Daria scooted her chair back. “You have a point.” Standing, she hesitated, then begrudgingly offered her hand. “Will you show me around so that I can acquaint myself with the property?”
Shocked, Travlor never thought to see the topsider offer anything but extreme dislike. That she offered to take his hand made him balk. Gruffly he declined. “I have much to do. One of the men in your detail will show you the grounds. There is a pool if you are inclined to swim. As you grow in size, it will be a boon to have so that you can ease the weight.”
He left without another word. Daria was amazed that he had offered anything to her. Maybe at some point, she and Travlor could reach an understanding, a compromise of sorts. She watched his men follow him up the stairs and to his quarters. Travlor’s shoulders were hunched and his gait was slower than before. It’s evident his powers are weakening. I’ll bide my time, but if I see even the smallest chink in his armor, I’ll use it to my advantage.
“It’s time, Ni-Cio.” Evan studied his friend. “I’ve done all I can to help, but I’ve got to get back to Boston to take care of business.”
Ni-Cio knew Evan had to return to America, but he did not have to like the idea. “You have been instrumental in helping us. You have not only provided us this safe haven, you have made it possible for us to return to our home. Without you, I do not know where we would be.”
The two friends meandered through the waiting vineyards. The decrepit fields had been scraped clean of all the dead vines and stood fallow, ready for new plantings. Evan was happy to see that, because in the back of his mind, he had determined that the vineyard should be revived. It was a challenge to see what kind of wine could be produced, and if it was palatable, it would provide a ready source of income for his friends. He bent to feel the soil and brought a handful of the red dirt up to his nose. He inhaled relishing the rich, earthy smell and glanced up at Ni-Cio.
“My other concern has to do with Daria’s friends and co-workers. We can’t keep the ruse of an extended honeymoon going any longer. ‘Daria’ is going to need to be seen.”
Evan stood up and clapped his hands, scattering the dirt, then wiped his palms on his jeans. He continued his walk with the Atlantean as Ni-Cio shook his head. “I am not anxious to see you leave, Evan. However, I understand the urgency. Are you thinking to mask Kyla so that she will look like Daria?”
Evan smiled. “Yes, she’ll have to make some appearances as Daria. I’ll be at her side every step of the way so that I can coach her regarding Daria’s friends. And she’ll have to give notice at the antique store.”
The men halted, then turned around and headed back to the cabins. Ni-Cio reached a decision and slapped Evan on his back. “I know you must miss your home. I have been consumed with our needs and have been remiss in considering yours. How soon will you depart?”
Evan lowered his gaze and regarded the ground. “I’ve ordered my jet to pick us up tomorrow.”
Ni-Cio didn’t let his inward discomfort show. “That is sooner than I anticipated.” He stopped and regarded his friend. “What is that topside saying? Something about getting the show on the road?”
Evan chuckled, “That’s the one.”
“I wish you much success so that you may return that much sooner.” His gaze was solemn, “Take care of my sister. I will miss you both.”
The men hugged, then resumed their walk into the compound. “Don’t worry about Kyla; I’d give my life to keep her safe. She’s my life’s breath, but if I know her, she’s going to love this adventure.”
A week had slipped by and Daria was becoming accustomed to the estate. She had begun to sleep better but last night, her sleep had been restless and filled with countless scenarios in which she searched for, but never found, Ni-Cio. After breakfasting alone, her mind still felt lost in dreams that clung to her like a spider’s web. She longed for a swim and knew that the cool water would help revive her spirits and clear her head. She pushed from the table, and followed by her guards, made her way up the stairs and to her rooms.
Among the clothes that Travlor had provided, she found a swim suit. Donning the garment, she was gratified to see that it fit rather well. “He certainly has good taste,” she mumbled. Hurriedly grabbing a brightly colored beach towel, she slid into woven flip flops and made for the pool.
The day was dripping with humidity and with each passing minute, Daria felt herself wilting like an old flower. Taking in the cool blue of the swimming pool, she thought, Even tepid water will feel better than this. She used her towel to swipe her sweat-dampened face.
