Chapter Twenty-Six:
A Worried Father's Warning.
— Know what it is to grow beneath
her sky, her        punishing cold; To
slowly learn of her ancient misery !

Don't let anyone take advantage of your heart.

It was the best advice a father could give his daughter, but there was only so much he could do from a far and as a god. Colette Victoire wished she would've known what she did then. If she had, she would've guarded her heart from all the people around her. She would've never given Luke Castellan the liberty of shattering her heart after she'd only just begun to repair it. There was a constant clench in the workings of her jaw, a glare in her eyes to match it. Everyone had noticed her change — it wasn't subtle, she hadn't planned for it to be — and she was glad. She wanted the world to know that she was no longer one for loving; It was not a part of her nature anymore. She refused to. After her brother had betrayed her — tore her heart into shreds — in a way she could've ever imagined, she wanted to be guarded from all harm.

She sat in her bed of Cabin Seven, the bottom bunk that she shared with her little sister, staring at the wooden wall across from her. She twisted the rings on her fingers as she waited for the rest of her siblings to trickle in.

Right before they did, she tensed. She could feel the Oracle being put to use. Much like the effects of the previous prophecy's delivery, her eyes turned a milky white. She could hear the hiss of the Delphi's voice, the similarity to a snake made her grimace despite not being in complete control of her body in the moment. The prophecy was spoken, Apollo whispered gently, we'll talk more when you sleep, chérie.

Just like that, her eyes were back to normal, but she knew she must've seemed more tired than she had before. Being so connected to her father's prized possession exhausted her being more than she cared to admit.

Then, her siblings arrived.

Little Kayla looked so exhausted. The poor thing had been doing so much since Tantalus had become the activities director. She was only eleven. It made Colette's blood boil. Who did he think he was? Treating her and her siblings in such a horrid manner simply because of their father — one who hadn't even done anything to him, not really. It was her Aunt Artemis who'd taken up the task of killing Tantalus' daughter, Niobe. Apollo only aided her because she asked for his help. He had nothing against the daughter of a (rightfully) dead king.

Michael and Austin were stumbling, holding onto each other, the eye bags under their eyes growing darker as the days passed.

Lee was the only one who seemed unfazed. They often forgot that he was the best healer. Whenever he was in the infirmary, he was in his element. The use of his healing powers never seemed to drain him the way it did for Michael, Austin, and Colette.

Kayla dropped her body onto Colette's lap. "I'm so tired." She whined, her legs kicking out into the open air ahead of her.

Colette forced a smile as she looked down at her little sister. "Let's brush your teeth and then go to sleep, little one."

               "Okay." The youngest of the bunch yawned, resulting in adoring looks thrown her way; She was adorable.

By the time the pair walked out of the bathroom, Kayla was clinging onto Colette like a Koala, nearly snoring into the crook of the older girl's neck. The boys cooed at the sight, making Colette fight the uptick of her lip. Kayla was the cutest thing to ever grace the Earth in Colette's humble opinion, the apple of her eye. If it wasn't for Kayla, Colette didn't know if she would've treated her brothers well after what happened. It was scary to think about for her, she loved her brothers, but without Kayla, there was no telling how volatile she would've gotten. She wanted to apologize to them, but she hadn't done anything, not really anyway. They'd only get confused, and the explanation wasn't one she was ready to speak about just yet, not to them.

"Shh," Colette hummed at them, eyes softening for the first time that day as she looked down on her baby sister in her arms, "it took forever for her to actually sleep."

The boys were quick to roll their lips into their mouths, sharing endearing looks that made her shake her head at them as she carefully climbed the ladder that connected her bottom bunk to Kayla's top bunk. With the most care in the world, she laid her sister down on the bed, tucking her in gently, and brushing blonde hairs out of her little face as the little one breathed heavily, growing comfortable on the mattress.

Colette pressed a light kiss to the younger girl's forehead, letting a smile take over her face when Kayla's skin glowed with warmth from the affection. "Beaux rêves, chérie." Sweet dreams, darling. She whispered softly, adoringly watching the youth in her sister's form.

