by Maira Dawn
"Children can use it. So can you. Try again." Ian waved from the breather to Sonora.
"Ugh!" The next try went better at first, then she started violently coughing.
"You are fine. You are good. Just breathe.” Ian reached out to Sonora.
"Just to inform you, that is not me doing good," she gasped. "This is normal?"
"For beginners, yes. You are almost there."
Sonora rolled her eyes. She felt far from almost there, but she nodded. Sonora wanted so much to swim as free as the Atlantians did. So it was harder than she thought, not many great things were easy. Sonora readied herself. The blast of air was intense, and her instinct was to refuse to inhale it.
But Ian was right, two more times and Sonora had it. She'd have to breathe a whole lot more than Ian did, but she could do it. Sonora rushed to change into her bathing suit while Ian loaded up on breathers.
Once dressed Sonora grabbed two breathers off the floor beside Ian and flashed him a smile before dropping down the portal into the ocean below.
Sonora stayed close to the narrow opening to Ian's house, swimming in circles. Ian sat on the edge of the portal, dangling his feet as he kept an eye on her. She used the breather three or four times flawlessly before moving further out. Ian jumped into the water and followed.
Sonora had expected the feeling of freedom, of exhilaration. What she had not expected was that swimming in the deep ocean without a mask or tank almost seemed like being naked in public. It seemed all wrong.
She expelled all her air and prepared to take another breath. She maneuvered awkwardly and missed most of the oxygen. This was harder than she thought, it was time to go in. Sonora turned to Ian and pointed back to his house, then kicked away from him.
Ian grabbed her foot and held it. She looked at him over her shoulder with raised eyebrows. He imitated using the breather.
"No," Sonora mouthed as she shook her head.
Ian tugged on her foot again, bringing her close to him. He encouraged her to try again.
He was right. She'd been excited to try this, and here she was giving up already. But if she didn't inhale properly this time, it would be a race for the door. Sonora turned and grasped Ian's arm. He brought a palm to his chest, letting her know he was there for her. He put a hand to her waist.
Sonora nodded. She needed to try this sometime. But she scoffed at herself, just yesterday she'd been more afraid of Ian than the ocean, and now it was the other way around. Now, she sought his comfort.
She raised the breather and tried again, successfully filling her lungs with air. Eyes sparkling and filled with confidence, Sonora clapped her hands and moved away from Ian.
Two dolphins swam to them, bringing a bit of seaweed to play catch. Sonora enjoyed her new playmates, swirling in the water when they did, and appreciating her freedom from cumbersome breathing equipment. The dolphins carefully played around her as if they sensed her lack of skills in the water. Occasionally, they pushed her upward as if trying to send her home. Sonora grimaced. Even they knew she didn't belong here. Ian clicked and whistled at them, and they bounced along to another activity.
Sonora brought a breather to her mouth, but when she pushed the button, nothing came out. She handed it to Ian and tried another. It was empty too.
Getting Ian’s attention again, Sonora pointed at the breather and shook it. Ian searched through the silver cylinders he carried in a small bag as Sonora shot a nervous glance to Ian's house. It seemed so far away. She hadn't realized their play had taken them so far out.
Ian pulled the last breather out and smiled. "Last one."
His voice rumbled around, and through, Sonora like a thousand speakers on full blast. She startled and huffed out what little air she had. Sonora's eyes widened as she fought the desire to pull in a breath. Trembling, she grabbed the last cylinder out of Ian's hand.
Sonora tried to calm herself as she yanked the breather to her mouth. It worked until a dolphin bumped her from behind.
Her arms flew outward. The cylinder tumbled from her hands. She gasped and reached for it, her flailing hands unable to keep up as it spun in the swirling water.
Ian uttered a hard whistle, and the dolphins instantly stilled. He moved toward the quickly falling breather, then glanced at Sonora. Her hands were on her neck.
The water pushed its way down her throat, and Sonora's instinct was to cough it out. It was taking every bit of control not to do so. She could only stifle the cough so long.
