Sea Dweller (Birthstone Series) (34 page)

“He’s alright,” she said
crisply.

We remained silent for a
moment until something in Faema broke. She turned to me, her eyes gleaming. “I
know you think Sai is yours,” she said in a whisper. “But we both know you
can’t stay here forever. Not with all that’s happened. That necklace and Aluce
will force you back to mainland sooner or later.” She lowered her voice even
more. “But Sai won’t leave Vairda. Ever. Not even for you. It’s his home. And
when you go, I’ll be waiting for him.”

I stared at her for several
moments, cold astonishment washing over me. In the past few months, I’d hoped
we could move past our differences and even be civil, but in that instant, I
realized she would never forgive me for coming to the island. For Sai choosing
me. For her father’s death.

 Faema’s mouth turned up in a
knowing smile when she realized she’d unnerved me. Taking a deep breath, I
tried to shake off her words, understanding she spoke out of injury instead of
malice. Refusing to entertain any sarcastic retorts, I offered a sincere smile.

“Maybe so, Faema. Who knows
what the future will bring? But for right now, I’ll enjoy every moment I have
with him.”

 I turned from her and
grabbed Sai’s hand to get his attention. “I’m going to say hi to Aluce,” I
said, motioning for him to keep talking to Haran. He nodded and turned back to
his conversation. With a small wave goodbye, I worked my way through the throng
until I found her, alone, her expression scornful.

“Well, well,” she said when I
popped up next to her.

“Enjoying the party?” I
asked, glancing around at the countless, laughing faces.

“Not really. I’m only here to
listen to some of the new policies the leaders will be announcing.”

“I figured as much.” Then,
with an encouraging pat on the shoulder, I said, “You should try some games.
I’ll bet your Warrior Gem would win you some prizes.”

“I’m not a cheater.”

“You also don’t have a sense
of humor,” I said. I wondered how soon I could leave a conversation without it
being considered bad manners. “You’re not in a very good mood.”

“Wasting time isn’t funny.”

“What do you mean ‘wasting
time’? These people deserve to celebrate. Their island – no, let me rephrase
that –
our
island was invaded, our people were killed, and we’ve spent
months rebuilding. How is this wasting time?”

“I’m not talking about them,
Aylen. I’m referring to you.
You’re
wasting time. The king is making new
plans, I’m sure. Meanwhile, people need you in Miranasch. You should be there
training. Not here planning parties.”

I stiffened at the second
reference of the night to my leaving the island. This time I wasn’t as
forgiving. “I’m not going to leave my family and friends just because you tell
me I should. This is my home, and this is where I stay until I decide it’s time
to leave.” I challenged her with a look, waiting for my words to sink in. “I
won’t be motivated by guilt or revenge again. When you can come up with a
better reason for me to go, I’ll be willing to listen.” Turning my back to her,
I once more pushed through the crowds, hoping to reach Sai before the opening
ceremonies begun.

Halfway through, we ran into
each other.

“I came to find you,” he
said, grabbing my hand.

“Me too,” I forced a smile I
hoped would fool him. It didn’t.

“What’s wrong?” he asked,
leaning close.

I opened my mouth, still
contemplating how to answer when a loud drum rumbled at the edge of town,
silencing the festival guests.

“Tonight,” the new Chief
Atarom yelled from the platform many of us had helped build recently, “we have
a very special guest in our midst to help us begin our celebration. We are
humbled to welcome the presence of Nethra’s Chief Perin.”

I chuckled at Atarom
referencing Perin as the Nethran chief. Nethran politics were different than
Vairda’s but Perin, as well as the other Nethrans, smiled and took it in good
stride. Perin strode to the platform, shook Atarom’s hand, and bowed to the
crowd. Thunderous applause was the result.

“My fellow Sea Gem heirs, we
are honored to be among you tonight.” Perin began. “Chief Atarom and I have
spoken beforehand and have much to share with you this evening. The first
announcement I would like to make, as a representative for Nethra, is that
visits between the islands and the underwater cities will be open to all people
who prove themselves loyal to our cause. It will take some time to work out the
details concerning this, but the Nethran people wish to know their island
family. We hope to establish a working relationship of trust, respect, and
loyalty between our people and we believe this will be the best way to begin.”
As Perin paused, his words were met with enthusiastic cheers.

“Also, because the mainland
has discovered your islands, we will work with you to protect them from
invasion. We are proud of the way you fought to maintain your freedom and
protect your people. One such family was placed in your midst for protection in
hopes they would find a welcoming home amidst you all, and you rose to the
call, even at your own risk. Your national pride has exceeded that of your
ancestors. To express our trust in you, the Vairdan people, we will be
integrating the use of Sea Gems back into the islands.”

At this, people clapped and
cried out in excitement. Many of the older generation began to weep.

“As for the mainland
prisoners left over from the invasion, we will continue to keep them confined
in our sea dweller cities to discourage escape or future correspondence with
the Miranaschian king. I am proud of your bravery and am honored to call you
family. May we look forward to many years of freedom and a future of
comradeship amongst our people. Thank you.”

Sai and I applauded Perin
along with the rest of the festival goers and waited for Atarom to take the
stand once more. When he finally did, he kept his speech short and to the
point.

“I am proud of my fellow
Vairdans tonight. This festival will commemorate the lives that were lost in
the invasion, but just as importantly, it is to remind us of the friendships we
have gained through this ordeal. As a whole, we have learned that it matters
not where we come from. We are still family. When our ideals and hopes for the
future align, we can work together and achieve great things. Let us celebrate a
new beginning for the great island of Vairda!”

With a wave of his hand,
Chief Atarom signaled the start of Vairda’s anthem. People everywhere cheered.
When the dancing began, Sai led me from the pressing multitude and steered me
toward the trees.

