"Why . . ."
He feels dull. Like someone cut off his head and left it there to burn in the Sun. Like someone ripped out his heart and left it to become one with the dust. This is all his fault.
"Mera!" He snaps again as he pulls her towards Atlantis with a stream of blood behind her. "Mera don't give up, Mera! Can you hear me?!"
What did he tell them? What did he reveal about Aeryn? Stumbling blurry words. A drunk mind and a drunk heart. He wishes he had never brought her back.
Emerging from the tunnels and into the light is as refreshing as a slap around the face.
"My King!" Vulko and a fleet of guards surround them. Instantly his heart falls, he doesn't want to hear anything, he doesn't want to see anything but he knows that he must and the fear. The fear is hidden behind this mask, this fascade of bravery that grows ever harder to maintain.
"Take Mera to the healer," Orm commands as he hands her over. "Keep her there a while . . ."
"King Orm." Vulko's kip keeps twitching the way it always does when he is annoyed. "Where have you been?"
Ghostly faces in the dark. "Exploring a possibility."
His green eyes widen. "You did not explore the tunnels . . . it is a graveyard not a safe haven . . ."
Normally a single look from Orm would silence him but now he's like a shark, irritated and unwilling.
"Calm down Vulko . . . we are still in company . . ."
"And the gods!" He snaps. "Did you give no thought to what you would awaken, what evil you might bring down upon us?!"
"That is the evil!" Orm roars as he jabs his finger at the opening in the Dome where even now the enemy can be seen descending upon Atlantis like a tidal wave. "Did not my father with his dying breath, command me to do all in my power to defend this Kingdom? Who are you to question my decisions?!" Met with silence. "I have given everything for this Kingdom. You have lost nothing. I hope, that this will be the last I hear of your insubordination."
Just as he prepares to move away, Vulko murmurs something under his breath.
"I suppose the love of my life does not qualify as a sacrifice worthy of Atlantis."
He glares back. "For the lives of millions? Why should one?"
As soon as he said it, he regretted it. Just like he always regrets it. Just like he was standing there with Aeryn as a child, watching Vulko hang his head like someone doomed to death.
"Vulko . . ."
"Aeryn is here." His eyes do not meet the King's. For if they had, they would have seen the slightest trace of happiness trickle into damp eyes.
"Where?"
"The guards post."
They glide through the water, moving past the entrance to down below, through transparent corridors, ever closer to the edge of the city.
"Why was she not brought in?"
And that is the question that Vulko does not answer.
Or maybe, pretends not to here. For as soon as they enter the guards quarters overlooking the carnage, as soon as Aeryn's dark eyes lift to meet his, first comes shock. Then comes pain. Then comes rage.
Her hands wrap around his throat, screaming, tightening . . .
"Aeryn, it's me, it's me!"
She is strong far beyond any foe he has ever faced. The guard shoots her with a canister. The sweet sickly scent of the sedative pours over her but even then, she only falls back.
"Aeryn . . ."
A step forward and she is grabbing her head and the sound, the screeching sounds of her crying. Like nothing he has ever heard. Her skin lights up, her nails claw her cheeks . . ."
"Stop it," he pleads. Grabbing her hands . . . "Aeryn, stop it! You're drawing blood . . ."
Through labored breathing he hears her croak out the words, "Kill me . . ."
"What is this? What's happened to you . . ."
"Please! I can't . . . I can't fight it anymore!" Her back arches up ready to attack again at the exact same moment that the guard fires another canister. And this time, she goes down like a rock.
"That won't hold her long . . ."
"How much did you use?" Vulko growls.
"Enough for a male twice her size," the guard grunts. "I will try again when she wakes . . ."
"No," Orm hisses.
"But My King . . ."
"Four doses of a highly lethal compound and she may not survive it if you try a fifth. You will not use the gas on her again."
"But She is unstable! Every minute she is awake she thinks only of destruction. You saw how she reacted to your presence my King."
He sighs. So tired. "Take her to the medical bay. Keep her sedated as best as you can. I want a complete report on her blood as soon as possible. Find out why she's lighting up."
"And the battle King Orm?" Vulko intercedes.
There is no way to prolong it any longer. The gods have abandoned them. "Prepare the city for invasion. Have my mount prepared immediately. I will join the front line."