Red Riding Hood | BoyxBoy | COMPLETED

President of Atlantis

Alexander's POV

Last night's conversation had been much needed and long overdue. I felt much better and no longer sick with worry over Cassidy's health. Admittedly, I should have talked to him instead of trying to stay away which seemed like a dumb idea in light of a new day. We were married and mated, honestly.

We were due for a stopover on the island of Atlantis, a modern city conveniently located in the middle of the ocean between several kingdoms. The island city had been constructed by the sea kingdom of Thasea. It was clever and strategic, and no one wanted to get on the wrong side of the Thaseans.

The next couple of days were more manageable than our first day of sailing. Cass and Fawkes were providing ample distraction from my blasted seasickness. Sometimes, I was still queasy, but I wasn't throwing up anymore.

Arriving at the port of Atlantis was such a welcome sight; my knees trembled in relief. I didn't dare fall to my knees. Fawkes would mock me until the end of time. Cass would be nice though, he'd probably pet me and give me belly rubs. I liked that.

Despite having seen paintings of Atlantis, the constructed island was more impressive in person. They had sleek buildings, taller than castles and made of glass and smooth metal. Skyscrapers, they were called. An appropriate name. Its architecture was unlike any I'd seen. No blocks of stone in sight. And unlike Nasales, it smelled clean, like polished steel, a pleasant sea breeze and the mildly fruity scent of a tropical climate. Cassidy loved it. He faced turned to the sun, rays illuminating his skin. I felt him through the bond. He glowed.

There were people waiting for us at the port. While the rest of the crew stayed on the ship, only a select few guards, Fawkes, Cassidy and I disembarked. We were quite warmly welcomed and guided to the central building of Atlantis. It was the tallest one and the place where all diplomatic events took place. The spire of the building nearly touched the sky.

I suppose this counted as a diplomatic visit even though we were just stopping by for a short while. No official business to conclude here. I was a member of the royal family in Nasales after all. And Cass was technically royalty by association.

Inside the building, they brought us to one of the middle floors. Even that was miles above the ground. Fawkes, Cass and I couldn't help staring wide-eyed through the floor-to-ceiling windows. We could see the entire island from above. Atlantis was impressive.

Only the announcement made by a green-tinted Atlantean aide drew our attention away from those windows. President Halina was here. In general, Thaseans did not keep a completely human appearance. They were often part sea creature and they showed it on their skin.

President Halina was clearly some form of octopi. She entered the room in a well-cut blazer and pencil skirt. A scarf covered her hair and when it twitched, I realised that it wasn't hair she had covered. They were tentacles. I swallowed my surprise.

Other than her eyes and the tentacles, she appeared human. A very poised woman, almost regal if Thaseans had royalty. President Halina smiled warmly as she greeted us with handshakes. It was all very nicely arranged.

We ate a light meal, something I was thankful for. Between the seasick and towering heights, I was a little giddy. Cassidy looked like he was enjoying the visit and did most of the talking when the president made polite conversation. Fawkes stood close by behind us. He was on duty, which I thought was unfortunate. Fawkes was always one of those guys with an attractive personality and I knew he'd probably enjoy the experience more in my place.

After, the aides produced tokens and banners and positioned us for a portrait. They corrected me with "photoshoot" when I said that out loud. It was certainly faster and less smelly than having a portrait painted. In fact, an aide with purple fish scales on his cheeks and gills at his neck pointed a black contraption at us and pressed a button.

"Don't blink," he said. And then, "smile!"

Cassidy did everything beautifully. He's flawless. I blinked at the flash. But I suppose the photo must have turned out acceptable since they didn't make us pose again. President Halina presented us with a framed picture of Atlantis. Their technology was amazing!

And Fawkes handed me a basket of fruits, to which I saw some Atlanteans staring wide-eyed at. President Halina was too put-together to gawk, but I thought she looked rather pleased. I supposed sea creatures couldn't grow fruits the way we did. Their only land was built on metal and glass and too small to provide a steady supply of fruit.

At the end, we were brought up to the highest floors of the skyscraper, which were apparently guest suites for dignitaries and the like. By then, I was actively avoiding the windows. My wolf was nervous being this far from the ground. Cassidy was loving it though. Fawkes threw his bag in one of the bedrooms and left to "experience the nightlife". He didn't bother changing his uniform, claiming that people were attracted to that. Whatever.

Cass and I were more interested in a quiet night in. He'd discovered a built-in bathtub and wanted a relaxing bubble bath. Who was I to deny my beloved?

The instruction card left on the counter made things easy for us. Soon, we were soaking in warm bubbles with jets of water aimed at tired back muscles inside the tub. I sighed in bliss, basking in the dual heat of the bath and the mating bond.

After cleaning up, Cassidy stood by the glass panels in our bedroom looking down. The room was shrouded in darkness, letting the glimmering lights of the city below us light it up instead. I hugged him from behind, nose pressed to his bare shoulder.

"It's pretty," he said, referring to the lights.

"Mm," he kissed his soft skin.

He turned around in my arms, looking up at me. "Do you also like it?"

I touched my forehead to his. "You are prettier."

Cassidy smiled softly. "Let's go to bed." We snuggled up under the sheets.

"Good night, my love."

We shared a kiss. "Good night, Alex."