The Glory That Is Rome (a Percy Jackson AU)

A New Beginning

     "Thalia!" Annabeth cried, running over to her friend. "Why have you been avoiding me? We haven't talked in months. Have I done something to anger you"

    Thalia looked up and Annabeth saw that her face was highly colored.

   "Annabeth, I've done something that will anger you," she mumbled, looking at her feet. "I — I coupled with Luke."

    Annabeth gaped at her friend.

   "I knew you'd be angry," Thalia said quickly. "I didn't want to hurt you, but Luke asked. He was so charming and handsome. He told me he'd free me if I could bear him a child. Oh gods, I'm sorry."

    "It's alright, Thalia," Annabeth said. "I'm not angry at you. We will always be friends."

    Besides, Annabeth thought, how can I be angry at him when I did the same with Percy?

     "I want you to be my ornatrix," Annabeth told Thalia.

     "But I know nothing about hairstyles or makeup," Thalia protested. "Connor knows more than I do!"

     "You'll learn," Annabeth promised her, "and that way we will always be together."

      She gave Thalia a hug, hoping that she could convey forgiveness. 

    "I'll see you tomorrow morning," she told Thalia before walking towards the gardens.

      Ever since the incident in the sea cave, Annabeth and Percy had been more careful about meeting. They only met when there were others around so that Luke would not suspicious. Still, Annabeth worried. She had broken one of the most important laws in Rome. She could be exiled for what she did.

    Though Annabeth wished that she could tell Percy of all that was bothering her, she sat beneath a myrtle tree and sketched. She missed the summer villa. She missed the outdoor swimming pool, the rosewater fountains, and the fresh, salty sea air. Most of all, she missed all of the freedom it afforded. 

   Another thing that Annabeth missed was her family. Though she had often fought with her father and stepmother, she was missed even those arguments. She hadn't seen her family since the wedding and even their letters could not cure her of her homesickness. 

   Annabeth put down her scroll. Even sketching out the buildings she would like to design if she could was not helping. She stood up. She needed to tell Luke something.

   Annabeth found look in their bedroom. He had just put on a fresh toga and his hair was carefully combed. Since their wedding day, he had changed. He looked leaner and jaw looked stronger. The biggest change was a scar he had earned while fending off an assassin named Castor. He looked up as Annabeth and smiled. Luke's smile never failed to make Annabeth feel special and this only increased her guilt.

    "Luke, I need to tell you something," Annabeth said nervously. 

     Luke looked at her, his eyes wary and asked, "Are you barren?"

   "No, it's actually the opposite" Annabeth told him. "I'm pregnant."

   "You've succeeded where Kelli failed," Luke told her, gently caressing her cheek with one hand and rubbing her stomach with the other.

    No, Annabeth thought. Percy succeeded where you failed.