A/N: YES PART ONE IS OFFICIALLY BETA'D NOW TO BE CROSSPOSTED ON AO3! Please look for it there too! And as you all know this is no longer a one-shot Pt 3 is on the way so is Beta'd PT2 So please :3 ENJOY! AND REMEMBER I AM NOT DEAD!

-Betrothed-

The Sins of Youthful Love

It's not like he'd meant for it to happen–No, it just sort of did. It's not like he had wanted the curse to fall on them– on the kingdom, their familie s – but it did. He didn't mean for things to escalate so quickly, so forcefully, so strongly. It didn't matter what he said, what he believed. It didn't matter that he was supposed to be getting married; that he was betrothed to another– to Annabeth. None of that occurred to him, especially not when he had the poor servant boy trapped beneath him. Not when his lips molded against his. Not when he'd crane his neck back and beg for more. He could push all those thoughts away and pretend that this was meant to be.

But little ever really was.

-Betrothed-

The room was silent but that wasn't a surprise to anyone. Neither was the emptiness, the feeling of deep sadness; that stretched across the table, seeping through cracks, doors, and windows. Nothing could stop it. Nothing could block it. Droughts and famine plagued the lands. Earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and thunderstorms, Mother Nature threw everything she could at the heads of mankind. The people grew disheartened. The people grew angry. Unrest filled the hearts of all.

The curse had struck.

It was a disease of both the body and mind; a disease that was not only affecting the royal family but everything, everyone. It was death's vengeful mistress, enraged at her secondary position, pitting her children– despair and fury– against the wits of man.

Candle light flickered overhead, dancing on the walls, as the chandeliers above the great hall swayed gently with the crisp winter air. It was cold but no one felt like shrugging his or her shoulders against the bitter bite. They didn't see a point. They didn't see a point to much of anything anymore. Well, everyone but the youngest prince; the youngest prince of the name Peruses Jackson–the Prince of the Sea.

He still had reason to live. He could still find joy in these dark times. He could find reasons to smile while all else frowned and turned to despair. His sea green eyes scanned the room, lifting his hand casually to guide the waterlogged soup to his lips. It was bland and lifeless, the few vegetables that resided in its depths had long since been devoid of their flavor. An even lesser group than him would think this preposterous. The royals eating like slaves? No better than commoners? Starve the populace! Tax them! Crush resistance! Their reserves had long since been depleted, given away to their starving people, but Percy didn't complain. He knew why his father did it. He saw the wisdom behind the action even if his older brothers, Tyson and Triton, could not.

Tyson, the oldest, with his swamp green eyes and uncharacteristic red-brown hair, was the pretty boy. He was the one the people regarded as the charismatic and charming one. He had the people, both men and women, wound tightly around his finger. Despite his obvious elitist airs and views he remained a town favorite, if not only for the attractive curve of his lips. It had long since been suspected that he wasn't truly a royal, a bastard to some other in an scandalous affair, but Sally swore on the Great Goddess of the River Styx that he was in fact her child. Who, in their right mind, would dare speak against the word of the Queen? Despite this, the offer of kingship was not extended to his older brother, as was his right as the eldest of the three.

Triton, resembled his father in more ways than one, and naturally he became the favorite for succession to the throne. Women flocked in legions, seduced by his rugged and rough allure. His arms rippled with toned muscles and faded scars, a shade lighter than his tan skin, and long black hair framed his strong jaw. He looked like bad news and he wasn't short of it. He only visited the palace for two reasons: to either aid with military affairs or to deflower young maidens who ambled about his room for a night of intense passion.

Percy paled in comparison to his elder siblings. He wasn't exactly what many would consider "handsome" or "good-looking". He hung in the shadows of his brothers and his father, invisible, to even the palace servants. His black hair, forever unruly, was kept at a perpetual length that never passed his neck or fell into his eyes. Percy was skinny and gangly to the point that he appeared to border on anorexia. This, Percy declared, was the perfect disguise to mask his sly and cunning nature. He was easily one of the smartest minds in the kingdom; with tactical and worldly knowledge to rival that of a child of Athena. His natural ability in academics infuriated him. He feared loosing the favor of the night that allowed him to blend into the crowd, without so much as a whisper.

