ON THIS SPRING DAY
━━━━━ chapter eighteen

━━━━━ THEY CIRCLED OVER midtown Manhattan, making one complete orbit around Mount Olympus. Violet had visited before, during the two winters she was a year-round camper, but no matter the other times she had been there, Olympus never failed to amaze her.

In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty different colors, from blood red to indigo. Apparently, no one ever slept on Olympus. The twisting streets were full of demigods and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclopes. Winter didn't seem to exist here. Violet caught the scent of the gardens in full bloom, jasmine and roses and even honeysuckle. Music drifted up from many windows, the soft sounds of lyres and reed pipes.

Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing white hall of the gods.

The pegasi set them down in the outer courtyard, in front of huge silver gates. Before anyone could even think to knock, the gates opened by themselves.

The pegasi flew away quickly, leaving Violet, Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia alone. For a minute they stood there regarding the palace. Violet hadn't noticed it then, too amazed by the sight of Olympus, but a sense of dread was building in her stomach. But she didn't know for what. Before she could act on the growing dread, she walked inside with her friends.

🌷

Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at Camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations—even the newest one, Zoë the Huntress, making her way across the heavens with her bow drawn.

All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall, their eyes boring into the demigods. Violet's dread turned to nausea, and she wanted to bolt from the throne room. To make matters worse, she saw no sign of her father—Eros—but not that she expected to and not that she and her father were close by any means. But still, a daughter of Eros had completed a quest and they couldn't even let him sit among the Olympians.

"Welcome, heroes," Artemis said.

And then there was a sudden moo. That's when Violet noticed Bessie and Grover.

A sphere of water was hovering in the center of the room, next to the hearth fire. Bessie was swimming happily around, swishing his serpent tail and poking his head out of the sides and the bottom of the sphere. He seemed to be enjoying the novelty of swimming in a magic bubble.

Grover was kneeling at Zeus's throne, as if he'd just been giving a report, but, when he saw his friends, he cried, "You made it!"

He started to run towards them, then remembered he was turning his back on Zeus, and looked for permission.

"Go on," Zeus said. But he wasn't really paying attention to Grover. The Lord of the Sky was staring intently at Thalia.

Grover trotted over. None of the gods spoke. Every clop of Grover's hooves echoed on the marble floor. Bessie splashed in his bubble of water. The hearth fire crackled.

Under the scrutinizing eyes of the Olympians, Violet wasn't sure where to look. Some strange part of her wished her father was up there, just so she would have someone to look to.

Grover gave Violet, Annabeth, and Thalia big hugs. Then he grasped Percy's arms. "Percy, Bessie and I made it! But you have to convince them! They can't do it!"

"Do what?" the son of Poseidon asked.

"Heroes," Artemis called.

The goddess slid down from her throne and turned to human size, a young auburn-haired girl, perfectly at ease in the midst of the giant Olympians. She walked towards the half-bloods, her silver robes shimmering. There was no emotion on her face. She seemed to walk in a column of moonlight.

"The Council has been informed of your deeds," Artemis told them. "They know that Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas's attempt for freedom, and the gathering armies of Kronos. We have voted to act."

There was some mumbling and shuffling among the gods, as if they weren't all happy with this plan, but nobody protested.

"At my Lord Zeus's command," Artemis said, "my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans' cause. Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes ..."

The Goddess of the Moon turned to face the other immortals. "These half-bloods have done Olympus a great service. Would any here deny that?"

Artemis looked around at the assembled gods, meeting their faces individually. Zeus in his dark pinstriped suit, his black beard neatly trimmed, and his eyes sparking with energy. Next to him sat a beautiful woman with silver hair braided over one shoulder and a dress that shimmered with colors like peacock feathers. The Lady Hera.

On Zeus's right, a man who looked uncannily like Percy. The Lord of the Seas, Poseidon. ( Violet found it odd to see a god dressed up like a father on vacation—a tacky patterned button-up and tan beach shorts, but she kept quiet. ) Next to Percy's father, a huge lump of a man with a leg in a steel brace, a misshapen head, and a wild brown beard, fire flickering through his whiskers. The Lord of the Forges, Hephaestus.

