Chapter 12
“Y ou look like an absolute dream, Your Highness,” Reneah, my chambermaid, said as she beamed at me from around my shoulder, gazing at my reflection in the mirror. Her very human features gave me a sense of calm—a sense of normalcy in the world of the Fae. Reneah had been a constant companion in the weeks since my arrival in Atlantis. During those first few weeks, she’d silently enter my quarters and exit on tiny stealth feet. I’d heard her, but didn’t have the energy to see who’d entered the room. With Mayana standing guard in the hallway just outside my quarters, I felt reassured, allowing myself to remain secluded within the confines of my room.
One day, I’d been tucked into the comfy velvet armchair in the living room—a generously spacious area that sat in front of a granite-surfaced sandstone kitchen with all the amenities that I needed—when in came this young human woman who looked to be a little older and a foot shorter than me. She’d worn the traditional chambermaid uniform—a light blue tunic and tapered black pants—that I’d seen the rest of the palace staff in. It was her big brown eyes that went wide at what I held in my hand that caused her wide lips to break out in a smile. “You’re reading Tales of a Shattered Kingdom. I love that book.”
Right then, I knew she and I would be instant friends.
And these past few weeks, whenever I was in a funk I couldn’t seem to lift myself out of, Reneah was there to ensure I was fed, bathed, or give an uplifting smile when it seemed my grief would never ease. Perhaps it never would, but with Reneah’s help, I could go about my day more easily.
Reneah’s angular face, with its fair skin, deep brown eyes, and thick dirty blond hair tied tight at the base of her neck, was likened to a fairy godmother about to send her fairy goddaughter off to the ball as she gave me a final head-to-toe assessment. Admittedly, that’s what I felt like. I brushed my slender hands over the smooth silk fabric of my teal dress. It looked even better with all the alterations and adjustments Aurelio made—something both Aurelio and Reneah spoke of for nearly an hour when he’d dropped off the dress earlier that week, the two of them thick as thieves.
I glanced at the clock on the shiny mahogany nightstand, noting only an hour left. It sent my emotions into a cascading waterfall, landing in the pit of my stomach. The dread of being in front of so many people was a steady hum that grew in intensity as day turned into night. Mom’s warm smile flitted about in my mind. I’d do it for her. It’s what she would’ve wanted. I inhaled deeply.
“That’s it,” Reneah encouraged. “Deep breaths. Remember, you were born for this. And you’re going to rock the ballroom.” Her wide lips lifted in a mischievous quirk. “You hold that chin high and look that wicked witch, Melysah, right in the face with nothing less than condescension.”
I burst into a chuckle, wheeling around to her. “Wow. Reneah has a mean girl side.”
Reneah placed a hand on her hip. “I’ve been known a time or two to let the lioness spring forth,” she said with a wink. “And my feelings are warranted. When your mother wasn’t around to stop Melysah, she’d take full advantage of the royal staff. Melysah was tough on the humans, giving us all sorts of random projects. But she left the Water Fae to tend to their regular palace duties. She could be quite awful, that one. Despite having her own home in town, she’d take up residence in one of the spare rooms of the palace. And that’s when the demands would start. Personal trips to the stores, waiting on her and her merry band of lovers long into the evening, fetching them all sorts of different things the palace staff still gossips about. It left me praying every night before bed for Neleah’s return to Atlantis. She was a buffer for us, and even though we’d never utter a complaint to Neleah because of the pressure she was under, she could sense the ease of her staff when she returned. She may have even caught Melysah ordering a few human chambermaids a time or two and shooed her off. So, this evening? You’d best believe I’ll be your biggest cheerleader from the sidelines.”
My head tilted. “From the sidelines? You’re not going to the ball?”
Her smile fell. “I’m afraid not. It wouldn’t be my place.”
I wrinkled my nose. “And why not?”
“Well, the Elemental Ball is for the Water Fae, Guardians, Council Members, and their invited guests, Your Highness.”
“Quit calling me ‘Your Highness.’ Just call me Ash. Do they not let humans into the ball?”
“Oh! No, no. It’s nothing like that. On the contrary, Atlantis is very kind to the humans. Or at least…”
My brow furrowed. “At least what, Reneah?” I asked when she fell silent.
Reneah wrung her petite hands at her middle. “Well, ever since the coming of the new ice age, tensions with the humans are getting a little sticky. We’ve never felt unwelcome in Atlantis. It’s just…some of the Fae are boldly expressing frustrations at the prospect of welcoming more human refugees. And the next second, they’re looking at us like they’d rather not have Atlantian-born humans here either. For many of us, Atlantis is the only home we know.”
