His Bride From The Sea (The Sea King Book 1) Read online

  His Bride From The Sea

  Sherry Gist And Mikel Wilson

  Chapter1

  She stood watching the waves crash against the cliffs. They seemed to echo the raging emotions inside her. Again and again, they crashed against the cliffs. The wind howled around her, blowing her hair in her face and then slapping it back away. Her eyes told of her sadness; the tears made streaks down her cheeks as they continued to flow. Her heart felt heavy with her emotions. Her breath came in small hiccups as she tried to stop crying. The smell of the sea salt filled her nose and made it wrinkle up a little.

  He watched her from below. He had been looking up at the blue sky as she appeared. She captured his attention when she drew close to the edge of the cliff. He had never seen anyone jump before and hoped he was not going to witness it now. He was drawn to her. He readjusted his position to see her better.

  He suddenly felt a small hand slip into his. He looked down to see his nephew.

  " Uncle?"

  " Hmmm?"

  " What is that human doing?"

  " I don't know, Thamous."

  " Is she going to jump?"

  " I don't believe so."

  " Then she better step away."

  He smiled, " I do believe your right, Thamous."

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was getting ready to back away when she heard a voice from behind her.

  " Jump you idiot!"

  Her eyes flew open and she turned quickly. She lost her footing and began to fall backwards when she saw a dark image rush her. Before it reached her, she had slipped over the edge. A gasping scream escaped her. Her heart flew through her chest. Her eyes landed on the thing that rushed her. It was a woman. Her mind registered this as she was engulfed in water.

  Unconsciousness took her.

  " Uncle!" Thamous screamed as his hand tightened and his other flew out to point.

  He looked up in time to see her slip off of the cliff. He reacted immediately. He rushed up to the surface and sent a small bubble of water up to surround her. When she hit it, he felt her go unconscious. A surge of relief filled him.

  When he looked back up to see what made her fall, he was surprised to see Hera standing there where the woman had once stood.His hand was squeezed which caused him to look away.

  " Uncle?"

  " Yes, Thamous?"

  " Is she alive?"

  " Yes, Thamous."

  " Is she truly human?"

  He looked at the woman. She appeared to be human, " I do believe she is."

  " Then why would Hera try to harm her?"

  " That, Thamous, is the big question."

  She awoke dazed and confused. She saw sand as she opened her eyes. She sat up slowly trying to take inventory of how she felt. She felt a small pinch in her neck and a sharp pain in her leg. She looked down and discovered a gash in her upper left thigh. There was a piece of seaweed that slipped down as she sat up.She winced again.

  Once she managed to stand, she looked around. She was on a small beach area. She looked up to see the cliffs over head. The sea was before her. She limped to the nearest big rock and sat down. She gently massaged her leg and felt the pain subside. That's when she realized that her left shoulder hurt too.

  She must have landed on her left side when she hit the water, but how did she end up on the small beach? She wondered to herself.

  Him and Thamous watched her from the cover of a huge boulder that wasn't far from the shore. He saw her struggle to stand and he wanted to help, but knew that he couldn't endanger his nephew like that and be so careless.

  When he had caught her in the bubble, it was almost too late. She had scraped her thigh on the coral and gotten a gash. He had laid her on the beach and had Thamous bring him seaweed to cover her wound .It had stopped the bleeding. A bruise had been forming on her shoulder where it had banged against a small boulder. He hadn't been quick enough to stop her from getting harmed, but at least he was able to prevent her death.

  Thamous tugged on his hand, " Uncle?"

  " Yes, Thamous?" He asked looking down again.

  " Will she be alright?"

  He smiled, " Yes, Thamous."

  " How will she get out of the cove?" He asked with worry.

  He looked back at the woman, " I don't know exactly."

  " Think we can help her?"

  " Now, you know we aren't allowed to let them see us. It's a rule."

  Crossing his arms over his chest, he pouted saying, " Yes, well your the King can't you change the rules?"

  He shook his head at his nephew and turned his attention back towards the woman. Again he was amazed at how plain she looked yet she had a beauty that radiated from her. She had hair the color of night, eyes the color of the sea and she was slightly luscious. She had on a navy blue skirt that reached just below her knees and an off white colored shirt that buttoned down the front.

  Chapter 2

  He had been out running when he heard the scream. He turned toward the sound and ran faster. He broke through the trees in time to see Hera rush at a young woman on the edge of the cliffs. He watched in horror as she slipped off and another scream filled the air.

  He stepped back into the shadows so Hera wouldn't see him. When she was gone, he rushed to the edge. There he found her laying on the beach. He was afraid she was dead until he saw her move. He looked about, that's when he noticed Poseidon and his nephew, Thamous, hiding behind a large boulder.

