by Diana Bold
"They won’t jettison you,” she assured him. “You could have a good life here, Sebastian. They might keep a close eye on you in the beginning, but once they get to know you, I'm sure they'll allow you access to the libraries. Just imagine... unlimited knowledge at your fingertips. It's what you've always wanted, isn't it?"
Her words filled Sebastian with longing, because she was absolutely right. Life in Atlantis sounded like paradise. But he could never enjoy it, not as a prisoner. Already panic welled within him, and the urge to flee, by whatever means necessary, was strong.
"I have to go back," he told her stubbornly. "You convinced me to help you because you promised me a cure for the sickness. I left my people when they needed me most, betrayed my own brother, because I believed you."
She paled, then moved out of his arms and off the bed, pacing to the other side of the room. "I was wrong about the sickness,” she admitted softly. “Trevelan isn’t to blame, and there’s no antidote. I’m sorry, Sebastian. I truly thought I was doing the right thing.”
“I know you did. But that does not change the fact that the people of Hawkesmere are still dying. If your Kaylee can heal me, surely there is something she can do for the people of Hawkesmere. If you can just convince her to share that knowledge with me, I can go home and redeem myself.”
“We’ve never found a cure for the plague. Having never been afflicted with it, there was no need. But if you stay, perhaps you can work with Marcus and put all your energy into finding cures for Surface sicknesses. Though you might not be able to save the people of Hawkesmere, you could save many others.”
Her words barely registered. All he could think about was the look on Simon’s face when he had left him on the beach. Before Sebastian had met Rhoswen, he knew he had been living a life of incredible selfishness. He had meant to redeem himself with this one noble act, only to have everything go terribly wrong.
“There must be something your people can do for mine,” he cried in frustration. “I refuse to believe your healing technology can replace my blood with someone else’s and reverse the infection, but not do something to at least ease the suffering of the plague.”
“You can ask Kaylee, if you like,” Rhoswen whispered. “Maybe I’m wrong. It seems I’ve been wrong about everything since the moment I stepped upon the Surface.”
She looked so tiny, so weary and miserable. Guilt and regret obviously weighed heavy on her shoulders. He hated that he had shattered the sweet peace of a few moments ago and knew he had driven a wedge between them.
“I am sorry.” He sank back against the bed, staring at the blinking lights and strange machines that had saved his life. “I am not thinking clearly, Rhoswen. I did not mean to hurt you. None of this is your fault. You did what you thought was best at the time.”
She cast him a quick, startled glance, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “Do you think Trevelan is dead?”
“I do not know,” he told her honestly, stung anew by the realization that Trevelan was her first priority. “Simon was furious. He may have taken drastic measures to get Trevelan to talk.”
“He risked his life for me, and I just left him there. I jumped to all the wrong conclusions.” She wiped the back of her hand over her eyes and squared her shoulders. “I have to go and speak to my father. I need to try and make this right. If you need anything, push that red button by your bed, and Kaylee will come help you.”
Before he could reply, she turned and fled the room, leaving him alone with the whirring machines.
* * * * *
When Rhoswen returned to the council chamber, she found the room empty. Apparently, her father and the rest of the council had already dispersed for the evening. Frustrated that no one had bothered to tell her the outcome of the meeting, she crossed Atlantis’ park-like courtyard toward Oberon’s palatial residence.
Sebastian’s insistence upon returning to the Surface had shaken her more than she’d thought possible. She’d assumed he’d be thrilled with Atlantis, that he’d gladly stay here by her side until the end of their days. She’d imagined the two of them living together in a rare, but not unheard of, love match.
She’d certainly never imagined he’d choose to return to his former cold, lonely existence. Especially not for the sake of a group of people he’d done his best to offend and hold at arm’s length — people who had never accepted him for the exceptional man she knew him to be.
Was it just the thought of being imprisoned that rattled him? How could she explain that imprisonment in Atlantis would be nothing like what he’d faced when he’d been enslaved by the Turkish sultan who had taken so much from him?