I cocked an eyebrow in surprise. “You’ve never been to the Above World?”
Reneah jerked back slightly, a stray strand of her golden hair coming loose from behind her rounded ear. “Goddess, no. We’re not permitted. Our people took an oath to protect Atlantis. Part of that protection means that our people are to remain here. We take that very seriously. Even suggesting that the Atlantian humans visit the Above World is considered sacrilegious—and no offense, but I don’t know if I’d want to. Yes, I hear it’s amazing up there—the hills, mountains, waterfalls, and crystal blue skies. Aurelio and Myles show us pictures of all their travels, and they’re breathtaking. But the near-constant wars and killing are terrifying. It never stops, and it seems to be designed that way.” Reneah sighed. “Granted, it looks like we’re gearing up for a war of our own. My only hope is that the Atlantians rally behind the humans who will likely need a place to call home, just like our ancestors.”
My lips pulled back in a grimace. “Well, you shouldn’t feel like this isn’t your home. That’s not right. Atlantis is more your home than it is mine.”
Reneah smiled timidly. “It makes me happy you think so. Your kindness toward me, as a human, tells me everything I need to know about you. Would you mind if I confessed something?”
I fluttered a hand. “Not at all.”
Reneah’s head dipped in a nod. “Your mother and father are catching a lot of flack for raising you in the Above World; however, I think it’s wonderful. And I’m not alone in my thinking. Many Atlantian humans were deeply moved by their actions. It was as if they could foresee that we’d need an advocate.”
Something clicked in my mind. All the sacrifices my parents made, and the tension Dad was now dealing with seemed all the more significant. It meant something to their people—our people—who were born human in Atlantis. And it gave me an advantage no other royal had had until me—empathy.
“Anyway, I’m sure you’ll see a few humans milling about, but they must be invited.” She glanced at the ceiling thoughtfully. “It’s kind of like the Oscars in your Above World. All the glitz and glamor with all the fans waiting outside.”
I felt a pang of sympathy for Reneah. I hadn’t realized the Elemental Ball was exclusive. “Couldn’t I just invite you? As my guest?”
Reneah’s eyes went wide. “Holy shit. Shoot. Crap.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “Pardon my language. Oh, my word. But I couldn’t. What in the world would I wear?”
I laughed and motioned around the room. “We live in an underwater palace. There has to be something we can find for you.”
Reneah let out a girly squeal and jumped up and down. “Aurelio is going to freak out when I show up. Can I hug you? Is that even appropriate?”
I couldn’t suppress the laugh that tumbled out of me as she gripped me in a tight hug. “Of course, you can. We’re friends.”
Reneah pulled back. “Friends?”
I nodded. “If that’s okay with you.”
Reneah smiled radiantly. “Friends it is, Your...Ash.”
I gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Now, let’s find you something to wear. I’m sure there is something in my mother’s closet, yes?”
I almost laughed again at the shock written on Reneah’s face. “You want me to wear something from the Queen’s closet? That’s just mad.”
“Why?”
Reneah pressed a hand to her throat. “She was…the Queen. I couldn’t do that.”
I placed a hand on my hip. “Sure you can. She would’ve been honored to have you wear one of her dresses.”
Reneah blew out a breath. “Okay, fine. But nothing too elaborate. As it is, Neleah was much taller than I am.”
“Heels?”
“Definitely.” Reneah locked her arm in mine. “Let’s go to her quarters and see if we can find anything suitable.”
My curiosity spiked. I’d never seen the inside of my parents’ quarters in Atlantis. Why hadn’t I thought to see it sooner?
We emerged from my quarters and found Mayana standing guard—her back ramrod straight and her trident proudly at her side.
“Mayana. I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
Mayana bowed at the waist—her midnight black braid falling over her shoulder. “Your Highness, Commander Eliron is preparing for this evening’s ceremony and ball. I’ll be on guard till he relieves me.”
I don’t know why I felt disappointed.
A lie. That was a lie.
I could still see the tick in his jaw from our last meeting in my head. He hadn’t spoken to me about my failed lesson, and I hadn’t worked up the courage to open the front door of my quarters and speak with him about it either.
Reneah squeezed my arm, pulling me from my thoughts. “Come. We need to hurry.”
