Page 99 of Poseidon's Island Flower

Athene shook her head. “The earth did not shake, the metals of the earth did not melt. Of course, she wasn’t in pain. She did sleep, however, that I know. You would have to speak to Vulcan for sure. He’s very private, you know. Just how did you not realize this?”

I scowled, popping a grape into my mouth.

“Oh right. The whole ‘hiding from the world thing,’” she laughed. “I guess you would not be caught up on the gossip.”

No, I wouldn’t be. Hell, when I got the invite for Hades and Ember’s mating ceremony, I was tremendously confused. Then I thought it was a joke and didn’t even care to respond.

A crashing noise came from inside my quarters. I jumped to my feet and Athena did the same. “What was that?” she asked, dropping her tea cup. The liquid ran down the table. I didn’t bother to clean it up like I normally would have because I heard a scream that made my blood run cold.

Lani.

I darted out of the living room, Athena on my tail as we entered my bedroom, and ran to the balcony. I tripped over the rug, falling on the floor. I growled, pushing myself forward, propelling me to the balcony through the sheer fabric of the curtains. My bare feet landed with a thud, the glowing fish that lit the globe around the castle faded and swam from my sight, leaving the city in darkness.

The sounds of the rushing current around us made Athena sway. She reached out in front of her to steady herself. My hair flew around my face, my eyes glowing in the darkening ocean.

There, standing before me, was a thinner male. He had a slim, muscular build and was dressed in traditional white. He’d donned a short, classical Greek robe and white Nike’s on his feet. He laughed, throwing a bundle over his back.

“Put her down!” I roared.

Silas, along with guards carrying long spears, came bursting behind me. Their hisses and sneers echoing around the sitting area.

The intruder had Lani over his shoulder, his feet planted on the edge of the balcony. Even with the thick atmosphere, Lani wouldn’t be able to swim in it. She was human, a land creature, and could not control the current within the dome.

Taking cautious steps, I moved closer to the fool. He chuckled, never once looking behind him. As I got one meter away, he turned his head to catch my gaze, and a smile spread across his bright face.

“Poseidon! What a lovely surprise. I haven’t seen you in ages!”

Hermes.

He didn’t consider me to be a threat. He stood there, holding my mate over his shoulder like he was picking up groceries. I snarled, my fangs descending.

“Let. Go. Of. My. Mate.”

“Ah, I would, I really would. But I have to get her somewhere. I keep telling all of you I’m not a taxi, but damn it with all this magic buzzing around and you all talking through mirrors and shit, I’m losing business. Now I’m just borrowing her; I’ll bring her back in a bit.”

“NO!” I roared, leaping from my spot, but it was too late. I wrapped my arms around Hermes, but he’d already faded into nothingness along with my mate.

“FUCK!” I gripped the marbled balcony’s edge, my grip breaking the stone into pieces. I breathed heavily, counting as Athena had taught me—to lower my anger instead of anxiety—but all I could see was red.

Hermes stole my mate.

I yelled out into the city. The bustling noises of idle chatter ceased, and many worried and fearful faces gazed back at me.

“Everyone prepare yourselves. War is approaching. We go to the surface.” I snarled, pushing myself away from the battered marble, and stomped to my quarters.

Athena held her hand over her chest, her face pale with worry.

“Poseidon, this has to be a mistake. Let me go talk with him.” Athena followed me out of my quarters and walked with me down the hallway to the throne room.

As I walked, I willed my breast plate over the front of my body. The plate was covered with gold, and a hippocampus was sculpted on breast. The merhorse-like creatures reared back with angry stares. Pearls and shells were worked into the seams of the joints of the armor. My trident appeared in my hand as I reached for it, and I rose to my throne, waiting for the rest of my subjects.

“Poseidon, you must see reason! War with the surface won’t bring her back quickly. Let me talk to Hermes,” Athena begged. “He said he would return her.”

“Do you know where he is, Athena?” I asked, deathly calm.

She shook her head, her hair unraveling from her slicked back bun. She should be afraid. I was the God of the Sea. I had not shown my strength as boldly as my brothers and sisters had in the past, but that didn’t make me any less powerful. I had control of more than they realized. Water covers seventy percent of earth alone, in Bergarian, it was more.

“I do not.”

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