Ian glanced from her to his house. He grabbed Sonora, holding her tight. Determination covered his face as he set his sights on his home.
Sonora wrapped her arms around his chest, barely able to clasp her hands together. She shook as she resisting the internal scream for more air and praying they would make it.
It was a battle of will versus flesh now.
Ian put a hand to her head, pushing it against his neck. His take-off was so fast the force of the water squeezed her body to his.
He swam as the dolphins did, the undulating motion giving him more speed than she imagined possible. The dolphins flanked Ian, helping to lessen the water’s drag and further increasing his speed.
Sonora banged on Ian's back with one of her fists, urging him on. She was almost at the breaking point. She'd done the best she could, her need for oxygen was winning.
Sonora's body bucked in Ian's arms as it demanded air. Determined to fill with something, her body disobeyed her commands and took in the only thing available—water.
Once her lungs started, they would not stop. They continued until Sonora's lungs were filled to the top. Sonora screamed as her drowning body bounced against Ian's with such force he struggled to hold her.
She glanced up and saw Ian's agonized face looking back at her. A single air bubble rose between them. Ian shook his head, denying what was before his eyes.
Sonora's body went limp as the light seemed to fade around her. Ian's hands tightened on her slim body, and he continued his onslaught home.
Twenty-Four
Even If
Chapter Twenty-four
Ian flew out of the water and overshot his landing. After almost hitting the ceiling of his living room, he came down hard, slamming his heels against the room’s floor. His internal chant moved to his lips. "No, Sunny! Do not leave me, my heart!" His raspy voice broke.
Sunny’s head lolled to one side, and one limp arm draped over his. Dropping to his knees, Ian gently laid Sonora on the floor. In a panic, he tapped the communicator implanted in his jaw since childhood. "Father! Mother! I need you!"
Ian tipped Sunny’s head and listened for any sign of breathing. His own unusually quick gasps were all he heard. Ian slowed his breathing. If he was going to help her, he needed to get himself under control.
Ian brought his mouth to Sunny’s, pulling the water from her lungs. He spit what he gathered onto the floor. She was still limp and lifeless. He tried again.
Ian looked up as his family raced into the house, their faces paled at the sight of Sunny’s limp body and their son's pleading eyes.
"Father, Mother, help me, please." Ian ran a hand over his forehead and through his hair.
"I can't lose her! I can’t—“ Ian shuddered and glanced from them to Sonora. He put his hand to Sunny’s hair, stroking it as his voice fell to a whisper. "I've just found her." He winced. Everything hurt, his throat burned, and his heart slowly ripped into two.
Aleena brought a hand to her mouth as she sobbed over her son's distress.
Jorah lowered himself to the floor beside Ian. He clasped his son's shoulder. "Try again, Ian. Sometimes humans are stronger and more resilient than we believe."
Ian's hands shook as he gathered Sunny into his arms. His pained soul praying to the Creator this time she would wake. He put his own cool lips to his beloved's cold ones and pulled more water from her.
Ian stared at Sunny, willing her to open her eyes. When she didn't, he lowered his head to hers and rocked, clasping Sunny to
himself.
Cascadia and Talise shot a look at their parents before exchanging wide-eyed glances. Cascadia crouched beside her brother. "When I was in Rome last summer, I saw a human pulled from the water. They did things differently than us. They banged on her chest, and when she coughed, they turned her over."
Talise agreed. "I've seen the same thing."
Ian looked from his powerful fists to his delicate Jata Ara. "I would kill her for sure. Cascadia, I beg you to do what you have seen." Ian laid Sonora flat on the ground.
His sisters settled on the floor, one on each side. Cascadia carefully pressed on Sunny’s chest as Talise patted the girl's face. Ian hovered above them.
When nothing happened, Ian ordered. "Push harder!"
"I'll hurt her!"
Ian turned away, his shoulders shaking. He'd give anything for her to live. Anything. Even if… even if she wanted to go home and never see him again. Just to know she was alive would be enough.
