Children of Olympus: Selection.

Chapter 54*

"I swear!" Cassidy exclaimed, banging her head against the side of the couch. "Why can't we just use the fancy plates?"

"Because Queen Piper would throw a fit. Plus if they break that's on us," I said. It was before breakfast, and I had been woken up early so that we could meet up before they had to turn everything in. My mind was only halfway in the conversation though. The other half was still in my bed, curled up with Zagan.

Taylor was sitting on her bed with the sheet, "We'll just use the simple plates," Taylor stated, "That should be all we need to fix. I'll turn it in at breakfast."

The other girls all left me in Taylor's room. I left shortly after, heading down to the infirmary for the normal check up.

"You're actually doing quite well. Your right side is completely healed, it's just your left side that's being stubborn. You still need to be on crutches around the castle, but in your room I think it's about time that you work without them. Also you are free to go to meals." The doctor said, setting down the clipboard he had been writing on and smiling at me. I grinned back and thanked him before heading to breakfast.

There were only thirty minutes left of it, but I kind of wanted to see the look on everyone's face when I came back. It was about time that I showed that I was still in this competition.

I pushed open the doors and ignored the echo of my crutches as the room fell silent. I smiled at Layla who motioned to the seat next to her. The seating order had changed since I had been here. Angel and Cassidy were now across from us which made coming now even sweeter.

I looked up at the royals table to see Zagan smiling groggily. We had both had a nasty wake up call this morning, so it made sense that he was tired.

Breakfast consisted of blueberry pancakes which made me irrationally happy. We ate for about thirty more minutes before Hazel stood, "Girls, thank you all so much for planning everything as well as you have. Make sure to do anything you have left this afternoon since the Italians will be here tomorrow. See you all at dinner."

I waved goodbye to Layla before hobbling out after my group. We met in my room to work on outfits for Saturday. Paige and the other girls maids had been working on the five dresses, and they were finally ready. They were all made the exact same except for color. Angel would be wearing the white one, Taylor would be in the darker green while Cassidy wore the lighter green. Peyton had argued with me over who would wear the darker blue, but I won out leaving her in the light blue. My argument was that I should probably wear my kingdom colors.

Next on our list was flower crowns. I had suggested them as an extra stand out that we were the hostesses. They all had white flowers with smaller blue flowers poking out every now and then.

"The only thing left are the necklaces," I said, standing from the couch and not using crutches as I crossed the room. I had been off the crutches since we arrived in my room, and my legs were not happy with me. I didn't want to cause a scene about it though, so I kept that information to myself.

"Didn't you say you'd take care of that?" Peyton asked, looking annoyed from her seat at my desk.

"Yeah, I've just been-" I was cut off by a knock at my door. "Come in," I called.

Zagan entered the room. It was obvious he was going to say something, but one look at the others around my room made him pause. "I was just wondering if I could help with anything?"

Angel was about to tell him that we didn't need anything when I saw a perfect opportunity, "Can you go to the royal safe and take out the necklace in block C17? Then I need four copies made of cheaper material from the jeweler if that's possible."

"I'll be right back with all of that," He said with a wink as he left.

"Why would you do that? He's obviously busy with other things!" Peyton exclaimed.

"Then why was he here. He offered to help. I took the offer," I retorted, sitting on my bed and nearly collapsing back on it.

Cassidy must have noticed that because she ushered the other girls out under the pretence that we shouldn't worry too much about this anymore. We'd finish any planning tomorrow.

I sent her a thankful look as they left the room, and I collapsed back, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I wasn't alone for long though. My maids entered the room shortly after everyone had left.

"I know you want to be alone, but the doctor suggests that you aren't alone," Sarah said, stepping over and sitting next to me on the bed.

"You don't have to be here," I said, knowing what she had said, but electing to ignore it.

Paige sighed, "If you must, think of it this way. I'm here to set up for Saturday so I don't have to wake up you and loverboy."

I sighed but nodded and allowed for them to carry on. Sarah rested a hand on my forehead before getting up and moving along. I closed my eyes and was nearly asleep when there was another knock at the door.

Sarah let them in. I sat up in bed and smiled at Zagan, "Good to see you," I said, standing out of bed just to watch his mouth drop.

"You're, you're on your feet," Zagan gasped, stepping forward and pulling me into a hug.

I took it a step further though, taking my feet off the floor and wrapping my legs around him. I hadn't been lying about my feet hurting earlier, and this was much more comfortable for me.

There was the soft click of my door closing as Zagan kissed me softly. "I love you," He muttered against my lips, sitting down on my bed so I was on his lap.

"I love you too," I muttered, kissing him back.