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Chapter Nineteen

NERISSA

No way.

The absolute best way to describe this man would have to be straight terrifying. He has to be at least seven feet, maybe slightly shorter than Blade. The trident he carries is more terrifying than anything because it is taller than him. He holds it like it is an extension of his body.

Now it's not exactly right to objectify someone, but his muscles are the size of me. His silver hair, deep turquoise eyes, are paired with a beard that meets his naval.

I am, truly, terrified for my life right now.

"Kano, your majesty of the sea. I don't mean to intrude but I-" A burning sensation comes across my face, a feeling of whiplash tears into the right side of my shoulder.

He just backhanded me.

I clench my teeth and glare over at him as I speak around a mouthful of blood. "Now you should know better than to do that to a woman who's tied up!"

He laughs and it is dark and terrifying.

Oh gods, his poor people.

Why is Blade so kind and yet is known to be the monster? No, he can't be the true monster with this misogynistic beast standing before me.

"Considering the position you're in, I highly suggest that you keep your mouth shut little girl. You have no authority down here. I am the boss and the person giving you instructions. Quite frankly you interrupted a good fuck of mine with your annoying presence."

Hate burrows into my soul for the god. I spit a glob of blood but the sight only seems to excite him.

"Fiery, you're going to be a lot of fun." He raises his eyebrows as a wicked smirk crawls onto his lips. "Now here's what you're going to want to do. You have exactly seven minutes to swim throughout my kingdom and to my temple."

I open my mouth to argue at how ridiculous it sounds. I am a good and powerful swimmer but that is a task that is nearly impossible. Kano cuts his eyes at me. "Now keep your mouth shut, I didn't permit you to speak. Once you get past the direct obstacles of arriving at the temple, you need to find the antidote."

I gape him before breaking his permission to speak "Antidote for what, exactly?"

"This." He then points his trident at me and a powerful wave of energy takes over me.

He just cursed me!

"Good luck. Your time starts now."

Just like that, he is gone and it is just me and a barely alive Anakin I have no one else to rely on besides myself. I wince at the pain that the snakes have bruised into me. I look around and try my best to use some sort of energy, but I can't.

It's as if it was completely wiped from me and I don't know what to do. Anakin was still asleep and I only have so much time before we will both lose. We can't lose to Kano of all gods. Not now, not ever.

Is that really something you want to do? Lose yourself entirely to a man who defines you? I want to go home. I want to take the pain off of my shoulders. I do not want to worry about living or dying or surviving anymore. I just want a bath.

I take a quick deep breath before I grab a piece of reef from behind me and Anakin as I force my feet to push us into a sitting position. We lean up against the reef, back to back. The snakes tighten their grip but I do not wait for them to crush us, I slice right through them. Their forms instantly fall off. I let out an audible gasp as their dead bodies flop in front of me. Anakin goes slack against the reef and I try not to feel guilty as the reef cuts him.