Dream of Atlas V

I stared out the window as I watched La'oki talking with his brother. They'd bathed me and given me a flowy silk red dress. The Phoenix tribe were vibrant. They were loud, they were playful, they were animated. Both women and men wore their long straight hair down their backs, some braided, others flowing freely. Colorful is what I would describe the tribe. And full of life.

They welcomed me with open arms, touching, caressing, asking questions.

"Are you really an Atlantean princess?"

"Can you sing to crystals?"

"Can you give us crystals?"

"Are you marrying our prince?"

"Will we all become Atlanteans?"

"Do you think were savages?"

"Why don't you wear more colors? Colors is good on dark skin."

"You can swim?"

"How long did it take you?"

"Can you breathe underwater?"

"Can you really teach us?"

It was overwhelming but exhilarating. And to my surprise, La'oki did not come to my rescue. Not one bit. In fact it seemed, he threw me in and then moved to the background, allowing me to be surrounded by all the people who rushed to the port as soon as the first kid ran through the town yelling that the Atlantean princess was here.

I smiled as I rubbed the perfume on my wrist that was gifted to me. I lifted my wrist to my nose and inhaled the soft flowery fragrance. Teaching the kids had been easy. I jumped, they jumped. They weren't too scared of the water yet, some easily floating within the first 10 minutes. The women who wanted to learn were next, mostly teenagers, some mothers. The men were more hesitant. It took La'oki's coaxing for about 15 minutes for 10 of his men to finally jump in and waddle in the water.

"Times are changing, it is true."

"I never thought I'd see an Atlantean on our shores."

"Love, the only cure for hate."

"Maybe the stars are right. May it be this generation that turns the tide."

These fire people were not savages. They were not running around killing and destroying their land and people. If anything, they were just like the Atlanteans. In fact, dare I saw...friendlier to me. But they didn't have the fear or the culture and history of who I was. And it felt so nice. It felt nice to be touched and admired and laughed and joked with. It felt. It felt nice to feel as if...I belonged. I never really thought that I didn't belong, but this was different. The touching, the joking, the talking...this is what it meant to belong.

I never realized how...what was the word La'oki had used...lonely. How lonely I was in that temple by myself, making use of the crystal, enjoying the few company. But there was more to life. There was so much more.

How selfish to want more.

I touched my crystal as it hummed peacefully.

La'oki looked up to the window and I held my breath. He smiled and turned back to his younger brother once more as I moved away from the window.

I slowly touched my lips as I recalled the kiss on his ship. The taste of his lips, the feel of it, the softness. The sound he made in the back of his throat as he pulled away. The way my heart had risen and fallen back into my stomach.

He smiled but I was awestruck. He continued on with his men as if nothing had happened and I had been stuck.

I was still stuck.

This was not like the kisses by the temple.

This had been something else. This had been....

I took a deep breath and looked out the window again. They were gone. I looked to the sky. There was still time but not enough. Will there ever be enough? Will there? Especially since I did not want to leave him.

Oh my...

I did not want to leave him.

I turned my head to the knock on the door and slowly got up.

"Can I come in?"

Walking to the door, I took cautious steps and pulled it open with a soft smile.

Prince La'oki stood by the door, his arms across his chest and a smirk on his face.

I cautiously touched my hair and smoothed down my dress as I watched his eyes take me in from the top of my head all the way down to my bare feet.

I cleared my throat. "Do I look...okay?" I asked hesitantly. I never wore red. In fact red was not a common color in Atlas. It was reserved for a bride and her husband on their wedding night. I never thought I would wear red, but here I was. I twirled my hair nervously around my index finger. I wondered if he knew what red meant for the Atlanteans.

La'oki nodded and stepped in as I took a step back. "You...you are radiant princess. Red looks wonderful on you. You should wear it everyday."

I smiled and looked away from him. Feeling his gaze on me. I pointed at him. "We're matching a little."

"Yeah." He agreed. "Do you like that?"

