Shades of Atlantis (44 page)

I remembered all the times growing up when I felt I was missing out on having my mother around after she died, when really all along I was lucky to have two mothers, my birth mom and then Carmel. Now, I would have Annice too. I felt momentarily greedy with the joy it brought me.

Samuel looked extremely relieved for Caleb; even Ben and Amanda were delighted. Their reaction was a relief, considering how I had reacted when they had announced their intentions. Ben laughed that at least he would have someone to share the heat with when telling Lewis and Carmel he was getting married. That was a bit of a tricky situation; if we didn’t tell them straight away, they would be upset, yet if we didn’t make it through our confrontation with Zeal and Lucien, what difference would it make whether we’d told them or not? I convinced Ben that we should tell them about getting married but leave out everything we had learned about the Council since his arrival. It was fruitless to worry them with information they could do nothing about, and I suspected if Zeal and Lucien got through us, they would be headed to Camden next another reason, as if I needed one, that we would have to defeat them.

Carmel answered the phone when we called.

We were in the bedroom of the suite, the four of us: Ben, Caleb, Amanda, and me. The phone was on speaker not that Ben, Caleb, or I would really need it to hear, but Amanda did.

Oh, hi, kids. She sounded in a good mood; hopefully that would hold.

We didn’t expect to hear from you again so soon. Ben was hovering over the phone on the bedside table, while Amanda and I sat on the bed. Caleb was looking out the window but came over to us as soon as he heard Carmel’s voice on the phone. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought he looked nervous. I knew it wasn’t about our decision to get married, but I imagined facing the wrath of Carmel and Lewis was slightly more daunting.

We’ve got you on speaker. How are things with you guys? Ben asked nonchalantly.

Fine, fine, the weather is beautiful for the time of year. Hang on a minute. Ben and I exchanged glances, and Caleb moved closer to stand beside me, resting a hand on my shoulder and squeezing reassuringly. For once he didn’t attempt to stop me in my nervous habit of rubbing my leg.

Hello? Carmel called through the speaker.

We’re still here, Carmel, I informed her, trying to keep my voice relaxed.

I was just getting Lewis; he’s in his workshop. He’ll be here in a minute.

So, when are you coming home?

My eyes flashed to Caleb. He smiled wryly. Going back to Camden might not be all that easy and anyway I’d only just left a few months ago.

We have a few things we need to deal with here, but Amanda and I will be back soon, Ben told her. His tone was calm and convincingly truthful.

Either he was totally confident that we would succeed, or he was becoming quite an accomplished liar.

What about you, Triona? Carmel asked.

We’ve got a lot to talk about still. Hi, kids, Lewis added.

They must have put us on speaker phone too. Caleb removed his hand from my shoulder and took my hand from my thigh, holding it in his and moving his thumb gently over the back.

I know, but I’m not sure yet — My voice broke on the last word. I took a deep breath to calm myself as a memory jumped to the forefront of my mind. I recalled that the last time I’d talked to them had it only been yesterday? I’d wondered if it would be the last time. Now I was wondering the same thing again. I took another breath.

My eyes darted to Amanda. Her face was beet red, so at least I wasn’t the only one who was flustered by all this. Ben took a step forward and stroked a finger down her flushed cheek, grinning lovingly. She returned his smile, her body relaxing instantly.

Are you okay, Triona? Lewis inquired.

Ye Yeah, I stuttered. We have something we — ah — wanted to tell you. I gulped. I hope you’ll be as happy as we are. My voice was still shaky. Butterflies were gathering in my stomach. Surely it shouldn’t be this hard. I looked up at Caleb. He still looked nervous too, but he would be able to hide it better than I could.

Who’s we? Carmel muttered in a suspicious tone. You and Ben? I glared at Ben to back me up, but he smiled, smugly saying nothing.

Caleb and I, I said sheepishly.

I waited, but there was only silence at the other end; I couldn’t even hear breathing. I suspected they were using the mute button.

Well? Lewis prompted. His voice was steeled to expect bad news.

Caleb lifted my hand and kissed the back, smiling serenely.

We’re engaged. I held my breath.

More silence. I stared at Ben, horrified at the length of time it was taking either of them to respond. I could feel my heart speeding rapidly. Say something? I pleaded.

Carmel spoke first. Is he there? I thought she was covering a sniffle.

I turned to Caleb, beseeching him to help me out. I was mesmerized for a moment until Amanda jammed her elbow into my arm, then pulled back, frowning and rubbing her elbow.

Yes, I’m here, Caleb replied in his smoothest soothing voice.

Ben was kneeling in front of Amanda, touching her elbow while she scowled at his amused face; after a few moments her face mirrored his. I wondered for a fraction of a second if Caleb and I mirrored each other like that.

I thought the custom was to ask permission of the bride’s family? Lewis asked casually. Too casually to gauge the question’s intent.

Caleb’s eyes dropped to my hand, his thumb now tracing circles over my palm. Ben’s abruptly worried face caught my attention. Ha! He’d forgotten that little custom too. I smirked at him and then grumbled to Lewis.

Isn’t that all a bit old fashioned?

I heard Carmel sniffle again before Lewis reminded me. Caleb is old.

Yes, of course, Caleb apologized. I should have come to you first. He shot me a half smile. I’m afraid I was so overcome with the emotion of the moment. You see, I love your daughter more than I would have thought any man capable of love.

I squeezed his hand.

I’ve been through this with Triona, he continued, and I know I shouldn’t consider myself worthy of someone as special, beautiful, as altogether exquisite as she is.

Ben mouthed the words He’s good! I glowered at him; he should be working on his own excuses for Amanda’s parents. Caleb continued.

