Warrior Rising (Goddess Summoning #6)(102)

Kat had never seen, never even imagined anything like the being who towered out of the sea over them. He was huge. Instead of skin he had scales that were shaded all the colors of the oceans. His white beard curled down to his massive chest, matching his thick hair that fell in ringlets around his shoulders. Barnacles made of diamonds and sapphires and aquamarines decorated his body. He was carrying a trident carved from red coral, which he lifted and then thudded against the sea floor, causing waves to froth in the normally placid cove, and making the Myrmidon fleet bob precariously like a petulant child’s bathtub toys.

“The walls of Troy have been breeched!” His voice boomed across the water. “They no longer keep out the Greeks, so they will also no longer keep out the sea. This is one oath old Priam cannot ignore.” The god lifted his trident again, as if he was getting ready to lead a charge, but the clearing of a lovely voice from behind him had him hesitating and looking around.

The beautiful Thetis of the Silver Feet stepped delicately forward, gliding over the top of the waves as if she was strolling on dry land. “Poseidon, wouldn’t you like to reward the mortal who has finally given you Troy?” she said.

Poseidon lifted his bushy white brows. “I would, indeed, lovely Thetis.”

Thetis glanced in their direction. Achilles gave his mother a respectful nod and then took Kat’s hand and moved up to the shoreline. He bowed deeply to Poseidon.

Poseidon inclined his head familiarly. “Achilles, it is with glad eyes that I see you have shaken off my brother’s curse. For your mother’s sake I am pleased that the berserker is no more. So what reward do I owe you for breeching the walls of Troy?”

“Great God of the Seas, I thank you for your kind offer, but it is not me to whom you owe a reward.” Achilles took Kat’s arm and presented her to Poseidon. “This mortal woman is responsible for delivering to you the walls of Troy.”

Poseidon stared down at her. Kat wasn’t sure of correct protocol, but she bobbed a nervous curtsey.

“This small mortal woman did what an entire army of Greeks could not?”

“I did,” Kat said.

Poseidon bent so he could get a better look at her, then his eyes widened. “You! But you are the Trojan princess, Polyxena.”

“It would appear I am,” Kat said calmly.

“Then it also appears I owe you a double boon—one for bringing me the walls of Troy and another for a slight, ur, misunderstanding earlier that could have ended very badly without divine intervention.” The god actually seemed chagrined, giving Thetis an apologetic look. Then he turned his attention back to Kat. “So, Princess, what reward do you choose? I offer you anything within the wide seas of the world as yours.”

Kat’s gaze met Achilles’. “Choose for us, my princess,” he said. She looked over her shoulder at Jacky and Patroklos, who nodded and smiled at her.

She drew a deep breath. “I know exactly what I want. I want you to give me an island that can be hidden from the world—a separate place of unimaginable beauty dedicated to healing and peace and the goddesses.”

Poseidon stroked his beard while he considered. “I believe I do have such an island, but it is far from here. In another time—another place.”

Kat squeezed Achilles’ hand. “The farther away, the better.”

“Then come!” Poseidon waved a hand over the cove. The black-sailed Myrmidon ships scattered like autumn leaves as a shining ship made of pearl surged to the surface from beneath the ocean depths. The waters of the cove parted, leaving a sidewalk of dry land leading to the glistening iridescent ship.

Achilles faced his men. “I can no longer lead you. That Achilles died in flames on the Trojan battlefield. I want no more battles—no more glory. I want only the magic of peace. If that is what you want for your lives, you are free to join me.” His half smile flickered. “But only if you are willing to bow to the goddesses.” Then he took Kat’s hand, and they started down the god-made path, with Jacky and Patroklos following immediately behind them.

Kat glanced back and was pleased to see that almost every Myrmidon and several of their war-prize brides, Aetnia included, were choosing to take the path to the pearl boat, too.

“Um, Poseidon?” Jacky called as the last of the Myrmidons boarded and she and Kat, Patroklos and Achilles had moved to the bow of the ship.

The God of the Seas peered down at Jacky, his bushy brows lifting when he saw what she was wearing. “Yes, mortal woman with the unusual costume, you have a question for Poseidon?”

“Yeah. I was wondering, does this island you’re giving the, uh, princess have a name?”

“It does, indeed. The mortals call it Avalon.”

Kat and Jacky exchanged stunned looks.

“Jesus wept,” Jacky whispered, fanning herself and leaning weakly back against Patroklos. “My heart! I feel my heart going again.”

“Holy f*cking shit,” Kat said, shaking her head numbly.

“My god, Kat! I can’t wait to meet the locals,” Jacky said, laughing softly.

Achilles’ arms went around Kat. “Is all well? Do you know this island called Avalon?”

Feeling dazed, Kat looked into his beautiful eyes. “I do. And it is utterly, completely, perfect.”

She pulled Achilles down to her and kissed him while Poseidon waved his hand over the cove and the waters returned to normal as the pearl ship began to glide seaward into a bank of fog that shimmered and rippled magically. “I wish you a good voyage and a blessed future!” the God of the Seas called.