His brothers held onto that medieval belief that they were above everyone else and were naturally entitled to the luxuries they wallowed in. They claimed that the gods had imbued them with some sort of natural born power that allowed them to assert themselves over others. Percy himself scoffed at the very notion. How couldn't they see that it was simple luck that they were descendants of royal blood? They could've been just as likely to be born a peasant, as they were a royal. Though, personally, he couldn't see much of a difference. At the moment all he viewed was a large dreary castle that was always too cold because there was never enough people to truly warm up the place. They were just as hungry as the poor and the only luxury they truly had left, was their titles and noble airs.

The two oldest siblings had voted against giving away their reserves, holding tight to their self-indulgence, while their mother and father voted to give them away. Percy was the tiebreaker in the matter and he was quick to side with his father, incurring the wrath of his older two siblings.

"Why do you even let him vote father?" Tyson had whined, fixing his younger brother with a poisonous glare, his nail file slipping from his loose grasp. "Fuck," Tyson cursed bending down to retrieve it. Triton nodded silently his steely eyes fixed on the sea prince, his lips spread into a hard line, "He's not even eighteen yet." "And why does that matter?" Poseidon thundered, "You two where even younger when we gave you the right to vote." Poseidon shifted his gaze to Percy, "and we all know that Peruses is more than capable to lead," He ran a hand through his hair tiredly, "he is far more qualified than the both of you." Percy winced, as their glares grew even more ferocious. It wasn't a secret that he was their father's favorite.

He wasn't quite sure why Tyson hated him so much. The boy had no desire to be king, he'd made that much obvious, and he was more than content to freeload off the wealth of the family. As long as he still possessed his jewels and playthings, he spoke no word of insurgence. His obvious dislike for Percy confused him despite the truths of these matters. Triton viewed him as an obstacle to the throne but Tyson? What could he possibly do to him? What had he possibly done to him?

Percy sighed and leaned back into his chair, shaking his dark locks with slow deliberation, as if to rid him of these thoughts. He was dreaming now. He was thinking back weeks– No, months! – No, years! –He was dwelling in the present now, eating horrid soup, and trying to catch the eye of a certain servant. One who had skillfully pretended not to hear his calls or see his longing stares. Percy had become infatuated with this servant boy who managed to make his heart flutter uncontrollably. He brought an unfamiliar red to his cheeks and awkward movements, which he hadn't known sense his early teenage years. These were actions foreign to Percy, things he'd known that were forbidden, but things he did anyways because of the feelings he felt for this servant–

His beloved servant.

-Betrothed-

"Psst, Sabien, he's looking your way again."

Nico shrugged and grunted in response, angrily tossing the used dishes into his basket; he didn't feel like talking to the royal brat right now. Actually, he didn't feel like being here period, but of course that didn't matter. He was but "a lowly servant boy, dressed in rags, and meant to humbly serve and tend to all of his lieges wishes".

He scoffed.

Yeah right.

In actuality Nico wasn't any of those things. He was really the lost prince of the Di Angelo family, the only living heir to the fallen kingdom of Tartarus. Once, his father, Hades di Angelo, had ruled it but it had been taken over by Kronos Castellan, a bloodthirsty tyrant who only desired more power and control. Nico and Percy agreed that it was only a matter of time before the Dark King, as he had become known as, made a move against the remaining kingdoms.

Now, Nico wasn't picky by nature, he honestly had no qualms about having to become the servant boy Sabien (a guise Percy had chosen for him to live by when he'd come to Atlantis for help). He really didn't mind the work– vanity had never been an issue–and Nico had never been one to turn down an excuse to get dirty.

Before being forced to run away, the pale black haired youth would've been found in the kitchen's of Tartarus, helping his own servants prepare the next meal, or outside with the other peasant boys, carrying wood, or just rough housing in the mud. His father detested it. He didn't think that royals and commoners should mix but his mother, Maria, thought otherwise. Not that any of that mattered now. His family was dead. He had no way to travel back in time and stop it from happening, and even if he could, he doubted he would've made any difference. He was only one person and he would have no chance unless he could outwit Kronos.

Nico shoved another plate in the basket and hefted it off the ground with a grunt, head bowed he began to make his way out of the room. The servant beside him hurried to follow.

"Slow down man," He hissed, "You'll make it obvious you're tryin' to avoid him."

