The Goddess's Hero

Before the Storm

Jacqui's POV

Four months later and I am all alone in my special oasis. Four months I had been scouring my domain for any holes in the walls, suspicious figures, dark magic, anything that would explain the disappearance and robbing of my souls. So far, I had found nothing and have only strengthened my barriers and attempted to assuage the concerns of my people. It didn't seem to be working.

The soul I had first seen training by himself had gathered quite a crowd and was now training others to fight for their freedom. I gave him my blessing, but I knew it would be no use. I couldn't help them out of my own domain.

"Stupid fool!!" I shouted as I thought of my father and his orders. How am I supposed to help if I'm stuck here? I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. At least you don't have to face Skye while you're here. My eyes flashed open in surprise. From the fact that I was afraid of facing Skye or from the disappointment of not seeing him, I didn't know.

I waved my hand gently across the water. Wish I could see him though. I grimaced. Where is all this coming from?! I slapped the water and turned away from it.

"My Lady Jacqueline, what's wrong?" My friend, Tempest, swam to the shore where I was sitting. I stared at the hard lines of his face and chest and smiled at the beautiful dark green fish scales of his tail. His blonde hair matched his sea green eyes too.

"Ah, I didn't know you were there." I laughed.

"That is a fake laugh, my Goddess." I immediately stopped pretending to be okay. If mermaids were good at anything, it was knowing your emotions and eliciting whatever emotion they wanted from you. Of course, they couldn't do that to a goddess.

"I'm sorry, Tempest. I just feel so helpless. I can't protect anyone."

"Nonsense." He flipped his tail annoyed. "Jacqui, you are doing everything you can. You are on alert every millisecond of every day. You have protected this realm since the dawn of time and you will not fail now."

I smiled a little at that. Leave it to Tempest to make me feel a bit better.

"Also, that is not what is troubling you the most I feel." He took my hands in his and slowly guided me closer to the water. He gently stroked my arm and looked in my eyes. I felt a slight wave of heat through my body and wished for a moment that it was Skye in front of me.

"Ah, there it is." Tempest smiled at me before pulling me into the water.

"Ah, hey!" I shook my head at him as he came closer. "At least let me change into something more appropriate." He didn't say anything before he grabbed the laces on the back of my dress and began untying them. "Whoa whoa whoa, what are you doing?"

"Helping My Lady of course." He continued to untie the laces and gently stroked my back as the dress fell away, leaving me in my undergarments. I felt uncomfortable as Tempest wrapped his arms around me and brushed his tail on my now bare legs.

"Stop." I commanded. I had never felt this uncomfortable with him in all the time I'd known him. He pulled away at my tone.

"You want this though." He innocently defended.

"I don't know what you're talking about. You know that this is making me very uncomfortable" I tried not to cover myself. I will not seem weak.

"Ah." Tempest aggravatingly smiled at me and flipped his fin splashing water on my face. "You want this but not with me."

"Want what?" I retorted as Skye's face flashed through my head again. Tempest laughed. My frustration rose.

"My Lady, please forgive me, but have you never felt a strong need to be with someone?"