Poseidon (Contemporary Mythos Book 5)

“Hey.” Poseidon reached forward, tapping my knee. “We don’t have to do this right now. The seas have waited for a long time. They can wait for more.”

We sat in my living room, Poseidon on my couch, and I in my lounger. I’d sworn up and down when we left the grotto, I was ready to go to Zeus. To ask him to be Queen again.

“Only the seas have been waiting?” I nudged his foot with mine.

He sighed and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. “I have too, yes. But seriously, take the time you need.”

“The sooner I get my powers back—my reign, the sooner we can find Rhode.” I pressed my palms together, slipping them between my knees.

“It would help, yes.” He scooted to the edge of his seat and grabbed my knees. “But I can tell you with the utmost certainty our daughter is alive and well wherever she is, and you’d be doing her no favors rushing into this.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because she has the strength and wit of her mother coupled with the courage and fighting sense of her father. She’s going to be fine until we get to her. Tartarus—” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Who knows? She may not want to come back.”

My throat tightened because I knew he was right. If she were anything like me and found someone she cared about in all the time she’d been gone, she wouldn’t leave it for anything.

“Way to kill my hope before the box is even opened, Seid.” I frowned with a partial smile.

“I didn’t mean it like that. We’ll—cross that bridge when we get to it.” He kissed my temple and squeezed my thigh.

“I haven’t seen Zeus since he banished me.” I wrung my hands together, a crinkle forming in my brow.

Poseidon rubbed my shoulders. “Zeus does not have full power over me. I do have veto rights. And you think Hades would vote against it? It’ll be fine, Cor.”

I sighed and looked to Olympus above. “I know you and Hades would have my back. That isn’t the point.”

“What is it?” He rubbed between my shoulder blades.

“Is it crazy I want Zeus to accept me? To want to give me my Queendom back?” I couldn’t look at him as I squeezed my hands together in my lap.

“You really give a shit what he thinks?”

“Under normal circumstances? No. But this is different, Seid. You were right when you said he’d be able to sense if I’d changed. So, if he disagrees…” I let my voice flutter away, turning my attention to my gaming setup. I’d neglected it for days. My Glitch viewers probably wondered why I’d suddenly disappeared.

“Take twenty-four hours. Let it settle. I’m asking you. Please.”

I pressed a palm to his cheek. “Alright, Seid. But would you do me a favor?”

“Anything I do for you at this point, sweetheart, isn’t a favor. It’s a given.” He kissed my hand. “Out with it.”

“Would you—make an appearance on my Glitch channel as Simon Thalassa?” I squinted one eye. “It’d shoot my ratings through the roof.”

A deep chuckle roared from his belly. “That’s it? Let’s do this.” Slapping his hands on his thighs, he stood, walking to my gaming desk.

With a grin as wide as my face, I flopped into my rolling chair, pushing the power buttons of my console, monitor, and webcam.

“Did you—want them to know we’re together, or will that ruin your image?” He asked in a strained voice.

My heart sank, and I swiveled to face him. “Is a gal supposed to be ashamed of a guy like you?”

“I’d certainly hope not, but I figured ninety percent of your following are dudes, most of which undoubtedly have a crush on you.” He raised a thick brow.

“Oh? You think they only watch my stream because I’m a woman and not because of my gaming prowess?” I folded my arms.

He glared at me and grabbed the back of my chair, rotating it. “You’re purposely being difficult, aren’t you?”

I curled my fingers around the leather strap hanging from his neck, the pewter trident pendant cool against my palm. “Maybe. But I have an idea. I can tell them I’ve been away getting—” My eyes lifted to meet his, and I flashed my scales at him. “—engaged.”

A moan escaped his throat and he curled a hand behind my back. “And it wouldn’t be a lie, would it?”

“Nope.” I grinned and shook my head, leaning forward to give his lips a quick peck.

“If that’s the case. You’re going to need proof.” He held his fist between us.

I sat back, pressing a hand to my chest.

His hand morphed into water and returned to normal after a bright shimmer. A ring rested in his palm when he turned his hand over. “I know we’ve technically skipped ahead and already consummated the marriage—” A wicked glint flashed in his gaze. “—three times, but what do you say we do things properly this time, hm?”

