My Boyfriend is a Dead Roman Hero | Jason Grace

I Meet An Old Friend

Do you ever leave leftovers in the fridge?

And your stepmom's like, "Julie, you'd better throw those out. They're pretty old." And you're like "Yeah, sure, Sally." But, then you don't, and every day you come back from school, open the fridge, and see the leftovers.

But, you're like "Eh, I'll handle that tomorrow."

But, then tomorrow comes, and you're like "Eh, what's one more day?"

And then, before you know it, a week or two has passed and you finally have to wash the Tupperware, but it's been so long that when you open it, it's like an entire civilization has developed inside and you have to fight through the process of washing it like you're on the battlefield trying not to breathe in toxic biological weapons?

That's what seeing Khione feels like. She's the moldy leftovers in the refrigerator of Julie's life.

"You okay?" whispers Jason as Zethes and Khione steer them up the stairs and into a long hallway. Julie shivers and pulls the silk dress shirt tighter around her shoulders.

"Mhm. Awesome. Super good." She squeaks. He frowns at her in concern, but there's amusement in there somewhere too. He brushes his knuckles against hers, and she sucks in a breath.

Khione stops suddenly in front of a door and spins around to face them. She looks at Jason only, and a smirk stretches across her perfect lips as she addresses him. "This is the throne room. Be on your best behavior, Jason Grace. My father can be...chilly. I do hope he spares you...We could have such fun." Khione purrs and steps up to brush a hand down Jason's neck. He stumbles back into Piper in surprise.

Juliette glares dangerously at the goddess, but she ignores her, turning to open the doors for them to pass through. As they enter, though, Khione holds a hand out in front of Julie.

"Heartbreak. I'd like a word." She quips. Julie bristles.

"That's not her name." snaps Jason. Juliette looks at him in surprise. He places a hand on her lower back and moves to steer her into the throne room ahead of him, but Khione blocks their path.

"It's not a request." The goddess says icily.

Julie swallows her anxiety and shoots Jason a smile. "It's fine. You guys go on ahead. Just be careful."

She steps back, and Khione moves out of their path. Jason's eyes stay on her worriedly even as Piper tugs him by the hand into the throne room with Zethes. Once the door has clicked all the way shut, Juliette turns back to the goddess.

"What do you want?" She asks flatly.

Khione chuckles and waves a hand as she turns towards another stairwell. "Follow." She commands.

Irritated, but honestly too intrigued to refuse, Julie shuffles after her. The castle really is amazing. Crystal chandeliers hang from every landing on their way up a spiral staircase to the top of a tower. Icicles point dangerously from every doorway, gleaming rainbow in the morning light like shards of stained glass. When they reach the top of the tower, Khione opens a set of double doors and leads Julie into what she's pretty sure is the only warm room in the entire building.

It has glass walls and a domed glass ceiling to allow in sunlight for the jungle of plants thriving inside. To Julie's left seems to be a regular home garden filled with tomatoes, kale, beans, and carrots. To her right is an obscenely large rose garden that she thinks would be very easy to get lost in. Ahead of them are more exotic plants. Julie can see California palms growing right beside Texas cacti.

The climate of this room makes no sense. It must be nice to be a weather god.

Khione stands aside and gestures a delicate arm out for Juliette to proceed. The demigod looks at her strangely, but complies, edging hesitantly further into the greenhouse.