Chapter 9

It's madness here, and all I can think about is the feel of Raine. It's like he's bitten me with this dark venom, and it's now taking over my soul, slowly and painfully.

"Now M'lady! Brayja is waiting!" My chief servant, Lorahi reprimands, looking pale even though half her face is covered. "It's not safe." Her voice is very high pitched, almost like a chipmunk. "Thetis has quite the temper. It's the clash of two powers I always knew would happen."

Steven raises an eyebrow at her, decked out in gold chains. "We hear you, lady," he says like he is annoyed.

Her eyes narrow on him, and she mutters something under her breath. I know they all look at Steven, wondering where he came from and why I would choose him to follow me around. It is what it is.

I like chubby little potheads as my advisers.

Nothing weird about that.

We're leaving this underwater haven because Raine could not keep his temper in check, not that I blame him. I have learned there are many underwater cities, but they all are under the rule of Poseidon. Each dwelling has it's own ruler, though, and Thetis prefers to reside here. This means Raine has no power here unless he wants to fight all of Thetis's guards.

So, we have to leave ASAP to avoid more conflict.

It seems like Raine is the source of a lot of people's pain, good and bad. Mostly, mine, and I'll fight Thetis for that title because I can think of nothing else but him. I'm in mental torment, seeing his burning eyes and his seductive mouth. I need to get rid of him, or I will mentally go insane with this secret obsession.

But mainly, I need to get rid of him because he knows what I'm capable of, tainted blood. Brayja just needs a new damn best friend. Maybe after we are married, I will find him one, one uglier than Brayja so there're no issues.

One that is not the object to my sexual fantasies.

At the moment.

I have to fix this. Raine just caught me off guard, that's all. That's all. I laugh and shake my head, expelling a breath. This is something I can handle. I just need a moment to take in this experience. Being in a new world like this is overwhelming my brain, too many mental shocks.

And, I need a Margarita.

We follow a long line of servant women and guards through transparent tunnels quickly. I gaze through the tubes seeing sea life swimming by, knowing that this is spectacular, despite everything. I sigh and look down at my glittering gown of yellow sunlight. It's transparent except for the main parts. It was an apology from Pierce from picking me a talent that threatens me being queen. I need fifty more dresses, or a potion to make Raine forget what he saw.

Apparently, that's against code B12-00.

I roll my eyes. I swear Pierce is setting me up on this mission, so I cant lay back and relax. Aggravation is an understatement. It's almost like he wants me to fight for this when I already had this in the bag. I'm confused. Does he want me to fail?

I'm wearing a golden mesh face-cover that is in high fashion at Brayja's request. I guess it shows that I'm taken by a man, and not just any man, but a prince. It's adorned with diamonds and gems of all colors and makes my eyes pop. It draws attention to the part that I don't want to draw attention too, or at least until after I'm married. Or, if Raine leaves, and I don't see him again for the rest of this mission.

And my libido can have a break.

I grit my teeth.

My eyes practically glow now. It's like they have a life of their own-swirling scarlet surrounded by brilliant purple. Steven said that they are brighter than they were at Qokar. He said that maybe it's because I used the power with Raine, thus awakening it.

I will not panic yet.

Crazy tears will be on standby, though.

I have one hand hovering over the big red button.

I'm just going to have to keep my eyes down, a lot. "Thanks a lot, Pierce," I mutter and glance at Steven who walks beside me. "Where are we going? Away from here, I hope."

"I think to Brayja's submarine that just arrived. Then I'm not sure where after, but I'd bet your sweet tits we are leaving here." He gives me a look after I glare at his comment. "Dude. I need a smoke. You might have to cover for me in a sec. You have to help me, my mystic mode is wavering," he says with a pained expression.

I expel a breath and look around. "Yea. Is Raine coming?"

Please no. Please, Fate, don't be so cruel. I whisper and look up, right as my stomach drops. There is a fork in the tunnel and I see Brayja and Raine with lots of their men. I look away and want to punch the wall.