My vision blurred with tears, sinuses stinging, and I cupped my hands over my nose. Smiling at me, he dropped to one knee and held the ring between two fingers.

“Cordelia—mother of my children, my forever Queen, and caregiver to the seas—will you marry me?”

“Poseidon, for the love of Olympus,” I cried out, leaping from my chair and wrapping my arms around him, sobbing.

He softly laughed into my hair and wrapped one arm around me. “Love, you didn’t say yes.”

“Yes,” I yelled, pushing against his shoulders to stand straight. “Times every year we’ve spent apart, yes.”

Grinning, he slid the ring on my finger and remained on his knee as I lifted my hand to gaze at it. A silver mermaid made up the band, her scaled tail circling it, her hair made of intricate looped metal coiling around the prongs, which held a vibrant aquamarine stone.

“Seid, it’s beautiful.”

He pulled me closer, his head in line with my hips. With a deep sigh, he pressed his forehead against my stomach and held me. I rested my hands on the back of his neck and lowered my lips, pressing a kiss to his head and freezing there in blissful silence.

“I should probably wait to go on camera now. My eyes are puffy and red.” I sniffled and laughed.

He tilted his head back and wiggled his fingers over my face. “It’s going to be fun when you have your powers back reminding you of everything you can do with them.”

“Shut up.” I swatted him in the shoulder, my new ring sparkling from a nearby lamplight.

“Do you like it?” He rose to his feet, pulling me to his side.

Resting my head against his bicep, I turned the ring left to right, smiling at its glitter. “It’s so me it makes my heart ache.”

“You ready?” His eyes lifted to my awaiting powered-up gaming system.

“Yeah. It’ll be quick, promise. Just a check-in so they know I’m alive.”

Nestling in my chair, I grabbed my Pelican Beach headset and the generic standard set that comes with every console, handing it to him. “You get the dorky pair.”

“Aw, you’re so sweet.” He plucked the headset from my fingers and poked me in the side, making me yelp. After he slipped it over his head, a strand of hair falling over his gaze, he turned to me with a raised brow. “How do I look?”

The man was physically incapable of being unattractive.

“Like the world’s sexiest telemarketer.”

He pumped his fist. “Nailed it.”

Chuckling, I started my webcam and went live on Glitch. No need for a moderator with how long we’d be on. I tapped my fingernails against my desk, waiting for viewers to realize I’d randomly gone live.

“Oh, I should appear from out of frame, right? Make an entrance?” He bobbed his brows with such a charming ass grin I couldn’t help but kiss him.

“I’m surprised you didn’t think of that sooner, King of the Seas.” I flashed him a sly grin.

He glared at me, pointing, and wheeled himself out of camera.

It took several minutes, but soon, the list of attendees grew by the dozens leading into the hundreds.

“Oh, wow. Hey Sea Farers.” I waved at the camera with a beaming smile. “Thank you all so much for joining me on this random stream.”

I paused to watch the chat feed.

MissTacoX: OMG! I thought you quit.

HufflePufflenz: You’ve literally been the highlight of my week. SO glad to see you back.

“Told you,” Poseidon mumbled at my side.

I swatted him on the knee. “Sorry I’ve been absent, everyone. I’ve just been busy…well—” Holding the back of my hand at the camera, I shoved the ring into frame. “Getting engaged.”

MissTacoX: WHAAAA Congrats!!!

FriskeeBizkit: Who’s the lucky S.O.B.?!

“Some of you may have heard of him. Simon Thalassa.”

Poseidon dipped his head into frame, holding his hand in the hang loose gesture. “What up, fishies?”

MissTacoX: AHHHH

HufflePufflenz: I’m legit about to lose my s*** right now.

Poseidon pointed at the comments and laughed—the jade in his eyes intensified from the camera. “And you’re right Friskee, I am a lucky, lucky dude.” He planted a kiss on my cheek, making me blush.

MissTacoX: Staaaahp you two are adorbs!

HufflePufflenz: If you tell me he’s going to start showing up as a guest gamer on your channel, I’m going to completely lose my s***.

