Till Death Do Us Part // Book Three

.4.

Atlantis is a beautiful place, full of beautiful people and not-so-beautiful scorpion carriages.

It has a warm, vanilla smell to it that almost makes elves alike emit happiness.

Most people don't look at it and think "torture" or "near-death experiences," except for me and my friends.

But I turned this place one for memories, for love and laughter to engulf my thoughts and actions.

When the fear of William getting hurt passed, Fitz and I made it a tradition to go to Atlantis with him and take him to whatever mysterious shop he was interested in that week.

"I think we might have enough sugar, bud." Fitz laughed nervously beside me. His arms were overflowing with buckets of candy and stuffed animals.

I laughed calmly, feeling eyes crawl down my spine. I grab William with one arm and Fitz's hand to ease the sensation.

"Let's go to the fountain!" I urge them, looking for a way out.

They are quick to agree, Fitz, pulling me while I hold William with lace-gloved hands.

We settle onto the wide concrete ring that surrounds the water, water that holds blood and tears.

I try to focus on other things, like William nagging us to go get him a toy from a shop near us.

I let out a gentle laugh before rolling my eyes. "I'll go grab it, you stay here."

Fitz gives my hand one last squeeze before letting go.

My heels click on the cobblestone pavement as I walk. I take note that I have never been to this shop before, double checking my memories just to be sure.

It looks harmless enough, a sweet tune playing as the door opens and closes behind me.

It's empty, expect for the man behind the counter whom I assume runs the place.

The walls are bright, dinosaur paintings and saber tooth tigers. I spot a stuffed animal I'm sure William will like and head towards the counter, pulling my treasury cube from my pocket to pay.

"Hello!" The man cheerfully greets me.

I smile back, placing the stuffed mammoth down and handing my treasure cube for him to scan.

When his hands hesitate to grab the items I look up to see what's wrong.

His face confuses my brain, my eyes straining to trying to put his features into a shape.

"Who...?" I asked and my thought trails off as their face forms into individual shapes.

I feel a cool metal against my throat.

"We won't be needing any violence, Gethen," Fintan waves his hand, but the dagger stays there.

"What is it with blonde, blue eyes and holding me captive?" I roll my eyes. "Listen; this is cute and all but I have a family to get back to,"

"Unfazed? We can change that."

"Gethen!" Fintan slams his hand against the counter. "I said let go. Gaurd the door."

He scoffs and follows the order he is given, standing next to a closed shop door. The once clear windows turn a dark shade.

"He does bring up an interesting point," Fintan takes the cube and scans it, handing the stuffed animal to me. "Not scared?"

"Scared of what? Two ex-enemies selling me stuffed animals for kids? We had a past, but I have a plan. For now," I hand the stuffed animal back. "I would try to keep anything you have, before it's gone."