3

The next day, my education began all over again. I sat in a room by myself this time while Vulko spoke about the kingdom from the Great Fall to the other six kingdoms. A lot of this I knew already and so I felt completely bored. But now we moved into speaking about Prince Orm himself.

"King Orvax will not be long for this world and so you must be ready for Prince Orm's proposal." he said. I tilted my head in confusion.

"He has to propose?" I asked and he nodded moving calmly from one side of the room back to the other.

"Yes. Most likely at the celebration in front of other highborns. That will set everything into motion. You two will be expected to get to know one another and start to form a bond." he said. I winced.

"But what happens if by the end of it all, he doesn't like me, or I don't like him?" I asked. Vulko shook his head keeping his hands behind his back.

"Emotion isn't needed to marry a king. Although maybe you will… learn to like him… but in the future you will have love and that will be for your children." he said. My body stiffened at the thought. I have not even lain with another before and already children were being forced into my future. Vulko raised his head and kept on. "Should you wish to partake in some training for protection of yourself and others, we will have the best generals to train you. If you complete your training and prove yourself worthy, you will be given a triton of your very own along with your royal crown."

After the day's lesson, I was now handed off to Myell'a, a friend of my mother who taught me how to address others of royalty like those of the other kingdoms. She taught me their history and all that was known about them. I was aware that the Kingdom of Xebel was somewhat of a rival kingdom. King Nereus ruled with an iron fist and held his people to a high standard. By the end of the lectures I was completely trained. My entire day was ruined by all of these teachings. I couldn't wait for the day I would no longer need someone pestering me. The moon was out as the ocean grew dark and I just sat in my window looking out at the bright city that I would one day rule.

"Myell'a says you caught on quite fast to your subjects today." Mother's soft voice filled my chambers as she entered. I looked at her with sadness.

"Why me, mother? I don't want to be queen, I don't want the responsibility of the other Atlanteans on my shoulders." I replied. She chuckled and slowly came up to me placing her hand gently on my shoulder.

"They won't be on your shoulders, but that of the king's. I know this is not what you want, but this is how our family serves the royal family. I am sure you will be able to find some joy and happiness out of the new title." she said. I looked away in thought.

"I guess." I replied lowly. I felt her cool lips against the side of my head and I smiled gently at the affection before she left. I sighed and looked down at my lap before moving off the window and over toward my bed.

"It's a little early to be going to sleep isn't it?"

I gasped and turned to see none other than Prince Orm floating outside my window. He wore a purple skin suit that had silver sleeves on the wrists and ankles. I immediately faced him and bowed.

"My prince… uh are you here for my father?" I asked looking toward the room's door. And if so why come to my room to get him. It's customary for the guards to come get my father if he is to be summoned by the king or prince. Prince Orm gave a small side smirk.

"Please just call me Orm and no Lady Taryana. I actually came to see you. Would you do me the honor in joining me on a short swim?" he asked and I bit the side of my lip looking at the door again.

"My father doesn't like me to be out when the palace starts to glow." I replied. I noticed he still had not entered my room which was strange because he had free roam over anyone's home in Atlantis. But Orm nodded with a light smile.

"I think he would take exception for your betrothed." he said. My fingers twiddled together in nervousness but he did have a point. I looked back at the prince and nodded gliding over to the window and he moved back so I could swim through. I followed him to the water gardens, which had beautiful plant life and genetically modified plants that were only created to glow and float around the jelly fish aimlessly. Different colors of pinks, greens, blues and purples danced around above us. It was always beautiful at night.

"So Lady Tarayana-"

"Tarya." I interrupted which made the prince look at me with mild confusion.

"Pardon?" he asked. I looked away gathering myself before looking back at him.

"Those who I have an attachment to call my Tarya… I figure if we are going to be wed in the future that you call me that as well." I replied. I couldn't believe I suggested to the prince that could be seen as me commanding him. But he smiled and nodded.

"Tarya it is." he said and looked up at the ocean sky. "I feel it is our duty to get to know each other and get along." He was calm and collective, almost like my father when speaking to another soldier. I nodded.