Nico laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Like he doesn't know already? I think it's been obvious I've been avoiding his affections."

The servant chuckled nervously, and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well maybe you shouldn't. You don't know how he'll react. You know how nobles can be."

Nico scoffed, "Please, Percy's harmless." The servant shot him a look, clearly saying expressing that he didn't believe him. "Okay so maybe that's just me." Nico said slowly. The servant opened his mouth to say something else but the lost prince cut him off, "Trust me, I know all about the people he's killed and believe me when I say he wouldn't dare raise a hand to me."

"How can you be so sure?" The other boy said with a quizzical raise of his eyebrows.

The raven-haired youth shrugged. "Just do." There was nothing more he could say. It's not like he could tell him his true identity or that he in fact, knew Percy from his days of youth. That would raise too many questions and then his cover would be blown. He'd get to see his prince no more. Nico bit his lip and thought sourly, Shit. He was supposed to still be mad at the green-eyed royal and now he already craved his embrace.

God damn it all.

Damn it to the heavens.

Why did Peruses Jackson have to have such an affect on him?

-Betrothed-

Tyson watched as his youngest brother tried to gain the attention of the servant boy that crossed through the dinning hall. It was exceedingly obvious that the boy was being ignored and if the sea prince's crestfallen expression was anything to go by there was definitely something else underlying his attempts. Tyson raised his watered down wine to his lips. Oh this would be fun to watch, he thought with a wicked smile. His little brother was finally in love? With someone who wasn't betrothed and a boy at that? He could tease him about this for ages.

Tyson glanced around him with a wary expression. No one else seemed to be aware of Percy's affection for the servant boy and the more he dwelled on it, the more he realized the longevity of the romance at hand. There had been so many obvious signs and Tyson could not fathom how he had missed them. His sudden wardrobe change into accessories like scarves, despite that Percy had never worn them, even during the coldest winters. His sudden desire to spar with his brothers, something the sea prince would normally avoid at all costs. The tokens he'd seen laying around his room, pins and jewels, that he hadn't noticed before. It was a perfectly logical conclusion to assume that his brother was seeing someone.

Tyson's brow furrowed in deep thought. The only oddity was the nature of these jewels, which appeared quite lavish and expensive. He couldn't understand how a mere servant boy could afford to distribute such trinkets.

Tyson watched as his brother excused himself from the table. No one said anything. No one even acknowledged he was leaving. He sighed, watching his brother leave to follow the servant. It's really rather boring in here, Tyson watched fingering his lower lip with idle curiosity. He figured the romance between his brother and the servant boy was more interesting than any speech he would hear at the table. After a moment he got up to follow.

-Betrothed-

Nico heard the footsteps before he felt the hand on his shoulder. "Sabien, wait up!"

Nico sighed and turned to face the prince, setting his basket down as he did so. "I don't have time for this Peruses. I have to get these dishes back to the kitchen." Percy let out a breath and ran a hand through his ebony locks. "Look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for–" He paused, glancing at the servant beside Nico.

"Don't mind me, just…" The servant trailed off before snatching the basket from Nico's hands and executing a short bow before speeding off. "Thanks Grover." Nico mumbled as his friend disappeared around the corner. The two stood in silence for a moment, Percy opening and closing his mouth, trying to figure out what to say. Nico felt a small smile touch the corner of his lips. He found the sea prince's floundering adorable, if he was to be completely honest with himself.

"You were apologizing?" Nico finally broke the silence, waving his hand to signal that Percy continue.

Percy bit his lip and shifted from foot to foot. "Yeah, I-I was," He chuckled nervously. "Now what I was going to say sounds stupid..."

Nico rolled his eyes. "Just get on with it, I don't have all day you know."

The sea prince sighed and fiddled with his fingers. "Okay…I'm sorry, for saying what I said about your family. It was wrong and insensitive and I was out of line."

"Don't forget you're a dumb ass."

"Okay, okay, so I was an ass."

"And you're a jerk."

"And maybe a bit of a jerk." Nico shot him a look. "Okay a lot a jerk but still-"

Nico smirked before leaning forward to press his lips against Percy's ears, "Promise, I get to top and I'll forgive you."

Percy gulped and nodded. "Good," Nico breathed before pulling the prince down for a heated kiss.