I shrugged.

"Red is for royalty here."

I nodded. "I see."

He reached out and took one of my locs between his fingers. "Correct me if I'm wrong..." he whispered. "But I heard....red is for an Atlantean's wedding night."

I didn't answer, but that didn't stop the smile on my lips, that I was quickly trying to bite away. I pulled my loc from his hold and shrugged.

La'oki chuckled. "You look shy."

"I'm not!" I answered loudly looking up at him.

He arched an eyebrow. "No?"

I shook my head and took a step back. That only encouraged the fire prince to take more steps into the room. Watching me he reached behind him and closed the door slowly. I watched his movement before looking up to meet his gaze. He was watching me.

"Are you scared? So far from home. Away from your people."

I shook my head again.

He grinned. "You don't think you should be?"

I shook my head and took another step back.

He chuckled and took a step towards me. "Do you not have any preservation instincts princess?"

I took another step aback and bumped into one of the tables. La'oki laughed softly as I turned to him. I lifted my chin. "You won't hurt me."

"You keep saying things I won't do." He whispered as he reached for a loc of my hair again. "What about things I will do?"

My hand gripped the edge of the table as I looked up at him and met his gaze. "What could you do, that you haven't already done?"

Amused, he stepped into my personal space. "What have I done princess?" His dark eyes roamed my face, before landing on my lips. He stared at them for a couple seconds before lifting his eyes back to me, with an upwards tilt of his lips.

"You kissed me." I whispered.

His smiled widened. "Did I?" He asked softly and leaned his head towards mine.

I nodded. "Several times."

"Several times?" He whispered in wonderment. "Did you like it?"

I nodded and the smile slowly dropped from his lips. "Aqu—-"

I closed the gap between our faces and pressed my lips against his unsuspecting ones. I pulled back and licked my bottom lip. His lips were still parted and frozen in their previous state of saying my name.

We stayed like that for a couple seconds, my heart racing as he watched me without movements.

La'oki finally straightened up and chuckled. He further eliminated the distance between us as he walked into my personal space. The heat from his body, transmitted against mine as he lowered his head, our foreheads almost touching.

"You like playing with fire?" He whispered.

I lifted my head slightly, my nose brushing against his lips, my own lips butterfly kissing his chin. "Yes."

The one syllable word was barely spoken from my lips before he groaned and pressed his body against mine, moving me further into the table. His forehead rested against mine. "Princess..." he whispered roughly and bit down on his bottom lip. I watched as he closed his eyes and pulled back slightly, his head bowed as he put some distance between us.

I leaned forward and kissed his forehead softly.

Prince La'oki lifted his head and cupped my face. "How about you become mine tonight?" He suggested. He leaned forward, tongue out and proceeded to lick my lips slowly.

My eyes fluttered close at the wetness of his tongue against my lips.

"Do you understand what I'm saying?" He whispered as he pressed his lips against my ears.

I shook my head slowly, and he chuckled softly and lowered his head to the crook of my neck. After a couple seconds he sighed and lifted his head so he was facing me once more.

"Kiss me."

I leaned in and pressed my lips against his and pulled back.

"Again."

I closed my eyes and pressed my lips against his again. Moving my lips cautiously to feel the softness of his before pulling back.

La'oki smiled. "Again." He whispered.

He barely finished telling me, before I pressed my lips against his once more. A little faster than before. A little more confident. A little more eager. I exhaled softly and pulled back. My chest rising and falling.

"Again."

I cupped his face and pressed my lips harder against his with a moan. He moved his lips against mine, returning my kiss. I bit softly on his bottom lip, my teeth grazing the plumpness before pulling back.

Prince La'oki snaked his hand behind my neck. "Kiss me, until you want me more than air."

And so I did. My mouth covering his. Sucking and tasting of him. My hands coming up to slid into his hair. I did want him. I wanted him more than air. And lucky for him I was a great swimmer, I could go for a long time without air. I moaned into his mouth as my lips moved automatically. My body knew what to do, I didn't have to guess. I didn't.

