Piper followed the slave down to the beach. Her ears pricked up like a hunting dog and listened for sobbing or some other sound that would tell her where Athenaíí went: maybe the rustle of a chiton or the stomping of feet.
Recalling the stunt that she pulled at the royal banquet; Piper knew that Athenaíí had a reckless streak. One needed a reckless streak to go off into the darkness where who knows what dangers awaited you.
The sea looked nearly as smooth and glassy as a mirror. A large, silver-white moon reflected on its calm surface. Small waves glittered in the moonlight and crashed against the shore. A pale, little figure sat on a rocky ledge, hands folded in her lap and face looking out to sea.

Perched on the ledge in a yellowish linen chiton and her flaxen tresses bound with white fillets, she resembled a little goldfinch.

"Athenaíí, " Piper called to her.
The slave's sad little face turned towards her.
"What do you want?" she replied.
"I thought I'd come to see if you were alright."
"I don't need your sympathy, My Lady, nor do I want it."
Piper sat down by her side.
"But, you do need a friend."
Athenaíí turned away from her.
"With all due respect, you're just about the last person I'd want as a friend."
"Aphrodisia said that you have feelings for Prince Jason, but you don't think he would ever notice you."
"Aphrodisia is dead to me. I told the stupid thing to keep her mouth shut."
"You're too hard on her. You know she doesn't know any better."
"Is that why you're here? To lecture to me about Aphrodisia?"
"No, not exactly...I understand why you're upset."
"How could you possibly know how I feel? You're a lovely and high-born lady who is loved by the most handsome, most heroic prince in all of Greece while I'm just a puny, little bondmaid with no family, no fortune, and no beauty to her name."
A tear slid down Athenaíí's cheek. Piper reached over to dry it with the corner of her chlamys.
"You are so much more than that, Athenaíí. You'll be as beautiful as you need to be for the right person. He might be Zephyrus, or he might not, but he'll value you for more than just your looks."
Athenaíí covered her ears as if Piper's words caused her physical pain. She flew up from her seat like a startled bird.
"Horse shit!" She said. Her frenzied laughter echoed across the beach. "Do you think Prince Jason would like you if you weren't beautiful?" 
The slave ran off down the beach. Piper rested her face in her hands. Perhaps Hazel had been right when she said to let her cool off a little?

As she walked backed to the camp, Piper cursed herself for not having the words to comfort Athenaíí. The slave fancied herself too smart to fall for the typical platitudes given to girls who feel neglected by Aphrodite. Maybe Athenaíí was wiser than Piper would ever be? She at least had enough sense to realize that her love for Jason was hopeless and enough strength to accept this hard truth.
The path from the beach led up into the hills before dropping down towards the caves. Piper had traipsed over this path countless times during her stay on Ogygia. The flame of her lamp flickered and guided her along the way. The white lioness was still on the loose. Each rustle of the wind through an olive bush or a pine tree made her jump.
Off in the distance, the light from a torch bobbed through the hills. Jason and his hunting party were still chasing Circe all over the island, the witch pulling out every trick in her arsenal to outsmart them. The torchlight grew closer and a voice called out to her. 
"Who's there?" Piper replied.
"It's Jason."
Jason's face was illuminated by the flames of his torch, the eyebrows lowered and the mouth tightened with concern.
"What are you doing out here alone, Piper?"
"One of the slaves ran off. I went after her."
"Which one?"
"Athenaíí."
"Why did she run off?"
"Something upset her and she needed to cool off. She and Aphrodisia had an argument and I wanted to see if she's alright."
"You've been very kind to the girl."
"Not kind enough apparently."
Jason took her hand and led her over to a boulder just long and wide enough for two people to sit on it.
"Why don't we sit down here for a minute. There's something I want to speak to you about."
"What about Princess Reyna? Wouldn't she be wondering where you are?"
He lowered his eyes.
"Princess Reyna called off our betrothal. She's going to marry Nico."
"Nico? I don't understand."

A/N for those of you who are thinking "but what about Solangelo?", remember that Nico in this story is an Ancient Greek man. Having a wife and a male lover on the side is a valid option.

"One Greek prince is as good as another. Nico is my cousin so she'd still be marrying into my family. The treaty still stands."
The weight of the world slid off of Piper's shoulders; the sheer force of this relief nearly blew her over.
Could Jason really be free?
"I'm sorry for you."
"Don't be. Neither of us wanted this marriage."
Nico and Princess Reyna were probably not in love but they were at least friends. There were worse foundations for marriage.
"Piper..."
Jason told both of her hands in his own.
Please...Please Don't. This can't be real.
"I always sensed that Reyna wasn't meant to be my wife. I don't know when I started loving you but when you left for Athens, I knew I was a gone man."
"I knew I was a gone woman the moment I met you."
He moved in closer. She raised her chin to make it easier for him to kiss her. His lips softly brushed her own.
"I love you," Piper said as she pulled away.
Jason stroked her hair and pushed some of it behind her ear.
"Piper..."
His arms pulled her to him. Piper kissed him until they both gasped for air.
"I'll speak to my father when we get back to Thessaloniki. I'll explain everything to him. Reyna said she'd help plead our case."
They must have talked this over when they went off together.
Piper stretched out on her side and rested her head on Jason's shoulder. She did not know if she wanted to be the future queen of Macedonia but she knew wanted to be his wife.
"Let's hope the gods smile on us."
His lips brushed the top of her head.
A bright light glowed in the distance. Maybe someone had lit a fire? The light floated closer to them until they could make out a burning wooden structure.
"What is that?" Jason said.
A singed and blazing sail hung from a mast. The deck was engulfed in an orange inferno. Thick billows of smoke wafted over to them.
"Isn't that Leo's raft?" Piper replied.
"Wasn't it moored up back at the camp?"
The mast collapsed and the burning sail tumbled into the water. Flames consumed the rest of the raft.
"It's a threat. Circe must have sent it as a sign that she knows where our camp is."
A rasping roar echoed up from the beach. Piper turned around and lifted her lamp to see a haughty, feline face and a lithe, muscular body striding on four paws towards her. Jason grabbed her arm pulled her behind him. He pointed his spear at the lioness and held her back. Just to be safe, Piper reached for her knife.
"Run," Jason said.
Though no Atalanta, Piper took off as fast as her legs could carry her.