“Poseidon heard the cries of his people, but it was too late. Zeus was in our palace to enact the justice we deserved. Zeus told Poseidon of our treachery, explaining that if Poseidon was not going to lead his people, then he would suffer to watch as Zeus destroyed us. Poseidon allowed Zeus to kill his son, Atlas, and Triana, for their ambitious greed; as long as he was allowed to handle the insolence of his followers in a manner befitting our vanity. The invading armies were given one night to vacate our lands or they too, would suffer Poseidon’s rage.
“The next day, with the rising sun, the grounds shook as a great earthquake started to swallow the lands. The seas boiled and raged sending tsunamis to flood the lands. Many people were killed, including some of Poseidon’s own children, and we huddled in terror, knowing we were soon to follow.
“Cleito saved us from death. She cried out to her mate to have mercy on their people. She pleaded with him to have mercy on those that they had failed to protect, tears streaming down her face. Her tears melted Poseidon’s heart of righteous anger and the shaking slowed. Poseidon agreed to spare the lives of their people, but was incensed that the tears of a woman had quelled him. He swore that they would never again be his downfall. Cleito bowed her head in supplication so he would not see the pain he was causing her.
“Poseidon planned to punish Cleito, but before he could, her body rose up and spoke a prophecy: ‘A lesson must be learned for gods and men to live in harmony. Atlantis shall descend to be hidden. Until the time the soul mates and willingly chooses to break; you shall be apart from your heart. Atlantis will join the ranks again when tears are freely given.’ After speaking, Cleito fell to the ground. Poseidon became terrified that his anger had been the death of his mate and rushed to her side. As he touched her, the earth shook even more violently than before. For the first time ever, Poseidon was unable to bend the land to his will. He was abruptly cast out of Atlantis. We were swallowed by the seas; to be hidden from all until the prophecy could be fulfilled. Cleito wept for the loss of her mate, but no tears fell. Instead the heavens opened and it rained in Atlantis.
“We as a people imprisoned her in the palace where she had lived with Poseidon and she has remained captive and alone for the eleven thousand years that we have been underwater. She prays to the gods for forgiveness for her people, hoping for the day she will be reunited with Poseidon. He is allowed to enter his temple, but only when called and only as a shade. He has never entered though, choosing to abandon all communication with his people until the day he is to be reunited with his alma xemelga.” Raif finished with a flourish.
“It’s a sad story, Raif, but what does it have to do with us? Why is everyone so upset about my arrival? They don’t think…I mean, we couldn’t be…” I couldn’t say the words I knew in my heart to be true. I couldn’t be Raif’s soul mate. We barely knew each other. But, if his story was to be believed, that didn’t matter. Once your soul meets its match—that’s it.
“You are most definitely my alma xemelga, my soul’s mate. I had suspected it with my reaction to you when you woke here, but I was not certain until we shared a bed. You and I are to fulfill the prophecy that the oracle set into motion eleven thousand years ago. Without us, my people will be forced to live for eternity under water, never mating, never dying, forever living with the torment of knowing that the other half of their soul is lost without them.” He reached for my hand and I grasped at his, looking for something to tether me down. I replied with as much honesty as I could through a voice that was soft and surprisingly steady.
“That really doesn’t sound that bad, you know. So we mate. I’m not seeing the downfall here. Yeah, I’ll miss my family, but for some reason I feel more at home with you than I’ve ever felt before. Why are you so upset? Would you rather have a different mate?” He chuckled at my naïveté and pulled me onto his lap.
“Amada, my beloved, we did not think it would take eleven thousand years for you to arrive. Many of my people have become content to live apart from those on the surface and are unwilling to be a part of a culture that is ruled by selfish people constantly at war. We are a peaceful people now.” He took a breath and I could feel the faint tremors in his body. I held him close to me, resting my head on his shoulder to allow him to say what he needed to without having to look at me. “The second part of the prophecy is that we must willingly part. If we complete the alma se funden you must return to where you are from and leave me here. You must understand; time is of no consequence when you are dealing with immortal beings. You may leave and part from me for an unknown amount of time. It could be seconds, or millennia. I am not sure if I am capable of being apart from you for that long. There is a small chance that you could stay here, hidden with me, without mating. As long as my people do not know you are my alma xemelga we should be safe.” He said regretfully, knowing his hope was foolish.
“Won’t Poseidon be angry with us for prolonging
