by Maira Dawn
Sonora liked it when he looked at her.
"I can make you come back," Ian whispered as his gaze lingered on her, his gentle voice at odds with his words. "I could carry you out of this place, drag you back to the sea, and there is nothing you could do about it."
"You're right. We established long ago that you can pretty much do whatever you want, and I can't stop you." Sonora ran a finger down his cheek. "But you won't, because you care about how I feel, and you want me to be happy."
"I can make you happy." He did not beg, but merely informed her, confident it would be so. "Given time, you would adjust and be happy. I know you would. But there may be other options."
"Other options?" Sonora looked away. "Are we going to spend the evening debating this or are we going to enjoy this time together?"
Ian tipped Sonora's face back to him, his sad, grey eyes peering into hers. "I will stop, for now, but this discussion is far from over."
A soft giggle escaped her. "I didn't think it would be. How about this? How about I let you know if and when you can drag me back?"
Ian threw his head back and laughed. "You are amusing, my heart.” He ran a finger down Sonora’s cheek. “I yearn for the day those words spill from your lips."
Time ticked by with relentless determination regardless of how Sonora willed it to still. Tonight was an impossible fairytale, far more romantic than a hundred movies. Her mind whirled with thoughts of Ian's looks, his smile, how safe she felt in his strong arms. Sonora beamed at him. The way he looked at her made her glow.
Ian grinned back. The dark in him had disappeared little by little tonight and filled with Sunny's light. But for how long? Would she finally accept him? For now, he drank in every soft touch she gave him, every smile from her pink lips, every light from her sky-blue eyes. Each small burst of hope that rose within him, he squashed at once, afraid to let it grow. Still, he made sure he fulfilled her every desire, trying to show Sunny he would make her a perfect partner.
After dancing, they walked through the crowd out to a balcony. The sun dipped just below the horizon, and small rays of pink and orange lit up the sky. Below, the ocean waves slapped against the rock face a small cliff. The water sparkled with the remaining light of the day.
Sunny drew Ian to one of the white, metal tables lined up along the balcony. They sat, side by side, sipping at drinks Ian snagged from a passing waiter as they'd walked out the hall.
Ian's eyes twinkled as he said, "I like your necklace."
Sunny flustered. "Oh, you noticed the shell I took from your house. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have. I don't know what came over me."
"Do you wear it often?"
"Yes." Sunny ducked her head, but Ian swore she murmured, "I never take it off."
He stroked the shell. "I'm glad you have it."
Ian couldn't help getting lost in her gaze. His breathing uneven until he steadied it. Laying an arm around the back of her chair, he leaned closer to her. Ian inhaled her scent, felt dizzy, and put a hand to her face.
Sunny tipped her lips toward his, then dipped her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Ian's heart fell. When she opened her eyes, she looked out over the ocean. "It's time to stop mooning around as if there aren't real problems with this relationship. We need to talk, not—not anything else.”
Azurine watched Sunny and her new suitor through the window as they moved out onto the balcony. Things seemed to be going well.
“Look,” she said to the woman beside her. “Aren’t they gorgeous together?”
The woman nodded. He’d caught her attention from the moment he hit the door, as he had with everyone in the room. Tall to the point of imposing, confident in a way he shouldn’t be in a roomful of people he didn’t know, attractive in a way one rarely sees.
He reminded her of someone she didn’t like remembering.
That is why the woman continued to watch him. Watch him as he’d strode straight to the girl. Watched as he took her in his arms as if he had a right to do so. Watched as they walked to the balcony. And when he had removed his jacket, her suspicions were confirmed. The light shimmer of an Atlantian tattoo could be seen through the material of his shirt. Barely, but it was there.
The woman clenched her jaw. She couldn’t let this happen.
