Her mind wandered back to a happier place; the Nikao. It was a beautiful ship, and had been the royal flagship for nearly a decade. It was ahead of its time. She could remember joyfully sitting on her father's lap when they traveled between the planets of the empire. She could remember everything about her Mother's beautifully lavish quarters, playing in the wide hallways and promenades. There were exciting games of hide and seek in the arboretum. She could remember countless trips as a child, and later, after her parents were gone, hiding behind the safe walls, comforted by their memory. Kale filtered in to her thoughts. Yes, she remembered now, clearly. It was on board the Nikao she met him for the first time, away from the eyes of the interested crowds. She'd been nervous, and he'd been shy. They were only eighteen after all, both never expecting to be the single rulers of their own empires. They would be a royal match, a smiling couple, promoting a favorable alliance between two old empires. Atlantis had been pleased initially, with her Grandfather's choice. At least he was young, and handsome enough. He was charming, well mannered, funny and easy going. It wasn't long before Atlantis thought she was falling in love with him. To her delight, he soon claimed that he loved her too. Atlantis paused, his words were burned into her memory. She could remember like it had just happened.
The night was cloudless, in the spring and Atlantis had picked her own gown with the purpose of a sixteen year old, she'd made sure it was the style that the older girls wore, and she'd had Elral do her hair to compliment it. She and Kale would be attending the first ball of the season, a royal gala always held at the palace, celebrating the arrival of spring. It was an excuse for the wealthy families from across the land to gather and enjoy the lavish offerings of the palace. Atlantis could barely contain her excitement, for the first time she felt like a young woman instead of a girl, and she would be arriving at the ball with the man who loved her. She wouldn't be introduced to, and forced to dance with older strangers all eager to show respect to her grandfather. She could freely greet her aunts and uncles, all grand in their own right, demi-rulers of the many smaller countries and planets in the Empire. At the time, it was speculated that there were several contenders for the throne, many eager to take the place of her father as heir. Atlantis knew that the politics were difficult for her grandfather, and even she was awaiting the announcement of which one would take her father's place.
Kale arrived at her chambers exactly on time carrying a small bouquet of white flowers wound together with a silver ribbon.
"Princess, you are beautiful." He spoke with a bow, and Atlantis knew an admiring gaze. She was wearing a floor length gown, corseted with wide satin straps over her shoulders. The sweetheart neckline accented the diamond and pearl choker glittering at her throat, and the lamplight caught the glint of the crystals on the bodice and in her organza skirt. Atlantis gave him her hand, he tucked it into the crook of his arm, and escorted her toward the garden. Atlantis was hoping he would, he was perfect, dressed in the officers uniform representing his own family's royal standing, and he was handsome.
"Isn't this wonderful, Kale?" She finally whispered when they were far enough away from the listening ears of her own servants, who were duty-bound to be sure that Atlantis and Kale behaved themselves. The ball was magical for her, especially when she would attend as a lady of the court for the very first time.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." Kale smiled, a secret behind his eyes. "Walk with me." Kale gripped her hand and led her toward a different path, away from the lights and music of the ballroom. Instantly Atlantis was torn between disappointment and a hurried flush of excitement. She didn't want to be late for the ball, but what was this about? But, she was a firm believer in intrigue and romance, and so she followed him.
"Kale," She protested half-heartedly, "We'll be late."
"I wouldn't do that to you!" He promised. Atlantis cheeks flushed with excitement. Night was sweeping over the sky, its navy cloak shrouding the garden, bringing to life the glow of the garden lamps. They cast a soft, romantic light on the cobbled path, the air was fresh and intoxicating. he linked his fingers through hers, and they walked together a long way before he stopped with her in front of a wide, splashing fountain. She could hear the music starting in the distance, and she pulled him toward it, but he stopped her.
"But, Kale..."She protested again.
“Marry me, Atlantis.” His strong words crashed through the softness of the evening. “I love you.” She paused, wondering if he’d really spoken. Turning toward him, his hand gently, but firmly gripped her forearm. His eyes were deep, like the pools of Saneedin, brooding as they caressed her eyes and face searching for an answer, as if time itself were holding its breath. Atlantis felt her cheeks burn, the excitement in her stomach burst into butterflies, as she felt him drawing her closer.
