Master of Death

Chapter 8 - Neptune's Hospitality

Neptune's Hospitality

There are right times to be selfish... And right times to be selfless.

The first thing my senses come across when I regain consciousness is the cool stone beneath my bare body. My eyes flutter open to survey my surroundings, as well as to see if there is some bastard staring at me while I have no clothing on. But the first thing my gaze rests on is crystal blue water and golden walkways sectioning off whatever palace this may be. It is beautiful to say the least, but regardless, I am still not thrilled to be here after enduring suffocation. I prop myself up on one arm, my hair sliding to cover my chest while I attempt to make sense of where the hell I am.

"So you are the mysterious woman who has captured the attention of our heartless god of death,"

I whip my head over to glare at the man robed in white, blue, and gold, with his charcoal hair long and free-flowing. "Who are you?" I ask with as little emotion as I can manage. I do not know why I even bother asking because he is far too handsome to be human, and his aura gives off an unreasonable amount power.

"I am Neptune, the water god," he answers alongside a broad smile. "I apologize for the harsh entrance, but the only way to the water kingdom is through water." He then takes a moment to roam his eyes over my body, and it takes every part of my being not to squirm in disgust. "You sure are a rare gem indeed. Any man would be a fool not to want a woman as beautiful as you,"

"I'm flattered," I say flatly. "But I thought a gentleman would have the decency to cover a naked woman upon their first meeting rather than being so rude." Though he is not the worst of the men I have encountered, I remain to be unimpressed.

To my mild amazement, he removes his robe and tosses it to me, now aware that I have a vicious tongue. I quickly cover myself with the priceless silk and rise to my feet, holding my chin up to give Neptune the impression that I am high on confidence. "Might I be so bold as to ask why I have been summoned against my will to your kingdom?"

He cocks his head like a dog with a curious gleam in his aqua eyes. "How unusual it is to find a human so reluctant to be in the presence of a god, and even stranger yet is how eager you are to leave a sanctuary such as this. You do not reject death's company, so what is it you despise of mine?"

I narrow my eyes. "Is fascination the only reason you brought me here? Or is your motive far less innocent?"

He smirks mischievously. "Come take a walk with me,"

I follow him through the maze of narrow stone pathways against my better judgment, waiting patiently for him to start a conversation I am certain not to be thrilled to have. And after a couple minutes filled with the sound of flowing water, he begins to speak.

"It seems that soon every god and goddess will be trying to get their hands on you simply because Thanatos and Ra have taken such an interest in you." He glances down at my wrists, which still hold the eyes of the dragons because I have no intention of taking them off. The sleeves of Neptune's robe cover my hands, but he undoubtedly saw them when I first arrived. "It is intriguing to even think that either of them would protect a woman with their almighty dragons, but I suppose there is much the rest of us do not know about you."

For the briefest of seconds I catch darkness dash across his eyes, and I immediately know that I'm trapped. With incredible speed, I do a back handspring to evade the vines of water that emerge from the surrounding pools, then glare at them while I'm crouched on the ground. My eyes are enough to cause the liquid to freeze to ice and shatter an inch from my face. I have no idea how I do it, but determination goes a long way. Neptune appears to be slightly stunned, but his attention shifts elsewhere when his immortal guards come at me from behind to capture the vulnerable maiden. Unfortunately for them, I'm putting up a fight.