Chapter Six–DROMEDA

 

 

Arius and Drom sat curled around each other on their favorite stone. When they first found it, they felt it had awaited them since long before time began. Stars sparkled like kind winking eyes above them and the calmest blue waters in walking distance of Atlantis. A few kilometers Northwest of the city lay this small ocean cove, framed by rolling hills of many-hued ferns running down to white sand beaches. There, in seclusion, smooth scattered rocks tiptoed above the waterline.

As they admired the glowing splendor of Atlantis in the distance, Drom snuggled closer. She stroked the back of her hand along Ari’s cheek, then, softly fingered his streaming blond hair. In reply, he swept back her thick black hair from her lovely v-shaped face and bent to press his lips to the tip of her button nose.

She smiled, but her voice trembled with ultimate loss. “All this beauty snuffed out. My father hinted at trouble. He insisted this week I start packing for a long pilgrimage to the seventh moon of the fifth planet.”

Arius looked deep into the dark green splendor of her eyes. She evoked an inner voice inside him. Her beauty was overwhelming him with tiny waves of emotion, rising and falling as he studied for the millionth time, the sweep of her high cheekbones and curve of her full lips, he held her close and nuzzled her neck.

“Life will go on. We’ll make our own happiness wherever we go.” His voice was firm. He always felt stronger, more confident with Drom. It was the opposite of how he felt with his father.

Her elegant face turned up to him, emerald eyes limpid in starlight. They infused him with fevered strength. When she softly spoke, it suggested, as always, the great inner strength her DNA bequeathed.

“When do you leave for Yutanius?”

“At first light.”

“You will be back in time.” It was a statement, delivered without doubt. “I won’t leave without you.”

“Don’t even think that! I have to know you’ll be safe even if something happens to me. You are my life, my world. I’ve told you State Secrets, Drom. Worse, I broke my promise to Yu and my farther! All because I want you to leave early.”

Dromeda laughed, it was like musical notes sliding easily uphill. “Wouldn’t that look suspicious? Arius, you can be so naive. Yu knows full well you can’t keep a secret from me. State or otherwise! I know telling me was an act of gallantry.”

Arius insisting, “You must promise me you’ll go with the first ships!”

Only a murmur of soft wind spoke to the ferns. Softer still was the woman Arius held. Drom whispered, “I’ve never felt closer to you. I have never loved you more.”

As they embraced, for a time his mind flew free of tomorrow’s trouble. Curled in each other’s arms, their existing world was a circle of shining peace within an engulfing future of dark despair.

A deeper determination dawned in Arius. He had to succeed. He had to succeed for all the reasons in the world. He had to succeed for the most important one – the woman here in his arms.