If there was one thing Colette was going to ensure, it was that Kayla Knowles got to enjoy her childhood for as long as Colette was around for it. She refused to let the little girl's life be ruined simply because of their heritage. She was going to make sure the youth never left Kayla, no matter how much melancholy it brought her — Kayla Knowles wasn't going to be ruined by the gods and their infuriating ploys.

Colette climbed down from the top bunk, looking at each of her brother's individually. "I'm going on the quest," she told them plainly, "not with Clarisse, with Annabeth and Percy." She wanted to make sure they knew.

The boys shared looks among themselves. "We know." Austin nodded, a sad smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Tell her I'll be back?" Her eyes seemed to redden, growing glossy. "Take care of her for me, make sure she knows I'd never leave her — not permanently, please."

"Always." Michael nodded firmly.

"She'll know." Lee affirmed.

"I love you, guys."

"We love you, too, Sunny."

"Lights out!" Michael smiled and clapped quietly. All the lights in the room went out except for the nightlights that took up their outlets. "Good night, guys."

"Night, Mike."

Colette was fast asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. It was something she found strange, seeing as she'd never fallen asleep as fast as she did that night. Though, when her eyes fluttered open, she understood why she had.

Strasbourg, France. The cathedral was beautifully lit by the rising sun. Its gothic architecture was simply spellbinding. She knew her eyes softened at the sight of it, they always did. She inhaled slowly, taking deep breaths of the morning dew, finding the utmost peace where she sat on a picnic blanket, the grass beneath her twiddling and curious fingers. She felt his presence next to her, but she wanted a minute to herself — a second to enjoy the view.

A sniffle made her lose focus. She turned her head the slightest bit, her gaze finding her father's watery eyes and sad expression. Her eyebrows furrowed at the sight, confused.

His lips quivered. "I'm so sorry, chérie," his voice seemed to wobble, "I should've warned you, I should've helped, I—"

               "—je ne suis pas fâché contre toi, papa." I'm not upset with you. She sighed, tired. Though it only seemed to further upset him, as if he wanted her to be mad at him. A tear fell down his cheek, it made her frown. Her scarred and calloused hand reached out despite herself, she wiped the tear from his eye, letting her palm hold his face. He seemed to shudder at the feeling of her rough hand (no child's hand should be that rough, he must've thought), leaning into the feeling. "You're doing the best you can, papa. What he did isn't your fault."

His eyes looked down on her with pity in his eyes. It angered her. She appreciated the sympathy, just barely, but she wouldn't stand for pity. She snatched her hand away from his visage as if it had burned her, turning away from him, suddenly tense in his presence then.

"I don't want pity." Her voice sharpened and her gaze on the cathedral hardened. Her jaw clenched. She couldn't even look at him, not when his eyes were like that.

"That's not what—"

"Yes, it was," she argued, "you pity me, as if it is my fault." Her accent thickened, something that surprised her. "Je n'ai pas demandé ça. Tu m'as fait ça!" I didn't ask for this. You did this to me! "You know I have never blamed you, but do not look at me like I am broken — like I am something that needs fixing."

"Chérie, no—" she scoffed outright at the soft words, but he wouldn't let her interrupt him again. "—Colette," his voice grew stern, but her teeth remained gritted despite it, "I do not pity you." He needed to assure her. "You are not broken, little one, I promise you. You are healing. I'm sorry you feel that way, and I'm sorry for letting you think such things. You are my daughter." He reached out tentatively, hooking his finger on her chin, and turning her to him. His eyes softened considerably at the sight of her tears. "You, chérie, are my divine creation. You are whole, I swear it."

A beat of silence.

Her chin trembled, it didn't matter how much she fought it; She needed to cry. "I'm not a violent dog, papa, I swear. I just ... I don't know why I have to bite."

