Page 8 of Tides of Time

“What did you do, Wife?” he whispered against her lips.

Her chuckled response would get them both killed.

“I’d better tell you what I did first.”

She let her fingers still play over his length making it entirely impossible for him to fully concentrate.

“I used my gift the way I wanted to for once, not that way the pod makes me use it.”

Orion pulled back at her confession, black clouding his once sensual haze.

“Are you mad?” Orion’s voice still held the deep husk of his arousal. Though he still held her close, Ariana knew he was no longer going to be interested. But she didn’t keep secrets from him.

As the adrenaline surged through her veins, she couldn't help but feel a sense of euphoria wash over her. Saving the young girl's life had lifted a weight off her shoulders that she hadn't even realized was there. As a siren, her powers were often used to destroy those who wronged her or threatened her kind. But in that moment, she felt a different kind of strength - the strength to protect and save. The cool ocean breeze tingled against her skin, reminding her of the vast power and beauty of the sea that she belonged to. She closed her eyes and let out a content sigh, reveling in the lightness she felt after performing such a selfless act. It was a feeling she would never tire of, no matter how many times she used her powers for good instead of destruction.

Twisting time to race ahead of Orion as they swam hadn’t been an issue. He’d followed her for a split second, trying to understand why she’d rushed, and then she was gone, her gift sending her to moments before the girl was thrown into the waves to do the same to the man and instruct her to get back to shore and get help.

It took Orion longer to catch up because he’d been unprepared for her rushed speed. She’d strangled the man in seconds. He’d clawed at her wrists but must have been drunk because she could smell the booze in the air.

Tossing him over, she knew Poseidon would thank her for the gift another time. Even though he would also always know she’d attacked his precious Galene, this would no doubt appease the Greek God.

Everything from the day vanished with the single altered timeline.

Her gift had allowed her to save a life. To give back what had been stolen from her. And though they all believed their gifts were only to be of service to the pod, Ariana knew they all held small joy with their talents and it was time to use hers for more than extra moments of pleasure.

Melanie lived for the entertainment of shifting and camouflaging like an octopus to spy on others.

D’Angelo thrilled with his ability to construct homes for them from a mere squid ink sketch.

Brittany secretly enjoyed shifting the temperature of the waves to piss off humans swimming to close.

Even Orion relished in his ability to instantly take the life of a human with a single touch when he found the need for revenge.

Once upon a time, her husband had been bloodthirsty. Or so he told her. In all their years, the one thing Orion begged her not to do was see his past.

To see the man who fought in wars.

So she hadn’t.

And now you must to gain your freedoms.

“Ariana,” Orion growled, this time his annoyance present with the intonation of her name.

“I am not crazy. I had a life to save, and you were too slow to travel with me.”

He glanced at the man’s as it sunk lower, getting closer to them as it moved to the watery grave.

“That was you then?”

She nodded. “A young girl’s life hung in the balance.”

“Fuck, I hate when an entire life span happens and you can undo it to give people their life back, but I don’t ever know what’s going on and I can’t protect you then. Galene approved this?” His hands released her entirely and threaded through his hair, something he did whenever he became distressed.

She glanced away, unable to lie to him properly and unsure if he would accept that she’d changed fate without approval.

“Ari,” he held out the end of her name in annoyance. “What did you do, my love?”

With a contented exhale, she surrendered herself to the gentle ebb and flow of the current. Her body bobbed effortlessly, carried by the smooth rhythm of the water. The sun cast flickering reflections across the surface, like sparkling diamonds dancing on liquid gold. She closed her eyes and let the soothing sounds of nature envelop her, feeling weightless and free in this tranquil moment. Perhaps her husband would not realize she ignored his questions.

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