by 33 authors
“You’re right. I couldn’t tell you I loved you, even if I did.” She replied, hiding her emotions behind a wall of stone. “Once all this is over, I will return to Poseidon.”
Her heart broke as twin tears spilled from Atreyu’s eyes, tears she was grateful to not be able to shed. They both knew the truth of her words; had known for centuries before, when their affair began. Neither cared then, although, she’d been wary. Had she known just how much they’d come to love one another, she’d have forced herself to stay far away from him.
Yet, here he was, confessing what she’d known for millennia. He loved her and she loved him.
They could never be, though. She was the Alma Xemelga, soul mate to the god Poseidon, and Atreyu’s mate was still out there, somewhere. She kept reminding herself that once Atreyu found his Alma Xemelga, his soul’s other half, he’d forget all about her anyway.
Once one found their mate, the other half of their soul, they were complete and had no need for anyone else. At least, that’s what the stories said. Cleito knew it to be a lie. At least, she thought it was. Perhaps if Poseidon hadn’t been banished from her, she’d have never felt the heart-wrenching loneliness that led her to Atreyu’s arms in the first place.
If he was right about the reason he came here, she’d find out soon enough. Atreyu came to her palace, her prison, to tell her the news. A Surface Dweller had arrived on Atlantis and with her arrival; Poseidon’s shade had visited Atreyu in his temple. This woman would be the one to break the curse holding them prisoner beneath the waves.
Once her grandson, King Nereus found out, he’d have the woman executed.
She almost sided with Nereus. She almost wanted this Surface Dweller killed before she found her mate. It’d be so much easier if she’d never shown up. Alas, life wasn’t about what was easy, it ebbed and flowed how it would, causing conflict to grow, mold and strengthen the character of one’s heart. She just thought it was bullshit. Her heart was breaking with this loss. Ten thousand years, give or take a century, was a long time to love another man.
“I’ll meet her today. Perhaps it’s not too late and we can rid ourselves of this problem before it becomes one.” Atreyu replied, cursing the hopeful tone smothering his voice.
“No,” she replied. “I’ll not be messing with fate. Go. Meet her and do what must be done. It’s our duty, our responsibility to fix what Atlas destroyed so long ago.”
He left without another word, the pain in his silver eyes saying more than words ever could.
Cleito sighed, her heart breaking as he already started to back away from her. She hated that she was causing him pain, and she prayed to whatever god would listen that this woman, this Surface Dweller, would not mate with Atreyu. He didn’t deserve that kind of pain.
She wandered into her most secluded area of gardens, it was secretly her favorite portion and she visited often when she felt sad. She understood Poseidon knew of her feelings toward Atreyu, it was virtually impossible to hide such strong emotions through the bond she had with her mate. She also realized he was aware of this secret space. Once he returned to her, she was certain he’d have it destroyed.
Inside the thick canopy of vines was a lush garden completely overgrown with roses. They were every shade of pink the Surface Dwellers could come up with, and some that Atreyu had created on his own. He’d given her a new plant every year since the humans discovered how to hybridize the flowers. She loved this place. It was a reminder to all her senses of how much Atreyu truly loved her.
It hadn’t taken more than a few centuries for the humans to toss away their magical gifts from the gods and to turn to their own devices. Instead of praying and working with the elements and spirits, they forced the land to do what they wanted it to do, changing the very course of nature with their inventions and creations. Cleito thought it was both sad and ingenious how they used their limited resources to completely ignore the power around them and manipulate life for their own selfish desires.
She loved her flowers though. Before Atreyu learned of the Surface Dwellers’ way of hybridizing the flowers, she had to alter the colors with her magic and spells woven into the soil. Now she was able to enjoy the differing pinks, purples and reds in ways that didn’t tie her further to the land. Not that she minded terribly, being tied to the land. She was certain by now that she’d never be allowed to leave Atlantis anyway.
