Page 18 of The Princess’s Pet (Soul Match #1)

The Princess’s private bathroom in her wing was ridiculously big. The bath alone could fit half a dozen people. It was more like a pool than a bath.

“Are you getting in or not?” the Princess asked me from her position in the bath, hands ringing out her hair.

“Why do you need a bath this big?” I asked her as I descended the steps and took a seat at the edge.

The Princess stood and walked toward me, the water on her skin glistened under the bright lights of the bathroom and it was difficult to meet her eyes and not stare at her chest. “Better for relaxing,” she replied when she reached me and sat down pulling me between her legs.

Her hands worked soap into my hair, fingers massaging my scalp.

“That feels good,” I told her, leaning into her touch and humming my satisfaction. Her lips pressed against my neck in a caring gesture, and she continued to wash and rinse my hair.

“I have more tasks to attend to today. You will have the afternoon free again,” she told me as she washed herself. I watched her closely lather the soap and rub it against her skin and if I was braver, I would have offered to help her. “Are you listening to me?” she asked amused. My eyes flashed up to her face away from her strong, soapy thighs.

“Yes, Ma’am. You’re leaving me all alone again,” I answered.

“You managed to entertain yourself yesterday,” she told me as she passed the bar of soap to me.

“I’d rather entertain myself with you.” I blushed at the grin she gave me as I lathered up the soap in my hands. “I didn’t mean it like that.” I blushed harder still. “I meant, I like spending time with you. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing.” I tried to explain myself wishing I hadn’t spoken at all. She laughed happily as I dunked my soapy body under the water. When I emerged she had moved closer.

“You like spending time with me, little pet?” she asked, her hands finding my waist.

“Yeah,” I replied, feeling shy. She leaned forward pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

“This evening we can dine alone. Would you like to watch a movie?” Her lips quirked in a gentle smile.

“Like a date?” I asked enthusiastically. “I’ve never seen a movie,” I added but I’d heard and read all about them, the Royals, nobles, other purebloods, and those that could afford it enjoyed movies and they were often a date activity.

She looked at me in thought her brows in deep lines. “You’ve never seen a movie?” she asked disbelievingly.

I shook my head. “They’re too expensive. Only the cities have movie theatres, and we don’t leave the village often. Our village doesn’t have a reliable electrical supply either, no more than a couple of homes have a television,” I told her. She tilted her head in thought .

“You’ve been living decades in the past. I guess that is what comes from choosing to exile yourselves from the house system. How on earth have you managed to survive to adulthood?” she questioned and I pulled away from her.

“Don’t make fun of us,” I told her, hurt and ashamed. There was nothing wrong with how we lived back home. We lived simple lives, but that didn’t make us less than anyone else.

She frowned and pulled me back towards her with a harsh hold of my hips. “Don’t pull away from me like that,” she reprimanded. “Did I upset you with the truth?” And the tone of her voice was almost mocking, almost cruel.

I didn’t answer her, focusing on looking away. She growled low. I flinched slightly when I felt her nose press against my neck. “I did not mean to mock you,” she ground out against my skin as if the admission was painful. Her hands left my hips and her arms wound around my waist pulling me flush against her body in a tight embrace. “It surprises me how your people have chosen to live,” she told me, growl dying in her chest. “Will you watch a movie with me?”

Her body against mine and her words breathed heavily into my neck, forced away any hurt or shame I felt.

“Yes,” I answered. She pressed her lips hard against mine and I felt like I could melt into her with the warmth of her body and the water.

Once we were dry, she took her time marking me. It was relaxing as she stood behind me, one arm around my middle the other holding my jaw high and to the side so she had unrestricted access. I was learning to lean into her markings. She could make it painful, deliriously erotic, or soothing if she liked. But no matter her choice of approach if I leaned in; if I allowed myself to give whatever she wanted to take, I felt a deep sense of belonging and calm. It was addictive .

Her lips pressed behind my ear. “Be a good girl, pet. I’m looking forward to spending time with you this evening,” she spoke quietly before releasing me.

Once the Princess had left, I made my way to the servant corridors in search of Edward. I wanted to thank him for serving me the previous night and maybe he would be a friendly face to spend some time with. The only problem was I had no idea how to find him. I must have looked lost because it wasn’t long before an older, grandmotherly woman approached me.

“You’re the Princess’s, ah, bloodbag, aren’t you dear?” she asked, voice croaking with age but her face was warm.

