Chosen Chapter 13: From the Deep
Part 8
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Furious and disappointed with himself, Bryant headed back to the yacht on the shores of Atlantis. He lost his chance at immortality and failed his father, which meant his already short life might end even sooner. He couldn't believe he was beaten by a stupid witch and a half-breed. If his father would spare him and give him another shot, he would make that warlock scum pay for breaking his nose. Nervously, Bryant entered the yacht and found his father sitting in the longue area. He kneeled and threw himself at his mercy.
"Forgive me, father." Bryant pleaded. "The shells were destroyed."
"I know." Ambrose replied. "Don't worry. We'll find another way."
"You're not angry with me?" Bryant asked surprised.
"Not angry, just disappointed." Ambrose replied. "I expected more. Instead, you were defeated by a witch and a warlock and forced to flee."
"I will do better, I swear." Bryant said.
"I'm confident that you will." Ambrose replied. "You're not the only one who made mistakes today. I underestimated the witches as well. Especially the one who stole my son's heart. She will have to be dealt with."
"Forgive me for asking, but why didn't you kill them?" Bryant asked. "With the staff, you could have easily wiped them out."
"If I had killed the witches now, Arthur would have never accepted me." Ambrose explained. "No, I need another way to deal with them. Luckily, I already have a plan in motion."
"What is it?" Bryant asked.
"You will learn when the time is right." Ambrose replied. "Now where is your sister?"
"I'm here, daddy." Harper said as she entered the yacht. She looked roughed up and her eyes were red, meaning she had been crying. Bryant had never seen her cry, or display any type of normal human emotion for that matter.
"What happened to you?" Bryant asked. "You look horrible."
"They took my powers." Harper said with a mixture of anger and despair. "They cast one of their little spells and left me powerless. Please, daddy, tell me you can get them back for me."
"I wish I could, darling." Ambrose replied. "But a spell like that can only be reversed by the one who cast it."
Harper fell silent as his words sunk it. Then she began screaming and kicking the furniture in a hysteric fit of rage, like a small child throwing a tantrum. After letting her vent, Ambrose waved his hand and Harper collapsed into one of the chairs, peacefully asleep. Ambrose got up and stroked her hair like a concerned father. Bryant watched in silence, bitter about the special treatment. What did he have to do to be treated as a good son?
"Don't be jealous." Ambrose noted without looking up.
"I'm not." Bryant lied.
"Harper is a difficult child. She needs special care." Ambrose explained. "I meant it when I said I expected more from you. You have much potential. I'm counting on you to be my right hand, that's why I'm so hard on you."
"Do you mean that?" Bryant asked surprised. "I thought Arthur…"
"All of my children have an important role to fulfill." Ambrose replied as he got up. "You have different parts to play, but you're all still my children."
"Thank you, father." Bryant said. "I will make you proud."
With his mind set at ease, Bryant retreated to his cabin to tend to his broken nose. It still stung, but it hurt less now that he knew he hadn't lost his father's trust. He would do anything to ensure his dreams for their family. He still had a purpose, and now he had a new goal, to make those who humiliated him suffer.
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The following evening, Billie was standing at the bar, waiting for her order. It was a relief to know the wizards were defeated and the merfolk were safe, but she knew the fight wasn't over. At the moment, however, that was the least of her worries, as her mind kept going back to the kiss. She regretted it, or at least felt like she should. All she knew was that she felt guilty. When the bartender handed her a couple of drinks, she returned to the table she shared with Duncan and Nathan.
"I think we deserve a toast." Duncan said as he held up his glass. "One for us, zero for the wizards."
"What kind of score card are you keeping?" Nathan asked. "They still got the staff, which means they're practically unbeatable."
"I'm trying not to think about that." Duncan replied. "At least we saved some innocents, speaking of which…"
Duncan looked at the door and Billie followed his gaze. Ridley and Nadia entered the bar and waved before coming over. They were both wearing the rings Duncan had enchanted for them and they looked like regular mortals, who were very much in love.
"Hey." Billie said as they sat down. "So how are you adapting to life on land?"
"It's strange, but I think I can get used to it." Nadia replied. "I love all the clothes and shoes, but I don't really know what to wear."
