WINGED ₁

43

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING SWIRLED AROUND THE PALACE OF THE GODS. Madeleine, Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia circled over midtown Manhattan on their pegasi, making one complete orbit around Mount Olympus. Madeleine had never seen the island before, and the sight took her breath away, cutting through some of her numbing grief. Maybe beautiful things could still exist without Zoe's sharp tongue to speak about them.

In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty different colors, from bloodred to indigo. The twisting streets were full of demigods and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclopes, never mind the fact that it was the early hours of the morning. Madeleine could smell the gardens in full bloom despite the surrounding winter, jasmine and roses and sweeter things. Music drifted up from many windows, the soft sounds of lyres and reed pipes.

Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing white hall of the gods.

Their pegasi set them down in the outer courtyard, in front of huge silver gates that opened by themselves, inviting the demigods in.

Madeleine's brown pegasus nuzzled her hand, and the gesture was so kind that for a moment her heart stilled. She patted the animal's nose and it snorted contentedly, then flew off with the other three.

For a moment, Thalia, Annabeth, Percy, and Madeleine stood there regarding the palace, the way they'd stood together in front of Westover Hall, what seemed like a million years ago. 

And then, side by side, they walked into the throne room.

⎯⎯ ୨ winged ୧ ⎯⎯

Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations―even the newest one, Zoe the Huntress, making her way across the heavens with her bow drawn. 

Grief hit Madeleine in a hard punch and she stumbled a little. She felt a hand on her arm and turned to see Thalia, a question in her eyes. Can you do this?

Madeleine nodded, just a little, and Thalia released her.

All of the thrones were occupied, and each of their occupants were fifteen feet tall. The first to speak was unsurprisingly Artemis, who called, "Welcome, heroes."

Before any of them could respond, an animal sounded―a very familiar animal sound.

A sphere of water was hovering in the center of the room, next to the hearth fire. The Ophiotaurus was swimming happily around, swishing his serpent tail and poking his head out the sides and bottom of the sphere. He seemed to be enjoying the novelty of swimming in a magical bubble. Grover was kneeling at Zeus's throne, but when he saw his friends, he cried, "You made it!"

He started to run toward them, then remembered he was turning his back on Zeus, and looked for permission.

"Go on," Zeus said. But he wasn't really paying attention to Grover. The lord of the sky was staring intently at Thalia.

Grover trotted over. None of the gods spoke. Every clop of Grover's hooves echoed on the marble floor. The serpent splashed in his bubble of water. The hearth fire crackled.

Madeleine carefully avoided the gods' eyes. Facing each of them was difficult for different reasons. She wasn't sure she could handle anymore turmoil.

Grover gave Annabeth and Thalia big hugs. When he turned to Madeleine, she saw a little sadness flicker in his eyes. He hugged her tightly and she hugged him back just as hard, blinking back tears. No words were exchanged, but she knew just as well as he did what this meant.