Arriving upon her father’s front steps, she banished her concerns about Sebastian to a remote corner of her mind and did her best to compose herself. If she could just get her emotions under control for long enough to plead her case, she knew her father would take her side.
She and Oberon had always been close, and he was the biggest proponent of reestablishing a settlement on the Surface. Surely, she could make him understand how much of an asset Sebastian could be to such a project, especially if Atlantis’ infrastructure was indeed failing. His knowledge of the Surface could prove invaluable if they were forced to return to Old Atlantis.
When she finally gathered the courage to enter her father’s house, she found an unpleasant surprise waiting for her in the reception room. Titania.
Her mother and father did not share a residence. In fact, their only real connection was their daughter. But today Titania sat upon an elegantly carved, gold-upholstered chair in Oberon’s house, looking every inch the lady of the manor.
Titania turned her cool gaze upon her only child, no welcome or emotion in those clear blue eyes.
“Where is my father?” Rhoswen asked, her voice brittle with the latent anger of their earlier confrontation.
“He’s in a private meeting with Odette and Ealhdun.”
Rhoswen narrowed her eyes at the woman who had given her life but never shown her one ounce of affection. “So, you’re waiting to speak to speak to Father, also? No doubt to demand Sebastian be jettisoned for no reason besides bigotry?”
“Control your emotions,” Titania snapped. “Your attachment to that barbarian is quite unsuitable. What did you really think? That I would stand by and allow my daughter to continue to consort with such a creature? Bad enough that you’ve taken him to your bed, that you’ve made a fool of yourself.”
Rhoswen blanched at her mother’s coldness. “I care for him, Mother. Have you no concept of what that means?”
“The Surface people are savages,” Titania said dismissively. “I doubt he’s even capable of grasping a concept such as love.”
“I think you’re the one unable to grasp that concept.” Rhoswen gave a bitter laugh. “Did you even bother to speak to Sebastian? Did you exchange one word with the man who risked his life to save your own daughter?”
“Of course, I am grateful for his assistance,” Titania said with a sniff. “I just don’t understand why you had to bring him here.”
“He would have died if I hadn’t,” Rhoswen whispered. “Does that seem a better alternative than the embarrassment my bringing him here has caused you?”
“I don’t wish to discuss this any further. Your father will handle this once I’ve finished telling him my thoughts on the matter.” Titania lifted her regal nose and pushed out of her chair, heading toward the back of the house.
“This isn’t over,” Rhoswen promised her mother’s retreating back in a soft, controlled voice. “If I have to, I will leave Atlantis. I would give up everything I’ve ever known for just one more of his smiles.”
Titania froze for just a moment, then gave a brittle laugh. “The passion you feel for him will fade, daughter. Passion always does.”
* * * * *
Over an hour passed before Rhoswen was finally allowed an audience with her father. He received her in his private study, a cozy, oak-paneled retreat lined with ancien
t manuscripts and priceless works of art from their decimated island homeland.
He waved her toward the chair in front of his desk, then sank into his own. For a long moment he said nothing, merely studied her with those intelligent blue eyes, but then he offered her a weary smile. “I’m glad you’re safely home, Rhoswen. I’m sorry I didn’t have the chance to tell you that before.”
Some of the tension of the day faded at his words, and she managed to smile weakly in return. At least she was blessed with one caring parent. “I’m glad to hear you still feel that way after being closeted with Mother for half an hour.”
His smile faded. “Yes, well, your mother can be a trial. But she really does have your best interests at heart.”
She gave a humorless laugh. “She hides it well.”
“I fear she’s hellbent on using this fiasco to illustrate the dangers of journeying to the Surface.” He shook his head. “If she had her way, all Surface trips would be suspended indefinitely, and all our resources would be directed toward eradicating our dependence on Surface mining and agriculture altogether.”
