Chapter Thirteen.
Jase/Poseidon
A fter Willow had eaten, Jase took her for a walk alongside a river. It wasn’t as good as the Seas or Oceans, but it would do. He knew the water would soothe her like it did him. Willow found a thick grassy area and sat down and took her shoes off to dangle her feet in the cool water.
“That feels so good,” she murmured.
“Yeah?” Jase said, sitting beside her and rolling his trousers up. He yanked his shoes and socks off and followed her actions.
“Wow, Jase Monroe with his feet in a river,” Willow teased.
“Jase Monroe likes simple things,” Jase replied.
“That’s something I lo—like about you. It doesn’t have to be fancy stuff all the time. You’re happy eating ribs or having a burger and chips. We don’t have to go to expensive places to have fun, and you honestly seem to enjoy yourself,” Willow said.
“I have fun every time I’m with you,” Jase responded.
“Really?”
“You doubt me?”
“I’m not exactly a glamour girl. I’m happier in jeans and a tee than a cocktail dress. And you are Jase Monroe, one of Forbes 100 richest men,” Willow pointed out.
“That means nothing to me. For as long as I can remember, my pleasure was wrapped up in my brothers and sisters. Watching them achieve something which gave them pleasure, such as Sela conquering the internet, made me happy. I think this is the first time I’ve actually experienced happiness for myself.”
“Kiss me!” Willow demanded.
Jase turned to face her, his eyes wide with astonishment, and Willow blushed. “I’m sorry, I was too forw—”
Jase’s lips landed on hers, stealing the last few words away. His left hand slid into her hair and cupped her head while his right pulled her closer. This was their first kiss, and he intended to saviour it. Willow tasted of coffee and raspberries, two tastes he liked very much. Her lips were pliant under his, and he coaxed her into opening her mouth. Her tongue tentatively touched his and sent him wild. He hauled her onto his lap, her legs straddling his as he deepened the kiss between them.
Tiny little moans escaped from Willow, driving him insane. Jase wanted to own her, devour her, make sure she never looked at another man again. His cock pressed into her warm heat, and he knew Willow felt it because she pushed down on him and moved slowly. The heat between them was off the charts, but Jase needed to make sure Willow knew what would happen should this continue.
“Willow,” Jase said raggedly, pulling his mouth from hers.
“What?” Willow asked, and Jase was struck by her expression.
Willow’s cheeks were warm and flushed, her eyes were dreamy, and her lips looked swollen from their kiss. Jase struggled to control himself because all he wanted to do was throw her down and dive deeply into her. Both his shifter forms were riding him to do so and were screaming ‘Mate’ loudly in his head.
“Babe, if we continue, we’ll complete the mating bond,” Jase murmured.
Willow stiffened in his arms and drew back. “And you don’t want to mate with a human,” she said, not hiding the bitterness in her voice.
“I want to mate with you. But I don’t know if I can control my other forms. For the mating bond to be complete, I think Uber merman has to be inside you, Willow, and I don’t want to terrorise or make you fear me.”
Willow gazed at him for several long moments, and Jase felt his gut sinking. He’d been right. Willow couldn’t stand the thought of Uber merman inside her.
“Jase. Shut up and take me,” Willow said, startling him.
He didn’t need telling twice.
Jase lunged forward and hauled her back into his body. He kissed her deeply again while he attempted to pull her top off. Breaking off the kiss with exasperation, he yanked it over her head while she pulled off his jumper.
“Finally,” Willow breathed and ran her hands over his chest. The look on her face was one of ecstasy.
Jase shuddered under her exploring touch as he unclasped her bra and freed her breasts. God, they were things of beauty, he thought to himself as he cupped one and flicked the nipple. Willow responded with a low moan, and a wicked grin crossed Jase’s face.
Laying her back gently on the grass, Jase began feasting, first on one breast and then the other. Willow continued to explore his muscles and played with his own tight nipples. She discovered Jase loved the pain of them being pinched and happily obliged. Every time she pinched one, his cock jumped in response.
Jase kissed his way down her body. She unzipped her jeans and pulled them down. Her scent hit him at once and Jase barely controlled himself from ripping her knickers off and thrusting inside. Forcing patience, he slid them down and threw them to one side with her jeans. He moved down until his tongue could pierce her swollen folds. Her smell was driving him wild, and when he tasted her, he nearly came.
