by Ciara Lake
“That’s nothing new, Ula.” He winked at her. “I know it’s hard for you to allow me my moment.”
“It seems like you already had your moment.” Ula laughed. “Do forgive me, I’m just excited we will both have children around the same time.”
For several seconds, Tabitha sat silently, then tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Why do you cry, Tabitha?” Jax’s mother asked. “We’re so happy to have you here safe and with us. To have these beautiful children on the way too. We’ll be sure to spoil them. We’re happy to have met your father and your uncle. To learn of Ula’s relationship with Zephyr is an added joy for us. It’s been a happy day.” Alisha stood up and walked over to Tabitha.
“They’re tears of happiness.” Tabitha sniffed.
“I like that type of crying.” Alisha sat on the other side of Tabitha. “My girls, let’s prepare for a grand celebration. Zale has offered to host one here in his magnificent realm. It is so wonderful here. I can’t wait to show Tabitha what I have seen. He tells us we can invite family and friends too. If you and Ula don’t mind, maybe we can have two weddings on the same day and one grand party.”
“That would be perfect.” Ula giggled and hugged Zephyr’s arm. “Can we?”
“Yes, my love.” Zephyr kissed the tip of her nose.
“Whatever Talise and Jax want.” Zale nodded in his daughter’s direction. “I will give them anything they ask.”
“Would you like that?” Jax turned to Tabitha. “I want to make you my wife.” He kissed her ring. “I see you still have the ring.”
“Yes, I’m thankful for that, but Amuliana took my hair band.”
“No matter. Nothing matters but you.” Jax hugged her.
“The weddings and the party sound like a brilliant plan. I’ve always dreamed of a grand wedding. I never thought I would have one. My family used to be small.”
“It is very big now.” Alisha laughed. “You’ve only met two of my many children. Then there are more relatives than you can imagine.”
“My brothers will come too,” Zale added.
“It all sounds magnificent. I love to watch fabulous weddings on television. . .you know, the wedding shows. Or maybe you don’t.” Tabitha laughed. “Never mind.” She shook her head. “But it sounds like. . .a wonderful time.”
“Well, what I have in mind will be beyond your mortal dreams or any mortal show.” Alisha smiled brightly. “This will be a wedding and a party for immortal princesses. It shall be grand, even grander than Arianna’s wedding to the dragon, and her wedding was spectacular. We shall invite our Mer family, our dragon and other immortal friends.”
“I know some of the gods will want to come. The nicer ones.” Jax winked.
“Let’s make the guest list right away. Perhaps we can even invite your mortal friend Jessica too, if we take certain precautions.” Alisha took Tabitha’s hand. “I know the men can work that out for us.”
“Absolutely. Your wish is my command.” Zale smiled.
“I’m so happy and excited for you both. Let’s start planning.” Alisha jumped up from her chair. “We shall dance all night.” She twirled around then hugged Poseidon.
“I love you, my dear.” Poseidon kissed her.
“There’s a lot to do.” She kissed him back, hugging his neck.
“Very well, let our plans begin. The men can go do what entertains them.” Ula waved her hand in their direction.
“Very good. I will conference with my daughters to prepare for everything. And we’ll put together our lists for you men to take care of.”
“Excellent.” Zale nodded.
“We will have our celebration in ten days.” She looked at Poseidon. “You will aid Zale in sending out the heralds as soon as we have our invitation list.”
“Yes, dear.” Poseidon nodded.
“As you wish,” Zale agreed.
“I too will do what is required,” Zephyr offered.
“Yes, let’s have a grand party like none other.” Jax kissed Tabitha’s hand.
Zephyr pulled Ula into his lap. “We do have much to celebrate.”
Chapter 13
“My lovely wife, are you happy?” Jax came up behind Tabitha and kissed the side of her face.
“Yes, I’m very happy.” She continued to cut the fish into pieces. “I’m excited about all of our guests. I can’t believe your Uncle Nereus is going to come to help you out.”
