Royally Screwed

Chapter 14

~Annabeth~

I gasp in surprise as my mother claps her hands together.

"Yes, dear! Your father and I have chosen Luke as a suitor for you." She says, oblivious to the obvious shock and disgust radiating off of me.

Why on earth would I even think of marrying... him?

I shift uncomfortably as his eyes rake over my body yet again. I shiver from revulsion and I have to cover my mouth with my hand. I feel like I'm going to be sick. "But mom, I-I can't! He's... Luke!"

My mom places her hands on her hips. "I understand you haven't quite grasped the concept of marriage yet, Annabeth, but there's no need to be rude." I almost laugh at this, but restrain myself by coughing instead.

I see Luke looking smug, and his eyes hold a thirst for power. You might be wondering just how I can tell this. I have been learning to read people my entire life: I can tell that all Luke Castellan wants is power and riches, that he will not rule the kingdom fairly. His eyes, normally a shade of blue, are as cold as ice.

"Mother, can't you see? He would corrupt the kingdom!"

My mother scoffed. "That's ridiculous, Annabeth. You and Luke are going to save the kingdom from bankruptcy!"

"Mother!" I protest. "I have been learning to read people my entire life! I can tell that he's corrupt, I can see it in his eyes—"

"Enough!" My mother shouts, her booming voice echoing around the room. "You will marry Luke, Annabeth. And that's final."

"Well, I... I'll just be up in my room." I state dryly before brushing past my mother and out the doors, despite her protests. I walk with my head high, showing no sign of weakness. I may have to marry that... thing, if I do not get Percy out of prison, but I will walk with pride in my step.

However, that all goes to waste the moment I shut my bedroom doors behind me. I collapse on the edge of my dresser, feeling dizzy. I squeeze my eyes shut and try not to think of my possible future, the one where I'll have to marry Luke and—I shudder at the thought—bear heirs to the throne. For a moment I feel as if I am going to throw up, but then I remember that I hadn't eaten anything since the night before Percy and I met the guards on the bakery roof.

"Annabeth!"

I jump at the sound of my own name. It's being whispered. I shiver involuntarily, and turn slowly around. No one was there.

I think I'm just hearing things. I mean, I was in a case of hysteria only this morning, with Hazel and Piper trying to calm me. Could this entire situation have gotten to my head?

"Annabeth!"

Okay, definitely not imagining things. It sounds as if it's coming from the balcony. I slowly creep out onto the balcony, to find that it is nearly dark now; I can see the stars and constellations shining and glimmering overhead.

"Annabeth!"

I whip my head to the side, and find a small grappling hook attached to the side rail of the balcony. There's a person hanging onto the string attached to it, as well as a group of about four people standing below, in the secluded garden area of the palace. I squint my eyes, trying to see the mysterious person's face. Soon, the spiky black hair and piercing blue eyes come into view, and I gasp quietly.

"Thalia?!"

•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•

~Percy~

My head still aches, the blood pounding in my ears. I feel like I'm stiff all over, and my breathing has become ragged.

But the pain isn't the torture down here. Oh, no. The real torture is the boredom, and that sense of uselessness I always get unless I'm physically doing something productive. There's also that sense of dread—dread that Annabeth is in danger, though that is highly unlikely. It's the thought of that Luke fellow that unnerves me. Now that Annabeth's back, will she still have to marry Luke?

My thoughts are interrupted by a small tray sliding into the cell. On the tray is a small bowl of gruel, a glass of water, and an apple. It's not much, but it's food.

I glance up to the person who gave me this. I see that it is one of the guards who dragged me into the palace.

"Thanks," I croak, sitting up painfully.

The guard merely blinks, the hard expression remaining on his face. "Well, we can't have you dead before your execution, now can we?"

On that happy note, he turns and marches out of the dungeon.

And then there was one.

"The gruel's not that bad, you know," a voice from the next cell over told me. I raised my eyebrow, even though I knew he couldn't see.

"Who are you?" I ask, slightly curious as to who else could possibly be in this dungeon. I hear him breathe deeply before replying. "Beckendorf. Charles Beckendorf."

I remember Beckendorf. He was part of the gang. He was in love with one of the village girls, Silena Beauregard, I think. He got caught one evening a few months ago while we were out on a food run. His foot got caught in a pothole, and we couldn't get to him in time. It made me feel immensely guilty and sad; Beckendorf was like a brother to me.

"It's me, Beckendorf. It's Percy."

"I know," He sighs. I could hear the guards dragging you in earlier, and the princess had come to visit you. What's up with you and her anyway?"

"I'm in love with her," I tell him, unable to keep my mouth shut now that I have the opportunity to talk. "She and I... we've had a rocky past, but made it up about a week or so ago."

"I'm in love too," Beckendorf says wistfully. "Silena Beauregard, remember? She used to scold me all the time for stealing for her," his voice cracked, and I pretended not to notice.

"How is she now, do you know?" He asks hopefully.

"Her family is doing well, last time I saw them, Beck. Why are you so worried?" I didn't mean to pry, and I know I'd ask the same things about Annabeth if I were in his position, having not seen his lover in months

"She... she's pregnant. About... I'd say five months along, now."

Okay, was not expecting that.

"I'm sure she's fine. Her family will take care of her, I know they will." I reassured him, feeling as if this helps to make up for the way I failed him when his foot caught and he was captured.

"Thanks, Perce. I really needed that."

I smile, despite the fact he can't see me, and instead of lowering my head in despair, I raise it in pride. I will not go down without a fight.

So we met Charlie in this chapter, and found out Silena's pregnant *gasp*

Random Question!

Favorite TV show? (Any Doctor Who, Kickin' It, or Once Upon a Time fans out there?)

Until next chapter,

¡Buenas noches!