The ride from the port to the palace shouldn't have been as long as it felt. Despite Leo's best efforts, the carriage jostled violently and the lack of comfortable seating only made it worse. By the time they stopped at the bottom of the palace steps, even Percy and Jason were sore.

"Sorry." Leo had the decency to at least look apologetic about the rough ride. "I've been working on making Festus smoother, but it's taking a while."

"Festus?" Jason echoed.

With a proud smile, Leo gestured to the carriage as Percy helped Annabeth step down.

"That's his name!"

"Thank you, Leo'" Annabeth said, interrupting before Jason had the chance the ask him why he would name a carriage. "We appreciate the ride."

Leo's proud smile softened and he looked away sheepishly as he said, "Yeah, well... I hope it wasn't too rough."

"It wasn't." Even though her ribs were back to aching, Annabeth didn't let it on.

After a long goodbye where Leo made Jason swear to get him into the palace, Percy and Annabeth slowly made their way up the palace steps and back to their quarters. Even when Malcolm arrived and told them that Queen Athena wished to see them both, they didn't stop.

"We'll be in our quarters," Percy told him in reply. "She can see us there if she wishes."

The moment when they finally arrived and the door shut behind them, the exhaustion sank in.

Percy hovered nervously as Annabeth changed. When she limped into sight, he was at her side before she could blink. Rather than argue with him, Annabeth let him help her onto their bed and prop her ankle up on a stack of blankets. Once she assured him she was well and settled, he collapsed on the bed beside her.

Annabeth stifled a laugh as he buried his face in the pillow beside her hip and groaned. Very gently, she reached down and ran a hand through his hair.

"You seem tired," she teased.

With a bit of flopping, he managed to roll onto his back and then push himself up until he was sitting beside her at the head of the bed. He gently took her hand in his, being careful of the still-healing blisters.

"I missed you," he whispered, kissing the back of her hand softly. "A lot."

She could see in Percy's face that it wasn't about just missing her. His brows were pinched and his lips were pursed. There was almost a tangible sense of panic in the way he held her hand—how he hadn't stopped touching her from the moment he had boarded the Argo. 

"You don't have to keep worrying anymore, Percy," she murmured softly. She squeezed his hand, but she could see it did little to reassure him. "I'm not going anywhere. I won't get away from you that easily."

Percy looked away from her, but not before she saw something dark flash through his eyes. "I'm going to kill them all."

Annabeth started to object, but one look from him silenced her.

"Being rash won't help Atlantis," she said after a beat. "Seeking out a problem will only bring more."

His face hardened. "I can't promise I won't."

"Percy."

Again, he looked away from her. Even when she called his name again and tugged tightly on his hand, he kept his face turned away.

With a sigh, Annabeth shifted to kneel beside him. Percy didn't turn to her, but he did stiffen and his fingers twitched in hers. It wasn't until she moved onto her knees with a sharp inhale that he whipped around to look at her. 

"Annabeth—"

This time it was her who silenced him with a look. Kneeling in front of him, she gently grabbed his face and turned it towards her. He resisted for just a second before admitting defeat and snaking an arm around her waist.

"You shouldn't be kneeling," he murmured, eyeing the way she was positioned in front of him. 

"If you would look at me, I wouldn't have to." 

She raised her brow at him and even though her ankle was twisted awkwardly, she didn't move.

"Just—take a moment to breathe, Percy," she murmured. She pulled his face towards her and pressed a warm kiss to a spot just under his eye. "I'm okay. You can breathe."

For a moment, Annabeth thought he might listen. His eyes grew glassy and his breath shook, but then there was a knock on their door.

At the sudden interruption, Annabeth jumped. Mistaking her surprise for fear, Percy's eyes hardened and he pulled her to his chest. Even though the action sent a jolt of sharp pain rippling across her ribs, she didn't let it show.

"It's just Athena," she assured him. Her hands found his cheeks. "Malcolm told us she'd come by, remember?"

Clearly he didn't, but he still nodded.

Albeit reluctantly, Percy let go of Annabeth so she could settle back down on the bed of pillows and stood up. The door opened before he even made it halfway across the room.

"Your Highness." Percy bowed his head but didn't wait for her to acknowledge him before looking back up.

"I'm glad to see you have both returned safely," Queen Athena said evenly. She didn't make a move to cross the room and for some reason, Annabeth was grateful. "The prisoners that arrived with your ship have been transferred to the dungeons," she informed them. "In the morning, the council will meet to decide their fate. It should be noted that during your absence," she addressed Percy, "we sent both Atlantian and Athenian armies to take out the remaining camps."

"What time will the council meet?"

Annabeth frowned, but Athena hardly batted an eye.

"Shortly after breakfast," she told Percy. "Malcolm will make sure you are properly informed."

As the room fell silent, Queen Athena's eyes flickered over Annabeth briefly. Wrapped in a blanket and supported by pillows, Annabeth doubted she looked much like a previous prisoner should.

"I'll leave you then." Queen Athena turned towards the door as suddenly as she had spoken. With a quick rap of her knuckles, the door was pushed open for her and she nodded first to Percy then Annabeth. "Enjoy your evening."