Poseidon dragged a hand through his wavy locks, squinting at the camera.

MissTacoX: Oh. Dear. Gawd.

“Well, it just so happens I am. You better believe all should fear us when we team up in Tides of Atlantis.” Poseidon pointed into the camera. “And I’m mostly talking to you—ProteinGeyser.”

FriskeeBizkit: Daaaaaayuuuum!

MissTacoX: LMAO

I bit my lip, attempting to hide the shit-eating grin that so very much wanted to show.

“Yes, indeed. Stay tuned, everyone. Anyway, I just wanted to pop on really quick to let you all know. And I promise I’ll be back to my regular streaming within the next few weeks.” I blew air kisses. “Keep swimming.”

FriskeeBizkit: Congrats!

Dozens of other comments flew through the chat, but I didn’t bother to read anymore as I cut the feed, turned off the camera, and took Poseidon’s face in my hands. “Soon, the whole world will know about our alter egos.”

“Why stop at the world? There’s a whole galaxy out there.”

Removing his headset, followed by mine, I spied him from the corner of my eye. “Let’s go to Atlantis.”

He coughed into his fist. “Atlantis, Atlantis?”

“No, Tides of Atlantis.” I referenced the poster hanging above my desk. “Of course, I mean the real Atlantis.”

“Uh—not sure that’s such a great idea, Cor.” He scratched the back of his head.

Folding my arms, I leaned back in my chair, swiveling. “And why not?”

“For starters, I told you it’s a mess. And secondly, Skylla will be able to find you there.” He grabbed my armrests and rolled my chair in front of him.

“I don’t care how messy it is. I want to see it. And wouldn’t my apology to Skylla mean more as a mortal?”

He puckered his lips. “Probably, but why risk it? You’re too vulnerable right now.”

“You wouldn’t let anything happen to me. Besides, give me a trident, and I’ll make sure I use it if she shows up.” I tapped my fingers on my bicep.

“Oof,” Poseidon responded, adjusting himself. “The thought of you with a trident in your hand again…”

“Will you take me home, Poseidon? I think seeing it, especially if it’s in the state you say it’s in, will be the final push to stand in front of Zeus and ask he reinstate me.”

He slowly nodded. “Alright.”

I jumped in my seat, my phone vibrating in my back pocket. “It’s a text from Meg.”

A selfie photo of her and Hera, their arms draped around each other. I hadn’t seen Meg that happy in such a long time, and Hera—possibly never. Showing the screen to Poseidon, I grinned.

“Cute. Did Hera tell her yet?”

“Give her some time. I wasn’t as hard of a sell because I already knew all this existed, remember?” Moving behind him, I held the ring up between our faces and took a selfie to send back to her.

Me: I’m so happy for you, Meg.

Meg: Is that a ring?!

Me: It’s happening tomorrow.

I’d made up my mind, but Atlantis was the final piece I needed to face the King of the Gods.

Meg: You’re going to be amazing.

Me: You two have fun. 😉

Slipping my phone away, I lifted my gaze to an awaiting Poseidon in front of me with his burly arms folded.

“I still don’t think this is a good idea,” he grumbled.

“But a favor is a given?”

“I’m going to regret ever saying that, aren’t I?” His beard hid the smile on his lips, but his eyes sparkled, giving him away.

“Time will tell.” I took his arms and wrapped them around my hips. “Whisk me away.”

He ported us underwater in the middle of the ocean. If I’d been a full-fledged goddess, the sight of Atlantis would’ve shown immediately. After he waved his hand in front of us in an arch, the familiar pillars and spires nestled fathoms below any unknowing human eyes or mind appeared. Kicking my feet behind me, I swam forward, gasping at the rubble of the once powerful city. The blue beacon that shone from the center tower, beaming skyward, had gotten so dim you could scarcely make it out through the murky waters surrounding our home. It didn’t even have enough power for the dome shield it produced, keeping out all unwanted guests.

“You weren’t kidding. How did this happen?” I gulped, swimming to a building with a giant hole in the side.

