Only a couple more chapters after this one! But I've already started writing the sequel to I Have a SISTER so there is no need to worry. I just wanted to warn you all. Anyway . . . this chapter is more on the romantic side.

Pearl's POV:

"Now you have to answer my question: Do you like me?" Ethan asked me. I tried to change the subject.

"Won't T be back soon?"

"Pearl, it hasn't even been twenty minutes yet. Now answer my question." That plan failed. Blushing even more, I avoided eye contact with Ethan, but his sigh brought my attention back to his eye.

"It's not a hard question, Princess," he told me tiredly, rubbing under his eyepatch. Swallowing hard, I opened my mouth and said, "I know but...I've never liked a guy this much before." Thinking of the attraction I felt toward Nico and comparing it to how I felt when I was around Ethan, I realized that they were different. With Nico, it was more like a little crush. But with Ethan...

"Wait. So you do like me?"

"That's what I just said, stupid." The corner of Ethan's lips twitched as he grabbed my shoulders again, but I stopped him, pushing against his chest.

"Whoa! What do you think you're doing?"

"What do you want me to do?" Ethan asked with a wicked smirk, reaching out and brushing one of my curls away from my face. "Your cheeks are really warm. Are you okay?" Scowling, I swatted his hand away and stepped back, trying to regain my composure.

"What happens when T finds out that you aren't torturing me?" I asked him seriously. The smirk disappeared as Ethan also became serious.

"You don't need to worry about that, Pearl."

"Uh, yes. I do. I don't want you to be hurt."

"That's sweet, Princess, but not possible. I made an oath, now I have to keep it." Ethan smiled sweetly and stepped closer to me. I looked up and saw him leaning down. My eyes widened as I realized that he was going to kiss me again. Stopping just short, Ethan chuckled and tugged me closer.

"Close your eyes, Pearl." Obediently, I tightly closed my eyes and felt his lips on mine. This time I awkwardly responded, moving my lips with his. When he pulled away, I started apologizing.

"I'm sorry. I've never kissed a guy before," I whispered, looking down embarrassedly. Hearing Ethan groan, I timidly looked up and saw him with his hands over his face. Was my kiss that bad? I didn't realize that I had asked that out loud until Ethan said, "No. It was perfect."

"Than what's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong." Ethan lowered his hands and stared at me. The son of Nemesis was blushing! "I'm sorry. I didn't realize that I had stolen your first kiss."

"Well, why are you blushing now? You weren't blushing earlier." I wanted to desperately know.

"I haven't seen you like this before," he slowly admitted. "You're so . . . shy and cute."

"And what am I like normally?"

"Outgoing . . . and hot." That wicked smirk was back. Gathering my courage, I stood on my tiptoes and lightly placed a kiss on Ethan's lips. I started to back away, but Ethan wouldn't let me. He kept his lips on mine, holding me closer. This time the kiss was rougher and made my blood heat up. I slid my arms around his neck and tried my best to kiss him back. Suddenly, I felt his lips open. Immediately, I pulled back.

"Whoa there, buddy! One step at a time!" I admonished Ethan with wide eyes and fast breathing.

"Sorry," he apologized, not looking sorry at all with a half-smile on his face and leaning down again. Narrowing my eyes, I pushed away from him, making him let me go.

"That's enough for now. We have other things to worry about," I reminded Ethan sternly.

"You're right," a voice from the door said darkly. Ethan and I whirled around to see T standing there with a displeased look on his face. "Ethan, I knew you liked this girl but to betray me for her? You've only known her for a couple days!" As much as I hated to admit it, T was right. It had been only a couple of days. Ethan moved protectively in front of me with determination written all over his face.

"I made an oath not to hurt her, T, and I will not break that oath." T's face darkened with rage and he took a step forward. I rushed in front of Ethan and quickly asked, "Why do you want me anyway, T?" The unpleasant feeling of T's eyes on me made me shudder with revulsion.

"Must you ask that question? Not only are you the powerful only daughter of Poseidon, but you are also beautiful. Beauty, power, smarts, kindness, and stubbornness all wrapped up in one pretty package. You are perfect for what I have in mind, Pearl." As T was talking, Ethan pressed something into my hand. They were the rings that changed into long daggers whenever I wanted! I kept my expression the same as I put one in each hand. My weapons were back! Now I just had to keep T talking.

"And what exactly do you have in mind?" I asked him coldly.

"Surprises are so much fun, Pearl. Don't you think?" T dodged the question.

"I hate surprises."

"Then it's a good thing I know that you have your weapons back, isn't it?" T's voice was lighthearted but his eyes were dark with anger. Since he had figured it out, I activated the daggers and held them in front of me.

"Pearl! You aren't strong enough!" Ethan pushed me out of the way, glaring at me. "T is more powerful than he looks."

"I'll let your little girlfriend keep her daggers, but you have to come with me, Ethan. You disobeyed a direct order for the second time." T grabbed Ethan's arm and pulled him out of the room.

"Ethan?"

"There's nothing we can do, Pearl. T won't kill me," Ethan tried to reassure me as T closed the door. I was left alone again.

"Damn!" I yelled, throwing my daggers at the door. They sank into the wood, and I left them there.

"Percy, get your butt here now!" I growled angrily at my brother.

"Pearl? What happened?"

"Just get here!" I yanked the blades out of the door and switched them back to rings. I spent the next few minutes pacing the small room until I heard someone crying out in pain. My heart skipped a beat.

"Please, Poseidon," I prayed to my father for the first time, "help Percy get here as fast as he can. Or cause some distraction so T will stop hurting Ethan!" I finished and laid down on the bed, burying my face in the pillow. I didn't hear anything else after that, but I didn't know if Poseidon answered my prayer or T had stopped. Either way, I thanked my dad and promised to do something special for him once I got back to camp. At one point, I must have fallen asleep because the room was dark when I opened my eyes. Why wasn't Percy here yet? Hearing someone groan, I peeked over the edge of my bed and gasped.

"Ethan!" Rushing to his side, I gently touched his bleeding face. He groaned again and cracked open his eye.

"Hi, princess. What's up?" he asked hoarsely, trying to smile but grimacing in pain instead. Something in me broke.

"I'm going to kill that bastard," I promised darkly, feeling tears fall from my cold eyes.

"Pearl, calm down. You aren't strong enough!" Ethan tried to stand but fell back with a gasp. "This . . . is exactly what . . . he wants," he managed to say. I placed my hand on his cheek then stood and walked to the door. Seeing through a haze of red, I kicked at the door several times, making it groan as it finally broke open.

"Pearl!" I heard Ethan cry out as I walked out of the room with my daggers in my hands. I wasn't going against my oath by fighting for Ethan's sake. I was going to kill that bastard T.