The woman’s face reddened, and small fists went to curvy hips. Poseidon chuckled at her boldness, which infuriated her further, and she narrowed sky-blue eyes up at him.

Right away, he liked the mortal.

“First, my name is Kiiara or Captain. Call me one of the two. Second, I give the orders around here, and I’ll speak whenever I please. And third, some friend of yours just turned my deckhand into a fish, and I want you to turn him back,” she gritted through clenched teeth. Poseidon hadn’t seen such spunk from a human, and he found it quite intriguing.

More importantly, he was on the right track to identifying the thief behind his missing trident. Poseidon had followed the minimal trace of its power to the small vessel only to come up empty-handed, but this woman might have knowledge of the pirate’s whereabouts.

“What can you tell me of the man who was here?” he asked as he peered down at the fiery female, all the while, inspecting her head to toe.

Her body was surprisingly fit for a mere mortal. Very little fabric covered her tanned flesh, and Poseidon didn’t miss her toned arms and long legs. Impressive, to say the least.

Kiiara eyed him suspiciously for several moments then sighed. “He said his name was Hain. He also said something about being lost and then threw a mantrum right before he zapped my friend and disappeared. What the hell is wrong with you people?”

Hain. That sneaky sonovabitch. He should’ve known it was that bastard. When he got his hands around the male’s scrawny throat, he would squeeze the last breath from his body.

“Tell me about this mantrum he threw. What did it look like?” Maybe she was uneducated in the ways of the Gods and wouldn’t recognize his infamous weapon.

Snorting a laugh that didn’t compliment her femininity, she blurted, “You know, an adult hissy-fit. As in, a man having a tantrum…mantrum,” she said again, drawing out the word slowly.

Quickly enraged by the condescension, he growled, “I do not make it a priority to follow such mundane terminologies. It is beneath me. Did Hain indicate where he was going?”

“You know, you don’t have to be so rude…mister…um, let me guess, Trident-Man?” she spat sarcastically as she eyed his tattoo. So, she was aware of him. Or his mighty spear, anyway.

A small boy approached, holding a bucket and lifted it up towards the female. “Ma’am, this fish looks sick. Maybe he’s hungry,” the child uttered in a small voice. Poseidon could see the boy looked worried, so he peered inside the container.

He immediately recognized the problem. “That’s an Icefish. He’s not hungry. He needs to go back to his homeland. This water is too warm. He will die soon,” he explained. Incidentally, that told him where Hain might be heading next. “I must go now.”

“What? You can’t leave! That Icefish is my friend. I need you to change him back, now, especially if the fish is dying,” she declared and grabbed his arm. Did she think she could stop him from leaving? These mortals were delusional.

“Woman, I don’t have time for this. The only way I can change him back is to take it along with me. That is an inconvenience I don’t need or want,” he stated and pried her fingers from his flesh.

He couldn’t help but notice the electricity that sparked as their hands tangled. Under different circumstances, he might enjoy exploring this further, but he didn’t have time. Hain could be attaching to the Trident's power as they spoke.

“No! I’m serious. I’m going to take my boat back to shore, and we’re going wherever needed to help my friend. I refuse to take no for an answer,” she demanded and gripped his hand firmly.

“You aren’t going anywhere,” Poseidon said. She would soon find out her ship was on borrowed time.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kiiara asked.

“You have a sea serpent attached to your vessel. My guess is you and your crew will all be at the bottom of the ocean before your friend stops swimming in that bucket.”

Poseidon watched her rush to the side and peer over the ledge. “Oh, my, God! What the hell? I need to wake up from this nightmare,” she blurted and spun around, running hands through her long brown tresses.

“I’ve got to call in the Coast Guard. How can we kill it?” she rambled, wild eyes pinning him and he got the first glimpse of panic from the headstrong female.

Yes, mortals were afraid of impending death. He wouldn’t know that feeling. He feared nothing and no one.

And yet, for some odd reason, he had a soft spot for this female and felt compelled to help. Maybe he wanted to be the hero of the day and experience her deep gratitude. Part of him felt he was to blame for her misfortune. Hain had instigated her stroke of bad luck, which only magnified his desire to find the male and pummel him into oblivion.

Exhaling, Poseidon resolved to correct the wrong. First, he would have to deal with the issue of her crew. Taking a deep breath, he pursed his lips then released a whistle. Kiiara and the others covered their ears against the high-pitched sound. He felt the familiar rumble beneath the sea, and moments later, a golden sleigh led by four Hippocamps surged to the surface carrying his chariot.

