I Found Love (Valgrace)

Chapter Ten

"Have you made your decision?" Hera asked

I nodded. "Yes, I have."

"What is your answer?"

I looked her in the eyes defiantly and said, "No."

Her expression didn't change. "Hm, I thought you'd take it."

"Well, you thought wrong."

Hera bent down and got up in my face. "I'd watch my tongue if I were you," she hissed. "Percy may be able to get away with it, but you can't."

Strangely, I felt no fear. "And why's that?"

I saw anger in her eyes but she said nothing. She got up and said, "I really thought you would've wanted to see your mother again, I suppose I was wrong."

My eyes widened but it was no shock to me. "I am not sacrificing Jason."

She gave a look of confusion. "Jason was never going to be the sacrifice."

"Then what was?" I asked, relieved. Then, I suddenly knew what she wanted. "Festus?" I gasped. 

Hera nodded. "Yes, you give him up, you get to see your mother again."

I bit my lip. After all, I could reconstruct Festus, and this offer was a once-in-a-lifetime. I sighed and said, "Yes, I will sacrifice Festus."

She snapped her fingers and a figure appeared. It was my mother. Tears welled in my eyes as I ran toward her and hugged her. It took a moment but she hugged back. I let go and looked up at her, she had tears in her eyes too. 

She smiled. "My baby, you're so big now. How old are you?"

I wiped away my tears. "I'm fifteen now."

"Wow."

"I saved the world, Mom," I said. "I saved the world."

Her smile grew bigger. "I knew you could do it." She hugged me again. 

I started to cry. 

"It's okay, baby, it's okay," she murmured. 

"I love you, Mom," I choked. "I love you."

"I will always love you, Leonidas," she said. "No matter what, I always will."

Then she disappeared. 

I turned to Hera. She had a small smile on her face. 

--

I woke up in tears. My mother's voice echoed in my head.

I will always love you.