Poseidon (Contemporary Mythos Book 5)

All that was left to do was sip the water cupped in my hands. One sip to stop the sporadic images flashing through my brain. One sip to bring me closer to my family. Closing my eyes, I lowered my mouth.

“Stop,” Hades’s voice boomed from behind me.

Gasping, I let the water in my hands splash to the sandy shoreline. Turning on my heels, I stared up at the imposing god of the Underworld. My previous brother-in-law, who I’d remembered never failing to come across powerful while remaining the most levelheaded of the brothers. I cared for Poseidon, but I’d be the first to admit he could be frivolous.

“Hades, it’s what she wants.” Poseidon slipped a hand over his brother’s shoulder.

Hades didn’t tear his glowing white gaze from mine and brushed Poseidon’s hand away. “Amphitrite, I’m equally delighted and shocked to see you back. But tell me, why do you wish to terminate memories?”

Wringing my hands together, I glanced at Poseidon for backup. He gave me a curt nod, and I blew out a breath before speaking. “Aphrodite created a reincarnation spell. And it worked countless times leading me into dozens of lifetimes before being born into this current one.”

Hades nodded, not appearing as surprised as the others. His floating white hair brushed against his dark robes. “And the memories?”

“At any given moment, flashes from all my past lives consume my mind. It’s brought me to my knees more than once.” I rubbed my stomach as nausea bubbled, remembering how it felt when my nose bled.

Hades nodded again, the flame crown surrounding his head flickering. “Living through the ages, living these multiple lives—it seems like something one wouldn’t wish to forget.”

“I’d rather have the chance to be with my family again.” I squared off my shoulders, staring at Hades unblinking.

“Drinking that water is too risky, Amphitrite. Allow me to offer an alternative.” Hades nudged his chin to the right, his pointed ears sticking out from his long hair.

“Alternative? What else is there?” Poseidon followed beside me as Hades led us along the shore.

“Thanatos’s twin brother, Hypnos.” Hades’s voice sounded like a dozen whispers in varying pitches.

“Hypnos? The guy who helped Hera try and betray Zeus?” Poseidon quirked a brow at me.

“That would be the one. Though most only use him for his sleep abilities, he also has powers of the mind and forgetfulness. I believe he can help you.”

I quickened my steps to walk alongside Hades. “Do you know where he is?”

“Here.”

Poseidon pointed down. “Here?”

“Yes. When he woke up to an angry Zeus looming over him, Hypnos asked for refuge in the Underworld. He’s been here ever since.”

We rounded a rocky corner to a smaller cave, its entrance glowing a welcoming orange from a lit fire within.

“He lives there. I will not be accompanying you as I have to feed Cerberus, however, explain to him the situation, and I’m certain he’ll be more than happy to help.”

Hades feeding Cerberus. The thought of it made a smile creep over my lips.

“Thank you, bro.” Poseidon extended a hand to him with a firm nod.

Hades shook it before patting Poseidon’s shoulder. “I’m glad you get to be happy, Poseidon. And Amphitrite, welcome back.”

“Thanks, Hades.”

After nodding a goodbye, Hades disappeared in ash and fog.

“Let me go first, Starfish.” Poseidon coaxed me behind him with a burly arm.

He didn’t have to tell me twice. Hypnos was a primordial god. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been around one.

We edged closer to the cave entrance, and once we were at the threshold, a voice rang out, “Who’s there?”

“Poseidon and Amphitrite. Hades sent us.” Poseidon spoke to the entrance.

When silence fell across the cave walls too long for comfort, I gripped Poseidon’s arm.

“Come in,” Hypnos finally answered.

We moved forward, our feet scraping against the stone floor. The inside didn’t look like what I imagined a cave home. It was cozy, warm, and inviting with a roaring hearth, a quaint wooden table with a bowl of fruit in the center. A modest bed with red and gold blankets rested in a far corner, while a chess set resided in the other.

Hypnos stepped from the shadows, tugging at his maroon robes as if not knowing what to do with his hands. His dark brown hair fell in waves to his hip bones, and the small black wings on either side of his head perked when he laid eyes on us.

“You’ll have to excuse me as I’ve never had—visitors down here.” Hypnos gulped and sprinted to the table, splaying his hands to make an array of meats, cheeses, and a pitcher with mugs appear. “Please, sit.”

The desire to get this done and over with took a backseat to how grateful Hypnos looked to have company.

