Atlantis Vortex
Page 27
“Oh, so they get a wedding and I did not.� Jessica said in a teasing voice, one Xerxes almost missed, until he caught the smile on her lips.
“There will be a reception arranged in a few weeks to introduce you to the people of our City. Will that satisfy your vanity? But for now,� He drew an ancient ring from his breast pocket, “you really should wear this.�
“Oh Xerxes, it is beautiful,� Jessica conceded and looked at him with misty eyes.
“Good.� Xerxes surrounded her in his arms. “Now do you feel more like a properly wedded woman?�
Jessica looked up at him from the floor, “Yes, but every girl dreams of having her father walk her down the isle at her wedding.�
“Give me time, Jessica, there are matters…� He let the sentence hang, a serious look in his eyes. “As I said, there is a selection of gowns that have been selected for you to choose from. I am sure you will outshine the bride.� He changed the subject.
“No, that would not be right. Besides, I would not want to do that to Perry.� Jessica said and allowed the change in subject but wondered what he would have said,
“Perry?â€� Xerxes asked at the name he didn’t recognize.
“That’s what we called Pericles at the dig,â€� she explained.
“Perry,â€� Xerxes laughed, “I can’t wait to use that on him.â€�
“You certainly had me well watched at the dig. Jessica said, “Who else did you have stationed up there?�
“Just Pericles and six of his squad,� Xerxes smiled furtively.
“Who were those horrible men who kept trying to kill me?� Jessica said and shivered.
“Those are Aztec guards. It seems they thought you were the reincarnation of some Aztec’s daughter. But rest assured they will kill you if they can.â€� Xerxes told her.
“They thought I was the daughter of Coxcox, an Aztec warrior god whose daughter was rather badly murdered. Can they get me here?� She asked, alarmed.
“No, you are only in danger from them on the surface.� Xerxes told her truthfully.
“General Grill was going crazy trying to figure them out.� Jessica told Xerxes with a little laugh.
“As was I,” Xerxes told Jessica, “the only thing we could figure out was the fact you had unearthed that god statue at the Pyramid. They may have considered you a fit sacrifice to their pagan gods.â€�
“I didn’t believe there were any of them left. That was another thing I was wrong about. Maybe your library will hold a clue. Are there other libraries I could access?â€� She was again looking at the scrolls, her voice sounded a little distracted. “You have computers, are they online?â€�
Again, Xerxes studied her. “No, they are not online yet. Our Minister of Antiquities isn’t that modern. He is due to retire and we will soon need a new one. You will soon find my love, that not only is my library extensive, but the other Cities in our alliance, including Atlantis, there are twelve around the world, all contain writings, art, and many other treasures your world has lost due to fighting and destruction. By working together, many items we managed to rescue moments before the upper-world would have destroyed them.â€�
“Do you have no conflicts down here?� Jessica asked her new husband.
“We are human! So yes! However, we have learned, however to settle matters differently. Our biggest concern is secrecy and security from the upper-world. Soon I will take you on a tour of your new world so you can begin to understand why this is so important.�
“I understand it now.� Jessica told him. “The world I come from could never peacefully co-exist with yours. Your technology would be too great a threat. Sadly, they would always be trying to take what you have or fear that you were going to enslave them. My world is made up of some very paranoid people.�
“To some degree I must agree with you but we, and I mean most of the underworld people, hope someday to once again be united with the upper-world.� Xerxes told her.
“Your hopes are noble, but Xerxes, you must keep this wonderful world a secret, my world is not yet ready and may never be.� Jessica told him.
Xerxes looked at her differently, she did seem to understand and it surprised him. “You gave Pericles copies of the maps I left for you, did you give anyone else copies?�
“No. Just Perry and a letter to my parents, which I assume he delivered.� She said quizzically.
“He did not! I forbid him to give it to them - you are not dead. I would not have them grieve for you unnecessarily,� Xerxes said with some passion in his voice, surprising himself.
Jessica looked at him inquiringly. Despite Xerxes’ promise, which seemed sincere, Jessica did not believe him. He had saved her life, and proclaimed his love for her, but for his own motives. Love and trust must go together, and both were new and untested for Jessica. Xerxes was all-powerful here and those were easy declarations. Jessica doubted him. Jessica knew he had been truthful about Bruce from the news reports, they had reported him safe, but she was officially missing, and she worried how her parents were handling the news.
“And now that Perry has officially disappeared he cannot deliver it.� Jessica turned away and absently picked up an old scroll.
“No, he can’t. This problem will have a solution Jessica, one that you will be able to live with. You will see them again. But it will take a little time.â€� Xerxes told her. “For now I am arranging a short, secure phone call to your parents.â€� He watched as she turned back and her eyes grew wide.
“Thank you, Xerxes. You don’t know how much that means to me.â€� Jessica told him, the relief on her face and in her voice made all the risk of the call worthwhile. “When?â€� She asked.
“Possibly later today, at the latest, tomorrow,� Xerxes explained.
“So Pericles did what with the letter to my parents and the copies of the maps?� Jessica asked.
