Page 3 of Tides of Time

“You did it,” he swished his tail through the water and crossed the space to her.

Her stunning smile did not grace her lips. Ariana did not even look up at his approach.

Orion's strong arms enveloped her, pulling her close until she was pressed against his broad chest. She leaned into him, the tightness in her shoulders dissipating. Despite her upset state, being in his embrace brought her a sense of calm and comfort.

They were two of a kind—both quieted by the other’s soul and perhaps one of the only mercouple pairs truly destined for one another. Poseidon told Orion as much the day Ariana was tossed—albeit accidentally—into the sea. The Greek god himself demanded Galena grant Ariana the gift of second life, claiming her power would be one to save countless lives.

It wasn’t until that moment that Orion realized each person’s gift was not a gift but merely something in their being that unlocked when the magic flowed through their veins.

He placed a gentle kiss on the top of Ariana’s head, squeezing her against him to offer her comfort. “This is not just about the hunt.”

He didn’t ask a question, so she didn’t answer.

“Ari, talk to me, what’s going on?”

“It’s about everything. What if I’m just tired of this lifestyle?”

Orion frowned. This was not the first time she’d brought up discontentment with the pod, but he swore the last time was just that … the last time.

“Then you are tired of me so easily?” His voice did not hold the teasing tone he usually found naturally with his wife because there was nothing humorous about her statement.

There was no way to leave the pod except death, and her death was not something he would ever allow to come to pass. He hadn’t thirty years ago, and he wouldn’t now. Even had Poseidon not demanded Galena save the drowning woman who became Orion’s whole world, he would have beseeched the siren leader to do so.

Orion's gaze was fixated on his wife, just as it had been from the very first moment her bright, curious eyes met his. She had likely thought she was hallucinating when a man with long, flowing dark locks and an unmistakable tail appeared before her. He’d felt a stirring in his soul the moment their eyes met. In that instant, their fates were intertwined.

“I will never tire of you.”

Her soft lips met his in an exhilarating kiss, igniting a spark of passion within him. Though it was chaste and gentle, the fire that always burned between them roared to life. Their bodies pressed together eagerly, their hearts beating in perfect rhythm as they surrendered to the intoxicating sensation of their lips locked in sweet embrace.

“Then tell me what’s upsetting you. The death of a shark is not terrible when it feeds the pod. You’ve never been upset by it before. If you’re not tired of me, then what could weigh so heavily on you that your eyes are not lit with their usual sparkle?”

Her sigh weighed on his heart, and only increased when her palms lay flat on his chest, and she pushed away from him just slightly. It showed Orion the darkness in her eyes was more so up close. A turbulent swirl of color met his gaze.

A turbulence he’d never seen before.

Ariana was the gentlest woman he’d ever met—on land or under the waves. She regarded all life as precious and went to great lengths to ensure none were harmed if she could control it. The woman staring back at him did not shine with that light. She appeared tired—as she’d indicated.

Still, her silence spoke more than a million words could of. His wife was not happy, and he was not ready to go through life without her.

“We will take leave from the pod. I will clear it with Galena and we’ll some time on the outskirts of the city, away from the pod. Anywhere you wish, we will go. I will not have your well-being tarnished by whatever you encountered today.”

“It wasn’t just today,” her voice grew hard, and she pressed against his chest again.

Orion slowly released his grip, fingers uncurling like the petals of a wilted kelp. He watched as Ariana swam backward, her body gliding smoothly through the water like a graceful sea creature.

When she did, his heart fractured just a bit. She’d never shied away from him, not from the moment she’d re-awoken from her first death.

“Come,” he gestured for her to follow but didn’t dare take her hand. He respected her boundaries, and she’d already pulled away from him once.

Orion half expected her to stay put, not willing to speak to even him about what troubled her, but the gentle flow of water passing over his arms from behind let him know she did swim behind him, just out of reach.

As they glided through the water, their splashing was the only sound. It was the first time since they found one another that there was no playful banter or shared laughter between them. He couldn't help but the uneasy feeling in his gut. A quick glance behind him continued to break him, staring at her obvious struggle. The exhaustion in her face was palpable, and it broke his heart to see his usually fierce and resilient girlfriend so defeated.

Only when the pod was miles behind them did he turn back a second time and offer her his hand. They could remain upright in a stasis if they choose. Flipping their fins was only to move through the water. They stood still much the same way a person did on land.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered so quietly the sound did not reach his ears. Only the movement of her lips gave her words away.

“You will never have anything to be sorry for. Tell me what happened, help me understand so I can chase the gray from your gaze.” He cupped her cheek in his hand and she leaned into it. “I would give you the world if I could.”

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