“That’s me,” I said and waved awkwardly, before stuffing my hands in my pockets.

“Does our Princess know you’re walking about the castle?” She smiled a little mischievously as if she had caught me misbehaving.

“My Mistress gave me permission to explore the castle,” I told her nodding and her eyes widened slightly but she smiled back at me. “I’m looking for someone, a classmate, we were at Sanguis Academy together. Edward, about my age, taller than me, black hair. Do you know where I might find him?”

She smiled widely at me, showing she had a few teeth missing. “That would be my grandbaby,” she said proudly. “He should be in the kitchens right about now preparing lunch. Follow me. What’s your name sweetheart?”

“Percy Flores,” I told her. “What can I call you?”

“Everyone calls me old May on account that young May is my daughter.” She laughed and took hold of my elbow. “I hope my Edward has made a good impression on a young lady like yourself. ”

“Oh yes, Edward is very polite,” I told her. “A bit too proper maybe,” I added as an afterthought. She laughed loudly smacking my arm.

“That would be Edward. He’s been obsessed with becoming a perfect gentleman since he was a boy. Think’s it’ll get him Greg’s job one day. Ach, maybe it will,” she told me.

“Greg?” I asked her.

“Head Servant Gregory. Surely, you’ve met him? The Princess is his favourite Royal, has been since she was a little lass.”

“Yes, I’ve met him but we’ve never spoken.”

We arrived at an open door to a large and bustling kitchen. “Edward, honey, young Percy is here for you,” old May shouted.

Edward popped his head up from behind a counter, flour smeared on his face, wearing a blue stripy apron and his hair a mess.

“Hi, Percy,” he called over the bustle of pots and pans and people shouting.

“Don’t just stand there, son, go ask Marge if you can take off early,” old May commanded Edward and he nodded smiling wide, the first time I’d seen him smile truly, and made off hurriedly across the large room to a woman. They spoke for a moment and the woman turned towards the open door and looked at me before waving her hand dismissively at Edward.

Edward ran untying his apron as he did so towards the door and hung it on a hook before he turned to us.

“Hi Grams. Hi Percy. What can I do for you?” he asked properly.

“I wondered if you were able to spend some time with me this afternoon. I’m exploring the castle and wanted a friendly face to help me. Also, thanks for last night, you know keeping my cup full,” I told him.

“It would be a pleasure, Percy.” He turned to old May. “I’ll see you for dinner Grams.” And he wrapped old May up in a hug, kissing her cheek.

“You two don’t go getting in any kind of trouble now,” she warned as she turned and walked into the kitchen.

“Is there anywhere you’d like to see?” Edward asked as we walked.

“I don’t know the castle very well. I saw the greenhouse yesterday and learned the servant corridors a little,” I explained.

“I could show you the servant quarters. I know you stay with the Princess, but the servant quarters have a lot to offer that you might enjoy at some point,” he said leading me downstairs to an exit.

“What’s on offer?” I asked curiously.

“We have a lounge room, a games room, a swimming pool, a gym, and a spa. We even have Loki.”

“What is a Loki?” I asked smiling at his enthusiasm, he seemed far less guarded than at the Academy.

“Loki is our resident mouse catcher. He’s a giant black fluffy cat. Doesn’t really do a great job at the mouse catching. But he’s perfect for cuddles,” Edward explained.

He led me through a courtyard and down a path that led away from the greenhouse and the castle, towards a manor type building on the Castle grounds.

“Some of us have rooms in the castle, like head servant Gregory. Most of us stay here. Everything cool is on the ground floor, I stay on the 2 nd floor. The door here is never locked and someone is always up. You’re more than welcome to come by any time you fancy using the facilities,” he explained as we walked through the front doors that were wedged open.

“I’ll show you the games room first. It’s my favourite,” he said walking a little faster and waving me along to follow.

The inside of the manor was all polished wood and gleaming floors. Edward walked towards another open door and into a large room. There was a pool table, a foosball table, and another table that had board games stacked high on one side, and a group of servants loudly playing a game of some sort together.

“Have you ever played pinball?” Edward asked and I shook my head no. “It’s the best.” And he excitedly directed me to a large game that stood on 4 legs and was brightly coloured. The aim of the game was to stop a little metal ball from being lost by moving flippers and earning points for the ball hitting various targets. We played a few games, and it was fun. Edward was kinda fun too when he wasn’t being all stuffy.

