Chapter 8
T ime unfolded like a leaf carried along the water’s surface, with the dome light intermittently filtering through the dense, deep blue velvet curtains drawn tightly over each bedroom window. The plush duvet cover wrapped snugly around me, a constant companion as the hours drifted away. I only summoned the energy to eat or bathe. The pressures of this new world were pushing down on me, and the weight became unbearable. Friend or foe. Enemy or ally. I could hardly tell. Everything felt so…overwhelming. I decided it was best to hole myself up in my bedroom, with its high stone walls and ceiling, very ancient-looking tapestries I didn’t dare touch for fear of ruining them. One day, I fixed my stare for hours on the ornately carved mahogany bed frame that gleamed like a brand-new copper coin. It complemented the blinding white rug spread across most of the large, comfortable room. Every evening, the dying embers in the double fireplace shared with the living room of my quarters winked like a dying star. Occasionally, I’d caught my reflection in the floor-length mirror in the corner of the room, but the woman—female, as the Fae called it—staring back at me was unfamiliar. So, I didn’t bother studying her reflection there for long, but I committed everything else to memory every evening before sleep finally claimed me.
On the third day of my new sulking routine, I planned for another day of solitude despite the looming responsibilities carefully laid out by the council.
Unfortunately, Myles had other plans.
The faint sounds of male voices carried from the hallway outside my quarters. My attention was fixed on the door visible through the bedroom doorway, awaiting the unexpected interruption.
“My dear, please do not bother her,” I heard Myles plead.
“She cannot possibly stay in that room one more day,” said a concerned male voice that was both light and masculine simultaneously.
“And I do not intend for her to,” Myles assured him. “She just lost everything. Her mother. Her life in the Above World—”
“And she’s expected to be Queen. She must be prepared, my love, or else that rigid wench with the unstyled hair and bland manicure will rip away what is rightfully hers. And no one should be ruling Atlantis with a bland manicure.”
A knock sounded a second later, fierce and frantic. I slowly pulled myself upright, readjusting a pillow to lean back on. “Come in,” I croaked, my voice crackling from lack of use.
The steel hinges of the front door creaked with the swing of the door. A male with a long, velvet red robe trimmed in golden filigree swept into the room—the golden bangles that adorned his wrists jingling with the determined swing of his arms. His perfectly cut, black hair rose an inch off the top of his head and was shorter on the sides. He pressed a slender yet well-manicured masculine hand to his throat as rich, amber eyes appraised me with a mix of concern and shock. “Oh, dear. It’s far worse than I imagined.”
Myles strode in behind him, wincing. His scales blanketed his broad form, something I was still unused to seeing, but he still managed to look clear-cut. “Do not be so dramatic.”
“But…her hair.”
I patted my hair down, my self-consciousness causing the heat to rise in my cheeks. Perhaps I overdid the whole recluse thing.
“It can be fixed. You are one of the best, after all.”
The robed man bowed low, the bangles jingling again as his arm extended in a flourish. “Your Highness, it is an honor to serve you, however challenging it may be.”
Myles smirked, shaking his head. “Asherah, this is my bondmate and the head of all things fashion and beauty for the Royal family, Aurelio Martenos Anthysius.”
My attention traveled between them. “Pleased to meet you,” I attempted to speak again, my voice still raspy with misuse. I cleared my throat before saying, “You never told me you were married, Myles.”
A wonderfully proud smile emerged on his face. “Mated. It’s a much stronger connection than a marriage. And I suppose if I had informed you, you would’ve asked too many questions. I felt it best to keep it professional at all times. Plus, Aurelio doesn’t travel to the Above World very often.”
“Just on festive occasions,” Aurelio said, resting the outer part of his wrist on a narrow hip. “The Above World humans are a little stiff in this era. It’s like they’ve forgotten how to have fun and invented new ways to judge, judge, judge. Atrocious,” he scoffed. “They desperately need to remove the stick that’s been firmly lodged up their—”
“Well then!” Myles interrupted with a clap. “Aurelio is here to prepare you for the Elemental Ceremony and the ball in celebration of your Elemental Mark.”
Aurelio wagged perfectly sculpted brows, beaming.
My fingers picked at a stray thread of the intricate duvet stitching. “Elemental Mark. They mentioned that at the council meeting, but I didn’t understand what that meant. And what is the Elemental Ceremony?”
Myles gazed softened. “It is our sacred ritual where your goddess-blessed element is revealed.”
