Turbulent Waves, page 16
They followed the woman to the fire burning at the center of the building. Kai noticed how young all the priestesses surrounding them were. If this was in any way an accurate picture of who had followed Nessa, it was true that only the young and brilliant had made the trip. She could sense their devotion not only to the goddess, but to the queen they served. What they lacked in years they made up for in loyalty.
“What time is this?” she asked, and the woman smiled.
“I see Jyri’s impatience is still strong in her line. No greeting, just business.” The woman laughed and Vivien joined in. “This is the second year of our coming.” The woman waved them to sit before she did the same. “Much has happened in our time here, but it is now a moment for celebration.”
“Why?” Vivien asked.
“Our queen led us here, and we have made it our home. The land and the water are untouched, and we’ve enjoyed exploring since our arrival. After our life on planet Atlantis, you can smell the freedom here, and we praise the goddess for it. Now, though, with the help of the Consort Jyri’s breakthroughs, our queen is close to giving birth to our heir. She waited until she could carry her mate’s child, just like you have. It comes much sooner than your child, Princess,” the woman said to Vivien. “The goddess was true in what she showed me. The bonding shouldn’t have worked, but her love for you has made it possible.”
“I love her as well,” Vivien said.
“I know that, as does the goddess. We pray to her, but she understands the importance of finding your match. She has also found the same for herself among the gods, if you read all her teachings, and the love of her children is what has kept her faith in us through the millennia.” The woman bowed again, as did all the others.
The two women who entered made Vivien gasp. “She looks so much like you.”
“I think the proper order is she looks so much like me,” the taller of the women said, pointing at Kai. She smiled as she helped her very pregnant companion sit on one of the cushions.
“If the goddess only allows me to see one glimpse of the future, I thank her for this.” The pregnant woman was beautiful, and she had kind eyes. Kai had seen paintings and pictures of her, but seeing her now made a sense of love flow through her.
“Queen Nessa,” she said, lowering her head in respect. “Consort Jyri.”
“Please, Kai,” Nessa said, “we’re family, so look at me and let me be happy that what we did was not in vain.”
“Your realm is vast and thriving, and you and Jyri are still celebrated. What you did laid a foundation that’s guided every queen who’s followed you.” She wished her mothers could be here to see this. Nessa and Jyri were legends, and while they had video images of their life, seeing them in the flesh was an exhilarating experience.
“She’s a wise woman, my wife,” Jyri said. “See? I told you they’d never forget you.” Jyri kissed Nessa’s temple and smiled. “And the bond we have is also hereditary, from what I can tell. Vivien, welcome to our world.”
“Thank you, Highness,” Vivien said, reaching for her hand.
“The sight of you makes the craving to hold our daughter that much stronger.” Nessa spoke directly to Kai. “Your mate is right. You resemble my love, and it’s good to see the family line continues still.”
“My mother Hadley actually looks a lot like you, so I got my dark hair and height from her. We must have a thing for pretty blondes,” Kai said, and Jyri laughed.
“Ah, you sound like Jyri too, but now let’s talk about what you need to know. That the three of you made it here means the goddess has blessed you, and you figured out how to use those blessings. You’ll need them to defeat the coming darkness.” The priestesses started praying in a low voice as Nessa spoke, and it sounded like humming in the background.
“What do you mean?” Vivien asked.
“The prophecy written by our priestess was not complete. I thought giving the whole thing away would give an advantage to those who’d do harm to our family.” Nessa leaned back against Jyri and rubbed her middle. “I didn’t believe what they told me at first, but I also didn’t want to take any chances. Our people deserve to be free and happy in this world.”
Kai glanced at Vivien. She couldn’t remember the names of every queen they’d had, but this is where they began. Nessa and Jyri were the base of their family tree, and she was proud to have come from these brave women.
“That’s what my mother believes as well, and when our Priestess Oba told her she’d given birth to the one who’d bring about the prophecy, it worried her a little.”
“Kai, you might not believe us, but we’ve been with you from the time your mother carried you.”
“It’s true,” Nessa said. “You have nothing to fear from the prophecy, and neither does your mother. What was written was a sign of the changing, but a change that will only strengthen our line.”
Jyri nodded and continued, “What we started has grown and evolved, and we have rested in peace as we watched our people do great things.” Jyri placed her hand on Nessa’s and smiled. “Our people have known their purpose as they did in our time.”
“Will you tell us what that is?” Frankie asked shyly.
“Welcome to our family, Frankie.” Nessa smiled at him. “We have watched you and Vivien from the day Kai first found you. Little did you know you were part of such”—Nessa tilted her head and tapped her chin—“spooky things,” she said, having obviously plucked the expression from his head.
Frankie laughed. “That is how I’ve thought about it. All this is out of our norm.”
“If things were balanced, you would only know Kai as your family and nothing more. Sometimes, though, the past won’t let us go so easily even if it takes eons to come back to haunt us.” Jyri spoke, and Nessa looked up at her with an expression of adoration.
