Turbulent Waves, page 8
Kai walked her to the guestroom and stopped at the door. “Tomorrow we’ll go to lunch with my parents, but Mama said she’s already cleared us to go to the temple to prepare. Oba has to say prayers, and after three days we’ll stand before the goddess and join. Are you okay with that?”
“So I’m stuck here alone until then?” She stepped into Kai’s arms and pressed her lips to Kai’s chest. “I’m going to miss you.”
“It seems ridiculous to me, considering you’re already pregnant, but this is to make everyone happy that we’re following some protocol. If you need anything, I won’t be too far away.” Kai kissed her forehead before moving to her lips. “And I love you for doing all this.”
“I love you too, and it’s fine. I’d like to meet Oba.” She smiled when Kai lifted an eyebrow. “You’re a trained warrior, so you should know sizing up the competition is a good move.” She had to laugh at Kai’s look. “Honey, close your mouth, and don’t worry—I’ll do whatever I need to as long as I get you. I’m looking forward to meeting you at the end of two aisles. Remember, once all this pomp and circumstance is done, you’ll be subjected to Cornelia Palmer’s version of it.”
“I can’t wait.” Kai held her hand and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, and Edil will look over you until the morning. If you need anything, use the comm unit next to the bed, and have them call me.”
“I’ll miss you.” She wasn’t in the mood to be alone, but three days wouldn’t kill them.
“Eventually you’ll want to get rid of me.” Kai kissed her softly, with a world of promise held in her lips. The guards thankfully had turned around. It appeared privacy was going to be at a premium in the future if they were constantly in the middle of a pack. Kai gave her a final quick smile before she slipped out to go about whatever royal duties she had to attend to.
The way Kai held her and loved her made her willing to put up with whatever was coming. She leaned back against the door and stared out the windows at the schools of fish that swam by. That there was this much life where none should exist was still hard to believe, and that she’d become such an important part of it all was still a work in progress. She’d tackle it like everything else in her life and work until she’d won over the skeptics. Being a woman in a male-dominated field hadn’t been easy even if her father owned the company, and this would be more of the same, only it’d be those who wanted one of their own with Kai.
Her phone rang, and she sighed when she saw Frankie’s happy face. “It’s like you have ESP. Thanks for keeping me from spiraling into my head.”
“How’d it go?”
“I have dual citizenship now, but I’ll wait to get back to tell you the rest.” She moved to the large windows and pressed her hand against the glass. One of the patrols went by on what appeared to be Sea-Doos.
“Is it everything you imagined?” Frankie’s voice brought her a sense of normalcy and eased some of the pressure the day had built up. “I’ve been thinking about you since you left.”
“It’s so much more, and I’ve never been happier.” She enjoyed his laughter. “And I’m getting married in a few days.” She laughed as she fell on the bed. Not having Frankie with her felt wrong. They’d gone through everything in life together, and she didn’t want to leave him behind. “I wish you could see this place.”
“I saw a little from a distance, and I wish I was there too, but don’t tell Mom that. The planning is in full swing, so don’t take too long. I’d hate to see you end up in ruffles because you’re not here to rein her in.”
She laughed and wondered if their mother was disappointed in having to deviate from the wedding she’d probably had in mind all her life. “I trust you won’t let it get that far.”
“She’s actually having fun putting things together and is looking forward to meeting Kai’s family.”
“Are you sure?” She bit the tip of her finger to stem her nerves. “Are they really happy about Kai?”
“Are you kidding? I think Mom and Dad like her more than they do us. Stop stressing. I had a long talk with Mom to make sure we’re all on the same page. She loves Kai—it’s not an act. She said Kai loves you the way she’s always wanted for you.”
“How about you? How’s it going with Marsha?” That the couple she’d always wanted to get together finally had was thrilling. Marsha had always been her best friend, but she’d love to have her as a sister.
“I have to say that Marsha is everything I ever imagined her to be. You can go ahead and tell me I told you so.”
“Would I do that?” She made him laugh and she joined in. “I’m sorry it took you two so long, but if it makes you feel better, she waited out of respect for what you wanted. It was never from a lack of interest.”
“I know and thank you. Now make sure you don’t start some international incident, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Take care, and make sure you take Marsha somewhere nice.”
“You do the same, and have fun. Hopefully you’re allowed to take a few pictures, so I can see it.”
She held the phone against her chin and stared back at the bed. After a month of wrapping herself around Kai to go to sleep, tonight was going to be tough. “Three more days and you get everything you want.” She shivered, suddenly cool, but she was too tired to think about anything else. These were her last nights of being alone. That would be something to be thankful for when they went to the temple.
Her family had never been terribly religious, but she remembered a verse from her catechism classes. She was sure this wasn’t what her priest meant, but it was appropriate. The quote from the book of Ruth was how she felt for Kai, and what she was taking on by marrying her: I will go where you go, and I will stay wherever you stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. I will die where you die, and be buried there. May the Lord bring a curse upon me, if anything but death separate you and me.