Tugging on Poseidon’s shirt to let him know I was alright with staying a little while, I took a seat at the table with a smile. “You have a lovely home, Hypnos. You’ve made a dreary and dank cave look like a cottage on the inside.”

After grumbling something under his breath, Poseidon sat next to me.

“Thank you, Amphitrite. Being alone for so long, I wanted to feel as comfortable as I could.” Hypnos grinned and urged us to eat by gesturing at the wooden plates in front of us. The wings folded back, circling his head.

After scooping some fruit onto my plate, I poured from the pitcher—ambrosia wine. “I’m sure Zeus wouldn’t smite you were you to join everyone on the surface again.”

Poseidon coughed and discreetly shook his head at me.

“You weren’t there.” Hypnos frowned and plopped in the seat across from us. “His rage at what Hera and I had tried to do rattled the mountains surrounding Olympus. And I took the coward’s way out by running. It’s a matter of pride at this point.”

“Hera left Zeus.” Poseidon popped a grape in his mouth. “Pretty sure he wouldn’t give a shit about you returning, Hyp.”

The wings fluttered as Hypnos’s eyes widened. “I’ll…consider it.”

I tapped my finger against my mug before scooting to the edge of my seat. “Listen, Hypnos. I need a favor if you’re able and willing to do it.”

“Unless you’re asking me to murder someone or assist in betraying a king god, I’m all ears.” He grinned as he folded his hands on the table and leaned forward.

“I’ve been reincarnated multiple times through the ages, not remembering who I truly was. Now that I know who I am—all those memories come pouring in like lifting a floodgate.” I gripped the mug, frowning. “It’s too much.”

Hypnos nodded, the warm smile he’d given moments prior still present. “Ah, yes. I do believe I can help, Amphitrite.”

I leaned back, flattening my palms on the table. “You can? That easy?”

“Yes. I simply need your permission to touch you as I need direct access to your mind.” Hypnos’s grin faded as he cut his gaze to Poseidon as if looking for his permission moreover mine.

Poseidon glared at him.

I stood and leaned in front of Poseidon, blocking him. “You have my permission.”

Hypnos cleared his throat as he stood and walked toward me, raising his hands to press all fingers on each side of my head. “All I need you to do is relax and try to keep your mind as clear as possible.”

The inability to clear my mind of all thought was the precise reason I’d never been able to meditate successfully. I’d have to dig deep.

Closing my eyes, I forced my concentration on my breathing—the sound of it as it left my nostrils, the feel of my chest rising and falling, the air filling my lungs.

“Done.”

My eyes flew open. Hypnos steepled his fingers and took a step back.

“Done? That’s it?” I felt my forehead, checking for fever or some leftover residue or—something?

“I’ve had these powers for a very long time. It doesn’t take much to accomplish a wanted task. I’ve suppressed only your alternate life memories, but they’re not lost forever. If you wish to recall them, then and only then will they surface.”

I’d never met Hypnos and only knew him for the several minutes we’d been here, but as tears filled my eyes, I threw my arms around him and hugged him.

“Thank you, Hypnos. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

Hypnos stiffened from my touch at first before he hugged me back, the rustling of his feathers as they bristled echoing in my ears. “You’re most welcome.”

After I stepped back, wiping tears from my eyes, Poseidon jutted his hand. “Thanks, Hyp. You should really consider visiting the new world. You’d be quite the asset up there.”

“Thank you. I will. If I can get over the shock of how much has changed, perhaps I’ll pay you both a visit.”

“We’d be glad to show you around. Anytime at all. I owe you a favor.” I curled my hands under my chin and smiled.

Hypnos bowed his head and pressed a hand over his chest. “My dear Queen, you don’t owe me a thing. I appreciate the company, but being as she’s mortal Poseidon, you’ll need to get her back to the surface.” He frowned but urged us with a flick of his hand.

Poseidon pressed a hand to my back before pulling me against him. I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heart as I smiled at Hypnos before Poseidon ported us away.

Poseidon’s nose nuzzled my cheek. “It’s been a whole twenty-four hours, and you haven’t had one flashback, right?”

Not in the slightest. It was a form of bliss I didn’t know I missed.

“Not a one,” I whispered, nestling against him with my eyes closed as we lounged on my couch.

“Good.” He kissed the side of my head and lazily stroked my arms.

Fluttering my eyes open, I pulled his arms tighter around me. “When I’m Queen again, I will pull rank on any god or goddess to find one who can help us find Rhode.”

