Page 75 of The Princess's Pet

“What happened?” I asked her, noticing the dark circles under her red eyes and cheeks as if she had been crying and had not slept in days.

“You were poisoned with Hades’ Delight,” she told me.

“If that were so, I’d be dead,” I replied. If I had been poisoned it could not have been by Hades’ Delight.

“I saw the purple veins myself, Selene. I also had your last bloodbag tested and confirmed it contained traces of Hades’ Delight,” Amelia told me huffing.

“Then how am I alive?” I questioned her.

“It seems your pet knew of a cure. You have been unconscious for two days and nights. I wouldn’t have believed youwere healing if I hadn’t watched you myself and witnessed your improvement.” Amelia’s words shocked me. There was no cure for Hades’ Delight, if there was, I would surely have known of it.

“What cure was used?” I asked cautiously, and became aware of the taste of Percy’s blood lingering on my tongue, as well as in the air of the room as my senses began to come back to me.

Amelia hesitated before answering, “It was not without sacrifice.”

“Explain,” I demanded, feeling my chest constrict at her tone and words.

“The cure is surprisingly simple, if difficult to acquire. Wrath, Poseidon’s Wrath to be exact,” She told me.

“Explain to me how it is difficult to acquire Poseidon’s Wrath, cousin. Is it not a common poisonous weed?”

“It is, but the plant must be alive when it is administered and it wilts and dies almost instantly when uprooted. Percy was able to keep it alive,” Amelia told me waiting for my understanding.

“She touched Poseidon’s Wrath barehanded?” My voice was only a whisper. My foolish pet had touched one of the deadliest plants without any protection to use her magic. “Why would she do such a thing?” I questioned.

“She must care a great deal for you,” Amelia answered softly.

“Where is she now?” I asked again and worried of her answer.

“She is alive but in a poor state cousin,” Amelia told me. I growled at the revelation of my pet’s health and that once again Amelia had not answered my question.

“Where is she?” I demanded again, pushing her hands away as I stood from the bed. My legs were weak and unsteady for a moment before I found my balance and walked toward my closet.

“She is being cared for in the servant quarters,” Amelia said hovering behind me. “Selene, much has happened that we need to discuss,” she hissed at me and I turned to glare.

“What?” I questioned impatiently and continued to select my clothing.

There was nothing of more importance than going to my pet, than ensuring Percy was alive. The stupid, damn near insufferable little witch, was all I cared for. If she was to die, if I was to live only to lose her; I would burn the kingdom to the ground in fury. I was livid, my anger a fire in my very soul.

Percy was MINE. And she was injured because of ME.

I knew there was danger within the castle and still, I could not stand to part from my pet and brought her with me. The hold she had over me, the intensity with which I craved her, was the greatest danger to my innocent soul match.

How ironic that I once thought that she was a danger to me. That she could be used against me. In a moment of paranoia, of selfishness, I plucked her like a flower from her life to keep for myself. Now she paid the price.

“Uncle Nyx has named Vasilios as King Regent,” Amelia interrupted my internal self-chastisement.

I whirled around to face my cousin.

“What?” I hissed low.

“The council confirmed yesterday. It was a true declaration. Though I have my doubts, I have not been granted access to visit your father,” Amelia told me, her face serious with concern.

“This is further confirmation of what we have suspected,” I told her and she nodded gravely.

“My head gardener has been arrested, charged with your poisoning. Before he was taken by the guard at Vasilios’s command yesterday, he revealed that Lady Sana has been growing Hades’ Delight and other poisons including those that can manipulate the actions of others. Your Percy enlightened him with her knowledge,” she told me.

I looked over my cousin carefully listening to her steady heart, a flash of distrust running down my spine.

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