Next to Hephaestus was the most normal-looking god. He wore a business suit, checking messages on his caduceus cell phone. God of Thieves, Lord Hermes. Apollo leaned back on his golden throne with his shades on. He had iPod headphones on, so Violet wasn't sure he was even listening or paying attention, but with the way he glared at her, she knew he was. Dionysus looked bored, twirling a grapevine between his fingers. And Ares, well, he sat on his chrome-and-leather throne, glowering at Percy while he sharpened a knife.

And on the very end of the gods' side sat a very plain black rolly chair. And on that plain chair sat a man, a man that radiated death. His eyes were the same color as the darkest of soil, such an intense color of black it made Violet shiver. The god's stare was empty, but somehow, scarily invasive, as if he could see straight into her soul. His black hair hung limply on his head, and his pale face was gaunt.

Lord Hades, Violet realized with a shiver, God of the Underworld. He had made it for the winter solstice, the only time he would ever be allowed on Olympus.

Swallowing heavily, Violet looked over to the goddess's side. Sat next to Hera was a dark-haired goddess in green robes who sat next on a throne woven of apple tree branches. Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest. Next to her sat a goddess with stormy grey eyes, wearing an elegant white dress. From the eyes alone, Violet knew this was Annabeth's mother; Lady Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Battle. Then there was Aphrodite, who smiled at Violet knowingly, making the daughter of Eros look away defiantly.

All the Olympians in one place. So much power in this room it was a miracle the whole palace didn't blow apart.

"I gotta say," Apollo broke the silence, "these kids did okay. Besides Eros' spawn, of course—"

Aphrodite rolled her eyes. "Would you give it a rest, Apollo? Eros was provoked because your hothead didn't know when to shut up."

"That's not true!" Apollo insisted. "Eros attacked me because he's a—"

"Um, yes, they're first class," Hermes interrupted, as if anxious to stop Apollo and Aphrodite's squabbling. Violet would just rather the ground swallow her whole right there; not only did Apollo just call all attention to her, but then Aphrodite started defending her. Violet figured she should've been grateful, but her conversation with the goddess still rang inside her head.

"All in favor of not disintegrating them?" asked Hermes, looking around at the gods surrounding him.

A few tentative hands went up—Demeter, Aphrodite.

"Wait just a minute," Ares growled. He pointed at Thalia and Percy. "These two are dangerous. It'd be much safer, while we've got them here—"

"Ares," Poseidon interrupted, "they are worthy heroes. We will not blast my son to bits."

"Nor my daughter," Zeus grumbled. "She has done well."

Thalia blushed. She studied the floor, unsure of how to take a compliment from her father. Violet understood; compliments from absent parents always felt wonderful, until that parent disappeared again.

The goddess Athena cleared her throat and sat forward. "I am proud of my daughter as well. But there is a security risk here, with the other two."

"Mother!" Annabeth said. "How can you—"

Athena cut her off with a calm, but firm, look. "It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and my uncle, Poseidon, chose to break their oath not to have more children. Only Hades kept his word, a fact that I find ironic." Hades's dark eyes sent her a withering look, which Athena skillfully avoided. "As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods ... such as Thalia and Percy ... are dangerous. As thickheaded as he is, Ares has a point."

"Right!" Ares said. Then, he realized. "Hey, wait a minute. Who you callin'—"

He started to get up, but a grapevine grew around his waist like a seat belt and pulled him back down.

"Oh, please, Ares," Dionysus sighed. "Save the fighting for later."

Ares cursed and ripped away the vine. "You're one to talk, you old drunk. You seriously want to protect these brats?"

Dionysus gazed down at the half-bloods wearily. "I have no love for them. Athena, do you truly think it safest to destroy them?''

"I do not pass judgment," Athena said. "I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide."

"I will not have them punished," Artemis said. "I will have them rewarded. If we destroy heroes who do us a great favor, then we are no better than the Titans. If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it!"

"Calm down, sis," Apollo said. "Jeez, you need to lighten up."

'Don't call me sis! I will reward them."

"Well," Zeus grumbled. "Perhaps. But the monster at least must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?"

A lot of nodding heads.

It took Violet a moment to understand. The Olympians meant the Ophiotaurus. She figured it was a safe move, knowing just how dangerous keeping the creature alive was.

"Bessie?" Percy asked loudly, his voice echoing. "You want to destroy Bessie?"

The serpent bull mooed in protest.

Poseidon frowned. "You have named the Ophiotaurus Bessie?"

"Dad," his son said, "he's just a sea creature. A really nice sea creature. You can't destroy him."