“I’m with you, but—” His body stiffened, and he pushed me forward before gently grabbing my chin to turn my face to his. “Are you saying what I think you are?”

I nodded as tears filled my eyes, and I combed my fingers through his wavy hair. “Now that I remember who I am, I don’t think I’d ever feel complete without accepting what I was born to do. So, yes. I’ll become Queen of the Seas again, your Queen, and reunite this family.”

“Amph,” he said through a loosed breath. His chin dipped to kiss me, but I pressed a finger over his lips.

“I have but one request.”

He kissed my finger. “Anything.”

“The name Amphitrite belonged to a failed Queen. I want to be called Cordelia from here on out—the name in the lifetime where things fell into place. Fate.” I smiled up at him, holding back tears.

This was happening. Even a goddess could be starstruck.

“Cordelia suits you.” He pressed his palm to my cheek. “I’ve thought it since the first moment I re-met you. But I’d never say you were a failed Queen. More like…a work in progress.”

I burst a single laugh, a tear rolling down my cheek before I tackled him and kissed the ever-loving shit out of the love of my life—the love of all my lives.

Meg.

Pulling away from the kiss with a sigh, I pressed our foreheads together. “There’s someone I need to talk to first before I do this. She deserves to know the truth.”

“Meg?” He secured my hair over one of my ears. “Are you sure you’re ready for that? It’ll be a lot for her to take in.”

“Did I tell you how we met?” I grinned at him.

He shook his head, tracing one of his fingers over my cheek.

“We met years ago on a dive. Well, we were on separate dives, but she was photographing barracudas, and I was after reef sharks.” I sat up, straddling him and trailing my fingers over the horse tattoo on his arm.

He grabbed my hips and pulled me tighter against him.

“Meg was so caught up in her shot she didn’t see one of the sharks in her peripheral.”

Poseidon smiled. “Did you beat it up?”

“Oh my—” I swatted him with a laugh. “Of course not. I did, however, bump its nose with my camera rig. When we both surfaced, she thanked me a dozen times and offered to buy me lunch for saving her life.”

The memory pulled a wide grin over my lips, and I was thankful for Hypnos’s help even more now because I wouldn’t know what to do if I’d lost memories like this.

“I told her it wasn’t that big of a deal, but she insisted, and we spent the next three hours talking about diving, camera rigs, and Disney’s Hercules, of all things.” I flicked my fingernail over the buttons of Poseidon’s Henley shirt. “A month later, we agreed to be partners, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

He massaged my lower back. “Sounds like you two are pretty close.”

“We’re like sisters, Seid. So, believe me, when I say it may take some convincing, but Meg will come around.”

Poseidon kissed the tip of my nose. “You know your friend better than I do, and I can tell this is something you need to get off your chest, so, go.” He bucked his hips. “Get.”

Laughing as he continued to bump me off of him, I crawled from his lap. “Okay, okay. I’m going.” I dove in for another kiss with a grin. “I’ll be right back.”

“And I’ll be here waiting. Always and forever.” He smiled back at me before slapping my ass. “Now. Go.”

Backpedaling, I blew him a kiss and exited to the hallway.

Once in front of her door, I knocked three times. Anxious, I followed it up with repeated light taps until finally, the door swung open.

“For crying out loud, Cor. What the hell’s going on?” Meg asked with wide eyes before squinting into the sun.

I hugged her tight, sending us fumbling into her apartment. She laughed and patted my back before shutting the door behind us.

“Okay, I’m all about the hugs, but seriously, what’s going on?” She folded her arms, making the ribbed lines of her white tank top stretch.

“I’ve got something to tell you. Something—huge.” I waved my arms in large circles.

She puckered her lips. “Do we need whiskey for this conversation?”

“Probably?” An anguished smile tugged at my lips, and I let out a nervous laugh.

“Alrighty. Follow me to the kitchen.”

Watching Meg grab two tumblers and a bottle of Jim Beam, I drummed my fingers on the counter.

What was the best way to do this? Lay it all out in one swoop? Use analogies?

She set one glass in front of me and held hers up in a cheers gesture before taking a swig. “Let’s have it, Cor.” Leaning one hip against the counter, she draped an arm over her stomach and looked at me expectantly.

“Okay. So, you know how animals seem to react differently to me? For instance, you naming me a shark whisperer?” I tapped my fingernail against the tumbler, feverishly chewing on my lip.

