look at Tane and see that he is standing in respect to my departure. I mouth to him (swim?) as I make my way out of the dining room. He gives me a quick nod.
As I am slowly walking back to my chambers, I overhear him give my father “Good evening.” I hear his footsteps not far behind me.
As I am opening the door to my chambers, I hear Tane behind me ask, “Are you sure you are up to this swim?”
“Yes, why would I not be?”
“I heard you were very busy today from some of the men speaking to each other of your warnings,” he smiles at me.
“Yes, I was busy, and as I have said before, it is only right to let those who live here know what we are up against and what to look out for. More eyes out there for strangers or any enemy is always better than a few.”
“I agree, just want to make sure you haven’t overspent your energy already.”
I smile, “I have enough left to swim with you, if you still want to?”
“I will always find the energy to spend this time with you.” His words make me melt. No man has ever shown me consideration or wanted to spend time with me like this.
We walk through my rooms to my water chamber. I walk down the steps and conjure up a blue swim top, making my dress disappear as my legs turn to a fin. Sitting on the edge of the large rock at the base of the pool, I look over to Tane. He starts to walk into the water. Standing on the first step, he pulls his loose pants up showing off his hard, muscular calves again. As he sits down, his tunic, shirt, and pants disappear and his beautiful dark fin with gold, blue, black, and red highlights shows in the water. He smiles at me and dives into the depth that opens out to the ocean at the bottom. I follow him.
We swim next to each other as we go around the kingdom, not saying a word, just happy to be in each other’s company. When we get close to an old stone setting that has been there for centuries, he swims closer, looking at the work and the beauty that humans had created in worship of us. I am leaning against one of the beautiful pillars that have engravings to different gods when I feel Tane grab me around my waist and pull me away quickly. I am startled and look up at him to see what he was thinking. Maybe he was just impatient for the next kiss we could share. Instead of seeing the passion and want in his eyes that I was desperately hoping for, he is looking behind me to where I was just leaning against the pillar. I look back and there is a netting trap that has closed around the spot I was just at. There is a rope pulling behind it and I see different sea creatures swimming away quickly.
Are you all right? Tane asks.
Yes, you startled me when you grabbed me, though I didn’t see anything.
He points to the net. We come closer to see what type of netting it is, how it got there, and if it was an accident or a trap. The net has little spikes facing where it would close in on someone, and the spikes have a film on them. Tane looks around, finds a sea branch, and uses it to swipe some of the film from the spikes. He brings it to his nose and smells it. His face grows hard and then he puts it to my nose so I can smell. I breathe in through my fin nose; it is an odd smell. I’ve never smelled anything like that before. What is it? I ask.
Tane looks around, making sure we are not being watched. It is a god poison. It will make you sleepy and keep you from using your powers. On demigods that are not as powerful, it will make you as helpless as a mortal. You would have to be a strong god to be able to fight off the effects, he explained.
This was set to take someone from here for our enemies, I voiced aloud.
Yes, but not just someone. I think it was for you or one of Poseidon’s closest allies, he tells me.
Why would you assume it was for me or an ally?
I think our enemies have been watching already and are looking to take one of the people that mean the most to Poseidon. Being his only child, you are the most at risk.
By Aries’s balls, they have been watching us the whole time. I will be under lock and key now once my father hears of this, I grumble.
I know this won’t be ideal for you, but I’d rather you be protected when out swimming than left to deal with these enemies on your own. I would happily go with you whenever you need to make your rounds.
The thought of Tane always with me had a lot of appeal that I was going to take advantage of as much as possible.
I understand, so when I need to meet with the myr-families in the realm, or just want to swim, I will call on you first.
I could see his stance relax at what I said. Apparently he was worried I would fight him on this. Little did he know I wanted to be around him. He is the first guy, demigod, or man who noticed me over Natal. He looks at me with lust and want in his eyes, and the softness of his kisses makes my body demand more of them. Why would I not do whatever I can to be around him? And this is the perfect excuse.
We must get back. I need to report this and let Poseidon know our enemies are already here and we need to be on alert. We also need to come up with a new plan to deal with the breach of them coming into the realm.
We swim back to my water chamber. As we both break the water’s surface and are holding onto the first step, before I can pull myself out of the water, Tane wraps his arms around me, pulling me to his chest, and kisses me. It wasn’t a soft, quick peck like last time. This one was firm and demanding, with the perfect amount of pressure. Feeling the hot blaze of lust rushing through my body, I wrap my arms around his neck and my fingers entwine into the soft wet strands of his hair. I open my mouth to give him the access I was hoping he would take, and we wrap our tongues around each other. I pour all my passion and want for him into this kiss, so he knows without a doubt how much I like him. The feel of his strong chest pressed against me is intoxicating. I can feel my nipples hardening and swelling, and I want to feel his hands on them. Yet, he keeps a firm grip on my waist. I feel him pull away from the kiss, and my eyes are half shuttered with lust. I look into his and see the same lust pouring through his eyes also.
“I wish I could stay and see where this might go, but I must leave and let your father know what is happening.”
I blow out a breath, knowing he is right even though I have yet to take my fingers out of the silky strands they have a grip on.
“I will go to the main entrance water chamber and notify your father.”
I nod, still unable to speak since he kissed me speechless.
“Remember, do not go out without me. I want you protected, and I would feel safer if it was me there with you.”
I nod again in agreement.
“I will come tomorrow evening and we can swim again. Hopefully we can spend some time together tomorrow, depending on what happens after I give this news to your father.”
I am still staring up at his beautiful eyes. He smiles at me and gives me a quick kiss on my lips. “Good night, goddess, I will see you tomorrow.”
As he lets go and dives into the depths, I feel the longing to finish what we started, but I know he is correct. We will have time to see what this is between us later. I pull myself out of the pool and switch into my emerald green silk nightgown within a single thought. I walk back to my chambers and straight to bed. Tonight should be interesting if I am able to sleep. Since my body is still humming
