The pool deck was divided into two sections. The pool I’d just vacated being on the uppermost portion of the deck. I was currently making my way along the lower half of the deck, not wanting to completely abandon Keith to his frustrations but also needing to leave him alone for a while.
I was thinking about Raif, when suddenly a familiar smell washed over me. A very strong cologne masked Stuart’s base scent, but he still smelled earthy. I’d been noticing that I was able to smell and hear things much more clearly than I had before, but still didn’t completely understand why. My lips curved into a slight smile in greeting as I turned to Stuart.
“I saw Keith. He seems miserable. What happened?” He was showing a gentle, fatherly concern for me as he had throughout the entire trip. Underneath his concern, though, I thought I could hear a very controlled tone of anticipation.
“I remembered things, but that isn’t what upset him. I rejected him again. I’ve been doing it since I got back and I think it’s been too much for him. He seems to care a great deal about me.” I wanted to explain myself, tell him why I continued to reject Keith, but I couldn’t. I wanted to shout to everyone that I was already mated, loved, and accepted by my soul mate, but I couldn’t. I tried to form the words, but they wouldn’t come out. I cleared my throat and attempted again to launch into the whole story for Stuart, but it was as if the words dried up in my throat before I could speak them. This was an odd turn of events. I wondered if I’d ever be able to tell anyone what had happened, or if this was part of the magic that is Atlantis—a spell to protect them.
“Keith does love you. That much has been obvious every time Maurice and I have seen you together. Maurice is already planning our trip for your eventual wedding. You made quite an impression on him.” Stuart smiled as he settled himself against the railing beside me. He casually leaned against it, watching the last of the sun’s rays disappear beneath the waves.
“You have both been wonderful. I feel as if I’ve known you forever, not just the few days of this trip. I’d love to see you if you two ever decide to visit,” I replied absentmindedly. “Oh, good. He’s going back to his room.” I visibly relaxed against the railing knowing that Keith wasn’t going to do something stupid. I looked over to see Stuart eyeing me strangely.
“How did you know that? We cannot see him from here.” He couldn’t fully contain the suspicious glee from his voice.
“I heard him, didn’t you?” I tried to mask my feelings. “Where’s Maurice? I thought you two went everywhere together.” If I hadn’t been watching, I’d have missed the barely suppressed shudder. My pulse increased as I realized that something wasn’t right. I unexpectedly felt off balance. I wasn’t sure if it was too much wine, or the recent emotional turmoil from the invasion of my memories, but suddenly I felt awful.
“He is sleeping off some of the wine. I wanted to see the sunset before I retired. Did you know that this is the exact spot where we lost you?” He turned to gaze at the water as he talked. I was having a difficult time following what he was saying. I got a fresh whiff of his cologne and felt dizzy, the smell making me nauseous.
“Really? I didn’t know that. I’m sorry, Stuart, I think I ate something that doesn’t agree with me. I have to go lay down.” I took a step to leave and he grabbed my arm in a vise-like grip.
“You are mated,” he growled in my ear. “I could smell it the first time I saw you after Bimini. I was supposed to go home, but you had to go and get yourself mated. You bitch.” He spun me so I could see the barely contained anger swirling in the depths of his multi-hued brown eyes. I let out a startled gasp as I realized that he was from Atlantis.
“H-how is this possible? How’d you get up here? Is Raif here?” I asked, hopefully, knowing that if he were, I’d have felt it.
“Raif? You must mean Raifuku. He mated with you?” His disgust was palpable. “It’s no matter. You now have Atlantean blood running through your veins and must die.” He started pulling me toward the railing. I started struggling through the haze in my brain. Why was it so foggy?
“What’d you do to me?” I didn’t really expect an answer, so I was surprised when he responded.
“It is the way this cologne mixes with my natural aura. I discovered by accident that the smell causes other Atlanteans not of my clan to become violently ill. Victoria is still sleeping off the effects it had on her. Although, her blood is richer than yours; I was taking a risk assuming it would work on you. I believe it was a well-played risk.”
I wanted to punch the smug expression off his face. I couldn’t believe Raif had wanted to save these people. They were constantly talking about, or actively trying, to kill me.
“What about Maurice? Is he sleeping off the drug, too?” I tried to distract him since he seemed willing to talk to me. My vision started to blur and I knew that I had to keep him distracted until someone came on deck or I figured out how to escape. I couldn’t fight him and win.
“No, I slipped a few sleeping pills into his port. He should sleep until we arrive in Miami. He was a fun toy, but has served his purpose. I’ll be taking you with me back to Atlantis, and finally be welcomed to my home like the prince I am!” As he gloated I brought my foot up to his groin,