I promised Triona, and I promise you, I won’t leave again, ever. I felt a slight ache in my heart; of course he would have to leave me someday. Even he was mortal and well over a hundred years older than me.

Right now I was going to force myself to ignore that fact.

I will do anything in my power to make up for what I did to her. I will make her happy, I swear it, Caleb finished.

That did it; no one could doubt the conviction in his voice. He leaned over and lightly kissed the top of my forehead, just below my hairline.

Well, Lewis answered, his voice softer now. I knew he was convinced.

At least someone thought to give us a heads up. Your parents were no older than you are, Triona, when they married.

W-what? I stammered, taken aback by both comments. I studied the faces around me, all guiltless. What do you mean? I paused, then clarified. About both.

Samuel warned me yesterday that this would happen now that you are together again.

I looked up to Caleb; his jaw was tightened, and there was a slight blush in his cheeks. He apparently didn’t know about that part of his father’s conversation with Lewis. I stood up for a moment and reached up to kiss his face, then smiled at him. His jaw relaxed, and his expression eased. I sat back down.

And your parents

Honestly, Triona, Carmel interrupted her husband, didn’t you read the papers we gave Ben? Or listen to us when we talked about your parents as you grew up?

What? I whispered to Ben mystified.

They were barely kids, he prompted in a whisper, as if it should be apparent already.

Oh, I murmured. I’d presumed that was a cover story. So, my parents truly were soul mates, each from a different race but essentially, spiritually, the same on the inside.

It also dawned on me with great sadness and pity how early in her supernaturally-long life my mother had been struck down by Lucien and Zeal. Carmel was right; over the last few days I had been allowing people to give me second-hand information. It was a bit late to correct that at this stage, so I lied.

Of course I read it. I just haven’t gotten all the way through yet. Caleb, Ben, and Amanda all cast me exasperated looks. I grimaced back.

If you’re happy, Carmel sighed. I suppose we are happy for you, babes.

And Caleb too, Lewis added. I doubted his sincerity, but at least we had their blessing and support, however reluctant that might be.

Thank you, Caleb said graciously.

Don’t you have something to tell us too, Ben? Carmel hinted.

Ben’s face dropped; Samuel had tattled on him too, it seemed. He must have sensed something when Ben insisted on Amanda coming to Dublin with us. I smirked at him.

I love you guys, I said to Carmel and Lewis, leaving Ben to the conversation. Thanks again — for everything.

You’re welcome, they said in unison. We love you too. Ben was frowning, his eyebrows knitted. He looked to Amanda for support. Not so smug now.

Well, Ben? Lewis urged.

I pushed myself up from the bed and pulled Caleb toward the door.

We’ll leave you guys to it.

See you soon, Carmel called over the phone.

Caleb slid his arm around my waist and pulled me closer.

Yeah, see you soon, I choked out, hoping I wasn’t lying.

It was still dark when we left the city and headed toward Tara. It had been raining for hours, and the sky was a sheet of dead blackness; thick cloud cover blocked any stars from shining down on us. Outside the window, the streetlights and buildings blurred as we passed, creating a strangely-colored artificial light. I reached over to Caleb in the driver’s seat and lightly placed my hand on his leg, reminding him that we should travel slowly to avoid attracting any unwanted attention from the local authorities. I was aware of the fact that every time we accelerated, so did the Land Rover behind us. I didn’t think two fully-loaded Land Rovers with blacked-out windows traveling at high speed would avoid notice for long.

Caleb lifted my hand to the side of his face before kissing my palm and replacing it on my leg.

Can you two please cut it out for a few minutes, please, Josh begged from the back seat.

I looked over my shoulder to him. Like us, he was wearing a thick sweatshirt under a waterproof rain jacket. I had known from the faint, cold metallic taste at the back of my throat the day before, more a smell than a taste, that it was going to rain like this, and I was right. Caleb was fascinated that I could do this even though it really was only the second time it had happened. I tried to explain the sensation to him, but the closest I could get to it was the feeling of placing a battery on my tongue. He had laughed; apparently, it wasn’t something he’d ever tried as a child. Annice had been kind enough to shop for everyone after I told Caleb I was sure it would rain, so at least now we had warm, rain-proof clothing.

Joshua had one foot up on his knee at a right angle, retying the shoe-laces on his new hiking boots for the sixth time, probably in an attempt to distract himself from thinking about where we were headed.

You’re just jealous because you only have your bootlaces to distract you, I teased him, smiling.

Eila still insisted that joining us today would be a mistake and someone should remain behind in order to try to rein in the Council should we fail. Her attitude did nothing to instill confidence, especially since Samuel agreed with her.

I glanced again at the oval sapphire I was wearing on my left hand, adjusting it so I could see the star pattern in the dim light. As I wiggled my fingers yet again, the white gold sparkled. It felt as if it had always been there on my hand, like it belonged there. My eyes flickered to Caleb; he positively glowed every time he caught me admiring it. Even now, when we were headed to County Meath, the seat of Atlantis, with more than a possibility that our enemies would be waiting there for us, it couldn’t diminish his pride at claiming me for his own.

Ben was in the Land Rover behind us with Samuel and Annice. Amanda had stayed behind in the hotel with Eila watching over her. I think it made Eila feel less guilty about not standing alongside Joshua today; staying behind to watch over Amanda gave her an active role to play instead of simply sitting alone waiting for news. We traveled through a small village as the rain began to ease, so it now tinkled against the window, sounding like soothing music. The village reminded me a little of the main street in Camden, on a smaller scale, with its hanging baskets of flowers on every lamppost and colorful shop fronts. I felt a peculiar twinge in my stomach.

The village would be pretty during the daylight with the sun glistening off the shop windows; now everything seemed bathed in silver, dark blues, and purples, having a different beauty in the darkness.