"I agree… if I may ask, your grace, how do you really feel about this betrothal?" I asked. Orm looked at me with a bit of uncertainty himself.

"I will be honest, I didn't think it would be me who was to be betrothed to anyone. I wanted to become king and choose my own queen." he explained and I nodded somewhat thankful we were on the same page.

"I see." I replied before he tilted his head at me swimming in front of me so now I was swimming forward and he was swimming in reverse facing me.

"What about you?" he asked. I nodded.

"I think the same… well not being a king and choosing a queen, but I figured I would grow up and meet a nobleman who is highborn that would ask my father to court me." I replied finally swimming over him and doing a soft spin as I looked up at the ocean sky. "I wanted to explore the water and the land and gain knowledge from both."

Now I heard the prince scoff as he followed me off the path of the gardens and toward a kelp forest. The lights from the palace and city were still very bright.

"Thoughts like that are for children. The land above is dangerous and filled with pollution and can taint your mind." he said bitterly as I moved through the kelp. I held back from frowning but instead tilted my head at him.

"You've been up there?" I asked curiously and he shook his head looking up.

"I don't need to. It's what tainted my mother and led to her execution. She let the land haver her- let a surface dweller have her. She bore a half breed mutt and paid the price!" he said angrily and I stared at him for a moment floating in my spot as locks of my hair floated around my face. He sighed heavily and looked away.

"I apologize for my outburst." he said and I swam up to him a bit and nodded.

"You're hurting and I understand why you feel that way." I replied. There was no way I could tell him that I personally knew Arthur. I didn't need anyone being upset with me about knowing him. My mother knows that I know him, but I'm guessing she hasn't told my father since he hasn't come to me about it. Orm slowly reached for my hands and held them up between us. Even in the cold water, our hands were warm against each other.

"Tarya… if we are going to make this union work, we must promise to always be honest with each other and hide no secrets." he said. Wow great timing. I nodded.

"Yes, Orm. I understand." I replied. He nodded, his ocean blue eyes seemed to be looking into me as if trying to figure me out. After a second, he released my hand and now the world around us was swimming by as we just floated in our spots staring at each other. He was about to speak before something dark swam over us. We both looked up and I felt my heart dropping into my stomach as I saw the familiar outline of a great white shark. My first reaction was to hide in the thickness of the kelp. I guess the prince had the same idea because now I was pulled into his chest and moved deep into the kelp. Some fish hiding there swam away. I was completely frozen as I realized his arms were tight around me, his face still as it was looking up and watching the shark.

I took a quick moment to study his sharp and strong facial features. His eyes were darker than I had ever thought. Of course, I never thought I'd be this close to him to see this. His body was firm and hard like marble. His strong hold on me made me feel… safe. We watched as the shark swam by after a few minutes of not finding food. We both let out a sigh of relief as we finally looked at each other. Quickly, Orm released me and we slowly swam out of the kelp bed.

"I'm sorry about that… I don't like sharks." he said and I looked at him taken a back.

"Neither do I." I replied. He seemed surprised by this and slowly smiled.

"Shall we go back to the water gardens then and learn more about our dislikes?" he asked holding his hand out to me. I gave a soft smile and nodded.

"I would like that." I replied taking his hand. We returned to the barriers of the water gardens and talked about our likes and dislikes starting with sharks. We had both had run ins with sharks as children to where his mother and my father had to rescue us. Although Orm respected their way of life and would fight the world above to keep them safe, he still didn't want to go near sharks if he had the choice.

I expressed when I wasn't learning, I was exploring and accompanying my mother into the palace. I had a deep love for the creatures we didn't eat and I enjoyed swimming with the dolphins from time to time. I also had friends that I would meet up with and talk about our future plans once we became of age.