Jax watched her put the fish into the wok, it sizzled. Kittyman sat on the chair next to the counter watching her cook.
“Nereus will do wonderful with the children at the festival.”
“I hope so, but I have my doubts.” He hugged her again. “He’s not a people person.”
“I think he might surprise you.” She grinned.
“Tabitha, you don’t have to slave in the kitchen.”
“I’m not slaving.”
“We can hire a cook along with a maid. Or we can do it all magically.” He turned her in his arms to face him.
“I like to cook. It relaxes me. Don’t you like my cooking?”
“Yes, I do.” He kissed her neck. “I enjoy everything you make, it’s always delicious.”
“Okay then, I like living like real people do. You promised we would live mostly as humans until we have to make different plans.”
“Yes, I know. But we are real people, just immortal people with royal lineage.” He chuckled. “Otherwise we’re just ordinary individuals.”
“You know what I mean.” She playfully hit him with her elbow. “I love living in this penthouse and being Mrs. Jax Aquila. I love going shopping with my friends, and having lunch with them. I’m your trophy wife, you know. So, I guess we aren’t too ordinary, but at least we’re living like humans.”
“Sure we are.” He winked and patted her bottom. “Okay, fine. For now you can cook our meals. I guess trophy wives do that too.”
“No, but I do.” She shrugged.
He caressed her growing bump. The baby kicked him. “I felt that one.” He bent over, speaking to the baby. “You take care of your momma. You keep her safe when she’s shopping and cooking, doing all of her human things.” He rubbed her stomach some more. “How do you feel?”
“Good. The mermaid midwife is coming tomorrow with your mother to check me over. But I’m doing fine. Don’t worry, I’m immortal.”
“Yes, but you can have pain, be tired, and feel discomfort.”
“I’m fine. Now, you’d better go down to your office and finish up what you were doing. Our guests will be here soon. Tell Joel I’m so excited to meet his mate. Dinner will be at seven.”
“I’ve made up the rooms for Clayne, Arianna, Ula, Zephyr, and your father.”
“Did you do it the human way?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Did I ever tell you how old I am?”
“No.”
“Well, I’m too old to be changing all of my ways.”
“I understand. We’re going to have a full house. It’ll be fun.”
“For someone who lived with a small family all of her life, I am sure you will find it amusing.” He kissed her. “I’m glad to have all the help with the conservation’s open house festival.”
“It is very nice they’ve all shown an interest, and it was a great idea to turn it into a festival reaching out more toward families.”
“The news channels will be there. It’s going to have great publicity.”
“Yeah, my dad’s idea was great.” Tabitha carefully removed her pies from the ovens.
“Be careful, don’t burn yourself. Tabitha, I don’t want it to look like I’m not providing appropriately for you. You’re doing too much, working so hard. It doesn’t look good.” He shook his head. “Clayne, your uncle, and our fathers won’t understand your modern woman attitude.”
“They’ll have to get used to it.” She smiled. “Don’t the pies smell wonderful?”
“Yes, delicious.” He nodded. “Your father already had a talk w
ith me about you still working at the law firm. He isn’t thrilled about it.”
“He’s not told me.”
“No, he told me a few dozen times for the both of us.”
“I’ll speak to him.”
“No, you don’t have to talk to him. I agree with him. Just try to work less.”
“I have cut back, a lot. Sit down, I’ll give you a bite to eat before you go down to your office.”
“I’ll take some pie.” He licked his lips.
“Arianna will be here shortly. She’s going to help me organize the food vendors for tomorrow’s event. So, I’ll be joining you with her later today.”
“Great.”
'“I’m very anxious to talk to Arianna about our similar dreams. Lately I’ve had shared dreams with her, and I think they mean something important. I believe they have something to do with Amuliana and Saltar.”
Her father appeared at the table. “No doubt the dreams are important, but don’t worry yourself. Sorry to interrupt you two. I thought I’d arrive early to help out more and to see my lovely daughter. I’ve missed you.”
