The Five Demigods Who Saved Olympus | Book 1, 2, & 3

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"Amara says you're shy. That true?" Heath asked. Noelle quickly nodded her head in response as she looked anywhere but him.

"Hmm. Had to ask, 'cause it sure didn't sound that way early." Heath said. When Noelle realized what Heath was referring to, her eyes went wide. Heath chuckled to himself.

"Don't worry. It didn't upset me. In fact, you reminded me of somebody I used to know." Heath answered. Noelle knew Heath was talking about her. It saddened her. Because, in all truth, they didn't know each other anymore. Noelle chipped at her nails with her hands behind her back as she began to look around the room, hoping to find Hestia. She hoped to contact Hestia in her mind and help her get out of this situation. But, unfortunately for her, Hestia was nowhere to be found. Heath cleared his throat to get Noelle's attention. When she turned to him, she saw his hand waiting for her. She hesitantly took his hand in hers. She flinched at the feeling of the cold hands she hadn't held in so long. Heath then led himself and Noelle further into the room where the others danced. Heath looked down at the nails of Noelle. He examined them for a minute before looking up to Noelle.

"What are you nervous about?" Heath asked as he wrapped an arm around her waist. Noelle finally looked into the blue eyes she loved so deeply. She felt butterflies in the pit of her stomach. She hadn't had that feeling in so long. It almost brought tears to her eyes.

"Right, you don't talk. Well, I'll only ask yes or no questions." Heath said as the two began to dance. Heath then thought about the time he asked Noelle questions to get to know her a little better. He shut his eyes as he remembered the night in Paris where they walked the streets. He remembered taking her hand in his and placing it in his pocket to keep her from chipping away at her nails. It was a memory that he thought of often.

"You and 'Mara friends?" Heath asked finally opening his eyes and looking down at Noelle. Noelle nodded her head in response.

"Do you know any of her friends?" Heath asked. Noelle nodded once more.

"And do you talk to any of them?" Heath asked. Noelle looked deep into Heath's eyes. She couldn't read his emotions. By the look of his eyes, he looked tired almost. She wasn't certain. Noelle finally nodded.

"Do you believe the stories of me?" Heath asked, forgetting that the girl before him didn't speak. Noelle couldn't answer, because she didn't know what stories Heath was talking about.

"What stories?" Noelle quietly said in a soft voice, hoping Heath wouldn't recognize her. Heath had no reaction to Noelle speaking to him for the first time.

"The one's about the girl who left me." Heath answered, sounding exhausted. Noelle then noticed the dark bags underneath Heath's eyes. The tiredness in his voice. She wondered how she hadn't noticed any of it before. It was almost as if his normal exterior faded away, and she could now see him fully. She could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Never heard them." Noelle answered in the same quiet voice. Heath sighed as he shut his eyes.

"There are different versions of it that have gone around over the past few years. One main story I hear constantly." Heath said.

"What's the story?" Noelle inquired.

"I made the girl I love so terrified of the darkness that comes with being who I am, who I came from, and what I do, that in the end, she left me. Fled far away to Earth because she couldn't handle the darkness any longer, thus obliterating my heart and causing me agonizing pain. Making me cold and distant to all in Olympus." Heath said with a raspy voice. He then looked down at Noelle. Slowly, his exterior reappeared.

"Most are scared to even speak to those who reside in the Underworld. Aren't you?" Heath asked. Noelle returned back to quietness. She looked down to the ground and rested her hand on Heath's chest. Heath sighed.