Because when I spread my legs for him to fit between, I didn't know why, but once I did, I knew why. A perfect fit.

A perfect fit of him pressing into me. My body leaning back on the table. I was kissing him, but he was kissing me. His strength over powering mine as I was leaned further and further back. I had to wrap my arms around his neck for support, so as not to fall back on the table.

Our lips parted with breathless pants as he kissed my chin and then down to my neck. Sucking on the sensitive flesh as I threw my head back.

I moaned as I ran my fingers through his glossy hair. I don't know when or how he'd lifted me onto the table but he had, and now he was between my thighs, and I was holding him in place. The sounds from my lips sounded foreign to my ears but they were definitely mine. They were mine as I closed my eyes and moved languidly around him. I wanted him closer, even though he was already as close as possible. His lips on my throat, kissing my collarbone, biting my flesh.

"La'oki..."

He groaned and lifted his head, cupping my face as he brushed his nose against mine. "Allow me to taste you princess."

"Taste?" I whispered breathlessly in confusion.

"Taste what is mine." He replied before pressing his lips against me firmly. He broke the kiss and took a step back, dropping to his knees before me.

I watched in anticipation as he parted my thighs and shoved the red dress up to my waist. He immediately buried his head between my thighs and I inhaled sharply. He kissed my inner thighs, he inhaled my center and kissed my lower stomach before making his way down.

"La'oki...." I didn't know what I wanted to say, as my own words trailed off my lips and vanished into thin air. He'd scooted me to the edge of the table, his mouth having found it's resting place. I gasped as my head tilted back and eyes closed at the never before felt sensation. His lips kissed, and his tongue licked in places, I could never had imagined. The wetness, caused my toes to curl as he slid his tongue between my lower lips. The sound of his slurping and smacking filled the empty room, as my hand of it's own accord, captured the back of his head.

My lips parted as a loud gasp escaped my lips. His head bobbed up and down as he licked me. His hands lifting my legs higher, giving him better access. I moaned loudly as I fell back slowly on the table. Both hands now gripping his head, the sensation overwhelming.

What was this heaven? What was this overwhelming tingling senses all over my being. I cried out as my fingers dug further into his hair. I couldn't stop myself even if I wanted. The feeling overtook me. My hips moved along with his mouth as it followed the perfect rhythm, the rhythm it needed to take it to the edge of it's capacity.

"La'oki!' I gasped as my body shook. It felt like plunging into a bottomless waterfall. I couldn't stop the trembles passing through me or the loud panting from the sudden lack of air. My body felt hot and needy. It needed something.

Prince La'oki sat up and kissed his way back up my body, kissing my neck and holding me as I shook beneath him. Kissing my chin as my chest rose and fell heavily. Kissed my cheeks, my nose, my eyelids as I moaned beneath him.

A couple seconds passed and then another as I tried to find my way back to my body. Back to stability as he held me. As he stared down at me. His left eyes a vibrant glow as he caressed my face.

"My princess..." He whispered. "My phoenix heart." He ran his hand over my hair as I opened my eyes to stare at him. "How can you taste so delicious?" He kissed the tip of my nose before lowering his head to kiss my neck again.

My shaking hands finally slid from his hair to the side of his face.

La'oki lifted his head with a mischievous smile. "Do you know what comes next?"

I caressed his cheek with my thumb. "Have you made me yours?"

"Do you feel like your mine?"

I nodded.

He smiled and caressed my cheek. "Good. Tonight at midnight we complete our vows."

As if reality just hit, I sat up quickly and parted my lips. Shoving my dress down to cover my nakedness.

"La'oki..."

"I'm not letting you go home princess." He answered without waiting for me to talk.

I sighed and nudged at his arm to release his hold on me. "I have to get home before the first night bird sings."

He chuckled. "Aqu..."

