Chapter 64: Bananas

Uriel

I pouted as Luci led me out of the tent. He cleaned me up like I was some little child and put on the white dress that hugged my body like a second skin. In the back, a big white bow sat on the curve of my lower back causing an ellicit groan from Luci.

“Stop pouting or I’ll give you something to pout about,” he slapped my bum and grabbed my hand, now leading me out to the sands of Dragon Isle. The light sources hung over the horizon and the pretty mason jar lights hung around the gigantic structure that held a bamboo dance floor. Everyone’s feet were bare, the slapping of their feet, and the twirling of all the pretty dresses led me into an enchantment that was straight out of a fairy tale.

“Uriel!” Silas waved to me. He was sitting on the pier that led right to the dance floor on the sand. His tentacles dipped into the ocean as he sat with his body leaning on his muscular arm. I waved frantically, seeing one of my new friends. Pulling Luci’s hand, he stopped to see where I wanted to go.

“Can I go say hello?” I tugged Luci’s hand again, but his mom called him too. Luci squinted his eyes, a glare headed towards Silas’ way. An arm went over Silas’ his chest in some sort of silent agreement while Luci let me go.

“Stay with him,” Luci muttered in my ear. “Or I’ll punish you out in the open.” I snickered. His lips touched my forehead and let me go running down the pier.

“You’re here!” I ran to give him a hug. His tentacles popped on my skin as I sat next to him. My feet entered the warm water, watching the fish swirl around us both. “Did Poseidon bring you?” Silas’ fangs poked out through his smile. “He did.”

“And when do you get to hunt for your mate?” I clapped my hands excitedly, watching the twinkle in his eye. His skin was dry from his torso up, but the tentacles continued to pull water from the ocean to wet them. He didn’t have the stinky-fishy smell that I would think he would have.

“Soon,” he muttered, looking at the last light source. “Master wants to try and give me legs.” I gasped, putting my hands to my chest. “Can that happen?” Silas chuckled, pushing the curl out of my face.

“Of course, he can, he is the Master of his creations. However, I think I will only be able to have legs for so long before I revert to my original form. I won’t be able to stray far from the ocean.” I tilted my head, seeing sorrow in his eyes.

“That means your mate will have to travel to the ocean to see or find you.” He hummed in agreement.

“If she is your soulmate, then she will find you,” I chirped back. “Fates have a hand in everything and if you want something bad enough,” I paused, pursing my lips. “Fates will change the course for you to have it.” Out of all people I should know this, I wanted nothing more than to live when I saw my mate bolted to the floor. I wanted to save him, save my family and every innocent that didn’t deserve it. I wanted to live, and I fought for it.

“I hope you are right,” he muttered. I nudged him playfully. He was as solemn as Poseidon could be. Repetitive clicking came down the dock. It wasn’t of normal footsteps until I saw Galen, the enormous half spider trill beside me. “Is Silas being grumpy?” Galen clicked his pinchers together near his face, lowering his body to see the both of us. His legs so long they went behind my back.

“He just wants a mate too, now that he knows he can have one.” I rubbed his back. Galen tilted his head, his eyes squinting accusingly at Galen. “The one called Parisa will make it so. You should not worry so much.” The constant trill from Galen comforting his new friend was nice, but he still gave me the heebie jeebies. Maybe he would be mated to an arachnologist so they could be creepy together.

“Uriel!” Athena waved for me to come down to the dock. Silas slid back into the water, his head and shoulders still hovering the surface. “It will happen,” I told Silas again. Silas’ tentacles stuck to my leg.

“Thank you Goddess,” he smiled one more time before he sunk into the ocean. Galen helped me up. The little hairs on his legs brushed my shoulders and I shivered. “Sorry I repulse you,” Galen hung his head. These monsters Poseidon created were so sweet. I surely hoped their mates would think the same.

“I don’t find you repulsive Galen.” I pulled his head closer to me, trying not to wince. “You just remind me of the smaller ones that don’t have a big heart like you do.” Galen’s stiff smile had him chittering until Athena called me again.

“Don’t forget to come dance,” I chided. Galen twilled his voice. “Most cannot dance with two feet, let alone six. I shall watch from the tropical canopy.” Smiling, I ran down the dock where Athena greeted me. She wore Bermuda shorts and a tight fitting tank top with a tropical drink in her hand.

“Here, you must try this.” Handing it to me, the yellow substance with a pineapple slice on the side and a pretty purple umbrella had me giggling in excitement. “What is this!?” I squealed, taking a large sip.

Mmm

I rolled my eyes in the back of my head at the taste. “A Pina Colada,” Athena grinned. I sucked half the thing down in under ten seconds. “It makes my tummy all warm,” I paused, only to drink the rest down.

“Want another?” Athena laughed, and I nodded my head frantically. “Here,” she waved her hand, and it filled right back to the brim.

Athena led me back to the crowd. Tons of Parisa’s family were dancing and mingling with the gods. My parents sat talking to Vulcan in the corner of the room, playing with the new babies. I sucked down the rest of my pina colada only for it to fill back up. This was the best juice cup ever, and I would never let it go.