I gave Mayana a slight smile as we proceeded down the hallway—her near-silent steps sounding behind us. We descended the staircase at the end of the hallway, our quick strides carrying us to a floor that mimicked mine. As we entered the luxurious room, Reneah explained, “These are your parents’ quarters. Well, technically, they’re your quarters, or it will be once you are crowned. Your father isn’t here yet but should be at any minute. I’ll hurry and see what I can find.” She disappeared into a set of double doors just inside the darkened bedroom where I could just make out the large four-poster bed.
With Reneah leaving me to my observations, I padded across a living room three times the size of mine. A stone fireplace reaching to the ceiling loomed over a small table nestled between two sitting chairs before it.
A few metal photo frames sat on a long sea glass table against the window at the back of the room. I stopped before it, taking in the photos within the frames. A smile spread on my face when my own image stared back at me. I remembered the day as if it were yesterday. We visited Yosemite for the first time, and the image captured my cheeks burning bright red with the effort of completing a hike to Bridal Falls.
Another frame sitting just behind the others caught my eye. I placed the Yosemite picture on the table, and the cool metal of the other frame bit into my skin as I picked it up. My parents sat on a vast, sandy beach in the Above World, their pointed ears on full display, indicating the beach’s exclusivity. Their laughter could be heard through the weathered black-and-white photo. My heart squeezed to see them so happy.
I squinted as something caught my eye on my father’s chest. It resembled the very same tattoo-like Elemental markings I’d seen on the wrists of so many of the Fae, and they both shared the same style on the left side of their chests. I traced the cool glass of the frame with a fingertip, my brow furrowing as I tried to remember ever seeing a mark like that on them. But I was certain this was my first time seeing them.
Someone walked through the open door behind me, breaking me from my musings. I glanced over my shoulder and found Dad searching the room in confusion until his gaze fell on me. “Ah. Found our quarters, have you?”
I smiled. “Reneah is raiding Mom’s closet for a dress. I’ve invited her as my guest to the ball. I figured she could find something to wear. I don’t think Mom would have minded, but if you think it’s a bad idea—”
He dashed a hand in the air. “Of course not. I’m sure your mother would have loved for Reneah to wear one of her dresses to the ball, just as I’m certain it would mean the world to Reneah. She misses Neleah just as much as us,” Dad assured me. His gaze shifted to the frame in my hand as he pointed to it. “What is that you have there?”
I held it up, giving it a gentle shake. “It’s a picture of you and Mom on the beach.” My gaze drifted back to the photo. “When was this taken?”
He plodded toward me, a small smile on his lips as he came to stand at my side. “That was back in nineteen fifty-three. A few of us traveled to a secluded beach in the Above World; hence the Fae features.” He huffed a laugh, shaking his head. “Don’t ask what we were laughing at. It was probably insignificant, but I’m glad Myles caught the picture anyway. It’s a good one of us.” His Adam’s apple bobbed on a swallow. “A good one of her.”
“And the markings on your chests? I don’t remember ever seeing those. What are they?”
A pause. “Those are our bondmate marks, and you wouldn’t have seen them since we’d always had our glamour around you.”
I twisted to him. “Bondmate marks?”
He nodded, his gaze fixed on the photo. “They’re a representation to the world as bondmates.”
I returned the frame to the table, the metal briefing clinking against the glass. “Oh. I didn’t know you all were into tattoos.”
He laughed. “They’re not tattoos, Sher. They’re marks much like the Elemental mark you’ll receive today. They are goddess-blessed, a sign that one is your fated mate. Your bondmate.”
My brows dipped as my arms slid into a cross. “Myles and Aurelio mentioned they were bondmates, and that it’s a pretty permanent thing.”
“It is. It’s not like the Above World and marriages on paper filed at a courthouse. They’re your mate for as long as you live, and for the Fae, that’s a pretty long time.”
My eyes shifted back to the image of my mother, the way her mouth parted in a carefree laugh. “And what happens if your bondmate dies?” When he didn’t answer, I glanced back at him. I couldn’t help but notice the slight glistening in his eyes.
“Besides feeling like something tethered was cut directly from your soul? Your bond mark changes, as I’ve come to find out.” He let his scales drop on the upper left area of his chest to reveal a now very different mark than the one in the photograph. It appeared the same with one major difference—its curving lines that swirled at the ends were now just an outline of the marking itself. The inside turned back to the color of his flesh. He traced it with his finger. “You see, the goddess believes in love, yes? So, the mark is meant to be filled again if one finds love after their bondmate passes.” He sighed heavily. “Although I can’t even imagine someone replacing your mother. The thought sickens me.”