Jorah patted his daughter. "She's already gone. You can do no more damage. It will work, or it will not."
Cascadia strengthened her efforts. After two compressions, Talise leaned down and listened. "Something is happening."
Ian rushed to Sunny’s side.
An anxious sigh escaped Aleena. "Try drawing the water from her now, son."
Ian's mouth was on Sunny’s when she stirred. He moved away, monitoring every slight action. Only when she erupted into a coughing fit and hauled in more air, did Ian allow himself to believe she would be all right.
His heart soared as he turned Sunny on her side, his arms holding her upper body up off the floor. Sonora wrapped both her arms around his, clenching him, as she continued spitting water. How could so much water be coming from such puny lungs? It frightened him, and Ian could tell it scared her.
He did his best to soothe Sunny, pulling her long, wet hair away from her face and stroking the length of her back. Twice he bent and gave her a light kiss on the back of her head, unable to stop himself. Maybe she wouldn't notice. Eventually, she lay exhausted in his arms.
Intense joy filled every part of Ian. When Sunny stirred and frowned, he smiled. She knew of his emotion on some level even if she was unsure of what it was.
Jorah and Aleena knelt beside the two of them soaking in the glow of their son's happiness. Jorah turned to his wife. "It is too late for him, my wife. This bond is truly sealed."
Ian sighed as he stared at Sunny. "It has been too late for a long time now, Father."
Jorah and Aleena exchanged glances. Jorah nodded. "There will be no more arguments about this girl. She is Ian's Jata Ara."
Ian ran a light finger over Sunny’s cheek. There had been no question for him before, but now it was sealed. Ian had experienced every bit of her struggle. Losing breath, the fight against incoming water and even her death as if it were his own.
The bond was both the blessing and the curse of the Atlantian. Whether or not Sunny was, Ian was bonded for life.
Sunny stirred and used Ian's arm to weakly push herself into a semi-sitting position. Ian's grip tightened. He didn't want to let her go. It would be better if she stayed safe in his arms.
Jorah chuckled. "Ian, you just gave the girl back her breath, don't take it away again."
Ian loosened his grip and looked at the loveliest sight he'd ever seen. Sunny looked at him, rubbing one of her sky-blue eyes as she gave him a weak smile. His heart, his love was alive.
Sunny shook a finger at him. "Okay, reminder— don't talk to me underwater, it really, really freaks me out."
A nervous laugh broke out among the family, and Ian's gaze lingered on her as he wrapped a section of her long hair around his fingers. "I apologize, I wasn't thinking. I give you my word, I will never, never speak to you underwater again."
Sunny frowned at Ian's beaming face and scoffed, "You know you will." She giggled when he moved a hand to his heart, but pulled her hair from Ian's fingers when he reached for it again. Sunny shivered and tried to get to her feet. With Ian's help, she made it to a chair. Talise handed her brother a blanket which he wrapped around Sunny.
When Sunny coughed, Ian glanced back at his father. "Did you request the doctor? She is still not breathing well."
Sunny raised a hand and waved his suggestion away. "I swallowed a little water. I don't think that calls for a doctor."
Aleena took the chair beside Sonora. “More than that happened, little guppy. You died.”
Twenty-Five
Hate is a Strong Word
Chapter Twenty-five
Sonora shuddered. She remembered being in the water, then here in Ian's arms, but not a whole lot in between. "Are you sure? I mean, I'm worn out, but other than that I feel fine."
Ian frowned at her. "You are still coughing. And yes, I am sure. No breath came from your lungs, no beat from your heart. I checked many times, as did my sister.”
Someone knocked at the door, and Talise let them in. A woman holding a bag. The doctor, Sonora presumed before Aleena introduced them.
The doctor came forward, sitting beside Sonora. "Oh, you are a tiny one, aren't you?"
Sonora smiled. "Well, that depends, I'm on the tall side for a human woman. From my point of view, you all seem a bit overgrown."
The doctor laughed. "I suppose we do."
