Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning #1)(87)

"I have not spoken with the God of the Seas." Gaea tossed her hair back in irritation. "He is still embroiled in the problems of the Hawaiian deities."

"Then how do you know he's coming?" CC asked.

"I sent my messenger to him with my request that he come to us. His own messenger brought his reply just this morning." A shadow passed over the goddess's face, clouding her lovely features.

"But something's bothering you. Are you worried about what he'll decide?" CC asked nervously.

"No," Gaea said quickly. "I do not fear his judgment. Lir's wish has always been for Undine to love the waters and for her to choose to live there happily. Now he will have his wish. I do not believe that your rejection of Sarpedon's suit will change his feelings, especially after he understands that you have my full support."

"So you think Lir will keep Sarpedon from going after Dylan?"

Gaea patted her hand reassuringly. "Lir knows Dylan. He knows that the merman is honorable and kind. I believe that he will honor your choice. It will, undeniably, be an uncomfortable scene when he explains to Sarpedon that you have chosen another, but the word of the God of the Seas will be obeyed—and there are many willing nymphs from which young Sarpedon may choose."

"Then why the worried look?" CC pushed.

"You begin to know me too well, Daughter," Gaea said affectionately. Then she squinted her eyes thoughtfully. "Lir's choice of messenger was unusual. I have never known him to use any messenger but one of his handpicked dolphins or selkies, and this time he chose to send a sea eel. The creature did not even appear to be very intelligent." Gaea shrugged her shoulders. "Perhaps the trouble with those barbarous island gods has been more of a strain on him than I imagined."

"So it wasn't meant as a slight to us or a sign that he's mad or anything?"

"The Lord of the Seas would not slight the Mother of the Earth or her daughter." Gaea's eyes sparkled.

"I should have known better," CC said, giving the goddess a knowing look.

"Yes, you should have." Gaea winked back at her. Then her voice sobered. "In two days this part of your life will be over, and you will forever be a creature of the sea, mated with a merman. I will only ask you once more, Daughter. Are you certain of your choice? You need not think that the only human from which you have to choose is the knight. If you ask me to intercede, I will send forth a call that many men will answer. You could have your pick of them."

CC spoke slowly when she answered the goddess, but her words were firm and her decision was clear. "I know it should seem scary to me to leave the land forever, but the water calls me, Gaea. And, yes, I know that a lot of that is because this body's true form is not human, so it continually longs for the water." CC gazed steadily into Gaea's eyes, willing her to understand. "But I don't want to give that up. I love who and what I am when I'm a mermaid. And I love Dylan. It's like I've finally found the perfect mixture of magic in my life." CC pointed in the direction of the sea. "And it's out there."

The goddess's smile was bittersweet. "I will honor your choice, my daughter, as well as take pride in your strength."

"But, it's not like I'll be gone forever. I'll still get to see you!" CC exclaimed.

"Yes, Daughter. My cove will be waiting to welcome you, and I will always answer your call." She raised one brow and smiled mischievously. "Perhaps one day you will gift me with a land-loving granddaughter."

"How about several of them?" CC laughed.

Before Gaea could answer they were interrupted by Isabel's distinctly gravely voice coming from the entrance of the chapel.

"Yes! If I need your protection from her witchcraft, I shall certainly call. But I must bring her food. If she weakens and dies it will not go well for us when her father, the king, appears." Isabel's gruff voice easily traveled the length of the chapel. She sighed theatrically before the guard closed the door behind her.

CC giggled and winked at Gaea. "She really should have been an actress; she's enjoying this a little too much."

Expecting the goddess to disappear as usual, CC turned to greet the old woman and took several steps toward her, intending to take the heavy tray from her. Isabel was limping down the side aisle, scanning all of the pews to be certain they were alone. When she saw there were no monks lurking around praying, her disgruntled expression shifted into a wide grin.

"I brought you a new kind of st—" The old woman stopped speaking. She was staring at something behind CC.

Confused, CC glanced over her shoulder to see what had startled Isabel. There stood Gaea, next to the statue of Mary. And yet it wasn't Gaea. The woman was very pretty, but she was most definitely mortal. Delicate wrinkles gave her face a comfortable, lived-in look, and laugh lines betrayed her good humor. She was clothed in simple robes of undyed linen. A brown shawl was draped over her head, hiding most of her coffee-colored hair, but what escaped the shawl was just beginning to show a fine weaving of silver. Despite the evidence of age, her face had a timeless look. She could have been twenty or forty, it was impossible to tell. She smiled at Isabel.

"Excuse me, Princess Undine. I did not realize that you were not alone." Isabel set the tray on a nearby pew and turned hastily to leave.