  That's when it became clear to him. Poseidon had saved the woman. He just didn't want to be recognized. That made him smile. Again he turned his attention to the woman. She was looking for an exit. He pulled the rope from his satchel and threw down an end.

  She saw the rope appear before her as she looked about to see where she could put her hands and feet to climb. She looked up to see a man standing at the top.

  " Hello!" She called.

  "Hello! If you will grab hold and wrap around yourself then I shall pull you up!" He shouted down to her.

  She nodded and wrapped it around herself. Then gave it a tug. She was suddenly yanked off her feet and flying upward. Her grip tightened on the rope as her breath left her in a whoosh! When she was at the top, she managed to grab the ledge and hoisted herself up and over. She landed on her knees and hands, taking deep breaths, she looked up to say thanks and her breath caught again.

  There, before her, stood a centaur. He was magnificent! The horse part of him was huge and dark as night. He looked like a giant of a horse. A Clydesdale. The man half of him was just as dark, his shoulders were broad and muscles rippled along his tummy, chest, and arms. When their eyes meet, she noticed they were like a milk chocolate. They were also kind and held a twinkle of mischief.

  He noticed the shock on her face and couldn't help, but smile.

  " Hello." She stammered.

  His smile broadened and she noticed he had a gold tooth. His smile seemed to light up his whole face.

  " Th...thank you." She stammered again.

  " You are welcome, Miss....?"

  " Haddie. Well, it's actually Hadassah, but everyone calls me Haddie."

  " It's nice to meet you. I am Minori, but most call me Ori."

  " A pleasure, Ori. Thank you very much for helping me, but how did you know I was down there?"

  His smile dimmed and he whispered, " I saw you slip off the edge."

  Standing, she said, " Then you saw who rushed towards me?"

  He nodded.

  " Who was it?"

  " Hera."

  " Hera? Who is that?" She asked confused.

  His head tilted slightly left, " You don't know who Hera is?"

  Her eyebrows furrowed together as she said, " The only Hera that I know is the Greek Goddess, but...." Then suddenly her eyes flew to his and widened.

  She watched as Ori pulled her from the cove. Relief flooded through him. He remained where he was and watched them stand there and talk. He wondered what they were talking about.

  " Uncle?"

  " Yes, Thamous?"

  " Ori will keep her safe for now, right?"

  " Yes, Thamous."

  " Then can we eat? I'm hungry."

  He laughed as they dove under. He kept his eyes on his nephew as they swam back towards home, but his mind kept drifting to the woman. He couldn't help but to wonder what it was about her that would cause Hera to do what she had done.

  He would talk with Zeus. See if his brother knew what would drive Hera to go after a mortal woman. Maybe Zeus could help figure it all out.

  " Uncle! Quit day dreaming. I'm hungry." Thamous said in frustration.

  Again he gave a hearty laugh." Let's go then Thamous. See if you can beat me to the throne room."

  " Really?" Thamous' eyes lite up.

  " Yes. Let's go."

  Then off they went. Diving, jumping, swerving left then right, they dodged the slow moving family of turtles and made small schools of colorful fish scatter.

  Up ahead, they could see the crystal towers that surrounded the edges of the underwater city. Once on the other side of the towers, the city looked like a huge diamond. Everything made of glass or huge oyster shells where everyone slept. They were all amazing in the way things were set about. Some huge shells were encased in a clear crystal. Others were in colored crystals of blues, greens, orange and reds. They even had colored seaweed hanging up as curtains. The city looked bright during the
day and at night, the colors were dimmed, but still seemed to be colorful enough to be a light for those who were lost.

  " Uncle! I won. You’re too slow." Thamous said with pride.

  " You know that your uncle let you win, Thamous." Said a woman from behind him.

  He turned to see his sister, Persephone. She was a beauty. She stood about five foot eleven inches, her hair was jet black and shoulder length, her eyes were the prettiest shade of brown ( almost a beige color) and she was broad in shoulder like he was. Her mermaid tail was the color of the darkest green. She was pale in skin tone, but as beautiful and regal as any queen.

  " Persephone." He said with a gentle smile.

  She rolled her eyes and smiled, " I see you still like to get my young

  Thamous into mischief."

  Hand going to his chest, he gasped, " What? Not me!"

  They all dropped into laughter as the two gave hugs of welcome. The laughter in the room filled to a noise to almost crack glass.

  " Persephone, would you do the honors please?"

  She nodded, but before she could do more than open her mouth, a strong wind blew through the room and in its wake stood Zeus.

  Chapter 3

  A shriek filled the air as Persephone rushed to her older brother, "

  Zeus!"

  A broad smile curved his mouth upwards, " Sep. Happy birthday little

  sister."