“What are you doing?” Warmth tingled from behind my back. Turning too quickly, I fell into Luci’s arms, who raised a brow. “I told you to stay with Silas until I came back.” My eyes widened and sucked more of my drink.

“Athena came and got me.” I innocently replied, playing with the umbrella. Athena winked at Luci before she giggled and walked away. “Have you tried this, it’s freaking amazeballs!” Sucking some more, Luci took it from me. “Noooo, it’s mine!” I tried jumping, but Luci took a sip.

“Uriel, do you know what this is?” I groaned. Leaning my head back, watching him take another sip.

“Pina Coladaaaaa, duhhhh.” I rolled my eyes, which earned me a hard smack on my bum. “Owie,” I poked his chest. “Gimmie, Athena gave it to me. It is the coolest gift ever!” Taking it back, I finished the glass again, trying to run away from Luci.

It was easy, I was small and light. I went under some dancers legs, they would squeal in surprise. They all laughed as they saw my butt wiggle going to the middle of the dance floor. Luci continued to call my name. His worried voice had me laughing so hard, some of my drink spilled.

Realizing I was making a mess, I stood up and pranced to the other side of the crowd, seeing Ares grinding on Mariah. His hands were on her butt and his hips ground hard into the front of her body to the beat of the music. Lights strobed around us until I stopped in front of them both.

Just staring at them.

I wish I could dance like that.

Sucking on my straw, they both stopped dancing, staring down at my short stature.

“What do you need, little goddess?” Ares smirked as my straw tried to suck up the last bit of my drink. The loud noise echoed when the music paused between songs. Slow music played and Mariah’s warmth in her eyes had me smiling.

Luci grabbed my arm with his enormous hands and pulled me to his side, about to scold me. Before he got a word out, I blurted: “so, when is the baby coming?” I slurred. Ares and Mariah’s faces fell, looking at each other.

“It takes time sweetheart,” Mariah brushed a hair away from my face. Ares looked to his mate, his forehead touching hers. “It has to be soon, though, right? Because that light coming from your stomach is a lot brighter now.” My hand went to touch her stomach, feeling the warmth it protruded also let me feel it’s tiny heartbeat.

“Thump, thump, thump,” I muttered, swaying.

“What do you mean, little goddess?” Ares pulled away, his hand touching Mariah’s stomach. “There’s a cute wittle baby in theressss,” I cooed, putting my ear up to her stomach. “I saw it before I sucked all the icky out of Kronos. That’s when I knew I had to save all of you. That innocent little baby gave me courage.” Luci pulled me away.

“Bunny, you’re drunk,” he whispered. “I’m sorry, Ares.” Luci’ look of disappointment in me had my stomach churning. “No!” I ripped my arm away.

“There’s a baby! In her tummy!” I pulled Ares down to my level, forcing his ear to her stomach. He sighed, gripping ahold of Mariah’s hips. I swear I saw a tear. If it was one of happiness or sadness, I wasn’t sure, but Ares’ eyes sure did light up.

He heard it.

“No way.” He whispered. Mariah tried to pull Ares up by his shoulders, but he lifted her, his ear still plastered to his stomach. “Baby, you’re pregnant!” He yelled.

“That’s what I’ve been saying!” I yelled over the music. The crowd stopped, looking over at the God of War holding his mate up in the air. His face turned, kissing her stomach. “We’re pregnant!” Ares yelled again, twirling Mariah around the dance floor.

She was crying. I felt bad. She was crying; I thought she wanted to be pregnant.

The crowd roared with applause, many laughing and taking drinks. “I’ll drink to dat!” I held up my drink only for Luci to take it away. “You have caused enough trouble,” he whispered in my ear, pulling me away.

“But Sir, I’m not done,” I giggled again, trying to give him the best fluttery lashes. He liked that the most, the whole innocent look. Even though I was beyond innocent in the mating department, I’d like to think I had that power over him.

“Uriel, what’s going on?” Mom’s glide through the dance floor was elegant and full of purpose. Dad with his wings so large the crowd had to part for the both of them. “Is it true that Mariah is pregnant?” I nodded frantically, waving my hands around.

“Yeah!” I wobbled and fell right into Luci’s arms. “And I bet you aren’t far off yourself!” I did an over-exaggerated wink. Mom’s eyes of horror only made me giggle some more. “Hey Luci,” I clung to his white dress shirt. Holding me up by my elbows, he eyed me warily.

“Is your dad the muffin man?” I snorted, trying to keep the joke to myself until the right moment. “Uh, no?”

“Are you sure? Because you sure give me the banana cream filling!”

Mom’s eyes rolled back in her head. Her beautiful wheat colored hair now turning stark white. I’m sure it was in laughter until dad caught her and she fell asleep.

“Wow, she must be tired,” I mused, tilting my head.

Dad stood there with his mouth hanging open, but all I did was cackle in laughter. Even Luci started snickering, pulling me away from my parents.

Somewhere between the scuffle, my cup fell to the floor. I whined to go back, but Luci continued to carry me away. “No more,” he laughed, throwing me over his shoulder. “Let’s get some food in you, fates, you are going to get me in such trouble with your mom.”