“Kale,
I...”The words faded on her lips. She
hadn’t expected this so soon. “But, we’ve barely been together, not even a
year.” Atlantis turned from him pressing
her cool hands to her burning cheeks.
“I know what I want, Atlantis. I want you.” Kale said lovingly.
“Kale, you know as well as I, that I
will never wear the crown of the Empire.
You are gaining nothing by marrying me.” Atlantis said. She knew that she had to be honest, or she
would always feel as if she’d tricked him.
She could see by the look in his eyes that Kale had never expected such
a response.
“Dear girl.” He whispered, closing
his hands around her face. “I’ve lived in wealth and privilege my entire
life. You make me happy, and I can’t say
that about many things. That’s why I
love you. So, we’ll be lesser royals
together. I’m third in line for the
throne, I’ll never sit on it.” He cradled her face, and his eyes held a
laugh. He reached for a small velvet box
he had tucked in the pocket of his jacket.
She recognized the ring immediately.
It was one of his Grandmother’s; Irithia Farharad was well known for her
extensive jewellery collection. On the
soft velvet, in a platinum setting, a large diamond rested against the pillow
flanked by four smaller ones. The band
was carved with leaves and vines wrapping themselves around the form of the
ring.
“It’s beautiful. Like nothing I’ve ever seen.” Atlantis
breathed.
“Will you, Atlantis?”
“I will.” She replied, he slipped
the ring on her finger.
“My Grandmother said it would be
perfect for you.” Kale told her, happily.
He kissed her, sweetly, gently, and she melted in to him. After a long moment Kale spoke again. “I
should be getting you to the ball, my Lady.” He said, smiling. Atlantis sparkled.
“Please! I can’t wait.” She was
grinning. The stern face of her
Grandfather came into her mind. “Kale...” She paused, her heart wrenching in
her chest. “Did you ask my Grandfather?”
“Of course.” He led her back to the
path. “He was hoping for a proposal all along.”
“Oh, I’m glad.” Atlantis gushed.
“Shall we tell people, Kale? Please, right away?”
“We can tell them together...”Kale
started as the pair made their way up from the garden and into the
ballroom. From the entrance a servant
approached them quickly, nervously.
“Prince
Kale, Princess.” He addressed them with a quick nod before turning to Kale.
“Your
highness, there is a message...”
“I am indisposed, Loren. Tell my father I will contact him when I am
free.”
“Sire, you don’t understand.” The
servant pressed. “It is a matter of the utmost urgency.”
“I will be there when I can.” Kale
snapped. Atlantis was surprised at his
tone, but reasoned that he was only trying to protect their time together. They were about to share their engagement
after all.
“I must insist, Sire. It is your brother.” The servant
pressed.
“What has that incompetent fool done
now?” Kale hissed loudly.
“Please Sire.” The servant bowed at
the waist, and gestured to a room adjacent to the ballroom.
“Alright.” He conceded, turning to
Atlantis. “Wait until I return. We’ll
share our news then. I apologize for the
rudeness.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, and followed the servant into
the room, protesting loudly as he went.
Still happy, Atlantis joined the festivities. She danced and ate, and laughed with her
friends. She barely noticed the time
passing, but when the clock struck eleven, she realized that Kale hadn’t
returned to her side. She became
worried, and decided to return to her chambers.
She kissed her Grandfather goodnight, and left the way she’d
entered. She planned to take the same
garden path back to her quarters, but as she came out the door, she saw Kale
climbing the stairs. His face was ashen,
and his eyes were red.
“Kale.” She reached for him, and he
grabbed her in an embrace. He took a
deep shuddering breath, then released her.
It was then she noticed that he’d changed. He was dressed for travel. “You’re leaving...” The words slipped out,
almost unintended.
“I must.”
“What is it?” Atlantis asked, worry
flooding her.
“My brother is dead.”
“The crown prince? No.” A familiar
pain stabbed at Atlantis’ chest. She
knew what sorrow those words held.