“They were destroyed. They contained too much information about the dig and what it leads to.� Xerxes explained.
“Xerxes, what would you have done if I had not followed those maps? I almost didn’t. My first instincts were to log them in with the rest of the artifacts and go on with the dig, especially after the attack of the Aztec guard. That really got my attention as it did Pericles and the General.â€�
“I’m sure,â€� Xerxes said dryly. “That attack upset us all greatly. Pericles and I were quite close to bringing you here that night.â€�
“That would have been interesting and just how would you have accomplished that?� Jessica smirked doubtfully.
Leaning over her, he pulled her back against him and lightly stroked her throat with his thumb over her throbbing pulse, “Jessica, you will soon learn that what I need done, I do, no matter how difficult.� His lips lowered to touch her beating, flowing vein. “But all things must happen in their time.� Jessica was watching him closely. He seemed to be holding something back from her.
Jessica glanced back at Cleopatra’s writings. “I should have gone to Johnathan Dickinson State Park trail riding that day instead of riding around the lake.â€� She smiled, but Xerxes didn’t see her smile.
She had unintentionally hurt his feelings, without realizing it; her words caused Xerxes to feel as if she had struck him with the golden knife the Aztec priest had wielded. These events were so overpowering, her frivolous humor was one way she processed the difficulty of their reality and one thing the High Lord of Atlantis was unaware of in her personality. She felt him rise from behind her and before she realized he was leaving, the glass doors slammed and she jumped.
Wondering why he had left in such a manner, she shrugged and returned to reading
the scrolls. Hours passed and Xerxes did not return. Jessica assumed Xerxes was handling the business affairs of Atlantis. Not aware of any possible danger and tiring of reading, Jessica took a long walk finding the same sandy beach, this time about dust. She had worn a swimsuit and today found the water warmer and enjoyed a swim. Day turned to darkness and she sat in the shadows. Jessica stayed on the lonely beach after all the other people had left. Worry about her parents filling her thoughts. She felt a presence beside her, expecting to see Xerxes; she looked over, startled and quickly moved away from the strange creature that stared back at her. They watched each other a moment.
“What are you, little creature?� Jessica asked not expecting an answer from the five foot high conch seashell shaped creature, its two eyes working independent of each other, the mouth set in a “v� shape, two arms folded in front of its visible body.
“I am a shellconch! Humans do not come here after core down,� his clearly understandable reply shocked Jessica.
“I am sorry - I did not mean to intrude.� Jessica assured the creature, “I am new here. I come from the surface.�
“Then you are Xerxes’ wife, Lady Jessica.� He bowed slightly.
“As he has acknowledged me,� Jessica affirmed.
“You do not seem overly happy about it.� The Shellconch commented.
“I was not asked to be his wife. I was told,� Jessica explained.
“You do not love him? He is the most considerate and kind of Lords.� The Shellconch commented.
“He is,â€� Jessica conceded. “I must tell you,â€� Jessica said, “I’ve never met a person like yourself. Do any of your species ever go to the surface?â€�
“We’ve seen the sky as you call it, yes, but your kind would kill us and eat us,â€� he informed her with some furor.
“Probably,� Jessica said sadly. “Some of my kind are rather, ah, stupid.� she smiled, “Please call me Jessica. What are you called?�
“Shellcor.� His mouth moved in what was a definite smile “and I will tell the others you may come here whenever you wish.�
“Thank you, I will be careful not to intrude, is there anything I should know not to do? I would not want to violate a custom you might have?� Jessica asked sincerely, feeling foolish to be talking to a crustacean.
“No, it is just unusual to see a human here, you may see one of my little ones around and they are shy, but will not hurt you.� Shellcor informed her.
“I should go, if Xerxes should discover my absence…“ Jessica looked up to see her husband scowling at her.
“He has already.� Xerxes voice was soft so as not to disturb the other night creatures and only so loud, that Jessica and Shellcor could hear him. Jessica jumped. “Shellcor, it is good to see again,� he said in a cordial manner to his subject.
“And you, milord, by your leave,� he started to leave.
“Of course, but stay if you wish, the Lady Jessica and I are leaving. Good night.� Taking her hand, he lifted Jessica to her feet and escorted her back through the foliage toward their suite in silence.
“I missed you,� Xerxes said, and there was an odd stress in his voice.
“From the way you left our chambers, I thought you wished some time alone. I went to the beach,� Jessica told him. “You do have some interesting subjects.� she smiled, not realizing he was upset she had left the security of their chambers.
“Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.� Xerxes said sarcastically, leaving Jessica perplexed and standing alone in the outer salon, miffed by his tone of voice.
Jessica saw the scrolls she had been reading earlier, and gathering them up, called out to her new husband. “Xerxes, I’m taking the scrolls back to the library since you appreciated my thoughtfulness so much, I shall leave you to your own.â€� Jessica said, her tone mirroring his, so she left.
Xerxes heard her and could not believe her tenacity. This time she was only gone moments, “Where did you go?� He demanded angrily the moment she stepped back into their apartment.