I put my hand over his mouth. "I choose you." I whispered. I nodded at him for confirmation. "I do. But I must do this right." I slowly dropped my hand. "I must tell Elder Kjuka."

"I'm not." La'oki shook his head. "Taking you back there."

My heart raced as I heard the seriousness in his tone. "There will be war."

"I know." He whispered calmly.

I shook my head. "If there's a war Atlas will never share the crystal—-"

La'oki cupped my face strongly. "You still think I care about the crystal?" He whispered intensely. "Curse the crystal. Let them have their crystal." His grip loosened on my face as it turned into a caress. "I'll have you—-"

I knew I caught him off guard when I kissed him, because when I pulled back he was speechless. I kissed him again, and again, and again. Each kiss more intense than the last, like he'd shown me. I pulled back once more. "And I'll keep kissing you because I want you more than air." I whispered. "But I must go home tonight. Just tonight." I smiled. "Tomorrow come for me. I am yours." I put my hand up and swiped it across my chest and showed him my palm. "That is my truth."

La'oki clenched his jaw and released me. He groaned and crossed his arms over his chest. He looked away from me and shook his head.

I hopped off the table and dropped to my knees in reverance. I took his hand and placed a kiss on his knuckles. I slowly got to my feet. "Give me your knife."

Prince La'oki looked me over. "Why?"

"Does the phoenix tribe also bound by blood as the Atlanteans do?" I asked stretching out my hand. "A blood oath between husband and wife."

He hesitated.

"I promise you, for all eternity, I will come back to you. For I am yours." I kept my hand out. "No one can break this oath."

"One cannot break a blood oath." He stated.

"I know." I replied.

He didn't move. We held each other's gaze, neither refusing to look away. I needed him to trust me. For I will do anything to be with him. The choice I was so hesitant on was finalized in a mere instant. I knew. I always knew. No matter how much I tried to deny, and protest. I knew in the end...it was him.

"It's always been you." I whispered, holding his gaze. "Even in the beginning before I knew what this was, it was you. Denying it, trying to force my destiny, it didn't matter. In the end here we are. This is my choice La'oki. You are my choice. But let me do this right." I took a step towards him. "Do not bring war to our people. We should unite. Not divide."

La'oki sighed heavily and closed his eyes. "Fine." He whispered and opened his eyes. "This will be the last time I let you go, mark my words."

I took a deep breath.

"Tomorrow you'll come with me."

"Tomorrow I'll come with you." I replied with a smile.

He reached out and gently put my hand down, that was outstretched to him. "Let's leave the blood oath for our wedding night." He turned around. "We must hurry for you to get back in time."

I nodded and rushed after him, quickly grabbing my shoes.

**

I rushed up the temple stairs hearing the first sweet melody flowing in the night air. We'd made it on time. I smiled to myself, but it didn't last long as Hana and Mata appeared at the top stairs.

"Aqu!" Elder Kjuka turned around as if in shock, her cane vibrating in her hands.

"Elder..." I smiled. "I...must..."

"I thought you were kidnapped."

"What?" My face fell as the elder rushed down to me. "What are you talking about?

"We've just..." with a swiftness, I havent seen in uears from her, Elder Kjuka touched my face as if to make sure it was truly me. "We've just sent your sister as a bargaining tool to have you released."

I took a step back in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

**

La'oki and his men stopped their ship at the lights and celebration happening at their village. He pulled up next to another empty ship that wasn't there before and neither held a nation flag, just a white neutral cloth. Where they expecting visitors? Had his father once more forgotten to tell him?

Why did the ship not wave a flag? It was white for peace and surrender, yet they had no current enemies. Why was there singing and celebration in the town, he'd told them to hold off the celebration for tomorrow night when Aqu came back.

"What's going on?" Kudu whispered as the rest of the men slowly gathered forth.

"Do you know of any visitors? I'll ask my little brother." La'oki shrugged as they disembarked.

