Page 98 of Poseidon's Island Flower

I smiled, my pace quickening. Athena would just have to be angry with me. The punctual woman could be unbearable, but I knew all too well about scheduling to understand her dilemma.

But I didn’t have a problem with that anymore.

I didn’t feel the need to feel in control of my time or my tasks anymore. Now I had Lani, and that was all I needed.

I felt nearly cured.

And Lani loved me. Thanks be to Mother Rhea, she loved me.

If I hadn’t gotten the warning from her post orgasmic confession last night, I may have been too shocked to reply.

My heart soared beyond the Celestial Heavens through the night. Because I loved her too.

I loved her more than anything in the sea, land, or sky. She was mine, and best of all, she wanted to be by my side forever.

As soon as she told her friend, anyway. I did not see Candice being an issue, making Lani choose friendship over love. I also didn’t see Lani giving me up so easily, either. She cared deeply for me; I could sense the bond strengthening by the day. I swear I could almost feel every emotion. It was overwhelming.

It helped me understand her actions and her mannerisms so much better. I understood others by learning from her. The bond was strong, teaching me empathy, and each day, the load I used to bear lightened.

It was time to tell her why I was so different from the other gods. I was no longer scared she would leave and blame me for not trying to escape the darkness.

I pushed the shells that separated my room from my main living quarters. A low-lying table with pillows—recently fluffed and laid neatly—were scattered around the perimeter of the room. Small finger sandwiches waited on the table with a tea pot made from a conch and cups made from deep clam shells.

Athena blew on the tea, her glasses sat on the end of her nose as she took a sip. She sighed audibly and put the cup down with a small clack.

“You’ve been avoiding me, Poseidon. Want to tell me the reason?” She raised an eyebrow and took off her glasses. Those glasses did nothing for her vision, but the aesthetic she was going for in a human form was spot on. She looked like a therapist, talked like one, and gave the aura of a highly educated person.

Her thin lips tipped up into a smile, and she leaned on the table. “Yes, I figured you broke out of that prison you kept the real Poseidon in. Now, please tell me how things are progressing with the little human?”

I sat down opposite her, taking a hot steaming cup of tea. The tea was laced with hints of ambrosia, giving it a sweet and satisfying flavor. I took one sip to cleanse my palate. It was a stall tactic to delay answering her questions.

I was being selfish. I did not want to give my time to Athena right now. I wanted to get back to my mate, and I also didn’t want to share with Athena the intimate, emotional moments I’d shared with Lani.

“How did you know I was here?”

She chuckled, picking up a tiny salmon sandwich. “Zeus told me you had been going on dates, and it had been a few days since you’d returned to your hotel room. I figured you might have brought her here.”

I chuckled, lying on the cushion. “You had that much confidence in me that I would bring her?”

“Of course I did,” she scoffed. “You do not understand the power of a bond in its entirety. You know how it works on paper. You’ve read parchments upon parchments, but no one really knows what it is truly like until one experiences it.” Athena picked up a cracker and spread cream cheese over it.

“And how do you know that? How do you know this is so?”

“Because I’ve watched the first pairings. Ember also wrote about it extensively, but her words do not compare to the emotion and actions when I see her and Hades together. Her writings are just the surface of how strong a bond can be.”

I hummed in acknowledgement. “Lani asked what it would be like when she is changed. I am worried for her. She is human. What if it hurts her? I do not think I could bear seeing my mate in pain.”

To see Lani in emotional pain missing her brother and Candice was enough. The seas on the surface were in great turmoil over just watching her cry. What would happen if I saw her screaming while her body changed from mortal to immortal?

Floods may rise over the land.

“It has been done before. There was a human that has changed,” Athena scoffed. “Do you not know Vulcan’s mate?”

I sat up from my lounging position. “What? She is human?”

Athena rolled her eyes. “Her change was not documented. Vulcan kept her in a secured location few know of. But she was human, Poseidon. She was originally mated to an alpha werewolf who rejected her, then Vulcan came along, and Ember snapped a new bonding into place.”

“So, my mate won’t be in any pain?” I laid my hand on the table, staring at her.

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