gallery? The other creatures we keep in stasis could use a new companion.”
Tiran turned away and settled his gaze on the three men still arguing beyond the solid wall of water. It seemed that Niros held court now. While he spoke, Mykonos shook his head and Doremus nodded. Two against one in Tiran’s favor, it seemed.
Forbidden to leave during the deliberation, Tiran and Poseidon had little to do but wait. To avoid further conversation with his brother, Tiran dissolved into an invisible current and floated above the glass that encased Mara. She looked so fragile to him, her helplessness a reminder that as a human, she would never truly fit into his wondrous world beneath the sea. Here, even free of her incarceration, she would be at the whims of his people, always an outsider, regarded with mistrust. He decided that if she were sentenced to remain encased and taken to the Gemstone Caves, he would free her and take her away, even if it meant once again facing the wrath of the Triumvirate.
* * * *
When deliberation finally ended, the wall of water melted into a wide blue current that seeped into the floor. Tiran morphed into his human form and stood ready, his gaze averted from that of his fathers.
“Prince Tiran.” Doremus addressed him, and he stepped forward. “In the matter of your disobedience, we have decided we cannot make an exception to our rules merely because you are the son of one of the Triumvirate. Your punishment will be the temporary loss of your air-breathing capabilities. This will prevent you from going above to have congress with humans. The period of your punishment will be two years.”
Tiran bowed his head. He’d expected no less.
Doremus continued. “In the matter of your interpretation of the Articles of Autonomy, we must agree that Atlanteans have the right and responsibility to help those in need. This human asked for help in freeing herself from captivity and you agreed to provide it. Therefore, before your punishment begins, we will allow you to return her above, and find a suitable place where she may exist free of her captivity. We regret that we cannot grant her asylum to live among us, but our society could not bear the intrusion of a human at this time.”
Tiran nodded. At least he could help Mara escape from her island prison.
“You may dissolve the glass, Tiran, and take her away. Understand that you have one day to complete your obligation to her, then you must return here or you will forfeit your freedom entirely and be placed in stasis yourself.”
“I understand.” Tiran turned and put his hands on the glass. How could he tell Mara that he would have to break the promise he made to stay with her forever?
* * * *
Mara awoke in Tiran’s arms. They lay on the bed in their shelter, warm and dry, covered with a gossamer blanket and nothing else. When his face came into focus above her, she smiled and he kissed her.
“It was a dream, wasn’t it?” she asked through a yawn. “I dreamed Poseidon came and captured me.”
“He did. It was no dream.”
Mara tried to sit up, panicked that Tiran’s brother might return. He put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her into the soft contours of the bed. “Don’t worry. He’s not coming back. We have only a short time together. Let’s make it count.”
“What do you mean? You’re leaving?”
“I can’t stay. Be with me now, then I’ll take you to see your father, as I promised. After that, I’ll take you to a neighboring island where you can find your way home or wherever you want to go.”
“No! You’re coming with me! You promised you would come with me!” Tears burned in the back of her throat. This wasn’t how her fantasy was supposed to end.
“It’s forbidden. I must return to my city. I have no choice.”
“I’ll stay right here, then. You can visit me and I’ll live here.”
Tiran shook his head. “I can’t. Be with me one more time, Mara, before I have to go.”
She
Tiran turned away and settled his gaze on the three men still arguing beyond the solid wall of water. It seemed that Niros held court now. While he spoke, Mykonos shook his head and Doremus nodded. Two against one in Tiran’s favor, it seemed.
Forbidden to leave during the deliberation, Tiran and Poseidon had little to do but wait. To avoid further conversation with his brother, Tiran dissolved into an invisible current and floated above the glass that encased Mara. She looked so fragile to him, her helplessness a reminder that as a human, she would never truly fit into his wondrous world beneath the sea. Here, even free of her incarceration, she would be at the whims of his people, always an outsider, regarded with mistrust. He decided that if she were sentenced to remain encased and taken to the Gemstone Caves, he would free her and take her away, even if it meant once again facing the wrath of the Triumvirate.
* * * *
When deliberation finally ended, the wall of water melted into a wide blue current that seeped into the floor. Tiran morphed into his human form and stood ready, his gaze averted from that of his fathers.
“Prince Tiran.” Doremus addressed him, and he stepped forward. “In the matter of your disobedience, we have decided we cannot make an exception to our rules merely because you are the son of one of the Triumvirate. Your punishment will be the temporary loss of your air-breathing capabilities. This will prevent you from going above to have congress with humans. The period of your punishment will be two years.”
Tiran bowed his head. He’d expected no less.
Doremus continued. “In the matter of your interpretation of the Articles of Autonomy, we must agree that Atlanteans have the right and responsibility to help those in need. This human asked for help in freeing herself from captivity and you agreed to provide it. Therefore, before your punishment begins, we will allow you to return her above, and find a suitable place where she may exist free of her captivity. We regret that we cannot grant her asylum to live among us, but our society could not bear the intrusion of a human at this time.”
Tiran nodded. At least he could help Mara escape from her island prison.
“You may dissolve the glass, Tiran, and take her away. Understand that you have one day to complete your obligation to her, then you must return here or you will forfeit your freedom entirely and be placed in stasis yourself.”
“I understand.” Tiran turned and put his hands on the glass. How could he tell Mara that he would have to break the promise he made to stay with her forever?
* * * *
Mara awoke in Tiran’s arms. They lay on the bed in their shelter, warm and dry, covered with a gossamer blanket and nothing else. When his face came into focus above her, she smiled and he kissed her.
“It was a dream, wasn’t it?” she asked through a yawn. “I dreamed Poseidon came and captured me.”
“He did. It was no dream.”
Mara tried to sit up, panicked that Tiran’s brother might return. He put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her into the soft contours of the bed. “Don’t worry. He’s not coming back. We have only a short time together. Let’s make it count.”
“What do you mean? You’re leaving?”
“I can’t stay. Be with me now, then I’ll take you to see your father, as I promised. After that, I’ll take you to a neighboring island where you can find your way home or wherever you want to go.”
“No! You’re coming with me! You promised you would come with me!” Tears burned in the back of her throat. This wasn’t how her fantasy was supposed to end.
“It’s forbidden. I must return to my city. I have no choice.”
“I’ll stay right here, then. You can visit me and I’ll live here.”
Tiran shook his head. “I can’t. Be with me one more time, Mara, before I have to go.”
She
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