His people waited eagerly for him at the port and as soon as he stepped on land, they rushed him with glee. Confusing the young prince as strong hands grabbed him and lifted him up with a joyous cry. "Wha—-wh—-what are you guys doing?!" They threw him up in the air and caught him.

Fireworks went up as the city yelled and danced. "LET'S CELEBRATE! FOR TONIGHT TWO NATIONS BECOME ONE!"

**

Yona grimaced as he watched his older brother laugh out loud, his legs propped up casually. His entire body shaking.

He didn't know what to think. Was La'oki okay with this or....was he not?

He chuckled along with his older brother hesitantly. Now that they were gone from the people, the bride had been ushered to another room, formalities were thrown, La'oki was able to be by himself as they waited for the midnight hour.

La'oki chuckled and shook his head as he exhaled loudly.

"Well she is also very pretty." Yona offered happily. "You truly are spectacular to not have one but two of the Atlantean princesses offered." He laughed with his older brother, not realizing his brother had stopped laughing. "This will be written down in history, they, the Atlanteans themselves came over to our land, us the fire tribe, offered their princess, literally dropped her at our steps, encouraged an immediate union, giving us access to their most sacred of——" he trailed off seeing his brother's hand slowly creep into a fist on the table. "Their energy...."

La'oki turned to his brother and straightened up. A complete contrast to him entering his room in a fit of laughter. "Tell me Yona." La'oki started. "Do you find me a fool?"

His younger brother blanched and shook his head rapidly. "Wh—what? Of course not!" His brother was one of the most intelligent beings he'd come across. More so than their own father, none could deny.

La'oki chuckled dryly. "So they must think I'm a fool." He concluded softly. His left eye glowed as he stared across his room to the open balcony overlooking the land. "They disgust me."

Yona shook his head. "But this is what we want. Father said——"

La'oki slammed his hand on the table, causing his little brother to jump slightly out of his seat. "Enough with what father said!" He ordered. "I have my princess, I'm doing it my way."

Yona nodded rapidly. He would follow his brother to the ends of the earth. It wasn't just blind brotherly loyalty. No.

La'oki had saved his life. Their mother died as soon as Yona took his first breath out of her womb. His father had marked him as cursed and exiled him. He wasn't supposed to survive the night out in the Outlands.

Nobody was to intervene. His fate was left to the gods.

But after crying for their mother,young La'oki, couldn't bare to also lose a little brother he'd waited almost 10 months for. He was only 5 years old at the time,the first time he defied the phoenix king and secretly followed the guards to where they'd left Yona. And for the next 2 years unbeknownst to the phoenix king. He took care of his younger brother every single night with the help of his nanny.

On Yona's second birthday when his curse had passed in the eyes of the Phoenix tribe, La'oki walked back with him hand in hand, through the doors of the palace, reintroduced his brother to the fire people who stared at him mouth agape.

The phoenix king could say nothing as he watched his older son and his now 2 year old son, casually sit together on the same throne next to him. After about a full 30 seconds of complete silence, tears at the corner of his eyes. He went to his sons kissed their foreheads and sat back down.

The crowd burst out in cheers and eager gossip, long having believed Yona had been eaten by wild animals as his body was never recovered 5 days later when the king had gone back to the spot. He'd mourned for 4 months and had seemed his eldest son to be in shock at the double loss for his refusal to mourn.

"It's the resilience of a true Phoenix."

People had whispered amongst themselves.

As upset as the phoenix King got with his stubborn and hard-headed eldest son, he couldn't help but be proud at knowing deep down he would inherit the kingdom with pride.

He took after his late mother. The same fiery spirit. The same defiance and disregard for customs. The same spirit that attracted the phoenix king to the young orphaned women, who made pottery in town.

Nobody knew of his late wife's background, having been found unconscious on the shores of the Phoenix tribe as a young woman. With no memory of who she was, where she'd came from, or how old she was. She grew up with the rest of the orphaned kids, having a talent for working with her hands gained her recognition in The village.

The then young phoenix king falling for her on their first encounter, cemented her to queen status at the stroke of midnight the next month.

