Under the Water(Fem. Percy)

Chapter 28

Dad's fingers dig into my shoulder. Not talons, though I wish they were. At least those would puncture my skin, maybe draw out blood and show Dad exactly what he's doing, but instead each moment is lined with pain and pressure and the aching feeling that my collarbone is about to snap.

"You left the palace," he says.

"With a guard in tow. And that was weeks ago." My words echo through the empty council chamber, bouncing off the high ceiling and alcoves. Up front when the council is in session, I'm sure Dad doesn't miss a single word.

The flowing veil attached to my headpiece floats around one shoulder when I shake my head. "No offense, Dad, but I don't really want to flirt with people with you around. And I'm not flirting with the councilors." I make a face, and he laughs. It's a short lived moment.

"It's dangerous for you to be out and about without me."

"Most demigods will say it's more dangerous to be around you than on my own."

"They're wrong."

"Are they?" At my words, Dad's grip tightens again. "As you love to remind me, I got stabbed in the gut. I haven't gotten injured like that in years."

"You never should have--"

"Been born? Because that's the only way I wouldn't be in danger." I roll my eyes and fiddle with my bracelets. They're shiny. Normally I wouldn't do this--would never risk taking my attention away from a god--but it's one of those things Dad likes. Hugging him, grabbing his hand or his tunic, and letting my attention be captured by trinkets: all of those make him a little calmer.

It's manipulative to take advantage of this. But when have the gods cared about manipulating us?

"I don't want to see you hurt."

Swallowing, I tilt my head towards his hand still clutching my shoulder. "Can you let go then?"

"I don't want to hurt you." He winces, drops his hand, and brushes water against me in apology.

"That's all the gods ever do."

"Don't feign knowledge you don't have," he says, voice low. "There are far worse things in the world that we shield you from."

A shiver runs down my spine. I want to pull away, but the claws in my shoulders hurt too much. His gaze flicks away from me.

"My pretty girl." He says with a soft smile. I flinch. That sudden switch...It's too much like Gabe. From the corner of my eye, I see Atlanteans beginning to find their seats. That view's soon interrupted, as Dad cups my face. "You really do need to stop messing with your makeup."

"It itches."

"You'll get used to it eventually."

"I don't wear stuff like this." Even normal makeup is at most some powder foundation and maybe mascara. The thick and colorful lines and markings are closer to what I might've worn to a pep rally. One very specific pep rally we had with black lights and fluorescent face paint.

He hmphs, taps the tip of my nose. "You should. You look very cute in it." I know what goes unsaid, and I hide my arms within the long flowing fabric of my clothes. Even the patterns drawn on them are marks of ownership.

That's what this whole thing is, I realize bitterly. He's showing me off as his property. Something he's allowed to do with as he pleases. The worst part is, he's not wrong. His voice is what's been keeping me alive. Every single time he's voted 'no' in votes against my life, that's the sole reason I'm still around.

Other gods know what going against him in those votes would cause.

"You're going to make yourself bleed." Dad gently removes my hand from my mouth. He kisses my temple.