Atlantian War

Chapter 3: Forbidden Love

Adonis had taken Rani through the bustling of the merchant square. Many shops were set up. There was food, jewelry, dresses, men's tunics, artisan crafts, and household items. Rani was absolutely fascinated in the mortal human's goods. She stopped at a jewelry stand. She studied the glimmering of all the precious jewels on the different necklaces. One necklace had an enticing aqua marine stone on a delicate silver chain. She gasped and gawked at it. Adonis glanced over from across the other stand, seeing her running her fingers over the beautiful necklace. She let go of the chain and walked over to him. He saw the want in her eyes for that pendant. She smiled at him, not noticing how he'd watched her.

"What did you find?" she smiled. He examined her face for a second, then he reached from behind him and pulled out a faded baby blue gown, enticed with golden designs, the folds in the skirt looked stunning. She smiled widely. "It's beautiful, Adonis."

"Go put it on." he smiled warmly at her.

"Where?" she giggled. He took her delicate hand and led her to a stand with curtains up in the back.

"Can she change, miss?" he asked the young merchant. She stared at him in awe, she nodded absent minded. Rani skimpered behind the curtain calling behind her,

"Stay right there!" to Adonis. He smiled delusively. He slipped away from the stand and went back to the jewelry stand, spotting the pendant Rani had her eyes on.

"Where are we going?" Rani cried playfully as Adonis pulled her to edge of the large city. The baby blue gown rippling in the wind. The dark clouds still threatened overhead, the sky still getting darker as the sun set behind the ominous clouds. The path they half ran up inclined. "Adonis?" she exclaimed. The path dispersed and there was just grass. Adonis slowed, just as he did, a little sliver of blue bobbed in and out of Rani's vision.

"We are here." he smiled. He let go of her hand as he stood on the top of the hundred foot cliff. The ocean waves below crashed into the rock cliff. Even though Rani was sick of her ocean home, it was a beautiful sight and her heart warmed at the sight of something familiar.

Adonis plopped down on the edge of the cliff, legs dangling over. He patted the grassy spot next to him, encouraging Rani to join him. She walked over slowly, not making a sound. She slid to the grass and sat silently with Adonis as they watched the ocean waves. The blue sea looked dull as the clouds moved overhead, yet it still seemed to sparkle. Adonis glanced over at Rani, whose eyes were fixed on the movement of the ocean.

"Rani?" he spoke softly. She glimpsed at Adonis. He caressed her cheek softly. "I have something for you." he said gently. A chill ran through Rani's body. Butterflies in her stomach, her palms sweaty, heart throbbing in her chest.

He reached in his pocket of his tunic and pulled out a silver chain. At the bottom of the chain, a sparkling aqua marine gem hung. Rani's eyes lit up with overwhelming gratitude. Her eyes swelled with tears.

"It will look beautiful on you." he murmured. He unclasped it and put it around Rani's neck. The aqua blue stone glimmered against Rani's fair skin. Rani looked straight into Adonis's hazel eyes.

He leaned in closer to Rani's face. He ran his fingers through her silky auburn hair. She could feel her face flush. Adonis's eyes seemed to burn with a fiery passion, it made Rani's heart beat faster. Her mind flew with thoughts.

Should I tell him I'm Poseidon's daughter, that I'm not even a mortal? she thought frantically. "Adonis?" she started to say but he hushed her.

"Rani, it's okay." he assured her. Her eyebrows pulled together and she shook her head slightly. "Everything is fine." he promised her.

"No." she whimpered. Adonis gripped her head with both of his solid hands. It was forceful yet amiable. Their faces only inches away, Rani could feel Adonis's breath on her face. For a moment, they just sat there. Adonis closed the space between them, pressing his lips to hers. He kissed her softly until she kissed him back. His fingers tangled in her hair, he pulled her closer to his body. Her long spiry arms wrapped around his neck, she gripped his back as if not be blown away from a forceful wind.

She decided to pull back all too soon, she didn't want to leave this closeness. Adonis's face flushed.

"I'm sorry." he mumbled. Rani's eyes widened.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong, I swear." she reassured him. Could she tell him she was a mermaidian princess now? After he just kissed her? She opened her mouth to tell him. But he stopped her.

"I just wish my father would see that I don't love Astraia. I don't feel the same way about her that I feel about you." he told her. He seemed to gush his heart out to her.

"Adonis...." she caressed his cheek. She pressed her lips to his, once more feeling her heart pulse in her ears. In that very moment, everything seemed peaceful and perfect.