The phoenix king loved his wife. It was through most of her sage advice that he was able to make the firetribe the people they were today. She was an everlasting beauty, never seeming to age, looking just as young and graceful as the first day he'd met her.

It was at the birth of their first son, that the first grey streak of hair appeared in the young woman's hair. She'd held her son and sang a soft song neither of them understood. She didn't know where it came from, nor could she explain the meaning. All she'd said was, it was welcoming him to this world.

That is when his wife started to speak of crystals . She didn't know why, but she needed crystals. 

She kept dreaming of Atlas.

"We must go there. We must join then. They will help us."

The phoenix king had not the heart to deter his wife since she asked for nothing. He didn't want her to know their endless failed attempts to get Atlas to recognize them as allies even with the countless assistance they brought to them with the war.

"Our son." She'd whispered as her health had started to decline. "Our son will bring us home. He will unite us."

She'd been so sure of La'oki that the Phoenix king also believed. Even as a little boy, he stood above his peers. His determination, his abilities, his empathy for the people and their land.

She was confident in the man and the legend he would become, long before he grew to be that.

Her death during Yona's birth had broken him. She simply had smiled as she looked at her newborn son before taking her last breath.

The phoenix king had spoken out of anger and tradition when he'd exiled his newborn son, regretting it the next day, but unable to go back on his word.

He'd poured his all into La'oki to live out his wife's dream. He fought and negotiated to get to where they were now. Recognized, respected and feared.

His last dream to fulfill his wife's wishes was for La'oki to marry into the people his wife always spoke of in her later years as soon as their son was born. To take of the crystal she's sought so desperately. Maybe it could have saved her life. The phoenix king believed it so

Even though there were no confirmation, nor did she have memories it was only later that the phoenix King suspected his wife might have come from the island of Atlas. And that angered him more. Was she casted away? Had she been terrified? Had they abandoned her?

Those people that thought themselves better than all the rest. How dare they abandon his true love. He'd vowed before he died, he would take it all back for her. Gift it to his son, to continue the legacy. And he knew the end was near. His fire growing smaller day by day.

But their dreams were coming true. His son had succeeded. The phoenix King had said by any means necessary. They will control that island and finally have his wife's spirit rest in peace.

For Atlas to personally delivery the princess to them had boasted his pride. But he'd watched his son. Even though he wore a smile on his face through the endless talking of the Advisor from Atlas, he saw the same fiery defiance he knew all to well.

Earlier in the evening La'oki had said he'd brought his princess. He'd told his father to announce and prepare for the midnight vows. His son had actually been happy. He was old, he was tired, he no longer had enough strength to argue with his son. As long as it was an Atlantean princess it was fine.

But now there was another. This time full permission granted by Atlas themselves. Why waste the decoration and the food they'd already been preparing? Beside this princess had seemed gentle and kind. She'd willingly agreed, saying she was here of her own will.

Why did La'oki always seem so complicated? He wish his wife had been here, she had a way of dealing with those around her. She could have dealt with their son and made this process much smoother than it was going.

"You've done it my boy. We have the power, the key and the princess, to take us to where we need to be."

His son had brushed his father's hand off. "And what if I say no?"

That had set the phoenix king off as he yelled, threatened and cursed his son. The boy used to his father's theatrics was unmoved. He walked away, his brother following behind.

"You better show up at midnight! Or else!"

La'oki tapped the table softly as he stared across the room.

"What do you want to do?" Yona whispered. "Father signed the certificate to be sent to their Queen Mother tomorrow morning."

La'oki stood up and slowly made his way to his younger brother. "Yona." He whispered as he massaged his little brother's tense shoulders. "Two things are going to happen tonight."

"I don't like it when you talk in that tone." Yona grimaced. "It usually means you're going to do something to upset father."

La'oki shook his head adamantly. "No, I've changed my mind. I'm not going to upset father."

Yona arched an eyebrow at him.