She’d never in her life had the connection she had to Kai with anyone else, so perhaps some goddess really had prophesized it years before. That it’d been her who’d been chosen to be loved by Kai was something she’d treasure more than anything she’d ever found beneath the waves. This was her destiny, and she prayed their first blessing was years to share, to build on what they’d started.
It might take time for her to completely fit in to a world that was as foreign to her as flapping her arms and taking flight. What seemed true was that no matter where people came from, they were all susceptible to drama, and Kai’s realm was no different. No matter how hard you worked for what you had, someone was trying their best to take it away from you. People had schemed to kill Kai, and she doubted it’d be any different when it came to their child.
If someone tried to harm an innocent baby or Kai, she’d be happy to be the one to spear them through the heart. The next few years would be filled with a baby and a new marriage, but she’d also dedicate herself to learning what she needed to be a good wife to Kai. All she had to remember through all of it was that Kai loved her and only her.
* * *
Daria lay on the massage table naked waiting for the woman who usually took care of her. She’d spent the day on the training grounds again, but the thrill of taking the competition down was losing its appeal because of the ease. Tomorrow she was headed to the armory to check the realm’s one remaining ship capable of making the journey she’d planned. Her idiot brother had taken the others, and she knew those were lost forever.
“Highness.” The woman bowed and didn’t move until Daria gave her permission to rise. The idiot would’ve stayed in that position until she keeled over.
That kind of power over people had been the biggest turn-on from the moment she could reason. “Get to it.” The ability to wield it belonged to her because she’d been strong enough to take it.
The muscles in her back were tight, and she moaned when the woman started a deep-tissue massage. She’d reached her lower back when Daria noticed the boots standing in front of the table. Whoever they belonged to had guts for entering unannounced, and for staring at her naked. She was no prude, but there had to be rules and stiff consequences for breaking them.
“What?” She didn’t lift her head as she decided whether to kill for the intrusion.
“His Highness demands to see you.” Joel. She recognized his voice. He was the head of her father’s forces, and this intrusion was a sign he’d let the power he’d been given go to his head. “Right now.” He didn’t avert his eyes when she pushed up and sat on the side of the table.
She stood and stared at him, waiting for him to lower his eyes, but he didn’t. The defiance was blatant, and his smile made her move swiftly. There was never a time she was unarmed, and she laughed before driving her dagger into his kidney. He dropped to his knees and tried to reach for his weapon.
“Did you enjoy the view?” She stabbed through the other side and laughed again at his cry of pain. “Your disrespect is rewarded. How dare you order me to do anything? And what gives you that right or the right to look upon me?”
“Your father promised me,” he said, breathing hard and sweating.
“My father promised you what?” She placed her fingers on her forehead and waited. “Tell me, or you’ll have problems talking with your balls in your mouth.”
“You,” Joel said with a hand on either side of his body. “You need someone like me to keep you in line.”
“My father said that?” She didn’t need convincing to know that was true.
“You need me.”
“So you felt free to do this because I belong to you?” She moved quickly and plucked his eye out. When he stopped screaming she showed it to him before taking his other eye. She finished by placing his testicles in his mouth after she’d cut through his uniform. “Set him adrift, and save on fish food today.” The men with Joel saluted and bowed their heads. “Wait for me in my room,” she told the woman.
This would be her last day on this dead rock, and her father could deal with the consequences of his actions. She was done wanting to rule the people left on Atlantis. Her destiny was to rule the world Galen and all the bitches who bowed down to her inhabited. All she had to do was get there and find the network she’d pieced together and use them to finish the job. Pontos had taken advantage of her work and taken credit for it, but without her they would’ve never reached this point. The women in Galen’s realm had kept up communications over the thousands of years with a few select families, if only so they could keep tabs on what was going on, on planet Atlantis. She’d used that information to track them down, and now she’d take what she deserved.
“I’ve been waiting,” her father said when she walked in.
She threw Joel’s eyes at his feet and enjoyed the shock it caused. “Joel said he’d see you around.”
“You killed him? Have you completely lost your mind?” Sol stood from the throne, stepping on the eyes and making them pop as he came closer. “Joel will be missed by the troops. You’re risking them turning against us.”
“You, Father. Turning on you.” She accepted a towel for her hands from one of Joel’s men. “Your stupidity and blindness are going to be our doom. Enjoy your crown while you still have a head to set it on. I’m going to finish what I started. Pontos is dead because he listened to you, and I’m not making that mistake.”
“I forbid it.” The way her father was acting meant he’d not heard one thing she said. “Your place is here with me.”
“Shut up, old man. You spend so much time talking, you never see or hear anything around you.” She grabbed his hand when he moved to slap her. “Be careful, or I’ll free our people from you before I go. What do you think they’ll do to you? All that mounting frustration from the state of things won’t be pretty.”
“How dare you speak to me like this.” His face showed pain when she squeezed his hand. “Take her,” he said to the soldier closest to them, who didn’t move, staring at them wide-eyed. “Now!” But her father’s guard stayed still.