Orm didn't speak, only listened and smiled when I talked about a passion of mine. He enjoyed going to the fighting pits and both watching and participating in challenges with some of the other soldiers' sons. The fighting pits were a different arena from the Ring of Fire, which was a battleground for those who wished to challenge the king for the throne. In the pits most fought for fun, valuables or sometimes the right to marry. You weren't allowed to kill anyone in the pits unless it was being used specifically to execute someone…

"I enjoy learning under your father. I see why my father values him and his experience." he said. I nodded with a smile as we now came to two statues of an Atlantean couple holding each other. They were in a loving embrace. They represent the love of many here. I have seen many Atlanteans floating before them most likely expressing their loves for one another.

"Yes. I remember watching you and him train when we were younglings. Like many children you always rushed my father thinking somehow you can catch him by surprise." I replied and he smiled down at the ground before nodding.

"Yes. I remember him also countlessly telling you to go on your way. He didn't want his only daughter seeing anything violent." he said. I grinned nodding.

"Yes, but the world above is a violent place as is our world. He couldn't protect me from it forever." I replied. He nodded before looking at me sternly.

"He has done his best and now the responsibility falls onto me to protect you from the violence of our two worlds." he said and slowly he faced me, looking into my eyes deeply as he took my hands yet again. "I pledge to you my loyalty and my protection for as long as I live."

I was stunned by his words and at first I was over joyed that he would say this to me, but then I realized he was saying this as it is his duty to protect me, it is expected of a prince to his future wife, not an Atlantean man to the woman he loves. I looked down unable to hide my disappointment and Orm looked at me confused.

"What is it Tarya, what is the matter?" he asked with concern and I looked away feeling unable to hold back tears.

"It is our duty to marry each other, but it is not what our hearts want. Prince Orm you have never looked my way even once before yesterday. Everything you say to me is because you are bound by your obligation to say it not because you truly care about me." I said. I could see the promise on his face start to melt away into a look of hurt. "Our marriage will be of duty first not love."

He was going to say something when the waves of the water around us shook as we looked to see a line of guards coming our way led by my father. I separated from the prince immediately.

"Taryana!" my father called before seeing the prince and pausing and now everyone bowed their heads. "My prince." Orm straightened up and nodded at my father with authority.

"General Tyrus. Forgive me, I went to your home unannounced to ask Lady Taryana to join me in a swim for us to better get to know each other." he explained. My father looked at the prince with respect.

"Of course, my prince. But I do not like my daughter being out so late." he replied and Orm nodded.

"I understand General. Your daughter told me this as well, but I used my authority to convince her to come with me. I apologize it will not happen again and if it does, I will come to you first." he said. I looked at Orm stunned that he was apologizing to my father. I have never seen any member of royalty show such respect to someone in lower status, but then again my father had everyone's respect.

Pleased with this, my father nodded.

"Thank you, my prince. Your training will continue tomorrow. Come Taryana you have your studies tomorrow as well." he replied. I looked from my father to the prince and bowed at him.

"My prince." I replied with my reluctance. Orm gave a soft wince before nodding his head at me.

"Lady Taryana." he replied, all emotion gone from his tone. I swam up to my father and he moved aside so I could swim by him before following me.

Orm's POV

She was wrong though. For many years I had looked her way when training with the wise General. When my mother died, I couldn't rely on my father for any emotion whatsoever except anger. My friends didn't understand and they refused to speak about her as if she did not exist as if to not upset me. I put all my time and focus into training so when I became king nothing would ever make me feel the way I felt as a child. But even then, Lady Irys was there to talk to me and sometimes General Tyrus himself. Like any father would, he did his best to keep his responsibilities separate from his daughter. But I noticed her.

The softness of her face, the tint of blue hair that no one else in Atlantis had. She is beautiful just like her mother and even when she was with some of her friends, I saw her. But I always made sure she did not notice me. I know our paths crossed due to duties, but deep down, I am honored to have her as my wife and queen. Aside from her obvious beauty, she had dreams of her own not just wanting to be what others wanted her to be. I had to admit I didn't like the thought of her wanting to go above land, and soon that would be a problem, but I felt if I could show her this marriage would work and that she could be happy with me, then she'd have no reason to ever want to go above to the putrid land. I lost a mother to the surface, I would not lose my queen to it as well.