Page 73 of The Princess's Pet

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.

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