I didn’t know how to feel about that either, but I squeezed his upper arm in comfort. “If it helps, I can’t imagine you with anyone else but Mom. But it seems this goddess is a pretty smart lady.”
He chuckled, bringing the back of his hand to wipe a tear that escaped. “Yes, that she is. That goddess. Always up to something.”
“I think I got it!” Reneah called from the closet. Just a few moments later, she dashed into the room in a ruby-red dress that hugged every curve of her body, her hands traveling over the fabric to straighten the creases. When she looked up, she froze at the sight of Dad. “Oh, my goddess!” She curtsied low. “I am so sorry, Your Highness.”
“Don’t be,” he assured her, his voice going soft. “You look beautiful, Reneah. Neleah would have loved to see you in her dress. And going to an Elemental Ball. She would’ve been pleased. Thank you for accompanying my daughter. You can steer her clear of all the busybodies and the troublemakers.”
Reneah nodded vigorously. “Absolutely, Your Highness. I’ve got her.”
I let loose a sigh. “Ugh. Now I’m even more nervous. Can’t we just do the Elemental Ceremony?”
“And miss all the fashion?” Reneah exclaimed, bringing her palm to her throat. “Blasphemous!”
Within a few minutes, Reneah changed back into her clothes with my mother’s ruby-red dress in tow, leaving Dad to prepare for the ball and me to further deliberate over bondmates—those questions rattling around in my head long after I departed his quarters.
A sense of dèjá vu traveled down my spine as I strode up the stone pathway to the Temple of Atabey—the scene eerily reminiscent of my mother’s Wylemei. The memories of Atlantians with tears streaming down their faces as Mother’s body passed them by—some human, some Fae—rattled through my mind. And yet, a part of her presence strolled along with me, an essence of her so palpable it felt like a warm blanket had been thrown over my shoulders. It had the ticking of nerves dialing down to a steady hum. The reverent energy emanating from the crowd rolled off them in waves—bowing as I passed them.
I silently recited Myles’ instructions—where to stand and who would be there with me—as my steps carried me to the base of the temple steps. So, it was no surprise to find Dad waiting with Dax at his side, standing tall and proud in their scales. Reneah informed me that everyone else dresses in ball attire after ceremonies. But I refused for my ceremonial experience to be lessened by my choice to wear my ball gown. I may not be able to don my scales at will yet, but at least the dress was extraordinary.
The other Guardians stood directly behind Dad and Dax in a near-perfect line—their glowing gold tridents on full display. As I came to stand before them, my eyes narrowed on a dangling piece of jewelry in the palm of my father’s hand—the light of the fading day catching on it. He opened his palm, and a beautiful shimmering chain of little intertwined leaves fastened to a dangling teardrop diamond hung from his fingers. “This was your mother’s,” he told me. “It’s a headdress. She wore it during her elemental ceremony. I know she’d want you to wear it, so a part of her is with you.”
My vision blurred. I blinked away the moisture from my eyes as he placed the circular headdress on my head—the dangling diamond tickling my forehead. There was no avoiding the tightening in my throat when I witnessed the flash of pride and pain on my father’s face.
“Thank you,” I croaked.
He pulled me into a gentle hug before fussing with the headdress and positioning the large flowing curls of my long brown hair that Reneah styled to perfection behind my back. “You look amazing, Sher Bear.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He cleared his throat. “Okay. Go ahead, honey. The Bohiti is waiting for you. I’ll be right here.”
My head dipped in a nod before I began my ascent up the giant stone temple steps. My heart was a hammer in my chest, but a sense of calm so at odds with my current state caressed my building anxiety.
It tugged.
I halted, my gaze instinctively shifting over my shoulder and fixing on Draevyn positioned at the foot of the stairs. His handsome face brightened, and a slight smile lifted the corner of his lips. Despite the awkwardness at the end of our last lesson, I couldn’t help but return it and felt instant relief when I witnessed the subtle dip of his head.
I let loose a breath I hadn’t known I was holding and proceeded to the top of the steps, where a tiny female with glossy black hair that reached her lower back waited. The might of the Bohiti stood before me; a female filled to the brim with magical capabilities who led the high priestesses comprised of Fae from all realms. They existed as spiritual leaders for neither water nor fire, nor air or earth, but for all. I now understood what Myles meant about the fearsome high priestess. She was pure power, like stepping into an aura that could be felt but not seen.
