Percy PoV
I had asked my Wise Girl to meet me at the beach today, at 7:00 PM. I was walking down the beach, and saw Annabeth waiting for me. I sprinted down, giving her my lopsided grin. When Annabeth didn't smile back, I stopped smiling. No, something couldn't be wrong. I was going to propose. Annabeth cleared her throat, "H-hey P-Percy, I-I need to tell you something." I motioned for her to continue. "Percy, I-I have feelings for someone else. I'm sorry. You were more of something just to get over Luke. I-I never shared those feelings you had for me." I sighed, tears welling up in my eyes. Why couldn't anything ever go my way?
I nodded. "O-okay Annabeth, I hope whoever he is, he is a good man. I hope we can still be friends. And here," I said, taking out the ring I had gotten her. "I really don't have a use for it now, but I want you to have it. It took a long time to make, and I don't want it to go to waste." Annabeth nodded, a sliver of remorse displayed in her eyes.
After Annabeth nodded, I sat on the beach, looking out at the ocean, and the way the moonlight reflected off of it. My father, Poseidon, rose out of the ocean, and placing a hand on my shoulder, flashed me to Olympus. I was standing in the throne room, a few feet away from Lady Artemis. I leaned as far away as possible, so I could have a chance not to get killed. I bowed to Lord Zeus, Lady Artemis, and my father.
Zeus cleared his throat. "I have great news. Poseidon and I have settled our feud, and to commemorate that, Perseus is to be made a god, and then the two of you will be married!"
Lady Artemis and I's jaws dropped. "B-but father! You promised I would never have to marry. And, what-what of my oath?!"
Zeus lifted her oath, and Lady Artemis ran out of the throne room, tears streaming down her face. After a moment of debate, I went looking for Lady Artemis, and found one of the minor gods, Eros I believe, holding a dagger and power-cancelling cuffs, creeping up behind Lady Artemis. Riptide grew to its full length, and I pointed it at the god's throat, making him flash away. I put Riptide away, and standing a good yard away, cleared my throat. "Um Lady Artemis, I know you are really strong and independent and all, but are you okay?"
Lady Artemis turned to me and spat, "No, boy, I'm not okay! My bastard father has gone back on his word, and forced me into marriage! You vile pigs care not for the hearts of women, only your personal pleasure!"
I looked Artemis in the eye, and said. "M'lady Artemis. I understand why you would think that. My first step-father was a prime example of that. But I swear on the River Styx and my life, that I will care for, protect, and love you to the best of my capabilities. I swear to always remain faithful. I have never touched another girl, except kissing my former girlfriend."
That set Artemis off again. "The nerve! You broke her heart, didn't you?"
I shook my head. "No, M'lady. I swear on the River Styx that what I say is true. I had actually gone to propose, and Annabeth broke up with me, and then Poseidon teleported me to the throne room. At least she had the decency to break off the relationship before starting with the other boy." Artemis blinked, trying to absorb what I had said, and make a comeback.
She remained silent. We left to our respective places to sleep, each having our own opinions about the day.
The next day I awoke, and the first thing I saw was the smiling face of my father, hovering above mine. "Get ready son! Today you become a god!" I got out of bed and changed into a dark blue tee, and black jeans, navigating my way through my father's palace to the dining hall for breakfast.
After that Poseidon took me to the throne room, where Zeus went through all the formalities of me becoming a god. The Fates then flashed in to announce my titles. I was Perseus Jackson, Fifteenth Olympian, God of Heroes, Ice, Time, Earth, Combat, Loyalty, and Bravery. My domains were Camp Half-Blood, Camp Jupiter, and Alaska, which was no longer the land beyond the gods. My item of power was the sword that had saved my life many a time, Riptide. Lastly, my sacred animal was the Pegasus. Oh, yeah, they also added Partner of Artemis. Ya know, better for them to deal with it now. They also mentioned that the title of 'goddess of virginity' was transferred to Hestia.
After everyone else had left, Zeus explained that it was tradition for the girl to meet the man's parents before they were married, so Artemis and I flashed outside my apartment. In silence, of course. I knocked on the door, and was met with a bloodcurdling scream. I ran through the door, and was met with a sight that made me drop to the floor as tears fell from my eyes. My mother and Paul were dead. Some monsters had finally got to them. A dagger was sticking out of Paul's temple, and there were two puncture marks on my mom's neck, her skin pale as paper. I gave them a proper burial, and flashed back to my new palace.
Artemis flashed to the palace with me, grumbling something about boys being stupid.
My wife-to-be, Artemis, sat down beside me, and took a deep breath. "Perseus, I realize that I haven't been as understanding as I should have been, and that you've had a tough time as of late. For that I'm sorry, and I'll try to behave better."
I turned to Artemis, and said, "Lady Artemis, I appreciate your understanding, but I understand the way you've acted towards me, and I want you to be happy. Be yourself. Don't be whatever good, behaved, bowed head, and listens to whatever the man says girl. It's not right to be treated like that, everyone is born equal."
Artemis nodded. "Perseus, as you are now an Olympian, and my-to-be-uh, husband, you should just call me Artemis. And yes, I'll call you Percy. Now, I suggest we tell my hunters of this predicament sooner rather than later."
I gulped, and we flashed to the Hunters' Camp.
