The next few days passed in a strange lull of activity. We had yet to venture in to Tartarus but not for lack of trying. Information was slow in coming. I was stuck somewhere between wanting to get it over and done with, and wishing to never venture into the pits again. The last time I had visited Tartarus had not been a comfortable experience. I still had nightmares about the visions I had endured, dreams of such horrible things that I would never get the stain out of my memory. They felt like they were burnt there forever. I pitied anyone who had a soul dark enough to be sent there for imprisonment.

Still, despite how deflated I felt, I aimed for positivity. The lack of news meant there were more opportunities to spend time with Danny and his new pet. The Pegasus was like an eager puppy. It bounded around the palace with relentless excitement. It would gallop up and down the corridors, snapping playfully at Danny's heels as its little wings flapped excitedly. After far too many old and rare items had almost been obliterated by an errant hoof or wing, the valuables had been removed and stored away until it was safe enough for them to be on display once more.

We had given up on trying to keep the Pegasus secret, the little creature was so loud and so rare there was no possibility of keeping the creature hidden from the underworld. Still, we kept it contained to the palace for now. There was no reason to put the beast in harms away.

"Can we go outside, mummy?" Danny asked for what felt like the millionth time.

Resisting the urge to rub my temples, I shook my head. "Sorry sweetheart. Your friend needs to stay inside. Do you remember what Uncle Castiel told you?"

My son's head dropped. His hair, now at perfect height for the Pegasus, became covered in saliva as the horse-like beast took a sneaky nibble. "He said it's not safe. If he goes outside, someone might try to take him away."

I nodded my head. "I know you don't like it but it's the only way we can keep him safe right now. We'll figure something out. I promise but for now, you need to think of a name for him. He's your companion so you need to give him a name." Placing my hand under my son's chin, I lifted his head up. "You need to think of a good strong name."

Danny nodded his head, his eyes darting to the side to stare at the beast that was currently prancing around his bedroom, snuffling at all the furniture with curiosity.

"Percy." My son decided firmly, his voice ringing loudly through the air. I felt a tingle rush over my skin.

"Percy?" I asked, just to be sure.

The Pegasus listed his head and trotted over, butting my hand before snuggling into my son's side. It looked like the decision was made. "Percy the Pegasus it is."

The black beast snickered, bobbing its head as if nodding. Could it understand us? It wouldn't be the strangest thing to happen in our lives. Strange didn't even begin to cover it.

"Percy's hungry mummy, can we go and get some food."

I ruffled Danny's hair with one hand and gave scratches to the Pegasus was nuzzled into my hand. It was almost as if I had gained another child. The beast demanded a lot of attention but he made Danny happier, caused him to smile more with his eager antics.

"And let me guess, you want to have a picnic in the secret garden?"

"That's such a great idea mummy." Danny piped up, his grin angelic.

I rolled my eyes and pressed my lips together to stop a laugh escaping my lips. "Just for a little while and just into the little garden, we need to keep both you and Percy safe. Okay."

He nodded his head, grinning so widely all of his little teeth were on show. Ever eager to please, the Pegasus pulled back his lips and gave his own horsey grin. Snorting I rubbed the beast's nose, smiling when its eyes closed and its back leg twitched against the floor.

"Come on, let's go." I stated, dropping my hand abruptly and stepping away. The Pegasus huffed in irritation, nuzzling at my sleeve in an attempt to get me to continue with my ministrations. I shook my head and lifted my arm out of its reach. "No Percy. We'll play later. You need food and a bathroom break. I am not cleaning up your mess from the bedroom floor again."

I wrinkled my nose at the thought. Pegasus manure was no better smelling than ordinary horse manure my parent used to use to fertilise the garden. The smell quickly permeated ever part of the room until there was no escaping the scent. I hadn't wanted to let the palace staff deal with it. It was one thing to allow them to dust the immaculate hallways, or pick out a fancy dress, but making them clean up after my son's pet just felt wrong.