"Nico, I-"

"Shut up, and kiss me dammit."

Percy growled lowly in his throat, before pushing Nico forcefully against the wall, thrusting his knee against the boy's groin. Nico gasped and Percy forced his tongue in the other boy's mouth. "Wha-what if someone see's?" Nico asked breathlessly as Percy dragged his tongue against his neck.

"Let them see." He bit his neck and Nico let out a moan.

"I need to get back to the kitchen." He managed between breaths.

"Then take this as a promise for later." Percy leaned in to kiss him again before pulling away and smirking at the flushed expression on Nico's face.

"F-fuck you," Nico said after a moment, "Now look what you've done."

Percy leaned over and whispered into the shorter boy's ear. "I'll be sure to take of that later."

Nico shivered and gulped. "I'll see you after my shift ends."

"You know where to find me." Percy said grinning mischievously.

"Ass."

"You love me."

Nico shook his head and stomped away from the dark haired prince. He didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing it was true.

-Betrothed-

Tyson stood frozen to his spot around the corner. Had his brother said Nico? Nico di Angelo? That Nico? It was impossible! There was no way Percy would do something so stupid and rash as to harbor that fugitive without telling anyone. But what if he was? Love made people do stupid, irrational things. He was more than knowledgeable in that department. Tyson glanced around the corner, taking in the raven-haired boy that stood by his brother and bit his lip. It could very well be him. He looked to be about the age and he shared the same hair and pale skin of the Di Angelo's.

Dear Goddess. It was him.

Tyson turned on his heel with a determined expression. He had a call to make.

-Betrothed-

Lips traveled against pale flesh, teeth nipping, tongue licking, slowly marking the boy in his arms. The prince ran his hands down the boys sides, his head moving back up to suck on one of the pale pink nipples now standing erect in the servant's arousal.

The servant gasped. "Percy!"

The prince grinned and looked at the black haired boy beneath him, leaning down to catch the smaller boy's lips in his. There tongues mashed and melded together, against each other, pulling each other in. The servant moaned as Percy bit his neck, sucking and nipping forcefully against the skin there, he knew there'd be a mark there in the morning, but the servant couldn't bring himself to care, right now all he wanted was to be ravaged by the prince. His prince. His Percy. No one else could use that name.

At least for the night.

The servant wrapped his arms around the prince's neck, pulling him back into a heated kiss. If he could only have him for the night he'd make sure Percy remembered it. Remembered him. Made sure he'd come back. Made sure he could always find his way into his arms. Remembered. The servant bit Percy's lip and brought it into his mouth, sucking against it, his tongue wrapped around his lovers.

The prince pulled back and stared down at the boy below him, sea green eyes filled with lust, his lips swollen from their abuse, they drew the servant in, there was no way people wouldn't know the prince had been having sex and the thought that he was the one to do that to him, that he was one marking him, not Annabeth, the fact that it was his marks on Percy's flesh...that aroused him even more than before.

Percy smirked and bit his ear, "Someone's eager," He growled hotly in his ear, his breath sending shivers down the other boys spine.

The servant moaned again. "Percy, please..." He whined.

Percy grabbed the servants groin, squeezing it hard. "Please what Nico?" He whispered seductively in the smaller boys ear.

Nico gasped, and squirmed under the prince's touch, biting his lip to keep from moaning obscenely. "Please...," He tried again.

Percy looked down at the other boy, lazily massaging his partners growing arousal, through his pants. Nico gasped and moaned loudly, cheeks flushed and breathing ragged. "Please...I-I.." Nico groaned again, pained and pleasured, as Percy bit his neck, breaking skin slightly. It hurt, but it felt so good, to him. He liked it rough, and he knew Percy was mor bbye than capable in that department, more than willing to let his sadistic side out to play with the little raven haired boy. Just the thought of what he could do to him sent a pang of need to his groin.

"Percy," He moaned out as the prince bit the other side of his neck, "Percy, please...t-take me."

The sea prince licked a stripe up from the boys red neck to his ear. "Is that what you want?" Percy kissed the servant boy's clavicle, nipping lightly at the exposed flesh, running his tongue against the promiment bone.

"Y-yes," Nico gasped.

Percy's tongue moved to the hollow in the boys collarbone. "Really?"