Walking to the nearest lounger, Daria tossed the towel onto the seat, shoved off the flip flops and approached the water’s edge. She curled her toes around the travertine-tiled side and dove smoothly into the deep end. The water was deliciously cool and she almost felt giddy as it glided across her skin. Her nerves began to unwind and her mind relaxed.
Swimming a few laps, she tested her muscles and was gratified to feel them loosen and stretch. Finally, slightly winded by the effort, Daria rolled over and lazily floated on her back. Gazing at the crystal-clear, blue sky, her mind wound through recent events. As she drifted in the comfort of the cool, sweet water, she found herself back in an untouched Atlantis, preparing to take her first swim at depth. Her heart warmed and she smiled at the memory.
She had been so frightened; even though she considered herself an excellent swimmer, all of her water knowledge had been pool-based. She had never even snorkeled. She remembered standing in the exit chamber, nerves pinging and feeling jumpy and hypervigilant. However, Ni-Cio had wrapped his arms around her, and nuzzling her ear, whispered that he wouldn’t let anything happen. The bioskin surrounded her, swaddling her in comfort and warmth, and her fear diminished.
Ni-Cio slipped into the pool as easily as a seal, then turned and held his hand up to guide her in. When she was firmly in his grasp, he flashed a radiant smile and before she could object, they had gone under.
At first she held her breath, afraid that the bioskin wouldn’t work properly. When she exhaled and tentatively took her first sip of air, she was amazed to find that the ‘skin functioned effortlessly. The air she received was pure and sweet and her breathing came as easily as if she had been standing topside. The ’skins had been engineered so perfectly that even the smallest expenditure of energy was recycled and reused in almost perfect, perpetual motion. Ni-Cio had explained that if they ever figured out a way to eat, they could live in the ’skins indefinitely.
As she listlessly kicked her feet and floated, she remembered being astounded that she could see so clearly at such remarkable depths. The bioskin not only felt like a replica of her own skin, the material sharpened her eyesight so that even in the darkest water, there was no visual impairment. She imagined that the ’skins functioned in a similar manner as night-vision goggles. As they ascended the depths and more light was reflected, the night vision effect lessened. The bioskins were a technological miracle. And as she flew through the surrounding blue with Ni-Cio’s arm around her, she succumbed to the barrage of new sensations and experiences. Ni-Cio carried her through the deep as though she was as light as a feather, and as they swam toward shallower waters, the rainbow colors and immense beauty of their undersea world opened before her.
Coral reefs teemed with life so that she was dazzled by all the motion. Fish darted about like flashing neon signs and the coral grew in an astonishing array of shapes and colors. Plants swayed in a continual dance with the currents, and grumpy crustaceans slid back into holes that had become homes. Daria had been enchanted.
When they had finished discovering all the many homes of the reef dwellers, they descended into deeper, wider seas and Ni-Cio introduced her to some of his larger friends. Whales, dolphins, even sharks slid gracefully through the water to welcome her to their world. Daria learned their names and some of their history, and to her delight found that quite a few of Ni-Cio’
s friends were really funny. She had laughed at the jibes they had traded with the Atlantean.
Tired but incredibly happy, Ni-Cio had finally taken her back home. Stepping out of the pool, he had gently wrapped a warming robe around her and given her a deep, intimate kiss.
Daria drifted toward the shallow end of the pool and her eyes misted at the memory. Not wanting to stop the thoughts that flowed through her, Daria continued her reverie. Closing her eyes, she watched as, arm in arm, she and Ni-Cio had walked back to his rooms, disrobed and made slow, passionate love.
That entire day had become swathed in a dreamlike quality and Daria had known then that she would always hold that particular time close to her heart. For that had been the night they had conceived their daughter.
She paddled easily, enjoying the flow of water over her body, imagining it was Ni-Cio’s touch caressing her skin. Calculating from the night of conception, she was excited to find that she was further along than she had thought. If she was correct, she was two months along.