The horse snorted and paced along beside me, using its wings to herd Danny along so that no one was left behind. It was sweet the way the creature attempted to protect the small boy despite the fact that it was just a young colt, still finding its bearings.

After collecting a basket of food from the kitchen, a feat which earned me several disgruntled looks from the chef when Percy decided to try exploring, we finally headed outside. It felt amazing to be away from the overbearing stares which followed us around everywhere. It made everyday tasks endlessly tiresome.

Placing a blanket down on to the grass in the centre of the garden, I allowed a smile to play on my lips as Danny and his Pegasus raced around the garden. Danny's cheeks became flushed from exertion, his eyes twinkling happily as he raced after his companion. The black beast would slow when he fell too far behind snorting and dancing on the spot as he waiting for him to catch up. When he was just within the small boy's grasp, the Pegasus would prance away, its tail flicking within its wake.

Lying down on the grass, I allowed myself to enjoy the bliss of the moment. With my eyes closed, I drew in deep breaths, inhaling the sweet fresh air. It was nice to just stop and take a moment. My entire body, allowed to relax properly for the first time in days, suddenly felt lethargic. If I allowed myself to, I would easily fall asleep there in the middle of the little garden.

With a sigh, I forced my eyes open despite my body's protests. My nights remained restless. Every time I stated to fall asleep, panic would flit through me. The only way I could even attempt to get some rest was to physically get out of bed and check of first Danny and then Lucius to ensure they were both alive and well. The night before I had barely managed to get twenty minutes of unbroken sleep, instead I spent half the night lying beside Lucius, staring at his face relaxed in sleep.

Though I hated to admit it, but whenever it appeared he was dreaming about something unpleasant, my entire body would tense. It felt like I was prepared to fleet at the first sign that all was not well. It was the sad truth that though I did not blame Lucius for his actions a few days ago, the lingering fear would not vanish in an instant.

A frown formed on my face as I sat up. My eyes roved from side to side. Something was wrong. It was too quiet.

"Danny?" I called, pushing up on to my feet. "Percy? Where are you?"

I almost rolled my eyes. Calling the Pegasus? It's not as if the beast would ever answer me.

Walking through the grove, I called out my son's name again. Between shouts, I paused. With my entire body still, I listened intently with my head cocked to the side but there was no laughter. No snorting from the horse.

I made it to the wall which separated the smaller garden from the larger gardens. Where were they? They couldn't have gone far. They had been there only a minute before. Picking up my pace, I hurried forwards while following the perimeter wall.

The gate was open.

My heart thumped loudly in my chest and I started to run. The gate led out of the patch of paradise and onto the rolling lawns and acres of trees. As good as the guards were, it was difficult for them to keep the entirety of the property secure. Danny and his Pegasus would not know any different, they would not know not to run and explore. They were young, too young to fully understand all of the dangers that they faced.

"DANNY." I cried out, my feet moving faster and faster. My head whipped side to side as I raced between the trees. Branches slapped and tore at my, ripping holes in my clothing and slicing into my skin. I ignored the sting of pain as I moved through the treeline which was become denser the further I moved within the trees.

And then there was a loud squeal. I stopped abruptly, my feet skidding across the grass. Laughter filled the air above me and then I saw them. My mouth suddenly felt dry as I watched my very young son sitting astride the young Pegasus's back. They were bobbing through the air, both boy and beast happy and eager to enjoy the flight.

I felt sick to my stomach. They were too busy having fun to notice that the colt was struggling to maintain altitude. With every beat of his wings, the Pegasus lost a bit more of its height. It would be long before its wings gave up entirely.

"I'm going to bloody kill them. My heart cannot take this." I muttered to myself before rushing through the trees, heading towards the patch of light. Unlike the Pegasus, I needed more room to take off; the trees were packed together too tightly for me to beat my wings enough to gain enough height.

My eyes were so focused on the sky above, I didn't notice the tree root until it was too late. My foot snagged, the momentum of my body keeping me moving even as I fought to regain control of my body. There was no stopping it. The floor raced up to meet me. I thrust my hands out before me, using them to take the main brunt of the impact before my face slammed down into the earth a moment later.