“Uh-huh. You told me it was your experience and presence. You called my bullshit, remember?” She pointed at me with her glass-holding hand.

“I did. Scratch that because—you’re right.” I snapped my gaze to hers, nerves somersaulting in my belly.

She squinted at me, shifting her stance. “So…you are a shark whisperer?”

“More than that.” I guzzled half of my drink and winced from the burn coursing down my throat.

“You know I’m not a beat around the bush type of person, Cordelia. You got something to say, say it.” Meg sipped her drink.

I placed a hand under her glass and tilted it up, encouraging her to drink much more than a tiny sip. With a cock of her brow, she obliged.

“Do you believe in reincarnation?” I was tip-toeing around it again, but I couldn’t—I just could not come right out and say I’m the former Queen of the flipping seas.

“To a point, sure.” She narrowed her eyes, and after scanning my face, she finished her drink.

“Meg—” I slid forward and pressed my palms against the marble top. “I’m Amphitrite reincarnated.”

An invisible whale lifted from my shoulders, only to be replaced by uncertainty and fear.

“Who’s Amphitrite?” She casually slipped her phone from her back pocket, averting her gaze.

This is what happened when a Greek goddess turned into a constellation—they’re forgotten.

Gently taking her phone away, I placed it on the counter. “Greek mythology. Queen of the Seas.”

She blinked. Her lips quivered, and she pursed them together, laughter following.

I should’ve seen it coming. Sighing, I turned on my heel and pressed my back against the fridge.

“Holy shit. You’re not laughing. Cory, I’m more open-minded than even you are, but you’re trying to tell me you’re a Greek goddess?”

I didn’t say anything, just locked our eyes and shrugged.

“Fuck me.” She grabbed the whiskey bottle and poured more into her glass. “You mean that someone, a real person existed back then, and she was known as Amphitrite, right? That’s who you’re a descendant of?”

“No, Meg.” I crossed the room to stand in front of her. “I am Amphitrite. I used to be a goddess, Queen of the Seas, and married to Poseidon. Simon is Poseidon.”

She sputtered her whiskey and wiped the back of her hand over her mouth. “Wait, what?”

“It’s why I kept telling you I felt like I knew him, that he already knew me. It’s because we had dozens of years together before meeting again centuries later.”

This was far worse than I imagined. If the roles were reversed, I’d be interrogating my friend about what narcotic I was on.

“Okay, okay, okay.” Meg closed her eyes and held the tumbler up. “Let’s say I’m tracking you so far. And you and Simon are star-crossed lovers reunited in modern times. Is he reincarnated too?”

“No.”

Far. Worse. Then I imagined.

“I’m officially lost.” Meg downed the rest of her drink.

“Let’s sit down. I’ll explain everything from beginning to end, and you can make it what you will. Deal?” I gestured toward the living room.

“Sitting. Yeah,” she murmured, shuffling against the area rug before claiming a seat on the sofa.

“We had an arranged marriage, and it took us a while to love each other, but once we did, we were an unstoppable force. And crazy over each other.” I looked at my palms resting in my lap and smiled. When I lifted my gaze, Meg had a warm grin displayed.

“But over time, Poseidon became consumed by his job, and I saw him less and less. I started to feel neglected, depressed. And I turned to the one being I knew would never let me down—the sea.” I wrung my hands, sniffling. “I should’ve talked to him about it. But instead, I distracted myself in the sea, ignoring my duties, my responsibilities, and also…my family.”

“Family?” Meg propped her head on her hand.

Oh, boy.

“I have two children. Triton and Rhode.”

“Jesus,” Meg whispered, pushing a breath from her lungs. “Continue.”

“Because I wasn’t upholding my responsibilities and had made no move to change it, Zeus banished me to the stars. I was to live the rest of my days as a constellation, looking down on those that I loved but no longer existing.”

If I concentrated enough, I could dig up memories of Poseidon’s face when he realized I was gone. He’d destroyed an entire atrium in Atlantis out of fury. And despite his best efforts, he couldn’t make Zeus budge on his decision. They didn’t talk for a decade. Aphrodite was right—he did miss me.

“That seems a tad harsh. Why didn’t Poseidon get punished?” Meg leaned forward, resting her arms on her knees.

Questions and curiosity meant progress. Good.