“The chance we took was to build the history you’re a part of,” Nessa said. “The purpose we taught and wanted our children to carry forth was that of service. It wasn’t about lording over anyone or using our position to dominate. Our history contained plenty of that,” Nessa said of her and Jyri. “When we joined, I took Jyri’s name as a way of erasing my father’s cruelty. The vision we shared made it paramount for us to leave when we saw no future in our old home. My father would’ve never allowed it.”
“The Oberons’ rule, as you know, became much worse than your father’s, and because of their quest for power, planet Atlantis is on the precipice of extinction.” Kai had watched her mother’s meetings with Sol, and the man was unhinged. It seemed not much had changed in the years since Nessa and Jyri had led their people to freedom. “Sol Oberon sent his son following the same path you did to kill me, and I’m sure Vivien would’ve been on his list as well when he found out about the baby.”
“Your death would’ve ended the dream we had for the new Atlantis. These people who have fallen under the sway of the Oberons do not follow Sol. His rule is over, and it’s his heir who wants what you have. She will kill to get it, so you three must work together to stop the darkness that comes. The realm needs you both, Kai and Vivien, but your bond with Frankie will be important as well. It needs you all and the child you carry to continue our rule.”
“Believe me, I’ll do whatever I need to in order for Vivien and our baby to survive.” She took Vivien’s hand as well as Frankie’s.
“Don’t be so quick to sacrifice yourself.” Jyri’s eyes bored into hers. “I look at you, and I see myself, the same drive to keep your mate whole and happy. I’m the one who found the way here, and those who followed us wanted the same things you do. They wanted to join and love who they chose and not have someone choose for them. Keep your word and the vows you made. Your child, like ours, will need you to teach her the responsibilities of her future and the self-sacrifice it takes to be a good queen.”
“The best way to show your people the way forward is to live a good life, love your wife, and cherish the years you have together,” Nessa said. “The greatest blessing I was ever given was growing old with my love, and we want the same for you.”
“Look to the past, and you’ll find the rest of the prophecy,” Jyri said.
“There’s a record of it?” Vivien asked.
“Our head priestess followed our wishes and left what you’ll need to prepare. Once you know all of what the goddess promised, you’ll be ready to face what you must.” Nessa reached out for Vivien’s hand and held it between hers. “You are the strength she’ll need to wear the crown. Like Jyri is to me and Hadley is to our daughter Galen, you must accept your role and the crown. Don’t be afraid to claim that which is yours.”
“Will she win?” Vivien’s tears appeared ready to fall, and Kai put her arm around her gently, not wanting to disturb Viv’s connection to Nessa.
“Nothing in this life is promised, but one thing,” Jyri said. “Her love for you is so legendary it was written about in our time. You come not directly from our line, but you belong to us, nonetheless. The goddess has fulfilled the other things she promised when it comes to you and Frankie. It’s been ordained. The changing of your shells at the temple started the wheel of fate you must complete.”
“So she won’t win?” Vivien released a sob and fell against Kai.
“That’s not what she said at all,” Nessa said. “The wielder of a trident fighting for power and fame will make them seem invincible, but the one who wields the trident for love is invincible.” Nessa leaned forward and wiped Vivien’s tears. “What was shown to us, at first I thought a curse, payment for some of the changes we made here like letting our male citizens die out, but that’s not it at all. You were made for each other and destined to meet.”
“So the goddess is on our side, then?” Vivien asked, but Kai was thinking the same thing.
“What you have are the choices you made. Something can be thrown in your path, and every one of us has the choice to walk by, ignoring it. When you saw Kai emerge from the water as a child it was fate,” Nessa said. “It started the prophecy, but had you not truly fallen in love, the prophecy would’ve had to wait for another generation.”
“As prophecies go, this one’s been good from the start,” Kai said, making Nessa and Jyri laugh.
“Remember all that we’ve said before the connection is lost,” Nessa said.
“Thank you.” Kai wanted to talk fast, so as to not leave with just a promise of the danger headed their way. “Can you tell me where in the past to look?”
“Think of your childhood, Kai,” Nessa said. She turned and stared at Jyri. Something was silently decided between her and Nessa, and Jyri took her jacket off.
The tattoo on Jyri’s bicep was intricate, and Kai stared at the design. It niggled something in the back of her mind, but it was like fog. She’d seen it somewhere but had no idea where.
“The answers lie with us,” Jyri said. “Finding what we left will teach you to work together because it’s only together that you will find the strength to win.”
“Find your answers, and don’t forget to lean on each other. The three of you have a trust that will never be broken, and it must always be so,” Nessa said. “Until we see each other again.”
The blinding light came like before, and when Kai opened her eyes, they were sitting in the room where they’d started. Both Vivien and Frankie held her hands tightly and seemed disoriented when they turned their attention to her.
“What in the hell?” Frankie took a deep breath and let them go.
“That was different,” Vivien said, falling against her chest. “At least it wasn’t as disconcerting as our first foray into group visions.”
“You’d think they could be clearer if it was a damn vision. Teamwork is great and all, but I’d rather have them give us an X marks the spot.” She sat back against the couch and made Vivien comfortable. “I have more questions than answers.”
“Will you tell me what you saw?” Oba appeared calmer, as if she’d used the time they were mentally away to compose herself.
