by LM Brown
“I know, but he does seem rather protective of you. If it’s already annoying you after so short a time, how do you think you’ll handle eternity living with him?”
“He won’t worry so much if I become immortal. I just don’t know whether his reasons for making the petition are the right ones.”
“What do you mean?”
Phoebus swam down onto his own sponge. “If I was sure of his love, I’d not be hesitating to give up my fins at all.”
“Give up your fins? What are you talking about?”
Phoebus cursed his slip of the tongue. He hadn’t meant to mention that part, though perhaps it was for the best. Ajax was mer and it might be good to have his opinion too.
“If I drink from this cup and become immortal, I will also become human, completely human. I’ll no longer be mer.”
Ajax stared at him, his mouth hanging open. “Are you telling me that you’d give up your fins for him?”
“If I thought he was doing this out of love, then yes.”
“But you’re mer. It’s part of who you are. You could never give up the sea.”
“For the right man, I would. I just don’t know if Caspian is the one.”
“He seems to favor your company above all others.”
“For the moment, but what about in years to come? Just because he hasn’t tired of me yet, doesn’t mean he won’t.”
“He does have something of a reputation, but you knew this anyway. At least he doesn’t flaunt his other lovers in front of you.”
“He has promised not to take any other men into his bed,” Phoebus admitted.
“Well, there you go. He must love you.”
“He’s never said the words, and when I told him I loved him, he wasn’t exactly thrilled to hear me say it.”
“Do you mean to tell me that the only reason you aren’t flipping your fins in delight at the idea of immortality is because Caspian hasn’t said he loves you?”
“Well…”
“You do realize that many men, both mer and human, say those words without ever meaning them?”
“Yes.”
“Then why is it so important to you that Caspian says them? Surely you don’t need those words to be sure of his feelings?”
“I guess not.”
Ajax gave a firm nod. “What you need to be asking yourself is not whether Caspian loves you, but whether you love him enough to give up such a huge part of what you are for him. I don’t think I could do it.”
Phoebus closed his eyes and rested his head on the sponge. “I think I could.”
* * * *
Later that night, Phoebus stood in the doorway to Caspian’s bedchamber, watching the sleeping god. There were no other men in his bed and Phoebus realized that he had never doubted that would be the case. Caspian had given his word and he knew he would keep it.
As quietly as he could, Phoebus slipped across the room and slid beneath the covers.
“Phoebus,” Caspian murmured sleepily as he tugged him into his arms.
“Who else?” Phoebus whispered back, ridiculously pleased that even in his drowsy state, Caspian had known who was crawling into bed with him.
Caspian opened his eyes and smiled. “You’ve been in the ocean. You smell like the sea.”
“I’ll probably always smell like that, even when I’m human.”
“When?”
“Well, providing the petition is successful.”
“Does that mean you’ve made your decision?”
“Yes.” Phoebus kissed Caspian and pressed their bodies together. “I love you.”
Caspian didn’t say the words back, but this time Phoebus didn’t let the lack of response bother him. Caspian’s kisses told him all that he needed to know about the god’s feelings for him.
Chapter Eleven
Caspian didn’t think he had ever been so nervous in his entire life. He paced back and forth along the path outside the council chamber, waiting for the rest of the gods to answer his grandfather’s summons. In just a few more minutes, he would find out whether Phoebus would be allowed to join the immortals.
Even though Phoebus was the kindest and most deserving man he knew, Caspian still wasn’t sure how the vote would go. There were too many immortals who were prejudiced against the mer, so the vote would be close.
“Nervous?” Odessa asked as she met him coming down the path as she was on her way up it.
“Terrified,” Caspian admitted. “What am I going to do if the vote is no?”
“From what I’ve heard, that’s very unlikely to be the case, but even if it is, you can always petition again in a few years.”
“You know as well as I do that if the vote is no now, it’ll be exactly the same then.”
“Stop worrying so much. It’s not fitting for a god.”
“Sorry, Mother. I can’t help it. I don’t think I could stand it if I lost Phoebus.”
“Medina’s curse may not come to pass, even if it is a true curse and not just her blustering.”
“I know, but I don’t want to take any risks with his life.”
“You assume that the curse means he would die,” Odessa said. “He might just leave you for another.”
“That isn’t helping, Mother.”
“Or it could be simple old age and a normal mortal death that will take him from you, many years from now.”
“No, it won’t be that.” Caspian shook his head. “Medina said I would only know love for a short time before I lost it.”
“Mortal lives are only a short time when compared to immortality.”
“I know, but I don’t want to lose him at all.”
Odessa linked her arm through his and steered him toward the chamber. “I don’t want you to lose him either. I’ve never seen you so happy. It’s like I’ve been telling you all these years… Loving one man is far more fulfilling than bedding many men who you don’t even care for.”
Caspian nodded. He still didn’t know whether what he felt for Phoebus was love, but his feelings were certainly stronger than anything he had ever felt before. He also had the sense to know that saying he wasn’t in love right now would be a sure-fire way to persuade any immortal in earshot to vote against his petition, and he couldn’t risk that happening. He just hoped they didn’t delve into his mind to ascertain the depth of his feelings for Phoebus.
