Chapter 9
M y hands brushed down the featherlight fabric of my traditional Atlantian garment. The pant legs kept loose to my legs—the stunning lavender shimmering with my strides. It tightened at the waist, and the top of the jumper-like garment looped around my neck. While the outfit was lovely, I was beginning to pick up the vibes of the Atlantians I’d encountered and read the room perfectly.
I’m to be their Queen, and I wear the fashion of a human.
Never in a million years would I have thought I’d feel so exposed by the display of my skin. A swimsuit had been my work attire, for crying out loud. The looks and whispers stayed with me everywhere I went. Just yesterday, I’d tried to venture around the palace in search of the dining hall at Mayana’s encouragement, but the constant ogling of the palace staff halted my attempts, and I returned to the safe space of my quarters. Being the center of constant attention in Atlantis had me on edge. I longed for the days when I could grab my board and disappear upon the waves for hours on end. How different my life had become.
When I returned, I’d received a letter from Myles requesting that I meet him at the university the next day. A sense of excitement sparked at the prospect of exploring a new place. Plus, my studies were one way I could honor Mom and the throne she had occupied.
Per Myles’s letter that had been enclosed in a beautiful leather tote, the royal Elemental commuter would meet me outside the palace gates early that morning. I shifted from one foot to the other before the thick wooden drawbridge—a charming moat peacefully drifting many stories below. The stiff strap of the tote dug into my shoulder, but I adored the gift Myles left for me. It had been filled with a smooth, light brown suede journal, a decorative black marble pen I was scared to use, and a strange tablet made of a gray stone with nothing upon it. I’d twisted the tablet in my hand earlier that morning, trying to figure out what it was. I’d have to remember to ask Myles about it. Mayana stood silent but observant at my back underneath the stone barbican as we waited. I’d wondered just when Commander Eliron was scheduled to change his post.
“Ah, there he is,” Mayana informed. I glanced at her over my shoulder—a warm smile cresting across her face. “This is where I leave you, Princess.”
“Thanks, Mayana.”
She bowed before her long strides carried into the palace.
The sound of waves lapping against a boat drew my attention to the moat below, and my eyes widened. Draevyn appeared with a short, curvy female in a boat-like structure that ascended out of the moat and up a long ramp that led to the entryway. A narrow cabin sat at the back of the tiny boat—the deep dark wood gleamed beyond polished perfection. As it approached, intricate carvings that detailed every panel came into view, a crest I could only assume was my family’s carved into its side. I gasped as I noticed the wheels at the bottom of the boat moved of their own accord. No engine sound had reached my ears, and no animal had pulled it. The female with short dark hair faded on the side, and a little length at the top chuckled as it stopped in front of me—her brown eyes beaming from within a smooth, round face. “It has been a long time since I’ve seen someone in shock like that. I’ve missed that reaction.” She rose from her seat at the tiny helm and curtsied. “My name is Braeliah Morvyn, Your Highness. I’m your Elemental commuter.” She cut a thick, scaled arm in the air with a dramatic flare. “And this is your canoa, otherwise known as a boat with wheels where you’re from.”
Draevyn jumped out of the canoa without missing a beat, placing a set of moveable wooden steps before me. I had yet to pick my mouth up from the floor. Forgetting myself, I shook my head. “Pleased to meet you, Braeliah. I’m Asherah.”
“Oh. I know. And I’m super pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Highness. Your presence has caused quite a buzz.”
I felt the corner of my lips tilt up in a solemn smile. “I’m sure it has.”
A rough, rugged hand dropped into my line of sight. My gaze shifted to Commander Eliron, and I forgot how to breathe as I placed my hand in his. His face remained impassive as he helped me into the canoa. Draevyn motioned toward the back. “You are welcome to sit in the cabin if you’ll be more comfortable.”
“And miss the entire ride?” I quipped, sitting on the bench before me and plopping my tote on the floor. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Right. Of course,” he murmured so low I thought I hadn’t heard it.
