“Poseidon is keen to be free of the ocean. I think he’s craving less fish and more meat.”
Not unreasonable, and a fine motive rooted in culinary tastes.
“Did you mention what we need?” I ask.
“No, I’m leaving that little nugget for you to deliver.” Genie wiggles his fingers. “When you’re ready.”
“What’s with the fingers?”
“I’m trying to tell you to stand up so I can open a portal to the ocean and deliver you down there.”
I blink. “I’m meeting him in the ocean?”
“That’s correct.”
“But I’m no longer the Lady of the Lake.”
“Also correct.”
“So, not to state the obvious, but how am I going to breathe underwater?”
He raises his finger, and his mouth falls open. “Hold, please.” He disappears.
“Seems like he’s forgetting key information,” Malachi murmurs.
Genie reappears. “Good news, I have permission to give you the power to breathe and move in the ocean as if you were the Lady.”
I jump to my feet. “Great.”
“But you’ll need to bring Excalibur.”
I side-eye Malachi. “You up for a little swimming?”
“Anywhere you go.”
“I didn’t say you could bring a knight,” Genie points out.
“He comes with the sword. No knight, no sword.”
Genie tilts his head like he’s working through the logistics. “I can swing that.”
“Excellent. Grab the judgy sword, Malachi, we are off on an adventure to convince an old dude with questionable tastes in the bedroom to give us his blood.”
Nash strides down the corridor with an armful of books. He sees me and smiles, making me remember everything he’s done to my body. Soon, I’m going to crawl into a bed and stay there for an annus so all the knights can have their wonderful, wicked way with me. Just have to start a revolution first.
“Where are you both going?” he asks.
“To see Poseidon,” Theo growls. I’m aware he’s holding on to his dragon by a thread, but if I didn’t do something every time one of them growled, I’d never move.
“At the bottom of the ocean,” Hart adds.
Nash freezes. “Breathing isn’t an issue?”
I point at Genie. “Apparently not.”
Nash sighs. “Make it quick. According to the map, it’s going to take two diurnals to get to the temple, and that’s without any bandits, villain interventions, or reorganization of realm rules.”
“Be quick. Got it,” I say while saluting him.