Inside the chamber, most of the gods were already gathered. The final few arrived shortly after Caspian had taken his seat.
“We all know why we are here today,” Antar said. “To vote on Caspian’s petition to make his lover Phoebus immortal. We have all had time to consider his request and I am aware that some of you have spoken to Phoebus to see what sort of a man he is. Now we will cast our votes. All those in favor of Phoebus becoming immortal, please raise your hands.”
Caspian quickly counted the votes, noting that his parents and sister all had their hands raised, along with Medina, which came as something of a surprise. More predictably, Mariana and her friends had not voted in his favor.
“Making a merman immortal is an insult to every god and goddess here,” Mariana complained.
Caspian ignored her. She had cast her vote the same as everyone else and she had been outnumbered.
“I’m so happy for you,” Odessa said as she swept Caspian into a hug. “I’m sure you can’t wait to tell him the good news.”
Caspian nearly shook with relief. Phoebus would be safe from the curse and he never had to risk losing his merman to illness, sharks or even old age.
His father patted him on the shoulder. “I haven’t spoken to Phoebus myself, but I hope to get to know him soon. I hope he makes you as happy as your mother makes me.”
“I’m sure he will.”
Cari gave him a smile and a nod. “I won’t keep you from going to tell him the news. I’ll just step aside so you don’t trample me in your rush through the archway.”
Caspian laughed and stepped around her. Unfortunately, while his sister had
anticipated his eagerness to leave, there were others who were not so astute. It seemed as though the news would have to wait a little bit longer after all.
* * * *
Rafe had waited until Caspian was at the council of the gods. The god had barely left before the high priest was hovering in Phoebus’ doorway, his usual sneer on his face.
“Get out,” Phoebus said as he climbed off the bed. He wasn’t going to give him a chance to overpower him again like he had done the last time he had entered his rooms uninvited.
“I hear the petition is likely to go against you,” Rafe said. “What are you going to do then?”
Phoebus had no idea which way the various gods would be voting and he doubted Rafe knew either. Most gods rarely confided in their own priests, and they certainly weren’t going to be telling their private business to the devoted follower of another god.
“Aren’t you going to answer me?” Rafe pressed.
“No, I’m not,” Phoebus replied. “What I do with my life is none of your business. Becoming immortal is not my only ambition in life.”
“From what I’ve heard, you have no ambitions at all,” Rafe said. “I heard the guards hired your sister rather than allow you into their ranks. That is truly pitiful. What’s it like to spend your life doing women’s work while a mermaid took the job you truly wanted?”
“I’m perfectly happy with the job I have, which is more than you are.” Phoebus gave the priest a cold smile. “At least I assume you’re unhappy in your position, considering the amount of complaining you do.”
“I was content in my duties until you came along,” Rafe snarled. “I still don’t know what Caspian sees in you. No merman is that good a fuck.”
Phoebus rolled his eyes. “You seem to be quite obsessed with my performance in the bedchamber. I’d say that’s a sign of your own insecurities more than anything else.”
“I’m not insecure. I know what to do with my cock—unlike a pathetic merman who couldn’t even figure out his own mating trigger because he was so inexperienced.”
Phoebus bristled at the insult but there was nothing he could really say in response. Rafe was right about his ignorance and the high priest would always have more experience than he did.
Rafe stepped closer. “I hear you wanted to fuck Caspian.”
Phoebus cringed as he realized Rafe had probably been eavesdropping on their conversations.
“He’ll never let you do that. I fucked him once, but he won’t allow any of the other priests to do so.”
“You’re lying,” Phoebus said. Caspian was a lot of things, not all of them good, but he wasn’t a liar. Rafe was simply trying to goad him, and he refused to rise to the bait.
“You can’t be sure about that,” Rafe taunted.
“Yes, I can, and even if you had fucked him—which you haven’t—it is of no consequence to me.”
Phoebus walked past Rafe and into the corridor. He would go to the sunken city until Caspian returned with the result of the petition. He had no reason to wait around here, listening to Rafe’s insults and jibes.
“Going so soon?” Rafe asked as he grabbed Phoebus’ arm and pulled him to a halt.
“Let go of me.”
“No, I don’t think I will,” Rafe said. “I want to know what you have that has my god acting so besotted.”
Phoebus yanked himself free of Rafe’s arm, only to be pushed into the wall, with Rafe pressed against his back. “Get away from me!”
“Why? A whore doesn’t care who fucks him, as long as he gets paid.”
“I’m not a whore.”
“I say you are.”
Phoebus twisted free once more and raced for the temple and the portal back to Atlantis.
“Caspian!” he yelled, hoping the god might be able to hear his call, even if he weren’t close by.
Rafe was right behind him when Phoebus arrived in the main temple. If he could just get to the crystal and open the portal, he could escape to the sea where he’d be safe. Rafe could follow him, but as a merman, he had an advantage in the water, and there was only a short swim into the city where the rest of the mer would be able to help him.