“Oh, Dad, I saw you yesterday.” She rushed over and kissed his cheek.
“I know. I love it when you call me Dad.” He smiled at her.
“It’s so good of you to help Jax. We really appreciate all you’ve done for his conservation projects.” She placed a slice of pie in front of both of the men.
“It’s a good thing Jax is doing, and I’m happy to help.”
“Tabitha, sit down and have some pie too.” Jax grabbed her hand. “Come, sit down.”
* * * *
“I’m so sleepy, it was a long day.” Tabitha yawned. “I’m excited about tomorrow. The festival will be perfect. If only the mortals knew who was at this festival.” She giggled. “The whole world would want to come. I have to smile every time I think about it.”
“Actually, it might not be a good thing.” Jax shook his head. “One never knows how humans will react. They could become fearful. You know humans are still ignorant in many ways.”
“I don’t know. Some humans could handle it, like Jessica. I’m so happy she can know about my true life.” She kissed Jax.
“Yes, but all people are not like her.”
“I wanted to tell you I’m proud of what you and Joel are doing. I think our fathers and uncles are impressed too.”
“I think you’re my biggest fan.” He kissed her back, pulling her into his arms. “Now, stop talking about all that other stuff and kiss me some more.” He rubbed her swollen breasts.
“Feels nice.” She arched her back, pushing her breasts closer to him. He took a nipple into his mouth. She straddled him, kissing his neck and face.
“Tabitha, I love you.” His stiff cock rose between them. Positioning herself, she impaled herself upon him, arching her back and pushing against him. “So good.” He pushed his hips up meeting hers. She kissed him, holding him tight. “I love you, my beautiful wife.” They moved together until they both glowed in a blue light of their shared pleasure.
“I love you too, my handsome husband.”
He loved her well until they both fell asleep.
* * * *
Jax kissed her forehead. “Tabitha, it’s early. I’m going to work—I’ve got a lot to do—but you stay in bed and sleep longer.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “You need your rest.”
“Okay.” She rolled over onto her side. “It’s still dark outside.”
“Yes, it’s only four in the morning. I have so much to get done before ten o’clock when we open to the public. Your father and Joel are waiting for me.”
“I’ll be up in a few hours.” She closed her eyes again, and soon she was fast asleep.
* * * *
“Wake up, child.”
“Father?”
“No, I’m sorry, I’m not. I’m your grandfather it would seem. I’m the renowned General Saltar.”
Tabitha huddled under her covers. “What do you want? No, just get out of my head.”
“I hear my daughter was busier than I realized. I’m amazed she knew a Jin, much less fucked one.”
“You’re disgusting to talk about your daughter in that way.”
“I’ve been called much worse.”
“How are you talking to me?” A coldness fell over Tabitha. The warmth of her bed was suddenly gone. She opened her eyes. Her bedroom was gone, and she was in a cavern similar to the one she’d been imprisoned in by Hecate.
“Where am I?” She hugged herself. “Where is this place?”
He gestured around him. “Welcome to my humble abode.”
“How have you taken me from my home?” She could not fully see the man’s face, he was cloaked in darkness.
“I haven’t, you are there and here at the same time.” He chuckled. “A nice little trick I’ve learned, and you’re particularly susceptible to it.”
“Release me.”
“Or what?” He laughed. It was a harsh sound. “I’ll be punished? Sent to Hades for eternity? That would be a vacation from this place. This luxurious cell was prepared by your mate and husband, Mer Jax Aquila. Did you know he has your grandfather in such a horrible place? Jax can be cruel, he’ll turn on you one day too. After all, you are my grandchild. You have vampire in you, and he hates vampires.”
“You’re a liar. This horrific place is suitable for a horrible person.” She hissed at him, surprising herself.
“See, the vampire is still strong within you. Wait, I think I see fangs. Oh, yes, Mers have fangs too. Nevertheless, you make me proud.”
“Shut up, and release me from this mind game.”
“When I’m done with you.”
