ATLANTIS | j. grace

ten

ZETHES WAS REALLY starting to piss Elle off. She'd told him not to make an enemy of her, yet here he was, the tip of his blade prodding her back.

Clenching her fists, Elle dreamt of nothing more than to take his sword and break it in half.

The only thing distracting Elle from her anger was Jason. Every couple of steps up the stairs, he'd slip on the ice, and Elle would have to grab his arm and help him back up. She laughed silently and shook her head every time. Gods, this guy was clumsy.

Occasionally, the knock-off Elsa would turn to flash them a cold smile, or Zethes' blade would cause frost to spread on Elle's back, and her mood would drop again.

Meeting Boreas was tricky. They could be walking straight into a trap. That meant they had to be ready. So when Jason slipped again, Elle took the opportunity to whisper into his ear.

He tipped backward and she grabbed his hand, pulling him in close

"If a fight breaks out, you and Piper take out the Ice Princess. I'll handle Zethes."

Jason met her eyes and nodded. "We got this," he whispered back.

Elle released a nervous breath. "I hope so."

She stepped forward, continuing up the staircase, only for Jason's grip to tighten around her hand. She looked back in surprise.

He smiled softly at her. There was uncertainty in his eyes.

Her cheeks turned pink as she glanced at her feet. She squeezed his hand and together they climbed the steps.

With her shared stability, he didn't slip again.

Finally, they reached the top of the stairs. The girl turned around, smiling emotionlessly. As her eyes found Elle and Jason, they flickered to their intertwined hands. Her smile turned dark as Jason's hand suddenly became burning cold. Elle yanked her hand away sharply, and when she looked down, saw that both their fingers were smoking with frost.

"Warmth is not a good idea here," she advised. "Especially when I am your best chance of survival. Please, this way."

Bullshit, Elle scowled. I am my best chance of survival. If it came down to it, Elle would not beg and plead with this girl to save her life. She'd draw her sword and save herself.

Piper sent the pair a look.

"What was that about?" she whispered, having not noticed their previously locked hands.

"Nothing," Elle replied lowly. "Miss Ice Queen over here is just a bi — ow!"

Zethes had poked her in the back. "Keep moving," he demanded.

That was it. Elle was annoyed. She rounded on the demigod, loudly saying, "If you poke me with that one more time I am going it stick it so far up your ass y—"

"Elle!" Jason yanked her elbow, turning her back around. He shook his head at her, scolding her with his eyes.

She huffed. Sparing Zethes one last glare, she followed the princess down a hallway decorated with frozen tapestries.

They found themselves standing before a set of oak doors carved with a map of the world. There were designs of a man's bearded face in each corner, blowing ice and snow. But Elle's eyes were glued to North America. As she stared at it, Elle wondered where on that map Percy could be.

"This is the throne room," the princess said. "Be on your best behavior, Penelope Jackson. My father can be... chilly. I will translate for you and try to encourage him to hear you out."