𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

157

"Poison is a nasty habit" Kymopoleia waved her hand and the murky clouds dissipated. "Secondhand poison can kill a person, you know."

Hadrian wasn't too fond of firsthand poison either, but he decided not to mention that. He remembered Akhlys the goddess of poison and how Percy had choked her with her own poison.

He surged toward the unconscious boy, trying to control the trembling of his hands as he cut Percy out of the net.

Jason helped him prop Percy against the temple wall, enveloping him in the airy shell of the ventus. The oxygen was getting thin with three people, but Hadrian hoped it might help expel the poison from Percy's lungs.

It seemed to work. Percy doubled over and began to retch. "Ugh. Thanks."

Hadrian could have kissed him. He refrained.

Jason exhaled with relief. "You had me worried there, bro."

"Dickwad" Hadrian punched his shoulder, "Don't scare me like that"

Percy blinked, cross-eyed. "I'm still a little fuzzy. But did you guys... promise Kym an action figure?"

The goddess loomed over them. "Indeed they did. And I expect them to deliver."

"We will," Jason said, holding Hadrian's hand. "When we win this war, I'm going to make sure all the gods get recognized. Greek and Roman, we'll handle both." He put his other hand on Percy's shoulder. "My friend here started that process last summer. He made the Olympians promise to pay you guys more attention."

Kym sniffed. "We know what an Olympian promise is worth."

"Which is why we're going to finish the job." Hadrian didn't know where these words were coming from, but the idea felt absolutely right. Like he was suddenly given some purpose, more than just flirting with rock nymphs. "I'll make sure none of the gods are forgotten at either camp. Maybe they'll get temples, or cabins, or at least shrines–"

"Or collectible trading cards," Kym suggested.

"Sure" Hadrian smiled. "I was thinking more along the lines of graphic t-shirts and a boyband named after you, but trading cards sound wonderful. My friend Frank plays with these cards called mythomagic, I'm sure he has one of you"

Percy whistled. "You're talking about dozens of gods."

"Hundreds," Kym corrected.

"Well, then," Jason said, "it might take a while. But you'll be first on the list, Kymopoleia ... the storm goddess who beheaded a giant and saved our quest."

Kym stroked her jellyfish hair. "That will do nicely." She regarded Percy. "Though I am still sorry I won't see you die."

"I get that comment a lot," Percy said. "Now about our ship–"

"Still in one piece," said the goddess. "Not in very good shape, but you should be able to make it to Delos."

"Thank you," Hadrian said.

"Yeah," Percy said. "And, really, your husband Briares is a good dude. You should give him a chance."

The goddess picked up her bronze disc. "Don't push your luck, brother. Briares has fifty faces; all of them are ugly. He's got a hundred hands, and he's still all thumbs around the house."

"Beauty is just skin deep" Hadrian said, "Maybe he's a great husband under all the uh- wait, you said fifty faces?"

Kym laughed her dolphin laugh.

"Doesn't matter" Hadrian waved his hand, "It's not Ancient Greece anymore. Go ask him out on a date night."

Kym's eyes flashed dangerously.