Hearth’s Champion

  Child of Poseidon: Book One

  Author: D. R. Rosier

  Copyright 2022. This is a work of fiction. Names, Characters, Places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Afterword:

  About the Author

  Other erotic fantasies by D. R. Rosier:

  Non-erotic Fantasy titles:

  Book Description

  Chapter One

  The sand shifted below as the sword whistled through the air. Instead of trying to block with unsteady feet I just went with it and dropped into a roll. The sword whistled above me as I rolled back up to my feet. My opponent snickered, even as she pressed her advantage. The sword in my hand blurred in a staccato series of blocks and parries as I focused on firming up the sand under my feet with my magic.

  I hadn’t been paying attention I suppose, and the fight had moved off the smooth wet sand created by the waves and onto the deserted island’s dry beach. I was somewhere in the pacific, on a tiny little island. It was mostly sand, with a couple of trees and some scrub grass. The morning sun shone from the east and got into my eyes as she circled me.

  My relentless opponent slipped through my guard, and I hissed as the sword left a shallow cut across my chest and a surge of annoyance went through me as the blade reversed. I parried and tried to kick her in her gorgeous face. But of course, the nimble woman dodged it, and I got a cut on my arm for my trouble.

  Hali stepped back, “Enough.”

  I gasped in a breath. I was very good with martial arts and swordsmanship, more than good enough to hold my own now against my trainer, but the training had been intense that morning. Very intense, and it went on longer than usual which had obviously pushed my stamina past it’s limit. Strength slowly returned to my body, even as I focused my magic on healing my wounds.

  Hali was gorgeous. I’d met her five years ago now and she’d been my trainer in power, magic, and physical fighting disciplines since. She was five feet six inches, with wavy dark reddish-brown hair down to her ass and bright green eyes. She looked eighteen and perfect, but she was a lot older than that in truth, and not entirely human. She had a stunningly classical beauty around the face, strong cheekbones, full lips, long eyelashes, and a perfect nose. Her warm light golden-brown skin was flawless and unblemished.

  Her body was exquisite as well, though I was long since accustomed to it being in view. She had a perfectly proportioned if a slightly exaggerated hourglass body, with rounded D cups topped by deliciously pink nipples, over a flat stomach and a curvy tight waist. Her hips were rounded, and her ass juicily bubbled. Her breasts were firm and supple for that size, in the way that only a young nubile eighteen-year old’s body could be.

  Sure, I was used to her now, but she’d been a hell of a distraction for a sixteen-year-old boy, because she never wore clothes. She still was one, to be truthful. A distraction I mean, but I’d learned to focus my mind past my libido a long time ago. It’d been at least three years since she’d caught me looking below the neck. Directly, at any rate.

  She looked quite different in her other form, as an immortal monster and mermaid. It wasn’t like the human tales, bikini scales? The whole thing would’ve been ridiculous. Her whole body and face were covered in golden scales including of course the large fish tail. Her mouth also grew wicked fangs and her hands turned webbed and clawed. Still beautiful, but not in a way that would stir a man’s libido.

  Hali said, “That was sloppy. What if I’d been an enemy?”

  I grinned, “I’d have killed them with power.”

  The rule in physical training was not to use my power or magic. In order to develop all my abilities separately, but in a real fight I wouldn’t be holding back or taking chances.

  Let me introduce myself, so that statement will sound less crazy and nonsensical. My name is Evan Cross, and I’m a son of Poseidon. Yes, that Poseidon. The Greek god Poseidon, ruler of the oceans. Ironically perhaps, as his son, I had absolutely no control over water, sort of. What most people don’t know is that Poseidon is also the god of winds and storms. That was the part of his mantel I’d acquired, at least a small measure of it, as well as being quite a bit stronger and faster than a normal twenty-one-year-old man. Not to the extent of a son or daughter of Ares, but it was better than nothing.

  I said sort of on the water part, because I was also a magic sensitive. Not to the extent a child of Hecate enjoyed, but more along the lines of the lesser power of a witch. I was decent with water magic, and I had a knack with healing and body magic as well. Perhaps my nature as a demigod informed that ability. Lastly, I had receptive empathy, which could detect the emotions of others. I wasn’t sure how that fit in with storm and wind, but I didn’t question it.

  It just was.

  There were also a lot of monsters in the world, in addition to us demigods. Most if not all the monsters on land, created by other gods were mortal, and about as long lived as us demigods. They were also invariably extremely violent and used exclusively as shock troops. My father’s monsters however were… well, not soft and fluffy, they were quite violent, but they weren’t nearly as murderously bloodthirsty. They killed when they had to. Some were even immortal, in the sense they didn’t age at all though they could still be killed through violence.

  For example, those stories in Greek myth where the water nereids of the oceans, sea water spirits, might help a drowning sailor reach land. Not so much a myth but simple truth. They were capable of great destruction, but also kindness.

