by Starla Night
And absolutely right. The idea was terrifying. To Aya, right now.
Aya pinched the bridge of her nose. “I just wish we had a more concrete plan. With executables. And action points.”
“Well.” Lucy swung her ring around and chomped on the next fava bean. “That’s something for you to…” Her eyes widened. She turned white and dropped her food. It drifted for the gardens below.
Torun jolted. “Lucy!”
She blinked rapidly and rubbed her belly. “Oh. Ha ha, another Braxton-Hicks.”
He touched her belly. “Are you sure?”
“I’m fine. Sorry for startling you. I’m not having these babies before we renew our vows. I dropped my dinner.”
Faier kicked down, snagged the beans, and flew it back up to her.
“Thanks.”
Torun settled behind her. “I will massage your back. Like we practiced in the classes.”
“Torun, really. I’m … oh. Ohhh, yes, left shoulder. Oh, ahh, mmm.” Lucy’s protests melted into pleasurable moans.
The surprise of a possible sudden birth was the breaking point. Everyone started talking amongst themselves.
Strategy. Plans. Protection.
No one talked about leaving. No one screamed about how they weren’t going to survive.
How could they have such faith it was all going to work out?
The bag reached Elyssa. King Kadir pulled out his Sea Opal — a large white pearl-shaped stone with a silvery sheen — and handed the bag on. He presented his jewel to Elyssa.
She softened and gazed up at him. “I do. Again. And forever.”
“My queen.” He cupped chin and they kissed.
They both seemed so strong. Powerful because they had each other.
Was that the secret of Elyssa’s power?
Look at how Torun devoted himself to Lucy. He should be king of Sireno. Instead, he was an exile. He had broken all the rules to be with Lucy, and Sireno was still ruled by tradition — although the new king they had left behind was sympathetic enough that Aya thought he would agitate for change one small step at a time.
Now, look at how in sync Lucy was with Torun. She, like Elyssa, had humbleness and warmth that led her to form good relationships. A chip of Torun’s Sea Opal gleamed with a gold sheen in a ring hanging from a silver chain around Lucy’s neck.
Aya wanted that faith.
Fierce protectiveness burned in her chest. She would never let someone like Blake back in. She had failed to protect the Life Tree in the trench, but now she would stand with it and never let go. She swore it.
The problem was how to make her wish a reality.
Soren and Elyssa swore the power was in her. Like her fins, she just had to find the right angle and then her mind would unlock this supernatural protective force. How could she do it?
Was the answer right in front of her all along?
The bag reached Soren. He reached in, pulled out the last Sea Opal, and held it up. A huge sphere filled his hand, so dark it almost seemed black. Like his tattoos.
His jaw clenched. His nostrils flared. He fixed his intent gaze on her.
Was accepting his proposal how she captured her power?
If she accepted and then he rejected her, she would die.
He held out the gemstone to Aya. Resigned to her refusal. Determined to ask again anyway. “Accept my mating jewel and become my bride.”
She placed her hand on top of the stone. It was warm and smooth and exquisite, just like him. Believe.
“Okay.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
He asked Aya to be his bride and she said okay.
“Okay?” Soren repeated stupidly.
She met his gaze with clear, blue eyes. “Okay.”
“Right now?”
She nodded. “Right now.”
Her hand was on his mating jewel, the one he had smuggled from Dragao Azul when he left. The jewel for bestowing upon his beloved. She touched it. Her thumb brushed his. She resonated with power.
She would marry him and join with him. Right now.
The bride he loved, respected, and craved agreed to become his. She had refused for so long. How could she easily agree? She believed he was a good male. She believed he was honorable. She’d heard the worst about him. Now he had her agreement, the acceptance he had always wanted, how could he hesitate?
He hesitated.
She waited.
“Then…”
“Warriors of Atlantis.” Kadir got everyone’s attention. “Queen Lucy and Torun are going to renew their vows in the Life Tree sanctuary.”