Moments later, he sat on the opposite side of the bench as Braeliah slid into her seat before us. With a flick of her wrist, the canoa rolled into motion. “I understand you haven’t had much time outside of the palace, Your Highness,” Braeliah called over her shoulder. “We’ll catch the Shingu River on the other side of town so you can take in the sights and sounds of Borike’n. Then, it’s straight down the river to the University.” I couldn’t contain the giddy grin; my eagerness to observe the town filled me with glee.
A tingling sensation prickled my neck and swelled in my chest. I glanced over and found Draevyn’s eyes intently appraising me. He quickly snapped his head forward, but not before I caught the slight twitch of his sensual mouth.
My brow immediately dipped of its own accord. Draevyn Eliron was a puzzle I was desperate to figure out. A part of me wanted to thank him profusely for saving my life. Another part of me wanted to ask…
“Have I done something to offend you?” The words tumbled out in a voice only he could hear.
Draevyn’s widened eyes whirled in my direction. “No, Your Highness.”
“Ash. You can call me Ash.”
“Ash,” he said as if mulling the words carefully on his lips—deeply hypnotic cupid-bow lips made for so much more than talking, lips that suddenly grinned. My eyes drifted to meet his, and I felt the heat of a blush on my cheeks.
Way to gawk, Ash!
I cleared my throat, twisting to hide my embarrassment. My gaze held on the cobblestone roads lined with cozy sandstone facade buildings that glimmered as we rolled past. Fae and humans of every different color—some scaled, some brown, some pale as moonlight—milled about. I was instantly fascinated by how normal it all was—butcher shops, bookstores, coffee houses, and wine bars. The sound of children’s laughter peeled through the air as we passed by a playground between two sandstone buildings. There was no commodity here that one couldn’t find in the Above World. It was an honest-to-goodness underwater world. “You’re positive you’re not upset with having to guard me yourself?” The question slipped out of my mouth unbidden before I could help it.
My attention went to the male beside me again, his spine perfectly straight as he scanned the area around us and said, “No, I’d prefer it be me.”
“It just seems that your skillsets might be needed elsewhere in Atlantis.”
He shifted his gaze to me once more, softening. “This is a very important post, Asherah.”
Damn, those butterflies that fluttered in my stomach. “Just Ash is fine.”
“If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to call you by your full name.” The deep tone of his voice did delicious things. My name fell from his lips like a prayer. “Asherah.” A deep tug in my gut left me unable to move as a wicked heat spread deep in my core. “You are very important. It is my honor to guard you.”
I felt like I’d just witnessed a crack in his carefully laid facade. “You are very hard to read, Draevyn Eliron.”
Draevyn’s gaze traveled over my face. “I’m…bothered by you.”
I cringed. “Bothered by me?”
He shook his head. “That didn’t come out right. I meant no offense.”
“Then, what exactly did you mean?”
“Hold on tight!” Braeliah called from the helm as the road ended, and the canoa descended a ramp into the Shingu River with a mighty splash. I held my focus on the surroundings before us, feeling vastly confused by his comment. Sandstone buildings bracketed the river on either side. Dozens of villagers hustled in and out of their homes, starting their day—some in Atlantian garments while the Water Fae donned their scales. Little cafes peppered the riverfront, their patios packed with people sipping on their morning coffee and freshly baked pastries, the mouth-watering smells drifting across the river. Bright-colored flowers hung from the perfectly lined balconies above each store—drapes floating on the wind from open doors to welcome the day. In the distance, a large structure sitting atop a stone mountain came into view, taking my breath away. The spire at the top of the structure reached toward the top of the dome. “The university’s official name is Cibao Univeristy,” Braeliah informed with a hint of pride in her tone. “It means stone mountain in the native Atlantian language. It’s the finest in all the Queendoms. You’ll find many Fae from the other realms flocking here for their studies.”
“It is why it is so heavily guarded,” Draevyn added. “It is why I must be with you at all times. With the recent attack, we don’t know who to trust, and this would be the easiest place for them to enter.”
I nodded in understanding, grateful for the turn in conversation. “Are they permitted to enter the town?”
“Only with an escort. The students here have been heavily vetted, but we can never be too careful.”
A sudden sense of dread built. “Am I taking classes with the other Fae?”