“I’ll be happy to, but let’s go get my parents. Then I want to talk to the priestess you brought with you. I want to know who she gave the information to besides Bella Riverstone, and what exactly she passed along. I’m going to do whatever I have to, to keep my family safe, and if that takes ripping the answers out of her head, then so be it.” She held Vivien closer and noticed Frankie didn’t move too far away.
Laud and her mother Hadley were right outside the room, and they seemed to be waiting until they were done. Hopefully they hadn’t started questioning the woman without her. What Nessa and Jyri had said about Frankie meant she’d keep him with them until all the danger was done. Given that he’d been able to join them in the second vision, he’d be the best ally to keep Vivien safe.
“Did you get anything?” her mom asked.
“Plenty, but let’s wait and talk about it in a minute. Where is our guest?”
“The queen is waiting in the grotto, Highness.” Laud led the way, and Kai was glad the rain had slackened a bit. The spot Laud had mentioned was outside through the back, where the foliage started to get thick.
The grotto was a cave within the cave they were already in and had been incorporated into the landscape. Her grandmother had commissioned a small statue of the goddess, and it stood above the natural pool that was heated by some source deep in the ground. She smiled when she saw her aunt sitting with her mother near the entrance.
“Congratulations, stud. I didn’t have a chance to talk to you last night to tell you how happy we are for you.” Clarice kissed her cheeks before putting her arms around Vivien. “Sorry all this came up now. I swear our family isn’t this drama riddled all the time.”
“Thank you, and thanks for the great gift.” Vivien had received a book of old maps after Kai had told Clarice about how much Vivien loved diving old wrecks.
“Where is she?” It was time to get this over with, so they’d have time to discuss other things. She didn’t see the priestess, which might be a good thing since she was ready to drive her trident right through her skull.
“By the pool with Edil, and we sedated her to keep her from reading anyone else’s mind. Susan seems to have a special talent for that.” Her mother Galen had her arms crossed over her chest.
“Did she read someone’s mind? She’s only been here a couple of hours, so I hope none of you meditated around her,” she said, and Clarice laughed. It was the type of laugh that was the definition of taunting your sibling.
“You might want to add daydreaming to that no-no list.” Clarice chuckled, and her mother glared at her sister.
“What does that mean?” Kai knew how much her aunt loved tormenting her mother, so she could imagine what happened.
“Let’s just say this Susan woman will have a new appreciation for your mom,” her aunt said and smiled as she pointed at her mother Galen.
“And before you think of teasing me,” her mother said, “think about the random thoughts that pop into your head when you look at Vivien. I’m sure they’re not all about flowers and chocolates.”
“It’s a wonder you’re not in therapy,” Frankie said in a soft voice. “It’s an even bigger surprise you’re an only child.”
“It’s not from their lack of trying,” Kai joked. “Did she see anything besides the wonders of your sex life?” She had to laugh despite the seriousness of the situation.
“Not much, so I thought this was the best place for her until Laud transports her up north to join the other prisoners.” Her mom walked over and patted her chest. “I thought the quiet and the darkness might make her want to have a chat. A lifetime of this would drive even the most devoted to madness, and I think she knows that.”
“Can I try before she’s taken away?” She wanted answers, but if the woman was a talented mind reader, maybe waiting would be smart. Giving anyone an edge in finding what Nessa and Jyri left would be a mistake that could lead to defeat.
“Waiting would be the smart move, but we need to try,” Vivien said as she started walking.
She shook her head and followed, since Vivien seemed to know where she was going. There was something different about Vivien, and Kai was mesmerized. It was as if each day she spent in the kingdom, the more confident she became. Not that Vivien was weak before, but now she had an inner strength that made Kai ready to follow her anywhere.
That was the type of relationship her mothers had, and it was misunderstood by many because of the public image they seemed to portray. Her mother Hadley was the trained warrior, but her mother Galen wasn’t weak. She was actually the one her mom Hadley leaned on, yet her mother didn’t hesitate to make the hard decisions that came with sitting on the throne. Until Vivien, Kai never realized that’s what she wanted. Someone she could count on to carry the weight of her worry and love her anyway when it threatened to swamp her.
She was worried, but whoever thought to face them would have to kill her to take what was hers. As for the priestess Susan, she hoped her mom would banish her, alone and forgotten in the frozen waters of the north. That’s, after all, what Pontos and his followers had planned for their people. The Oberons were a sickness that left destruction in their path, and it was time to rid all worlds of them.
“Is that you, Princess?” Susan lifted her head and appeared to know exactly where she was. “Did you bring the disease that will sicken and kill all of us with time?”
“Do you mean me?” Vivien cocked her head slightly and studied Susan, clearly thinking of something. For the first time since they’d met, Kai couldn’t make out one thought in Vivien’s mind. It was closed to her, and she hoped that meant it was closed to Susan. “Is my humanity going to be what brings the realm to its knees?”
“It’s already been written. You will bring about the end, and Kai knew that and brought you here anyway. I can’t allow that to happen.” Susan spoke with authority but didn’t try to break her bonds.