He showed me the lounge room full of well-worn couches. We found Loki snoozing on a couch.

Loki was much larger than any house cat I had ever seen before.

“I’m not sure that’s a cat,” I told Edward apprehensively as he walked over to the animal and woke it up.

“Sure he is.” He told me, scratching behind Loki’s ear and the cat looked up at him, big purple eyes opening slowly. I stepped back when the animal stood and stretched languidly.

The cat looked at me curiously and leapt from the couch walking towards me.

“Edward! Keep it away from me,” I cried .

“Don’t worry Percy. He’s a big cuddle monster. He won’t hurt you,” Edward reassured, walking past Loki to stand beside me.

Loki walked up to us slowly and I was rooted to the spot. The top of his head was level with my stomach. This was not an ordinary cat.

“He’s just a floofball,” Edward said reaching out and petting the cat again. “Here, give him a pet. It’s okay. I wouldn’t let anything happen to you Percy. The Princess would have my head,” he told me seriously.

I reached out slowly my hand shaking. Loki was pure muscle beneath all that black fur. He leaned into my touch and brushed himself up against my legs. I would have fallen over if Edward hadn’t caught and steadied me.

“See, he’s a good boy,” Edward said and I had to agree. After I got over my initial fear and distrust, Loki was very affectionate. “He likes you,” Edward commented.

“You think? I’ve never been near a cat like this before.” I laughed.

“He’s a good judge of character,” Edward told me. “We should probably get you back to the castle. It’s getting dark out,” he added.

“Bye Loki,” I said patting the giant cat’s head. He followed behind us until we left the building as if showing us out.

“I didn’t expect the servant quarters to have so much entertainment. Or a monstrous cat,” I told Edward, pleasantly surprised.

“We work hard and we’re rewarded. It’s a good life as a Borealis servant. If you want to be here,” he explained.

“And you want to be here?” I asked him .

“My family’s served the Royal Borealis coven and house for generations. It’s all I’ve known, and I don’t want to know anything else,” he told me seriously.

“I can tell you’re very devoted to Borealis,” I told him and couldn’t hide my smirk at his seriousness.

“I know I bother people.” He sighed beside me as we walked back through the courtyards. “They think I take my role too seriously. I have ambitions and I don’t hide them. I want to be head servant one day.”

“I think you will be,” I told him. “But you’re a lot more fun when you aren’t so serious.”

“You’ve only known me when I’ve been working,” he told me.

“You were working at the Academy?” I asked him. He nodded.

“I was. The Princess asked me to keep an eye on what was happening with the servants of the other Houses.” He hesitated. “And you.”

“She asked you to keep an eye on me?” I asked shocked.

“Yes, but I didn’t do a good job. You didn’t want to know me.” He laughed.

“You spy for my Princess?” I asked a little annoyed, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. Who knew how many spies the Princess had watching me? No wonder she always knew what I’d been up to.

“Your Princess?” Edward asked, sharing the same mischievous smile as his grandmother.

“What? ”

“You said ‘my Princess.’” He explained.

“You know what I meant.” I huffed. “Don’t change the subject, you little nosey spy. I bet you’re going to run back to the Princess and tell her all about our day,” I accused, still annoyed.

“Only if I’m asked,” he confirmed.

“Ugh!” I groaned. “So much makes sense now.” Edward only laughed in response.

It was getting dark out, the edges of the courtyard path were no longer easily seen, but Edward was sure-footed as he guided us back down paths he knew well.

As we passed the crossroad of the courtyard where we could turn towards the greenhouse a dark figure rushed past us knocking into Edward. Edward fell to the ground.

“Hey!” I called after the person that kept rushing down the path ahead of us.

Edward stood up rubbing his knees. “Who was that?” he asked.

“I don’t know, I didn’t see their face,” I told him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, no harm done.” He looked down the path the person had come from. “Why would someone be leaving the greenhouse at such a pace?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t like it,” I told him, thinking of the secret greenhouse.

Edward said goodbye once he had walked me back to the Princess’s wing. “You can call and get me out of kitchen lunch rounds again if you like,” he said as he made his way back to the servant corridors .

I found the Princess in her drawing room. She was sitting casually on the plush white sofa in front of the coffee table. There was a hotdog on the coffee table and a big bowl of something I wasn’t sure of.