Relief coursed through Soren.
“Although it is usual to conduct these ceremonies with everyone present, now it is impossible. Those who are due on patrols, exchange positions with the existing patrols. Balim will lead the next excavation work group to the ruins. Those of us who can will attend the renewal ceremony.”
Aya held the mating jewel in her palm while Soren fled. He assisted everyone put away the festival foods.
Queen Elyssa stopped in front of Aya. “Are you coming?”
“Yes.” Aya frowned. “Ah…if Soren wants…”
Soren returned and pulled Aya to him. “We will watch.”
The other warriors moved toward the tunnel, Queen Elyssa and Kadir in the lead, Queen Lucy and Torun next.
Soren kicked hard for the tunnel.
Aya’s soul light dimmed.
It knifed into his chest. He tightened on her. “What is wrong?”
Her voice was faint. “You don’t want to marry me.”
Ah.
She sensed it.
“I do,” he insisted.
“Then why are you relieved by the delay?”
“I am not.”
He couldn’t believe Aya wanted to unite with him. She knew he was dark, deadly, and dangerous. Loving him would damage her. Joining with him…
They burst free of the tunnel and entered the main city. The Life Tree shone holy radiance on them. The males who’d claimed their brides were fierce and strong, and their brides glowed as brightly as the holy tree.
Aya was noticeably dimmed. “The timing is bad.”
It was bad. “We will marry after Queen Lucy and Torun.”
“Oh. Really?”
His heart thumped. Fear. “Yes. Of course.”
“Okay…” She twitched and spoke all in a rush. “I push people away. It’s notable, right? I have a cold aura. If you say you want me and then I believe you and you change your mind, I’ll… I don’t know. Die inside.”
His hesitation hurt her. It hurt both of them.
He kicked free of the line, darting away from the Life Tree.
She looked up in surprise. “Where are you going?”
“I do want to marry you. I will prove it.”
He flew into her castle. He would prove it to her and to himself. He would join with her as a husband to wife, binding her. Then, she would believe.
Maybe, he also would believe.
Before he could reach their castle, another warrior stopped him.
“First Lieutenant Soren.” Lotar, who had been on his hunt, kicked hard to meet them. His cheeks were hollow with hunger and his eyes were black with exhaustion. But he did not waver. Ensnared in a net was another warrior. “I have captured Elan.”
Aya stiffened.
Soren pulled up. “Good work. Bring him to Kadir’s castle.”
Lotar nodded and flew beyond them to the main castle. Soren signaled for Kadir and several other warriors to stop whatever they had been doing to join them.
Everything hinged on what Elan revealed. Their entire defensive strategy for fighting the megalodons of Dragao Azul and surviving.
Soren turned to drop Aya at the vow renewal ceremony.
She clung on. “Wait. I want to speak with Elan.”
“He frightens you.”
“You’ll be there.” She tightened her grip. “I have questions only he can answer.”
Despite
his misgivings, he wheeled and flew with his bride back into Kadir’s castle. He left Aya at a safe distance, collected his trident, and joined Kadir close to the dishonorable General.
Lotar undid the bolas silencing his prisoner while the other warriors ranged around in an intimidating circle.
Elan flexed his still-bound wrists and ankles and glared at the warriors. “Have you come to beg for mercy? Or are you prepared to die like the honorless, scavenging, suckerfish you are?”
Soren growled.
Kadir placed a hand on Soren’s bicep. “Fighting with megalodons is a violation of the Seven Cities Treaty.”
“Atlantis is anathema. There is no violation.”
“We could receive All-Council recognition any time.”
“Never! You will be wiped from the ocean floor.” Elan’s lips curled. His hatred for Soren burned so hot it felt like they were the only two in the castle. “Everything you love will be severed in the megalodon’s teeth and an army will sift through the splinters to crush any seeds.”
“Just like your honor as a warrior,” Soren snarled.
