Wrapped in her arms Howaru felt secure. He had never been in this position before, holding onto something larger, more vigorous and powerful than he. Their lovemaking had been slow and deliberate and in the aftermath, had left him drained and on the verge of sleep.

  “Howaru,” she whispered.

  “Yes.”

  “I must return home.”

  “Don’t go yet. Just a few more moments.”

  “I am a god and have an ocean of concerns to decide upon.”

  “But what about me and my concern?”

  Na-Mala-o-Kala’i sat up. “Listen to me now Howaru.” Sand fell away from her back and thighs. Her tattoos pulsated, dancing in a warm blue light. Unable to maintain a distance between them, he ran his fingers over the nearest leg, tracing patterns, already helpless against her tow. She laughed and again urged him to listen. “You are like a distracted child.”

  “I just want to play with you o goddess.”

  “But these words aren’t about play.” Her smile left as she said, “for the world you know is changing very quickly and you along with it.”

  “I don’t intend to go back to the world,” said Howaru. “I want to stay here forever, and you can come and visit every night.”

  “But I won’t. I gifted myself to right my daughter’s wrong. But you need to go back to Kafiki Island otherwise you will never escape harassment by her and those like her, once your name is called from the dark again.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Howaru could no longer sense her tow. “So you stopped Arahuta from killing me?”

  “Yes. I pulled her and Loha into my waves and squirted you back out on the beach. But I can’t be there every time. Takaroa has no reason to extend such kindness to a rival. That is why you should go back to Kafiki where you are not so alone, and where other gods dwell. Those who favour you.”

  “I am favoured?” Whatever power she had over him felt diminished.

  “Of course. And desired.”

  Howaru laughed. “I am looked upon by the gods with desire?”

  “We cannot avert our eyes. You are on a path we cannot ignore.”

  His smile turned as he checked the night sky. Even the stars seemed to be hanging lower in the sky, pressed upon them as if to get a better view. Matariki, the five stars making up Hokulei, the twins of Na Mahoe, the flower star, the sacred and alone star, and all the rest of his celestial sphere, drew tightly around them.

  “Humans can never be left alone?” He had managed to position himself an arms length away, despite the lingering warmth below his waist.

  “Humans can never forget their past.” Na-Mala-o-Kala’i searched for his eyes but he held them upwards. “Your ancestry is in the stars Howaru. Demigods are born from seed of man, like you. Even now, you may have pierced me deep inside, enough to leave your mark.”

  “I could do that? Someone born without mana?”

  She leaned in and opened her arms, “You have mana. It is deep within, hidden.”

  Howaru leaned into her warmth, wrapping his arms around her like she was his mother. “Then why can’t I access it and do magic like a real Tohunga?”

  “But why do you want to be a Tohunga when you are already the greatest warrior alive?”

  “Is that all I can be then?”

  “Does Feke question why he has eight arms? No, because he’s too busy enjoying them. You should be the same. Enjoy your power.”

  He moved a hand down her body, stopping where he had last left his mark. She was wet again already and he used his hands to fully explore her. “I wish I had six more.”

  She moaned and said he was doing fine with two and they lay back down to continue their lovemaking.