❝In a fight, they're lethal. Around each other, they melt❞
"I'm fine." I said, trying to hide the frown and tears that threatened to spill.
Percy looked at me once.
"I'm not going anywhere, unless you tell me what's wrong," he declared and I would h...
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Breakfast went wonderfully. Note the sarcasm. The entire time Demeter threw underhanded comments my way and berated my dad. She asked me about Caelan and then screamed at both Dad and Persephone about how 'they lost her favorite twin. He ate so much cereal and was gonna be a good farmer' or some shit like that. So that left me feeling absolutely wonderful. I had completely forgotten to change when I was in my room so I was stuck wearing the crown, dress, jewelry and heels.
My plans to see Percy were interrupted by my best friend pinning my little brother against the floor at sword point.
"Want . . . to . . . rescue," Nico choked and I stood against the wall opposite of them, examining the jewelry on my body. Hecate coaxed me into this golden chain that fell around my thigh, due to the slit in my dress. The dress's sleeves in the middle were mesh so she insisted on a golden arm piece. Layered necklaces fell around my neck and I gently fixed them. One of my hands held this wrist piece, similar to the one I wore when I left the palace or wasn't around Caelan, but it was only gold, no onyx gems set into it. On my other hand, a black snake ring rested, representing my father's sacred animal. Long, golden earrings hung from my ears and I shifted on my feet, trying to keep their gold chains from making too much noise.
"Oh, yeah? And why should I trust you?"
"No . . . choice?" he gagged.
Percy let Nico go.
Nico curled into a ball and made retching sounds while his throat recovered. Finally he got to his feet, eyeing Percy's sword warily. His own blade was sheathed.
"We have to get out of here," he said.
"Why?" Percy said. "Does your dad want to talk to me again?"
He winced. "Percy, I swear on the River Styx, I didn't know what he was planning."
"You know what your dad is like!"
"He tricked me. He promised—" Nico held up his hands. "Look . . . right now, we need to leave. I put the guards to sleep, but it won't last."
"I do hope you're not planning on leaving alone." I said with a sly smile, walking towards them, my heels clipping on the hard floor.
"Nova?" Percy exclaimed, spinning around to face me.
I stepped next to him, laying a hand on his shoulder and steering him towards the wall, where Nico pointed. A whole section vanished, revealing a corridor.
"Come on." Nico led the way.
"Why do you look so.." Percy trailed off, looking me up and down.
"Fancy?" I asked and he nodded. A smirk pulled at my lips. "This is my usual attire when Caelan and I are visiting. Not normally with the crown and all that stuff but Grandma Demeter is visiting so we have to get a little more fancy. Dad was hoping if we looked really nice and put together then she would be easier to coax into staying down here with him and Sephy. Why? You see something you like?"
