Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Fuck, both Alyx and Keion were going to be furious with me. Hopefully, in time, they would have fond memories when they recalled our short time together. I hoped in my heart that Alyx would realize my plan. He knew I was trying to protect him. When those guards had been so harsh with him, I’d almost confessed and put a stop to it. I hated to see him hurt and I vowed revenge on those guards. If I ever returned to Atlantis, that is.
Inside my newly prepared room, as with the rooms of all royal guests, the ocean waters surrounded it like an aquarium—like the world Alyx had built for me at his home except these waters led directly to the ocean…and to danger. The walls were protected by magic, but it was to keep creatures out of Atlantis, not prevent anyone from leaving. I quickly penned Alyx a note, telling him how sorry I was and how much I loved him. After that, I walked through the thick glass walls and my merman tail immediately formed. Since I hadn’t had the chance to do this very often, it took me several minutes to control my panic of being underwater, unable to breathe through my mouth. The gills thing—it was new and took some getting used to.
When I finally felt comfortable, I opened my mind and reached out to my twin. He was weaker. While he begged me not to come to Beathag’s kingdom, I assured him all would be well. Yeah, I lied about having an army to accompany me and then felt like shit when Adan immediately asked if Keion would be in the group. I lied and told him yes, and he roared in fury. Seeing we were just alike on trying to keep our mates safe, I confessed to what I’d done and assured him that Keion and Alyx were safely locked away in the Atlantis prison.
Swiftly, I soared through the waters, expecting attacks from sharks or other dark ocean creatures, but not one blocked my travels, though I saw them in the shadows, watching me. Yes, my mother knew I was coming…that I was coming for Adan. While I was terrified, I kept moving, gaining speed as I went. If I died, it would be by the side of my twin and with the knowledge that my beloved Alyx was safe.
Hours later, the cave containing Beathag’s lair came into sight. I stopped to survey what I was up against. I’d barely stopped when a huge mega shark swam up to me.
“The Queen welcomes you to her castle, young prince.” He spoke his thoughts in my mind in a voice as evil as the queen’s. “I’m surprised you were foolish enough to show up.” He bared his layers of teeth. “Thankful…but surprised. Once the Queen has sucked the power from you and your brother, I’ll devour that delicious body of yours. It’s a promise your mother made to me.”
I snorted. “Trust me; she’s made lots of promises over the years—like to love her children. I wouldn’t start setting your dining room table yet.”
Angered, he lunged for me, but I used my magic and strength to send his gigantic body toppling backward through the water. He crashed into one side of the stone, destroying a chunk of the cave wall. It made me smile.
In my head, Adan still pleaded for me to turn back. He sounded so weak. I pushed forward, even more desperate to get to him. I easily remembered the way to his cell but even if I hadn’t, my soul would have found him. It was difficult to understand how a connection this strong could have been inside me, yet it had been buried so deep I hadn’t even known it existed weeks ago. Now, I felt like I would die if I didn’t get to him soon.
I felt that same powerful devotion to Alyx.
I hated that I had been forced to betray him to keep him safe. It was the only way, though, or so I had believed. I couldn’t face my mother, the Queen of all things evil, while worrying about losing him. Was Alyx stronger than me? Probably. Well, no doubt. It still hadn’t been a chance I’d been willing to take. It was a lose-lose situation for me. My soul would die without Adan, as it would most certainly die without Alyx. Perhaps…hopefully, Alyx would be able to move on without me if Adan’s rescue mission was a failure.
“Kailar! I begged you not to come!” Adan spoke softly and weakly, showing just how much damage the iron had done to him. “She knows you’re here; it’s been a trap all along!”
I quickly swam toward him, and we embraced through the iron bars, the bitterness of the metal stinging my skin where it touched flesh. “I know, brother. A mega met me at the cave entrance. No worries. We’ve got this,” I lied.