She waited in her secret garden for the sound of Atreyu’s return. He wouldn’t be long; he never could stay away from her for more than a few hours. A smile crept upon her lips. Even if she didn’t love his body so passionately, his unceasing attention to her happiness would’ve ensured him a spot deep within the recesses of her heart.
Her mind started to wander to the cause of all her troubles.
Eleven thousand years ago, her first-born son Atlas married a woman who was not his mate in order to provide an heir to the throne. None expected they’d live so long, they still weren’t sure how it happened. Atlas and his wife had a son, Nereus. The whole kingdom was overjoyed and spent the time celebrating this birth. Even Poseidon celebrated for a moment before whisking her back up here to their secluded haven to continue worshiping each other’s bodies.
She craved Poseidon with a desperation she’d never known before or since, but came close with Atreyu.
She sighed, the memory becoming more difficult as it progressed. The banishment of Atlantis was all their fault. Had she and Poseidon not been so utterly consumed with each other, they would’ve seen the greed and the selfishness that had grown in Atlas’ heart.
They were basking in the afterglow of passion when Poseidon heard the cries of his people. Gathering him to her, he teleported to his palace, only to watch helplessly as Zeus killed their firstborn son. With Poseidon’s humiliation came his rage. He allowed the invaders a single night to escape his wrath. His people, however, were to face the wrath of one of the most powerful gods.
She couldn’t allow him to destroy those she was sworn to protect. She cried out to her mate to have mercy on their people as the grounds shook and the waters churned with the power of his anger.
“There has been too much loss already! Have mercy on those we failed to protect!” she pleaded with him, tears streaming down her face. Her tears melted the heart of righteous anger that was burning in Poseidon’s veins and the shaking slowed.
“Indeed, the gods were right. My love for you has made me forget my duties to my people. I will spare their lives in exchange for your tears. They are my downfall now and will never be used to bend my will again. I must enact a punishment fitting their crimes, so wife, what would be fitting and just in your eyes?” He said the last with a sneer of disgust plastered on his face.
Cleito bowed her head in supplication and shame so he would not see the pain he was causing her. Before she could find the words, the oracle lifted her body and spoke.
“A lesson must be learned for gods and men to live in harmony. Atlantis shall descend to be hidden from god and men. Until the time the soul mates and willingly chooses to break; you shall be apart from your heart. Atlantis will join the ranks again when tears are freely given. Death created devastation, death shall be your preservation.” She fell to the ground, unmoving.
She woke much later, alone, under the waves. There were other survivors, but the destruction was complete and awe-inspiring. She called to her mate to no avail. Having not known what the oracle had said when possessing her, she sought out the only person who still looked at her. Atreyu.
When Atlantis sank and she was banished below the waves, away from her mate, the others blamed her. Sure, it took them a few decades before they started the accusations, but she could feel their unspoken barbs for years. It was both her acquiesce and their request that she confine herself to this castle, this dungeon. If it weren’t for Atreyu, she’d have thrown herself off the cliff thousands of years ago.
“Cleito!” Atreyu’s panicked voice interrupted her thoughts.
She ran out
of her garden right into his strong chest. His arms wrapped around her protectively and she could hear his heart pounding.
“Oh, my love! It’s too late! Poseidon told me she was the one who’d break the spell, but I never thought it’d be so soon. After all this time. You think I’d be ready, but I don’t think I could ever be ready to lose you.” He pulled himself away from her, just enough so he could look into her eyes as he spoke.
“Natasha, this Surface Dweller that will fulfill that horrid ancient prophecy, has mated herself to the last person I expected. It was so obvious; I don’t know how the others weren’t screaming for both their heads. I guess it’s true. People only see what they want to see.” He was rambling but couldn’t stop himself. It was either ramble about nonsense or burst into fits of rage and misery at losing the only woman he’d ever loved.
“Atreyu,” Cleito said in her soft tones. “Who’s she mated to?”
