C∂llis†∂ The war was over. Yay. I felt like murdering someone, preferably Ares. Luke's dead body was laid on my lap, me caressing his cheek and trying not to cry.

It was my fault Luke died. Hermes trusted me with keeping him safe, and when Luke asked me to come with him before he became Kronos, I refused. I should have gone with him.

Yes, there was something between me and Luke. But then he back-stabbed me and I never forgave him. Not until now.

Thinking about it, I almost didn't notice the Olympians flash into the room. "Calla..." my dad whispered. "What...what is this?"

I gently sent Luke down and face the Olympians, choking back a sob. "We need a shroud." My voice cracked. "A shroud for the son of Hermes."

I couldn't bear to look at Hermes, who was devastated. Apollo, who saw the melancholy on my face walked over. "Hey, Polly." I said weakly. Apollo and I had been friends for a while also, about two years. He hugged me. "It's okay. I would comfort you further, but I'll leave that to Hermes." He winked at me, and went to take his place in the council.

While the gods decided our fate-which I thought was pretty clear, I mean, we just saved Olympus-I leaned against the wall of Olympus, exhausted, and whipped out my iPhone. Dad got me a new one every birthday. I played Plants V.S Zombies while I waited. Annabeth got a little startled around the zombie moans.

I didn't pay attention to the rewards the heroes were getting, but I smiled at Annie when she walked back. Finally, my name was called.

"Callista Collins!" Poseidon's voice boomed. I stepped up and did a slight bow at Zeus' throne. "Does anyone deny that my daughter is deserving?" Poseidon challenged. Nobody answered, though I could picture Ares yelling, "Yeah, deserving of death!"

Zeus spoke out next. "Callista, you will be granted one wish. Any wish. Yes, I know. You will ask for the greatest gift of all: immortality. You will become a goddess."

I was firm in my answer, and without hesitation, I replied. "No."

Zeus looked at me uncertainly, while the other Olympians murmured as if they misunderstood me. "No?" He asked.

I nodded. "Although, I would like a wish. I want you to claim all of your children by the time they turn 14. That goes for all of you."

"Alright," Zeus grumbled dangerously. But after having both Shawn and Luke's blood poured all over my body, I doubted that some puny god of the sky could scare me.

"No," I said. Zeus opened his mouth to question me, but I stopped him. "I need your word for it. You all have to swear on the river Styx that you will keep your promise."

Zeus stared at me and I shrugged. "Someone once told me that you should always get a solid oath whilst dealing with promises."

Hades spoke unemotionally. "Guilty."

"Fine." Zeus snapped and muttered something about video games affecting my brain. "We swear that-" he was interrupted by me. "On the Styx."

"We, the Olympians, swear, on the river Styx, that our children will be claimed by us by the age of 14." Thunder rumbled to emphasize their promise.

"There." Ares said. "What are you going to ask for next, my Harley?"

I pursed my lips playfully. "Maybe."

Ares blanched and looked at Zeus. "NO WAY! YOU CANNOT GIVE IT TO HER!"

I stifled a laugh and headed back to my spot. Next, Percy was called up. He declined immortality, like me, even though he was reluctant to. He asked for Calypso to be freed and demigods to be treated fairly, like I did. But he added a little something more I hadn't remembered.

He had said that all demigods would be claimed, including the minor ones. The Olympians muttered agreement eventually, except of course, Ares and Dionysus. But who cares about those two brats?

Afterwards, Zeus held a celebration party. I didn't bother to join the party-goers. Nobody needed me there, anyway.

I made my way towards the terrace, where I noticed Hermes was. I knew I would have to face him sooner or later. I just decided to get it over with.

Hermes was looking at an Iris Message, which he swiped away when he noticed me coming. "Hi," I said with a little uncertainty.

"Hi." he mumbled. I tried for a friendly approach. "I'm sorry about Luke and, you know, May." Ms. Castellan had committed suicide earlier the month. "I tried." I said, and I internally scowled at my voice sounded so weak and my excuse looking so stupid.

