SWEET SORROWS│p. jackson

[ 29. ]

ACT II

𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓼𝓸𝓻𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓼

ANDROMEDA felt like a schoolgirl. Every time she met Percy's eyes, she could feel the butterflies in her stomach come to life. Her heart would race whenever his hand brushed her skin, and his voice sent tickles down her spine.

To clear everything up: He remembered her.

Since his disappearance, that had been the one question plaguing her thoughts. Now that she knew he did, in fact, remember who she was it was as if her whole body was put at ease. For the most part, it hadn't been hard to recognize Percy through the crowd. But she had to admit she was a little surprised when she saw him up close. He had changed. He had noticeably grown taller, tanner, and she could see his muscle pushing against his old Camp Half-Blood shirt.

It was pretty obvious the Romans had been putting him to work.

But through all her raging hormones she could still see him. The boy she had known since she was only twelve. The same boy who'd been by her side and spent the last six years going on life-threatening quests with.

"...Percy described you well,"

Reyna's voice dragged her out of her thoughts, making the girl turn her head towards the praetor as she tried to remember where she was. Reyna stood in front of her expectantly, letting go of her hand as her question registered in the girl's head.

Uh-oh. "Well, mostly good things I hope."

Reyna managed a small smile. "From what I've been told, you're all good things."

"Oh," She smirked at Percy's flushed face. "Thank you."

"Well," Reyna clasped her hands together. "Now that everyone seems to be here, how does food sound?"

"That sounds fantastic." Leo breathed in relief.

"Leo," Piper hissed.

"What?" He gestured to his biceps. "All this doesn't just magically happen. I need fuel!"

Reyna turned her head. "Centurions!"

A few of the Roman campers hustled forward. There was a burly Asian kid that came up on Percy's right, catching Andromeda's attention first. He had a military buzz cut, and only looked about fifteen, maybe younger. His stance was awkward, and he was staring at her like she had just grown three heads out of her ass (not that she would blame him for staring if she did). Then, another girl, who looked about the same age as the boy, came up on his opposite side. She had dark skin, and her curly hair looked as if blonde highlights had been added. But what made Andromeda do a double-take was her eyes. They were golden.

The two stood by Percy's side like his little bodyguards. It was cute, in a way. The girl offered her a smile, elbowing the boy when he didn't do the same.

"Dakota! " Reyna called. A few moments later, a boy with a giant red stain on his mouth appeared. He was holding a flask in one hand, making Andromeda share a concerned glance with her friends. "Alert the spirits in the kitchen. Tell them to prepare a welcome feast."

"What is he drinking?" Andromeda heard her brother mumble.

"And, Octavian—"

"You're letting these intruders into the camp?" A scrawny blonde boy nudged himself forward, and gestured rudely to Andromeda and her friends. "Reyna, you've seen what these Greeks are capable of the moment they showed up!" He shot an accusing look at the group. "The security risks—"