  I suspected the reason ocean monsters were different, less murderous and fractious, was because they were my father’s only company in the depths of the ocean and in his kingdom. There were no other humans here, half human or otherwise, and no demigods to keep them in line. I also suspected they were immortal for a similar reason, he probably got tired of breaking in new servants so had made them unageing.

  Also, they were spies and guards, for the ocean, and had to act independently of a keeper. No doubt dad hadn’t wanted them going around massacring shiploads of humans when he wasn’t paying attention.

  The old man wasn’t so bad. He’d taken me in five years ago after the shit show of my powers coming in back in the real world, and he got me trained up for my power, magic, and physical prowess. I hardly saw him, out of a handful of times the last five years, but I enjoyed the ocean and the deserted islands, humanity could go fuck itself for all I cared, I didn’t want to go back.

  Back to the point. So, who knows how old my teacher was? I suspected she was ancient, but she’d never shared her true age with me. She was an expert in just about every martial art and weapon out there. Mermaids were also witches in the real world. Not like the dotty movie where there was one sea hag and sweet and helpless mermaids, they all held power. She’d been my teacher there as well the last five years. Lastly, mermaids had a mesmerizing voice, especially in song, similar to sirens but they were more likely to use it to manipulate than kill. I was mostly immune to that voice, thanks to my power, outside of being a man with a libido that is. Just because her magic couldn’t touch me didn’t mean I was entirely immune to her seductively warm and lovely voice and the incomparable beauty of face and body.

  Needless to say, I’d had quite a crush on my teacher through my late teens, and in the beginning I could hardly put two words together with those perfect bountiful breasts constantly swaying in my face. She was still mesmerizing, but I’d grown accustomed to it over the years.

  I’d thought about conquering her and taking her as mine several times, but I had no doubt she’d kill me if I failed. Mermaids were like that, all monsters were in that regard, land or sea. She had a fire to her that drew me like a moth to a flame. It wasn’t just her model beautiful face and killer body that attracted. I’d developed a lot of affection for her over the years, and partially because and despite her tempestuous personality and teasing nature.

  Point being, no woman was worth risking death just for her beauty and the idea of getting my dick wet. It was her deeper qualities that tempted me.

  Obviously, she was under orders not to kill me and to train me from my father, I had no hold on her past that, nor did she follow my orders. I think she liked me, even wanted me to try and claim her, but women were a mystery and monster women even more so. Although, I worried that was just my not inconsiderably sized cock giving me bad advice.

  Neither was I a virgin, though I’d been one at sixteen when I’d left the human world behind. Those nereids I mentioned earlier were quite a bit more accommodating and playful, and they’d taught me a lot about pleasuring a woman. It was an empty pursuit I’d stopped about a year ago. I wanted more than just empty sex and that was one thing Nereids couldn’t provide, they were playful and wicked water spirits. To be fair to myself I’d bee
n a teen chock full of hormones and surrounded by naked tits and ass all day long. Plus, learning to be good in bed for when I did meet that partner wasn’t a bad thing either, at least in my mind it wasn’t.

  Hali huffed, which made her breasts sway for a moment, but I just enjoyed it in my peripheral vision. A skill I’d mastered a few years ago, and I kept my eyes’ focus on her piercing green ones and lusciously full lips.

  “And if they were shielded from your power?”

  I grinned, “Then you’d save me?”

  She snorted, but her lips twitched, “Granted, only a son or daughter of one of the other four are likely to match your power. But it is possible, that’s why you’re being trained in the physical arts.”

  I shook my head, “I know it’s not an excuse, but you pushed me harder today, everyone has limits.”

  She bit her lip, and there was something in her eyes I’d never seen before. If I didn’t know better, I’d say the gorgeous mermaid was worried about me.

  I mostly didn’t bother with empathy, but I let that power out for a little fresh air and she was worried about something. The problem is it could’ve been about anything, not necessarily for me. Empathy was very non-specific that way. As a powerful and old mermaid, she also had very good emotional control, which was why I couldn’t really say if she really wanted me to conquer her or not. It was hard to tell.

  She said, “Your father wants to see you. I’ve been instructed to take you to him after this morning’s training.”

  Okay, maybe she was nervous about that for some reason? It would explain why training had gone on almost twice as long. She’d been putting it off for some reason, in the only way she could without technically disobeying my father’s orders.

  I nodded, it was a bit embarrassing, being the son of the god of the oceans and not being able to get to him on my own. I could move pretty fast in the water, but nothing next to the mermaids and nereids, and other ocean monsters and spirits. Witchcraft was just weaker than power, about all I could do when going to the depths was make sure I could still breathe and prevent myself from being crushed by the vast water pressure.

  “What aren’t you telling me? You’ve never pushed so hard before.”

  Not in a long while, anyway. Why had she done so? The only answer my mind came up with was that was my last lesson, especially given the concern coming off of her. Would she really miss me?

