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 17

Say what now?

Blinking consecutively a couple of times, not believing she heard right, Audrina said "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," said Arthur, smiling.

"I…," stammered Audrina, speechless, " I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll accept," said Arthur.

"But Arthur this is your birthright. Mother wanted you to succeed her. The very fact that you're half-human is the main reason why Mother chose you over Orm. You're exactly what Atlantis needs to lead them into the new era."

"The people love you, Audrina. They trust you," said Arthur. "That's more than I'll ever have with them. Trust me, I'd only make a mess of things if I were King. I'm much better off serving you as a silent protector from the shadows. That's what I'm good at. Besides Atlantis has had only a Queen for a while now. Having another king after so long will probably upend them in some way. This is more preferable for them."

"Arthur," said Audrina, sinking to her knees, heart pounding.

Placing the Trident in Audrina's hands, curling her fingers around it, Arthur said "The throne of Atlantis is yours."

In all her wildest dreams Audrina never once expected to be blessed with this honor. She was only the third-born child never once assuming she'd ever be in the running for the throne with two older brothers. Being Queen of the Seas was never an ambition for her to take. After all, Orm had been the one who carried the ambitions not her.

"Long live the Queen," shouted Arthur, raising his fist above his head.

Arthur's words were taken up in a chant by the entire army of Atlantean soldiers. They raised their weapons high in the air pledging undying loyalty for her until the day she died.

"Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen," they cried jubilantly.

Audrina wanted to shout her triumph and gratitude to the skies at this noble honor. But she could not speak, so overwhelmed was she with emotion, heart bursting with thankfulness.

Audrina rose back to her feet. Her hour was upon her, she was certain of it now. And it seemed to her that as she endured those endless final significant days of waiting destiny and providence had been unwittingly preparing her all her life for it. Keeping her safe and secure. All the troubles, terrors, and obstacles that had beset her at the hands of Orm, Black Manta, etc.… She had survived them all. What else could this be but fate and destiny?

But all the bliss and elation Audrina was feeling disintegrated when she raised her head meeting Cyborg's eyes. Their gazes met and Audrina's heart fluttered intensely at the look in his eyes. It broke her heart in a way.

Cyborg's expression was full of melancholy and sorrow, but what hit her was the resignation and acceptance she saw there. She knew then that they were of the same mind and heart. That they could never be.

There's always a catch and this one came with a very heavy price that impacted not one but two hearts.

Authors Note:

I bet you guys are thinking it's going to become hopeless for Audrina and Cyborg. Her being Queen and a surface dweller not even of royal lineage. That there's no chance they'll ever be together. A romance doomed to fail before it even has a chance to start.

Boy are you guys gonna be surprised when you read the epilogue.

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.