Forbidden Craving(88)

Love. The all-consuming kind. It gave rather than took. It protected.

Somehow, some way, he would gain her oath to stay forever. Because, he could never let her go.





  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

AFTER HE'D SATED himself on another round of scrumptious female and listened to their tales about the surface world, Poseidon had whisked himself to the nearest river, a crystal stream of tranquillity. Lilies floated on the surface. He blended into the water itself, flowing with it, absorbing its coolness.

The nymphs had indeed broken the law. He needed to punish them quickly, before others thought to do the same. And he knew just what to do.

When he reached a fork in the river, he stopped. The water stilled, as well. No waves, no ripples. Wind whistled, and the patter of nearby animals echoed.

The bank to his left suddenly flooded with enraged dragon warriors, their wings flapping as they landed. Still, the water did not ripple.

Poseidon watched as their dragon forms faded, leaving a human facade. Skin instead of scales. Silky hair. Teeth instead of fangs, their tail vanishing. Of course, they were now naked, wearing only dragon medallions and holding swords.

As the warriors drank from the stream, angry chatter bounced between the trees. Poseidon scanned the masses until he came to Darius. The leader of the dragons barked orders to several of his men, his expression fierce.

He hadn't liked abandoning the palace. His instincts demanded he stay and fight the nymphs-Valerian in particular. But Darius was a warrior who weighed the odds, studied the situation and calculated the percentages. He'd been severely outnumbered, and he hadn't wanted his men injured when a sneak attack could work in their favor and even the odds.

A very smart man. Exactly what Poseidon needed.

Come to me, he said, his voice carrying on the wind.

Darius paused and stiffened. He searched the surrounding wooded area, gazed over the river, saw nothing and returned to his men. His shoulders remained stiff, however, his posture erect and his hands clenched tightly on the hilt of his sword.

Come, Poseidon said again.

Darius's attention whipped to the river for the second time. His eyes narrowed.

The water provided only a reflection of Poseidon's image, a glint in the fading light. Still, Darius obeyed at last, long strides leading him to the river's edge. The men he'd been speaking with frowned, clearly confused.

"Is something wrong?" a hulking blond giant asked.

The dragon king never looked back. "Rest a while, Brand."

When Darius stood alone, he said, "You called, Poseidon?"

He recognizes me, and yet he shows no reverence.

Annoyance caused the water to churn. "You know me, then."

"I know of you."

"Then you know the consequences of speaking to me in such a manner. You know the suffering I can mete out."

Darius gave a clipped nod. "I do."

And still the dragon did not bow.




 

 

Admire his courage or strike him down?

Admire. Why not? He'd hated his life so much he'd come here to set a new course. Want different circumstances, do different things.

"I've learned some disturbing things since my return, Darius, and I am not pleased. Because of this, I have several tasks for you."

A muscle jumped beneath his eye. "Then I am at your command, of course."

Excellent. "First, you will return to the palace."

There was a heavy pause. "That isn't my plan."

"No, you wish to gather more men. That will take time, and I want my will obeyed now. This moment."

Darius stood firm. "That will place dragon lives in unnecessary danger, and that I will not do."

A refusal. Admiration dwindled fast. "Sneak inside, and there will be no danger to you and yours."

"I do plan to sneak inside. But there will be danger if the nymphs and vampires outnumber us ten to one."

Poseidon grinned slowly. "O ye creature of doubt. You will destroy half of the nymph and vampire forces before you even reach the palace hallways."

Darius's brows arched, interest sparkling in his eyes. "Tell me how that's possible."

He thinks to give the orders now? Poseidon's hands fisted. "There's a doorway. A secret entrance below the portal."

"Below?" He sounded faraway, as if he was already breaching it in his mind. "How did I not know of it before now?"

"Not my problem. You'll sneak inside, gather the humans and return them to the surface, with their memories wiped clean."

Poseidon continued. "To get the women in one place, you'll send an army back to the palace, as if they meant to fight. The women will be hidden below."

"Done."

"Once they are returned, you will focus on the nymphs. They'll be weak without their daily dose and easy for you run down. Six nymphs dared to enter the surface world, so six nymphs will die."