I blinked and pushed up, my wrists throbbed painfully but I pushed past it. Forcing myself upright, I glanced upwards to see the Pegasus was almost touching the tops of the trees, its hooves catching on the canopy above as it fought to remain in the air.

"Shit." I cursed. I was almost glad that my son was far enough away that he could not hear my expletives. Yet again I would much rather have him with me than up in the air where he was in danger.

I pushed my body harder and faster, breathing a sigh of relief as I emerged into the clearing. Without ceremony I willed my wings to peel out from my back. They flexed and stretched to ease the tightness. They hadn't been used for a long while and they felt heavy and ungainly against my back. I longed to give them time to stretch and get warm but there was no time.

Danny screamed and the Pegasus cried out, their panic combining together into a sound which pierced right through my heart. Beating my coloured wings desperately, my muscles strained under the effort. Still I pushed hard, forcing my wings to work harder than they ever had before. I was rewarded when the ground dropped away rapidly as I climbed higher and higher into the air.

Above the tree canopy, I immediately set off in pursuit of the struggling pair. The childish glee was now gone and all that was left was panic and desperation. Danny clung desperately to Percy's neck as the poor creature beat its wings over and over again. He would gain a few feet in height for its efforts but then he would miss a beat and drop back down again.

"Hang on, I'm coming." I shouted, praying that I would reach them in time.

Tucking my arms close to my body, I forced my wings to push me through the air. Closer and closer, I moved through the air so fast my eyes were streaming. I was almost within touching distance the Pegasus faltered once more, its hooves clipping the treetops.

Danny looked over his shoulder, his eyes begging me to save him as the Pegasus started to fall. I pulled my wings in tight and then, as I caught the struggling creature around its body and then beat my wings as hard as I could. We slowly started to rise, slowly but steadily until the Pegasus was no longer at threat of snagging on the treeline.

I forced us through the air, one beat at a time as I searched for a space big enough for us all to land. Percy, realising that I was assisting them, stopped the beat of its wings. It allowed me to get a better grasp on his wriggling body as I fought to keep the distressed pair safe and unharmed.

When we finally arrived above a clearing, it took all of my willpower not to fold in my wings and drop onto the grassy meadow. My body was screaming at me to give in but I beat my wings steadily, slowing enough to allow for a gentle descent to the ground. When my feet finally touched the soil, I staggered to the side as I fought to remain upright. It was a battle I swiftly lost as the Pegasus skittered in panic. Its rear swung around and hit me in the side.

I didn't have time to regain my balance. All too quickly I was falling. I grunted when the air was knocked out of my lungs as I smacked down onto the earth. My teeth clacked loudly as my head bounced off of the floor. My entire body trembled from the adrenaline surging through my veins.

Panting loudly, I blinked to clear the fuzziness in my vision. I smiled in reassurance when Danny peered down at me from Percy's back, tear tracks snaking down his cheeks. I wanted nothing more than to do the same but my son needed me to be strong. His bottom lip wobbled as he held his arms out to me. Though my body protested with aching muscles and painful bruises, I forced myself up on to my knees.

I didn't hesitate. Stretching out my arms, I pulled Danny from the horse and held him close.

"It's okay," I murmured against his hair, laying my head on top of his head.

Danny returned the embrace, his arms hugging me tight as his little trembled.

"It's okay," I soothed, rocking side to side. "I've got you now. You're safe."

My heart continued to thunder within my chest, the pounding rhythm causing me to fell light headed. I was grateful he couldn't see my face as my eyes watered when reality hit me in the face. I almost lost my son. It had only taken a second for him to get away from me and I had almost lot him.

"Shh, it's okay now. Mummy has got you." I choked out the words, my body shaking with the effort to keep the sobs at bay.

Percy butted his nose into the side of my face, giving a pitiful whinny before resting his snout on my chest right next to where Danny settled his. I moved my arm so to include the traumatised beast into our embrace.

I closed my eyes and drew in a steadying breath. We were safe – we had survived.