The Child of Artemis

Chapter 3

"Piper, I've wanted to ask you this for a really long time."

"Pipes, we've been together for almost eight years now. And it seems like each day, I'm finding new things to love about you.

"You're smart, clever, and loyal. And you are so much more than the "beautiful girl" stereotype of Aphrodite.

"Piper McClean, will you marry me?"

Jason Grace knelt in front of his mirror, practicing for what felt like the hundredth time. In his right hand, he held out the box that carried the ring. The ring that he hoped to put on Piper's finger when he asked her.

Jason sighed. He closed the box and slid it into his pocket. He'd carried it around for three months, but the perfect time never presented itself. His duties as Pontifex seemed endless, and the times he spent with Piper were shorter than he would have liked.

Jason crossed the room to look out the window. Below him, the streets of New Rome were busy, as usual. He was renting one of the rooms above the coffee shop in the town, but would be leaving soon to go to Camp Half-Blood  for their annual anniversary celebration of the defeat of Gaea.

A knock startled him out of his reverie. "Come in." The door opened, and Hazel poked her head inside. "Hey Jason. We're almost ready t-. Jason, are you okay?" Jason looked up as Hazel crossed the room to stand beside him.

Hazel Levesque, now Hazel Zhang, had become a caring, sweet women. Her hair was still curly and the color of cinnamon, and her eyes gleamed like Imperial gold. She and Frank had retired from their posts as Praetors of Camp Jupiter two years after the war, had gotten married four years after, and now lived in New Rome.

Now, Jason faced his friend. "Sorry Hazel." He replied. "I've been a bit nervous lately."

"Is everything alright with you and Piper?" Hazel asked, worried. In the streets below, a too-fast wagon tipped over, spilling its luggage and driver into the street. Cries of assistance and annoyance wafted through the open window. Jason slid the pane shut, flicked the latch, and slid the curtains over the glass. The room dimmed with the absence of the late sun.

He turned back to her. "Hazel, can you keep a secret?"

Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Jason, what's going on?"

Jason sighed and pulled the ring box out of his pocket. Hazel's eyes widened in understanding. "You're going to ask her?"

"Yes. If I can ever get the words out."

Hazel let out a squeal and pulled Jason into a hug. He laughed and accepted. "Um, Jason?"
"Yes, Hazel?"
"Is it alright if I tell Frank?"

Jason thought for a moment, then nodded. "As long as he keeps it a secret." He could trust Frank to be silent.

"Done." Hazel winked at him and went to leave.

"Hey, what were you telling me before?"

"Oh, right! Frank wants to go ahead and get your luggage to save time tomorrow." She grinned. "I can take it to him."

"Thanks Hazel." Jason handed her his suitcase. "Night." Then the door shut, and the Pontifex was alone.

Jason took off his glasses and sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. For whatever reason, he tended to get headaches there.

He placed the ring box on his bedside table, then changed into his nightclothes. He slipped into bed, and switched the lamp off.

He lay in the dark, thinking. Almost automatically, he reached over and opened the box. He pulled the ring out, turning it over in his hand. The opal gleamed like a fallen star in the shadows of the room.