The Claim

Inside a tree.

"Won't your lover be pissed that you left the palace, her presence?!"

Ayla teased, her keen eyes weighing the weight of Vulcan's readiness. Herself and Tahni were seated under the large oak tree in the heart of the lawn, and Vulcan was opposite the both of them. They were all seated on the green pasture, which seemed like a rug spread by some skilled hands.

"I see no reason why she should. If twasn't for her permission, I wouldn't be here. She's the reason I'm here."

Vulcan let the epistle off. Ayla shook her head and looked away. One could say that that was an expression of jealousy, as her beautiful face contoured and the curve of her cheeks tucked in.

"So why are you here, father? That name doesn't really sound the same way."

Tahni came on, having observed Ayla's reaction. Vulcan saw her did that and replied,

"You seem rather interested in a Nymph you recently know than in your father who gave birth to you. And it also seems like you didn't really miss me like I do you."

Tahni scoffed, her hands on her both knees which were erected, supporting her chin.

"Talking about that isn't really a good idea, father. Believe me. If you say to a stranger that you're my father wouldn't you be called a pervert or retard or something like that? And by the way, Ayla has always been on a look out for me. She always had my back when you were there having the back of you lovely Athena."

There was scorn permeating her tone at the call of Athena. Vulcan's jaw stiffened and his eyes widened,

"Would you had called yourself my daughter if I were a tyrant and doesn't really care for the people I'm now leading? If I leave the throne and come hide in the woods, hanging around with you? Or do you now have the same orientation as your Prium who doesn't see anyone else or care for anyone else but herself?"

Tahni nodded her head and scoffed, this time pushing up a side of her lips in scorn,

"Do you call yourself a king in power or just some puppet tossed about by your so called lover?"

"Tahni."

Vulcan tried to caution but she wasn't ready to bite off it.

"And do not bring my sister into it because it's somehow hard to differentiate between the both of you. I now kinda regret leaving mother all alone."

"Enough!"

Ayla intervened. Her eyes now fiery from the result of her own rage. The both of them trembled at the sight of that. Ayla stood up,

"If the both of you aren't mature enough, could just return to your land and let me be? What does your presence even change?"

She paused and came on again,

"And you Vulcan, I thought you were mature, but I had no idea that my mistress' kiss of transformation had not only made you look younger but also alter you childish."

She left them standing there and hurried towards the castle. And suddenly, both father and daughter sprung to their feet and chorused,

"Who are you to say that?"

They glared at each other at the coincidence then at once headed towards the castle meaning to catch up with the Nymph.

They got to the door and entered through into the well-furnished sitting room.

"Woah!"

Vulcan exclaimed at the sight of the magnificent inn. His jaw dropped and his eyes almost popped out of his socket.

"You con artists!"

He mumbled walking forward, as his eyes left the chair clothed in gold to the wall stuffed with onyx and bdellium, at intervals, and the floor of diamond, glittering.

"As if you're any better?!"

Ayla snapped at him as he walked forward and expired into one of the chairs. What he sat on was soft as cottonelle. He hated to think that what the chair was made of wasn't from that world or era. Like the future came to them.

"Tell me why you said so!"

He shot, gawping at Ayla who was standing behind the one-seater chair opposite him.

"Isn't it Obvious? You're just a mere mortal who found an uncommon favor of the gods. Starting from when you were taken into your fantasy by Poseidon and exploited, to when my mistress who was sent to save you from the cunny Poseidon fell for you and would stop at nothing to save you. And here we are today. Even I who has been serving her for several millennials haven't gained such favor. Who even are you!"

She screamed and a stroke of red laser shot from her eyes past his ear. He almost passed out.

"Are you mad?"

He bent in a dodge as though he earned it owed to his swiftness not knowing that the laser took the direction its owner wanted it.

Ayla walked off the position towards Vulcan and halted at his front. She walked even closer to him and sat on his laps. The chair with arms magically lost its arms that she might seat properly. Vulcan swallowed a lump.

"But those days are gone now. Those days of being a puppet. Now go back to your queen, Athena, and tell her that I'm tired of denying my emotions. Go tell her that I've always forsaken all my desires just because of her but now, I'm not ready to let you go. I shall have you at all cost or perish at the attempt."

Vulcan tried to find his words,

"She sent me here to tell you that you can have a one-time sex with me or even share me with you because you've been loyal as long as my heart belongs to her."

Ayla let out an awkward laugh and leaned forward on his laps, her face close enough to feel the carbon dioxide escaping his nostrils, on her face.

"Go tell her that I shall make you mine and not share you with neither her nor even Zeus. And stop telling lies to yourself. You know you want me, you know you love me but can't fight for it. Isn't it?"

She kissed him quickly but with demands, one of her palms firm on his cheek. She let go after dragging a long kiss and stood up from him.

"See your father out."

She called at Tahni who had just been a spectator, then walked off towards her chamber.