“Pet.” The Princess smiled and patted the seat next to her. A screen had been set up on the opposite wall and I looked to see a small projector on a tall stand behind the sofa.

I sat next to the Princess, and she opened her arms to me. I gladly accepted her embrace, kissing her neck before I pulled away.

“What’s that?” I asked pointing at the bowl.

“Popcorn,” she said smiling a little too happily. “A mixture of sweet and salted. I didn’t know what you’d prefer. You have a hotdog as well. I’m giving you the movie experience,” she told me standing and walking to the projector. “For your first movie, I thought a classic would be best. This is an animation; I hope you enjoy it,” she told me starting the projector and dimming the lights. She handed me the hotdog before sitting down again, her arm resting along the couch behind me.

The movie was amazing. It was a story my father would tell me as a child about a young shifter whose beast was different from the rest of his family. It was about acceptance of differences and that what others tell us is our greatest flaw, might be our greatest gift. It was surreal to see the story I knew so well brought to life in front of me.

When the movie ended, I found that I had curled myself into the Princess’s side, her arm around my shoulder holding me close.

“What did you think of the movie?” she asked and I felt her nose press against my hair and breathe in my scent.

“It was better than I imagined,” I answered looking up at her. She surprised me with a kiss, pulling me towards her until she had me straddling her lap .

“I’m happy that you enjoyed the movie,” she told me when she pulled away to let me breathe.

“I’m happy I watched my first movie with you,” I told her in return. She kissed me again her tongue pushing into my mouth with purpose. Her hands pushed up under my top groping and massaging my breasts. I moaned into her kiss, pushing myself further into her.

She released my lips to focus her attention on my neck. Her lips and teeth were almost frantic at my neck and I knew what she wanted.

“You can bite me,” I told her, breathing hard and extending my neck. She responded by biting down hard at my pulse point. Hard enough for me to cry out but not enough to break my skin. She continued to lavish my neck with her tongue and lips, her hands caressing.

I could feel her desire, I knew she wanted to feed from me and I wanted her to. The longer she made me wait and anticipate her bite the more frustrated I became. I found myself desperate for her bite, for her fangs deep in me.

“Why won’t you bite me?” I moaned enjoying her ministration but frustrated by my desire for her to feed from me.

She pulled away from my neck, molten silver holding my stare, her fangs were fully extended and glistened with her venom.

“I can’t,” she hissed low and I heard her frustration.

“Why not? It’s been long enough since the last time hasn’t it? I feel fine. Plus I haven’t seen you feed in days.” I huffed and couldn’t help my pout.

Her hard eyes softened, and she grinned. “Does my little pet want my bite?” she asked .

“Desperately,” I told her pushing myself further into her. “Please,” I begged. I’d never wanted her to bite me more.

“I could, but I won’t,” she told me, her hands leaving my chest and resting on my hips.

“Why?” I asked, feeling my disappointment like a heavy weight in my chest.

“The bloodhigh that your blood creates is too strong,” she told me, leaning forward to peck my lips. “I can’t allow myself to be incapacitated in such a way for so long. Not while there is still a threat to my father and perhaps myself.”

I understood her reasoning, I did, but I couldn’t help my disappointment. “Okay.” She laughed and pulled me into another kiss.

“You are correct it has been too long since I last fed,” she said as she pulled away and patted my thigh to get me up.

“I’ll call for a bloodbag to be brought up. I do need to calm down. If I’m near you much longer I won’t be able to control myself, I could drain you dry,” she told me seriously and as my lust began to recede the brightness of her eyes and glistening of her fangs sparked fear instead of desire.

I pushed myself off her and sat back on the sofa.

“Get cleaned up for bed,” she commanded and I left for the bedroom to grab a change of clothes to take with me to the bathroom.

When I was cleaned up and changed into my sleep clothes I headed back to the bedroom. The Princess was there with a half empty bloodbag in her hands.

Irrationally I was jealous. Of a bloodbag. Of all things, to be jealous of. I understood why she wouldn’t feed from me. But there was something about not meeting her needs when I could, that didn’t sit right with me.

I huffed as I crawled into bed and turned away from her. It wasn’t long before I felt the bed dip and her arms encircled me pulling me into her.

“You’re delectable when you’re pouty,” she whispered, teeth nibbling my ear.

“Not enough to eat,” I mumbled back trying hard not to moan at her teasing.

