145 Accepted Fate (2/2)
Poseidon smiled, ”I believe you know well what I'm getting at.” He motioned toward the door. ”What do you say we go down and welcome her to the family.”
Arei winced, ”Father don't do or say anything stupid! I'm almost certain the girl... Joslyn thinks Ry and I are the same person... and furthermore once she finds out we're not there's a damn good chance she'll want neither of us.” He turned away from his father's probing eyes not wanting him to see how much pain the thought caused him. ”We fucked up... and I'm not sure there's any fixing it at this point.” He confessed.
Poseidon shrugged, ”Even more reason to act quickly. Marry the girl while she is still willing, by the time she finds out there will be little she can do.”
Arei rolled his eyes. ”Of course, that's what you would say.” He shook his head. ”I'll not trick her.”
Poseidon chuckled sarcastically, ”Then you'll more than likely not have her.” He shrugged as he turned toward the door. ”Look at it this way giving her your name would most likely keep the courts from finding a way to imprison her.”
”How by trapping her in an arrangement of another kind?” Arei growled. ”Besides, if she was angered enough upon finding out the truth, then I'm not entirely sure I'd be able to live through her wrath.”
Poseidon laughed, ”You're a son of mine, of course you could.”
It was Arei's turn to shrug. ”Not without harming her to the point of near death, and I'd rather she kill me instead.”
Poseidon shook his head. ”Every day, you become more and more like your uncle... I will never understand either of your abilities to be so caught up with a single woman.”
Arei forced a laugh as he walked past his father. ”Well, if the worst insult you have for me, is that I'm too much like Hades when it comes to love verses you and Zeus then I'll take it as a compliment.”
”You know it would be the best thing for her, even if she hated you for it at first. It would give her protection at least.” Poseidon said, following his son down the corridors. ”I'd like to see it done before her next hearing.” He added on a final note as he pushed past Arei and blocked the door. ”That is not a request. See to it, son.” He didn't wait for Arei's reply. Instead, he pasted on his usual good natured, friendly façade as he pulled open the door. With his hands lifted dramatically into the air, he said loudly. ”Ladies! Having such beauties under my roof all at the same time, this should call for a celebration! In your honors!” He walked over to where they were sitting and flopped flamboyantly down on one of the chaise lounges.
Arei rolled his eyes as he watched his father put on his usual show of easy-going humor and benevolence. If only the world knew what the other side of that coin looked like... He tried to hide his aggravation as large aqua eyes sought his. He forced a smile and sat down beside her, resting his arm over the back of the chair behind her head. He held his father's steely gaze as she nestled against his side.
Chary narrowed her eyes as she looked back and forth between the two men. No doubt they were already in some sort of disagreement. It had always intrigued her how two twins could be so completely different. Had this been Orion, the drinks would be flowing, women in bounty, and tales of victories and conquests filling the air... but not with Arei. The two could never quite see eye to eye. If Poseidon told him, he was on fire and to douse himself with water. She was convinced he'd purposely use lamp oil instead. Shaking her head, she broke the awkward silence. ”Rion, she was just telling us about some of your adventures over the past four months.” Chary said nodding to Jos. ”I was surprised to hear how little of the world she'd experience until now.”
Arei nodded, relieved that the conversation was in a relatively safe area. He gave them a recap of most of their activities providing the relevance of most. ”You see, I assume the council will want proof of the progress of her 'taming'. So, I thought we'd spend this last bit of time teaching her less needed tasks, but still things that would help her look more cultured to them.”
Poseidon's eyes trained on Jos. ”I was just explaining to my son, there may be an easier way to convince the courts and Zeus of your intergrade into society... one that could please us all. Something I think you would quite enjoy.”
Jos's eyes widened in curiosity. ”What would that be, Sir?”
Arei growled, ”Not now!” He pushed up from the chair. ”Come along and I'll show you where we'll be sleeping.” He said with only barely contained irritation as he held his hand out to Jos.
Jos's eyes flickered back and forth between father and son. ”But... but...”
”Not now, Kitten.” He whispered softly. ”I'm tired and you have to be as well after last night.”
She nodded reluctantly and lifted from the chair. She gave everyone a nod before turning to follow Arei.
Once the large doors to the library were slammed shut, Chary arched a brow at her father. ”What have you or rather are you trying to do now?” She pursed her lips. ”If you are thinking of using the girl as you have us, then you're mistaken. The girl is nothing like us. I doubt she'd be willing to take down a vessel on command alone and you, oh mighty god of the sea, have no way to control her cursed form.”