“No, no. You’ll be studying with Myles separately. Unfortunately, there’s a plethora of ancient texts and other resources we cannot extract from the university. Otherwise, we would have done your sessions at the palace.” Draevyn frowned. “You don’t need to worry, Asherah. I’ll be right beside you the entire time. You have my word.”
My vision narrowed. “How difficult it will be for you, with you being so bothered by me and all.”
He rubbed a hand down his face with a sigh. “I deserve that. I do.” The silence grew between us, but his following words sent my mind reeling, “It’s not that I am bothered. It’s more like I am…enchanted.” My breath hitched. That voice. It did wicked, wicked things.
“We’ve arrived at the gate, Draevyn!” Braeliah called. He rose on swift feet, striding to the side of the canoa. I looked upon him in open fascination as he gracefully leaped off the side and into the water, his webbed feet disappearing below the surface. Before I knew it, I was leaning over the side and watched his form swim toward another form in the water. I squinted. “Is that another Water Fae? Underwater?”
“That sure is. That’s Rally. He’s the university gate guard. He ensures all the students and faculty coming in and out of the gate have proper identification.”
“But underwater?”
Brealiah laughed heartily. “Of course, Your Highness. That is the normal way. The canoa is just a luxury for the Fae.”
The normal way. Another reminder that I wasn’t normal. Wasn’t one of them.
“Soon enough, you’ll be swimming the waters yourself to gain entrance, leaving me to my lonesome,” she supplied with a confidence I didn’t feel.
I winced, glancing over my shoulder at her. “I highly doubt I’ll be ready to swim the waters in my Fae form any time soon.” I’d never attempted it. Didn’t even know how. I hadn’t even been in the water since I’d arrived.
She flitted a hand. “Probably for the best, Your Highness. We can never be too careful with all the drama unfolding. But if you were to swim these waters, Draevyn would accompany you.”
Water splashed onto the deck, causing my whole body to jolt backward as a pair of webbed hands firmly gripped the side of the boat. Draevyn pulled his bare torso out of the water—his glorious bicep, chest, and shoulder muscles on full display. I couldn’t help myself, not when the lines of his incredibly well-defined lower abdomen pointed toward the very visible bulge just beneath his scales. At least I had the presence of mind to snap my mouth shut before he swung his muscular legs over the side wall. But my eyes hadn’t gotten the message. They tracked every movement as he rose to full height as if pulled by a magnet. Water droplets dripped from the dark tips of his long, brown hair. By some unseen magic, the water that covered his body drifted off the contours of his chiseled body and dropped into the Shingu River with a faint splash. Draevyn shook out his now dry hair, and a smirk that spoke a thousand words emerged. I was caught gawking again. Mortified, I wheeled around to Braeliah, who held tight to her own mischievous smirk. “Not bad accompaniment if I may say so myself, Your Highness.” She winked just as the black portcullis ascended—the gears grounding in a high pitch. I swiftly slid onto the bench without another word.
The canoa glided through the dark tunnel before us, the faelit torches flickering their orange light against moss-ridden walls. Draevyn positioned himself a little closer this time, I noticed—his body only a foot away from mine.
“How do you all do that?” I ventured.
“Do what?”
“The water came off of you.”
“Ah. That.” He held out his palm, and a small sphere of water from the Shingu collected above it. In the blink of an eye, it took the shape of a rose and froze into solid ice before he guided it to my lap.
I traced a fingertip over the biting cold stem. “That’s amazing.”
Draevyn laughed. “Soon enough, you’ll master water play.”
My brows knitted together. “Water play?”
Draevyn flicked his hand. The ice rose flew from my lap and twirled in the air. “Yes, water play is not just some cheap parlor trick. As a Water Fae, we can manipulate water, freeze it, collect it. There are different levels of power each Fae possesses.” The rose melted back into water and took the shape of an arrow. It shot across the canoa and into the water with a plop, my wide eyes fixed on the spot where it disappeared. “It can also be used to defend yourself,” he warned.
Another set of torches drifted by. “That might come in handy.”
“Indeed. Let us hope you learn fast. The thought of you defenseless is an obstacle I’m not too pleased with.”
