The Sea Tyrant's Obsession (PJO x ROR) 18+ WTM/WTS Book 1

Escape

The following morning, Percy sat at the enormous dining table for breakfast, doing her best to act as though nothing had changed.

Hades sat at the head of the table, calmly eating his breakfast while occasionally joining the conversation. Persephone sat beside him, elegant as always, her emerald dress contrasting sharply with the dark surroundings. Zagreus was already talking about something Percy only half understood, while Macaria listened patiently. Melinoë occasionally interrupted with a dry remark that made Zagreus complain.

Percy quietly ate a piece of fruit while listening to Zagreus describe an argument he'd apparently had with one of the castle's servants.

"And then he had the nerve to tell me that I couldn't borrow the chariot without asking Father first," Zagreus complained.

Melinoë raised an eyebrow. "You weren't borrowing it."

"I was absolutely borrowing it."

"You took it without permission."

"That's just another word for borrowing."

Macaria sighed. "Zagreus."

"What?"

"You took the chariot without permission."

"Exactly. I borrowed it."

Percy snorted.

Zagreus pointed at her triumphantly.

"See? Percy understands."

"I didn't say that."

"Close enough."

Percy smiled despite herself.

For a few minutes, she almost forgot about everything.

Almost.

Then her eyes drifted toward Hades.

The god was calmly speaking with Persephone about some matter concerning the realm. His expression was relaxed, and there was nothing outwardly threatening about him.

But Percy remembered yesterday.

She remembered Persephone's warning.

She remembered Hades leaning over her in his study.

She remembered the way he had looked at her.

And she remembered the flower hidden in her room.

Percy lowered her gaze to her plate.

She was leaving after breakfast.

"So," Zagreus said suddenly, snapping Percy out of her thoughts. "What should we do today?"

Macaria looked at him. "Why are you asking us?"

"Because I'm trying to be considerate."

Melinoë gave him a skeptical look.

"That's new."

"I can be considerate."

"Occasionally."

Zagreus ignored her and looked toward Percy.

"How about we show Percy the rest of Helheim this time? There are a lot of cool places she hasn't seen yet. We could visit Uncle Adamas and Thanatos, maybe even take Cerberus out again."

Percy's heart sank.

That actually sounded fun.

And that was precisely the problem.

If she spent another day with them, she might start feeling comfortable here.

She couldn't allow that.