She’d seen Sunny’s face, heard the girl’s gasp as she had seen him. The surprised shock and the slow happiness. The woman had felt that too. Once. Her man from the sea couldn’t stay away, came back time after time until he filled her whole life. Until she had to be with him. Then he left and never returned. The woman’s eyes filled with tears. She needed to take care of this now.
She threw a nervous glance at Ian as she twisted in her chair and pulled out her phone. She bit her lip and wiped at her eyes as she typed, “There is one here.” Hands shaking, she pushed send.
Four
Start There
Chapter Four
Sunny eyed Ian as if she expected an argument over her request to talk. Instead, he simply said, "I agree."
She shivered and he laid his tux jacket around her.
"Thank you," she said to Ian and murmured to herself. "I need to just start, just say something." Sunny flashed Ian a glance, and continued, "There are so many… I just can't see…"
Ian's heart lurched.
Sunny looked at the sky, the ocean, the table, anywhere but him. She covered her face with her hand before looking at him. "I want so much to get to know you better regardless of the obstacles."
A little flicker of hope, the one Ian had tried to squash earlier, grew. This time, it resisted his efforts to tamp it down but continued to brighten. "Then let's start there."
"Like a date or something," Sunny said. "Do you know what that is? Can you do that?"
Ian chuckled. "Yes. I will do whatever you wish."
"But there are issues, and I need answers." Sunny waved her hand. Ian imagined it all falling apart and wrapped his fingers around her flailing ones.
"No, let's start there, where you said, with a date."
"Okay."
"In the meantime, ask me anything," Ian said.
"Okay… exactly how long were you spying on me?" Ian's eyes widened.
"This is where you want to begin?"
"Yes."
Ian looked at her for a moment before turning his gaze to the ground. "I did not deal with this properly, and I understand that now. I tried to fight it, I really did, but in doing so, I worked against every instinct I had. I did not have control of myself. You see, it is always the same with my people. Meet, bond, court. This was so unknown." Ian raised his eyes to Sonora's. "I had no point of reference and no one to turn to for help. Please, understand that. In answer to your question, a long time. Months. So, when the opportunity came, and you needed me, I was already lost to you."
Sunny's hand flew to her mouth. "Months! Ian!"
When he shrugged, knowing there was little he could have done, she almost laughed. "You do know that is creepy, don't you?"
"Not for Atlantian women," Ian said, almost grumpily. "They enjoy the process. I am sorry it disturbs you."
"It doesn't exactly disturb me really."
Ian leaned toward Sunny, teasing her, "Perhaps you enjoyed it, and that is what disturbs you."
She bumped her shoulder to his. "I don't understand much of this, and perhaps I never will. But I do understand the confusion of feelings that comes with this situation." She tipped her head. "Had you ever planned on just saying hi or something?"
"Every day I saw you. I had many plans, but each of them seemed unwise or, as you say, creepy. Mostly I was trying to stop my feelings for you, but that was not any help."
"No, I don't suppose that would've been." Sonora giggled and huffed out a breath. "Nothing like that does."
"One thing helps. Being together." Even saying the words made Ian yearn for a time when Sonora would accept that she was his.
Sunny, however, seemed to ignore him. "So, you planned my abduction all out. The place, re
gulator—"
Indignant, Ian stopped her. "It was not an abduction! I saved your life. If that wave had not tumbled you, I would never have taken you home that day. Yes, I was prepared to take you to Atlantis and hoped the chance would come. But I let you come home, even when it broke me."
Sunny agreed as she traced a design on the metal table with one long, painted nail, "You did save my life, and you never harmed me. Everything you did was for my comfort, except for taking me to Atlantis in the first place. And I understand now that was out of your need for me to be your Jata Ara. Even then, you fought your every desire to give me what I wanted, to be up here." She bit her lip before continuing, "But I have one more thing to ask."
Ian tensed and gave her a brisk nod. "Ask it."
"I need you to… I need to be seen as an equal, not some poor little human girl you're saddled with. Can you do that?"