  " Thank you, Zeus. I was afraid that you wouldn't come."

  " Why wouldn't I come?" Zeus asked with a frown.

  " Well," She said biting on her lower lip, " Hera doesn't like you to see

  us much."

  " Yes, well it is your birthday and I wouldn't miss it. I promised."

  Before she could respond to that, Thamous hurled himself at Zeus, " Uncle Z!"

  Giving a hearty laugh he swung him up and said, " Tham, my boy. How are you? Growing like a weed I see."

  " Do you know what Uncle Po and I did today?" When he shook his head no, he continued with, " We saved a human woman."

  " You did what?" Said Persephone and Zeus in unison.

  " We saved a human woman, but don't worry. She didn't see us."

  " Thamous." Whispered Poseidon as he shook his head, " We will talk about it later. Right now, we are celebrating Persephone birthday."

  " Very well." Zeus said and turned toward the food table, " Nice selection."

  Persephone looked at Poseidon and said, " You had better not endanger him again. Do I make myself clear?"

  " Yes. Perfectly."

  They turned and enjoyed the festivities. Laughter rang once again through the great hall. Mermaids and mermen all having a good time. The glittering from the crystals made the hall bright and colorful. The music from the small band who played with instruments made from shells and various other little shells and creatures. Everyone had watched as Persephone had taken the seat at the head of the table and Zeus to the right while Poseidon was to the left. Thamous sat next to his mother with a huge grin on his face.

  The celebration wore on until night fell. Slowly they all began to say goodbye and head to their homes for some well needed rest. Poseidon stood and took Thamous in his arms to take him to bed when suddenly the sea began to quiver and shake. Zeus was instantly on his feet and his staff shaped like a lightning bolt appeared in his hand. Thamous was handed over to the nearest guard. Persephone was positioned in front of that guard with her bow and arrow glowing and at the ready. Poseidon was on Zeus' right with his Triton at the ready. They were all facing the throne rooms entrance.

  In a bright flash of dark light, Hera appeared.

  Chapter 4

  They lowered their weapons slowly. She stood there surrounded in a dark light that slowly seemed to fade. Her black hair was neatly put up into a half bun style and her gold headband like crown gleamed against the darkness of her hair. Her brown eyes were almost black in color as they seemed to look through them and her lips were pressed into a tight frown. The dark suit jacket with red shirt made her complexion seem tan and the knee length black pencil skirt was skin tight and to top off the outfit was a pair of red stilettos. She was a beautiful woman, but her aversion to humans made her appear almost insane at times.

  " I knew that I would find you here Zeus. What in the world could be keeping you here so long?" She clipped out.

  " The fact that it is my sister's birthday may have something to do with that Hera dear." Zeus said sternly.

  " Awe! Yes! Persephone's birthday. I am afraid that in all that I had to do today, I had quiet forgotten. Happy birthday dear." Frost dripped off of those words as she approached them.

  " Thank you Hera." She said with as much dignity as she could muster.

  Hera reached Zeus' side, she slid one hand up along his arm and said, " It is late dear. Come home."

  He put his hand over hers and smiled, " I was about to leave. We were getting ready to say our goodbyes when you arrived."

  " Oh. I do apologize then. Please continue." She said sweetly, but the other two knew better. She was not a sweet woman and has never been that way unless she wanted something.

  Zeus smiled at her before turning back to his sister, " Sep, I am glad to have spent another year in your company and cannot wait for a thousand more."

  She hugged him with laughter ringing in her voice, she replied, " I should hope so big brother. I should hope so."

  Persephone heard a small cough and noticed that Hera was eyeing her so she did the one thing that she had been dying to do all night.....she stuck her tongue out at her and hugged her brother tighter for fear of losing him someday soon.

  Zeus hugged her back and said, " Now, Sep I don't know why you have this fear but all is well for now. I would tell you if it weren't so. Don't fear."

  She pulled away and looked at him a moment longer before replying, " Alright dear brother. I love you."

  "Good!" He thundered, " For I love you too sister." Then he felt a hearty slap on the back and he turned to face Poseidon.

  Putting a hand on his shoulder, he said in serious tones, " We will talk on your matter tomorrow. Rest up for you have a lot of explaining to do." Then drew him into a quick hug.

  He took Hera's hand and together they exited in a brilliant flash of lightning.

  Poseidon stood there a moment longer then he turned to his sister, " Do you think she intends to harm him?"

  " I don't know. All I know is that I felt a quiver go through my stomach at her appearance and that isn't usually a good sign."

  He nodded because he understood the fear that gripped her for it had gripped him too. He was so caught up in it that he didn't hear her as she had asked about the woman that he had saved today until he felt a light shove on his shoulder and turned to see what or rather who had done it.