Page 61 of Poseidon's Island Flower

“You will never drown with me, Lani,” I said. “Just as I have before, I will protect you. The oceans will part for you, and the creatures will worship you and tend to your every need if I am not there. The only thing you need to fear is my growing possessiveness of you, the yearning to hold you in my arms and never let you escape me.”

Lani’s lips parted, her lashes wet with salty water.

She said nothing, only the silent nod of her head.

Her eyes closed and her heart beat in rhythm with mine while I pulled her under. I let her float away from me, but still held both of her hands. I willed a bubble to form around her head, much like the one I created for us when I saved her. I also created one of my own to keep up this facade for just a little longer. And for the final touch, I created an unseen barrier that would protect her body the further down into the depths we traveled.

“Open your eyes, Flower,” I said.

As she did, she took in a large breath as she looked around the bubble that encased her. “What, what is this?!” She touched the bubble with her hand, and it pushed through but did not let the water in.

“It’s a breathing apparatus we work with for my job,” I stated. Her head tilted to the side, her eyes blinking wildly.

When she called me King Triton last night, I knew I would take a risk with this. She could remember how her King Triton saved her and call me out on it. However, she would have a hard time figuring out how my appearance changed.

After reading human psychology over the week, I came to the decision to ease Lani into the news of who I was. To leave her bread crumbs so she can figure it out on her own.

Instead of questioning the bubbles that encased our heads, she blissfully smiled.

“It’s like a dream,” she said. “Like a very familiar dream.”

“A crazy dream, yes?”

She nodded, and I pulled her closer to me, taking her deeper into the depths.

Chapter Twenty-One

Lani

Itwassomysterious.

There was no way that this was happening.

This bubble apparatus surrounding my head was thin and could pop at any moment, but when I put my hand through, no water seeped in. I continued to mess with the surface, waiting for water to pour inside but it never came.

The memory of my near-death experience still lingered in the depths of my mind. The bubble from the dream was much larger, engulfing two bodies. The other body being the red-headed merman with bulging muscles and golden eyes.

Was I given a premonition?

Long ago, native Hawaiians prayed to their aumakua, or spiritual ancestors, for guidance. Answers could be given in dreams, or they could be the guardian angels that some cultures referred to.

When I awoke in the ocean with this merman holding me, was I being given a message? To trust a rescuer with a bubble?

I barked a laugh, causing Cy to startle and look behind me. I couldn't help but show my amusement with a smile and a shake of my head.

He loved it when I called him Poseidon. Dare I even say he was amused besides the shocked face he displayed? I think I was going to call him that more often. His hard on made it quite clear he liked it; not to mention the commanding tones of reassurance.

He was unsure of himself, and given the short time we had known each other, he was very willing to do everything I asked.

Like grabbing my overly large bare butt.

God, he felt so good.

Was it a bit brash to wear a thong bikini in front of him? Sure, I’d pushed the envelope, but it wasn’t like the physical compatibility between us wasn’t reciprocated. I also didn't want to cross a line, though, so speaking with him later and knowing his boundaries might be wise.

He may not want to have sex.

I scoffed, all men wanted sex. But with Cy, I wasn’t sure. He wasn’t like anyone I’d met before. He was tender, kind, and needed reassurance. I’m not sure he would ever initiate any physical, sexual acts.

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