"Yes. I will learn whatever you need. That is the way of one Jata Ara to another." Ian put a finger to Sunny's chin and smirked. "And I stopped seeing you as a poor little human girl long ago. You may be small, but you are mighty."
Sunny giggled. "Good. And what about the fact that you are far older than I am now, yet I will grow old far sooner than you. Have you thought about that?"
Ian ran a hand over his face and gave her a sad look. "You still act like I have a choice about this. Yes, I have thought on it. Perhaps the Atlantian in you will win out, and you will age slower than a normal human under the right conditions. And if I stay here, from the looks of your grandfather, we will age the same."
Sunny's eyes rounded. "You stay here? Is that something you considered?"
Ian steadied his resolve. "Recently. If that is the only way to have you, it is what I will do."
"But, Ian, you would lose centuries of life!"
"They will be of little consequence if you are not at my side, Edinara."
Sunny stared at him. "You would do that for me?"
"Anything. I would do anything for you. Do you not understand that yet?"
Sunny jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Ian!" She put her hands on either side of his face. "I would never ask that of you. Never." She stood and pointed to the water. "The ocean has always drawn me to it. If we're together, that is where we'll make our home."
Relief flooded Ian, but he tried to keep his face from showing it. He would've lived up here, but he was sure he would not have liked it.
"So, there is only one more thing, at least right now," Sunny said. “My family."
Ian leaned forward, folding his hands around hers. "I have thought of that as well. I can bring you to see your family from time to time. It is not so far away."
Sunny scrunched her face. "And what do you think about that? Being around humans so much?"
"It would be... fine," Ian said. Certainly better than living up here all the time.
Sunny burst out laughing. "Oh yes, I can tell by the curl of your lips. Pfft. No wonder you don't lie, you are so bad at it."
"I would not hesitate to do it for you," Ian said. "I will learn to love your family as you do." Sunny looked down at her hands, nervously twisting through his before lifting her gaze to Ian. "Truly?"
"Truly." Hope brightened her wide blue eyes. He could sense her teetering on the edge of a decision, and he would do nothing to jeopardize it from swinging in his favor. He even refrained from breathing though it was time for him to inhale.
Instead, he studied her face for any small micro-movement telling him what he wanted to hear. He stretched his senses to her, hoping for some little hint.
Then he felt it. A relaxing of the wall she tried to keep him behind. He saw it in a loosening of the tiny muscles by her eye.
It was as if he had swum from a black underwater cave out to a bright, sunlit reef bursting with color. All the hues of life that disappeared when she walked out of his life came rushing back to him. Ian seemed blinded by the sight of her as he watched the final words fall from her full, rosy lips.
"Whatever this thing between us is," Sonora said. "I'm so very tired of trying to drive it away. Let's not fight it anymore. I want to try." Sonora's eyes went to her twisting hands.
Ian laid a hand over hers to still them. "Are you nervous, Edinara?"
"Not over what you are going to say, Ian. I know that, without a doubt. It's everything else that is an unknown."
"Do not be worried." Ian wanted to drop to his knees in front of her, but such a display would only strain her already shredded nerves. Instead, he brought her hand to his lips, gently kissed it and casually said, "And as for my answer…" He shrugged as if he were nonchalant over the whole thing. "Sure, my heart, whatever you would like to do."
Sonora giggled and flashed her eyes up at him. She shoved at him, then plopped herself down on his lap and buried her head in his neck.
Ian was wrapping his arms around her when several splashes from the rolling ocean caught their attention. Dolphins frolicked in the moonlit waves.
"Look!" Sunny said.
"They are happy for us, happy we have found our Jata Ara."
Sunny's eyes roamed the horizon. "Oh, Ian. It's so beautiful!"
Ian pulled her closer to him and whispered, "And it is all yours. I promise, my love."
Sunny threaded her arms through Ian’s. His heart pounded as he held her body against him. He tightened his grip on her. A warm glow flared through Ian, and he was certain this was the most joy he'd ever felt.