"It's not your fault." Hermes said. "I should have been a better father to Luke. He died thinking I didn't love him."

"No, he loved you." I insisted. "And so do I."

But after a moment's pause, I looked at him almost like he was a stranger. "But...you're a god. And that means you don't have real lovers." I felt childish, and I knew it was my emotional response to the flaw in me.

I had told Hermes a while after Shawn died. Very, very few demigods were born with heavy mortal diseases, but I was one of the unlucky few.

I had heart trauma mixed in with a little brain cancer. It was mostly the heart problem, though. How it worked was:

1. Something really emotional happens to me, in any form.

2. My heart would suffer from the strain in my emotions.

3. The blood that was pumped to my brain was, well, bad blood. It made me think differently, leaving me no control over what I say, do, or think at that time.

Nobody knew of my situation, not even Dad. But I was having one of my 'episodes' when I met with Hermes after Shawn died. My stupid brain thought it would be good to tell Hermes.

And so I did.

I told Hermes he could never tell anyone unless I said otherwise. He agreed, but with him being the god of mischief, thieves, and trickery, I didn't know if he would keep his word or not, but he did.

He would always carry me to the hospital if necessary, and help me buy medicine and pay bills.

Brett helped out a lot, too. In fact, he was a multi-billionaire. Yeah, I make interesting friends.

Anyways, Hermes let out a sigh after I said that. He kissed the top of my head. "I do love you, princess."

That was his pet name for me. Aw, how sweet. Not. I wanted to tell him it wasn't that easy to get me, but my freaking brain has to interfere and make me look stupid.

"Really?" I asked childishly.

"Of course, princess." Hermes was trying to make me feel better I knew, and he would never take advantage of me in a time like this.

I snapped back to my senses. "Yeah, thanks." I replied in my normal voice, shoving Hermes away a little.

He frowned. "You don't want me here?"

Like I said, he was extremely handsome when he was worried about me.

"I do," I said. "But it's just a little awkward right now."

"Oh, really?" He smirked and looked as if he was going to kiss me. But again, his gaze lingered on my lips, as if he was deciding whether or not he should kiss me.

Surprisingly, I felt myself close the space in between us. This time, it wasn't my brain acting on its own. This was me.

Hermes quickly returned the kiss, but then broke away. He smiled at me. "I love you."

I smiled back. "I love you, too."

He playfully bowed at me. "Shall we share a dance, princess?"

I laughed softly. "Of course."

Hermes carried me bridal-style back where the party was, and we started dancing. Of course, it gained us some attention.

Hermes, not noticing all the eyes on us, kissed me on the lips again. Then, he realized except for the music blasting, there wasn't much talking. All eyes were focused on us.

He looked up and Aphrodite squealed. "Herllista is now my one true pair!"

"She seems to have a new one every week," I muttered under my breath.

All the demigods had left Olympus already, which was a relief. But now I had some immortals to deal with now...

I pretended nothing had happened. "Hi, everyone, I have no idea why you're staring at me, so I'll just go get some, like, Sprite or something now." I laughed awkwardly. Nobody was buying it.

"You're not going anywhere!" Aphrodite squealed. Again.

"But what about my Sprite?" I asked.

Someone snapped, and a Diet Coke appeared out of thin air. "I wanted Sprite!" I shouted.

Then, my Coke was replaced by a Sprite. I groaned, thinking a way out of this mess.

I slowly opened the soft drink and dumped it on Hermes' head. "Well, what do you know? I finished my drink. Well, I'd better get going."

A twelve-pack of 7-Up appeared at my feet as Hermes muttered, "I liked that shirt."

"So," Aphrodite walked up to us. "When are you getting married?"

This was going to be a very long night.

Author's Note
=========================
Until next time,

Save the world

Read fanfics

Ship Caleo

Fight monsters

Love ice cream

~DragonsOfIceCream