Nico moaned, back arching slightly as the prince squeezed his arousal tighter. "Yes!" His head turned to the side, cheeks flaming, black hair plastered to his forehead, the sweet musk of sex in the air.

The taller ebony haired youth smirked down at the boy beneath him, leaning down to bite at the smaller boy's chin and leave a quick kiss on his cheek. "If you insist..." He said, playfully running a finger in lazy circles on his partner's arousal. The love he wants but can't have.

Nico grabbed Percy's hand, stopping him, and pulled his face up to his own. The prince looked at him, eyes confused, mind heavy with lust. "What's wrong?"

Nico fixed him with a strong glare, one that the young royal found adorable, if not slightly amusing. "Stop teasing and get on with it dammit." The pale boy growled forcefully.

Percy chuckled and kissed him again, chaste and sweet, a startling contrast to their desperate efforts before. "Haven't you ever heard of foreplay, Nico?"

Nico squirmed under his touch and Percy latched onto his arms, stilling his movement. Nico glared. "You've been doing that for the past thirty minutes, I think I'm entitled to some pleasure."

Percy pouted, his lower lip jutting out into a slight frown, the look almost made Nico recant his statement, it was just too adorable, seeing the prince, the one who'd slain hundreds, pouting. Almost. But he really wanted something more than the few licks and kisses and strokes the prince was giving him. "You're no fun Nico."

"And you're a tease."

"We don't have to worry about time you know."

"Well then we can do some more later, right now I just want you to fuck me."

Percy smirked. "Well aren't you direct."

Nico leaned up as far as he could with the sea prince's body pressing down on his and licked his prince's ear. "I live to please my leige." He purred, Percy shivered.

Percy snorted and ground his hips against the servant. Nico's eyes rolled back and he bit his lip, supressing a moan. "More like to be pleased."

"Touche," Nico panted out after a moment, "But you like it too."

"Can't argue there."

Nico shot him a look. "Well?"

The prince sighed and reached into the other boy's pants, moving his hand, down, down, down, down... Nico clung to Percy tighter. "Is this what you wanted?" The prince groped the small boys ass with his calloused fingers. The hands of a worker. Strong hands. Manly hands. Nico shivered and nodded. "What about...," the sea prince moved his hand slightly to the left, feeling for one place in particular. "...this?" Percy slowly dragged a finger over the boys entrance; if the trembling the boy below him exuded was anything to go by it was a yes.

Percy stopped and removed his hands from Nico's pants. The pale raven haired youth pouted. "Tease."

The prince scoffed and placed three fingers besides the boy's mouth. "Suck." He commanded, his voice taking on a husky, lust filled quality that brokered no aurgument, knowing how much of a turn on the younger lad found it; Nico did as he was told, eyes fixed on sea green, who was he to deny his prince?

Percy bit his lip, suppressing a moan; feeling Nico's tongue run through his fingers, licking sensually at the tips, seeing the pure lust, the desire, the need, in his eyes, it fueled the prince's libido to no end. Without breaking eye contact he reached behind him, feeling down the boy's chest to his waist, grabbing onto the hem of the servant's trousers, pulling them down, down, down.

"Lift your hips," The prince commanded. His voice came out wrecked, it was obvious just how much he wanted to take the smaller boy right then and there, but he wouldn't, he didn't want to hurt him...well...not too much. " and bend your knees." The servant did as he was told and Percy pulled his pants the rest of the way down. Nico let out a muffled sigh of relief now that the woolen britches weren't restraining his manhood. As time had gone on they had become increasingly uncomfortable, the scratchy wool was not something you would want rubbing against yourself for too long.

Percy removed his fingers from the now naked boy's mouth with a pop, before running them down to the boy's puckered entrance.

"Spread your legs." Nico obliged and Percy lined his saliva lubed fingers with his hole. "Ready?"

The raven haired youth nodded and moaned in a pained pleasure as he felt the first two fingers enter him. "Fuck!" He cried out, as he felt the prince stretching him, wiggling his fingers against the walls of his ass, probing and widening with every thrust. He felt his fingers drag inside of him, sending waves of pleasure through his body, poking around, searching for one spot in particular, one that would drive him crazy with ecstasy.