“I took the scrolls back, as I said.� Jessica stepped past him and gave him an indifferent glance. Wondering if she had misjudged him, perhaps he was a man who felt he must control her every movement. If he were, he would have much to learn about her.
“The clerk would have collected them if you had but called,� Xerxes insisted.
“I needed the walk.� She said plainly, in a flat tone.
“I get the impression you wish you had not found the Pyramid,� Xerxes alleged. The hurt she had caused him barely audible, but Jessica knew now what had nettled him.
“So that is what made you angry? I had no idea the High Lord of Atlantis was so sensitive.â€� Jessica smiled up into his face. “It was an off-handed remark. Finding the Pyramid was the find of a lifetime for any archaeologist, never would I have believed where it would lead. Now I find myself here with you. I do not regret finding it. I am worried about my family that is all. If either of us should be angry, I should think it would be me.â€� She could tell he didn’t like her reply.
“There is danger here Jessica, as there is anywhere. You should know Pericles and I have discovered someone inside my immediate Council, who is trying to expose our Underwater City. This person is working with someone in your State’s Government. We aren’t sure of whom it is, but we believe you may know him. We do know it is happening, and have contained his accomplices. Luckily we have retrieved all the artifacts, including the ones you and your partner unearthed.â€� Xerxes watched Jessica’s face, knowing the next statement would make her angry. “It saddened our Antiquities Board to collapse the Pyramid, but it was a total necessity. That was why Captain Curtis, Pericles, stayed so close to you that day. It was his responsibility to make sure you were not hurt or killed.â€� Xerxes watched the shock on her face. “That’s right my love, we collapsed the Pyramid to protect Atlantis’ security. This traitor would take great pleasure in putting you in a position that could cost you your life, and me the control of Atlantis. Keep this in mind when you go for a late stroll alone.â€� His voice had taken on an almost cruel edge.
“Xerxes,â€� Jessica’s voice was suspicious, “How long have you watched me?â€�
Xerxes looked a bit uncomfortable, “You were diving off of West Palm Beach when you were seventeen with your parents, on the wreck of the Mitzpah in ninety feet of water. I, too, was diving that day, without my father’s permission, I might add.â€�
Jessica remembered that day very well, or thought she did. An ocean barge had broken free of its tow vessel and hit their boat. Had it not been for another diver’s yacht nearby, there would have been in serious trouble. She looked at Xerxes in a different way, aware she had known him longer than their meeting at the dig site. At last, it all came back. Suddenly, Jessica felt a bit dizzy, and needed to sit down. Finally, the veil lifted from her memory, and she sank down on the sofa.
Jessica remembered their rescuer had been a handsome young man, who had acted quickly, but strangely. He had gotten them on his boat, donned sunglasses and a hat almost instantly, but their hands had touched. He had helped her out of her dive gear, caressing her shoulders and that was the first time Jessica had seen his eyes - those aquamarine eyes, now she remembered it all. He had given them strong coffee that tasted a bit strange. It had something in it to fog her memory. As soon as the Coast Guard arrived, he and his boat had disappeared even before the Coast Guard had gotten his statement. Now Jessica knew it was Xerxes. Now she knew why his accent had seemed so familiarly strange. Why, when he appeared outside her tent, he had not seemed threatening. Jessica closed her eyes remembering, and then looked up at Xerxes, her eyes wi
de and clear as if seeing him for the first time.
“I remember!� Jessica said astonishment in her voice. “I could never remember before now, not all of it, neither did my parents. But why did I have problems later because of the dive?�
“What do you mean - problems?� Xerxes asked concerned something that he had done caused her problems that he knew nothing about.
“I’ll get to that. We all remembered you helped us on board.â€�
“You were shaking.â€� Xerxes commented. “I wanted to hold you, to comfort you even then, and knew I couldn’t. I dared only touch you to help you out of your dive gear.”
“Yes, I was shaking. I always wondered why you were in such a hurry to put on the sunglasses and hat.â€� Jessica looked into his eyes remembering they had the same power then to posses hers as now. “You gave us all blankets with a symbol on them. At the time we just thought it was rich family’s crest, none of us had any idea.â€� Jessica remembered now, it was the crest of Atlantis, two white gold dolphins, two yellow gold dolphins standing on their tails, supporting a huge dark blue sapphire.
“Good, you were not supposed to. My parents - my father was ruler then - gave me hell, but he would not have left anyone at sea either.�
“You had already called the Coast Guard and they arrived so quickly I don’t think the blanket I had was even wet when I returned it. Then as soon as the Coast Guard transferred us over we started giving them our statements, your boat - well, it puzzled them to no end. You were just gone. How’d you do that?â€�
“The same way I walked into your dig and back out without being seen, considering the little island your Marines had made out in the middle of a muck swamp it was easy,â€� he grinned. “I will show you at a later time. Now what was wrong with you?â€� Xerxes remembered too, they had touched hands and he had caressed her shoulders helping her out of her dive gear, touching her had haunted him, until he had taken her last night. Now, eternally ingrained in his heart, was his wife’s essence. Even now, he wanted her.