She smiled, feeling alive and wonderful. There was no doubt in her mind that Ni-Cio would find her. She corrected that thought and slid her hands over the hard bump that pushed against her skin. Ni-Cio would find them.
Relaxing against the side of the pool, she laid her head back against the tile and slowly kicked her feet. A thought slipped into the Ethernet, “I miss you so … I am well and our baby is growing. You are a daddy . . .”
She languished for a while longer until her fingers felt numb and started to resemble prunes. It was time to get dressed. She waded to the stairs, swiped water from her body and walked to the lounger. Reclining into soft cushions, she rubbed her hair with the sun-warmed towel and settled back to dry.
It was then that another pain hit. Worse than the others, she ground her teeth and tried not to scream. She jolted up. She had to get back to the house. She rose unsteadily, but was hit again with another cramp. Her legs gave way and she screamed as she dropped to her knees. Her guards crowded around her while one of the soldiers broke from the pack to find their boss.
However, her shriek fired through the Atlantean first, “Travlor! I need you!” Travlor fled his office.
Almost blinded by pain, Daria writhed on the ground, arms wrapped around her abdomen while the men looked on helplessly. On the verge of blacking out, she heard Travlor’s harsh voice. “What happened? Why is she on the ground?” The guards parted and Travlor thrust himself at Daria.
Through her tears, she felt him gently pry one of her flexed hands from around her belly. Mixed into the pain and her dimming awareness, she felt oddly comforted by his touch. She sucked in a breath and willed her body to relax. It was no use. Another contraction hit and she convulsed again. Fear for her baby was suddenly worse than the pain and Daria started to cry.
Travlor tried to comfort her, but it was not something that he did easily. Feeling clumsy, he tried to massage her back in disjointed circles, but as he did, Daria moaned and shook her head. He felt rather than heard her plea to stop his motions.
Travlor bent low, and keeping his voice steady, issued gruff assurances, “Shhh, there now, you’ll be all right. Try to breathe.” Daria didn’t respond.
Sitting back, he anxiously scanned her body. He could find nothing wrong so could detect no reason for the seizures. The fear that gripped him was unlike anything he had experienced in quite some time; he was finding it hard to take a breath and he had trouble focusing his thoughts. Deep in his gut he knew he didn’t have the ability to help either the mother or the child if something truly happened. Once again, slapped in the face by the inescapable march of time and a terrible sense of déjà vu, Travlor raged. By the gods! I will not allow this to happen again!
Sweat trickled down his back and he looked at the guards as though they could offer aid. Nothing but blank stares met his questioning gaze. He wanted to kill all of them. The only reason he stayed his hand was because he needed help getting her back to the house. “Pick her up and get her to her quarters, now!”
He started to release his hold, but Daria lifted her head and grabbed his hand. Her plea slipped through clamped jaws. “No, please, don’t let go; the pain is easing.”
Travlor wasn’t at all certain about her request, but he held tightly to her hand as the soldiers lifted her and carried her to the house.
Daria felt much better once she was back in her bed. The pains were gone and she found that she suffered no ill effects.
Travlor dragged a chair to her bedside and sat. Worry for Daria and her baby had carved deeper furrows into the lines of his face. However, his relief was evident, “I can find nothing wrong.”
Daria stretched her back. “I can’t find anything either, but I noticed yesterday that she seems to be growing at a fairly rapid pace. Never having been pregnant before, I don’t know if that’s normal or not.”
Travlor considered that for a moment and frowned, “Having been around Evan’s mother for much of her pregnancy, I can tell you that it is unequivocally not normal. Possibly her growth is the source of your pain.”
“If I calculated correctly, I’m about two months along, but I don’t think the baby should be this big.” Daria looked at Travlor then asked, “Have you scanned for a growth pattern?”
“No, I’ve been so concerned about your pain, I have quite overlooked that step.” Travlor did another quick scan, then he opened his eyes and smiled. “She is well. She smiled at me.”
