Chapter Eighteen

I sat in a room that was given to me, wrapping my injuries with seaweed. Deep cuts and dark purple bruises had appeared on my arms and legs after the battle. I guessed it was the electricity that I created in the water. The room didn't seem as elegant as the white marble stone room. It was made of a dull rock with a bed of flattened kelp and a large hole in the wall for a window. I didn't mind it. I looked up at the sound of a click, seeing Aquis and Jason through my now opened door. The door was made of wood and coated with a shiny layer of unknown substance. I tightened a strip of seaweed around my arm and adjusted my position on the Atlantean bed.

"That was a good battle." Aquis nodded as I looked back to my arm. "I'm proud."

"I don't need your praise and I don't need you to act like my father now, either. I needed you when I was a child." I looked up at him.

"It wasn't safe." He stated, his expression seeming to droop slightly.

"You should've made it safe. You're the king, aren't you?" I stood up and went to Jason.

"Yes." He turned to Jason. "What is your relationship? Do you love each other?"

"Yes. I love him. He is my best friend." I looked up at Jason with a smile.

"I'm happy for you both. It's not the Atlantean way, but I am happy for you." Aquis smiled slightly.

"Can I go back to my aunt and uncle now? I still have to finish school." I reached for my trident, which leaned against a wall.

"We need to crown you the official princess." He informed me.

"That's not-"

"It's so everyone knows who you are." He interrupted. "I have a dress for you." I looked to someone who floated into the room with a long white box. Aquis pulled a long, beautiful, cloth from it. In the water, it flowed gracefully.

"Your coronation will be in twenty-four hours." He passed me the fabric then left the room. I just looked up at Jason, slightly confused.

"They are just crowning you in front of a crowd so that there are witnesses." He explained. "I have a crown, too. I just don't wear it." I walked to the bed and sighed, sitting down. Jason sat next to me and took my hand gently.

"It's going to be okay."

"It's just happening so fast. First, I see my father and brother. Then, I find out my mother is dead and I won a battle for authority just to stop a war. Now, I am being crowned." I put my head in my hands, my elbows on my legs. We were quiet for a moment.

"Hey, do you remember the first time I came to school? We saw each other, but didn't talk because the popular kids brought me into their group." He broke the silence, taking my hand again. "You begged the teacher to pair up so that you had the chance to talk to me." I looked up.

"You know about that?" I blushed.

"The point is, we quickly became friends and so many people hated it. Fights started and people targeted you, but you stayed strong." He looked me in the eyes. "You have to stay strong now. Don't let yourself just stop and break under the pressure." His golden eyes glinted in the little light that came through the window. I felt drawn to him. Like something he did or said drew me closer without touching me. I leaned closer to him, touching my lips softly to his. He pulled me into his lap and the water around us began to swirl. We kissed for a long time before I pushed him back, causing the water to swirl faster. I placed my hand under the edge of his shirt, feeling his abs and his warm skin. My heart pounded roughly in my chest. I leaned over him, kissing him again. I breathed hard through the kiss as I shifted on his hips.

"I love you, Jason. More than anything." I pulled back, looking at him. He stared up at me with soft, wondering, eyes. I could almost see what he was thinking.

"I love you, too, Blake." He sat up, touching his hand gently to my face. "You should get some sleep." He gave a warm smile.

"You're right." I climbed off of him and laid on the bed, pulling him down next to me. He wrapped me in his arms, allowing me to press my face into his chest. I felt safe in his arms. Like nothing could touch or harm me.