Curious, Sonora watched the doctor pull a small hand-held instrument from the bag and move it over her. It reminded Sonora of something out of a science fiction show.
The woman punched a few buttons on the thing. "Everything seems fine. But stay quiet for a few hours, and I will check on you tomorrow." The doctor stood. "Call me if there are any complications." She gave Sonora a quick pat and a smile before saying goodbye to everyone.
Once she'd waved, Sonora turned to Ian only to find him gone. He and his parents huddled together at the far side of the room, and his sisters eagerly listened in. Jorah and Aleena were deep in conversation with Ian, tears flooding their eyes. Ian put a hand to his mother's shoulder and nodded.
Cascadia and Talise's faces beamed with excitement, reminding Sonora of a nosy neighbor with the gossip of the neighborhood. Their frequent glances confirmed Sonora's suspicion she was the topic of conversation. Was it just her or were they acting stranger than usual? A near-drowning couldn't be that unusual in an underwater city.
But once the family left, Sonora was too tired to worry about it. A nap was what she needed. She rose and headed to the spare room, Ian trailing her even with assurances she was okay. Sonora was out within minutes of laying her head on the pillow.
Hours later, Sonora's eyelids fluttered open. In the dim light, Ian sat in a chair he'd pulled close to the side of the bed. He slumped there, head propped on a hand, with his eyes closed. Sonora studied him for a moment. Memories of the afternoon coming back to her.
Ian's anguished face above hers, his strong arms holding her tight as he sped through the water, her utter trust in him.
There was something about this man. Why did she trust him? When had that happened? One day she was shaking in her shoes because he was a creeper and the next she was okay with him sitting by her bed, watching her sleep?
Ian stirred and raised his head, looking at Sonora. Their gazes met and held. That direct stare seemed to always be asking something of her. But Sonora wasn't sure what the question was or if she wanted to answer it. Unable to take anymore, she lowered her gaze.
Ian gave a sad, little smile as Sonora pushed herself up and said, "My family is here again."
"Is that why you're hiding out in my room?" she joked, trying to ease the tension.
"What? No, why would—“ Ian shook his head in confusion. "Is that what you do? I wanted to make sure you were okay."
Sonora shrugged. "Sometimes. If my family is being particularly frustrating."
Ian chuckled. "I have not fallen into that habit."
"You can tell your family I'm fine."
Ian nodded. "That is not why they are here. We are going to a family dinner
tonight, if you feel well enough. My sisters brought you some clothes, something suitable to wear." Ian stood and moved his chair back to its original position.
Sonora picked at the blanket covering her. "Ian?"
"Your family and some of the things said. I need to ask, do all Atlantians hate humans?"
There was a flicker of acknowledgment in Ian's eyes, and he hedged. "Hate is a strong word."
"That's why I used it."
"You need to understand, Sunny, there is a long history there."
"Really? Because I knew nothing about Atlantians, nor did any of my friends or family so I have to assume the general public is ignorant of your existence. I've never heard of Atlantians existing, only in storybooks. So who is this history with?"
"It is a very long story, and we don't have time for it now."
"How convenient for you."
Ian sighed. "The condensed version is, even though we have stayed hidden, at times, we were discovered. In many cases, it was fine. But in others, it was disastrous. Not long ago, one of our people had a… loss. He became inconsolable, and it led to him making unwise decisions where the humans were concerned."
"How unwise?"
"He murdered them, lots of them." Skye's eyes widened, but she listened as Ian went on. "After that happened, there were retaliations from humans. Torture, mutilation, and murders of our people, innocent people who had nothing to do with any human deaths. Once, we had looked at humans as adorable curiosities, now they are looked at with suspicion and disgust."
A chill made its slow way down Sonora's spine. "All of us?"
Ian looked away.
"They can't understand that most of us aren't like that?"
"Enough are like that. Look at your world. Violence between nations, between neighbors, even between family members. If there were one word to describe your people, it would be destructive."
Sonora shook her head. "There is a lot of good too."