“Haven’t you told her about the power grid?” she asked. “I’m afraid I had no chance to explore Old Atlantis, but that doesn’t change the fact that we’ll have to leave here eventually. Perhaps it would be best to tell everyone what is happening and stress the importance of finding a new home.”
“I don’t think it’s wise to tell too many of our people about the problem until our engineers have exhausted every possibility. I don’t want anyone to panic. Besides, you know your mother will just lobby to build an entirely new city beneath the waves, rather than strike out for the Surface.”
Rhoswen sighed, knowing he was probably right. “She acts as though I brought a frothing beast into our midst, not an intelligent, brave human being. I wish she’d take five minutes to have a conversation with him. Perhaps then she’d see how wrong she is.”
Oberon steepled his fingertips and leaned forward. “I would like to do exactly that, Rhoswen. Both as your father and as Atlantis’ leader, I’d like to speak with him and learn more about him.”
“Of course,” Rhoswen agreed, relieved to find him being so reasonable. “I think that’s an excellent idea.”
“It might be healthy to have an outsider in our midst. As you said, it might show some of those who are dead set against returning to the Surface that not all of those who live above are barbarians.”
“Does that mean you’ve persuaded the council to allow him to stay?”
“I really don’t see that we have a choice.” Only the faintest hint of reproof laced his voice. “I certainly don’t intend to let them jettison him, but they’re right. He knows too much to let him leave.”
She bit her lip, wondering whether to keep Sebastian’s reluctance to remain to herself. But she’d inherited her gift of mind-delving from her father and with his people’s safety at stake, she knew he wouldn’t hesitate to use it on Sebastian. Better he should learn from her than find out she’d hidden it from him.
“He doesn’t want to stay, Father. He was held against his will once before, and it almost destroyed him. Besides, he’s very concerned about his people’s welfare. I promised him I would be able to find an antidote for the sickness if he helped me escape Hawkesmere, and he’s anxious to get back and do what he can to help.”
“Impossible,” Oberon told her sharply. “I’d never get the council to agree to let him go.”
“What if I went with him?” The plan that had been bouncing around inside her head all day spilled out before she could stop it. “I know he would help me find out what happened to Trevelan.”
Oberon frowned. “I hate the idea of leaving one of our people behind, but I won’t sacrifice you in order to help Trevelan. The council voted against sending a rescue party, so that’s the end of the discussion.”
She wanted to argue more, but knew it was pointless. Well, so be it. She would rather have done this with her father’s permission and backing, but if need be, she and Sebastian would have to do it on their own.
On impulse, she got to her feet and rounded her father’s desk, giving him a fierce hug. Shows of physical affection were rare in Atlantis, and she could tell she’d surprised him by the way he tensed in her arms. But after a moment he relaxed and hugged her tightly in return.
“I love you, Father.” She kissed his smooth cheek, thinking of all the times during her youth she’d wished for this sort of intimacy. Sebastian could teach her people so much about love and kindness.
“I love you, too,” he replied softly. “Very much.”
Blinking back a fresh rush of tears, she reluctantly let him go. All the pain and fear she’d experienced on the Surface had been worth it, for this one moment alone. And she knew that, no matter what happened, she would never hold those she cared about at arm’s length again.
Oberon cleared his throat as she backed away. “Rest well, Rhoswen. I’ll visit with your Sebastian in the morning.”
“Rest well, Father. Good night.”
Chapter Eighteen
Two days after Sebastian’s arrival in Atlantis, a messenger arrived in sickbay, announcing that Oberon had requested Sebastian’s presence in the council chambers. Rhoswen had warned him he was to be summoned, but Sebastian could not control his apprehension.
Though eager to meet the man who was not only his beloved’s father, but the leader of this magical place, he feared disappointing Rhoswen. He hoped he could convince Oberon that although he was not as learned as the people of Atlantis, he was no savage, either.