“He was killed in a fight. It was an accident. The man who killed him was drunk, and they
got into an argument. Braylon never did
know when to quit.” He gave a short, sad smile.
“I’m so sorry, Kale.”
“I have to leave, Atlantis.”
“Now? Let me go with you.”
“I can’t, Sweetheart. Stay here.
Right now, you need to focus on our wedding. I want you to be happy. This will be over soon, and I’ll be able to
come back.” He kissed her forehead, “I love you, Atlantis Talerian.” Lacing his
fingers into her hair he pressed his lips to hers. “Wait for me.” He said.
Wait,
Atlantis did, with the same passion and fervour that she put into the
wedding. Days melted into weeks, which
passed with a growing uncomfortable silence.
In the beginning, Atlantis checked for correspondence almost hourly, and
in the beginning, Kale would write with some regularity, but as the weeks
marched on, the letters became shorter and fewer. Wait,
Atlantis did, with the same passion and fervor that she put into the
wedding. Days melted into weeks, which
passed with a growing uncomfortable silence.
In the beginning, Atlantis checked for correspondence almost hourly, and
in the beginning, Kale would write with some regularity, but as the weeks
marched on, the letters became shorter and fewer. She began to forcibly distract herself,
announcing her engagement to her family members, and to the small, intimate
group that formed her inner circle.
Despite the many efforts to keep the wedding a secret, rumors began to
circulate throughout the empire. Even Atlantis’ Grandfather was optimistic,
beaming proudly at his choice and the match, but as the days wore on, and the
messages stopped coming all together, a sense of panic began to set in. Atlantis put on a brave front, but it
occupied her thoughts at every waking moment.
She was frantic, hiding as she was bombarded by questions over colors
and flowers, that she couldn’t speak to the groom. Concern had begun to grow between the members
of Atlantis personal staff, as they waited, on edge with the Princess. Atlantis
waited for weeks to hear from Kale.
Business and duty, not to mention, Kale’s wishes had kept her from the
funeral, but she sent condolences both privately to Kale and publicly to his
family, as it was done.
So, when the small, white card, in a
neatly folded envelope finally arrived, the servant was sent at a dead
run. Atlantis was alerted immediately,
and her personal household breathed a collective sigh of relief as Atlantis
tore open the envelope in the privacy of her bedchamber. Her hands trembled as she opened the card,
and her breath caught in her throat.
She’d hoped that this letter would explain why he had taken so long to
send word to her, with one sentence he could rationalize his long absence. But, the card was not in his handwriting, and
disappointment ripped through her. As
her eyes traveled down the card, once, then twice as horror came over her, and
then tears. Crown Prince Kale Farharad
was engaged to be married; and not to her.
The lady
the family had chosen was previously engaged to Kale’s older brother. In their minds, the right of the queenship
still belonged to her and as Kale had never announced his engagement to
Atlantis Talerian it was hardly to be considered. Atlantis’ Grandfather was furious, and as a
result of the embarrassment the Talerian court suffered, Kale paid a great deal
in reparations, and was ordered by the Lorandon Accord, that all trade between
his Empire, and the Talerian Empire was to be strictly operated by the
Emperor’s people. But, for Atlantis,
that wasn’t enough. She had to know the
truth.
On the eve of Kale’s wedding,
Atlantis disguised herself as a messenger, ignoring Marria’s warning. She wore a cloak of burgundy and gold, the
length disguising her figure, and the deep hood shadowing her gentle
features. Late at night, she’d crept to
Kale’s chambers, on the far side of the glistening Banhannar palace, and into
his working quarters. Her secret escape
from her entourage, and the driving demand for answers was hidden in the folds
of her robe. Atlantis covered her
trembling hands. Desperately she prayed
to Ohar, almighty God, that she would not collapse in a heap of begging tears.
No. She steeled herself. She’d lost too much already to strip her
dignity completely to its core. As the
door opened, she could see Kale standing, bent over his desk, expecting a
member of his own private court. A pen
was clutched in his long fingers, tapping furiously at the paper beneath
it. He didn’t look up, he only motioned
to a waiting chair with a grunt.