“Zeus always knows what he’s doing. He couldn’t formally punish another king, but banishing me, taking me from him—was punishment enough.” I rubbed my thumbs together. “Aphrodite created a spell to start my reincarnations.”

“Time out.” She made the time-out gesture. “Reincarnation plural?”

I nodded. “Countless times.”

She tugged on her bottom lip and stared at the floor before giving a firm nod. “Continue.”

“It was a matter of Poseidon and me finding each other again. But Athena put a curse on him that if he ever found me, he wouldn’t recognize me unless he’d changed as a man.”

And he had in so many ways. I was proud of him.

“That’s. Horrible.” Meg frowned, her eyes glassy.

“It is, but we found each other. We’re reunited, and that’s the most important thing.” I canted my head to the side, spying her erratic bouncing knee. “Meg? You okay?”

“Not really. I’m trying to believe you here, Cory. I really am. But this is all crazy to me.” She shot to her feet. “But the way you talked about all of this was as if it was your life to tell.”

She needed more, and I didn’t blame her.

My scales.

Rising, I held my palms out for her to take or ignore. “Can I show you something?”

Her eyes panned to my palms before landing back on my face, and she took my hands. “Alright.”

Closing my eyes, I willed the scales to show themselves—the blue radiant patches shimmering in the dimly lit room.

She gasped and tightened her grasp on my hands, making me wince.

“You’re not joking.” She stared wide-eyed before poking the scales on my arm with a single finger. After rubbing her fingers together and seeing no signs of paint, she shook her head. “Greek mythology is—real?”

“Yeah, Meg.” I made the scales disappear before her eyes, making them widen again. “And I think you knew deep down that something was different about Simon. I could see the cogs turning in your brain from a mile away.”

“Sure, but I would’ve never come to the conclusion he was Poseidon. I wouldn’t have even believed myself.” She beat her hands against her cheeks like a drum. “This is surreal.”

“I wanted to tell you the truth because I’ve decided to become Queen again.”

Meg grabbed my shoulders, a scowl forming in her brow. “What does that mean? What does it entail?”

“When I married Poseidon and took shared responsibility of all waters, it brought a sort of harmony. In my absence, my home has become catastrophic.” I squeezed her shoulders back. “I prove to Zeus I’m worthy of the title again, and I get my home, the love of my life, and my family back.”

“Wow, Cory.” She pulled me to her, hugging me tightly. “Just wow.”

Given her newfound information about the Greek gods, should I tell her about Hera? No. It wasn’t my truth to tell. That was Hera’s choice when and where if she truly wanted to confess.

“Have you heard from Hera?” I peeled back, keeping one hand on her shoulder.

Meg laughed, dragging two hands through her short dark hair. “You throw me that curveball and then want to revert to peon conversation about my love life?”

“This doesn’t mean we’ll stop being friends. It doesn’t change us as photography partners or picking up trash on the beach to promote our conservation group either. I do need a cover after all.” I jostled her.

“We could still be friends?”

My lips parted beside myself. “Meg, of course. You’re as much family to me as all the gods in Olympus.”

She hugged me again, sniffling, before leaning back. “Hera and I have had multiple phone conversations, and we’re supposed to be going on a date tomorrow.”

“What?” I grinned and swatted her in the arm. “That’s amazing. Why do you not look excited?”

“Because I don’t know how to act in front of her, Cor.” She brushed past me, rubbing her eyes with her palms.

“What do you mean?”

“She makes me feel different. Flustered. Vibrant.” Meg turned to face me, pressing her fingertips together. “I don’t even know how to categorize it.”

“Flustered?” I bobbed my brows, trying to hold back the gooey grin yanking at my lips.

“No one. Not a soul has ever made me feel like this.” She ran a hand through her hair, bunching it atop her head.

I beamed up at her, letting her sort out her thoughts.

“I don’t even know what to wear.” Meg stared down at me like a baby seal looking for its mother. “She’s incredible, Cory.”

“Do you want my help?” I rubbed her arm.

She forced out a breath and looked skyward. “For the love of God, yes.”

We both chuckled and spent the rest of the night digging through clothes in her closet, sipping more whiskey, and talking about my previous life. With each passing hour, she sounded more accepting and open to my being a goddess. It was the reassurance I needed for myself and her to go through with it entirely. I spent the night at her place, knowing it was my last chance to be Cordelia, her mortal friend. Poseidon and I would go to Zeus and announce that the Queen had returned and wanted her crown back.