"Your heart wouldn't be able to take it if you didn't, sweetheart." He sighed softly. "My strong girl." He cooed sweetly, pulling her into his arms — warming her with his hold. His eyes closed when he felt her body shake. She was tired, exhausted by her life. "You're strong, little one. Never forget that. You are my daughter," he repeated firmly, "my mini-me." He teased her, smiling warmly at her short laugh.

"Je t'aime, papa." She whispered.

"I love you, too, darling."

Colette wanted to stay there forever. She wished she could escape her problems, return to France, and live out the rest of her life in peace. It was a pretty dream, she thought with a halcyon sigh, but that was all it was: A dream.

"You know what you must do, yes?"

"Sneak out of camp with my soulmates who don't know they're my soulmates to keep them safe because I'd turn into a more dangerous version of you if I lost them?"

Apollo pulled back from their hug to look down at her blankly. "You think you're so witty." He prodded her ribs to make her jolt, grinning when she glared at him for it. "But yes, that is what you must do," his smile faded a little, "the Messenger is speaking to Perseus now, Annabeth will awaken soon, as will the Cyclops — you must bring him in order to succeed." His face was serious as he told her. She knew better than to argue, so she nodded along. "Herm' thinks he's so funny." He rolled his eyes suddenly, making her tilt her head curiously. "It will seem as though Perseus is screaming for help; Do not fret, he isn't in trouble, it's merely to gain your attention." When her eyes glinted with determination, his shone with ferocity.

"Your bag is packed, grab it before you leave, and never leave it behind." Apollo reached to tuck her hair behind her ears, smirking sharply at the sight of new golden earrings. He flicked one gently. "Make me proud, chérie."

The world around them flickered.

"Always, papa." The small uptick of her lip was cunning, and it made him throw his head back in laughter. It was the last thing she heard before she was awakened.

She knew he wouldn't leave her to rush out of her cabin, she knew she had a bit of time before the false screaming started.

Once in the bathroom, she threw on a pair of gray overalls over a yellow baby t-shirt with green accents. The word Brazil in the same green, the Brazilian flag beneath it. She tied on a pair of hightop and platformed Converse in the same green of her shirt, too. She made sure her necklace was around her neck, her rings were in their usual place, and her new earrings were well-clipped on. She grabbed a green claw clip from the counter of the bathroom's sink and put up her hair, keeping it out of her face.

Then the screaming started, and she knew it was time. She was quick to exit her bathroom, grabbing her backpack that was heavy (she knew her dad had kept up his promise). She looked back at her siblings as she stood in the doorframe, and gave them a genuine smile. They were asleep, they couldn't see it.

"Wish me luck, guys," she whispered tenderly, "I'll be back, I promise."

She walked out, closing the door of her cabin gently. She was going on a quest again. She was going to save her sister, and return the camp to its original, protective state. She swore it. She would make her father proud, and she would take his warnings into account.

ICARUS INQUIRES:

^^^^^^^^^an ickle surprise update for you lovely, lovely people <3333 I have officially completed my exams, and have some free time, so I will get to writing as soon as I finish off my awaiting assignments (some reflections for English, a study guide for psych).

Some important things to mention here:

— (1) Colette is very in tune with the Oracle [remember this for when Rachel comes around *winks* I love making Annie jealous in this book 'cause it's so her, it's my fav pass time], she can hear the prophecies as they're told

— (2) Apollo kid bonding times are some of my fav scenes to write oh my goodness. They're just so cute idk, what do you guys think?

— (3) Some Lettie and Apollo angst is good for the soul, you guys might wanna get used to it for book 2, I'm ngl *yikes!*

— (4) Protective!Apollo?? Some may even consider him, dare I say, Daddy™️??

— (5) Lettie is going on the quest! Be prepared for her guard to slowly fall around her soulmates. I told y'all, angsty!Lettie who doesn't accept love is temporary! I can't wait to write the scene at Circe's Island goodness gracious

— (6) Some spicy Lettie and Annie fluff in the next chapter, you guys aren't ready!

Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed this shorter chap. Don't forget to comment. Love you all<3