Percy added the third finger and Nico moaned, back arching slightly off the bed, getting hard again as the prince finger fucked him violently. Angle after angle, thrust after thrust, he felt himself growing looser, more accustomed to the fullness, his need growing stronger. He moved his hips in time with his thrusts, pushing it in deeper, and deeper, moving, around until, finally, it hit that spot he'd been craving for so long.

He gasped in ecstasy, vision going white, body arching almost painfully off the bed, wrenching a long and dirty moan from his lips.

"There!" He cried out. "There! Do that again."

Percy smirked and obliged his young lover, watching as the smaller boys member began to leak it's fluids, standing proudly in the air. Percy gulped, his own dick throbbing at the sight, and he leaned down, taking the member into his mouth.

His tongue swirled around it, and his head bobbed up and down, his fingers still thrusting in and out. Finally though he stopped and pulled away, taking his fingers from his lovers hole, leaving him feeling empty and disappointed.

"What are you doing?" Nico demanded.

Percy smirked. "You're topping tonight remember?"

"Oh that's right..." A devilish grin washed over his face. "Well then." He pushed the sea prince onto his back and removed his loves pants. "I think it's time to make good on our deal."

-Betrothed-

Tyson stared into the fountain biting his lip. Did he really want to do this? Calling Kronos's army here, giving away the Lost Prince. What consequences would that hold for himself? For his kingdom?

Tyson smirked. Maybe by doing this he'd make an ally of the Dark King, maybe he'd be lenient to his people when he decided to strike. Maybe they could finally get out of this desperate situation they were in.

Yes, he was going to make everything better. Everything would be fine after making this call. He tossed the coin into the water's surface and spoke the incantation. The water stopped flowing and began to shimmer in the night air.

After a moment a blonde face appeared in the surface. Tyson cleared his throat. The boy looked up and jumped in his seat, dropping the book in his hand. "And you are?"

"Tyson Jackson, of Atlantis."

"Apollo Castellan, of well...I don't really know who we are." The boy paused, "What do you want?"

"To speak with you're father...I-I think I found the Lost Prince."

The blonde raised a brow. "Really now?' Tyson nodded. "Well...I'll just be a moment."

"Okay." The boy disappeared from view and Tyson paused, conflicted. Was this really the best thing to do? He took a breath as an older man's face slid into view. Well there was no backing out now.

-Betrothed-

Percy awoke to the sound of screaming and the feeling of warmth being wrenched away from him. Instantly his eyes shot open, and he scanned the room. Soldiers had aligned themselves against the walls of his room. What the hell was going on? Where was Nico?

"Nico?" He called out, jumping out of the bed, silently thanking himself for putting on boxers the night before.

A muffled cry met his and Percy quickly threw on a shirt and reached for Riptide, removing it from its resting place besides his chair.

"Sire, we can't let you leave, the room." One soldier said as he approached the door.

"Why the hell not?" He yelled, infuriated that they would try and keep him from Nico.

"We're under attack sir–Kronos's army. Apparently they found the Lost Prince here." Percy stilled and felt his blood running cold. How could they have found out? They'd been so careful in hiding it. His world tilted violently and he grabbed for the nearby wall to support himself.

"I have to get out there," He whispered.

"Sire I can't let y-"

"Move out of my damn way," He growled, "Before I cut you down myself!" He drew his rapier for added effect.

The guard gulped and backed away. He knew like everyone else not to trifle with Percy. His threats were not to be taken lightly. Percy inhaled sharply before beginning a brisk pace through the hallway, drawing closer to the loud screams and clangs of weapons.

-Betrothed-

Triton's broadsword swung through the air, cutting down any and everyone in his path. He was beyond angry. He was furious. Vengeful! Pissed to the extreme. Kronos dared attack them? To attack Atlantis, one of the first kingdoms to rise, and expect nothing in retaliation was suicide. Triton gave a bitter laugh as he hefted his blade, cutting the head off an enemy shoulder in the process. He continued, unfazed, as blood splattered his tunic. At least he could enjoy himself a little. He glanced around the room in a quick sweep and a flurry of motion from the corner of the room caught his eye. He gave a curt nod to the figure that had just entered the room.

Percy.

Percy continued forward, slicing, and stabbing all the while. He moved with grace and deadly precision, dodging strikes and timing everything to the last second. He eliminated any and all in an hauntingly beautiful manner. Triton silently thanked the gods that Percy fought for their side.