She tried to hide her heartbreak from Atreyu. This was all happening too fast. After eleven thousand years, one would think she’d be excited to see her mate, but she couldn’t get past the heart wrenching pain of losing Atreyu to even find room for joy at seeing Poseidon again.
“Raifuku.” He replied with disbelief.
“The Ice Man?” She asked incredulously, unable to believe anyone could get past his emotional walls and break through his ice-cold heart.
“I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. He could barely contain his emotions or keep his hands off her. I’ve never seen him like that, with anyone. They’ve bonded, but there are still things that must be done to make the mating complete.” He forced himself to ask her what he already knew the answer to. “Do you want to help them complete the mating ceremony, or let them alone?”
“How can you even ask that?” She replied, the pain of losing him spilling out through her voice. “We must help them as much as we’re able to. Lead them here, find another witness and I’ll prepare the altar for the ceremony.”
He stiffened in her embrace and she knew he didn’t hear what she’d said, only that she agreed to help tear him from her.
“Atreyu,” She said softly, placing her hand on his chest. “Things happen that must happen. They are a requirement for life to progress and develop but they are not necessarily what we want or desire to happen. Just because this is what I must do for my people, doesn’t mean it’s what I want to do.”
It was as close to a proclamation of her love for him as she could ever state. He had to know this was killing her. By agreeing to help assist the prophecy in its fulfillment, she was effectively severing any relationship they could ever have again.
“You do know what this means for us?” He whispered softly, his eyes filling with tears that she still couldn’t shed.
She felt her throat tighten and could barely form the words past the pain.
“I know,” she managed to choke out.
“I’ll get things prepared, my queen.” He said formally, bowing deeply before disappearing, taking the shards of her heart with him.
* * *
2
It didn’t take her long to get things ready for the ceremony; she still had everything from when her sons had mated. She’d saved a few things from the past; hidden away in the closet of Atlas’ old room. The gods knew he’d not be using that room again.
When the pain of exile became too much to bear, she’d look at the things from the past, from happier days. She’d remind herself that she’d once been happy and that she’d done her best by her boys. Things could’ve been worse.
At least she was still amongst the living.
She felt the wards being worked at the entrance to her cage. Knowing Atreyu was the only one who’d bother visiting her, and that he’d expect to find her in the gardens, she went there to wait for him. Her heart fluttered with nerves and anticipation, knowing he was bringing the pair to meet with her. She realized with a start that she was actually scared to meet this woman, this Surface Dweller.
She didn’t have long to wait. She was looking at the fountain that had prolonged her life for so long when she heard them enter. Taking a moment to hide her expression behind a mask of motherly love, she turned to them.
“Welcome, my children. Your road has been long and difficult, and it will be more so before this day is complete. Please come and be welcome.” She was pleased that the formality of her words masked the pain in her heart.
The woman embraced her, hugging her tightly, warmly, like an old friend seeking to console. It was exactly what she needed, what she’d needed for a long while now. Her walls started to crack as she warmed to this woman, thrown off by the girl’s natural, open, warm personality.
The girl apologized, blathering on about customs and some such nonsense. Cleito waved her excuses aside. There were more important things to discuss at the moment.
“Do not fret my child. Atreyu please get off your knees. Raifuku gather your mate and follow me. There is much to be done if we are going to do this properly. You must complete the mating ritual and be bound in mind, body, and spirit before you can separate, or it will not be effective. I have everything prepared; I have just been waiting for you. I trust you have the gown and the rings?” At Raif’s confused look she sighed. “It doesn’t matter, I have Atlas’ old rings, and I think Merick’s wife was about your size, although not quite so voluptuous. It will have to do.”
“My queen, forgive me, but I am having Michael bring a dress to suit our needs as well as something for Raifuku. He is also needed for a witness. The ceremony is incomplete unless there are two to bear witness. I had hoped he would have met me earlier, but he may be having difficulty teleporting the distance. I shall discover what keeps him and return shortly.” Atreyu bowed formally and left, not bothering to wait for a response.
