Page 79 of The Princess's Pet

I stalked towards him walking around the table. Vasilios backed away at my approach. When I reached Lord Antoniou without pausing in my pursuit or removing my eyes from Vasilios; I swung my sword back right, slicing through the middle of Lord Antoniou. I heard the squelch as I pulled the blade free, felt the blood spatter hit my boots, and saw the terror on Vasilios' face as I continued my approach.

Lady Sana attempted to run from the room. I heard her screaming and General Creel’s laughter when he apprehended her but I did not remove my eyes from Vasilios. The traitor wearing Borealis colours, my crown sat on his head. I growled loudly as he continued to step slowly backward, knocking into and toppling a chair as he did.

“Draw your sword,” I demanded. He would have a chance to defend himself, if only for my mother’s sake. I would avoid being accused of removing the Marquess of Ardens without proper respect.

His shaking hands grabbed the hilt of his sword and as he drew the weapon a sense of madness must have overcome him and he lunged forward with a high strike. I blocked easily swiping his sword aside and stepping forward in the same motion, swung low left cutting through to the bone of his right shin.

He collapsed, dropping his sword and laying on his side screaming, his hand gripping above the wound.

I kicked his hand away and swung my sword down again severing the lower half of his limb. His scream died to silence his mouth open wide but producing no sound.

My bloodlust was ignited by the pool of red liquid that gathered around my feet.

Vasilios looked at his severed limb in horror. He did not see as I brought my blade down again aiming for the arm that propped him up. It took but one swing to sever his upper arm. Blood sprayed dramatically as he fell backward, covering the side of my face. I licked my lips and spat. He tasted like shit.

One armed and one legged, unevenly balanced, all he could do was lay on his back and look up at me as I stepped over his body.

“Goodbye Uncle,” I spoke before swinging my sword down a final time and removing his head.

I bent down and picked up his head turning to my audience and placing the head on the king’s table. Once I was sure all eyes were on me, I removed the crown tangled in his bloodied hair and walked to the throne.

All in the room fell to one knee apart from Creel who held a screaming Lady Sana to his chest.

I lifted the bloodied crown high and placed it upon my head.

Persephone Flores

20. Confessions

It was cold, and I clung to the covers around me tightly, reaching out for the Princess. But my hand found only empty bed.

“Ma’am?” I croaked and coughed. My throat was dry and scratchy.

“Percy?” A familiar voice that wasn’t the Princess answered.

“Ana?” I questioned quietly, careful of my sore throat and opening my eyes. “Why are you in here?”

“Percy!” she shouted and flung her arms around me. “You’re awake!”

I was confused and wondered for a moment why Ana would be in the Princess’s bedroom. Still, I brought my arms up to hug her too and saw my hands all bandaged up. How did I… Poseidon’s Wrath.

“The Princess?” I croaked out trying to sit up and push Ana away from me.

“The Princess is alive,” Ana told me pulling away. “Percy, I thought for sure you were dead!” she cried and wrapped her arms around me again.

“We all thought you were done for,” Thomas said moving to stand next to Ana and I saw Edward at the foot of the bed. Looking around I realised I was in Edward's room in the servant quarters.

“It’s wonderful to see you awake Percy.” He waved and Ana finally released me.

“Ana, give your friend some space,” a woman I didn’t know spoke and pulled Ana away from me with a hand on her shoulder. “Hello, Percy of Flores. I am Piper of Syngeneia, relations with Ana. Do you remember what happened, why you’re here now?” Piper asked.

I nodded. “Yes. The Princess was poisoned with Hades’ Delight. Where is she?” I asked slowly pushing myself to a sitting position my voice still hoarse. Piper walked over to the corner of the room and from a large jug poured me a glass of water. I gladly accepted and drank the whole glass quickly.

“Princess Selene Borealis lives. Thanks to you,” Piper told me. I looked to the other faces in the room for reassurance and was met with sincere smiles. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“I want to go to her,” I said pushing the covers from myself and trying to move from the bed. I was very weak, my legs felt like stone, heavy, and unmoving.

“You have been unconscious for 5 days Percy. We thought you would never wake. I had given up and would have ended my care for you if Ana had not begged and the Princess not threatened,” Piper explained, probably at the look I was giving my unmoving legs.

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