One of Rafe’s fellow priests was suddenly in front of him. Phoebus tried to duck under his arm but the bigger man blocked his path, the grin on his face making it clear he was doing it deliberately.
“Surely you don’t want to leave us so soon?” Rafe asked. “After all, Caspian wants you to become one of the family. A permanent member.”
“Let me past,” Phoebus ordered the priest in front of him.
The priest laughed and stepped aside, offering a sweeping bow toward the portal.
Phoebus bolted across the room but it was too late. The priest had stalled him for too long and he was still several feet away from the crystal when Rafe grabbed him from behind, bringing him crashing to the stone floor.
His knee twisted painfully, but he forced himself to ignore the pain as he continued struggling to free himself.
“Caspian,” he yelled.
“He can’t hear you,” Rafe hissed. “No god can hear the prayers of their followers when they’re in a council meeting. The gods don’t like to be interrupted with trivialities when they have important things to discuss. Not that you’re important. I’m only telling you this so you can cease your whining for your lover.”
“Rafe, don’t you think that’s enough?” the priest who had stalled Phoebus asked.
“Help me,” Phoebus begged, hoping that common sense would prevail.
“Get out of here,” Rafe shouted. “This is not your concern.”
“Rafe, you know Caspian favors this merman.”
“Favors him over the priests who have served him their entire lives,” Rafe replied. He twisted Phoebus’ arm behind his back, and Phoebus screamed in pain. “I intend to sample this whore before I get rid of him once and for all. Unless you want to add your blood to his, you’ll walk away, right now.”
“Please help me,” Phoebus tried again. “Please don’t let him do this.”
The priest shook his head but didn’t step forward. Instead, he turned and walked away, leaving Phoebus alone in the temple with Rafe.
Phoebus felt as though he were suffocating under the weight of the heavier man on top of him. He squirmed and shouted, hoping the priest would come back or that someone—anyone—would hear him and come to his rescue.
“Be quiet or I’ll cut out your tongue,” Rafe snarled, and Phoebus saw the flash of a blade in the corner of his eye. He had no doubt Rafe would carry out his threat.
“Just get it over with,” Phoebus whispered. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine he was anywhere else but here.
Rafe pulled his head back and Phoebus whimpered in pain. “I will not watch my god brought to ruin by a whore.”
The moment the blade touched his skin, Phoebus renewed his struggles, but Rafe was bigger, stronger and had the advantage of a weapon—a knife that pressed into his flesh every time he tried to release himself from his tormentor’s grasp.
“Don’t do this,” Phoebus said. “You know Caspian wouldn’t want you to do this.”
“Once you’re gone, Caspian will come to his senses.”
Phoebus could tell there was no reasoning with him, but he had to keep trying. Surely someone would come to the temple sooner or later. If he could just keep him talking until help arrived.
“Did you know that in the olden days, the Atlanteans used to make sacrifices to the gods?” Rafe whispered into his ear. “Human sacrifices.”
Phoebus’ heart raced, blood rushed to his head and the room swayed around him.
“Personally, I always thought it a tradition that should be revived. You should be honored at the thought of being sacrificed to the gods.”
Phoebus struggled again, lashing out wildly and frantically as he tried to break free.
He didn’t know how much time had passed. His throat was raw from screaming, but no one answered his cries. He hoped Caspian retu
rned soon and used his powers to take away the pain Rafe had inflicted upon his body. He knew he couldn’t take much more of this.
Pain erupting in his chest was the last thing he felt as he slumped to the ground.
* * * *
Caspian departed the meeting with a good feeling about the future. He had left Phoebus in his bed this morning and he had high hopes of finding him there when he returned. Now that the council meeting was over, he had the rest of the day to enjoy time with his lover, then tonight, he would take Phoebus to the glade where the cup of immortality was kept, and once he had drunk from it, everything would be fine.
As he approached his temple, he spotted most of his priests lingering around outside. This wasn’t entirely unusual, but they weren’t normally standing on the path as though hesitant to enter.
“What’s happening here?” Caspian asked as he approached the priests.
None of them seemed to want to meet his eyes, which was odd in itself since he had known all of them intimately at one time or another.
“Seth?” Caspian approached the nearest of the men and the one he considered most likely to cave under pressure if he was forced to demand answers from them.
Seth shuffled his feet and nodded toward the entrance. “You should probably go inside.”
Caspian looked from one priest to another as he waited for someone to say something. He didn’t know why he wasn’t going into the temple as Seth had said. Something he thought might be fear seemed to be preventing him from taking that step.
“What’s happened?” Caspian demanded.
Seth dropped to one knee and bowed his head. One by one the rest of the priests followed his example.
Caspian had never demanded subservience from his priests and to see them all on their knees before him sent a shiver down his spine. “Where’s Rafe?” he asked when he realized his high priest was the only man missing from their number.
Seth pointed at the door.
Caspian could see they weren’t going to tell him what was happening. He could read one of their minds and find out immediately what troubled them, but that same fear of what he might find stopped him. He forced himself to enter his temple.