The sea god shifted uncomfortably. "Percy, the monster's power is considerable. If the Titans were to steal it, or—"

"You can't," Percy insisted. He looked at Zeus. "Controlling the prophecies never works. Isn't that true? Besides, Bess—the Ophiotaurus is innocent. Killing something like that is wrong. It's just as wrong as ... as Kronos eating his children, just because of something they might do. It's wrong!"

Zeus seemed to consider this. His eyes drifted to his daughter Thalia. "And what of the risk? Kronos knows full well, if one of you were to sacrifice the beast's entrails, you would have the power to destroy us. Do you think we can let that possibility remain? You, my daughter, will turn sixteen on the morrow, just as the prophecy says."

Percy looked at Violet desperately, pleading with her to make a stand. The daughter of Eros shifted uncomfortably.

"Lord Zeus" —gods, Violet hoped her voice wasn't shaking as bad as she was— "you have to trust them."

The Lord of the Skys scowled. "Trust a hero?"

"Why would we ever trust anything that comes out of your mouth?" Apollo demanded with a frown.

"The same reason we would trust anything that comes out of yours," Hades spoke up cooly. "The daughter of Eros has proven herself, has she not?"

Apollo's face twitched, like he couldn't believe anyone stood against him again, but he sat back on his throne, glaring daggers at Violet. Artemis gave her brother a look.

"Violet is right," the Goddess of the Hunt decided. "Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoë Nightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new lieutenant. And I intend to choose one. But first, Father Zeus, I must speak to you privately."

Zeus beckoned Artemis forward. He leaned down and listened as she spoke in his ear.

Percy grabbed Violet's hand, leaning close to whisper, "Violet."

She gave him an odd look, leaning away. "What's wrong?"

"Violet," he repeated in a whisper, "you can't. Don't."

"Can't what? Don't what?"

"You just can't, Vi," Percy insisted. "Think about Camp. Think about—I couldn't ... Look, I need to tell you something." He swallowed. "I couldn't stand it if ... I don't want you to—"

Violet gave him a concerned look. "You look like you're about to be sick, Perce."

Percy nodded, like that was exactly how he felt. He opened his mouth to say something when Artemis turned.

"I shall have a new lieutenant," the goddess announced. "If she will accept it."

Percy's hand tightened, squeezing Violet's fingers. "No," he murmured as she gave him a wary look.

"Thalia," Artemis said. "Daughter of Zeus. Will you join the Hunt?"

Stunned silence filled the room. Violet stared at Thalia with shock, but Annabeth was smiling. The daughter of Athena grabbed and squeezed Thalia's hand, as if she'd been expecting this all along.

"I will," Thalia said firmly.

Zeus rose, his eyes full of concern. "My daughter, consider well—"

"Father," she said. "I will not turn sixteen tomorrow. I will never turn sixteen. I won't let this prophecy be mine. I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will never tempt me again."

She knelt before the goddess and began the words Violet remembered from Bianca's oath, that seemed like so long ago. "I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men ..."

Afterward, now a Hunter and the lieutenant, Thalia walked over to them. She smiled and reached over to hug Percy first. He flushed awkwardly as she pulled away, holding his shoulders.

"Um ... aren't you supposed to not do that anymore?" he said. "Hug boys, I mean?"

"I'm honoring a friend," Thalia corrected. "I must join the Hunt, Percy. I haven't known peace since ... since Half-Blood Hill. I finally feel like I have a home. But you're a hero. You will be the one of the prophecy."

"Great," he muttered. "I'm proud to be your friend."

She hugged Violet, whose body was still sore from holding up the sky. But Violet ignored the pain and hugged Thalia back tightly. And then Thalia hugged Annabeth, who was trying hard not to cry. Then she even hugged Grover, who looked ready to pass out, like somebody had just given him an all-you-can-eat enchilada coupon.

Then Thalia went to stand by Artemis's side. It was odd to see, Violet will admit.

"Now for the Ophiotaurus," the goddess said.

"This boy is still dangerous," Dionysus warned. "The beast is a temptation to great power. Even if we spare the boy—"

"No." Percy looked around at all the gods. "Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe. My dad can hide him under the sea somewhere, or keep him in an aquarium here in Olympus. But you have to protect him."

"And why should we trust you?" rumbled Hephaestus.

