"Winds that play over my body, which is the living Earth herself, come to me now and blow this usurper from my presence."
The goddess pursed her full lips and blew a light burst of air at Sarpedon. Then something amazing happened to that light, almost playful bit of air. It seemed that all the winds in the cove suddenly rushed to join it. The gust struck Sarpedon like a fist, lifting him from the water and hurling him to the coral reef barrier.
"Trespass upon my realm again, and I will destroy you." The power in Gaea's voice lifted the hairs on the back of CC's neck. "So have I spoken; so shall it be." The air around the goddess shimmered, making her promise a tangible thing.
Awestruck, CC could only stare at Gaea. Her mind could hardly grasp what she was witnessing. The goddess loomed huge and powerful, and CC was overwhelmed by her majesty.
But Sarpedon seemed oblivious to Gaea's power. "Do not forget that Undine is a creature of the seas! She must exist in my realm, Land Goddess!" He shrieked at her before leaping over the coral reef and disappearing into the blue depths.
CC stared after him, shivering with an ominous foreboding.
Chapter 7
"You were very brave." Gaea's voice had returned to that of a mother praising her child.
"I don't feel very brave right now," she said hesitantly, still awed by Gaea's power.
The goddess bent and stroked CC's soft hair. "I am proud of you. There is a strength in you that was lacking in Undine."
CC felt a rush of pleasure at her words.
The dolphin surfaced, blowing water on the two women and chattering like an upset nursemaid. Laughing, Gaea wiped the drops of seawater from her gown.
"You had better comfort her; she will not leave us in peace until she is assured of your safety."
Feeling a little shaky at first, CC slid from the shore. Again, she felt that prickle at the nape of her neck that made her think she was being watched.
No, she told herself firmly, Sarpedon is gone. He cannot come within Gaea's grove. She was just being paranoid—and who could blame her? Thankfully, as soon as she was immersed in the water, her fears began to subside. She glided up to the distraught dolphin and stroked the creature's smooth sides.
"Hey, I'm fine," she said aloud. "Gaea got rid of him. He can't hurt me here."
We feared for you, Princess. The dolphin nuzzled CC, then turned and bowed its head reverently at Gaea. Thank you, great goddess, for protecting our Princess.
Solemnly, Gaea inclined her head and acknowledged the dolphin's adoration.
CC could see the shapes of the smaller fish timidly hiding around the clumps of bright coral.
You can come out now. She coaxed and was delighted to see them respond by wriggling up to her. With one arm draped over the back of the dolphin, she petted and soothed the frightened fish.
"Sarpedon was correct about one thing," Gaea said.
"What?" CC's attention had been focused on the delightful fish, but the goddess's words sent a chill through her body.
"I cannot protect you there." The goddess pointed to the seemingly limitless expanse of ocean. "And you cannot live forever in this cove."
"But what am I going to do?" CC knew the goddess was right. How could she live her life in this small cove? It was the equivalent of being trapped forever in an apartment. No matter how luxurious or wonderful, she would still be trapped.
"We will do what we must to keep you safe," Gaea said.
"Which means what?"
Gaea studied the girl who inhabited her daughter's body. She had strength, yes. And she was outspoken and brave. But did she also have wisdom? Perhaps the child had a kind of wisdom that was foreign to this world; but perhaps that was the kind of wisdom that would be needed for her to survive the tests that were sure to be ahead of her. The goddess made her decision.
"There is only one answer. I must take you from the sea."
CC eyes widened in surprise. "But I thought that was the problem. You couldn't take Undine from the sea without Lir's permission." Then an idea came to CC. "So why can't we get Lir's permission now? You said he loves Undine.
Doesn't that mean that he wouldn't want her own brother to rape her?"
"Sarpedon is Lir's child, too." Gaea's expression was grim. "Perhaps Lir has given his permission for your mating."
"Ugh, that's disgusting—brother and sister mating." Just the thought made CC feel sick.
"Gods and goddesses do not view these things the way humans do," Gaea said simply.
"You think it's okay that he wants me?" CC was shocked.
"Never," Gaea said firmly. "But only because you have rejected him; thus, he has no right to you. Understand that relationships are different between the gods."
"I'll take your word for it," CC muttered. "So we can't go to Lir. How do I get away from Sarpedon?"
"There is a way, but it may prove difficult."
"Is it worse than being raped by Sarpedon?" CC asked.
"Only you can answer that question, little one." The goddess began pacing back and forth along the shore as she explained to CC. "I can gift you with a human form, but it will not be permanent. You will still be tied to the seas." She gave CC an apologetic look. "Your body will long to return to the water; it may even be painful for you. And you must return to the waters and your mermaid form once each third night, or else you will sicken and die."
"Well, I suppose that's better than being trapped in this cove forever," CC said doubtfully.
The goddess stopped pacing and spoke earnestly to her. "But there is a way to make your human form permanent. You must find a man to love you and to accept with a full heart that you are a daughter of the sea, as well as that of the land. Then even Lir cannot break the bond of true love, and you will be gifted with your human form permanently."
"Oh, Gaea," CC groaned. "I'm not very experienced with men. Actually, they treat me like I'm a little sister." Then she added quickly, "And where I come from that didn't mean they wanted anything romantic to do with me."
"The handsome young pilot on your transport desired you."
Gaea's words cut into CC. Her eyes filled with tears as she remembered Sean's sweetness. "Yeah, and look what happened to him."
"He was living his destiny, child." Gaea's tone was soothing. "It was not your fault; he was fated to die on that journey. He did so heroically. You should honor his memory."
"He was going to die anyway?" CC asked.
"Yes. You did not cause his death. His life's thread had run out."
At Gaea's words CC felt a weight of guilt lift from her. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of thanksgiving for Sean's bravery. When she opened her eyes she met the Goddess's gaze with a clear conscience.
"Tell me what I need to do."
"I will cast the spell. You must simply find the man who can accept and love you."
"Wait! Shouldn't that be easy in this world? You said gods and goddesses live here. Aren't people used to magical things?" CC asked.
"At one time, perhaps." Gaea hesitated, as if weighing her words. "You have priests in your world."
Gaea hadn't made it sound like a question, but CC nodded anyway.
'They are here, too. And many of them are good men who serve their God with love and devotion." She paused, and when she spoke again her voice sounded disgusted. "But not all of them are honorable. There has begun a new sect of priest that has infected parts of their religion. They preach that all magic is evil, and that there is only one way to believe—their way. They believe beauty, especially that of the female body, is sinful and evil." Gaea's laugh was dry and humorless. "They are fools, afraid of their own desires. But of course they want people shut away from beauty. It is easier to control people who lack hope." She shook her head sadly. "Unfortunately, too many listen to their poison."