the old authors notes.
I am going to start the next chapter now so hopefully it will not be too long.
As always read and review.