"I'm only fourteen," said Percy. "If this prophecy is about me, that's two more years."

"Two years for Kronos to deceive you," Athena pointed out. "Much can change in two years, young hero."

"Mother!" Annabeth said, exasperated.

"It is only the truth, child. It is bad strategy to keep the animal alive. Or the boy."

Poseidon stood. "I will not have a sea creature destroyed if I can help it. And I can help it." He held out his hand, and a trident appeared in it: a twenty-foot-long bronze shaft with three spear tips that shimmered with blue, watery light. "I will vouch for the boy, and the safety of the Ophiotaurus."

"You won't take it under the sea!" Zeus stood suddenly. "I won't have that kind of bargaining chip in your possession."

Deep lines appeared on Poseidon's face. He sighed laboriously. "Brother, please."

Zeus's lightning bolt appeared in his hand, a shaft of electricity that filled the whole room with an ozone storm smell.

"Fine," Poseidon said. "I will build an aquarium for the creature here. Hephaestus can help me. The creature will be safe. We shall protect it with all our powers. The boy will not betray us. I vouch for this on my honor."

Violet glanced at Percy. The son of Poseidon was a vibrant shade of red, brighter than Violet had ever seen on anyone.

Zeus seemed content with this plan. "All in favor?"

To Violet's surprise, a lot of hands went up. Dionysus abstained. So did Ares, Athena, and Hades. But everybody else ...

"We have a majority," Zeus decreed. "And so, since we will not be destroying these heroes ... I imagine we should honor them. Let the triumph celebration begin!"

🌷

There are parties, and then there are huge, major, blowout parties. And then there are Olympian parties. And Olympian parties were nothing like Violet had ever seen before.

The Nine Muses cranked up the tunes, and Violet realized the music was whatever you wanted it to be: the gods could listen to classical and the younger demigods heard hip-hop or whatever, and it was all the same soundtrack. No arguments. No fights to change the radio station. Just requests to crank it up.

Dionysus went around growing refreshment stands out of the ground, and a beautiful woman walked with him arm in arm—his wife, Ariadne. Dionysus looked happy for the first time. Violet didn't even know the god knew how to smile.

Nectar and ambrosia overflowed from golden fountains, and platters of mortal snack food crowded the banquet tables. Golden goblets filled with whatever drink you wanted. Grover trotted around with a full plate of tin cans and enchiladas, and his goblet was full of double-espresso latte, which he kept muttering over like an incantation: "Pan! Pan!"

Gods kept coming over to congratulate Violet. Thankfully, they had reduced themselves to human size so they didn't accidentally trample partygoers under their feet. After a tenth or so god thanking her, Violet spotted her father, who gave her a wide smile.

"That's my daughter!" He clapped her on the back. "I knew you were destined for great things."

Violet winced, still sore. "Great things like backache," she grumbled.

"Ah." Eros winced. "Sorry. I forgot."

"It's fine." Violet rolled out her shoulders, her spine screaming in pain. "Um, thanks anyways."

"You did well, Vi. I'm proud." Eros smiled at her and lead her over to a table filled with snacks. He picked up a macaroon and split it in half, offering one half to his daughter. "I know it wasn't easy but you pulled through—and looking pretty while doing it."

Violet gave her father an awkward smile. "Uh, thanks, Dad."

"And do you see now why proving yourself was silly?"

Violet straightened. Her eyebrows pinched together as she said, "No, I don't."

"So did sneaking on this quest give you what you wanted?" asked Eros. "The fame? The praise? The attention?"

Violet held her piece of the macaroon tightly, the sweet crushing in her hands. "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that I understand wanting the same praise as half-bloods like that Jackson kid—"

"Percy," Violet corrected him.

"Whatever. I get it—wanting to be praised the same way he is, but sneaking on a quest wasn't the way to do it."

"That's not why I snuck on the quest," Violet insisted to him. "I did it for Annabeth. She was in danger. I had dreams about it. If your best friend was in danger, would you not try and save them?"

"But was that the only reason?" Eros countered. "I know you, Violet. In many ways, you're like me. Striving to be the best; wanting to be praised."

Violet looked off, a heavy feeling of anger and guilt settling in her stomach. "I'm not like you," she insisted. "And I'm not like Mom, either. I'm my own person."

Eros gave her a sad look. "I'm sorry I wasn't at the council to stand up for you. Lady Aphrodite told me what Apollo did." He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Even after so many millenniums, he still hasn't matured."