"Daphine," Brayja walks up to me, and I keep my head down. "We are ready to leave, Thetis is backing down. He does not want to anger me too much, given our alliance. We will let the World Council handle it from here."

Freaking Pierce.

He tilts my chin up, and his eyes widen, tracing over my face with fascination. "It shocks me every time I see you, my dear. You're stunning," he turns towards Raine, who is talking to his men, seemingly ignoring us. "Does she not have the most beautiful eyes you have ever seen?" Brayja chuckles, and I hate that he makes me feel like an object.

Raine almost looks pained to look at me.

When his fire gaze lands on me, I see no emotion or expression. He looks like some dark vampire king, uncaring, cold, incapable of passion. Well, I'm not going to think about that. I suppress the shiver that slithers down my spine.

He is so arresting, and I hate that.

Despise. That.

I wonder if the men secretly loathe him, having their woman fantasizing about him all the time must be hard. Raine's pale skin contrasts with his stark black hair and vibrant eyes in that deeply erotic way. Yup. I hate him; I realize, breathlessly.

I mean, you can't hate him because he's beautiful...

Or can you?

"What do you think Raine?" Brayja looks back at me. "I place a bet you will not find a prettier set of eyes than hers." Brayja watches me intensely.

I swallow, taking a breath. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," I say lightly, wanting the attention off of me. I can feel eyes on me from everyone, and I shift nervously.

"Well," I hear Raine finally say in his low voice, "At least your kids will have a fighting chance, Brayja," and pats Brayja's back hard and walks away, just like that, not even looking at me.

Brayja laughs hard. "I believe I was just insulted!"

I hear a few chuckles.

I'm surprised he didn't just out me in front of everyone.

Raine glances back at Brayja with a slight smile that makes my pulse quicken. "And yet we are still friends," he says and leads us into a massive arena-type room.

"Not after Raine bangs his wife," Steven whispers beside me. I shoot him a look, my face blushing. "Shut up," I hiss.

"I need weeeeeed," he hisses back.

I curse.

My eyes widen when I see like an Olympic sized pool with a massive submarine contraption floating in it. I gasp.

This must be where the big ships come in.

"Awe, there she is!" Brayja claps. I see guards walking around on the top of the giant sub. It's like a mini cruise ship that's converted into a sub. It's gold and purple, glistening under the lights.

This arena is gigantic.

I feel like we are in a football stadium.

The deep blue waters of the ocean make ripple effects on the roof and walls of the dome. I look to my left and see a group of women who are walking up to Raine and his men.

Raine hugs a short woman, clearly a nymph, and smiles down at her. She covers her mouth and shakes her head, wiping her eyes.

"Steven," I hiss, "Who's that?"

She's pretty with her long blond hair mixed with green and blue ribbons woven into her locks. My eyes scan her skinny body and decent sized breasts in her dark bodysuit. I'm immediately on alert even though I try and tap it down.

Steven next to me, is blinking and using his hand to type.

Great.

If Steven could appear any weirder to everyone, I'd be shocked.

"Dude," he whispers.

"What," I say as I watch her hug Brayja, Raine watching her with his hands on his hips.

"That's his sister."

I expel a breath.

I hate that I'm relieved.

"But, she is in love with Raine. The file I'm reading says that they have gotten intimate on multiple occasions," Steven almost laughs. "Weeeeird, dude."

"What?!" I hiss, gaining looks from my servants. "No, impossible. That can't be right, Steven. You need to smoke."

NO. WAY.

I cant.

"Wait," Steven says as he blinks rapidly. "Oh, I see."

My eyes nearly fall out of their sockets as I wait for him to expound.

"It's Thetis's sister, Raine's step-sister. Nomilia Iphanthei, it says. No blood relation." He holds his finger up. "My bad."

Raine.

Unbelievable.

Step-sister?!

"That is still horrible, Steven," I hiss.