“My darling, you are perfectly good enough to eat.” She purred, lips pressing softly against my shoulder. I couldn’t stop my hum of appreciation. “When it’s safe to do so, I’m going to feed from you slowly. I’ll savour every drop,” she promised, arms holding me tighter. “For now, sleep. Soon the threat will be taken care of.”

“How?” I asked.

“I’ve been working with those I trust since we arrived. Gathering information,” she told me. “I believe I know who has betrayed us and soon and I will have the proof I need to destroy them.”

“Who?” I asked curiously, turning in her arms to face her.

“I will explain everything to you when I am certain. In the meantime, I want you to only associate with the other servants,” she told me.

“Okay,” I replied and I was reminded of my time with Edward. “I spent the day with Edward. I know you’ve been spying on me,” I revealed but I was no longer annoyed.

“I have to keep an eye on my soul match don’t I? Your safety is my safety,” she told me in explanation .

“I guess,” I relented. “You could always just ask me anything you want to know. I’d tell you anything. I’d give you anything,” I told her, leaning my head against her shoulder and feeling tiredness settle into me.

?

I awoke my skin feeling damp with sweat. I was far too hot. The room was bathed in pale moonlight and I could tell sunrise was still a couple of hours away.

The Princess’s arms held me captive. I looked at her and saw beads of sweat slowly trickle down her forehead. I managed to free my arm and reached up to press the back of my hand against her forehead. She was a furnace of heat.

“Ma’am,” I called extracting myself from her hold and shaking her shoulders. She did not respond.

“Ma’am!” I called louder and shook her with more force. Again, I received no response.

Panic settled in me quickly. I pushed back the heavy quilt and placed my head against her chest. Her heartbeat was strong but unnervingly slow. Too slow. Her breathing was shallow.

She was fine when we went to bed.

My mind went to the secret greenhouse full of medicinal plants, but all medicine was poison depending on the dose. And I pictured a plant with dark sweet berries and my heart thundered in my chest. Fever, slow heart, and breaths. No. I didn’t want to check. But I had to.

My hands shakily moved to the Princess’s face and as careful as I could, I lifted her eyelids. I felt bile rise up my throat when I saw purple lines bleeding into the corners of the whites of her unfocused eyes. As if not believing and needing more proof, my fingers moved and pulled down her bottom lip, to inspect pink gums, which too were infected with dark purple lines creeping up towards her teeth .

It wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be possible. I hadn’t seen her eat anything for hours before bed.

Except for the bloodbag.

I rushed from the bed towards the small waste bin under the vanity. I reached in, pulling out the bloodbag that contained only remnants. I didn’t know what blood tasted like to a vampire, but I knew that Hades Delight was sickly sweet, I’d tasted it before.

My stomach revolted at the thought of what I was about to do, but I had to know if my suspicions were correct. I ripped open the bloodbag and ran my finger across the insides, gathering now sticky congealed black blood and with a shudder of disgust popped it into my mouth. The taste of putrid metal was at once overpowering but behind it was a strong and unique sweetness.

Hades’ Delight. Undoubtedly.

Certain death. Certain death for a pureblood vampire.

No.

I wouldn’t let it happen.

I had to do something. Had to think. There had to be a way to save her.

I remembered my mother’s handwritten books on plants and magic. There had to be something in them, and I had read the pages enough I could recite them word for word.

But there my mind could not find a solution. The movie we watched sprung unhelpfully to my mind. A children’s story. What use was a children’s story to me? Until I remembered another story. A part of my mother’s own book. Pages I didn’t pay as much attention to. Because stories weren’t real. But even children’s stories held truth to them. That’s why we told them .

My mother’s book had a chapter on anecdotes, myths, and legends she had known of.

One legend was preposterous. A cruel trick meant to lure the desperate and stupid to their death.

But it was all I had. My only hope.

Even children’s stories told a truth.

I needed help. Help to find what I needed and help to make sure it got to the Princess.

I went back to the Princess’s side, brushing her damp hair from her face.

“If you can hear me, I have to leave to get what I need to save you. I’ll be quick. Please don’t die. Be strong,” I whispered my voice wavering.

I paused only to press a kiss to her brow.

The servant corridors were ghostly, but I could hear pots clattering from the closed kitchen doors as I passed. Others were up, and I had to do my best not to draw attention to myself. The Princess was alone and someone was trying to kill her.