“Who is Joel’s second?” she asked the guard.
“I am.” A tall woman stepped forward, and Daria was surprised Joel had a woman in that position. “Bronti Carper.”
“I name you the new royal commander in charge while I’m gone,” she said, and Bronti as well as the others saluted. “You’re to detain my father until I send for you all. Release the stores of food, and tell everyone my father is dying. Anyone who says otherwise, kill them.” She looked at her father. “Freedom for the people it is.”
“Your commands will be followed,” Bronti said.
And just like that, Atlantis had a new ruler. She’d deposed him more easily than she’d eaten breakfast. She let her father go as she pushed him back. “Like you always say, Your Highness, death comes to everyone. You’ve done everything you can to invite it in way before your time.”
“You’ll pay for this,” her father said, spit flying from his mouth when he screamed. His guards stepped away from him, their attention on Daria.
“The future belongs to the strong.” She walked out and headed for the launch pad. The route to Earth was programmed in, and all she had to do was survive the trip. “The throne awaits.” She’d bring strength to Galen’s realm by taking it for herself before she conquered the rest of the planet. From what little she knew of Earth, it had millions of slaves who’d either fall in line or litter the waters when she had them eliminated. This was going to be sweet. And Atlantis could disintegrate into cosmic dust for all she cared. She had no intention of coming back.
Chapter Seven
Kai glanced at the pools in the temple’s garden, then at the clear sky visible through the dome. That was the direction Vivien was squinting in. She was leaning against her and seemed lost in thought. The best part of coming home with Vivien was seeing it through fresh eyes.
“We can swim in any water on the planet, but it’s a pain to be wet all the time, so we dome places like this. The sensors on the surface correspond to the ones down here, so it mirrors the surface. It’s how we can farm and enjoy the sun on our beaches.” Her explanation made Vivien turn in a circle, glancing around them from ground to sky.
“When the etchings on my shell grabbed my imagination, this isn’t what I expected.” Vivien was in awe, but she also appeared a bit green. They’d made it through breakfast okay, but morning sickness had a mind of its own.
“Are you okay?” She put her arms around Vivien and rubbed her back.
“Eh, you know what mornings are like.” Vivien scratched the side of Kai’s neck and took a deep breath. “That’s part of it. The other part is I missed you last night.”
“Good morning, Your Highness and Lady Palmer,” Oba said. She was wearing her priestess robes, and they were blindingly white.
“We’ve been friends too long for such formality, Oba.” Kai didn’t let Vivien go, but she wanted to put both women at ease.
“Today is all about formality, Highness. If you both will follow me, we’ll begin.” Oba smiled at Vivien and pointed to the building surrounded in columns close by. The temple resembled the Parthenon in its original form. Inside, the open feel set off the large statue of the goddess and the water orb at her feet. The perfectly round clear crystal sat in a wooden cradle, but today it seemed to come to life.
The orb glowed at times, but Kai had only witnessed it on certain occasions. As they neared, though, it started to glow like a small flame at first, but it was like a laser by the time they stood feet from it. Kai blinked, but her eyes were starting to water from the brightness. Vivien gripped her hand, and she could sense her fear.
“Princess Kai Merlin, you were written about in a prophecy that everyone believed foretold a curse, but in reality you were our salvation.” Oba lifted the staff that held the orb and stood before them. “You and Lady Palmer will form a bridge between the depths and the land that will lead to everlasting peace.” The orb seemed to be pulsing, and the light was starting to heat Kai’s shell. “State your intentions before the goddess.”
“We will live our lives in service to the goddess and our people,” Kai said, bowing before the statue.
“We will bond together to raise children to lead our people for a thousand years.” Vivien said the words Kai had taught her.
“Join hands,” Oba said.
She faced Vivien and took her hands. It looked like Vivien had a halo around her, and Kai noticed her shell glowing as bright as the orb. The heat emanating from hers was becoming uncomfortable. “Viv,” she said when Vivien’s eyes fluttered closed.
She had no choice but to close her eyes as well when the light became blinding, and her hands felt like they were melding with Vivien’s. Something bizarre was happening, and she could barely hear Oba and her priestesses chanting as the searing heat burst from the center of her chest. Her mind stayed calm, and it linked to Vivien’s, and her excitement had nothing to do with fear.
As suddenly as it started, it ended, and she had no concept of how much time had passed. She opened her eyes, blinking, and studied Vivien’s face. It was the same, but not. Something was different, and the smile Vivien gave her held no hint as to what it was. She lowered her head when Vivien moved to kiss her, and when their lips met, the chanting stopped.
“The goddess has blessed you and your choice.” Oba placed the orb back at the goddess’s feet and faced them. “Vivien, you’re a true daughter of Atlantis, and you will give birth to its heir. Those who oppose you will perish in the turbulent waves of their own making.” Oba spoke in the ancient language only used for religious ceremonies, and Kai was about to translate when Vivien answered.
