Page 107 of Poseidon's Island Flower

The loud, rhythmic crashing of the waves washed away my anger. The soft breeze rustling into the worn drapes of Lani’s room cooled my skin. None of that mattered, now. Lani was here beneath me. I would always know where she was because of the bond; I would always know where her heart was now that our souls had been intertwined.

My finger traced the mark between her breasts. A trident, of course it would be a trident, the same one that stood at the door, protecting us as we lay here together. Pearls capped the three points on the spear to lessen the sharpened tines.

I never did like the sharpened thing, it wasn’t used to plunge into anyone’s skin. I'd rather use my power to inflict pain than rely on the object to do it. There were other ways to defeat one’s enemy.

I lifted my head from her shoulder, the one I bit into so savagely. Biting was a primal instinct, one that I never thought I had. But I did. Apparently I had spent too much time with all my creations to really take notice.

The smell of copper hung in the air, a reminder that the blood had long since dried. There was only a bite mark that has already healed, leaving a distinct gold hue. It would forever remain on her skin, just like the supernaturals of old.

Would she want to return the favor? I rubbed my neck, thinking of her nipping into my skin. I don’t believe she would ever do that. She couldn’t hurt a fly.

As I pulled myself from her body, she moaned, her eyes shutting tightly before resting again. I had to put my rage aside and make sure my mate was comfortable before I let loose the fury upon my brother and the messenger.

I felt a burning anger inside me and vowed that I would not let this pass without consequence.

My cock was still hard, throbbing, ready to plant itself into her body. I held back a smile, remembering for so long how it laid flaccid against my thigh. She was the only creature that could stir such urges.

I reached over the end of the bed and pulled off a blanket, which smelled of Lani, of lavender and chamomile. The fabric was worn, but the intricate knitted pattern, created out of fragile bits of material, was still discernible. I studied it, pulling it away from my body to assess the picture made from scraps. When I gazed upon it, all the colorful scraps melted into a flower mixed with different textures of pinks and yellows. Surrounding it was green, as if laying in a lush bush.

The blanket had a captivating beauty, just like her, and the flower seemed to reflect the beauty of her spirit.

I rubbed my chest with my palm. I hadn’t even seen what mark Lani had given me.

She sighed gently in the blankets I’d wrapped her in. The cool air I brought from over the ocean was to help cool her face as she continued to change into her goddess form. But soon, her body would be able to heat and cool on its own. Which would be especially helpful when she returns to the sea. I closed her bedroom door. The cheap mirror hanging on the back was barely big enough to display my whole body, but there was only one thing I wanted to see—the mark of my mate upon my chest.

The intricate design of the golden plumeria bloom surrounded by kelp was burned into my chest skin, creating a beautiful work of art. I traced the outline, proud of my mark, but more questions about what this meant arose.

What does her new status reveal?

The goddess of flowers? Petals? All things beautiful?

I laughed. Of course, she could take Aphrodite’s place, but even the Fates wouldn’t be so cruel to replace Aphrodite.

As I walked to the window, I covered my naked body with a robe I willed into my hand. I felt lighter, happier; I felt that I truly was the God of the Sea. I could have used the waves in all their glory to submerge an island, but I didn’t even use one tenth of what I could have to destroy it.

Because Lani calmed my storm.

As I approached the window, two of my large crab sentinels approached. One beaded eye looked to me while the other laid on their queen. I snarled, slapping my hand on the window frame. They both bowed, their spears clattering to the ground and their claws extended in a sign of respect.

“Apologies,” they said. “We wanted to be the first to gaze upon our queen.”

Lani's calming breaths cooled my anger like a gentle breeze. My fury to blind my creations became so great it unsettled me.

I care for all the creatures, and to have such anger towards them was an unsettling feeling.

My possessive feelings for my mate were becoming stronger. How could that be? How could one become so angry, so unruly at just a bonding?

I wiped the sweat from my forehead and released a heavy sigh, as I contemplated my thoughts.

I waved my hand, the large crabs rising from the ground. “Your queen is sleeping. She will sleep for several days as her body prepares for godhood. However, I have a task for the both of you.”

As I explained their duties, they walked down the beach in darkness. They might be large, but they were swift.

I had little time to prepare.

I opened the back door, already finding baskets upon baskets of supplies—towels, linens, clothing, jewelry and food, all at my disposal. Waving my hand, the items floated around the room to their respective places. This home was small, but I envisioned it as our home away from home.

During our days on the beach, Lani explained how much this home meant to her. The love of her parents and the memories of helping to raise her brother were embedded not only in her heart but in this home as well. I wanted to ensure this home stood the test of time, so I got to work.

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