Chapter twenty two

“What happened?” Denys demanded, slowly taking in the destruction that had occurred. He turned back to the hallway and noticed other students peeping out. Some who were also wondering what had ensued. It was his job to assure them everything was fine. He made an eighty-degree turn to his right and spoke to the concerned students.

“Spell gone wrong. There is nothing to worry about.”

They all bought it. At least, Denys hoped they did. It was not like they had much of a choice taking his word for it. It would be catastrophic for the second realm if Zeus got to know about the incident. Facing the accident scene once more, Denys repeated his question.

“What happened?” This time he whispered in a hushed manner.

Hiding the vial beneath the confines of her dress, Persephone answered. “It is very clear what has happened here, son. The demigod you saved has shown us first hand what a threat she can be.”

Hearing the mention of Talia, Denys felt his blood thicken and without thinking, he rushed to the girl’s side. The sight of it all sickened the Queen and the princess. Persephone felt her son reacted on instinct. Like dust to a polished surface, She feared her son would always be drawn closer to her if their stars truly aligned. Just when she tried to shake the thoughts off her mind, Denys’ honey gold orbs gave a blue glint.

“Her pulse is low,” Denys commented, keeping his head bent and caressing her cheek. “Ulu, Call the physician.”

“Of course,” Ulu answered, sending Persephone a knowing look before exiting the room.

Persephone brushed the back of her fingers against the unconscious Sybil’s left cheek. A warm pink glow danced around the girl’s cheek and Persephone sensed the witch’s pulse quickening. She sought to stabilize the girl. At the moment, Sybil was her prized possession.

“You seem to very the interested in the demigod,” Persephone began, cocking her head to the side and trying hard to smile. As much she detested having the conversation, She had to try to get Denys to be open with her. “Why?”

Denys gave an awkward laugh and forced words up his dry throat and past his lips.“What do you mean mother?”

“Do you like her?” Persephone demanded, inching her gaze towards Denys.

“What? Where is this coming from? Nothing is going on between me and the girl…”

“Just answer the question son, Do you like her?”

“I admit, She is an interesting creature but no, I do not love her.”

Persephone nodded. His reply was evasive but Persephone was certain he was not lying. The serum he was constantly taking ensured that but she also gathered that something could indeed happen if the attraction grew. They both remained silent, waiting for the doctor. In the span of a few minutes, A thin ginger woman strolled in, six nurses following her side to side with stretchers in their hands. The nurses wheeled the unconscious girls unto the stretcher and raced out just as quickly as they came. As Persephone attempted to leave the room, Denys ran in front of her managing to stop her.

“Does it have to do with the prophecy?” Without waiting for her reply, He continued, “You should know mother, My only love is not Ulu and it is not her. The trident will always be my first love. So please just get the thoughts out of your head. Trust me.”

Persephone felt her heart thaw. As much as she wanted to trust him, She could not. Those were similar words his late father once used when She arrived in the house of the unclaimed, sold by her own mother. If something, His words only reassured her that Talia was her biggest obstacle.

***
The night air sent chills as Talia roused. It started as an unseasonably crisp wind but as the gust intensified, Her squinted eyes forced open. Above her, She could see the tranquil nature of the sea through the dome above them. Fishes swimming and the distorted image of the colder moon. Turning to her side, Talia felt her dry side become moist. Startled, she jerked and descended into the water. Her mind whirled with thoughts of what was happening, Was she still having the nightmare vision of sorts? She broke through the water and rested on a waterbed she was formerly on while she made sense of things. Beside her were two other waterbeds; One was empty and the second had the witch from before. Then it suddenly came back to her. The spell had gone horribly wrong. Suddenly, she felt someone crouch behind her.

“Hey.” Denys smiled as she turned to meet him. “You are finally awake.”

The way he said it made Talia redden. For some reason, he was always around when she landed herself in trouble. It was impossible not to notice the heat that drew her closer to him. Realizing she had not awkwardly laughed it off or replied, Talia, cleared her throat to speak, calculating her words properly before she said something stupid. “What happened?”

“Well, you tell me. We found you three unconscious and in a bad shape. I am thinking it is more than a spell gone wrong situation.”

Talia drifted to the poolside. The prince helped her up while Talia tried not to meet his gaze.
“Yeah, I wanted to contact my mother.”

Denys sighed. “I put that thought in your head, Didn’t I?”

“No! I would have done it either way. I just want to know what happened. Why I am alive if my mother had nothing to do with it? Why I cannot leave until I sign that stupid book!” Just as the words came out, Talia choked. She noticed the Prince’s eyes widen.

“What contract?” He asked, his deep gravelly voice washing over her and sending a tingling sensation all through her body. She trembled under his gaze, finally discovering she was clad in just a robe. The fabric felt so light, Talia almost believed it would be see-through if it was not black.

“It does not matter.”

“It is okay if you do not want to talk about it. We all have demons we fight alone.”Denys said, a smile working its way unto his firm lips.

He was smart, Talia would give him that. Knowing she would eventually break and tell him, Talia changed the subject. “Why are you here?”

“I needed to clear my head. My demons took the better of me this night. I was passing by when you woke up.”

Their eyes met and a blush flared up her cheeks before she could stop it. She saw him raise his hands and lightly brush a frizzled lock of dark hair out of her face. Talia felt her skin bubble and burst each time his calloused fingers made contact with her skin. It was fire but Talia could swear she wanted to be more than singed.

“I was wondering since we were brought here, instead of a hospital, I am assuming the water is magic.”

“Yes,” He replied,” The tears of sirens.”
Talia took it in, avoiding his stare. She felt constricted. She could not breathe. She did not want to breathe. There was just something overwhelming about his presence. Stout silence followed for a brief moment before Denys spoke again.

“I should warn you, Talia, I know you still want your old life back but in doing so, try to stay off my mother’s naughty list.”

As serious as he sounded, It only seemed to strengthen the reaction she was feeling. The need was burning her. Talia could hardly believe the thoughts racing through her mind. Waking up from a self-induced coma had to have its toll. Talia felt different, crazy different. Regular Talia would have thought of the drama her stunts had caused, how much trouble she was in but all Talia could think of was kissing the sea god and that was not very Fae.