Pampered by the Villainous Tyrant King

Chapter 31 (M)

A/N: I own the plot. Enjoy!

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Percy looked up and frowned at the dark evening skies. Sudden summer lightning storms were common in Eldoris at this season.

"Annabeth," he said softly to wake her.

Her grey eyes opened confusedly just as the first few drops of rain landed on them. Percy brushed the few drops that gathered on her cheek. Her skin was as soft as petals.

"What is it? Is it raining?" The queen asked, drowsily.

"Yes, storming actually. We'd best get under shelter quickly."

They were still a couple of miles from the castle actually. But out from these woods was a plain field of grass that would be dangerous to cross at the moment since they would be the tallest objects in the field. Lightning flashed across the sky and the rumble of thunder was heard just a few seconds later. Blackjack whinnied nervously and pranced about. Percy grabbed the reins tightly to prevent the horse from bolting.

"It's okay, Blackjack," Percy soothed. "Ready?"

He helped the queen mount the horse before getting on himself. The ground was quickly becoming muddy, and he didn't dare let Blackjack move faster than a trotting pace for fear that the horse could accidentally trip in the mud. Fortunately, Percy's hydrokinesis powers came in handy, creating a large bubble-like barrier between the rain so they could all stay dry.

The rain began pounding faster, and the winds were picking up speed. While the rain couldn't come through the barrier, the cold winds did. Percy frowned. It was better to find the nearest shelter at this rate than to try to make it back to the palace.

"I know of a small hunting cabin that should be nearby," Percy said to Annabeth. "Let's try to make it there."

The queen nodded her agreement. Her shoulders looked thin even if she wasn't shivering from the cold.

Blackjack trotted a few hundred meters into the woods where the old hunting cabin finally came into view. Percy tied Blackjack to the porch before he and the queen went inside. The cabin was small and empty aside from a wooden bedframe and a crude table and chairs, but it was at least clean.

Percy quickly tossed a few pieces of wood into the fireplace and lit them. The queen set the blanket on the hard bed frame before sitting down with Percy.

"What a shame about our date," Percy said, amused. "It was all going so well."

"Date? I didn't realize this was one," the queen said with a hint of dry amusement in her voice.

"We'll go on more," Percy promised.

It was all part of his plan to slowly woo the queen so she would stay. Whatever she wanted, he would get for her within his power.

"Are you adjusting well to Eldoris?" He asked her.

"Well, Eldoris certainly feels more like home than Kiran ever felt," she replied. "Achoo!"

Percy passed her a handkerchief.

The rain pounded the windows outside. He estimated that the thunderstorm was bound to last another hour or so. If his people were smart, they probably wouldn't send out a search party for them until the storm lessened. They knew that the king could take care of himself.

Because it was summer, Percy didn't have a coat to offer her. The blanket was also messy from being on the ground. It was a good thing that his powers kept them from getting wet. Otherwise, the physicians would be quite upset if the queen were to fall ill again.