Jase lapped at her as his fingers rubbed the tight little nub. Willow’s hips moved of their own accord as her fingers slid into his hair and held him there.
“Jase!” Willow begged breathlessly, and Jase increased his efforts. His mouth sucked her nub and teased it until she came screaming in his mouth. Jase lapped her up and then undid his own jeans. One day, he’d get her to suck him off. But not today. He had to be inside her now. Uber Merman was clawing to get out.
“On your knees, baby,” Jase murmured, turning her over and lifting her hips.
Willow allowed him to position her, and then he slowly fed his cock into her. She was so tight, he thought as he gritted his teeth and struggled for control. That went out the window as Willow suddenly shoved back and sheathed him fully.
A wild cry left her mouth as Jase’s cock went deep. But it wasn’t pain, it was pleasure. She began tightening around him as he pulled out and shoved back inside. Willow pushed back and took him deep again, and Jase lost his mind.
Jase began pounding inside her like a jackhammer. He was mindless with lust as he leaned his huge body over her and one hand cupped a breast. Jase pinched her nipple and then pulled back to hold both her hips. Controlling her this way, Jase pounded into her hard. Her walls were slick with her own arousal, and she was so tight around him. With a growl, Jase shifted into Poseidon, his slit open and cock inside her. Seconds later, Uber merman took his place inside Willow.
He hauled her up and sank his teeth into her neck, biting down and breaking the skin, before lapping her wound to seal it. Again, in seconds, Jase had shifted back, and as Willow cried her second release, he howled his first.
Willow collapsed in his arms as Jase pumped out every last drop of cum.
He laid down on one side and tucked her in close to him. They were both shaking and not from the cold.
Jase used the moonlight to check the bite on her neck. He couldn’t believe his shifter had bitten his mate. But Willow seemed at peace, and turning in his arms, she patted and stroked his chest.
“I’m fine,” she murmured.
“How do you know I was worried?” Jase asked as he stroked her hair.
“I can feel you,” Willow replied.
“You can?” Jase asked, searching deep inside. There, he found a golden thread that led to Willow. “Holy shit, the bond formed.”
“It’s strong,” Willow said.
“I’m sorry about my shift…”
“Shut up Jase. I was prepared, you told me countless times about it. It wasn’t so bad, although the bite was unexpected,” Willow admitted.
“Yeah, I didn’t expect that either, but we’ll need to inform the others. It seems biting is part of the mating ritual,” Jase said as his cock poked her in the belly.
“Again?” Willow gasped.
“What can I say? You’re irresistible,” Jase murmured, claiming her mouth.
Willow happily lifted a leg over his, baring herself to him. And Jase would never deny his mate.
Scylla/Salah
Scylla swam through the ocean, looking for Willow’s court. She knew they’d be around here somewhere. The Swallow’s Nest was floating nearby, and Sallah guessed they wouldn’t be far. She laughed as dolphins attacked her playfully and she surfaced with them.
“You is Scylla!” the first declared.
“I am little friend. Are you Chatter?” she asked.
“Me famous, me, known!” the dolphin squeed.
“I’m friends with Willow,” Scylla said, and the dolphins all clacked and clicked loudly.
A large humpback whale surfaced. “I am Luna,” she said.
“Lady of the Oceans, I am Scylla. I bring news of Willow,” Scylla said.
“She is coming soon? We must see She,” Luna said.
“Yes, Willow and Poseidon will come to see everyone soon,” Scylla agreed.
“Mated now. We feel them,” Luna added, and Scylla raised her eyebrows.
“You can feel their mating?”
“Yes, and pup. Two pups,” Luna said, and Scylla reeled back.
“Willow is pregnant? With twins?” Scylla gasped.
“Yes, we sense, two pups, maybe three,” a blue whale said, appearing at her other side.
“Triplets?” Scylla asked, almost feeling faint.
Well, that would teach Vladimir to brag and taunt Jase.
“Yes, three pups. I sense now,” Chatter agreed.
“Oh dear God,” Scylla replied and wondered how much trouble Jase’s kids would get into. She didn’t doubt they wouldn’t be troublemakers.