The emerald diamond of her similarly fashioned headdress dangled off the bronzed skin of her forehead as she bowed before me. The smile upon her lips as she rose reached her glowing almond-shaped obsidian eyes. “Welcome, Princess Asherah. I am the Bohiti Loma. It’s a true honor to reveal your elemental mark today.” She gestured behind her with an elegant hand. “If you’ll follow me this way.”
The Bohiti led me to a dais just beyond the temple opening, her long white robes whispering across the marble floors. On top of the dais, a small bowl made of the deepest black lava rock was nestled between two glass pitchers and perched on top of a hip-high black marble pillar with clusters of rich gold veins snaking across it. I froze when my gaze caught on what lay at the back of the temple like an ominous shadow bearing witness—the pyre where Mom’s body had turned to ash. Echoes from the beast of grief within my soul reared its ugly head, beckoning me to succumb to the dark depths of depression that awaited me, had engulfed me.
I immediately shook it off. I wouldn’t go down that lonely road again. It did no one any favors, not with the weight of the realm on my shoulders.
Mom wouldn’t want it.
And the beast of grief found sleep once again.
Two High Priestesses stepped out of the shadows and into the hue of the warm blue faelights that dimly lit the temple, their white robes flowing behind them on an errant wind. Unlike the Bohiti with her beautiful razor-straight hair, theirs had been parted down the middle and tied in a bun at the nape of their neck.
The Bohiti took my hand in her delicate one, turning my wrist over the bowl. One priestess reached for the glass pitcher filled with thick, golden oil while the other cradled a small rust-colored clay mortar in her palms. A fraction of the oil glowed like a beam of sunlight as it flowed into the awaiting mortar below. The Bohiti procured a small burlap packet from the inner pocket of her robes. The mesmerizing whispers of her incantation began flowing from lips, intertwining and weaving in a practiced dance of words. My mouth fell open of its own accord, complete and utter awe washing over me.
Whispers became murmurs when the two priestesses joined with the Bohiti in her incantation, and goosebumps spread down the arm hanging over the lava rock bowl. The contents of the small burlap packet were emptied into the clay mortar dutifully held within the priestess’s hands without a flinch. The other handed the Bohiti a matching pestle that had laid in the shadow of the lava rock bowl. She began crushing the oils and the contents; the intoxicating earthy aromas of cedarwood, sandalwood, cloves, and deep red roses reached my nose as she crushed them beneath her pestle. The Bohiti gathered a bit of the substance on her delicate pointer and gingerly spread it over the sunkissed skin on the inside of my wrist. She then gently rubbed a thumb against my skin in a circular motion—their chanting growing louder and more frantic with each passing second.
A wild burning sensation spread just below the Bohiti’s thumb, and my eyes widened as I beheld the black mark with ink of the darkest night sky beginning to manifest—an elemental mark different from any of the others I’d observed. Its swirling lines gracefully curved up and down, and a small black dot affixed itself at the base of the mark. A clear stream of water poured from the spout of the other glass pitcher, washing away the contents that covered my mark into the awaiting bowl below. It was stark black now, the lines definite and imposing.
The Bohiti leaned forward, a crease forming between her brows before she lifted her head and smiled. “You have the royal mark just as we expected, Princess Asherah. May the goddess bless your reign.” All three priestesses bowed, their bright white robes kissing the floor before the Bohiti rose to guide me toward the temple entrance.
As my three-inch diamond-flecked teal heels clicked against the marble floors, I just kept staring at the mark—my mark—with a smile that made my cheeks hurt. All I could think, all I could feel, was that I’d hoped I’d made Mom proud.
“Princess Asherah, would you mind if I saw your elemental mark one last time?” the Bohiti asked as we passed underneath the massive metal bowl that hung on thick brass chains over the temple entrance.
I nodded, holding out my wrist for her inspection.
The crease between her brows appeared again, her fingers tracing over the small dot at the base of the mark.
The feeling of elation I’d felt a moment before began to dissipate. I tilted my head, ready to inquire about what had visibly perplexed her, but my attention was abruptly seized by the pounding footfalls on the entrance steps. I swiveled around, and my breath left me. My father’s face was full of pride and joy. It was the first time he’d shown any sign of pure, unfiltered happiness in a while, and it instantly warmed my heart. He glanced down at my wrist. “The royal mark. I knew it would come through,” he beamed. He wrapped me in his arms and lifted me in a twirl—my feet and dress whirling behind me. I instantly feared knocking into the Bohiti, but when he set me down, she had already retreated. My eyes fixed on her disappearing form, swallowed by the shadows of the temple. The faelights winked out in her wake.