“We each have an Elemental Mark,” Aurelio said, pulling up the sleeve of his left arm to reveal a mark resembling a tattoo on the cream-colored skin of his wrist. The midnight black ink resembled an incomplete circle, with its ends curving out in pointed loops. “They’re our calling, our way to serve the goddess Atabey, the goddess of Fae and humans alike. Mine is the artist’s symbol. Each Elemental Mark is different.” His hand came to his elegant throat, and I could have sworn I saw a mist build in his eyes. “The entire family knew I would be blessed with it, given how much I’ve enjoyed drawing since I was a tiny Faeling.”
“During Mabon, every Fae gets their mark at the Elemental Ceremony,” Myles explained. “Some are blessed as dome lighters, healers, architects, water purifiers, appraisers. The goddess always gives us purpose to survive and provide in the realms.”
My brow furrowed. “The Elemental Appraiser. The one who let in the Fire Fae? That’s one of them?”
The corners of Myle’s mouth dropped into a frown. “That’s correct. He was from a long line of Elemental Appraisers, one that will be thoroughly vetted moving forward. Luckily for Atlantis, we have many more Elemental Appraisers. It’s a crucial and prestigious role. They’re responsible for all the citizens of other realms who travel in and out of Atlantis. As you found out, one slip-up can cause quite a stir.”
“Yes, that’s for sure.” The image of the Fire Fae, his face distorted in such fury and anger, flashed through my mind. But it was quickly replaced by the arresting features of another face, one that had lived rent-free in my head. That curious tug I felt around him had been one of the many passing thoughts I’d had these past three days. My thoughts should have been occupied with grief for Mom, and yet I was busy fawning over a stranger. Granted, he saved my life, but it did nothing to ease the guilt I felt for feeling anything other than grief. Even happiness felt like a violation.
“Since you missed this year’s Mabon ceremony, I took it upon myself to create a special event for you. It’ll be a great way to get to know your people,” Myles encouraged.
“And to set some boundaries so the rest of your council haters know not to mess with you,” Aurelio added.
I tried to call to mind my mother’s left wrist but came up blank. I didn’t recall seeing any tattoos on my father’s left wrist either. “My parents. They glamoured their Elemental Marks?”
“I’m afraid so,” Myles confirmed. “For their protection and yours. Plus, there were fewer questions at parent-teacher meetings. Humans can be very closed-minded about body markings, unfortunately.”
I nodded. “And what was Mom’s sign?”
Myles straightened to full height. “It is the most prestigious of marks, Asherah. She bore the Royal Elemental Mark. Each family that presides over each queendom has one.”
“Each queendom?”
“Oh yes, there are other queendoms,” said Aurelio, a saucy smirk lifting his lips, “just not as fabulous as Atlantis. And their fashion tastes.” He shivered. “Dreadful. Just dreadful.”
“Now, now, dear. We mustn’t insult the other queendoms in front of Atlantis’s future ruler. She must learn to be diplomatic.”
Aurelio glared at him. “Diplomatic? One of them just tried to take her out.”
“We still don’t know if it was Corenathia or the Akani…or both. But we must always strive to be better than them, in every way.”
Aurelio huffed. “You’re a better male than me, my love. I want to grab them by the—”
Myles cleared his throat, looking at him pointedly.
Aurelio sighed. “Very well then. Let’s focus on getting you ready for the ball.”
“You’ll first be fitted for your gown,” Myles informed.
My brows dipped. I didn’t want to be the only one parading around in a gown when all the Fae were in their scales—scales I had yet to conjure. “Will I be the only one wearing a gown?”
“Despite the Water Fae proudly donning scales both in the water and in Atlantis, the traditional balls are a time when even they embrace the human fashions.”
“Some of them quite poorly,” Aurelio murmured.
“So,” Myles continued, “you’ll feel right at home.”
With the pleased look on Aurelio’s face, I didn’t have the heart to tell them that I detested anything that wasn’t swimsuits, flip-flops, tanks, and shorts. So, I simply nodded in return.
“And a few outfits as well.” Aurelio grinned, looking positively elated. “This is such a treat. A queen who wears human clothes. What a time to be alive!” he bellowed enthusiastically. Myles hid his laugh behind his hand, prompting Aurelio to reach out and pinch Myles’ buttocks. Myles flinched, a deep red color rising on his cheeks. He gave Aurelio a look that promised retribution, and there was something so entertaining about seeing this side of Myles.
Before I could help it, I let out a small giggle. It was the first time in what felt like an eternity. But the guilt took over and stifled it, my mouth dropping into the straight line it had been in for days. I let out a heavy sigh. “So, what’s next?”