“Daddy, look. Giant horses that swim! I told you this was gonna be the best day ever,” the child shouted excitedly.

Kiiara looked to Poseidon with wide eyes. “Umm, I didn’t catch your name before. What was it again?” she stuttered.

“Poseidon, at your service,” he roared above the neighing of the horses as they swam in place, awaiting his command.

Her mouth dropped as she eyed the large beasts in the water then looked back to him. “You mean, like…the Greek God? You’re joking, right?”

“I would not joke about my birthright. I will transport you and the others back to land. I’m afraid I cannot save your ship, but I will take you to the place where we can bring back your friend. And that is where our journey will end,” he said and motioned towards the chariot.

* * *

Kiiara’s head was spinning. The day had gone from run-of-the-mill to off-the-charts unimaginable within an hour. A giant octopus was swallowing her boat. Her good friend was a fish that resembled a small alligator. There was a floating chariot guided by four black horses with fishtails, and, oh yes, let’s not forget Poseidon, the actual freaking Greek God, was apparently saving her ass from sinking to the bottom of the ocean.

She recalled taking a mythology course in high school but couldn’t tell you any details from the class. She had been a subpar student, barely passing her senior year, which was why she enlisted in the Marines right after graduation. She was more of a street-smart girl and succeeded at hands-on rather than behind a desk.

Part of her wanted to demand he leave, call the Coast Guard, and wait for their arrival. She knew the life vests would keep them afloat until rescue arrived. But then there was the massive mollusk eating her boat issue. She didn’t want to share the water with an octopus that had tentacles longer than her ship.

But what had her stepping towards the floating gold sleigh was the fact that Poseidon said he’d help her with Kevin. She couldn’t imagine leaving the Marine behind. Hell, it was their branch motto.

“Come on, Kash, let’s take a ride on this fancy float,” Kiiara suggested and offered him her hand.

The boy eagerly accepted and they clambered off her boat and into the chariot. Kash clung to the handle of the bucket holding the fish as he maneuvered to a spot near the edge, and his father and the four frat boys followed suit. The rowdy men hadn’t whimpered a sound, and she guessed they didn’t want to spoil any chance of making it to the safety of the shore.

Poseidon was the last to climb in, and he took position beside her before grabbing the reigns. “For the record, I’m Captain now,” he murmured and winked.

“Whatever you say. Just don’t fuck it up,” Kiiara countered and rolled her eyes.

A smile cracked despite her best efforts to hold it back. The last thing she wanted was for the arrogant God to think she found him attractive in any way. He was a self-centered, egomaniac. But right now, standing by his side as the chariot burst forth with the speed of a locomotive, she felt like his queen, safe and protected, and her body settled against his. And, dammit it to hell, that was more than appealing.

Glancing over her shoulder, she looked to Chester one last time. A tear slid down her cheek as he grew smaller with the distance. It was her last connection to her father whose love for the ocean kept him from her and her mom most days of her childhood and ultimately took his life. He had taught her everything she knew about fishing and was part of the reason she bought Chester in the beginning.

She had owned the boat for five years and had many great days at sea on him. She couldn’t imagine it sinking to the ocean floor, but maybe that was fitting for a ship…forever sailing until the end of time.

She felt a squeeze on her palm and looked down to Kash who unknowingly offered her the comfort she needed. He held tightly to her hand while his other gripped the bucket’s handle.

Kiiara watched the fish inside the container and prayed there was enough time to save her friend. She had no idea where they were going next, but Kevin had saved her ass on the battlefield more times than she could count and she would not let him down. They were brothers to the end, and she would risk it all to save him.

The return trip to land seemed to be a fraction of the three-hours spent on Chester to her favorite fishing spot. The four horse-fish were faster than a speedboat, and she marveled at the smooth ride in the chariot. How did it glide without a ripple through the choppy water?

Kiiara glanced to Poseidon and took in his strong profile. She didn’t know what to think of the self-proclaimed God of Olympus. How the man had landed on her boat, she had no idea, but thanks to him, the six passengers would soon be on dry land.

Hopefully, they would drop off her passengers, where she’d refund their money, and then skip on over to a nearby body of water where he could turn the fish back to Kevin. Afterward, she would have to figure out a way to recuperate the loss of her boat and start anew. Would her insurance cover a giant squid eating her ship? Somehow, she guessed not.