"It's not your fault." Violet shrugged.

"Lady Aphrodite also told me all about your talk at the junkyard."

Violet faltered. "She did? Well, that's great. But I gotta go."

Before she could run off anywhere to hide in shame, Eros grabbed her by the shoulders and kept her rooted in her spot. Compared to moments before, his expression was cheeky and fun.

"She didn't tell me anything bad," Eros promised. "You don't want to talk about it?"

"Not at all." Violet shook her head adamantly. "Besides, that's embarrassing. My grandmother telling my father about this supposed crush I have on Percy Jackson. That's beyond embarrassing!"

"Ah, Violet dear, we've been over this!" a warm voice chided her, strolling towards the father and daughter from the crowd. "Don't call me Grandma. That makes me sound old. I'm not old."

"Yeah, sorry." Violet pried her father's hands from her shoulders. "Sorry, sorry. Seriously. But, hey, I think I see Annabeth over there—"

"The daughter of Athena is not over there," Eros said plainly. "Not even close. She's over there." He nodded his head in the opposite direction Violet was pointing.

"Right. Well, you're correct. But she's waving me over—"

"And she's not doing that, either," said Eros. "She's dancing with Pothos. You're not getting out of this, Vi. C'mon, will talking about this be really that bad?"

"Absolutely."

"Violet," Aphrodite pushed past Eros and smiled at the girl, her green eyes gleaming, "have you thought about what we talked about?"

Truthfully? A lot more than Violet should've thought about it since she was on a quest.

"No." She shook her head. "I was busy on a quest."

Aphrodite glanced at Eros, and the two shared a look that screamed We don't believe her. The goddess shook her head knowingly and said, "We all know you have."

Violet stared. Her thoughts? That she didn't want Aphrodite to be right? It felt almost ... wrong to not like Connor the way she thought she had. Or to not like him as much as she used to. For so long, she had been living with a crush on a boy she saw daily, and then, it just faded. Like that. No rhyme. No reason. No explanation. No big blowout fight where she saw Connor's true character and not the carefully crafted one he showed her.

He was still the same Connor she knew—and the one she thought she loved—but she no longer felt the same about him. Sure, she still liked him as a person, but not romantically. Every time she thought about him now, her heart almost felt ... empty. Empty without the love she thought she had for him.

Violet hated it. It was different and new in all the wrong ways.

She didn't say anything, but Eros and Aphrodite seemed to understand perfectly. Deities of love, she figured. Maybe they were mind readers, too.

"You'll come to terms," Aphrodite promised. "It's a new feeling, but not a horrible one. Love is complicated. Dangerous. Treacherous."

"You're gonna scare her, Lady Aphrodite," Eros broke in.

The Goddess of Love nodded adamantly. "Love is something to be scared of! It can bring the strongest of men to their knees."

"Okay, then ..." Eros said slowly, bringing his daughter to his side. "We're here to guide her, not scare her out of her mind."

Aphrodite waved her hand. "I'm warning her and guiding her, Eros! Well, I've warned you now, Violet, dear, so keep my words in mind!"

I've had no trouble with that, Violet thought to herself. Unfortunately.

She gave her best smile to the goddess. "Um, thank you, Lady Aphrodite."

"See you soon, dear!" Aphrodite waved and disappeared into the crowd.

For a moment, Eros didn't say anything, just patting Violet's shoulder lightly. She shifted from foot to foot, glancing around the place, looking for a way out.

"Don't worry about her too much," Eros spoke up. "She can be a little overbearing."

"Like you can't be?" Violet countered.

Eros considered for a moment, and then shrugged. "I guess you're right. But seriously—have you thought about what Lady Aphrodite told you?"

"Too much for my own sanity," she admitted.

"And was she right?"

"About Connor. But I don't like Percy."

Eros nodded slowly. "It's not wrong to like Percy, Violet."

"Yes, it is. For so many reasons. One; how could I like Connor for two years and then feel nothing for him, liking Percy instead? That's wrong. It was like everything I felt for Connor meant nothing. Two; Percy and Annabeth like each other! How can I like my best friend's crush? That's one of the worst things I could do as a best friend."