La'oki smiled and tapped his little brother's cheek. "I'm going to make him very happy."

Still unsure, Yona refused to put his guard down. "So...what are you going to do?"

"Well...." La'oki shrugged and moved away from his brother. "They obviously want me to consummate the marriage as soon as possible, even before the Queen Mother signs off on it."

"Are you?"

La'oki spun around and grinned mischievously. "I am."

Yona's mouth dropped in shock. His brother was making his head spin. "but...I thought...so..."

"But I need you to do something for me."

"What?" The young man asked wearily.

"Go get the certificate for me...and burn it."

Yona's mouth dropped open. "But...."

"I've already given their Queen Mother another one...using father's seal. She can't possibly receive two now can she?"

"HOW?!..when?!"

"The less you know, the less trouble you'll be in...hurry. We don't have much time."

"But...but..." His pleas fell on deaf ears as his brother rushed out of his room purposefully.

**

I couldn't sleep. My nerves would not allow me.

I was never one to stress, to worry, to be wrought with panic.

I never had to worry about anything.

Ever.

Everything I'd ever wanted was right where it needed to be.

But hearing the news caused the most unsettling disposition inside of me. It was sadness mixed with anger, wrapped in fear.

If this was true and they really sent Vykala to the Phoenix tribe to be married, what did that mean for me?

What would La'oki....would he think I've betrayed him? That I had gone back on my word?

No amount of pleading could convince Elder Kjuka to find a way to contact Advisor Howji.

"What's done is done child. I'm just happy, you are safe and well."

"No!"

I had pushed her embrace away, tears blurring my vision. "You gave me three moons. I still had a choice. I still had a choice!"

To my surprise her shoulder had loosened, her demeanor making her seem smaller than what she was. "Aqu..."

I had dropped to the ground. I should not have left him. I should have stayed. I can't believe I thought that. War....war was better than this?

Who had I become?

And now in my room, full of tears and despair as I stared at the night sky, midnight an hour away. I thought of how ridiculous everything was.

The choice I thought I had wanted previously was now forced upon me by fate.

I chuckled sadly.

Fate.

Hadn't I told La'oki fate was a choice? Yet here I was, things happening beyond my control. Choices I hadn't made. Or choices I'd been afraid to make. Now it was too late. Now the choice was made for me.

That's the interesting thing about the universe, and I knew it from the book of Mind. If we didn't cautiously make choices for ourselves, the universe kept on going, making the choices for us. No longer making us active participants of our lives, but simple bystanders.

And we accepted it.

Because it was so.

I sat up quickly, my heart pounding.

But I knew better didn't I?

I was falling into the same ego trap as everybody else. Thinking there was nothing I could do. There was always a choice. One of the choices was to sit back and accept it....the other....

I jumped out of bed, grabbing my cloak and wrapping it over my sleep wear, I simultaneously slipped on my shoes.

We'd made it to the phoenix tribe in half an hour's time. I could make my way to the village.... I quickly went and grabbed my satchel of gems, so as not to forget again. I could pay for passage. I rushed towards the drawer and pulled out a rare black crystal. This could get me anywhere, I needed to be. I held it firmly in my hand. Half of it can be the price of the voyage. The other half, I could put it in the motor and change the vibration.

I could still get to La'oki.

I slipped the crystal in my satchel and slowly walked to the door.

Hana and Mata were in their rooms at the bottom of the tower. If I was careful enough, I could climb over the fence, instead of opening it and triggering their immediate reaction.

I knew elder Kjuka had not given them specific instructions for me, so they weren't on guard. But I could never underestimate them. They let me get away with most things but they also worked off the energy of the cane. The way the cane had vibrated in the temple earlier today, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be too lenient on letting me leave.

I touched the crystal around my neck.

I'd never sang to their crystals...never attempted to...but I could try if they ended up trying to stop me. I wasn't as powerful as Elder Kjuka or the cane, but maybe, if with pure intentions, the universe will shift in my favor.

