Page 19 of Poseidon's Island Flower

Once I climbed to the surface, my parents wouldn’t be there, neither would Koma. What did I have to fight for, then?

I rolled my eyes at myself. Seriously, we shouldn’t have these stupid thoughts near the bottom of the sea.

So, I climbed. But the more I climbed, the more I kicked and pulled, the ocean only seemed to get deeper. The surface was so far away, and my lungs burned. I was engulfed in the depths and couldn't find my way out.

And when I thought I closed my eyes for a minute, the lower half of my body was wrapped in a gigantic tail covered with enormous flamboyant fins. The top half of me was dry, and a powerful body held me in their arms.

I was dead. I had died, or I was on the cusps of dying, because this creature could not be real.

Sure, I’ve heard of vacationers saying they’d glimpsed a mermaid or siren, but this was too much. He wasn’t some gorgeous female; it was a merman, and he had rippling, hard muscles that didn’t match his face.

His eyes were gold and soft, as was his touch. His long, flowing red hair and beard were thick and beautiful.

Could a guy’s hair be beautiful?

And once I tried to touch his face, it all went black.

Now I laid on a beach, my ass crack full of sand and my arm over my face.

“It’s so bright,” I whined, rolling to my side. “Did I die?”

The grip on my hand was unbelievably tight, but soft, nonetheless. Not only that, but I could also feel the heat flow from my hand all the way up my arm and into my breasts. My nipples were tightening, and the heat between my legs grew.

Oh hell, I did die.

Of embarrassment.

“Has anyone called an ambulance?” I heard Kal shout into the hovering crowd.

Dollar signs danced around my head like one of those stupid cartoons, and I shook my head quickly. “No! No ambulance! If I don't die now, you will make me die eventually, having to pay that bill.”

“Lani, lay back, let us check you over then. I still think you need to go. You were out there for a long time,” Candice coaxed, and I could feel her rolling me onto my back.

An umbrella was shoved into the sand, and I could finally open my eyes and not feel the harshness of the sun.

“I think it’s best that those not closest to dear Lani step away. You are crowding her.” A feminine voice interjected.

Kal scoffed. “And who do you think you are? Why should you stay here?”

The woman chuckled and pulled down rose-colored glasses from her face. “I’m a physician, and if you would like to get some free care, I suggest you let me conduct an exam.”

“Leave Kal!” I shouted at him, pointing for him to go away. “I need free health care!”

Kal snorted. “Alright, I’ll be over here. Let me know if you need something, alight Lani?” He took one long look at the person beside me who was still holding my hand, but I still didn’t look over at them yet.

Could he be the hot merman?

Please be the hot merman.

“I’m staying.” Candice crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m her bestie, and I can’t leave her.”

“Of course you can stay, sweetheart,” a deep voice sounded.

“Shit on a cracker,” Candice whispered.

“Candice, no,” I groaned and wagged my finger.

That was her favorite saying when she found someone she fancied, and now was not the time. Not when free health care was involved.

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