"One; feelings don't make sense. It's not wrong to like people, Violet. It's how you treat them, that matters. If you lead Connor on and then dumped him for Percy—that would be wrong. But simply liking them doesn't make you a bad person. It just makes you a person with emotions. Two; Percy and Annabeth don't like each other. You're not betraying Annabeth. In fact, she would be happy for you."

Violet stared for a moment. Some part of her knew that her father was right about liking Connor/not liking Connor any longer. And some part of her knew that she couldn't exactly deny feeling for Percy much longer.

"You know," she stared, "that's the second time someone told me that Percy and Annabeth don't like each other."

"And maybe you should listen." Eros flicked her forehead. "Lady Aphrodite and I know what we're talking about."

Violet rolled her eyes. "Whatever ..."

Eros smiled. "Maybe now you'll get off that charade of Percy and Annabeth ending up together."

Violet threw her father an offended look. "It wasn't a charade!"

"Well, whatever it was, hopefully you're done with it." Eros patted her shoulder. "By the way," he picked at the larkspur charm on Violet's bracelet, "talk to your mother. You two have a lot to talk about."

Violet frowned. "What? Why?"

"Violet, it's been a year and a half since you've last seen her," said Eros. "You need to talk to her. She can help you. Help you understand. You should go and live with her again—at least until the summer starts."

"Understand what?" she asked.

"Ah, well have my dear Dahlia explain that for me," said Eros quickly. He fished a drachma out of his pocket and tossed it to Violet. "Send her an Iris Message. She's still in Manhattan. Living in the apartment you two moved into."

Eros kissed the top of her head and then disappeared into the crowd after that. No Goodbye; no Love you; no See you soon; no nothing. Violet frowned and closed her fingers around the coin.

🌷

It took some time but she found a quiet place. It was a fountain in a corner garden on the outside of the throne room. Violet turned the coin over in her fingers, staring down at the rippling water.

"'O goddess, accept my offering." She flicked the drachma into the water and it rippled the colors of the rainbow.

"Dahlia Beaumont," said the daughter of Eros. "Battery Park City, Manhattan."

The mist coming from the fountain shimmered, and there was Dahlia, sitting at a dining table, making a pretty flower arrangement of lilies and roses. Violet's heart lurched and she wanted to go puke. Before Violet could wave her hand through the mist and cut the connection, Dahlia spotted her.

Dahlia's eyes widened and she dropped the glass vase she held. It shattered on the floor but she paid no mind to it, hurrying over to the Iris Message.

"Violet? Is that you?"

"Um ... yeah." Violet's voice was croaky, and she winced and cleared her throat. "Um, yeah, it's me. Hi, Mom."

Dahlia looked between tears or strangling her daughter. But she seemed to catch sight of whatever was behind Violet. Her expression morphed into something Violet couldn't read.

"Where are you?" Dahlia asked. "Where are you?"

"It's, uh, a long story," Violet carefully avoided the questions. "Look—I talked to Dad and he told me ... I realized I was being childish and ignoring you. And ..." Her eyes turned glassy and she wiped at them quickly. She hadn't expected to become so emotional.

Dahlia's expression softened. "You're on Olympus, aren't you, Lettie?"

Violet blinked hard and nodded. "How'd you know?"

"Eros told me all about it when we were dating," said Dahlia. "He told me I should visit."

"But you can't," Violet pointed out. "You're mortal."

Dahlia straightened. "Yeah, you're right. I—I told him that." She swallowed, looking to the arrangement of flowers. "It's winter solstice, isn't it?"

Violet nodded. "Yeah. Um, Mom, is it okay that I come to stay with you over the winter? Until the summer starts?"

Dahlia's eyes widened. "Of course!" she agreed quickly. "But why the sudden change? You never responded to my letters."

Violet looked off. "Well ... I want to apologize in person. And—and a lot of things happened. It made me realize how little time we have. And that family isn't always going to stay constant." She wiped fresh tears away. "I want to make up for ignoring you."

"Violet," Dahlia said softly, "I pushed you away. I—I was trying to keep you close because I was scared. This isn't all on you. I was scared of you growing up and," she took a breath, "learning the truth."

"It was bound to happen." Violet shrugged. "But I get why you didn't want me to find out. It ... it's pretty fucking dangerous."

Dahlia didn't reprimand her for language, instead, she said, "Well, when will you move back? We'll need to buy you clothes and stuff like that. I'm sure you've grown a lot."

"I'll have to talk to Chiron," said Violet. "But I'm sure he'll let me move in a week or so."