I opened my bedroom door and froze. My eyes wide.

Prince La'oki put down his left hand, he'd intended to use to knock. "Princess." He grinned.

I stepped out and quickly looked down the corridor in disbelief. "Wh—-what...how...what are you doing here?" I whispered, my heart racing. I grabbed his hand and yanked him inside much to his surprise.

I closed my bedroom door and turned to him. "La'oki..." Without waiting for him to explain, I threw my arms around him, hugging him tight.

La'oki immediately returned the embrace. Inhaling deeply and holding me close. "Princess..." He whispered. "I don't believe you've ever embraced me."

Feeling slightly self conscious, I pulled away, but he wouldn't allow me to move past arms length. I smiled and looked up at him. His gaze held mine curiously.

"I uh....well..."

"You missed me?" He offered.

I swallowed hard. "I thought...I thought I...." My voice trailed off as my eyes blinked back tears rapidly. I slowly released one hand from him and brought it to my chest, rubbing it over my pounding left breast. "How do...how do you know if it's love?" I asked softly.

Prince La'oki's eyes shifted down to my chest, before lifting up to mine, with so much warmth behind his gaze. He took a step towards me, further closing the distance between us. "You love me Aqu?"

I inhaled sharply and slowly exhaled as I looked up at him. "I don't want to be without you." A tear rolled down my cheek, even though I thought I had successfully pushed it back. "I was in deep despair, believing you would marry Vykala."

La'oki cupped my face. "I told you I wouldn't marry your sister didn't I?"

I nodded as another tear rolled down my face. "You did."

He smiled. "You believe me now?"

Another tear fell as I nodded again. "But..."

"No buts." He cut me off. "No more buts Aqu. Do you want me?"

"I want you." I whispered firmly. "I want you. I choose you...please."

The fire prince's bottom lip trembled as he caressed my face.

"Will you come back with me tonight?"

I nodded.

His hands moved to my hair. "What about your elder? The crystal?" He whispered.

I shook my head. "I thought I wanted it more." I swallowed hard and quickly wiped my face. "But it's you, it's you I want more than——"

I never got to finish as La'oki pressed his lips hard against mine. Pulling my body to him as he deepened the kiss. I opened my mouth to receive him. All of him. His lips and tongue moving against mine fluidly. The sound of our kissing filling my otherwise silent bedroom.

After a minute he pulled back, breathing hard and I protested softly, heaving enough air in me to keep going.

La'oki touched the side of my face. "I love you Aqu." He whispered seriously.

I nodded. "I love you La'oki."

He pulled back, releasing me and reached into his side, pulling out a small knife. He passed the blade across his index finger, and red blood immediately appeared. I held out my finger and winced at the slight pain as he cut me.

He lifted his hand to me and I to him.

"Blood of my blood."

"Blood of my blood." I repeated as I pressed my finger against his lips. La'oki did the same to me. I sucked the drops of copper as he also sucked on my finger.

I closed my eyes as I waited for him to complete the ritual. His finger slid down my lips, leaving behind a faint wet trail. Once he started I opened my eyes and followed suit. Sliding my finger down his lips, seeing the faint mark of blood, down his chin, over his Adam's apple, all the way to his sternum.

He carefully removed his hand and I mine.

My heart shook at what I had just done. Noticing my mark on his body. I lifted my eyes to him watching me. My lips twitched up into a submissive shy smile as I slowly dropped to my knees before him and bowed my head in surrender.

La'oki did the same, slowly going to his knees, bowing his head to me and smiling as he lifted his head. "My princess."

"My prince."

"I am yours." We both recited softly. "And you are mine. For all eternity, let us be bound. For no greater love is there than to be joined as one."

The words had barely left our lips when our mouth found each other's again. Moving knowingly against the other's.

La'oki pulled back slowly, his lips brushing against mine as he spoke. "Do you know what happens now princess?" He whispered.

I moaned and wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him hard, bringing him down to the floor, on top of me.

I give you all of me.