Deep Water (16 page)

But that was the problem, wasn’t it? He
couldn’t go to bed with Dunn, or anyone else for that matter. His last erection
had been well before the final, ineffective round of radiation. Since then his
penis had remained frustratingly flaccid and he’d resigned himself to the fact
that he was impotent.
And I can’t exactly
ask him to settle for a cuddle, can I?

Sagging onto his seat, he stared out at
the midnight blue water, the color matching his spirits.
I feel old and useless, I have weeks left to live if I’m lucky, and
I’m falling in love with a man. Fuck my life.

Someone touched his shoulder. He turned and
saw Nick peering at him. “You okay?” the doctor asked.

He shrugged. “As okay as I’ll ever be.”

“Want a beer?”

Drowning his sorrows in hops sounded like
a good idea. “Please.”

Nick reached back and fished a damp brown
bottle out of the cooler. “It’s from a local microbrewery,” he said, twisting
off the cap and handing over the bottle. “I know the Brits tend to think
American beer is diabetic cat piss, but this stuff is pretty good.”

“Cheers.” Griffin took an experimental
sip, then a deeper one as the cool, rich tang rolled over his tongue. “Not bad
for colonials.”

“Thank you,” Nick said, grinning. “Pity
about your empire.”

“Oh, fuck you.” He took another swig, spotting
an array of lights in the distance. “I think we’re almost there.”

Nick twisted in his seat. “Yeah, looks
like Olympic Beach. Dunn, where are we parking?”

“You mean anchoring?” the amused reply
came back. “I’m supposed to follow Ian, but I believe we’ll be just south of
the marina.”

“Cool.” Straightening, the doctor suddenly
looked embarrassed. “We may be swimming back and forth between the boats. If
you want to go in, I’d strongly recommend you keep on your life jacket. I know
it’s embarrassing, but—”

Griffin waved it off as the boat pulled
closer to the lights. “Don’t worry about me. I’m going to stay here and drink
my beer like a good boy.”

And think about
what I can’t have.

****

Hyacinth accepted Ian’s hand and climbed
gracefully onto the boat. One of the useful things about being a Nereid, she
mused, was the ability to walk on water. Of course, she could only do it at
night in order to stop reports of a certain religious figure’s second coming,
but she considered it a small price to pay.

“Hello, boys,” she said, distributing
kisses to all the boat’s passengers before unslinging the bulging messenger bag
from her shoulder. “I hope you all kept some room for dessert. I brought a
lot
of cookies.”

Both Ian and Aidan perked up at the
mention of cookies. “Do they have walnuts in them?” Ian asked.

“Of course.”

“Score,” the storm god moaned.

“Here, my lady, take my seat,” Aidan said,
standing and offering the bow seat.

“Thank you, tadpole,” she said with a
smile, settling onto the bench. “What time do the fireworks start?”

“Nine-thirty,” Ian said, peering at the
last hint of daylight showing over the landward horizon. “We still have another
half hour or so.”

Hyacinth accepted a glass of white wine
from Bythos and sipped. “Mm, very nice,” she said. “So how have you all been?”

Ian took his own seat in the stern. “We’re
fine. Things have gotten a bit quiet, though, which is worrying me.”

“I don’t blame you.” Hyacinth glanced at
the dark water lapping against the side of the boat. “I haven’t heard anything
from Thetis, but I suspect that she’s regrouping after the drubbing she
received from you and your mates,” she said, nodding at Aidan.

The
mer
shrugged. “We had a lot of help, my lady. And we still wouldn’t have won if it
hadn’t been for the Lady Claire.”

Hyacinth bowed her head at the mention of
the sea goddess who had sacrificed her life force to defeat Thetis’s plans. The
new coral reef that was spreading a few miles from their location was a
testament to Claire’s bravery. “Yes, I think that hit Thetis particularly hard.
But I suspect it won’t stop her for very long.”

“My tritons have stepped up their sweeps
for ilkothelloi,” Aphros said. “Apart from the one that attacked Father, we
haven’t seen any since Thetis’s defeat.”

Hyacinth’s attention pricked. “Your father
was attacked by an ilkothella?”

“Yes. He’d been out sailing with a mortal,
and the creature attacked while they were moored at one of the barrier
islands.”

She glared across the water at the other
nearby sailboat. Even at a distance Poseidon’s presence radiated like a
lighthouse to anyone who could sense it. “So he’s screwing around again?” she
asked. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”

Aphros blinked at her tone. “Um, it’s not
exactly what you think. The mortal is living in one of the cottages at Olympic
Cove. And he’s a he.”