I made it to the courtyard keeping my head down as I passed a few servants heading towards the castle. The fact that I wore only shorts, a string tank top, and had left without even shoes became apparent to me when I heard the whispers of the passing servants. Following the same path towards the servant quarters I had taken with Edward, I made it to the manor. The doors were still wedged open and I made my way carefully towards the stairs.

Edwards had told me he stayed on the 2 nd floor. I had to find him. I trusted he would help me. The Princess had trusted him to spy for her. I would trust him to help me save her .

Loki stood at the top of the stairs like a shadow guard in the darkness.

“Hi Loki,” I whispered as I approached him, reaching out with my hand.

The giant cat pressed his head into my hand. I breathed a sigh of relief as he let me pass.

Not knowing which room was Edward’s, I took a chance and knocked on the closest door to the stairs.

After a moment I heard shuffling and cursing behind the door. Definitely not Edward.

“What do you want?” A young woman answered, her eyes squinting into the dark hall.

“Sorry. I’m looking for Edward,” I apologised. She huffed loudly and pointed behind me before slamming the door shut.

I turned and knocked hurriedly on the door opposite. When there was no answer, I knocked again louder. The door opened as I lifted my hand to continue knocking.

“Percy? What are you doing here?” he asked me and stepped back ushering me in.

“What’s wrong?” he asked concerned as he shut the door.

“The Princess,” I croaked and held back tears. I couldn’t fall apart. There wasn’t time. “The Princess has been poisoned with Hades’ Delight. And I need your help,” I rushed out, regaining my composure.

“Hades’ Delight,” he repeated, his face losing all colour. “That’s, that’s deadly. ”

“Get dressed Edward,” I demanded. He nodded and got dressed fast not seeming slightly embarrassed that he was up until then only in his underwear.

“We need to get Lady Sana the healer. If there is anything that can be done, she’ll know,” Edward said as he pulled a top over his head.

I grabbed his arms tightly.

“We will do no such thing!” I hissed. “She’s been growing Hades’ Delight in a secret part of the greenhouse. I don’t trust her and even if I did, she can’t help,” I told him seriously.

“You think Lady Sana could have something to do with it?” he asked. I nodded.

“Why else would she grow a plant deadly to pureblood vampires?”

“If a healer can’t help, how can you?” he asked, slipping on shoes.

“Because only a Flores witch can acquire the antidote,” I told him confidently. But I wasn’t confident. Not in the least. I was relying on a myth, a legend.

“There’s an antidote?” I nodded.

“I need to know where the nearest body of water is. A pond or lake,” I told him.

“There’s a pond on the other side of the castle,” he told me opening the door.

“Great, show me,” I said taking his hand in mine and pulling him towards the stairs.

He didn’t pull his hand away from mine instead once we were outside, he guided me speedily through the courtyards .

It took over 10 minutes to reach the pond. It was large, overgrown, and not cared for. It was perfect.

“Why are we here?” he asked when I released his hand.

I began searching the pond in the growing light.

“I’m looking for an aquatic plant, a weed, that I need the root of,” I explained and at the furthest reaches of the pond I saw small white flowers sitting just above the water. “There.” I pointed.

“How are you getting to that?” he asked worriedly. The pond was large and I imagined quite deep.

“Diving,” I answered simply while I plucked a few yellow leaves from a Sallberry bush. We used the common plant that grew near bodies of water to lower our heart rate and increase our dive times at home.

I chewed a few of the foul-tasting leaves and held the paste under my tongue, before wading into the pond and ignoring Edward’s worried calls.

Poseidon’s Wrath was my target. I needed the root of the plant and I needed it alive. The plant would ordinarily die quickly out of its aquatic home. But I could keep it alive. My magic could keep it alive long enough to get it back to the Princess.

Soon I was swimming closer and closer to Poseidon’s Wrath.

I was nervous. Poseidon’s Wrath was dangerous. What I was about to do was reckless. It was stupid. But it was all I had. My only chance. I couldn’t lose her. I couldn’t lose my soul match. I loved her already. There was no going back to a life without her. I refused to live in a world without her.

Taking a deep breath I dived into the murky water .

It was difficult to see past all the debris in the water. I reached out to follow the long stem of Poseidon’s Wrath to the roots. Although I had anticipated a sting, I couldn’t have prepared for the burn that blistered my hand on contact.