Atlantis waited until the door closed.
“I’ll
stand, thank you.” She watched him freeze, the pen hanging in mid-air. He raised his eyes. There was a flash of something that she could
only recognize as shock. The room froze
in clenched silence for what could have been forever.
“I know your voice.” Kale’s voice
was thick, grave. He moved slowly toward
her from behind his desk. “I have heard it a thousand times, a whisper in the
dark, a laughing song in the dawning of a dream, tender words of a lover’s
heart. I’ve heard them all from you, and
as I reach into the darkness, you’re not there.
And so, I hear you before me, but I am afraid you are a ghost, or a
dream.” His slow, halting steps had
brought him to a stop before her.
Atlantis’ heart pounded in her chest, her breathing quickened.
Kale reached, and brushed back the
hood concealing her features. He closed
his long fingers around her shoulders and drew her close. He pressed his forehead to hers, and drew in
a long, deep breath. His hands trembled
as he tipped her chin up. Atlantis
melted willingly to him, her entire being longed for his touch, his embrace,
his kiss, like she was running back to an old enemy against her will. Then a shock went through her, deep, driven,
it pierced her, and before he could kiss her, Atlantis pulled from his
grasp.
“Kale.” She paused to catch her breath;
she closed her eyes, and warred against the tide of emotion that threatened to
overwhelm her. “I didn’t come here to do this.”
Kale stepped back.
“What are you doing here?” He leaned
back against the desk, his hand pressed into his forehead.
“I’m not here to make a scene, like
you did, in the garden.” Atlantis’ voice was cold, but quiet. It surprised her.
“Everything changed.” Kale kept his
eyes on the floor. A thick, unexpected
pain crawled up her chest. Atlantis turned
from him. He was silent, but she felt
his eyes on her. Unexpectedly, he placed
his hands on her shoulders, she hadn’t heard him move. They were gentle, almost apologetic. It was strange for him to speak with his
hands, she was more used to his eloquence.
The simple, burgundy gown felt constricting, in its snug bodice and
overwhelming skirt. She felt his breath
in her hair, that was done up in ringlets and held in place by diamond
clasps.
“I’m here to return your ring.”
Atlantis blurted, her voice felt dusty, dry. “By rights, it really doesn’t
belong to me.” Atlantis stammered. His
face was frozen, as if a very breath would crumble his vision of her to
dust. She looked down, her fingers were
trembling, and tears pricked at her eyes.
It was like she was finally removing the last shred of evidence that the
two of them ever were. Kale brushed her
hand gently; he held the ring securely and slid it off of her finger. Atlantis felt a heavy rush of tears to her
eyes, Kale’s face was ashen. Atlantis
fought to retain her composure, but hot tears stumbled awkwardly down her
cheeks. She looked up at him, desperate
for a sign, an acknowledgement, but he couldn’t look at her.
“I didn’t want this to happen. I fought it with everything I had.” He said, finally.
“Why didn’t you write? Or
communicate? Why didn’t you tell me?” Atlantis gasped.
“I tried a thousand times.”
“And a thousand times I prayed you
would.” Anger climbed into Atlantis’ throat, choking her words.
“You couldn’t have been surprised.”
His voice was dead, but it ripped through her viciously. He pulled away from her.
“Kale...” Tears threatened again.
“You are a finished chapter in my
life, Atlantis. That is it. You shouldn’t have come here.” His words
slashed into her with fiery bitterness.
“Chapters don’t just end with blank
pages. I needed to know.”
“And now, you do.” Kale shouted,
breaking the heavy quiet in the room.
Like glass, it shattered around Atlantis’ feet. “You are only a
princess, Atlantis. Return to me when you
wear the crown of the Empire.”
“Goodbye, Kale.” Atlantis said with
finality. She turned slowly, her shoes
weighed down her feet, as she fought against her eyes that demanded one last
glimpse of him. She’d heard him call
after her. She’d even heard his
footsteps down the darkened corridor, but he hadn’t followed long enough. To be rescued, one first had to escape, but
he never rescued her. Never.
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