Page 106 of Poseidon's Island Flower

I felthim.

I knewhim.

“Give me the child!” Kronos bellowed. The enormous god stood over Rhea, a woman with porcelain skin, her deep blue hair covered by the massive shadow of Kronos. He held out his hand, ready to snatch the child.

“No!” she cried, pulling the baby Poseidon to her chest. “You can’t do this. He is your son, our son!”

Kronos leaned over, his body quaking with anger. “He will not be the end of me, neither will the others.” He grabbed Poseidon by his foot and dangled the baby over his head until his mouth widened.

I shook my head, feeling the hair on my neck stand on end as I imagined Poseidon being pushed into the giant’s throat.

The rest came to me like I was reading a book. Poseidon was forced down an esophagus and found himself in the murky depths of a stomach, surrounded by his siblings. He and his siblings grew, and when they were expelled from Kronos’s stomach, all of his siblings forgot they were trapped in the burning acid.

But Poseidon did not forget.

He still felt the burns on his skin each night. My Little Poseidon felt the loneliness, remembering his past, and had no one to confide in. He retreated into himself, not wanting to become a burden to his family.

I felt a warmth emanating from him that told me all I needed to know about who he was. He felt he was still broken inside, but I could see the cracks of his soul healing as the seconds ticked on. He was ashamed, unable to shake his past. He was conflicted about what I would think of who he was.

I felt it all, saw all the heart-breaking scenes of who he was before me, and I let out a silent sob.

“Lani?” Poseidon pushed himself away from the mattress, his forehead aglow in the dim light, gleaming with sweat. He cupped my face with one hand and his forehead touched mine.

“I’m okay,” I whispered, my heavy hand reaching for his face. “I feel you, here.” My hand landed on my chest.

Poseidon put his hand between my breasts, his smile widened, and a tear rolled down his cheek.

“And I feel you, My Flower,” Poseidon murmured. “Here.” He touched his chest. The light still glowed between us, and a beautiful golden flower burned into his chest.

My lips parted, wanting to ask what it was. My hand tried to raise to trace the intricate gold weavings of gold, but it was far too heavy.

“Sleep, my mate. I will watch over you. I will be here when you wake.”

I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me, and with a trembling whimper, I gave in to the darkness.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Poseidon

Icarefullyranmyfingers through my mate's wet curls, pushing them away from her face.

I felt an unbreakable bond between us, and she was mine for eternity.

It wasn’t long ago I thought I would never get this chance. To hold a woman in my arms, to seek her comfort, to have her seek comfort from me.

As I inhaled her scent, I could feel the warmth of her body gently cooling from the sun, now long gone under the clouds. The black seas outside our window continued to brush their waves along the shoreline. The moon rose above the stilling waters. Just an hour ago, I was ready to storm the beaches and rip apart the entire island. The whole island be damned, I would have sunk it in an instant if I didn’t see my mate coming toward me.

My army already returned to the sea, but they still laid in wait just offshore, ready to be called if I need assistance while my mate slept.

And what a sight she was.

She was still nude, wrapped in the white sheet from our earlier ministrations. I was seething with anger that someone could take her from me, thinking I wouldn't even notice.

She was mine. Mine to protect, my delicate little human who trusted in me.

I growled low in my throat, thinking of the vile things I would have done. Not once in my life had I felt so angry, even when Kronos dared to show up again a few months ago. Then I was scared, but if Kronos ever rose from the ashes, I would be at the front line, ready to defend not just the world, but Lani.

Because nothing was more important than her.

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