“Natasha, with what we have just shared I am going to demand that you do not play me for a fool. You did not get this on the surface. You got this from here. I know, because I made this after we sank and it has been missing. I had meant to place it on a chain for my future bride, but it was no longer in my box when I made the proper chain for it. I will ask you again, where did you find this?” His touch was no longer gentle and caring, but cold. I yanked the necklace off my neck and threw it at him as I jumped out of his bed.
“I am telling you the truth, asshole! I found the stupid thing on the shores of the Bimini Island and was captivated by it. I felt like it was a gift from the sea and I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. Even showing other people caused me to feel possessive over it. I bought this chain for it on the same island and haven’t been able to part with it since. I had no idea it was from here or that you’d made it. Since it’s that important to you, take the stupid thing back. I certainly don’t want to hold something that’s so obviously meant for someone else.” When I’d finished, I stormed into his bathroom to bathe so that he wouldn’t see me cry. I felt foolish, like an unruly child. Everything was so intense here, things happened so quickly and I hadn’t had time to think about anything. I had watched his face as I yelled at him and knew the moment he realized I was telling the truth, the emotions crossing his face confused and scared me. I didn’t hear him come in, with the water spraying my face, but felt his arms pull me close to his body.
“Forgive me, amada. I should have known that Poseidon sent it for you. He somehow knew you were meant for me and wanted to give us his blessing. I was just shocked to have seen it again. He must have known you were mine and claimed you as such before we met. It is yours; it always has been and always will be. You are my alma xemelga and I am yours. Please don’t cry. I was wrong to be angry with you.” He stroked my back in circles and lifted my chin so I could see his face. “I cannot bear to see you upset, amada. Forgive me?” He kissed me. I was having difficulty dealing with emotions that had been sealed away behind a wall for most of my life, and wasn’t comfortable with the vulnerability I felt around him. But I could no more hold a grudge against him than I could have held my bare hand in a flame.
After we’d showered, we dressed and laughed when both of our stomachs began growling. His kitchen was done in black marble and a darkly stained wood. I thought at this point the beauty of this place would have become normal, but I was wrong. There were herbs drying above the center counter as well as in the open pantry. I was surprised to see modern, if not higher-tech appliances in the kitchen of a man who seemed so comfortable with the archaic. Everything was gorgeous and would make the most seasoned chefs jealous.
I sat on a barstool and watched him move around the kitchen. I craved him on a base level that was disturbing in its intensity. Without doing anything, he was tempting.
“To understand the predicament we are in now, you must understand our history. You remember me telling you that when we were created the gods had divided the earth and created their lands to suit their needs?” He looked up with his piercing teal eyes and waited for affirmation.
It was luck that a nod was acceptable, as that was all I was capable of at that moment. All rational thought left me at the sight of his face framed by the inky black of his loose, wet hair. I attempted to hide my reaction from him, but the corners of his mouth still curved in a knowing grin.
“Well, there existed a time before that and a time even before that, which has been lost in its telling. The time before the division of lands was when the three brothers ruled the planet. Zeus commanded all living things, Poseidon, the land and the waters, and Hades was tricked by his brothers into ruling the underworld. Zeus shared the power of the humans’ love with his brothers and the lesser gods. As long as tribute was made to the three brothers, the lands prospered. The people worshiped Zeus and Poseidon, and they in turn rewarded the people with fertile lands and their protection. It was a relatively peaceful time and the gods, excluding Hades, were content to let things be.”
“Everyone’s heard this story. It’s a myth. The gods battled, Hades lost, they all disappeared,” I interrupted, hoping to lead him past a pseudo history lesson. He looked at me, withering any further desire for interruption.
“Hades had always prided himself on his cunning intellect and was incensed that Zeus and Poseidon had been able to trick him into ruling the underworld. He was the only god that did not benefit from the praise and the love of the people. He was forced to live on the torment of the deceased’s misery.
“Zeus and Poseidon thought to contain Hades retribution by depleting his power source, as it is almost impossible to gain strength from the dead. In his fury, Hades conspired with the fates, who have always loved a good deception, and had the souls of every living being divided.”
“Wait. What do you mean that Hades lived on torment? I thought gods could only gain power if they received praise. That’s why