A gleam sparkled in Aurelio’s eyes. “If we’re to make a Queen of you, you must look the part. I, for one, have been dreaming of this moment all my life. If we’re to silence your haters, we’ll do so with fashion. We’re going to have heads turning and tongues wagging.” He gave me a pointed look, his shoulders pulling back. “Rest assured, Princess Asherah. We’ll give that wench of a female, Melysah, something to talk about. To think, she wants to erase a millennia of precedence.”
“Yes, well, we’re not going to let that happen,” Myles said with assured confidence I didn’t entirely feel. “I’ve had the privilege of watching Asherah grow into the young female she is today; I’m certain she’s up for the challenge. Am I correct?” Despite my never-ending uncertainty about filling my mother’s shoes, I dipped my head in a nod. “Splendid.”
Aurelio’s mischievous smirk appeared. “We will have them groveling at your feet. When you walk in that hall, every inch of you will scream of the Queen you are born to be.”
“And trust, he knows queens,” Myles teased.
Despite the endless days of grief and sadness that seemed to consume my days, a smile tugged at my lips. With Myles and Aurelio guiding me, I didn’t feel so alone anymore. Perhaps Mom had sent them from heaven…beyond the Veil…or whatever they call it; my two fashionable guardian angels. “Okay, what first?”
“Shower,” they said simultaneously.
I brought my nose to my armpit and sniffed. Okay, perhaps I’d been holed up in my room a little too long. Without another word, I hopped out of bed and shuffled to the adjacent bathroom.
My gaze traveled over my reflection in the floor-length mirror framed in decorative metal curls resembling ocean waves, hardly noticing the woman before me. Aurelio insisted on dragging the heavy mirror to the living room for more space, and who was I to argue with his genius?
All the muscles in my uplifted arms ached as Aurelio cinched the fabric on the side of my upper torso. Sweat beaded on my forehead with the effort to remain still. I’d already faced his scolding for flinching when he accidentally pricked me with a pin.
“There.” He stepped back and gazed over my shoulder at my reflection, a smile dawning on his angelic face. “Absolutely stunning.”
I could hardly disagree. Tiny diamonds traveled down the teal fabric and sparkled like a flowing river reflecting the golden rays of an afternoon sun. The mermaid-fit bodice clung to my body like a second skin, the top of the strapless dress cutting a dividing line down my breasts and exposing the bit of skin there. The soft silk material flowed to the floor and brushed the tips of my toes. I was all but guaranteed to trip and land on my face in front of everyone.
As if sensing my anxiety, Aurelio squatted and folded the hem of my dress an inch shorter. “There. That should do it,” he said, inserting another pin to secure the length.
With the fabric just a bit shorter, exposing my bare feet, I looked even more like a mermaid. Fitting, I guess.
A knock echoed across the living room of my quarters, and Dad walked in a moment later. He scanned the room until his eyes landed on me in the corner, and his mouth dropped open. His eyes immediately glistened. “Oh, Sher bear. You look so beautiful.”
My heart swelled at the sight of him. It had been some time since we’d seen each other, not since the Wylamei. The sense of loneliness from the past few days eased. “Thanks, Dad.”
“And to think, Your Highness, this is without the art of her makeup,” Aurelio raved as he adjusted a pin on my right side. “Just wait till you see what we have in store for her.”
Dad flashed a huge grin at us. “I have no doubt whatever you have planned will be fit for a queen.”
“Exactly,” Aurelio beamed. “Now, let’s get you out of this dress.”
Aurelio and I padded gingerly to the bathroom, carefully removing the exquisite dress. At the start of the fitting, Aurelio had advised that there was no reason to be shy about my nakedness around him since my breasts were dangling flesh ornaments with tips that did nothing for him. I didn’t know whether to be offended or relieved by that.
Within a quarter hour, I was back in my soft, weathered jeans and my go-to Hola Beachachos flowy tank that warmed my soul with thoughts of home. Dad rested on the comfy white armchair in the center of the room, staring out the arched living room window. I leaned against the door frame, observing how he fashioned his scales—a tunic-like shape covering his upper torso and cutting off at his broad shoulders. The crow’s feet around his eyes were no longer present due to the lack of his glamour, but the dark circles under his eyes seemed to be a permanent fixture. He never sported those before Mom’s passing. And just as Myles had said, the inside of his left wrist was decorated with a tattoo-like symbol very different from the one on Aurelio’s wrist. A triangle sat atop a decorative line, swirls resembling wings in the center.
