Melaina's Burden Of The Aegean Sea

Chapter 11

"Welcome to my humble abode," He says strutting through his watery kingdom.

The sound of the waves applauding and hugging the kingdom from outside could be heard. The internal sounds of the body out in the world's biggest swimming pool. The echo of Poseidon's female laughter could be heard as they walked through the grand halls. The salty smell was so strong that one can taste it dancing on one's taste buds. Through a Venetian window, the ocean looked like an enormous pool of wonder. It was exceptionally blue this day with a slight green undertone.

"This place is beautiful"

"Thank you, halfbreed. I put a lot of work into making sure everything was perfect" Poseidon says his tone high and mighty with charisma. "My favourite place in the whole kingdom is the temple. From there you could see how the surface looked as though it was covered with millions of diamonds crashing with the waves and kissing the sand. My peaceful little hideaway as well"

"How did you make a kingdom with no water coming inside, yet have a waterfall in the middle of the halls?" Castor asked pointing to it. "How hasn't it caved in yet?"

"Anything is possible when you're the God of the seas. I just parted the sea, while they worked on it. Once it was completed, I closed it back having it surround the kingdom. After my failure attempted with Atlantis, I've learned that polyurethane works best against water pressure"

"Noted"

"Poseidon, I would like to discuss something rather important and time-consuming with you,"

"Poseidon?" He repeated out loud to himself, coming to a haul. Turning around he faced Melaina. "You talk to me as if we're not of the same blood. We're family, Melinoë. You can and will address me as uncle or uncle p... I think that makes me sound more with the times"

Castor and Thalia shared a look as they tried to hold back laughter as they looked back at him.

"Family is not something, I would call us," Melaina tells him staring up at him since was a foot taller. "Blood is all we are"

His smile dropped upon hearing that with judgment in his eyes. "You and your father, are the same when it comes to family, I see," He says turning on his heels continuing to walk. "But I will tell you what I told him, family is important. They are the people who have to love you unconditionally" he joked, laughing to himself.

"I wouldn't say that," Thalia says with a cheery attitude, coming next to her throwing an arm around the girl's shoulder. "Right, Mel?" She says squeezing her shoulder.

Melaina only took her hand off her before walking away and closer to Poseidon. Thalia stopped for a moment confused by her actions but continued to walk. Castor trailing behind everyone, seeing the small interaction smiled to himself before running to catch up to Thalia, to pump information out of her.

"Ouch, that was harsh," He says putting an arm over her shoulders. "Whatever her problem is she shouldn't take it out on you, am I right?"

"It's fine. I uh- I'm sure she just needed space"

"Well, it doesn't hurt to say so, instead of becoming distant. Especially towards her best friend, even if there's a problem between you guys"

"Distant?" She questioned, stopping to look at him with nervous eyes. "She's not going to become distant, is she?"

Castor shrugged. "Oh well, I mean what do I know?
It's not like, I've only known Melinoë since the dawn of time, and knows that whenever she wants space, she grows distant and leaves anyone in the dust to avoid her problems"

Thalia grew more worried and nervous about whether or not Melaina would leave her. Yes, the kiss was a mistake and shouldn't have happened to begin with it, but it shouldn't be that big of a deal, to leave her behind.

"All because of one stupid kiss!?" She whispered yelled to him. "I mean it wasn't stupid if I'm being honest, but it was a lack in judgment and-"

"You kissed Melinoë?"

"I- I thought-

"I just assumed that whatever was wrong between you two was something friends related," he tells with a small grin hinting in the corner of his mouth, watching as she covered her face in her hands. "But this was more than I bargained for, but I can work with it. Please, tell me more"

"I can't believe, I allowed you to trick me"

Shrugging he placed his hand on her head, petting it. "Eh, your guard was down," He says being more caring towards her. "Can't believe Melinoë didn't tell me herself though. I'm gonna have to have a talk with her about this later,"

Instantly she shot her head up with flaring blue eyes. Grabbing ahold of his shirt, she pushed him back into a wall, staring into his eyes, striking fear in him. "You can not tell Melaina, that you know. I don't know if she wants to talk or if she'll ever want to talk about it but till then you will not say a word to her about any knowledge of this, got it?"

Swallowing hard he nodded in understanding. "Yup, I got it. We're clear" he says saluting her while still nodding ferociously.

Taking a step back she let him go. "Ok good"

"You are quite unpleasant when you wanna be," he says fixing himself up not looking at her. "That whole intimidation thing works for you" He compliments.

"Castor!? Thalia!? Try and keep up" Melaina yells out to them as her voices echoed through the giant marble halls.

They shared one last look before jogging up to her and Poseidon's side. Melaina glanced over at Thalia but looked away once she made eyes with her, adverting them back in the direction of Poseidon. Castor seeing this, bumped shoulders with Thalia, as a way to cheer her, but she only gave him a lopsided smile.

"Your rooms are to the left of you," Poseidon says coming to a stop, making them all stop as well. "I assume that you do not mind sharing rooms with your uh..woman companion," He asked facing Melaina, while his eyes settled on Thalia.

There was an awkward silence before he spoke up again.

"I could have it where you all bunk together in one of those bunk beds with the pull out bed at the bottom. I've always wanted to try those if I'm being quite honest with-"

"Why can't we have separate rooms?" Thalia cast her eyes over to look at her but Castor stood in her line of view, motioning her to look elsewhere.

"Ah well, I'm adding a new bowling alley to the kingdom, you see"

"A bowling alley?" Thalia asked with a confused expression, being the one to ask what they were all thinking.

"Yes. My last one was destroyed by a shark who broke the glass floor trying and successfully doing so to eat a few sea basses"

"I have no words"

"Same here"

"Just..leave us. We will figure out the room arrangements ourselves"

"Ok. Oh, I almost forgot. Dinner will be served in the dining hall in an hour. I'll have someone come and collect you, till then enjoy your stay at casa del Poseidon, sweetheart..and friends" he says placing a chaste kiss on Melaina's forehead. She broke the affection by pushing him away with a look of disgust as she wiped off the kiss.

"Never do that again" He only chuckled as he walked away.

"You're so much like your father" he mused. "Just like him"

"Shall we?" Castor says looking at the two girls while gesturing towards the room doors with his eyes. "I'm down to share"

"No, Thalia and I will share a room. We have important matters to discuss" Walking towards the door she opens it stepping to the side. "You coming?"