Her mind went over the details of her to-do list, and before she knew it, the sandy shore came into view. Thankfully, Poseidon picked an empty stretch of beach where no one would see the arrival of their unique mode of transportation. If beachgoers caught sight of the chariot, there would be an onslaught of questions to follow. Questions she had no idea how to answer.

“Hey, how are we supposed to get back to the dock? Our car is parked there,” blurted Chris as the horses landed on the shore.

The group quickly exited the chariot when it came to a stop and were standing knee-deep in the cool water. Ignoring Chris’s question, Kiiara looked around, trying to determine exactly where they were and how far they would have to walk to get back. She spotted a familiar restaurant about a quarter-mile from where they were standing.

“I know exactly where we are. The dock is about a mile from here. I’ll walk you ba—”. Poseidon cut her off when he lifted his hand and waved it in the faces of her passengers.

Every set of eyes, including little Kash’s, was fixated on the God. “Remove your flotation device,” he ordered, and each one carefully unfastened their life jacket and tossed them into a pile on the sand.

“Now, you will walk east for one mile and get in your cars and drive home. You will not remember anything about this day. You will go home and sleep for the next six hours, and when you wake, you will feel rested and refreshed,” he added.

Resounding moans of acknowledgment were all she heard before they unanimously turned in the direction he instructed and started walking away without so much as a goodbye.

“What did you do to them?” she asked, wondering if she should run after them.

“I erased their memory and implanted new ones. They are safe. We can’t waste any more time. We need to go now,” Poseidon demanded as he picked up the life jackets and tossed them into the chariot.

The four horses reared upward, and Kiiara got a better look at their lower torsos. The scales on their tails were an iridescent black and the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. They were a stark contrast to the gold chariot behind them, and she was awed to be in the presence of such incredible beasts.

Still shocked by the events of the day, she suspected it was about to get weirder as Poseidon’s words sank in. “Do you plan on erasing mine, as well, because I’ll tell you this, that’s not going to work for me,” she huffed as she walked over and picked up the bucket that Kash had set down before he trekked up the beach.

“I haven’t decided. Depends on you, I suppose. Do you own a parka?”

“What? You mean, a coat?” Kiiara asked, and Poseidon nodded. “Yes, I do. Why?”

“Because you will need it,” he stated then turned towards the horses.

He didn’t say a word, but Kiiara watched the silent conversation between the man and animals. There was complete understanding, and they backed up then disappeared beneath the water.

“Wait, my life jackets. How will I get them back?”

“You don’t have a ship. Why do you need the devices?” Poseidon asked matter-of-factly.

“Because, jackass, I’ll get another boat! See? You did fuck it up. I don’t think you understand that was my livelihood that you so easily dismissed. Where do you get off making decisions for me anyway? You might be a God, but you’re not my daddy, and I don’t take orders from you,” she snapped and walked to stand directly in front of him.

A slight curl to his lip had her wanting to throat-punch the man. “You’re feisty for a mortal. I fucked it up? Need I remind you that your friend, the fish, isn’t going to live much longer? If you think you can handle this situation without my assistance, by all means, go right ahead. Otherwise, I suggest you do exactly as I say. In fact, a little gratitude is warranted,” he voiced, and his eyes roamed the length of her body, staring a little too long at her chest.

“I don’t know what you mean by gratitude, but if you’re suggesting what I think you are, think again. You’re not touching one inch of my body,” Kiiara snapped.

Poseidon threw his head back and laughed. “Ha, you would be so lucky to bed me, woman. Don’t worry, you’re not my type. I desire females that are strong warriors…not flesh bags full of hot air. Now, do you want to come with me or not?”

He had no clue. Kiiara was a warrior, through and through. Maybe not some Greek Goddess with a perfectly sculpted body, but she could handle her own in combat.

“You better hope you never stand against me in war. I’m not an enemy you wish to have. Anyway, you never said where we’re going,” Kiiara stated.

“Antarctica.”

Her mouth dropped. She had traveled the world during her military days but had never gone anywhere remotely close to the frozen continent. She was going to need a lot more than a parka. She loathed cold weather. She chose to live in the coastal town because she loved the sunshine and warm climate.

She looked at the fish in the bucket. “Kevin, your ass is going to owe me big time,” she murmured before meeting Poseidon’s gaze and sighed. “Lead the way, Captain.”