"Where did they go?" He asked when he reached his side.

"Who?"

"Kronos."

"Wha-?"

"He had to have been here, he's not the type of man to just leave his dirty work to the lowly peasants, he'd get the job done himself."

Triton shrugged and Percy stabbed at someone behind him.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

"What's that bastard here for anyway?"

Percy gave him a calculating look before mumbling, "The Lost Prince."

Triton opened his mouth to say more but Percy ran off before he could, and Triton was sucked back into the fray of battle.

-Betrothed-

Percy ran through the halls of the castle, glancing out the window and onto the fires of the countryside. They were being crushed. Atlantis was falling.

Percy bit his lip and tore his gaze from the sorry sight beside him and kept running. He had to find Kronos. He had to find Nico. Nothing else mattered right now. Finally he made it to the courtyard and he stopped in front of an open sewer drain. His suspicions had been right. They had come through here, entering from the farthest corner from the capital as to not draw attention to them too soon.

The sea prince dropped into the tunnel, grimacing at the foul smell, shifting Riptide to his left hand. It wasn't an ideal route but little else mattered.

Right now, he had a prince to save.

-Betrothed-

Nico struggled in the Dark King's grasp. "Put me down! What the hell do you want from me?!"

Kronos continued to slosh through the guck of the sewers, chuckling lightly.

"Why the heck am I still alive anyway? Huh? Don't you want me dead? Don't you want to make sure no one will question your authority in Tartarus?!"

Kronos laughed again, a dark throaty sound. "Don't tempt me boy." Nico closed his mouth with a sour frown. Kronos continued, "and to answer your questions; there will always be people to resist command, eventually I will fall, but that, my dear Nico, will not happen for a very long time." He paused before continuing. "See, you're more use to me alive than dead. I can use you as a bargaining chip to your people who seem to love you dearly and for the royals of Atlantis."

Nico stiffened. "W-what do you mean?"

"Don't try and hide it from me, boy. I have already spoken the Sea Prince's brother, Tyson. I know all about your relationship with him. Don't you think he'd do anything to keep you alive?"

Nico gulped but tried to keep his voice steady. He couldn't believe his brother had ratted him out. "Percy, he-he'll stop you."

"You don't sound very convinced."

"I'd rather him alive then dead."

"Are you that scared of me?"

There was a short pause before Nico answered. "Yes. I saw what you did to my family. I know how much of a monster you are."

Kronos gave a dark laugh in return. A light filtered in from above not too far from where they were standing and Nico found himself standing underneath the clamor of another troop of armed forces. Kronos heaved Nico out of the sewer and onto the ground roughly.

"Apollo, ready the steads, we move out now." Kronos strode forward confidently.

A blonde, handsome face poked out of the wagon and responded quicky, "Yes father." Nico scanned the area and his eyes landed on Tyson. The red haired prince glanced to the side with feigned nonchalance under Nico's daggered stare.

"Come along boy," Kronos told him with a sharp jab to his spine. "You," He pointed to Tyson, "Get in too."

They all loaded into the caravan and Nico had his wrists and feet bound. The carriage lurched forward and they began moving forward away from Atlantis. They moved steadily towards a place that Nico was all too familiar with. A place that he had, not too long ago, regarded as home.

Tartarus.

-Betrothed-

Percy stood breathlessly in the clearing.

"DAMMIT!" He screamed, throwing his rapier to the ground, and punching a tree with all his might. He was too late. Nico was gone. Probably killed and strung up like a trophy to be toted back to Tartarus, to wave as a trophy to encourage the masses to panic. He knew they had been here and that he had failed to save Nico.

The sea prince felt his throat tighten with the familiar sensation of sorrow and he sunk to the ground, with dry sobs wracking his body. This can't be happening, Percy thought. This couldn't be how it ended. Alone and forced to marry a woman he had no feelings for. He dug the tip of Riptide into the loose soil beside him. He didn't lift his head, even to acknowledge Triton's heavy and foreboding presence behind him.

His heart had finally broken.

The curse had finally taken its hold on him.

He had fallen into Despair.

-Betrothed-

The Sins of Youthful Love

~End~

A/N: pt 3 is in the works and pt 2 is in progress for beta! THANKS SUMMER!