Daughter of Hera

Chapter 4

Raven's POV

I couldn't sleep, not because I was in an unfamiliar bed but because Nico Di Angelo had tucked me in. He was real, he cared- well sort of.

His scent clung to the covers; warm and sweet.

"Oh Gods" I muttered "He's real, he's Real, he's Real!" I almost squealed

"I am the luckiest fangirl alive, thank you gods, thank you"

I rolled over onto my side, where his scent was strongest and promptly drifted off to sleep.

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Nico's POV

I lay in my bed in the Hades cabin. Alone. There had been a separate cabin erected for the Camp Jupiter kids and Hazel choose to sleep there than with me. No one cared about a son of Hades, no one.

'Not no one' my mind whispered 'Raven cares' I sighed. Raven. What was I to do about her? I did like her but that in itself was dangerous, everyone I loves gets hurt in some way. I remembered the words that had been whispered to me by the Oracle, before it had inhabited Rachel, not a prophecy more a warning.

Son of Hades, beware the curse

Those you love are doomed

Your mother, your sister are dead

The one you love most- killed, your fault

Find the one with three, and three

She shall break the curse,

banish the spectre of darkness and save your doomed soul

I couldn't fall for Raven, I wouldn't hurt her, I couldn't.

But still, I was inexorably drawn towards her. It couldn't hurt to go visit her again could it?

Getting up I called on the shadows, making a doorway in the wall. Stepping through I found myself in Raven's room. She was asleep, thank Hades. I don't know what I would've done if she was awake.

I made my way over to her bed and stroked her hair. Her hair was like black silk, smooth and luxurious.

My hand found its way to her face, fingers tracing the soft skin.

The next thing I knew I was lying on her bed, she unconsciously snuggled closer to me.

"Nico" she murmured. I froze. Was she awake? How would I explain lying next to her? After 2 minutes of silence I had the nerve to look at her, she was asleep.

"Nico" she murmured again.

Was she dreaming about me? The thought caused a fierce kind of pleasure in me. Gods she was beautiful.

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The next thing I knew. I was lying next to Raven. I looked at my watch. It was 5:45 am. I swore, I must have fallen asleep next to her. Quickly I pried myself from her grasp. She whimpered in her sleep and I had the urge to sink back into bed and cuddle her but I dismissed it. What would I say?

Calling a doorway of darkness I jumped through, heading straight back to my Cabin.

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Raven's POV

I awoke in my bed in the Hera Cabin. I was curled around an indent in the blanket that smelled of Nico. What did that mean? Had he slept in my bed? Gods no. Nico wouldn't do that, Nico was unsociable and hated people. Though I wished he had spent the night in my room.

Stretching my muscles I got up. Cracking my neck and making my way over to the wardrobe. Hmm, what to wear?

I wanted to try on some of those gorgeous dresses but felt it would be inappropriate, especially if we were to be practicing weapons or doing any of the activities specified in the books.

Sighing, I grabbed a pair of jeans and an orange CHB t- shirt. The fabric felt soft in my hands, more breathable than the cotton it looked like. Must be magically enhanced I thought idly.

Walking to the bathroom I stepped into the shower and turned the tap. I was immediately assaulted by warm water, cascading over my back and head. I washed myself then decided to do my hair.

15 minutes later I stepped from the shower and towelled myself dry. Pulling on my clothes I plaited my hair straight down my back.

I walked back to my room, intending to wait for Nico. Only to find him calmly perched on the edge of my bed.

I did a double take.

"Umm Nico, shouldn't you have knocked? What if I had've been naked?" he blushed

"Oh gods I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it like that I swear"

"It's ok I guess. I didn't really think of that"

"So what's Chiron's verdict?" I asked, anxious to change the subject

"He says you are to come to breakfast then train with us, give the others some time to get to know you"

"Sure, want to get going?"

"Yeah, I guess"

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Nico's POV

The others called Raven to sit with them. She turned to me with a tortured expression.

"But I want to sit with you" she whined. I caved.

"Fine I'll sit with you as well"

"So how do you have three parents?" Annabeth asked, I sensed she was more curious than suspicious, after all only demigods could enter the valley, and as a child of Athena she knew all about weird pregnancies and births.

"Yeah how does that work hun?" Drew chimed in

"I don't know exactly"

"How do you know so much about us?"

"It was written in a book I read"

"So you have been spying on us?"

"No, no! I thought it was all fiction"

"So oh most powerful demigod" Clarisse said sarcastically "ever used a weapon before?"

"Umm not really no"

"Good" Clarisse smiled, reminding me of a shark. Turning to the other campers she said

"I get first turn" some of the other ares kids groaned.

I hated how they were teasing her, I knew as soon as her novelty wore off they would shun her and use her as a punching bag or as target practice. The only reason they didn't do that to me was because I was powerful. The thought made me angry, very angry.

Raven grabbed my hand.

"Calm down Nico" she whispered, pointing to the ground beneath the table. Sure enough, skeletal hands were pushing through the surface of the earth.

"Aww 'calm down Nico' that's cute" Drew sneered

"Is the Ghost King whipped already?" another Aphrodite kid added.

This time it was me restraining Raven. She was straining against my arm, trying to rise. I knew she knew everything about us all, and I sensed she was about to use that knowledge against every camper seated at this table.

Smirking she sat back down.

"So Drew, how many heroes have you tried to seduce and lost now? Jason, Percy it seems you are only interested in powerful demigods." Piper and Annabeth turned and glared daggers of pure hate at Drew, she wilted slightly- obviously not enough in Raven's opinion.

"And how about you?" She turned to the other Aphrodite kid "Were you disappointed to see Drew be replaced by a more capable Head Counsellor?"

The kid turned beet red and Drew sank into her chair.

A Conch horn blew, Drew turned to Clarisse and speaking with Charmspeak said.

"I get first turn with the new kid"