“The creatures have battled for control of it. I’ve stopped them every time, but without harmony, chaos is bound to ensue.”

Without…me.

“I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist coming back here,” Skylla screeched from behind us. Her tentacles lashed out.

“Cordelia,” Poseidon yelled, making a silver trident, the twin to his own but more petite, appear in my hand.

My old trident. He’d kept it.

Twirling the trident in my palm, I held it above my head in a stabbing motion. “I don’t want to fight you, Skylla. Simply talk.”

“Talk is so very cheap, Amphitrite. I’ve been waiting a long time to get my revenge. Have been ever so patient.” She let out a shrill scream and launched two tentacles at me.

Using the prongs of my trident, I deflected one. Poseidon darted in front of me, stabbing his trident through the second.

Skylla let out a blood-curdling cry, yanking her tentacle from the sharp prongs, sending a spray of blood.

“Skylla, I want to apologize. I was a completely different person back then. I was jealous. Confused.” I held the trident’s staff above my head as one of the dragon heads on her tentacles snapped at me, making it bite the indestructible metal—Atlantean metal.

“Jealous? Over something I didn’t do? And so you turned me into—into this?” She roared, throwing her large arms out at her sides.

“I didn’t know the herbs would do this to you, Skylla.” My brow pinched, and I tightened my grip on the staff. “If I could drop the curse, I would.”

Skylla’s chest heaved before all dragon heads snapped and snarled. “It isn’t good enough. Nothing you say or do will ever be good enough.”

“That is enough,” Poseidon’s voice boomed as he sent a sonic wave through the water with his hand, forcing Skylla back. “If you won’t accept her apology, then you best make yourself scarce and pray she doesn’t want to hunt you down when she’s Queen again.”

I kept the prongs pointed in her direction, furrowing my brow.

Had I thought it’d be that simple? She’d accept my apology, we’d hug it out, and the dragon heads would let me scratch them all under the chin?

Skylla’s fists clenched and vibrated at her sides before she disappeared in the dark depths, a fading shriek following her. The trident fell limp in my hands, and my shoulders slumped forward. Poseidon floated in front of me, gently taking the weapon from me.

“You alright?” Despite the very recent threat on my life, his gruff voice still made my skin tingle.

“I feel terrible. How could I have done that to her?”

He scoffed. “I’ve done far worse. Trust me.”

I cut him an exasperated glare.

“Not helping. Right.” He snapped his fingers, floating tiny bubbles in front of him. “When you’re Queen—you can lift her curse. At the very least, manipulate it.”

“I can? But how? The herbs came from—” I bit my knuckle. “I don’t remember who I got them from.”

“Doesn’t matter. She’s a creature of the sea now, which will give you the means to control. Not to mention she was a previous nymph, like you.”

I curled my hands under my chin. “I’m so ready, Seid. I am.” Turning to look at a once vibrant, brightly shining city’s ruins and rubble, I sighed. “And I must fix this.”

“You will.” He slipped his hand into mine, making circles against my palm with a thumb.

Lifting my head high, I nodded. “Set up a meeting with Zeus. First thing tomorrow, I’ll stand before him and ask—no—demand my reign back.”

“You’re going to demand?” A sly grin curved his upper lip.

“Don’t think I can?”

He turned to me, tugging my hand to bring me flush against him. “I dare you.”

“Challenge accepted.” I preened up at him, snaking my arms around his neck. “Spiral us.”

“You better hold on tighter, soon-to-be Queen.” He brushed his lips against mine, waiting for me to tighten my grip around him.

Making his trident disappear, he held onto me with one hand, turning his other into the same ocean water we floated in. After several twirls, we slowly spun in a circle, his power creating streams and helixes of bubbles around us. The momentum built and built until we spun in unending spirals toward the surface. Laughing, I’d grazed over the thought of the consistent circling making me dizzy as a mortal, but pressed my cheek to his to ground me.

We breached the surface and bobbed, wrapped in each other’s arms. The setting sun cast purple, pink, and orange hues in streaks across the sky, reflecting in the sparkling ocean waters.

“I love you,” I whispered, and we watched the rest of the sunset with the best seats in the house.