“Jax would never hurt me, and he’s not cruel. You’re full of lies, just like Amuliana. Only you’re worse to bring me here, to say what you’ve said, because you are my grandfather.”
“Trust me, my heart is all shriveled up. I don’t care that you’re my grandchild. The only reason you interest me is because I have a special link to you. That’s why you are here with me now. And as for Amuliana, I’m nothing like that bitch. I’m much worse.” He moved closer to her.
“I see, yet you’re the badass who’s locked in a cell below the sea, in the bowels of the earth, but you’re worse?” The mustiness made her sneeze.
“I’ve not been fed in centuries.” Saltar stepped even closer, and the dark shadow no longer cloaked his face. His face was skeletal, darkened skin stretched over his bones. She backed away, hitting the wall behind her. “This is what happens to one like me, who has been without blood or any nourishment for so long. Tell me that it’s not cruel to keep me here like this. Being locked in a place like this for as long as I have been can make anyone insane.” He laughed loudly. “Again, all of this is due to the hospitality of your lover. He arranged for these accommodations.”
“You were already insane. Let me out of here.” She turned around, looking for an escape.
“I want out of here too. Seems we are of one mind. Our very special connection allows me to bring you here for a nice visit with your dear old granddad. I was delighted when I learned you were so gifted to allow this visit. Don’t look so glum, after all, this gives you an opportunity to know your grandfather. Family is important.”
“I’m not really here.” She shook her head. “Wake up. I’m not really here.” Her jaw was tight as she ground her teeth together.
Suddenly, darkness overcame her, filling her mind. Her body relaxed into a soft surface, her bed. Confusion overwhelmed her.
“Wake up, Tabitha, wake up.”
“Where am I?” Her eyes hurt when she opened them. The light was too bright.
“You were having a bad dream. You’re at home in your bed. You kept speaking Saltar’s name.” Her husband’s voice was soft in her ear.
“Yes, I know, it was a terrible nightmare. I was in his cell. It was awful.”
Jax was leaning over her. His expression was one of great concern. Then his face became b
lurry and it transformed. Saltar was above her, leering down with a hideous grin on his face.
“This isn’t really as simple as a dream or nightmare,” Saltar said. “It’s much more. In a way you’re here and in a way you’re not. You have an incredible talent to travel away from your body. Thus, we can enjoy our time together. It’s really perfect for me.”
He was right, they were back in his cell, just as before. Saltar approached her, and she tried to move back more, but the wall would not let her.
“You feel everything as if it’s very real. Our connection is amazing. I could hurt you if I wanted to.” He shrugged. “Maybe I do.”
“I’m going to wake up. Then I will not be here.” She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to figure out how to wake up in her bed once more. Finally, she hit her head with her hand.
“Don’t hit yourself.” He laughed. “It won’t work.”
She opened her eyes just as he slapped her, and she yelped.
“Sorry, my child. I’m in control here. It’s a dream, yet it’s not. You will not return until I am done with you.”
“What do you want?” She straightened her back. “If I’m really here, you best stand back or I’ll hurt you.” She pointed at him. “I have power like my father’s.”
“Scary.” He waved his hands in front of him. “I’ve heard of your great mojo.” He nodded. “How nice for you to be so powerful.” His smile was wicked. “But that’s the beauty of this moment—you’re here, but not. You feel what I wish you to feel, but you cannot use your power in this situation. I’m in control of everything. Anyway...” He shrugged. “There is no torture I can’t withstand.” He bent over, laughing. “I have very few joys, but this is one—to see the expression on your face is the icing on my cake. This situation is truly ingenious, isn’t it?”
“If you don’t stop this, you’ll be sorry.”
“I’m worried.” He sneered. “Goddess Hecate helped me make this possible. She was not happy about your escape. She doesn’t get over things easily. And she has no honor or loyalty, evil ones tend not to. She helps me at the same time she helps Amuliana. I’m aware of her deception. But Amuliana is so full of herself she does not realize.”