Elan flung back. “So says the Demon of Dragao Azul. You will die by my hands today.”
His blood boiled. Soren clenched his trident to near trembling. “I will make you beg.”
Elan lifted his chin. “End me then. Show your true self. Faithless betrayer of cities. Exile of exiles!”
The warriors twitched. Soren fought his instincts to wipe the arrogance from the male with his blood.
Aya cleared her throat. “Can I ask a question?”
Soren caught Kadir’s eye. Kadir nodded. The warriors shifted back to give her a direct line of sight to Elan.
He glared at his hobbled fins. “Why should I talk to a monster?”
Soren moved between them in warning.
“You don’t have to.” Aya’s voice was light. Unconcerned. “But you might be interested to tell everyone else the answer. Exactly how many megalodons are you raising?”
He huffed a mirthless laugh. “Three.”
Soren’s heart sank.
Around him the other warriors floated uneasily. One megalodon was disastrous. Two was, as Aya stated, overkill. Three was apocalyptic.
“I see.” Aya didn’t seem affected either way. “And how many cities would you say are involved in raising these megalodons?”
“All!” Elan’s teeth flashed, a furious smile directed at Kadir. “Yes, all of the cities are gathered to witness — no, to ensure—your destruction. You think we are disorganized raiders? A vast army is gathering. I am a scout! You have made a mistake in taking me. The army will close around this city like a net. You have only hastened your own destruction.”
Lotar narrowed his eyes. If true, and an army really was gathered to move on command, he had made a serious mistake in observation.
They all had.
“Lies,” Soren snarled. “You say that to make us release you. But the only release you will receive is death.”
Elan threw back his shoulders, baring his chest. “Release me.”
Lotar jiggled Elan’s bindings, a visible sign of his suppressed anger. Elan dropped his shoulders for balance. His lips curved in a true bitter smile.
Kadir muttered to Soren. “The cities would not dare send an army. How could they hide it from the All-Council?”
Yes. The All-Council, after expressing disgruntlement that Soren had broken into the prison to release Kadir, had gone so far as to send a representative to advise them on how to become a recognized city. Although their representative had soured on Kadir’s insistence to give Queen Elyssa freedom and power to rule within the city as an equal, and had finally betrayed them, the All-Council itself was still a neutral party.
Curse that they were not already recognized. Then, these enemies truly would be breaking the Seven Cities Treaty. Atlantis would be able to appeal to the All-Council and receive reinforcements and supplies while the violators received terrible punishments.
That was how the neutral All-Council ensured peace.
Aya cleared her throat. “Another question, if you don’t mind. Exactly how long has the All-Council been organizing this attack?”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
What?
Kadir and the other warriors swung to face Aya. Did she dare imply that the All-Council was behind this unlawful, treaty-ending attack? One adviser might be corrupted. But the whole council?
No. Impossible.
Elan snorted. “I wouldn’t know.”
They all relaxed. No, of course the All-Council would not raise the monsters they had been created to defeat.
But Aya wouldn’t let it go. “When did their representatives reach Dragao Azul and issue an ultimatum?”
Elan stared at her hard.
She looked straight back with a bored expression, like he was wasting her time.
“You assume much, bride monster.”
Soren snarled.
Aya raised one palm. “Seriously? You have an army composed of warriors from every city plus three megalodons. Please.” She snorted at Elan. “I’m not an idiot.”
He looked away and shifted his fins back to human feet. They were stubby, useless underwater, but it was something he could do even while bound. He scratched his big toe. “Half a year ago.”
Part of Soren’s soul leaked out.
The other warriors turned deathly still.
It was like finding out the assassins you had been fighting off were sent by your own beloved, respected father. In a way, they had. That was this death sentence.
“I assume they made a compelling case,” Aya said.
Elan’s shoulder shrugged. “It is the fault of Kadir. And Soren.”