She made
a
pfft
noise. “Gender never stopped your father from
bedding someone. My own brother is proof of that.”

The twins exchanged an uncomfortable look.
“I don’t think they’re sleeping together,” Bythos said carefully. “Father and
the mortal, I mean. Griffin’s too sick for that.”

That did sound out of character for
Poseidon. “Your father’s never been that fond of mortals if sex wasn’t involved,”
Hyacinth said, frowning. “Why is he taking one out sailing if he isn’t plowing
the poor bastard?”

Another silent look that spoke of twin
communication. “Aunt, if we tell you something, we have to insist that you keep
this information to yourself for now,” Bythos said. “And I mean we will require
you to swear by Zeus
Horkios
.”

Hyacinth stiffened at the mention of the divine
oath. “I don’t think I can do that unless I know more about why I’m being asked
to do so.”

Bythos fidgeted with his glass of wine.
“Father is working to reconcile with Mother. I think,” he added, frowning. “But
his plan is … complicated.”

Hyacinth considered his words. She wanted
Amphitrite to be happy again, but after millennia of separation she had no idea
if her sister and her brother-in-law could ever work out their grievances.
“Quite frankly, nephew, I don’t see how any plan Poseidon could come up with
would work, since they would all be lacking one key element.”

“Medusa,” Aphros agreed. “But this plan
might work. Before we tell you how, though, we need your vow of silence.”

Damn her nephews. They knew curiosity was
one of her strongest characteristics, one of the driving reasons that had
prompted her to live among humans. “Fine,” she said slowly. “I swear by Zeus
Horkios
that I will not repeat what you tell me about your
father’s plan.”

“To anyone,” Bythos clarified.

She rolled her eyes. “To anyone, including
your mother.”

The twins relaxed at that. “The reason why
Father’s plan might work is because Griffin Moore is the reincarnation of
Medusa,” Aphros said.

“What?”

Chapter Seven

“What the hell?” Griffin said, turning and
staring at Ian’s sailboat. “Are they gutting someone over there?”

Reaching out with his
godsense
,
Poseidon noted who was on board and winced.
Damn
it. The boys told Hyacinth about Griffin.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” he
muttered.

“I can go over and find out, l—um, Dunn,”
Liam said tentatively.

“No need.”
I’ll hear about it soon enough when my dear sister-in-law demands to
know what in Tartarus I’m doing.
“One of them probably just spilled
something.”

“I suppose.” Griffin glanced at the
evening sky. “Shouldn’t the fireworks be starting soon?”

Trust me, my love,
they already have.

His thought came true as music started
playing on shore and a bright yellow blossom of fire exploded in the sky. “Ooh,
nice!” Griffin said enthusiastically.

Everyone sat back to watch the colorful
light show that bloomed overhead. Beer forgotten, Poseidon admired the
pyrotechnical skills of the mortals.
We
gods can do many things, but we never thought about painting the night sky with
colored light.

A burst of mental static startled him.
What in the name of Gaia are you doing,
Poseidon?

He schooled his expression to impassivity
as everyone else watched the show overhead.
Hello
to you as well, Hyacinth.

Stop playing
games,
Earthshaker
. What is this about Medusa’s soul
being reborn?

His name is
Griffin Moore. I tried to tell
Ammie
about him, but
she wouldn’t listen to me.

Then try harder.
You have no right to keep her from him.

I assure you,
that’s the last thing I intend to do.
He allowed some of his worry to tinge the
mental conversation.
There’s a problem,
however. He has a terminal form of cancer. I have Chiron out searching for
Apollo to cure him.

He’s dying?
Goddess above, you need to tell
Ammie
about him
tonight!

He’s not going to
die. I won’t allow that. I can sustain him until Chiron finds Apollo.

There was a beat of silence.
I can think of only one way you can do that,
Earthshaker
. Isn’t that how you started this whole
disaster in the first place?

He winced at the truth in that statement.
I will not touch him without his permission.
But he’s never been with a man before. If he meets Amphitrite now, I know he’ll
fall in love with her. After that, he may not welcome my touch.

And so he
shouldn’t.

He’s my
agapetos
as well, Hyacinth. And this is the only way
to save his life. I am asking you, for the sake of your sister’s happiness, to give
me enough time to woo Griffin and make sure he’s safe. I swear by Zeus
Horkios
, I’m doing this for
Ammie
as well as for myself.

