Page 23 of Tides of Time

Under the crystal-clear water, his long locks shimmered in a shade of golden that rivaled even Galene's own. They flowed like silk ribbons, perfectly flat against his head as he effortlessly moved through the currents. His bare chest, glistening with droplets of water, seemed to call out to her despite her unwavering love for her husband. But it was his godly beauty that truly captured her attention, impossible to ignore even in the midst of danger. In his hand, his trident glowed with a faint yellow light, a symbol of his divine power and authority. And as their eyes met, his powerful gaze filled with anger and determination, she couldn't help but feel both fear and a strange pull towards him

The handsome god flashed them away, dropping them in his castle.

Ariana allowed herself to float into a chair before trying to understand anymore.

“What were you thinking, child?” Poseidon bellowed, shaking the shell walls of his palace. “What I gave you was a gift!”

“What you gave me was a never-ending life in service to someone else. I was tired.” She slumped in the chair, knowing how selfish all of this was. “Is Orion alive?”

All three nodded at her.

“He’s alive and human.” Liam spoke, ever the peace bringer.

“Which is a problem for me.” Poseidon crossed his arms over his chest, the action causing every fucking muscle on display to flex. “My dear, when Orion called to Galene, it was I who commanded her to save you. I knew your love of time travel lore would suit our needs - needs to save the pod, which is always my first priority. It was I who did so again, but it seems we have a small problem.”

“And now you’ll kill me?”

His bark of laughter was more sensual than it had any right to be.

“Not in this lifetime. Now I will work to undo what you fucked up. The pod needs Orion’s gift the same way it needs yours. His ability to suffocate with a single touch saved many mermen and mermaids who would not have survived their trip for revenge. A second life that lasts only a few hours is no gift at all.”

“Why was I human?”

“Because your plan failed, as it would have all along.” Poseidon almost seemed saddened she’d tried anything that would harm her.

“Getting stuck in time is a punishment, not a gift. Also, it is not for you to control. Chronos - bastard that he is - is supreme in that. He found your attempts amusing, and so when you saved your husband, you catapulted back through time to the moment of your death.”

Ariana had no memory of that, just of saving Orion and then drowning. She always kept memories of multiple timelines when she created them, so this wasn’t shocking, but it fucked with her ability to tell up from down right now.

“Galene and I saved you because we need your gift. A gift is once in a pod’s lifetime. We are not done using yours as of yet. However, because you are clearly wound up in Orion’s life, we bartered with Chronos in his pit for a boon only he could give.”

She didn’t like the harrowed sound in the god's voice. Ariana knew the Greek mythos and knew what Chronos was to his family.

And to the world.

“What do we get in return for the boon"?”

“You’re not going to ask what this boon is?” Galene lifted off the chair and swam to linger before Ariana.

“Apparently, it was my life.”

The leader gave a small scoff. “Not so much. He’s given us the ability to allow you to travel back into Orion’s timeline - the erased one - and fix what you stole.”

“I won’t condemn him to this life.” She’d saved one of them and she would have to be happy for him and ignore the ache in her chest.

“Did he hate this life?” Galene’s voice boomed around them. “Or did he love you so much he allowed your recent hatred to seem like his?”

Ariana paused before she spoke. She knew the answer. Orion was terrified of losing her to her plan. He’d never mentioned wishing to be away from the pod, only that he couldn’t lose her.

Tears burned in the bridge of her nose before forming in her eyes. She did her best not to acknowledge them and appear weak in front of the important trio.

“So here is the task at hand. It is not a deal, so I will not call it such.” The god’s trident glowed before spitting out an image of Orion on the beach. “You will go with Galene and murder this poor soul. He must take his rightful place beneath the waves.”

“I will never harm my husband!”

“Which is a problem because if he doesn’t die, you’ll snap back to the moment before your death, and no one will know you’re there this time. We only knew this time because Chronos spoke in my head, gloating about the dangers your lack of gift would cause the pod.” Dark blue eyes stared at her, damn near seeing her soul while he played out the scene like a projection.

Ariana couldn’t watch, couldn’t stand to see the figures of herself and Galene as they destroyed her husband’s life.

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