As if sensing my appraisal, he rose from the chair. The smile that spread across his face felt so at odds with the man I’d just silently observed. Feeling the grief we shared, I rushed to him and wrapped my arms around him—resting my head against his chest like I’d done so many times as a child. The safety of his fatherly embrace would be something I’d never tire of, no matter what age I was. His cheek came to rest on the crown of my head. “I missed you, too.” We stood there in silence, seeking refuge in familial comfort. Just a minute later, he pulled back. “Come, let’s go walk the gardens. There’s a lot we need to catch up on.”
I followed him out of my quarters and descended a wide set of switchback stairs that led out of the palace, my fingertips grazing the coarse sandy walls as I went. He led me under an arbor with deep green clusters of ivy vines weaving through its openings and glinting like emeralds. Their existence in an underwater world remained a mystery to me. As I pulled my gaze from the arbor, my steps faltered—my mouth hanging open. It was an honest-to-goodness underwater garden with plump, deep red roses, floribunda with its rich yellows colliding with the hottest pink, and bourbon roses with a pale yellow that still managed to stand out. “How?”
He smiled knowingly. “Impressive, isn’t it?”
My gaze fell upon a pond that sparkled with a variety of colorful fish. Among them, some were plump and adorned with crimson red dapples on a white backdrop; some sported spots of candy apple red on coal black, and others displayed a vibrant orange shade akin to a beautiful sunset, with flecks of white mimicking clouds on their tiny scaled skin. The pond kissed the grass neighboring the pathway—its mouth narrowing into a river that carried on in the distance. “Impressive is an understatement.”
“The river carries outside the dome, so the fish who occupy its waters have the liberty of coming and going as they please.” He breathed deeply. “The Elemental who tends to this garden is one of the best in all the queendoms.”
“There’s an Elemental for gardening?”
“There’s an Elemental calling for just about everything. Dome lighters, healers, artists, architects, water purifiers, cleaners and organizers, strategists, ambassadors.” He held up his wrist, the tattooed side facing me. “And, of course, protectors. Dax and I share the same, along with the other Guardians of Atlantis.”
The intimidating image of Draevyn flashed through my mind. My strides quickened to hide my blush. “Myles told me about Mom’s mark.”
“Ah. Myles. Good male. Always teaching.” A solemn smile lifted his lips. “Your mother had the same symbol you’ll likely have when it is revealed during your Elemental Ceremony. It stands as the most esteemed Elemental marking, a sacred indication of royalty. Every female descendant in your mother's lineage has proudly borne this mark. Once revealed, it’ll be hard for anyone to contest the goddesses’ chosen queen, regardless of the Melysah’s scheming.” I brought my nose to an iceberg rose, inhaling its luscious, sweet scent, the deep yellow tendrils tickling my nose. “Our Elemental gardener has won tons of awards for her work,” he continued as he smelled an iceberg in a different cluster, “although I doubt there will be any friendly competitions with the other queendoms…after what happened.”
We continued strolling down the garden path with casual steps, the thick aromas snaring my senses as I absorbed every detail. “Everyone keeps mentioning the other queendoms.”
“Yes. There are four in total, including Atlantis. The Water Fae rules our queendom. Then, we have the Queendom of Corenathia, the ones we believe responsible for sending the Fire Fae after us. The Air Fae rule over the Queendom of Airelandia and the Queendom of Earthos is comprised of the Earth Fae. Each Queendom is ruled by a female leader with the same Elemental marking you’ll likely have. They’re the reason for my recent absence. We demanded an emergency meeting with the other realms.” He sighed heavily. “I’m definitely not your mother when it comes to communicating with the queendoms. I have no idea how she did it. Most of the time, I feel like strangling the other queens,” he confessed, tilting his head. “Not the Airelandians, of course. They’re our closest allies. The Queen from Earthos remains a mystery, though. She’s kept me thoroughly entertained just by existing with that stone-cold, unreadable face of hers. When we’re in the Council of Queendoms, I simply stare at her, trying to figure out whether the Earth Fae are friend or foe.”
“Queendom,” I said, mulling over the word. “It’s difficult to say after hearing Kingdoms my whole life.”
Dad let out an amused chuckle. “Yes, after being raised in the Above World, I can understand why you would find the word unusual. Soon enough, it will roll off your tongue without a second thought.”
“And where do the Akani come from?”
I could have sworn I heard a low growl. “They’re the rebels who seek to destroy everything your mother has worked so hard for. They don’t want any more humans in the realms, and despite having a few humans in their ranks, the Fae among them would rather not have humans here at all.”
The corners of my mouth dipped in a frown. “That’s terrible.”
“Hhmph. You don’t even know the half of it.”
