clasped Itime’s hands with excitement. “I made my fins!”
He blinked, his usual blankness even more surprised. “In the ocean?”
“In the lagoon.” She forced his hand up and clapped it in a human high-five. “Congratulate me. This is a big step.”
“Congratulations,” he said placidly, and she preened as if he’d gushed compliments.
Angie put her hands on her hips and posed in front of Konomelu. “And I made mine.”
His jaw dropped. “You did? Then, let us go into the ocean now and—”
“No,” Angie said.
Konomelu’s shoulders lowered. “No?”
“First, this is a moment of celebration.”
“Well, yes, but—”
“And second, we have to practice. I have very limited control.”
“Ah, then—”
“And third,” she drew up proudly. “It is past dinner time. Our guests must be starving. I’ll live down a lot of things, Konomelu, but never the reputation of a bad hostess.”
“No, you—”
“And I will deserve the reputation if we don’t put something on the table right now. Everyone?” Angie clapped her hands twice. “Dress and take your positions. It’s time for dinner!”
Everyone sprang into action. The young fry fastened on their loincloth skirts, the older trainees and adults put out the day’s leftovers supplemented with stored supplies, and soon, a full meal spread across the reconstructed table. They lit stinky tallow candles, which, to Ciran’s nose, had no scent.
And they celebrated.
The dinner was lively, with the women engaged in light-hearted jokes to each other, loving comments to their husbands and children, and laughing. So much laughter filled the small enclave. The doom that had hung over their previous night lifted. The young fry played boisterous games and the older trainees indulged with them kindly.
Hope infused the sparkling night.
At the end of the night, Konomelu stood. “My fellow warriors, brides, and guests.”
He smiled at the young fry to show that he included them in the “warriors” part of his greeting.
“Today, thanks to the help of Second Lieutenant Ciran and Queen Dannika, we have a new way to make war on the warriors who confine us. They are the true traitors. And when we save Prince Ankena, everyone will know.”
Angie’s smile faded, along with her soul light, and she crossed her arms.
Hmm. Konomelu himself had said he did not feel fit to lead, and this example of a speech did not rouse or inspire the important listeners.
“In one week’s time, my bride will demonstrate her powers.” He put an arm around Angie’s shoulders. “And then she will make Orike flee like the coward he is.”
She eyed him skeptically.
“In one week.” He squeezed her and straightened again, then raised his arms. “We will crush our opposition, free Prince Ankena, and rule Lusca.”
The trainees hooted and cheered, the women politely clapped, and dinner ended swiftly. They cleaned up and all retired to rest and focus on growing their resonance. Ciran and Dannika strolled back to the lagoon alone, divested their clothing, and sat on the ledge kicking their feet in the calm, glowing water.
Dannika leaned against Ciran. “Why do I feel like Angie’s soul light might have dimmed after her husband’s speech?”
“Because you are a wise and intuitive queen.”
“Queen…” She shivered. “Ooh, goosebumps. Can I really be a queen if we haven’t done the ceremony in Atlantis? I haven’t pledged myself or anything?”
“You use your powers. You are a queen.”
“You were stricter with Indigo.”
“Indigo is not my bride.” But Dannika was right. “If she makes her powers on Bermuda and not in Atlantis, I will call her a queen.”
“Very generous.” Dannika nudged him with her elbow. “I’m glad to hear the geographic requirements are off.”
“The more defenders we have in Atlantis, the safer we make the city for our young fry. But.” He gestured at the vines dangling through the ceiling in this hidden grotto. “We could really help here, too. Especially you.”
“Everyone here already found their mates.”
“You are more than a matchmaker, Dannika.” He hooked his arm around her waist and splashed her into the water, and after she had shifted, he nuzzled her gently. “You are my queen.”
She glowed.
His own chest ached. She was so beautiful and strong. And for the first time, she had stopped saying she wished he would be with someone else. She was beginning to accept herself and open to him.
Her smile twisted and she curled her fingers around his hardening cock. “Then make love to me, my warrior.”
He eagerly obeyed.
The second time, her body was more familiar, and he knew what she would like and how she would moan. But every touch was still a discovery tinged with newness, and delight fueled their