Desert Winds (a Percy Jackson AU)

Hazel's Decision

    Hazel was sketching when her brother burst into the room. Nico was twisting the skull ring on his right hand and his eyes seemed darker than normal. "Hazel, you have to stop him."

    Hazel set down her pencil. "Stop who?"

     "It's King Frank!" Nico said. "He's decided to burn the city of Mitanni."

    Hazel stood up quickly. Her mother had been from Mitanni. "What? Why?"

    "Octavian told him it's the only way to stop the rebellions from happening," Nico explained.

Hazel exhaled and looked up to meet her brother's gaze. "Tell him I'm hosting dinner for him — and Octavian — tonight."
***
Hazel felt nervous as King Frank and Octavian walked into the room where she was privately hosting dinner. The plates and silverware were gleaming and as costly as Hazel's purple and gold dress, veil, and shawl.

     The dinner went smoothly, but Hazel's heart pounded like a speeding horse the entire time. When it finished, Frank said, "Hazel, this was wonderful. Is there anything I can do for you?"

     "My king and husband," Hazel said. "There is someone who wishes to kill my people."

    "That is horrible," Frank said. "Octavian, what do you suggest I do to this person?"

    "Have him executed," Octavian said.

     Frank nodded and turned to face Hazel again. "You can tell me who it is."

    Hazel pointed her finger across the table. "It is Octavian!"

    Octavian stood up quickly. "She is lying!"

     "I am not!" Hazel said, rising to her feet. "Octavian was the one who lobbied for the city of Mitanni to be razed. My mother was from Mitanni."

    "Hazel, I didn't know," Frank said, his face falling. "My messenger has not been sent to deliver the verdict to the army yet, so I will change the message. And you, Octavian, are fired."

     Hazel felt her heart melt like molten gold. She was able to make her husband see reason. She had saved her people..
***

    In a city a few miles from the palace, a couple was joining in marriage. Piper and Jason joined hands as a priestess of Ishtar bound them together. When the two kissed, Piper felt her entire heart warming up like metal in a forge. The rumors were not true; Jason did not kiss like a brick.

***

      Miles and miles away from the both of them, Annabeth was sharpening her sword near a lake. Percy approached her. "I wanted to talk."

Annabeth set firm her sword and put her hands on her hips; her wounds were better now. "About what?"

Percy looked at his feet. "I just wanted to say," he began, "when Gleeson told me I could receive your position, I declined. I knew you deserved it."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. And?"

Percy's face became as awash with colors as the setting sun illuminating his face. "You aren't making this easy!"

"I'm never making it easy for you," Annabeth said. "You better get used to it."

"Finally!" someone said.

The two of them looked up to see Grover clapping his hands together. "Looks like you two lovebirds need a cooking down!"

He pushed them into the lake, but neither of them cared. They got the last laugh. After all, it was the best underwater kiss ever.