The Secret of the Emerald Sea Read Online Free PDF Page B

moodily. “Shall I send more emissaries?” He stuck his trident into the seabed, pulled it out, and stuck it in again. This was his form of pacing. “I am not sure what course to take,” he muttered to himself. Generally, decisiveness was not a problem for any god. They were all subject to acting out and rash actions that often hurt humans, but never to dillying and dallying over courses of action. Perhaps I should seek wise council , he thought, wondering which of his godly equals could provide him with the most assistance.
    Certain of his godly friends could be counted on to say, “I told you so” because he had been foolhardy and chosen to secretly love a human woman and dilute the royal bloodline with a half-bred daughter. But many other gods were in the same boat, always having to cope with their human families—and sometimes they had more than one.
    Jupiter, he knew, had dabbled with human women, but he was superior to Neptune, and that was always irritating. Like chatting to one’s boss, one had to be careful about what slipped out in the conversation. He crossed Jupiter off his list, even though he really did have the most experience in this area.
    Who else ? Neptune wondered. He ran through a mental checklist of the other gods he sat with at council, and then he had a brainwave. A woman might have more insight into the workings of his daughter’s mind than the gods he had considered!
    “A goddess—of course!” he whispered.
    “A woman likes...Venus, perhaps...or Diana.” He danced around the seabed until the sands swirled about his feet.
    “It’s perfect!” he murmured gleefully, feeling, once more, the familiar power and control that had always been his birthright, at least until he dabbled with the human species.
    I will talk to the mermaids about it and see what they think, but it’s a perfect idea , he thought happily . He sat down on his throne and smiled regally, reveling in his own brilliance. He enjoyed the once-familiar feeling of self-adoration, a sensation he had experienced precious little of lately.
    Twirling his staff jauntily, he tried to decide which goddess should become his special confidante.
    Venus had her...attributes. That could not be argued, but Neptune was generally so dazed by her omnipresent charm and beauty that he found it difficult to focus on anything she said.
    She smelled good, she sounded good, she looked good. These were the only impressions he ever had about the Goddess of Love, and he was startled to realize he had no memory of any prior conversations they had shared. It seemed impossible, since they had met so many times, but alas, it was true. Venus was simply too devastatingly beautiful to consult regarding this matter.
    Neptune sighed. She would have been his first choice, without a doubt, if he thought he could keep his wits about him. In fact, the idea of going up to the council—held within the Sunlit Cloud—to see her was tremendously appealing. Perhaps if he concentrated as hard as he could, or even took notes, instead of gazing in wonder at the graceful folds of her toga and the soft tendrils of her hair, and the lips that curved so...sensually. Neptune grunted in frustration. Clearly he should cross Venus off his list if he wished to make any progress whatsoever.
    I must decide now , he thought worriedly. There would be less chance of any real assistance the longer he waited. The girl could move further and further away.
    “Diana,” he muttered. “I don’t know about her.” He had to confess, the Huntress made him uneasy. She was so comfortable with her bow and arrow, and always ready for battles. It was a bit unsettling. But perhaps her warrior spirit was something his wayward daughter shared.
    “What other goddesses?” he mused aloud. “Perhaps...Minerva?”
    Minerva was worth a thought or two. The Goddess of Wisdom sounded about right. Her grave and solemn expression was somewhat intimidating, but her serious manner echoed the gravity of