  She ignored my question and walked toward the water while beckoning me. As soon as we got out a few feet, her legs melted into a tail, and her whole body and face was covered in shimmering golden scales. She still looked beautiful in a way, but it was alien, and she looked fierce and deadly.

  She held out her claw, and I got my magic going and reached out and grabbed it. She could ensure my breath as well, had the first time we met before I was trained, but it was up to me ever since I’d learned how to do it.

  Then I held on for dear life, as she took me away from the island and into the depths of the ocean at unbelievable speeds. It wasn’t just her powerful tail driving us, it was her power over water. If she hadn’t been shielding me from it, the momentum and water resistance would’ve ripped my extremities off and left most of me behind, but her magic acted as an expanded shield of sorts. Similar to how a windshield kept the wind out of your face while driving.

  Humans, sonar, and other detection equipment from the real world couldn’t see my father’s palace, and not even the naked eye until we got past the dome of wards that kept the place hidden. They were godly wards, not just witch wards, and they thrummed with power and would last as long as he lived. Which was forever, I was fairly sure.

  The place looked like a human city, skyscrapers and asphalt included. It was odd really, but he told me it was a way to keep up with the evolving world above and not get lost in the past. It used to be all Greek architecture in the past, when that had been the extent and pinnacle of human accomplishment. Once inside the wards I also didn’t need to use my magic, I could breathe just fine despite the fact I was underwater.

  Well, mostly like a human city. If it wasn’t for the vast sea monsters hanging out on the rooftops. No doubt all a part of dad’s major defenses if Zeus, Hades, or one of his sisters got all uppity. There were giant squids, massive giant merfolk as well as the regular human-sized ones, nereids, shark-men, and several other types.

  We headed toward the tallest building in the center of the city, which looked like a twisting spire. As we arrived, her tail melted away as we landed on the sidewalk, and her hand was suddenly soft and supple in mine, as she pulled me through the door. The inside of the building was air. Don’t ask me how, my father was equal in strength to the king of the gods. I kind of just chalked up all those oddities to that power.

  She looked a bit nervous, which was really unlike her, when we got into the elevator and headed for the top floor. Yup, the city had electricity, underwater, seemingly without a source to generate it. Like I said, I ask no questions. The twisting skyscraper was modern as hell, and quite luxurious. There was even elevator music.

  The doors opened, and I took in the place. It looked like a penthouse apartment of sorts, and my father was currently in the large hot tub that was the size of a pool if not in depth than in width and length. He was also surrounded by several buxom nereids of various looks and hair and eye colors. They were his main attendants and company, his servants.

  Nereids really were sweet and playful, although a bit bimbo in nature if I was going to be honest, which is why I passed on their company the last year or so. Even endless sex with a large variety of perfect tens got old, if it was empty, but the old man didn’t seem to mind that level of company. I supposed everyone was stupid in comparison to a god, maybe he just didn’t want to be bored by human level intelligence.

  Whatever, it wasn’t like I was judging him. We looked a lot alike. He had a couple of inches on me at six feet and three inches. We had similar lightly tanned sun kissed skin and an athletic musculature, mine being from the last five years of training mostly. He had the same light blonde hair and ocean blue eyes. His face would’ve been almost too handsome if it wasn’t so chiseled, as was mine.

  He nodded, “Son.”

  I said, “Hey, you wanted to see me, dad?”

  It felt weird calling him that. I’d only met him at sixteen, and had seen him about once a year since, but it was what it was.

  He said, “Hali tells me your training is complete. You’ll have to practice with your power and physical fighting to maintain top fighting form, and while your witchcraft can be expanded it isn’t a major consideration.”

  I nodded, and then I waited for him to get to the point. Patiently.

  He continued, “It’s time. I took you in and saw you trained after what happened to you, but you don’t belong in the ocean. You’re a half human and need to be with your kind, not surrounded by emptiness. I’d hoped you’d have brought it up yourself by now.”

  I frowned, “I like it here.”

  He replied, “But you can’t stay. It’s why I never asked you to be my champion. Zeus gets pissed when I put agents on the land. But my children are left alone without that added association. I’ve prepared you for our dangerous world, and I do love you son. But it’s time for you to find your place in it, and stop hiding among my servants, the endless sea, and deserted islands.”

  Right, I was fairly sure I’d just gotten a god’s version of the it’s time to man up, move out, and make it on your own speech. Well, fuck. It also brought up bad memories of that night, my home life was pretty messed up as a kid. My adoptive dad was a prick and wife beater, stress on the word was. I don’t like to think about it, so let’s just say the first use of my power when it came in was rather violent. One moment he was beating my mother like just another day, and the next he was mush against the wall.

  Even more fucked up, my mother was mad at me for saving her ass from that prick. So I’d taken off, and gone to the ocean. The beach was probably a stupid place to run away to, but I was just sixteen at the time and I’d always felt an affinity with the ocean. It was quite a surprise when my real father had walked up out of the depths and taken me in.