“Fun!” one of the other dolphins clacked.
Scylla nodded even as she wondered whether to find a hidey hole for the next twenty years.
“Well, let’s not tell them. Let them discover the pups on their own,” Scylla suggested, and while puzzled, the sea life agreed.
Her mission accomplished, and her message sent. Scylla headed back towards her portal. If she had stayed around, she might have seen the lights on the horizon heading towards her.
Willow
“Jase, we need to collect The Swallow’s Nest and at least store her somewhere safe. We can’t leave her bobbing around on the ocean protected by the sea life,” Willow argued.
Jase scowled. They were having a perfectly wonderful day in bed, which Willow had now disturbed with this demand. For all he cared, The Swallow’s Nest could sink.
Willow could see his thoughts written across his face and plus… she could hear them, although she wouldn’t tell him that.
“Tomorrow,” Jase murmured, running a hand down her thigh.
“Today, Jase. Then once it’s done, we can spend a week somewhere on a honeymoon,” Willow suggested, and Jase perked up.
Willow almost smiled at his thoughts; Jase was quite happy to spend a week in bed with Willow naked.
“Fine, you can fetch it. While you do, I’ll feed Megalomania, it’s too close to the surface at the moment,” Jase said.
“That’s fine. Why don’t you join me on The Swallow’s Nest? We can hide her in a cave or somewhere and then have sex straight out for a week,” Willow teased.
Jase was out of bed and heading into the shower because she could blink. Willow choked on a laugh as his thoughts hit her very clearly. Jase was looking forward to a week of sex!
◆◆◆
No sooner had she stepped on The Swallow’s Nest that she was surrounded. Crackle, Fish Diver, Beau, and Bert were already on board. Either side of The Swallow’s Nest were Segory and Luna and Chatter; Warrior and Giddy were at the bow. She patted Segory and scratched above his eye and then repeated her actions with Luna. She made sure Beau and Bert got head rubs, while Crackle waited patiently for her to place him on her shoulder. She gave Fish Diver a vigorous rub before making a huge fuss of the dolphins. To her surprise, Lyris was also present, swimming alongside Luna.
“Lyris, how wonderful to see you again,” Willow exclaimed.
“Lyris advisor to She,” Segory explained.
“You joined my court?” Willow asked, surprised.
“Yes, Sea Dragons will be represented in your court, Willow,” Lyris said with a regal head tilt.
“You are most welcome. How is Marcina?”
“Queen Marcina heals and dedicates herself to her studies. She has a regent but is making some decisions herself. Siera remains imprisoned but is fading fast,” Lyris informed her.
“I am glad to hear Marinca does well. I shall visit her soon, I hope,” Willow said.
“Our realm remains closed to visitors, but we can arrange a meeting,” Lyris agreed.
“So, today is to find somewhere to hide the Swallow’s Nest. Any ideas?” Willow asked, looking around.
“We know hiding,” Giddy called.
“You know some hiding places, Giddy? Like some caves?” Willow inquired.
“Yes, yes. Follow,” Giddy called.
“Let me get the engines started,” Willow cried out, but Giddy had already dived.
“Do not worry. We can track the dolphin,” Lyris said, amused.
“They are so excitable,” Willow excused them and then went on to start the engines.
◆◆◆
An hour into the journey, Willow found herself surrounded by sea creatures and not just her court.
“Danger, Danger,” the call was repeated amongst them.
Knowing better than to ignore them, Willow glanced about and spotted four yachts heading her way at speed.
“Not again,” Willow hissed and hit the throttle. The Swallow’s Nest responded immediately.
Willow tried reaching out to Jase but found his mind filled with anger and Megalomania. He must still be feeding, Willow surmised, knowing she’d not break through while he was. A momentary self-doubt hit her. Could she survive this without Poseidon? Then she shoved the thought to one side.
“Are we nearing anything we can hide in?” Willow asked Lyris, who was keeping up.
“No. Land is many miles away. You will not make it. We will need to fight,” Lyris stated.
“No! They are after me. I won’t have any of you captured or harmed. Especially you Lyris, can you imagine what they’d do to you? I order you to dive deep to safety,” Willow said.
Her court turned and began to argue, and Willow drew on something inside her.