We made our way down the winding flagstone pathway in companionable silence until the light pounding of hurried footsteps came from behind us. I twisted around, and the mesmerizing green eyes of my rescuer met mine. His long brown hair flowed behind him, and his intimidating form caused my breath to hitch. Every movement of his body held such lethal grace. Draevyn bowed at the waist; his eyes still locked on mine. “Your Highnesses.” His deep baritone voice sliced deep—I the butter, he the knife. I fidgeted from foot to foot as I pulled the hem of my tank. Not the most regal attire for such a title. Aurelio’s earlier advice about dressing to impress had me regretting I didn’t listen.
“Commander Eliron, I believe you have yet to meet my daughter, Asherah.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess.”
I couldn’t breathe. His eyes remained locked on me, a risky move considering my father—his King—was standing right beside me.
“Commander Eliron, what news?” he queried with one brow rising.
Draevyn tore his gaze away from me, addressing him, “I’ve requested a switch in post. I would like to guard the Princess from now on.”
I felt the ground fall away beneath me. He was requesting to guard…me?
Dad’s brow furrowed. “What about the training of the rural posts?”
Draevyn’s gaze shifted to me again and left just as quickly. “I’ll still train with them and have Mayana fill in for me in my absence.”
“Mayana is doing a fine job guarding the Princess. I’d just been complimenting her today when I relieved her.”
“Of course. She’s one of my best guards. I would trust no one else with the job, but I’d feel better if I were the one to guard the Princess.”
Dad regarded him skeptically. “And Dax knows about this switch?”
“No, Your Highness,” he advised, his gaze ticking over to me again. “Not yet.”
“Commander Eliron, you’re one of the best, most skilled Guardians we’ve ever had. Your talents are unparalleled. I admire you for wanting to protect Asherah. She is most precious to me, as you know. But you’re sure you want to do this? It’s well below your station.”
Draevyn swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing—the first sign of unease I’d ever seen from him. “Yes, I’m sure. I’ve already volunteered to train her in defense arts. It’ll help with that cause.”
Dad shook his head. “Draevyn, you know you have my unending support on this, but you’ll have to clear it with Dax. He is the General, after all.”
“That I am,” a deep male voice called at his back. Dax meandered his way to us, sizing up Draevyn with those cobalt-blue eyes—his long pale hair tied with a leather strap at the base of his neck, some strands visibly shorter than others from the attack. His wide, muscular arms crossed. “I think I already told you I’d prefer for your assignment to stay in the rural posts with Mayana guarding the Princess.”
“You did,” Draevyn admitted, straightening his spine.
“Then, why, pray tell, are you going against my orders?”
Draevyn’s nostrils flared on an inhale. “It has to be me.”
“No. It does not.”
Draevyn’s fists clenched at his sides. “It. Has. To. Be. Me.”
Dax dropped his own white-knuckled fists at his sides and closed the distance between them, the scales at their muscular chests nearly brushing. He was now only inches away from Draevyn’s face, glaring at him with the heat of a hot branding iron. “Commander Eliron, I’ve known you since you were in cloth diapers sucking on your mother’s tit, and that was nearly one thousand years ago.” My eyes widened with that revelation. “You’ve never given a rat’s ass about guarding the royal family. When you were old enough to swing a sword, you insisted on sparing with me because you wanted to train with the best. You’ve broken ribs and bones throughout your body hundreds of times to achieve your rank. What. Gives?”
Again, Draevyn’s eyes slid to me and back to Dax. The gesture didn’t escape Dad’s notice as he pinched his chin between his thumb and forefinger, observing Draevyn with a perplexed expression.
“I’m the best person to protect Princess Asherah. She’s our future Queen.”
In an awkward yet intense moment that seemed to stretch on forever, Dax and Draevyn maintained their standoff. Dad and I shared a look, his shoulders lifting in a shrug. It was only when Dax let out a deep sigh that I knew Draevyn had won. “Fine,” Dax conceded, dragging a hand down his face. “I approve of Commander Eliron’s appointment as Asherah’s guard,” he said in a relenting tone. “But you must be present for training in the rural posts. They’ll need your expertise now more than ever.”
Draevyn nodded. “I’ll see to it that arrangements are made.” He pivoted, bowing to us. “Your Highnesses, forgive me for taking up your time.” He wheeled around and strode out of the garden, leaving a sense of confusion in his wake.
“Do you think he’s acting strangely?” Dad inquired.
Dax shook his head. “Understatement of the millennia. But he’s not wrong. With the Akani becoming stronger by the day, I feel much better having his presence in the palace. Much as I hate to admit it.”
Nothing more was said on the matter. Draevyn Eliron was to be my guard, and nothing could calm the eruption of butterflies in my stomach.