"I'll talk to Chiron, too," added Dahlia. "Another thing—that larkspur I gave you for your birthday, it's a weapon. I—I never got the chance to tell you before you ... left."

"This thing?" Violet held the charm out. "How?"

"It was Eros's idea. You can turn the stem of the flower and it will—"

Before Dahlia could finish, Violet was already turning the stem of the charm. Nearly nicking her nose, a golden compound bow folded out of the charm. It bounced across the garden a couple of times, laying in the grass. In the darkness, Violet could see the faint glow of Celestial bronze.

"Holy shit!" she exclaimed, holding her nose.

"Violet Reine!"

"Sorry, Mom!"

Violet grabbed the bow, finding that a leather quiver slung across her back. She turned the bow over in her hands, shuffling back over to her mother. The bow was carved out of Celestial bronze with a leather hilt for her to hold it.

"This is just like the one I got from Camp!" she told her mom. "But ... it's studier. Better. Not as old, and not made out of wood."

Dahlia smiled. "Eros said it would change into whatever the wielder wanted most. Whatever they needed most."

Violet grinned. "That's so cool! But—how do I turn it back?"

"Ah." Dahlia's smile dropped. "See, that's tricker. Honestly, you'll probably just have to figure it out on your own."

Violet frowned and scanned the weapon up and down, finding nothing that seemed to be the way to change it back into the charm bracelet. On the quiver, she found the small charm larkspur hanging from the strap. Hesitantly, she turned the stem of the flower, and the bow and quiver shrunk and folded until the charm bracelet dropped in her hands.

Violet put the bracelet on her wrist as she told her mother, "Figured it out."

"That's great, honey. Now—you'll talk to Chiron?"

"Of course." Violet nodded. "As soon as I get back to Camp."

"Okay, well hurry up!" Dahlia waved. "Love you, Violet! See you soon!"

Before Violet could say anything back, Dahlia waved her hand through the mist on her end and the connection was cut. Violet stared where her mother's face had been for a moment, and then sighed. She looked at the darkness of night surrounding her, her mind going back to the day she blended in with the shadows. Her heart stuttered at the thought of it. It had been so terrifying to be able to do that. She wasn't supposed to be able to do that. It wasn't ... natural.

"Violet Beaumont?" a man asked.

The daughter of Eros spun around to find herself face-to-face with Hades. ( It wasn't exactly face-to-face as the god was at least 6' compared to her 5'5", but you get the point. ) He wasn't glaring at her, but his dark eyes sent a shiver down her spine.

"Lord Hades!" Violet bowed so deeply that her braids smacked her in the face. She brushed them back, saying, "I—I didn't hear you."

The god smiled crookedly. "I get that a lot."

"Oh. I mean—of course, Lord Hades."

Violet bounced on the balls of her feet, glancing around the garden. The sun had started to rise not too long ago, but there were still some remnants of nighttime in the air. And all that darkness seemed to cling to Hades like they were long lost friends—which, Violet figured they were long lost friends.

"So, um, where's your wife?" she asked, to break the silence. "Persephone?"

Hades sighed. "My wife decided to stay in the Underworld this solstice. Nothing to worry about."

Well, the fact he said Nothing to worry about made Violet extremely worried.

"Of course," she agreed half-heartedly. "Um, I wanted to tell you thanks for standing up for me, um, during the solstice. Against Apollo, I mean. I get he doesn't like me very much 'cause of Eros, but still."

"Apollo's dislike for you is the same kind of dislike I have for Poseidon and Zeus's children," Hades said. "The children don't have to do anything, but considering their parents, you stay wary."

"The apple doesn't fall from the tree," Violet said. "I guess I understand, but ... I mean, we're not exactly like our parents. I'm not Eros just because I'm his kid."

"But what about your mother?" asked Hades.

"What about my mother?" Violet countered.

"Are you a lot like her or are you not?" Hades pried. "If you don't mind me asking. It seems to be a touchy subject."

Violet bit her tongue. She knew snapping at the Lord of the Underworld for bringing up a touchy subject wouldn't end well. "I look like her, if that's what you mean," she supplied.

Hades raised his eyebrows. "Not exactly, but I figure it suffices. A warning, Miss Beaumont; leave the past where it belongs. Curiosity does indeed kill the cat. Look at what happened to my wife, Persephone. Curiosity got her in a lot of danger. A lot of trouble."

