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Jase/Poseidon
Although he intended not to show interest, he had kept up to date on Willow’s rescue and the story that unfolded. The reports initially stated she was alive and marooned on an island. Then the information changed to her being attacked, bullet holes being found, and her fleeing into a storm to avoid them. The human had done as she’d been told, and her story held up, even under the media’s stern scrutiny.
There’s been an outcry and several suggestions of who’d targeted her, but no one claimed responsibility. Especially as the furore was similar to Amelia Earheart being found. Willow had been thought dead and now, miraculously, there she was. She was everywhere for the first six weeks, and then her appearances lessened due to declining interviews. But while she had her fame, Willow had pleaded to save the oceans.
It had inspired the humans for a short while, and thousands tried to clean the seas, but again, that slowly stopped as the media did. Jase snorted in derision, same old stupid. Half-hearted in all they did. Their time would soon come. His plans were in the works, and it was just a matter of timing.
But despite his intentions, his days hunting for his Sins and everything else he did, Jase wondered about the little human every day. She had faded into the background, and he wondered why. Had the trauma of the attack and her stay at the castle scared her into obscurity? He doubted that very much.
For some reason, Jase was unsettled. He sensed something happening but was unsure of the details. He refused to relate it to Willow and her coming here, even though a little voice deep down kept nagging him about her. Jase squashed it ruthlessly and tried to carry on as he had been. Soul mates. Rubbish!
Jase was working out with Durant when the call came from Mary’s tower. He frowned, confused because it was still early afternoon. Durant paused in his fight as Jase replied he’d be there soon.
“Everything okay, brother?” Durant asked.
“No idea, it’s not like Mary to want us at this time,” Jase responded. He could feel Mary’s worry climbing over his skin and wondered what was happening.
Leaving Durant, he strode to Mary’s tower, where he found Mary waiting for him, watching his mirror.
“What is it?” Jase demanded as he entered.
“You need to deal with this. You created the problem,” Mary said and moved aside so Jase could see.
“What the hell?” Jase complained. He stood in front of his mirror, and his eyes widened.
On The Swallow’s Nest, clearly arguing, was Willow. She looked remarkably different from when he’d seen her six months ago. Back then, she’d been pale and recovering from the bullet wound. Now, she was tanned, but her hair was wild, and she was talking to thin air, flapping her hands.
“What is she doing?” Jase demanded, puzzled, as he stepped close to peer at Willow.
“Watch,” Mary said.
Jase folded his arms across his chest, unamused, as Willow appeared to rant at nothing. His frown deepened, and his confusion grew.
“How is this my fault?” he asked.
“Look,” Mary retorted.
Jase sighed. Mary was in one of her moods. He watched for a few more minutes and was about to leave when he stepped backwards in sheer surprise. A bottle-nosed dolphin reared out of the sea and clearly began chatting with Willow.
Willow argued, waving her arms around and shaking her head, and the dolphin nearly came fully out of the water to make his own point. Wide-eyed Jase observed several other sea creatures as they appeared, including two turtles sunning themselves on the deck.
“What on earth?” Jase exclaimed.
“Soul mate,” Mary said succinctly.
“Bullsh… rubbish,” Jase denied. “The hell is she my mate. A stinking human!”
“Willow is speaking with your subjects. Only your soul mate could do that!” Mary pointed out, and Jase scowled. He didn’t need telling that.
“No, she must just be ranting,” Jase suggested.
“That is indeed a rant, but open your eyes, you stubborn man. Willow is clearly arguing with that dolphin and whale alongside her boat. They want her to target a bad ship and will help her. Willow is declining their assistance,” Mary replied. “And they don’t like her denying them a chance.”
“Are you telling me she is using my subjects to attack toxic boats?” Jase roared, puffing up.
Mary calmly reached up and slapped him around his head. “Listen up, you stubborn ox. Willow refuses them the opportunity, but they still go. She’s trying to figure out how to send them to safety, but they won’t leave her. For all intents and purposes, Willow has three bottle-nosed dolphins, two turtles, a seal with a lazy flipper, a crab, and two whales in her court. She doesn’t know they’re her court because they’ve not quite informed her of that. However, they do address her as She and Her. No need for me to explain those titles,” Mary said.
Jase shook his head even as he accepted what Mary was saying. By calling Willow She and Her, the sea creatures announced she was their queen to his king. They’d look to her for protection and lay their lives down to protect her in return.