“I said, I order you to dive deeply to safety,” Willow repeated. Her court protested loudly but obeyed this time.
Willow turned her head and saw the boats were catching up quick. She could continue to try to avoid them or slip underwater herself and see what they did. Willow chose an option and slipped over the starboard side where they couldn’t see her. Once in the water, she was attacked by her court.
“Called He,” Giddy squealed.
“You called Poseidon?” Willow asked, sinking below the water. Her gills opened, and she breathed easily.
“Yes, he come, bring friends. Kill intruders,” Luna stated.
The roar of the approaching boats was loud, even under water, and Willow wondered who the hell was on them. Were these Hunters or the men who’d tried to kill her before?
Two of the boats pulled up tight to the Swallow’s Nest and men clambered aboard.
Minutes ticked past until she heard shouts.
“She has to be in the water. Someone was here and now they’re gone.”
“Search the water. Spread out and use the searchlights. The boss wants her dead,” another answered.
“Why not just sink the boat? She’ll be stranded here and will drown,” the first said.
“Because we thought we had her last time. And those three teams disappeared, but she appeared hale and hearty. He told us to leave nothing to chance this time.”
Well, they weren’t Hunters, which was something, Willow thought. Hunters would know she could stay deep in the ocean. So these had been sent after her by one of her targets. This was someone she’d outed, or they were frightened she’d out them.
Keeping just beneath the surface, she watched as flood lights clicked on. They’d be looking for someone bobbing on the water or a disturbance where she’d surfaced and then gone back under. But with her gills, she didn’t need that.
Everything was fine until Fish Diver surfaced to take a breath. Harpoons were aimed at him as he splashed.
“Leave him alone!” Willow screamed, breaking the surface. Her voice shocked everyone, and the lights turned in her direction.
“Come out, bitch, my boss wants a word,” someone called.
“Leave him alone!” Willow shouted again as she swam towards the nearest yacht.
“Keep a harpoon on him, boys. Should she try any tricks, shoot the dumb thing,” the man in charge shouted.
“Fish Diver, dive!” Willow ordered. Something was happening to her body. It was tingling all over, and there was a dull pain. As she got close to the boat, someone reached down and grabbed her and hauled her up. She collapsed on the deck, shivering and shaking, with no idea why. Her bones felt like they were on edge was the best way to describe the feeling, and her skin was overly sensitive.
“What’s happening?” Willow gasped.
“Get up,” a man said, kicking her.
Willow couldn’t move, and the shakes grew worse.
“Man, she don’t look right.” “Who cares? She’s going to die, anyway.”
“Should she be that shade of green and blue?”
Green and blue?
Willow looked down at her arms and saw them changing colour. Her bones felt heavier, as if they’d doubled in weight while her skin became coarse and knobbly.
“Poseidon, you…!” Willow screamed as suddenly she shifted into a female form of Uber merman.
Tentacles whipped out from her back as she stopped shaking and the pain eased.
“What the f—are you seeing this?”
“What the hell is that?”
Willow slowly rose to her feet as she looked down at her body in astonishment. She ran a hand over her hair and made a distressed noise. Thuds impacted on her body, and she looked down and discovered bullets lying in a pile.
Men were cursing loudly, and Willow had no idea what to do.
Above her head a portal opened, and Willow heaved a sigh of relief as Poseidon came barrelling through it followed by Loch Ness, Scylla, and Merman came through behind him.
Poseidon’s Uber merman’s gaze caught hers with a look of complete surprise, and then he smashed down onto the deck and grabbed the nearest male to her. Loch Ness, Scylla, and Merman each took their own yacht and went on a rampage. Poseidon killed anything that crossed his path as he attempted to get to his mate.
“What the hell happened?” Willow screamed as she motioned to her body.
“The bite must have given you shifting powers,” Poseidon said calmly as he finally reached her and pulled her close.
“I couldn’t have got the sexy mermaid? No, I get the green, scaly one,” Willow complained.
A tentacle lashed out and sliced a man in half. Both parts fell over the port side.
“I’m not complaining. At least in this form you can defend yourself,” Poseidon said as he touched his lips to hers.
“No! I’m not having kinky merman sex! Forget it, Poseidon!” Willow shouted. Amidst the carnage, Poseidon began to laugh uproariously.