37

BRICE

I'm as hard as a rock to the point that it hurts.

I reach down and squeeze my dick hoping to find some relief. I hadn't planned on sleeping with Soleil yet, but after getting a taste of her I'm close to giving in to my baser urges. I lick my lips savouring her tangy flavour and shut my eyes.

My grip tightens in the hopes of quelling the throbbing as I try to remember what lies ahead – the Olympic trials and Labours. The former, I'm not too worried about but the latter will require everything I have to give. I'm expected to swim across the North Sea, one of the most perilous waters, from France to Norway. I can't ruin my chances let alone risk my life for a moment's pleasure.

The bed shifts and my eyes spring open. I watch Soleil get up and head for the bedroom door.

"Where are you going?"

"My butt still hurts."

Her hips sway as she walks away and I follow her in a trance. She goes to the kitchen, switches on the lights, opens the freezer, and bends over. The view makes my cock weep. It is only in the light that I notice the slight colouration on her brown skin. She pulls out an icetray and shuts the door. Shaking a few cubes out, she takes one and begins to rub it around her bottom.

"You didn't have to hit me that hard," she says, glaring at me.

"Trust me when I say I didn't."

I walk over to her and take a fresh cube, rubbing it along her now wet bottom. Despite wanting to help, the act is borderline torture. My dick swells in excitement. Once the ice in my hand melts, I head over to the glass door and unlock it.

I make my way into the cool outdoors, take off my boxers and jump in the pool hoping to cool off my erection and work out my sexual frustration. I swim a few laps. When I stop for a break, I notice Soleil leaning against the door frame watching me.

She's naked and looks adorable with her hair in disarray. She crosses her arms and legs to hide her nudity and draws in her bottom lip looking away shyly.

"Come in," I beckon.

She hesitates and checks the coast before approaching the water's edge. Gingerly, she slips into the pool from the deep end this time careful to keep her head above water. I think she's still trying to avoid wetting her hair.

I wrap my arm around her waist and she wraps her legs around mine. Unlike earlier, we're pressed together skin on skin. I adjust her body along mine until my dick lies between her folds. Her breath hitches and she closes her eyes. When she opens them, they are half-hooded in lust.

"Brice, I can't."

"You can't what?"

"Have sex."

Her mouth is saying one thing, but her body says another. She's right of course but her denial has me pressing the issue. I know my reasoning but need to understand hers.

"Why not?"

I rock my hips back and forth creating a delicious friction. I can see the raised pulse beating at her neck. It would be so easy to just slip in.

"Birth control. It hasn't kicked in," she says breathlessly.

I still my motions.

"What are you talking about?"

"I got the depo shot but it takes a week to activate or something like that."

"Why are you taking birth control?"

"I don't want to accidentally fall pregnant in the event that we do... you know."

She attempts to disengage herself from me. I maintain a firm hold of her and manoeuvre us to the corner of the pool.

Conversations about marriage and children used to annoy me. However, seeing her as my wife pregnant with my child has changed that.

"Are you calling our baby an accident?"

Her face softens. Her fingers play with the hair at my nape.

"We're only 18. Don't you want to enjoy this for a little longer, live the college dream?"

"I want to live your dream."

Shit, when did I turn into this sap?

I rock my hips suggestively against her feeling the slickness between her folds coat my dick. She closes her eyes, and the heels of her feet press against my back a little tighter. I want to taste her again.

"Okay, condoms," she suggests.

"Fuck no!"

I want to feel every wet inch of her as I glide in.

"Brice..."

Whatever she's about to say dies on her lips as I continue stroking her, my finger slipping into her moist centre from behind.

I'm saved from myself when the lights come on and I hear the door of the main house slide open. I turn around to face the intruder and press my back against Soleil, shielding her body with mine from prying eyes.

"I thought I heard voices and strange noises," says Hidde.

"It's just us. Nothing to see or worry about."

"Right." He stands there for a little too long giving me the eye of judgement. In that moment I consider giving him an eviction notice. "Good night, Soleil," he finally says.

"Good night," she calls out behind me.

Once he's back inside and the door closes, Soleil gets out of the water and makes a mad dash back into the pool house. I take a few minutes to calm down and get a grip. I was so close to throwing caution to the wind, trials and Labours be damned.

After locking up, I head back into the bedroom and hear the shower running. I hope the door is locked when I twist the handle. It gives way and I enter. Like a moth drawn to the flame, I approach Soleil in the open shower. There is no glass encasing to fog up the image of her – forehead and one hand pressed against the wall for support, the other working between her legs.