“Where are we going?” I
asked, glancing back at my parents, hoping to catch their eyes so they would
know I was leaving.

“Somewhere we can be alone.”

“We aren’t going for a night
swim are we? Haji will kill me if I ruin this dress.”

Sai laughed. “No. I just
wanted to have you to myself for a while. We’ve had hardly any time alone
together for so long.” We walked hand in hand through the forest and it didn’t
take me long to realize he was leading us toward our beach. I’d avoided it since
the night of the battle although it had since been cleaned and restored. In
spite of this, I couldn’t push the images of the lifeless Vairdan bodies
dotting its shores from my mind.
 

“I don’t know if I’m ready,”
I said, cringing inwardly.

“Aylen,” Sai stopped and
placed his hands on my shoulders. “There will always be dark memories to taint
the good, but you can’t allow them to blot out whatever joy you have in
something.”

Forcing myself to meet his
eyes, I nodded, knowing I wasn’t getting out of this.

We continued on in silence,
the sounds of music keeping us company. When the trees finally opened up to the
stretch of moonlit beach before me, I halted for a moment, fearful to go any
further. Not missing a beat, Sai pulled me forward and walked me across the
sand toward the edge of the water. Warm foam lapped at our ankles, kissing our
toes. I breathed in deeply, trying to remember the countless moments I’d spent
here, happy in Sai’s company.

“There’s something I want to
give you,” Sai said, reaching into his pocket. He kept his fist closed tight
around whatever he was holding and glanced at me shyly. “We were best friends
before we were anything else, but you always saw what I was blind to. It took
me thinking I might lose you to realize I didn’t want to live without you.”

“Sai. . .”

“Hold on. I’m not good at
this kind of thing so you need to let me finish.”

Stifling a laugh, I bit my
lip and let him continue.

Shaking his head as if to
clear it, Sai went on. “Anyway, you always stood out to me even if it took me
longer to realize I loved you.” I tried not to react to his words but I
couldn’t stop myself from breathing in sharply.

“And I hope you don’t feel
you need to change yourself for me ever again.” He opened his fingers. In his
palm lay the freckled rock he’d presented to me the day before the Stone
Festival. It had been polished to a bright gleam and he’d attached it to a
braided chain. Gently, he tied it around my neck.

“Hopefully that’s more
comfortable than the other necklace you had to wear,” he said. I fingered the
smooth surface of the rock, appreciating its cool touch against my throat.

“Thank you,” I wrapped my
arms around him. He hugged me back, tightening his embrace when I placed my
head against his shoulder.

“Sai,” I whispered, as Faema’s
earlier words settled over me, “I may have to leave the island at some point.”

He thought for a moment.
Then, in a tone of mock seriousness, he said, “Well, from what I hear Faema
will be here to comfort me.”

I jerked backward, staring at
him in surprise. Sai threw his head back and laughed. “That girl whispers like
a boar trampling through the underbrush. You can hear it for miles.”

“Wow,” I said, at a loss for
words.

“Unfortunately, Haran heard
it too.” He sighed. “Faema still has it all wrong. Aylen, you have nothing to
worry about. My home is wherever you are.”

Before I could respond, Sai
leaned down and placed his lips over mine. As I pulled him closer and melted
into his kiss, the distant sounds of the celebration dissolved and I pushed all
other concerns from my mind. I didn’t think about how his life could very well
be at risk if I let him come with me to the mainland someday or how my presence
was a danger to the entire Vairdan nation. There would be plenty of time to dwell
on those things and even more time for Aluce to remind me of my duty.

In that instant, I thought
only of the way I fit perfectly in Sai’s arms. And as I kissed him back, I
relished every second with him, because I’d fought long and hard for every
single one of them.

I knew I always would.

The End

Acknowledgments:

So many people have played a
huge role in helping me finish and publish this book. First of all, I owe a
huge thank you to my husband who, in 2007, loved the idea for this book and
encouraged me to start writing it. I don’t think he realized how often it would
leave him to care for our children alone. In spite of this, he has been a
ceaseless amount of support and encouragement.

My parents also deserve many
thanks. When, at the age of eight, I realized I wanted to be a writer, my
mother had no doubt I would be. Not a day has passed when she hasn’t offered
words of encouragement. I can’t thank them enough for their support.

Finally, there are so many
people who have read this manuscript over the last few years, believed in its
value, suggested changes, and given me ideas to improve it. I will never be
able to express my gratitude enough to these amazing, wonderful people:

Liz McNamee, Selena Kato, Erin
Baxter, Carrie Amdal, Kyrsten Amdal, Karmen Amdal, Betsy Grewe, Chikako
Hokanson, Crystal Hokanson, Morgan Hokanson, Heather Tanner, Heather Welker,
Evan Jensen, Eileene Binger, my editor Ashlee Enz, and my cover model Sydney
Passmore. Along with this amazing group of friends, I have countless others who
have encouraged me through Facebook and in person.

This book is dedicated to the
incredible network of people who have helped me reach this goal. They are the
reason I’ve come this far.

Connect with me online:

My website:
http://www.cityofnethra.com

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/CityofNethra

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/MelanieAtkinsonBooks

Copyright 2012 Melanie
Atkinson

Ebook Edition

Ebook, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for
your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away. No part of
this ebook may be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form without prior written consent from the author. If you
would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an
additional copy for each recipient.

Summary: Sixteen year old
Aylen has been an outcast on the island of Vairda her entire life until she
discovers a glowing jewel that gives her the ability to breathe underwater,
thus starting a chain of events that will change her life and the entire island
nation forever.

Cover model Sydney Passmore

Edited by Ashlee Enz