"Well, it says she has been in love with him since before his mother married Poseidon. So..." Steven looks up at me. "Tell me again why you care?"

I curse.

No wonder Raine acts like he is over me because he is. Dear Lord... this is a one-sided obsession.

I shall die a thousand deaths tonight. "I'm don't...care."

"Dude, you have not stopped starring at him," Steven says. "I sure hope you don't cause a world war with your obsession."

Shit.

I look away and make my way to the sub, cheeks on fire. "Not obsessed," I whisper as I see Brayja making his way to me.

"Yeah, and, my ass is not hairy," he says behind me.

I cringe.

"Daphine," he smiles, his gold and silver overcoat catching the light. His goatee is perfect and his eyes hold intensity. Except, not the kind that has me panting on the ground.

Not the dangerous kind.

I smile at him, seeing him starring at my breasts in my yellow dip-neck bust-line. My skin looks luscious and radiant, like warm honey. "This is beautiful," I say and look at the sub.

It was breathtaking.

He nods. "This is the first time I'm riding in it. It took us two years to build this until I was satisfied," he pauses and glances at me, "It takes a lot to satisfy me," The beams the hidden meaning, licking his lip.

I smile.

He's handsome; I can do this.

Peptalk time.

He suddenly walks up to me and grabs me around the waist, pressing me to him. I feel his hands skim the top of my ass. "When we are inside, you may take off your mesh. I want to see those luscious lips," he whispers. "I want to get to know you."

I swallow.

"Of course," I whisper. "I would also like to know the man I'm marrying."

But do I?

Not really.

Unless, he gives me a diamond necklace.

"You're voice is lower than I would have expected it to be. I was telling Raine that earlier. Throaty, even, sensual, " he says and leans into my ear, "I find it extremely arousing."

Yes, I'm aware of my sex-hot-line voice.

Now I'm cursing it.

"Brayja." I hear a woman's voice.

Brayja pulls away from me and turns. "Forgive me. This is Daphine Bateilla, not sure if you know of her mother from the North?"

Raine's Step-sister.

I raise my chin. "I don't think we ever met," I say, trying to have a neutral voice.

"No, I don't think we have. Who is your mother?" She asks and looks me up and down.

I hope she is jealous.

Just... because.

Wait? Mother?! I look over to Steven who is gone, probably smoking behind the far wall.

Brayja beams at me. "Nomira and Nyson, you remember them from years back, don't you?"

"Ah, yes. " She holds out her hand and I take it, hoping I'm doing the right thing. I 'm going to kill my pothead agent. "You may call me Nomi," she says, her blue gaze assessing me. "Congratulations, what an honor it is."

"Thank you," I say.

She smiles. "She's beautiful Brayja," Nomi says, and I can't tell if it's a compliment or something soaking in frigid water.

"Yes, she is."

I hate how they talk like I'm not standing here.

"And so are you. I love the colors in your hair," I say and actually mean it, it's quite pretty.

She looks surprised and touches her hair. "Oh, well, thank you."

I tense, seeing Raine walking up to us. It does not escape me that he only looks at Nomi and Brayja. I feel anger rise in me, feeling slightly invisible, meaningless to him. I hate that I care, but that's how obsessions work, right?

I look at Nomi and see her eyes light up when she stares at Raine. "Are you riding with us, Raine," she asks, voice significantly softer and breathier.

I want to roll my eyes.

He takes a breath and looks at Brayja. "I'll join you later. I'm going to see if my mother needs help before we hit the coast."

Nomi grabs his hand. "I'll come with you."

I cross my arms over my chest and I see Raine's eyes slightly, ever so slightly look. It happened so fast that I think it's all in my obsessed brain.

I cringe.

I'm now obsessing that Raine slightly looked at my breasts, though it has not really been confirmed with reality yet.

I will die a thousand deaths tonight.

"No, I 'm taking my men, Nomi. Your father would have my head," he lightly reprimands and she blushes.