It's like the devil is tempting me tonight and I wont stop taking the bait. I walk up behind her, press my front against her back and replace her hand with mine. She lets me, now using both of her hands to support herself against the wall. As my fingers glide along her slit, she pushes her ass against my dick.

What a cock-tease.

I circle her clit with my thumb while pumping my index and middle finger into her. I'm knuckle deep when she throws her head back onto my shoulder, her nails now digging into my forearms in an attempt to stop me or hold herself up - I can't be sure of which.

"Brice..." she moans.

I turn her around, push her against the wall and kiss her. My hand quickly finding its way back into her warm depths. Her hips are rocking in rhythm to my ministrations when suddenly she pulls away breaking the kiss.

"We can't go beyond this point," she says.

I wonder if it's for her benefit or mine.

"I know."

The fire dies in her eyes when I pull my hand away. I know she still needs a release. I turn off the shower and pick her up. I don't give her a chance to wrap her legs around me. I hoist her body over my head and rest her legs my shoulders.

With her pussy right in front of me, I dig in. I attack her forbidden fruit like a ravenous man - sucking, biting, and licking. It feels like she's going to pull my hair from the roots and smother me between her thighs with the death grip she has me in.

That doesn't stop me.

In fact it spurs me on.

The little mewls she makes only encourage me to keep going. I'm addicted to her taste. I flick and suck on the little nub like it's a pacifier and slurp up the juice that drips out of her when she cums.

I slowly ease her body down to the floor. She holds onto me for balance, her legs a little shaky.

"Do you feel better?" I ask.

She nods her head yes.

"Is your ass still sore?"

I massage the round globes as she shakes her head no.

I chuckle. Soleil speechless is quite the sight. She hasn't managed to open her eyes or say a word since her last protest. I think it's time to put my baby to bed.

I pick her up bridal style and head back into the bedroom.

***

THIERRY

A war was brewing, and the gods were in preparation. Rumours that the True One was coming to reclaim His kingdom had been revived after certain prophesies had been fulfilled. Thierry could only hope that the oracles had misjudged the signs. Nevertheless, he would be a fool to not prepare.

He'd spent the past few weeks in the Northern lands strengthening alliances. There were discussions of marriage between their peoples to consolidate their kingdoms – the Franks, Celts, Germanics, and Nordics.

He'd then returned to the earth realm where Brice completed the first of his three Labours. His plan was on track. Things were looking good.

Thierry walked back to the throne room after spending time with his warriors in training. An ominous feeling had been rattling around his bones which is why he had stirred his army into action. He was still dressed in his battle gear from the blue gauntlets to his aquamarine breastplate. He had no intention of changing into his robes.

He should probably pay Brice a visit. The boy was on holiday, but this was not the time to rest. He also had to reframe his thoughts. Brice was no longer a boy. He had come of age, and they needed to discuss a marriage between him and one of the god's kin.

With so many thoughts on his mind, he failed to notice the emptiness of the hall when he took the few steps leading up to the dais. He did, however, notice the summons placed on his throne before he could take a seat.

The seal on the parchment held the crest from the counsel of Thrones.

Whatever they wanted, it couldn't be good. And unlike other gods who needed to be conferred with and given notice before their presence was to be expected, he didn't have much time let alone a choice in this matter.

Once the seal was broken, the counsel would be notified, and the proceedings set in motion immediately. The Thrones ruled over them all, from the Watchers to Dominions. Over planets and galaxies, they reigned in both power and judgement as gods among the gods.

Thierry read the brief text. He couldn't say he was surprised by his accuser, though the disruption of his plans was aggravating. It was best to get this over with. The sooner he attended to this matter the sooner he could get back to his realm.

Seated on the chair of power, he placed the seal on the dial of his armrest. In a few minutes he was transported to the courtroom.

*

Thierry's throne had been positioned to the left of the court, the side of the defendant.

On the right sat his accuser, The Queen of the Coast, upon a majestic, black feline beast on the side of the plaintiff.

Before them positioned between the two in the seats of judgement were the counsel of Thirteen Thrones.

"Thierry Le Mers, you stand accused of sabotage and theft. How do you plead?" spoke the Third Throne.

"Not guilty," replied Thierry confidently.

"Eze Nwanyi Nke Osimiri, you have levied the charges against the Ruler of the Seas. Step forth and present your case," spoke the Seventh Throne.

The lithe goddess dismounted from the giant animal and stepped before the counsel dressed in her signature black and gold.

"1700 years ago this king," she spat in disdain, "took one of my women, had one of his sons marry her and birth his posterity. He didn't seek my face for agreement knowing very well I would have objected that union. Never once did he apologise for the breach. On the contrary, he's made it a sport to pillage my peoples and territories time and time again."