I didn’t pull away. I followed the stem pulling myself deeper and deeper. When my hands felt the clay-like mud of the pond floor I began to dig with my fingers, pulling and freeing the root from the wet earth.

My lungs burned like my hands as I pushed my magic into the roots, keeping them alive. When I broke the water surface I breathed deeply in relief, spitting out the Sallberry leaf paste.

As I swam back to the edge and Edward, I could feel the effects of Poseidon’s Wrath. My hands shook and my arms trembled as I walked back to Edward.

“Don’t touch,” I told him breathlessly as I reached him. “It’s dangerous.”

“Why are you touching it then?” he asked as he wrapped his arm around my waist and helped me walk.

“Because I have to, to keep it alive,” I explained. “I need to get back to the Princess. Now.”

“I’ll get you there. Percy, your hands!” he cried as he led us back towards the courtyards. I was trying hard to keep my balance and quick pace, while my muscles ached to stop, to rest, but I knew I couldn’t.

“It’s nothing,” I told him.

“Percy you’re bleeding. Not just a little,” he told me and I glanced down.

My skin burned and peeled where it made contact with the plant and blood leaked from between my fingers dripping a path as we walked .

“It doesn’t hurt,” I lied.

We were almost back when I heard my name being called. My vision was beginning to blur at the edges.

“Percy. What are you doing with Wrath!” Thomas practically shouted.

“Keep your voice down,” I commanded. “Help me?” I asked weakly and Edward grunted in his effort to keep me upright and moving forward.

“I’ve got this.” Thomas offered holding his arms out towards me.

I nodded and Edward helped steady me as Thomas picked me up easily.

“Get me back to her, fast,” I whispered.

I felt myself being jostled as Thomas began to jog back to the castle.

“What’s going on? Why have you decided to kill yourself?” Thomas hissed as he climbed the stairs of the servant corridors.

“No choice.” I breathed heavily and painfully, my muscles twitching, struggling to keep hold of Poseidon’s Wrath and channel my magic into the root.

“What do you mean, no choice?” he asked as we reached the Princess’s wing.

Edward held the door open for us and guided Thomas to the Princess’s bedroom.

He hesitated outside the bedroom door as if scared to open it.

“Open the damn door, Edward,” I hissed, impatiently .

He pushed the door open and Thomas carried me in.

“Edward, I need hot water for making tea. Get it quickly,” I commanded and he ran out the room. “Sit me at the vanity,” I told Thomas.

Once I was sat, he went to the Princess’s side.

“Is she still breathing?” I asked him, scared of the answer.

“Barely.” He turned to me. “Percy, what’s happened?” he pleaded.

“She’s been poisoned with Hades’ Delight. Poseidon’s Wrath is an antidote,” I told him. I was weak, my magic pushed to its limit keeping the harmful plant in my hands alive, its poison leaking into my skin and causing my muscles to twitch painfully. I could barely sit up.

“Percy,” he spoke softly, sadly. “There is no cure for a pureblood vampire poisoned by Hades’ Delight,” he continued.

“There is. Poseidon’s Wrath is the cure,” I told him adamantly, my voice rasping with my effort to breathe. “This will work.”

I didn’t know if I was trying to convince him or myself. He smiled sadly at me and nodded.

Edward ran back into the room carrying a teapot.

“I’ve got the water,” he announced.

“Over here,” I told him and he put the pot down in front of me.

“You need to make the Princess drink this tea. Pour it down her throat if you have to. Slowly. Sip by sip,” I instructed as with a shaking hand I opened the pot lid. I twisted a branch of the root off and squeezed the juice from the root into the water. My hands were agony, blistered black in some places and blood dripping all over the vanity and into the Poseidon’s Wrath tea, but I doubted the Princess would mind.

As I shakily handed the pot to Edward, old May burst through the door.

“What are you kids up...” Her words died as she looked at me. I must have been a sight, dripping wet from my dive in the pond, half-dressed and blood dripping from my fingertips and running up my arms.

“Oh, dear what’s happened to you?” she cried coming toward me. I pulled my hands away before she could touch them.

“Don’t, I’ve touched Poseidon’s Wrath,” I told her.

“Oh, dear no. Why would you do that?” I looked past her to where Thomas held the Princess in a position that Edward could carefully and slowly pour the tea into her mouth.

Relief filled me. If there was truth to the myth, then there was hope for my Princess.

I felt myself slip from the vanity stool unable to keep my balance any longer. My world swirled black.