My grey eyes widened as I processed what this man had just said to me. Percy Jackson - the man who had kidnapped me from my own woods, taken me to two strange villages, and dragged me into the Insurgent base - had feelings for me. Percy Jackson - the man who took care of my injured leg, lent me his clothes and bed, carried me everywhere I needed to go, and allowed me to sleep in his quarters with him - had feelings for me. Percy Jackson - a peasant, an Insurgent, a revolter - had feelings for me - the princess of Olympus.

My heart was thudding in my chest, bubbling with emotion. His confession made me happy, no doubt. I had come to enjoy my time with Percy. I adored our silly conversations and deep late-night talks. But did I like him? Did his name alone bring fire to my cheeks and his touch butterflies to my stomach? Did his kind words and actions make me feel like the only girl in the world? Did I want to hold him, kiss him, and love him every second of the day? Did I want to spend the rest of my life with this man I barely knew?

The answer would most likely have ruined my mother's view of me and appalled my younger self's opinions of romance. You can't develop feelings for someone over the course of a week, I had always thought.

But maybe I was wrong.

I surged forward and pressed my lips against Percy's. I wove my fingers through his silky black locks as he wrapped his arms around my waist. As we kissed, I felt as though molten lava was running through my veins.

A knock on the door sent us flying apart. Percy's lips were red and swollen and his hair was messier than usual. I was sure my appearance was just as rustled. I moved so I was sitting on the side of the bed with the tips of my toes brushing the rug.

Percy stood from the bed and opened the door. Linda, the plump old nurse who had been taking care of me throughout the week, was there holding a small bag.

"Hey," Percy greeted.

"Hello," Linda said to him. "I was just checking in that the plan is still in action."

He nodded, sending his black hair flopping around. "Yes. At midnight, gather everyone up. I'll meet you in the common area and help you get them to my village."

She smiled. "Alright. You're doing awesome, son, and I'm proud of you, no matter what."

Percy cleared his throat. "Thank you, Linda. Get some rest, okay?"

Linda turned and walked off down the hallway. Percy shut the door behind her and came over to the bed. Sitting down beside me, he closed his eyes, rested his face in his hands, and sighed.

"Everything okay?" I asked him.

He hummed affirmatively. "It's perfect." He paused. "Too perfect. I'm worried something will go wrong and that it will all be my fault."

I pressed my left hand against Percy's left shoulder and guided him into my lap. He laid there facing up, his eyes still closed. I ran my hands through his hair for a while, trying to calm him down.

"I believe that your relationship with each of the people here is strong enough to prevent them from blaming you if something goes wrong," I told him, choosing my words carefully.

His eyes fluttered open and he stared at me. "Yeah?"

I nodded, flustered by the intensity of his gaze. "Yeah."

"Well, I believe that you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen."

I smiled, rolling my eyes. "You're out of your mind, Jackson."

He grinned, sitting up and pulling me into his lap. "I don't think so."

And we were kissing again. This kiss was more heated and involved more movement than our first. This wasn't a kiss of desire, it was a kiss of need.

Eventually, we needed to pull away for air. I stared into Percy's green eyes and grinned. He smiled mischievously back at me.

"I have feelings for you, Percy," I confessed.

His eyes brightened and his smile widened. "I have feelings for you as well if I haven't made that clear."

I laughed a little and squeezed his hand. "I'm glad we agree," I teased.

Percy pulled me into a tight embrace. "No matter what happens tonight or tomorrow, I will always deeply care about you, Annabeth."

I fell asleep in his arms with a smile on my lips and a flutter in my heart.