"Oh Great and Wise Ones, please note that it was by the hand of the mortals that all of this took place. I did not orchestrate it. My sons have always been strong willed as is to be expected of the blood of the gods. I did not take that woman from Osimiri's lands, neither did I force her to wed. It was of their own free will," Thierry interjected.

"You have spoken well, Le Mers," continued Osimiri. "It was of their own free will that she left, and they married. However, it was by your manipulations that you stole their child's birthright. You see, oh Great Ones, he desired another woman for his precious brat to breed an incorruptible line or should I say a line I had no access to. His greed and ambition would not allow him to concede anything to me even if it was mine by right."

"Wise Ones," Thierry interjected again, "this is nothing but speculation and conjecture from an embittered goddess. You have heard it from her own mouth. She would not approve a union between our two peoples. Moreover, infant mortality rates were so high over a millennia ago. It was not uncommon for a king to have multiple wives and multiple heirs in the event that one met an unfortunate end."

"Osimiri, do you have any proof of the allegations you have levied."

"Yes, I have a witness."

The goddess walked over to the feline with her hips and black braid swaying. She retrieved a black box from her satchel.

What kind of witness could fit into a box no longer than the span of a hand? Thierry wondered.

She was powerful in her own right, and he was as curious as he was apprehensive to see what she'd evoke before the court.

With purposeful strides, Osimiri walked back to the centre of the court and stood before the counsel. Very carefully, she opened the box and produced a bone.

"This is what remains of Queen Astrid," she said, holding the fragmented bone piece in the air between her thumb and forefinger for all to see. "I ask that you call her forth as witness oh Great and Wise Ones."

If Thierry had a heart it would have stopped beating.

How was this possible? Her grave should have been forgotten and her remains disintegrated by now.

This is why Osimiri had summoned him to court. Only Thrones had the power to reanimate the dead from something as insignificant as a dried fragment that once lived.

All he could do was watch as the Thrones concentrated their combined power into the bone. It began to grow, shaping itself into a human skeleton. Sinews and flesh wrapped around the frame, the fair skin covered the red flesh and finally, long flaxen hair sprouted from her scalp and fell down her shoulders and back to her knees.

By the gods, all that were good and evil, Astrid had been reincarnated and stood before the court in naked glory. Never had he despised Osimiri as much as he hated her now and there stood thousands of years of animosity between them.

"Young queen, you stand in the court of the High Heavens. You have been summoned as a witness to answer for past crimes," said the First Throne.

The young woman kept silent, but she was alert and alive. She stood with her back straight and her head raised unashamed.

"Can you tell us your name," asked Osimiri.

"I am Queen Astrid of Cimbri, descendant of the great King Boiorix."

"Can you tell us where you are from?"

"I am from the Northern lands – Jutland."

"Can you tell us which king you were married to?"

"I was married to The Merovingian."

"Did you bear him any children?"

"Yes, I bore him 4 sons and 2 daughters."

"Were any of your sons the first born and heirs to his throne?"

She hesitated.

"No, after the disappearance of his eldest son from the first Queen they were next in line."

"What can you tell us about the eldest son's disappearance?"

"There was a revolt from the people who raided and burned down the castle. He was captured as a prisoner for the Romans."

"Do you remember who led this revolt?"

"Yes, a renowned man named Grimoald. He offered me and my children safety in exchange for the young boy."

"Can you describe what he looked like?"

"He was big, a man of war that towered over most. Blonde hair, greyish-blue eyes, a sharp face - as bold as he was handsome."

Osimiri paused to look at me, drawing the attention of Astrid to where Thierry sat in stunned silence.

"I rest my case. Le Mers is welcome to the witness,"concluded The Queen of the Coast.

He didn't miss the smug smile that graced her catlike features as she resumed her stance next to her familiar.

"Le Mers, would you like to cross examine the witness?" asked the Tenth Throne

"No," was Thierry's sombre reply. His voice a stark contrast to the confidence he initially had upon arrival.

He had not hidden his true face when he spoke to Astrid. He needed to charm her and win the hearts of the people to his cause, both men and women alike. She was bound to recognise him if she hadn't already.

The young queen's gaze remained focused on him until realisation dawned in her eyes. He had no doubt the Thrones saw it too. There was no use dragging this out. He couldn't scheme his way out of this one and any lies would have him sentenced to the fires of correction in Yamalok faster than he could beg for mercy.

"What do you want in restitution Queen of the Coast?" asked the First Throne."

"I want him detained. I want him to sit out the life cycle of this new king he has birthed as punishment. At least 200 years in holding. Longer if this son of his outlives the period."

At this point Thierry stood. She was surely out to destroy him and everything he'd worked so hard to put together for close to two millennia.

