The Trinity War (Book 3 of the Trinity series)

Chapter 41

The sunrise in Atlantis was beautiful. 

As the sun rose above the horizon, its rays peaking out slowly to illuminate the lost nation, the vast ocean surrounding Atlantis glittered as if it were filled with millions of sparkling sapphires. They twinkled and winked in the sunlight that pushed away the darkness of the night, leaving behind a waterwork of blue, pink, and orange in the sky. 

It was quiet right now; silent. The only sound I could hear was that of the water brushing softly against the sand, dampening the ground before receding back. In the far distance, if I listened closely, I could hear the sounds of seagulls waking up and taking flight, ready to start their day. 

I sighed and closed my tired eyes, feeling the soft, humid breeze tickle the exposed skin of my arms. It was peaceful, right now. But in approximately 48 hours, all hell would break loose. 

I opened my eyes, feeling a gnawing hole in my chest and a drumming in my ears. 

In just two days, I would be reunited with my fiancee, but not under joyous conditions. We would be reunited on the battle field, on opposing sides and what would become of my currently engaged status, I did not know.

The sinking feeling in my chest deepened and a few tears escaped my eyes.

"What will happen to us when all of this is over?" I whispered to myself, Trey's beaming face flashing before my mind's eye only to be replaced by his rage-filled expression that I had seen in the hallucination on our way up to Aerya.

I felt someone sit down beside me.

"We'll all live happily ever after," I heard the voice of Gerrard say. I laughed hollowly, not bothering to look over at him. 

We sat in silence for a few moments, watching the sun take reign over the morning sky.

"You didn't come to sleep last night," he said after a while. 

"I wasn't sleepy," I replied.

"You're going to need your rest," he said. 

"I'll be fine," I answered. 

We fell into silence again, our thoughts distant, but similar. 

"We have to leave when the others wake up. I told Elijah we would be back by evening time," Gerrard said. I brought my knees up to my chest, hugging them close, not saying anything.

"I know you're scared, Caley. But this will all be over soon. And whether we're successful or not, at least take comfort in knowing that it will be over," Gerrard said. 

"The difference between the outcomes of being successful and failing in this situation are so drastically different that I can't take comfort in knowing that it will be over. Because in one situation, I get to live happily ever after. And in the other, I die in the most miserable and horrible way," I said. Gerrard pursed his lips, unable to refute what I had said.

"Come on," he said finally, standing and pulling me up with him. "The others should be getting up now."

We walked towards the palace and then went to one of the eight formal dining rooms where everyone was meeting for breakfast. Only Trent and Zayll were in the room. They were sitting at the table, talking in hushed tones, grim looks on their faces. When Gerrard and I walked in, they looked up. Zayll smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. His mother's illness had left a sadness in the entire royal family.

We walked up to the two princes, who stood as we approached them. Zayll pulled me in for a hug when we reached them. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his waist tightly, breathing in his comforting scent. I had grown close with the royal family over the past several weeks; saying goodbye now would be difficult. When we pulled away, Zayll brushed a few strands of hair from my face, holding me at arm's length. Up close, the dark circles under his eyes were prominent. He had week-old scruff on his face and his previously mischievious blue eyes were now a dim navy blue. He was suffering and it hurt to see it happening.