Five
Goodbye for Now
Chapter Five
Sonora and Ian still sat together when the doors to the hall burst open. Blake came rushing toward them, eyes wide and face pale. The two jumped from the chair.
"Ian!" Blake said. "There are men here. Men who, I believe, are from the place I told you about. Something I would not wish on my worst enemy and definitely not my old friend. You need to leave. Leave now."
Ian looked from Blake to Sonora. His arm tightened around her.
Sonora grabbed his arm. "Ian, if you are in danger, you need to go." She looked from him to her grandfather. "We can sort this all out later.”
Ian pulled Sonora to him, his tense muscles like steel as she leaned into him. With a gentle hand, he tipped her face toward him and gazed into her eyes. Something near her heart shifted. She frowned, trying to understand what it was.
Ian winked and turned to the balcony's railing. For a moment, he balanced there, staring at her. “Goodbye for now, Edinara,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. Then he pushed off and dove into the ocean.
Sonora rushed to the railing, clutching it as her stomach flip-flopped out of fear. Somehow it seemed as if she were the one free-falling. Suddenly, exhilaration shoved away the dread. Ian's exhilaration.
Sonora pulled in a hard breath as she allowed the feeling to fill her. She wrapped her arms around her body as if she could hold him. So, this was what it was like. Not a little flash this time, but a minute of full connection.
Filled with wonder over this new experience, she sensed the loss when the connection broke. Hands clenching the rail, Sonora searched the water for him. A stirring under the surface drew her eye. What was he doing?
A moment later, Ian reappeared bare-chested, his tux floating on the water beside him. He looked up at her. His emotions rolled over Sonora so strong she took a step backward. Love, promise, then concern over his roughness in reaching out to her.
Sonora didn't know how to respond. Not the emotion, she knew how she felt, but the mechanics of it. She pushed toward him, but she was sure her attempt was so feeble he would never sense it. So, she stepped back to the edge and waved, "I'm fine! I—"
Blake stepped to her. "He needs to go now, honey."
A deep sadness filled her, but she tried to push it away, afraid that would be the feeling Ian took away with him. She needed to send him her care and concern. It seemed as though she failed miserably. But with a wave, and one more shot of love to wrap around herself, Ian sank below the waves.
Sonora put her hands over her face, and her grandfather put his arms around her shoulders, offering comforting words. She looked up at him. "Grandpa, I don't know how to…" she waved her hand between herself and Blake. "Can you teach me?"
"It's been so long, Sunny. I'm like a child at it myself." He laughed. "Worse than a child, actually. Atlantian children are born with the skill. It only needs to be developed."
Sonora's head drooped. "I don't like disappointing him. And I'm worried that's all I'll ever do. If I could do this one thing, at least a little."
Blake squeezed his eyes shut, his heart aching. It was starting already. How many times had his own Sarah worried she disappointed him? Too many times to count.
Why hadn't he listened to his own doubts earlier, when those men had entered the reception hall? There was no mistaking them. Bullies dressed in suits, hand hovering over their waists where, no doubt, a gun was attached to their belts. Blake immediately knew why they were there. Perhaps, he still sensed some after all.
For a moment, he'd sat there. If Ian disappeared, Sunny would be free. But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he'd pushed it away. That wasn't the kind of man he was anymore. He wouldn't let Ian be subjected to the torture those people inflicted.
Blake shook himself. What was done, was done. There was no time to dwell on it now. He grabbed Sunny's hand and pulled her down a flight of stairs that ran along the side of the building.
Sunny gripped his hand. "Grandpa?"
"We can't let them catch us," he said.
Sunny's voice quivered with panic as she ran. "But Grandpa, they don't know about us too, do they?"
Blake's heart trembled. "I don't know what they know. But they ignored me coming in so my guess is that they are only after Ian, but I'm not taking any chances. I don’t want to be out on that balcony.”