Annabeth felt like everyone she knew was getting married or was pregnant. Okay, maybe she was being a little dramatic, but Silena expecting and all her friends seemed to be in the process of finding a husband. To be more exact, their fathers were doing most of the talking and the young women were supposed to just smile prettily like shy maidens. Annabeth was glad she didn't have to endure that, but since Percy's confession, she had spent more time daydreaming about married life — with him.

Annabeth was sweeping the steps to the temple of Aphrodite when Jason and Leo arrived. Annabeth noticed that while many passionate devotees of gods were male, many passionate devotees of goddesses were females. There were exceptions, though, and Aphrodite was one of them because men were as concerned about love as women.

Jason was a tall, strapping man with blonde hair, sky blue eyes, and a scar near his lip. He'd been working since he was seven to support his mother and sister, but Annabeth had never met anyone less bitter. It unnerved her because he always seem to act so heroic and perfect. It made Annabeth wonder what motivated him.

Leo was a slighter man with dark, curling hair and mischievous features. He had more energy than Matthew and Bobby put together and a sharper mind than anyone Annabeth knew. He'd recently opened his own forge and Annabeth could smell the scents of smoke, metals, and oil sticking to him.

Annabeth paused her sweeping and greeted them with a respectful nod. "How are you doing today?"

"Guess who is getting married?" Leo asked.

Annabeth raised both eyebrows and smiled. "You."

Leo nodded in confirmation. "Leo McShizzle had many choices because every girl likes a bad boy, and I've finally settled on a bride."

Jason rolled his eyes. "I'm just glad we're done being bachelors."

     Annabeth blinked in surprise. She was used to men complaining about marriage as if they bore the brunt of it. Men would gossip about their wives and complain about things like having to feed or spend money on them. It irritated Annabeth to no end; did men think women could just subsist on air? Even crops needed to be tended and Annabeth knew many people who cared more about their wheat than their spouses. "You're here to offer sacrifices?" she guessed, looking at the heads of lettuce the young men were carrying.

"How did you guess?" Leo asked.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I didn't think you came to gossip."

Jason nodded. "You're right. We came to give our humble offerings to the goddess."

"Come then," Annabeth said, leaning the broom beside one of the columns and walking towards the altar.

Jason and Leo followed her. It had been a slow day so far. It was mid afternoon and the only person who had come today was a matron and that had been hours ago. The ashes from that sacrifice were now cold. "So, who are the brides?" Annabeth asked as she prepared the altar.

      "I'm marrying a nymph from across the Hellespont," Leo said. "Her name is Calypso. Apparently, she was once betrothed to some guy named Percy, but the betrothal fell through to my great luck."

     The mention of Percy grabbed Annabeth's attention. She knew was not an uncommon name, but could he be talking of the same one she was thinking of. "I sailed to Abydos to look for a bride," Leo continued.

      Annabeth's suspicions confirmed, she tucked the knowledge in the back of her mind. Percy had been betrothed once; why had the betrothal been broken off? She'd have to ask him next time they spoke. For now, she maintained a cool expression and turned to Jason. "Did you also search for a bride across the strait?" she asked.

     Jason shook his head. "I'm marrying a home-town girl: Piper."

     He spoke calmly, but his eyes betrayed his excitement. Annabeth wondered if this generation of young men would radically shift make views on marriage or if men just grew more cynical towards the institution once they'd entered it. She helped Jason and Leo offer their sacrifices to Aphrodite and then cleaned the alter and resumed sweeping the steps.

    Shortly after she put the broom away, Annabeth saw Piper, accompanied by her father, picking her way towards the temple. The brunette girl's hair was carefully braided. She wore a simple Doric chiton that fell to her ankles. When she saw Annabeth, her eyes glowed and she waved. Annabeth waved back at her friend. The two young women hugged as they met. "I'm getting married," Piper whispered.

"To Jason?" Annabeth asked as she let go.

Piper nodded. "How did you know?"

"He and Leo were here earlier," Annabeth replied.

Piper blinked happily. "I'm so happy for Leo. He's been visiting Abydos once a month to talk with this girl named Calypso. He's smitten."

Annabeth studied her friend's face. With her multi-colored eyes and comely features, Piper had always been beautiful, but she looked extra so today. Her bronzed skin was flushed with happiness can there was a difference in the way she held herself. "You're in love," Annabeth realized.

"How did you know?" Piper asked.

"I wouldn't be a good priestess of Aphrodite if I couldn't identify lovesickness, now would I?" Annabeth asked.

Piper opened her mouth to say something, but Annabeth had already turned to the altar. She closed her mouth and jogged to catch up with her taller friend. Annabeth was standing beside the altar holding a rock and a piece of flint. She struck the stone with the flint and a spark appeared that Annabeth guided towards the altar. She coaxed it to grow and the flames rose higher, smoke curling into the air.

     She turned to Piper. "Are you ready to give your offering to the goddess?"

     Piper nodded, looking a little worried. "What's wrong?" Annabeth asked.

      Piper chewed her lip. "It's just that . . . My dad fell in love and it broke his heart. What if Jason leaves me like my mother did?"

      "Then, I'll curse him to fall in love with a fishing hook," Annabeth said seriously.

      The corner of Piper's lips curled up slightly. "Let's pray for a long, happy marriage full of love," Annabeth suggested.

    "Yes," Piper agreed. "I'd like that."

     They prayed. The fire was brighter now and as Annabeth offered the roses Piper had gathered to the goddess, she realized she wasn't just praying for Piper. She was also praying for herself.