Cleito led the couple to separate rooms to get ready for the ceremony. She brought the girl to the purple room, the one meant for royal guests. She was certain this Natasha would have no idea the significance or importance of this room.
She left the woman in the room and went to wait again for Atreyu in the gardens. There she allowed herself to fret and think about what would happen once Natasha returned to her people. As she dipped her fingers in the healing waters of the fountain, he appeared.
He was only a shadow of himself, a reflection in a ripple amongst the waters. It was the first time she’d seen his face in over eleven thousand years. Her heart pounded, with fear or excitement, she couldn’t say. She only knew her mate was already trying to establish contact with her.
“Cleito,” the water whispered in his voice, sending ripples dancing in their enclosure.
“Poseidon,” she whispered back in acknowledgement.
“All will be well. She’ll not lose time and we’ll be together on the morrow.” The voice was far away, strained as if it took extreme effort to make even this small connection. Before she could respond, he was gone.
“My queen?” Atreyu asked behind her, startling her from Poseidon’s last ripple in the fountain.
“Yes Atreyu,” she replied regally, hiding how shaken she was from her encounter.
“We’re ready. This is Michael. When the girl is ready, we can begin.” Atreyu looked at her quizzically, wondering what had happened to cause her to blanch so. She looked as if she’d seen a ghost.
“Very good. The altar’s prepared. I’ll gather Natasha.” She scooped the dress from Michael’s arms, noting the awed expression on his face and completely ignoring him.
She walked into Natasha’s room, not bothering to knock and laid the dress on the bed.
“Atreyu has returned with Michael. They are assisting Raifuku, as well as making the final preparations for the ceremony. Let us work on you, shall we?” She said with as much of dignity and grace as she could with how shaken she felt.
“May I ask you something?” Natasha asked as she finished drying and wrapped a plush black towel around her body.
“I do not know every
thing, child, but I will answer what I am able.” Cleito replied, brushing the girl’s auburn locks.
“What does this mating ritual consist of? I probably should’ve asked Raif earlier, but it just didn’t seem to matter. It still doesn’t, but I don’t know how comfortable I’ll be with people watching the event.” Natasha turned pink, her thoughts traveling to acts better left done in private.
The action brought a smile to Cleito’s lips.
“Oh you are precious! You can do that part privately, after you have been Hand-Fasted. Hand-Fasting is an ancient tradition binding two people in this life and beyond. It is the outward, physical manifestation of your soul’s intent. You are being prepared for your mate as I was for Poseidon. You must be bound to Raifuku, body and soul to complete the Alma se Funden.
I know you feel as if you are already bound, but there are rituals that must be performed, and you must be blessed by the Lord and Lady. They are older than even the oldest gods and must bless your union before you can be complete.” She skillfully plaited Natasha’s hair into braids atop her head.
“Oh, so it’s like a marriage.” The girl replied, naïvely.
“It is similar to that yes, but not entirely. Our Hand-Fasting is more permanent than your common marriage. It cannot be broken by a mere piece of paper or by death. It is forever binding your hearts, bodies, minds, and souls together as one. It is to bring us back to how we were meant to be in the first place, before the first souls’ division. You have accepted that after you mate, you will be separated from him forever, yes?” She looked at Natasha fully for the first time, slowly letting her guard down and releasing the disbelief and pain she knew would come from this parting.
She couldn’t believe someone would be willing to tie themselves so deeply to another and have those bonds broken so quickly and completely.
“Yes, he told me about the prophecy and what we’d have to do. I’m not thrilled about the whole idea, but it’ll set things right with your people, and I’ll see him again someday. Knowing he’s there, feeling him in my heart, is enough until the day I can be with him again physically.” She smiled at Cleito, her expression filled with fierce determination, but her eyes giving away her fear and how much she truly loved her mate.
