Page 13 of Waiting For Psamathe

"I'm sorry about her," she said. "She's annoying in the way only a big sister can be."

I laughed. "I wouldn't know, I only have brothers."

"You're lucky." She took a sip of her drink. "How did you know what drink to get me?"

"Aphrodite gave it to me," I admitted. "And encouraged me to come over."

"Well for that, I'm grateful. There's a reason I live here, and it's not because I like to go to parties surrounded by rowdy gods."

A loud screech sounded and we both looked in the direction of the stage where a blond man with a mischievous grin wasgrabbing the microphone. "How about some karaoke?" he called out.

Sama groaned. "That's our cue to get out of here."

I raised an eyebrow. "The party includes karaoke?"

"Not if Aphie can help it, but Loki will likely find a way. And trust me, you don't want to hear him sing."

I looked back at the man on stage, trying to reconcile myself to the knowledge that he was a Norse god. I'd just about gotten used to the fact I was surrounded by Greek ones, it was strange to think there were representatives of many of the other pantheons here too.

"We could go for a walk on the beach?" I offered.

Her whole face lit up at the suggestion. "I'd like that."

I held out my arm to her and she took it, popping her half-full drink on the tray of a passing waiter. We made our way through the crowd and to the terrace doors that led down to the beach.

"Wait," Sama said as we got to the end of the wooden walkway.

I paused, hoping she wasn't about to tell me that she wanted to go back.

Instead, she bent down and pulled off her shoes, setting them down on the low wall between the hotel and the beach. "I want to feel the sand between my toes," she said.

"That does sound good." I untied my shoes and pulled off my socks, leaving them beside hers. Hopefully, no one would try and steal them while we were walking.

Sama let out a contented sigh as she stepped onto the sand, and I could see from the expression on her face that she was far happier out here than in the crowded party room.

I joined her, enjoying the way my feet sank into the warm sand. It felt like a strange juxtaposition to the fancy clothes we were wearing, but great for it.

She set off down the beach, a light wind lifting her hair and pushing her dress against her body, revealing the curves beneath in a way that I was trying not to think of as enticing.

"I love being on the beach at this time," she said.

"Your favourite time of the day?" I guessed.

"No. That's sunrise."

My heart constricted. "Sunrise?"

"Mmm. Sunrise is beautiful, and peaceful. The world is just waking up and different colours paint the sky."

"Is that why you stand on the terrace every morning?" I asked.

A smile twisted at the corners of her lips. "Yes. I like to watch the seals."

"Ah, the seals."

She turned her head as we walked, and it seemed like she wanted to say something else, but didn't.

Instead, she continued down the beach, leaving me only able to guess what she was thinking, even though I'd very much like to know.

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