Another long pause.
Be forsworn on this,
Earthshaker
, and I’ll
personally lead the Furies to rend your flesh.

Understood.

The Nereid went silent just as the faint
strains of the
1812 Overture
drifted
out from shore. Poseidon tried to relax and appreciate how the fireworks were
synchronized with the music, especially as huge red, white, and blue shell
bursts began to explode overhead, each one coordinating with a cannon blast in
the overture. The performance concluded with an enormous fusillade of bursting
stars, streaming sparks that drifted almost down to the water.

An idea came to him, utterly fanciful but
all the more appealing for that. He pretended to stretch and reached up high, luring
some of the sparks farther down. Three blue twinkles flickered as they
responded to his power, landing neatly in his palm. He closed his fingers
around them, concentrating.

After a moment he unfolded his hand and
looked at the glowing crystals cupped there.
I’ll have them set in a necklace and give it to
Ammie
once we’re together again. Next year, the three of us will be out here watching
the fireworks, and nothing will ever separate us again.

The gems pulsed once, as if registering
his vow. Remembering where he was, he glanced at Griffin, but the mortal was
busy clapping at the conclusion of the show and chatting with Nick. Relieved,
Poseidon opened a tiny hole in reality and put the gems next to his trident
where they would be safe.

The three of them would be together again.
He wouldn’t believe anything else.

****

Yawning, Griffin wobbled as he climbed out
onto the Olympic Cove dock. Aidan and Nick had volunteered to deal with the
boat’s sails and the other chores of docking. Dunn had already climbed onto the
dock but didn’t offer him a hand. Ironically, that salved Griffin’s pride. His
head was actually behaving for once, and he suspected he’d sleep well that
night.

He had to admit Americans knew how to put
on a fireworks show.
Wonder if it has
something to do with their love of things that go boom?
Shoving his hands
into his shorts pockets, he waited until Nick and Aidan had finished with the
boat and started up the dock before following with Dunn at his side.

“Haven’t had that much fun in a long time,”
he said.

“Good. I’m glad that you enjoyed
yourself.” Dunn seemed oddly distracted, but happy with it. “If you’re feeling
up to it, perhaps we can take the
Seabird
out again tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be perfect.”

“Yeah, sounds like a plan. We still need
to talk, but I’m just too damn tired right now.” Griffin yawned again, covering
his mouth. “Sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

“I yawned.”

Dunn smirked. “Humans often do, I’ve
noticed. I’m not sure why you’re apologizing for it, though.”

“I suppose I don’t want you thinking that
I’m bored or anything,” Griffin said. “With you, I mean.”

“As I don’t think I’m boring, I wouldn’t
think that,” Dunn said loftily. They reached the sand, slogging across the
uneven surface. “I was going to suggest another beer, but if you’re tired—”

“No, more beer is fine,” Griffin said
quickly. “I don’t really want to go to bed so soon, anyway.”

Of course another yawn stole over him
then, earning a pointed look from the other man. “Yeah, yeah, I know,” he said,
sheepish. “But I want to stay up a little longer anyway.”

“As you wish.”

They reached the cottage, and Griffin
collapsed with gratitude onto one of the beach chairs. “Would you mind going in
and getting the beers?” he asked. “Sorry, I know I’m a shitty host.”

“It’s not a problem. Stay there.” Dunn
disappeared onto the porch. Moments later the deck lights came on, and the big
man returned with two Stella Artois and a bottle opener. Opening the beers, he
handed a bottle to Griffin. “To fireworks and friends.”

“To fireworks and friends.” Griffin tapped
the neck of his bottle against Dunn’s, then took a long sip. “I’m damned glad I
met you,” he said after swallowing. “You’ve been a hell of a good friend to me,
and I appreciate it.”

“I’m glad. I’ve very much appreciated
meeting you, as well.” Dunn gave him a sympathetic look. “Griffin, you’re
exhausted. I really think I should go—”

“No.” Griffin straightened up in the
chair, his body complaining at the movement. “I’ll be sleeping permanently soon
enough. I want to stay up while I still can, all right?”

Belatedly he noticed what he’d said and
winced, but Dunn simply nodded. “All right. But at least let’s get you more
comfortable.” He glanced around the deck. “Do you have a lounger by any
chance?”

“No. The cottage only had the deck
chairs.”

“I noticed a beach blanket on the porch.
If I spread that out on the sand, would you at least rest on it?”

“Only if you do it with me.” The moment
the words left his mouth Griffin wanted to bite his tongue.
Christ, what is wrong with you tonight? Serves
you right if he gets hacked off and leaves.