And just like that, the Lord of the Dead swept away, darkness clinging to him.

🌷

Violet found Percy at a snack table, eating his weight in chocolate chip cookies.

"Leave some for the rest of us," she told him with a grin.

The son of Poseidon jumped. "Oh, hey, Love Bug—"

"Don't call me that, Fish Face."

"—I didn't see you." Percy wiped away some chocolate from the side of his mouth. "You want some, they're really good. Not as good as my mom's, of course."

"No thanks." Violet shook her head. "I'm so nausea right now, I would puke if I ate anything."

Percy frowned. "What's got you so nervous?"

"What doesn't, you mean," Violet corrected. "Just had about three conversations—one with my dad and Aphrodite." She glanced at Percy quickly. "Um, about ... you know about—"

"Love?" Percy supplied.

"Something like that," she said quickly, eager to change the topic. "And then I talked to my mom—"

Percy's eyes widened, and then he smiled. "You did? I mean—was it a good conversation or a bad one?"

Violet debated for a moment. "Good. At least, good for us. I'm going to stay with her after this, until summer starts next year. I'll probably have to go to school somewhere in Manhattan, but ..." She shrugged.

"Hey," Percy nudged her, "maybe we'll go to the same school."

Violet rolled her eyes. "I think if we did that, we would both be sick of each other. Besides, I have no idea where you'll be going to school."

"Neither do I," Percy laughed. "Besides, I doubt I could be sick of you, Vi."

Violet's ears burned. She held back from screaming at Percy to stop being so kind. "You'd be shocked. I can get pretty annoying."

Percy grinned at her, a smear of chocolate on his lips. "So, what was the third conversation? Was it as embarrassing as the one with your dad and Aphrodite?"

"Not at all." Violet sighed. "But it was pretty fucking nerve-racking. Hades came up to me, all dark and gloomy. You know—Lord of the Underworld style."

"Hades?" Percy's eyes widened.

"Yeah, and he gave me a warning," she said. "Told me to leave the past where it belongs. Whatever that means. And then he told me curiosity kills the cat, like I didn't know that already."

The son of Poseidon frowned. "That's ... odd," he agreed.

Violet nodded. "I thanked him for standing up against Apollo, too—even though he totally scared me shitless when he did it—but he didn't say why he did it."

"Maybe he got sick of hearing Apollo complain or something." Percy grinned. "Hey," he nudged her, "I gotta tell you this. I was talking to Apollo earlier and he offered to give me archery lessons, but I told him if I needed any, I'd go to you."

"Well, now you just made yourself an enemy of Apollo," Violet informed him. "But thanks for the compliment. That was a compliment, right?"

"Of course it was!" Percy rolled his eyes.

She grinned. "Well, thanks then. But I'm not giving you archery lessons. That would end badly for me. I've seen you in the archery range."

Percy flushed and rolled his eyes.

"So," Violet changed the topic, "have any terrifying talks with the gods yourself?"

"With Athena, yeah," he said. "She's so ..."

"Scary?" Violet supplied.

"Yeah, and not even in an I could beat your ass way, but in an, I could destroy your whole life if I wanted to."

Violet nodded. "I see that. So—" she nudged him lightly, "what were you going to tell me earlier?"

The boy blinked at her for a moment. "What?"

"During the Council," she explained, "you grabbed my hand and started looking really nervous. What was that all about?"

"Oh." Percy rubbed the back of his neck. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing."

"Is it really nothing, Percy?" she pried. "I'm not gonna judge, whatever it is."

"Well," Percy's eyes jumped around the room, refusing to look at her, "I was thinking about Westover Hall. I think I owe you a dance for what happened back at Westover."

Violet started to smile, slowly but surely. "Okay, then, Perce. Sweep me off my feet."

So Percy took her hand, and Violet didn't know what everybody else heard, but to her, it sounded like a slow song—one to dance to; it was a little sad, but also almost ... hopeful.

🌷 JUNE 7TH, 2023 / idk why this chapter is so long

honestly part of me thinks i was like afraid of writing it - for some odd reason

but one more chapter until ttc ends!!

what'd you think about hades? he isn't originally there during the winter solstice (i never understood why he wasn't), but he's written here for a very important reason

(i want to hear all the guesses lol)

anyways,, thoughts?? opinions??