Dressed in the strange, yet extremely comfortable, pale blue shirt and trousers that seemed to be the standard garb for both the men and women of Atlantis, he followed the messenger through the city toward the council chamber. He was still a bit weak on his feet, but Kaylee had deemed him ready for the trip, and he was glad to find his strength returning so quickly.
He’d had no chance to explore the marvelous city since he had arrived, and the messenger had obviously been instructed not to let him do so now. The route they took kept him mainly inside, down long, plain hallways with multiple doors opening on either side.
Still, he looked around eagerly, taking in as much of his surroundings as he could. Even Atlantis’ hallways were a miracle of structure and engineering, with high, vaulted ceilings and glass doorways.
When they finally reached the government building, the messenger left Sebastian in an antechamber while he went to fetch his leader. Sebastian sat in a comfortable chair near a window, fighting the urge to pace. He would not allow Rhoswen’s father to see how nervous the prospect of this meeting made him.
Half an hour passed before Oberon finally deigned to put in an appearance. Sebastian knew the intent had been to rattle him, but he forced himself to meet the other man with naught but a pleasant smile.
The leader of Atlantis bore a stunning resemblance to Trevelan, though his perfectly formed features did not bear the marks of Simon’s interrogation, and he was a bit older. Now that he thought about it, all the people of Atlantis looked nearly identical. All slim, blond, and flawless. Sebastian felt very out of place with his overblown muscles and dark coloring.
“’Tis a pleasure to meet you, my lord,” he said in Latin, holding out his hand. “Rhoswen speaks highly of you.”
Oberon shook his proffered hand gingerly, as though Sebastian might soil him in some way. Still, Sebastian kept the smile on his face.
“My daughter speaks highly of you, also. I’ve summoned you here to see the reason.”
Sebastian was momentarily thrown off guard by the man’s candor, but in the next moment decided he was relieved. Far better to get what needed to be said out on the table in front of them with no game playing. “I do not question her high regard. I am merely grateful that she sees something worthwhile in me.”
“I fear she cares too much,” the other man said, his concern obvious. “The passion in her eyes when she speaks of you is not common in this pl
ace. I do not like to see it in her.”
“I would give my life for her, my lord.”
Oberon’s gaze drifted to Sebastian’s shoulder. “You almost did. A fact that has kept me from jettisoning you out of Atlantis and leaving you to the abyss.”
Sebastian swallowed, but said nothing.
Oberon strode to the window and looked out at the city below. “I find myself in a most difficult situation. Most of my council fears and despises everything having to do with the Surface. But like my daughter, I believe there is some good in your people. That if guided subtly, you have a chance at enlightenment.”
“I have spent my entire life in the search for knowledge,” Sebastian answered, but even as he spoke, he felt a sharp probe of his mind.
The bastard delved him, but with none of Rhoswen’s subtlety. The layers of his brain were ripped apart, his darkest secrets laid bare. He could barely restrain himself from crying out in pain and despair.
Not again. And especially not by this stranger, this man he had wanted so desperately to impress. Oberon would never allow him near his daughter once he saw Sebastian’s horrific past.
Just as quickly as it had come, the pan ceased.
“And yet, you were once a warrior.” Oberon seemed confused by what he had found, but not angry or disgusted. “I sense many dichotomies in you, young man. But my daughter is right; you have a good heart.” He frowned. “You also love my daughter with a passion I don’t believe is healthy for either of you.”
Sebastian pressed one hand to his head, still reeling from Oberon’s intrusion. Were his feelings for Rhoswen really so easy to read? He had hardly even admitted his love for her to himself. “You should not have entered my mind without permission. I would have allowed it, had you only asked.”
Oberon waved a dismissive hand. “Rhoswen told me you wanted to return to your home, but having seen the conditions under which you left, I find it remarkable that you would risk your very life to return and offer your people aid. They will not thank you for it, I fear. In fact, your brother might finish you off before you have the chance to explain why you’ve returned.”