“How?” Kadir’s chest vibrated weakly. “I was not even there.”
Half a year ago, Kadir had been recovering from his imprisonment, dangerously close to death.
“They threatened Dragao Azul with annihilation. It was our fault you arose from our city, Kadir, and Soren also. Another city already controlled one megalodon.” Elan stared at his feet bleakly. “If we did not take care of our problem, perhaps Dragao Azul would be next.”
Kadir had pursued All-Council approval out of respect. Respect for the union that safeguarded their treaties and respect for the other cities. But now it seemed that the All-Council males feared the freedom and democratizing values of Atlantis so deeply they traded their founding principles for evil.
Aya tapped her lips. Her brows wrinkled. Her light shone steadily, calm despite the impending catastrophe of betrayal layered upon betrayal. “The army that’s coming. Those warriors. Are they all like you?”
“Like me?”
“Happy to be here?”
His brows lifted. Shock and then hysteria filled his tone with laughter. “Yes, they’re all like me! Happy to be here. Just like me.”
She tsked. “Do you really hate Soren that much for accidentally insulting your wife?”
All mirth dropped from his face. He growled. “You insulted my wife?”
Soren tensed. Elan hadn’t been in any position to speak with Soren after the mission. Dosan and Uvim would have pretended it never happened. Of course Elan did not know about Soren’s disrespect.
Aya held up her hand to forestall the inevitable bloodshed. “Let’s focus. Reasonably speaking, there’s under forty people inside the city. How many warriors would you say are outside the city?”
“Ten times that number.”
She tapped her lip. “Would you consider helping us?”
His eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Because your culture values children. And there are pregnant women here. Including one who is about to give birth.”
“What?”
“We have young fry,” Kadir said, taking back over the conversation, sympathetic but also firm. “You are a father. Can you not assist us?”
Then, as though becoming aware of another thing he had thought he had already lost, his shoulders dropped. His chin landed on
his chest. “No.”
Kadir gritted his teeth. “Lead your army away.”
“In a short time, this will not matter,” he said dully. “None of this will matter. You will be dead. I will be dead. This city will be leveled. The All-Council will rule with an iron fist. Modern brides will be squeezed from the ocean. The idea of Atlantis will end for another thousand years.”
“The mer race will be gone in a hundred.” Kadir gestured behind them, in the direction of the Life Tree and Aya. “These queens are our only hope to survive.”
“Then there is no hope.”
Eerie hissing slithered into the city, tonguing the castles and shuddering in Soren’s bones. The others heard it too. They shuddered.
“See?” Elan straightened. Horrified laughter twisted his face. “It begins! You thought the noise of the ruin was keeping them back? No! We awaited the army. And now they gather to cut off your escape. You are all going to—”
Lotar slammed the base of his trident into Elan’s gut.
Elan crumpled over it.
The other warriors stared at Lotar in shock. He was normally so quiet.
He removed his trident. Elan fell over, hugging his knees and groaning.
Lotar addressed Kadir and Soren. “Will you evacuate the queens?”
Kadir’s jaw tightened. “I will try.”
Lotar nodded. The warriors would stay with Kadir until the end. It was understood. And they respected Queen Elyssa’s desire to remain also. But their preference, like Soren’s, would be for the queens to get to safety beyond the city.
Soren turned to Aya, entwining her and kicking for the tunnel.
She whitened with fear. “Where are we going?”
“You are going to raise the final stage of the city.”
“Elan said the noise didn’t frighten the megalodons.”
“He could be lying.” And it was an excuse to get Aya out of the city. Soren would take it.
They burst from the tunnel into the city. The hissing grew loud like an itch under his skin and a new current pushed them even though the megalodons could not yet be seen. The castles and the Life Tree leaned in the direction of the distant trench.
But worse was the discovery that Elan had spoken the truth. On the horizon, an army of warriors formed a ring around the city. In a short time, they would tighten and separate the new city from the ruin.
