Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Audrina and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.

Heart of Atlantis Chapter 5

After the shared audience with Queen Atlanna the day before Audrina had followed her mother's instructions attending to wedding arrangements with the greatest sense of reluctance. It's been immensely tiring, but what it even more exhaustingly so was the need to constantly look over my shoulder for either her brother or her persistent betrothed. The aggression Orm had displayed was not to be taken lightly in any regard.

To her surprise, neither of them chose to make an appearance at any of her scheduled appointments. She still didn't lower her guard.

The following day after a restless night Audrina took a swim outside of the palace to work off her nerves. Sometimes an early morning excursion was the only single thing that was effective. Making her way to her chambers Audrina nodded to the guard stationed outside her door. He opened it and she went inside.

Before the door was even fully shut Audrina stopped in her tracks, eyes wide when she identified whom she found waiting for her there.

"How did you get in here," she demanded, exasperatedly, startled.

In the center of the room stood a Black Manta. In his hands was a bouquet grown underwater on the far side of the nearby reef.

Gesturing with the flowers towards the door and window, Black Manta smirked: "Your door is well guarded, but your balcony is not."

Slowly, a disdainful and dismissive expression on her face, Audrina carefully moved further in.

Presenting the flowers to her, Black Manta said "I swam to a reef near the coast of the shore for these."

Shoving the flowers back into his chest hard, Audrina said "Don't do that again."

A brow raised, head slightly cocked to the side, Black Manta said "Never met a woman who didn't like wildflowers."

Audrina spat "These are my private quarters. If I want you here, I will summon you."

"If I did that then I'd never see you. You'd never want me around," countered Black Manta.

"Then you shouldn't have come in the first place," retorted Audrina, coldly, eyed hard.

There was a pause as Black Manta seemed to collect himself underneath his helmet.

Then appearing contrite bending on one knee, Black Manta said "Forgive me, my Princess. I live to serve you."

"We both know that's a lie," drawled Audrina, unconvinced. She couldn't see it, but she definitely felt the glare he aimed at her. She then swam over to her bed sitting on the edge. "Cease with this act of yours, Manta. Tell me why you're here."

Straightening, all pretense disappearing, Black Manta said "There are two matters I've come to speak to you about. The first is our wedding."

"Don't get too used to the idea," warned Audrina. "This so-called 'engagement' won't last long. I'll be free of it before the actual date arrives."

Black Manta chuckled "I disagree. Your father agreed to our union and your brother supports that decision."

"There are thousands of women in Atlantis you can pursue," said Audrina, indignant.

"There is only one I desire," said Black Manta, coyly, "and she does not want me."

"What is your reasons for marrying me, Black Manta," said Audrina. "I know for certain it's not out of any kind of affection. I don't know how you fooled my father, but I'm sure whatever you told him is false. I have my own suspicions, but I want to hear them from you. And don't bother with any sort of your excuses since they won't be effective on me."

Black Manta sneered "Power, rank, and authority are great assets, Princess. What better way to obtain them than to marry into the royal family."

Snorting, Audrina scoffed "As if you're going to get it."

"I wouldn't be so sure," sneered Black Manta, laying the flowers on a table. That brings us to the second subject I came to discuss."

"And what would that be," asked Audrina, arms crossed, although she already carried an indication of what she was referring to.

Black Manta approached Audrina the animosity radiating off his figure almost caused her to step back. He said "You know what I speak of, Audrina. It would be within your best interests to mind your own business and stay out of others."

"This is my kingdom, Manta. What happens here in Atlantis is my business," argued Audrina, keeping her trembling hands at bay and hiding them behind her. She then realized she'd been forced into a corner when she felt the hardness of the wall behind her.

Chuckling darkly Black Manta placed his hands on either side of Audrina's head blocking her possible escape routes and making sure she had nowhere else to turn. Audrina sucked in a breath pressing further against the wall, barely holding her nerve. She refused to submit.

Leaning forward until his mouth was beside Audrina's ear, Black Manta whispered "You may be a princess of this vast kingdom, but it's Orm who will rule as king. His word is law."

"Not yet," hissed Audrina, furious.

Black Manta said "That may be so now, but all things alter with time."

Brow furrowed, Audrina questioned "What do you mean by that?"

Instead of providing her with a clear answer Black Manta merely backed off, saying "Thank about it, Darling…It may serve you better in the future." With that Black Manta swam out of the room off the balcony doors expertly avoiding detection from the guards.

Once Black Manta was gone Audrian slid down the wall onto the floor shaking uncontrollably. Head in her hands she took in deep soothing breaths to calm herself.

Forlorn, she breathed "Father, what were you thinking?"

Authors Note:

I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.

So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.

I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.