My gaze returned to my lap as I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Right. Because I’m so human.” I’d never felt so insecure; it was a new feeling to me, I realized.
“Look at me,” he demanded. I pulled my head up and regarded Draevyn’s mouth in a tight line, his sea-green eyes fierce. “You are Water Fae. The fact that you were raised in the Above World doesn’t change that. You may need to work harder to learn everything you missed, but that doesn’t make you any less Fae. The sooner you accept that, the more powerful you’ll become. Never let your obstacles dim your light.”
A newfound respect for him grew and went beyond this natural, strange attraction I felt for him. I gave him a slight smile. “Thank you.”
My attention was drawn to the light filtering in from a vast cavern ahead of us, its jagged teeth swallowing the canoa as we sailed into it. A set of rough stone steps met a sandy, shallow shore—a ramp arching on either side of the grand staircase. Various canoas, with mostly humans and other Fae onboard, ascended the ramp or drifted slowly back into the water, gravity be damned. I beamed as several Water Fae emerged from the water. Droplets floated from their being and returned to the water as they strode forward. Something lit within me—a fierce desire to be like the other Water Fae, something potent awakening in my soul. I wanted to feel the webbing between my toes and fingers.
The attention of the other students and faculty clustered in the arrival area shifted when they realized the approaching canoa bore a royal crest. Some of them outright snickered, and their whispers echoed off the cavern walls. Right. I’m not normal anymore. My smile dropped, and I let loose a sigh.
“What’s that frown about?” Draevyn asked.
“I’m not used to all the…” I began, motioning to the endless stares in our direction.
Draevyn’s eyes narrowed at the onlookers. He rose from his seat and approached the side of the canoa, his big imposing frame blocking me from their view. They began scurrying away like frightened mice in the midst of a predator.
“Effective.”
Draevyn glanced over his shoulder, smirking. “They’ll not make you feel uncomfortable on my watch.”
I gave him a genuine smile, my heart emitting a subtle swell. I gasped at the slight tug at my chest, and his smile vanished as he broke eye contact. I didn’t know what to make of it; the overwhelming feeling.
But something told me he did.
And I didn’t care for the mood swings either.
The canoa gave a sudden jolt at the top of the ramp. “That’ll be Myles there in the entryway, Your Highness,” Braeliah called.
Myles stood before a large stone archway with a brown leather messenger bag resting on his shoulder and gave a short wave. Dozens of Fae and humans crowded the vast hall behind him. I was grateful for our arrival; the interactions with Draevyn were becoming too much—too everything. I needed to get out. My hand snapped out, grabbing the strap of my tote. I leapt from the bench, trying to make my escape, but the steps to exit the canoa had disappeared from where they lay moments before.
I scanned the deck, but paused when Draevyn cleared his throat behind me. I swiveled around as he held them up with his eyebrow quirked. “Looking for this?”
My lips pressed together in a firm line. “Yes, actually I am.” I snatched the steps from him, placing them outside the canoa. My silk-shoed feet thudded against the wood as I descended.
“You know, I could have helped you.”
I turned and closed the distance between us. “I think you’ll come to find…Commander…that I’m perfectly capable of doing some things on my own.” I pivoted to Braeliah, who was biting her lips to keep from laughing. “Thank you for bringing us here.”
Her eyes were alight with knowing. “It is my pleasure, Your Highness.”
I strolled toward a very puzzled Myles, hoping to the goddess Draevyn wouldn’t follow, but his steps sounded behind us as we strode into the hall. It seemed there was little I could do to escape Draevyn Eliron.
Deep down, I knew I didn’t want to.
If I hadn’t known Cibao University was hundreds of miles under the sea, I would’ve thought it resembled any other age-old university in the Above World—with a few exceptions, of course. Most of the students and faculty we brushed past were Fae, with their pointed ears proudly on display. Others were clearly human, gathering with the Fae in small groups as if they weren’t immortal creatures. The cool tips of my fingertips rose to my own pointed ear, softly massaging its tip—the shape a frequent reminder that I was one of the Fae despite my still feeling human.