"Don't worry, every girl has that problem." Billie assured her. "I'll take you shopping."
"That would be great." Nadia replied with a smile.
"Don't spend too much, or I might have to get a second job." Ridley remarked.
"You got a job?" Duncan asked.
"Yeah, at a local factory." Ridley replied. "We sold some of our underwater treasure so we could get a small apartment, but we'll still need to work for a living."
"And we need to save up for the wedding." Nadia added happily. "Ridley asked me as soon as we got the enchanted rings."
"That's great, congratulations." Billie said.
"We'll need to toast to that." Duncan added.
"I wish I could." Billie quickly said. "But I really need to get going. You guys have fun and I'll remember to save the date."
Billie handed the others some cash for a round of drinks and quickly left. With her own love life a train wreck, she wasn't exactly in the mood to celebrate an engagement. She headed outside and stopped in front of the bar to find her keys. She could tell someone was standing behind her.
"What, were you waiting for me to leave?" Billie asked as she turned around and faced Nick.
"What if I was?" Nick replied.
"Then I'd tell you to go see your girlfriend instead." Billie said as she started walking.
"She's not my girlfriend exactly." Nick said as he followed her. "I don't do the steady thing."
"Does she know that?" Billie asked with a frown.
"I guess." Nick replied. "Look, does it really matter? Obviously there is something between us." He grabbed her arm and stopped her. "Don't tell me you don't feel it."
"It doesn't matter." Billie said as she freed herself and kept walking. "It's not happening again."
"Oh come on." Nick called out frustrated. "Why don't you just give in to what you want?"
"Who says I want you?" Billie replied as she turned to face him.
"You do." Nick said. "I can tell. The way you roll your eyes at me when I say something, or watch me when you think I'm not looking. And that kiss…"
Nick caressed her arm and she held her breath. Their bodies moved closer and their lips almost touched. He stopped right before they connected and she almost gave in. She knew he was playing her, but she felt something that she hadn't felt in a while, excitement. It was like a magnet drawing her to him. She wanted to give in and forget everything around her. And so she did.
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In the ruins of Atlantis, Violet appeared in a puff of smoke through a teleportation potion. She had hoped that she never had to return to the ghost town, but she should have known better. As she headed to the tower, she looked around at the destruction and remembered the illusion Ambrose had cast. This was once a beautiful city filled with innocent families. It was a tragedy what happened here, but it didn't excuse Ambrose's actions. He just a madman who craved power. She was proud at Arthur for standing up to him.
Violet reached the tower and went inside. As she suspected, Arthur was standing in the middle of the hall with Ben, one of his colleagues from Magic School. They were studying the statues.
"I figured I'd find you here." Violet said.
"Violet." Arthur said surprised. "Sorry, I should have told you first. There's just so much to discover here."
"Is the island safe?" Violet asked.
"Yeah, we checked everything." Ben informed her. "Headmaster Leo asked the Elders to cast a protective spell around it, so ensure mortals won't find it."
"What are you hoping to find?" Violet asked.
"We just want to study the city, figure out what happened exactly." Ben replied.
"And find a way to free them." Arthur added as he looked at the statues, which were actually the ancient wizards turned to stone.
"Any luck?" Violet asked.
"Not yet. We tried every spell and potion at Magic School." Arthur replied saddened.
"I'm taking some of the stuff we found back to the school for study." Ben said. "I'll talk to you later."
"Of course. Thanks for coming." Arthur replied.
Ben nodded, before grabbing his stuff and leaving the tower. Violet waited until he was gone. She noticed Arthur was looking at the petrified prince. She remembered how he had protected his people, hoping they would someday be rescued.
"How are you really?" Violet asked.
"I'm fine." Arthur said. "It's just difficult to see them like this. This is the real legacy of the wizards, not Ambrose's twisted ideas. We have to help them."
"I'm sure you will find a way." Violet said confidently. "And I'll help any way I can."
"You're already helping." Arthur replied. "I don't think I could handle all of this, my father, without you. I meant what I said. You are my family."
"And you're mine." Violet said as she hugged him tightly. She knew that all long as they loved and supported each other, they could get through anything. It didn't matter who tried to tear them apart. She would not let them.
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The End