Brayja points to his men. "Let's go!" he looks at Raine. "Stop being so noble all the time. You deserve to be bad sometimes."

Nomi smiles, eyes traveling over him. "I agree."

Raine coughs in his hand and smiles, turning to leave, motioning to his men. I turn to leave too, my mood going to dark places where little girls crawl out of wells. They have lowered a long ramp to board the sub, and I start the journey up.

"Sorry," I'm back," Steven says beside me, out of breath from running.

I'll lay into him later.

Get me away from here.

I look to my left just in time to see Raine take off his shirt and my heart skips a beat. Time slows, and my eyes travel over his ripped torso, never seeing such glorious peck muscles. His waist is so narrow, but his shoulders and arms are built like a Gods'. Swimmers have the best bodies, and Riane's is off the charts. I clench my thighs together and try to keep walking.

Walk!

He is strapping weapons to his body, and I can't help but watch, helpless. Raine's tight black pants show off the part of him that I really shouldn't want to see but desperately do. An impressive bulge, especially when he clips things to his thighs. I feel my heart beating out of my chest, a desire so intense washes over me.

"Walk," I hear Steven hiss.

My eyes widen, seeing his skin down by his happy trial turn colors like a mermaid. It spreads up his rippled abs to his pecks. It's the colors of maroon, yellow and orange. Like fire, matching his eyes.

I notice all nymphs change different colors, but this is... this is...

I didn't realize what happened until I feel my body hit the water. My brain screams in denial. Dear God, I walked right off the ramp into the deep ocean. Shock course through me, and I suddenly feel a strong arm wrap around my waist.

I break the surface, sputtering, yanking off my mesh mask.

"I got her!" I hear Raine yell.

Raine.

The object of my pain.

My eyes focus on his burning gaze starring down at me. We are shielded by a large engine propeller, his arm pressing me to his hard body as he holds me up.

"Are you okay, Aora?"

I stare at him, breathing hard, feeling his heat, his energy. "D-don't call me that."

Red alert, red alert.

I just fell of the ramp, this not happening.

A thousand deaths.

He tilts his head at me, making a sound. "I forgot to tell you-that your eyes are going to give you away without any help from me. I'll just let you crash and burn all on your own. I'm glad you gave me a chance to tell you."

I feel my anger rise, my heart pounding in my ears. "I'm getting the impression that Brayja might not mind. Worst-case scenario. He seems quite taken with me, not sure if you're paying attention."

I see amusement in his eerie gaze.

Or maybe I hit my head on the way down.

I try to ignore Raine's black hair that curls around his ears, droplets running down his porcelain skin. "I haven't noticed," he says and raises a brow. "Was I supposed to?"

My eyes go to his sharp canines I swallow, ignoring the desperate want to feel his lips on mine.

Focus.

I glare up at him, hoping he sees how much I hate him. Raine slowly smiles and presses me tighter to him as if it turns him on, my anger. Is he a sadist?! He leans his head down to my ear, "Mmmm, you're so easy to anger. I can read you like an open book. It's also shocking how much you want me, you better tame that down in front of Brayja."

My cheeks flush.

Embarrassment.

I turn away from him, what an arrogant pig! "Leave me the fuck alone," I hiss, not caring that women probably don't talk like that. "I can swim back myself," I try to say as mean as possible, my pride taking a big hit. I kick him as I try and push away.

"Raine! She alright?!" I hear men yelling.

Raine's jaw clenches. "Yes!" he yells back and glances back at me, pulling me back to him, his eyes intense. "This will just get harder, Aora. I have not even started to break you down yet, back off from Brayja, tell him the truth."

"Kiss my ass Raine," I say, not needing to hide who I am anymore.

He already knows I am not from here, so fuck it.

Raine expels a breath, eyes clearly shocked. "Is that an invitation?"

I almost laugh. "In your dreams."

I see other men swimming up to us.

Then I think I hear, "You have no idea."