He realized Dunn was staring at him.
“Sorry,” he muttered. “Over the line there, I didn’t—”

“All right.”

He blinked. “All right?”

“Yes. Quite frankly, I could do with a bit
of a lie down myself.” Dunn stood and went inside, coming out with a red plaid
blanket and a couple of cushions. “Where shall I put it?”

“Um.” Griffin waved at the sand below the
deck, wondering what the hell he’d gotten himself into. Under that, however,
was a distinct sense of anticipation. “There’s fine.”

Dunn stepped onto the sand and spread the
blanket, putting the cushions at the top of it. Then he held out a hand for
Griffin. “Come on, then,” he said gently.

Feeling like he was in another one of his
dreams, Griffin let himself be eased onto the blanket. He stretched out on the
soft fabric, wiggling a bit to get comfortable as Dunn followed him and did the
same. Overhead, the Floridian night was heavily spangled with stars, and he
spotted a handful of constellations.

“This is nice. Should’ve done this the
first night I got here.” He glanced at Dunn. The man was a shadowy form
stretched out at length, hands clasped placidly on his middle. “Comfortable?”

“Very,” Dunn said, staring up at the
stars. “You’re right. This is quite lovely.”

“Yeah.” Griffin swallowed. He had no idea
what to do next.

Except to be honest. “Dunn, I need to say
something.”

“Mm?”

“I hope this doesn’t offend you because I
really don’t want to do that, and to be honest I don’t know why I feel this way
but…” He swallowed, hearing his throat click. “I really want to kiss you right
now. If you don’t want to,
it’s
fine, I understand,
but I thought I’d ask.”

“Ah.” Dunn’s head turned towards him.
“Well, then, if we’re being honest, I’d like to kiss you as well.”

Something electric shot through Griffin,
swamping the fear. “Oh. I didn’t … I mean, I thought—”

“That I prefer women? I do, as I suspect
you do. But I’ve been known to make exceptions.” The other man chuckled softly.
“I believe the term is heteroflexible.”

My God, has he
done this before?
That’s not bad, though. At least one of
us knows what he’s doing.
“Okay, good. Um…”

“Shall I come over there?”

“Please.”

Griffin rolled onto his side and Dunn
mirrored him. A hand came up and cupped his cheek, warm against the soft
coolness of the evening breeze.

He closed his eyes as Dunn leaned forward.
Lips brushed against his, delicately intent. His lips tingled under the soft
pressure, and he could feel the prickle of Dunn’s mustache and beard, something
he’d never felt before, at least not during a kiss.

It was weird and slightly scary. It was
also fucking terrific. “Do that again,” he whispered when Dunn pulled back.

“Eagerness. I like that in a man.”

They kissed again, and Griffin let his
lips open. The tip of Dunn’s tongue traced along them with that same delicacy.
The sensation sizzled across his nerve endings, poking his dormant libido right
where it counted.

Dunn pulled back a bit. “If you want to
stop at any time, say so,” he said, his voice rough.

“Right, got it. Now kiss me again.”

He did, tongue slipping into Griffin’s
mouth with deft skill. Griffin gave himself over to it, enjoying the sensation.
It was similar to kissing a woman but with a different undertone to it,
hungrier somehow. He felt like he didn’t have to hold back, that anything he
threw at Dunn the other man would take.

And then Dunn’s tongue licked along the
roof of his mouth, sending sparks of desire shooting through him. He couldn’t
help moaning in unabashed pleasure.

Dunn took that as a signal to roll closer,
fitting himself along Griffin’s body. It was like the kiss, scary and exciting
at the same time. Dunn slid an arm around him, a hand coming to rest in the
small of his back as his mouth continued to duel sweetly with Griffin’s.

After a bit Griffin felt something poking
him in the thigh. It dawned on him what was happening. He broke the kiss with a
gasp, sucking in air. “Fuck. You’re hard.”

“Well, yes, that does happen.” Dunn
sounded amused. “Does it bother you?”

Griffin gulped. It should, he knew that.
And yet all he wanted to do was do a wicked little shimmy against Dunn, make
the other man moan for once. “No. It’s fine.”

But Dunn paused, his hand lightening on
Griffin’s back. “You’re not aroused.”

He shook his head. “It was the last round
of radiation. Haven’t been able to get it up since.”

“Oh.” Dunn’s hand came to rest again, but
now it was on his waist. “Am I hurting you? Doing this, I mean?”