“Cibao University has been here for almost as long as the dome has. Naturally, we couldn’t build any structures underwater without our blessed dome elemental. The very first dome elemental created the dome for the protection of humans. It’s a scared elemental calling held by only one family in Atlantis,” Myles informed me as we slid between another group of students in the grand hall, its arching windows casting light across the vast space. I fell into step beside him as curious stares swiveled our way, some of the Fae outwardly scowling at my Atlantian clothing. I could have sworn I’d heard Draevyn’s low, rumbling growl behind me. “At Ciboa, we are proud to house faculty from every realm and believe in a well-rounded education,” Myles continued as we approached the end of the hall. “It is for this reason that Cibao is so renowned. Unfortunately, the other queendoms do not embrace this practice, preferring to only employ their own.”
“Why?” I asked. We ascended an imposing stone stairwell, my silk-clad feet tapping on each step. I refused to look behind me when a few light curses by several students were murmured in my wake. I assumed Draevyn’s massive form was parting the crowd at the foot of the stairs.
“You’ll find that the other queendoms are less liberal than Atlantis. Airelandia is the closest ally to us. They, too, believe in educating their citizens with faculty from other realms. Corenathia, not so much. Earthos—the Earth Fae—tend to keep to themselves. There’s no telling what they do or do not do—let alone teach—in their realm. Some of their people attend Cibao, but the students and faculty are bound to secrecy. The curriculum the former learns and the latter teaches must be approved. It is something they take very seriously. If they reveal any unapproved information regarding their realm, they are spelled to forfeit their life on the spot.” Myles angled off to the right at the top of the stairs, and we dodged a few more students heading in the opposite direction as he led us down a narrower hallway lined with thick oak doors.
My brows knitted together. “That sounds terrifying.” A few more gasps and curses sounded from behind. I dared not look.
“Yes, it is. It is why asking an Earthonian about Earthos’ customs and culture is considered offensive and rude. I strongly advise you never to risk it. Best to stick to friendly conversation.”
“But why would they do that to their people?”
“Because when the ancient Earthonians witnessed the realms destroying each other during the last ice age, they decided to write solitude into law. Their ruler at the time cut off all connection to the other queendoms. The approved curriculum the Earthonian faculty teaches is very specific. They must only educate the students of Cibao about the history from before Earthos closed its realm. Even then, the information the students are taught is incredibly limited.” Myles entered an empty classroom on the right-hand side of the hall, and a sense of nostalgia consumed me: the countless hours dedicated to my education, the times I’d missed a party here and there to study, much to Chrissy’s disappointment. Those days seem so far away now that I found myself deep in the depths of the ocean in an empty classroom, with rows of weathered wooden chairs and blacktop tables, so much like my alma mater in the Above World. A pang of longing to study amongst the other students went straight to my heart. While I understood the reasoning, it would’ve been nice to get to know some of the others.
I quickly shook it off and stepped further into the classroom. There was no sense in dwelling on the what-ifs of life.
Myles set his bag on top of the desk at the head of the classroom. I slowly twirled and scanned the room. Perfect rows of wooden tables spread to the back of a high-ceiling room. Dark, navy-blue shelves lined the back wall and reached the ceiling, housing hundreds of books. I squinted at the highest shelf to see if I could read the books there, but no luck.
“This will be our classroom for the foreseeable future. We’ll attempt to cover all things, but we’ll start with the most important: your safety.” I turned to him then, his expression heavy with grave warning. “The other heirs also attend university. Remember, we don’t know who is a friend and who is a foe now. The Akani may walk these halls alongside you, and we may not even know it. You’ll need to be on your guard,” Myles’s gaze drifted to the hallway, the silence deepening as sessions began and the multiple doors on either side echoed shut. “And speaking of guards, you must get used to Commander Eliron following you around. He must be with you at all times. It’s for your safety.”
I peered out the open door, the now empty hallway silent. I couldn’t see Draevyn, but I knew he was there, the odd feeling blooming within. The whole damn thing was puzzling. Frustrating.
Utterly confusing.
My jaw tightened as I nodded at Myles. He raised a knowing brow, but I cleared my throat and placed my bag on the table before his desk, ready to begin my studies and forget the looming presence in the hallway.