The House of Hades

they sailed farther from the coast, the sky darkened and more stars came out.
Percy studied the constellations—the ones Annabeth had taught him so many years ago.
“Bob says hello,” he told the stars.
The Argo II sailed into the night.

You’re not dying on me, Seaweed Brain,” Annabeth said. “Remember? Never separated again. And after we get home…”
“What?” Percy asked.
She kissed him. “Ask me again, once we defeat Gaea.”
He smiled, happy to have something to look forward to. “Whatever you say.”

You promised, Seaweed Brain. We would not get separated! Ever again!”
“You’re impossible!”
“Love you too!”

she decided she’d rather die in some less memorable way—maybe falling down the stairs, or going peacefully in her sleep at age eighty, after a nice quiet life with Percy. Yes, that sounded good.

long as she was safe and the Doors disappeared, he could die knowing he’d done something right.

She pressed her face into his shirt and kept her eyes closed tight. She was trembling, but not just from fear. Percy’s embrace was so warm and comforting she wanted to stay there forever, safe and protected…but that wasn’t reality. She couldn’t afford to relax. She couldn’t lean on Percy any more than she had to. He needed her, too.

Don’t look,” she told Percy.
“Wasn’t planning on it,” he said. “You can feel that, right? We’re still in the Mansion of Night. I do not want to see it.”
Smart boy, Annabeth thought. She used to tease Percy for being dumb, but in truth his instincts were usually right on target.

I’m coming back for you, Calypso,” he said to the night wind. “I swear it on the River Styx.”

That didn’t happen, he told himself. I can’t be in love with an immortal girl. She definitely can’t be in love with me. Not possible.

She grabbed his face and pulled him into a kiss, which effectively shut him up.
For all his joking and flirting, Leo had never kissed a girl be