"Surely we can come to some other agreement," his eyes pleaded with the dark queen.

"There is nothing you can offer me that I could possibly want other than your suffering. I possess more resources, more land, and more people than you rule over even with your unending quest to steal and pillage, Le Mers," she answered in heated abhorrence.

"We will take the time to deliberate. You may wait outside the court," spoke the Thirteenth Throne.

The two walked through the giant golden doors of the court and into the open pavilion, Thierry on foot and Osimira on the back of her familiar.

"You couldn't have thought of better retribution than to waste my time? Haven't you heard of the impending war or are you too busy playing with your pussy?"

Osimira feigned a gasp and covered her familiar's ears in a playful manner.

"Watch your mouth you filthy water slug. I'd rather die in battle with Subira then align myself with you."

"This is why your kingdom has never prospered because you're a prideful little goddess given more than you know what to do with  holding on to grudges for far too long. It's not too late to put this animosity behind us."

Osimira tilted her head back and laughed with gusto.

Despite her beauty, he hated her. He couldn't believe at one point he wanted to marry her. With their combined forces they would be a formidable duo.

"Are you still bitter over the fact that I had your sister?"

"This is why I can't trust you. You seduced one of my own when I rejected your proposal. I would have partnered with you if you would have me as an equal but that was never your intention. Where is Nwanyi Lagood now, Le Mers? I'm no woman and I'm no fool. I refuse to be subjected to the laws of marriage let alone subjected to you."

"You bitch!" Thierry spat in anger.

"You've been hanging out with the mortals far too long. The sight of you is more insulting than your words and in case you haven't noticed I'm more feline than canine." The Queen of the Coast reclined on the back of her familiar as if it were a chaise. "What's that saying they have on Earth... All is fair in love and war. Don't think it hasn't escaped me that your son is in love with one of my women."

"What are you talking about?"

The Queen of the Coast let out another round of laughter. The King of the Seas was so angry he would have drowned her if not for the pesky fact that she was a water god herself.

"Soleil," she said as she stroked her thick braid.

Thierry searched his mind for the name.

"The girl he rescued from drowning? She owes him her life. She's nothing more than a subject."

"I'm not surprised you missed it. You've always been a little high on your own tide. It looks like history is repeating itself and not only in your favour. She's his first love and I will do everything I can to ensure that you don't mess it up this time. The downfall of every great man has always been a woman. She is my key to the kingdom and it's only a matter of time before I claim yours."

2023 / 02 / 27

WC: 3 481

I've translated the names from Igbo.

Eze Nwanyi Nke Osimiri = Queen of the Coast / Nwanyi Lagood = Lady of the Lagoon.

Any Nigerian readers here?

One of the themes of this book is WATER and the power within it or that which rules over it. When Halle Bailey was cast as The Little Mermaid the controversy that came about was wild. I even remember seeing a poster going around the interwebs re-titled 'The Little Negro'. Obviously, black people were triggered and ended up defending the fact that there are black mermaids LOL! Please read up on the Caribbean/African peoples take on these creatures.

Some said that Disney was being lazy. Some called it reverse racism. Couldn't they create a new "fairytale" with a new "black" princess? Aren't there any good black writers and stories featuring black characters that they could have hired or acquired?  DUH! Obviously there are. Look at me penning down an original tale of fiction that incorporates the elements they may have been looking for.

Which leads me to believe that this was done on purpose. To some it was a conscious decision to others it was unconscious. Controversy sells. The powers that be have mastered the arts. There are beings that feed off your energy especially negative energy so those that worship them have to keep you in a depressed/oppressed state.

Your culture and beliefs will determine how you view these "powers" but in my opinion none of these entities are good. Disney has sanitised a lot of these so called "fairytales" from their origin. I did give a brief synopsis of the original tale in Chapter 10.

I've always been curious about the supernatural and paranormal. Over the years, I've really focused on learning about the spiritual realm. I find it curious that when Christians pray they say, "On earth as it is in heaven". In the occult they say, "As above so below". There are spiritual principles that are immutable irrespective of your religion or beliefs. The spiritual always precedes the physical. Stop looking at skin colour as black and white. Reality is deeper than black and white.

From my understanding black mermaids give power (the ability to perform the miraculous) and white mermaids give wealth (earthly riches) whether they present themselves in black or white face is a matter of the inner workings in your mind and what you're receptive to. They do not live on this plane. They are not biological and therefore melanin which determines skin colour serves no purpose in their existence. It's most likely a facade used for an alternate purpose in the grander scheme of things.

Whether Western, Eastern or African gods these beings are self seeking, self serving, and self driven. They do not give without receiving or expecting something in return.

Only The Most High is benevolent.