Daria didn’t know what to say. She never thought to see anything but a scowl cross those lips … ever. She tried to harden her heart; nevertheless, she hoarded the glimpse of humanity that had slipped through Travlor’s walls.
Lost in his thoughts, Travlor was quiet for a while. When he roused himself, he took a deep breath and blew it out with relief. “I believe you are right. She does seem larger than a baby at two months should be.”
He stood up, went to the window and stared out across the expanse. He reached a decision and turned to Daria, “We need to contact a doctor. Although you are an accomplished healer and I have the ability to help, neither of us is used to anything like this.”
Daria started to get up.
“Stay in bed. I will have one of my men go to the local hospital and return with someone who can help us.”
Daria stood anyway. “I’m fine.” She gazed at her jailer. “Thank you, Travlor, if nothing else, a visit from an obstetrician will help relieve both our minds.”
Daria looked at her stomach and smiled, “Well, the only contractions I feel now are the ones associated with hunger. After all the excitement, maybe we should see what the kitchens have in store for us.”
Travlor nodded and Daria went to the bathroom and changed. Holding the door to let her pass, Daria preceded the Atlantean into the hall and down to the kitchens. At that moment, whether Travlor was hungry or not, the only thing she cared about was that she was famished.
The shock of another cramp hit Ni-Cio with such ferocity that he collapsed to the dirt. He almost passed out. Mer-An came around the corner just in time to see him fall and raised the alarm. “Ni-Cio is hurt! Come!”
People came running from every direction, fright slashed across their features in flashes of reds, purples and sickly yellows.
Ni-Cio felt the pain subside and scrubbed his face, then realized that his hands were covered in dirt and mud. He glanced at Mer-An, “I am all right. I am better now.”
He struggled to sit up, but Mer-An pushed him back as Aris and Rogert burst through the anxious gathering. Without asking, Aris grabbed his friend by the shoulders and Rogert got down by Ni-Cio’s legs. Together they picked their leader off the ground and carried him to the nearest cabin.
Inside, they placed him on one of the lower bunks. The men could tell that their leader was starting to feel better because Ni-Cio sat up and started protesting. “Do not fuss. I am fine. I do not know what came
over me, but I am better.” When his friends wouldn’t leave him alone, he shouted a cranky order. “Stop! Now!” Taken aback, Rogert and Aris stepped away and Ni-Cio stood up. “I am not some sick child. Quit worrying over me.”
Rogert’s face was colored with stripes of deep purple. His fear was evident. “Ni-Cio, I have never seen this happen. Do you think you might have inhaled some of the poisonous gas? Could you be suffering a side effect?”
Shrugging, Ni-Cio bent over to retie a shoelace. “Other than those sharp abdominal pains …” He hurriedly glanced at his friends, “I feel fine. However, that is not a bad thought; I will question Evan about the gas.”
Aris ploughed in. “Ni-Cio, you are never sick. I am very worried that Rogert might be right. Do not waste any time contacting Evan. It is better to know.”
“Yes, yes; now if you would leave, I will do just that.” Ni-Cio smiled. Aris looked as if—what was that topside saying? The cat that swallowed the canary. Ni-Cio chided, “What is it? I know that look, Aris; you have something to tell us.”
A red the color of fire coral slid over Aris’s face and his mouth split into one of the widest grins Ni-Cio had ever seen. “We’re pregnant!”
Rogert and Ni-Cio crowded Aris, alternately hugging him, congratulating him, and slapping him on the back. Their excitement mirrored Aris’s as striations of bright yellow, green and red colored their faces.
“When do you want to make the announcement?”
Aris thought a moment. “I think tonight at the evening meal.”
Rogert snorted. “Then I need to make a run to town for more beer!”
The men laughed with joy and Ni-Cio beamed. “Aris that is the best news we have had in quite a while. The gift of a child is the greatest blessing anyone could receive. We must make a grand party tonight!”
Currents of Will Page 10