The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 57 - Big fish

"Well? What happened?" Elissa repeats her demand.

As she stares fixedly at Kai, who does not seem inclined to answer, she is aware of movement. Without breaking eye contact with Kai, she sends out a ribbon of power, which wraps around Zane and stops him from escaping.

"Zane, perhaps you could enlighten me?"

It is Triton who breaks the silence. "Zane hunted and killed a shark."

"A huge and vicious one. My sister will be pleased," Nilus adds.

"Why on earth did he do that?"

"It is the way of the sea," Triton responds as if this is self evident. "Your warrior was very impressive too."

She gawks at the Atlantean, which he takes as a prompt to go on. "When the beast sunk it's teeth into Zane's leg things looked treacherous. Kai wrestled with it, freeing Zane and allowing him to get in the killing blow. Of course, all the blood drew in other sharks. All in all, it was a most enjoyable hunting trip."

She looks between Kai and Zane. The mere thought of something terrible happening constricts her heart. Rather than dwell on the crippling possibility that one of them might not have come back, she allows her anger to bubble up.

"Seriously, is stupid macho behaviour a universal thing? What sane woman would want their loved ones to put themselves in such danger?"

As if in answer, a blur of long purple hair and glinting red and purple scales guns towards them. She can only assume that this is Ianthe, who barrels into Zane and enthusiastically kisses him with wild abandon.

Nilus and Triton both smirk, to which Elissa snaps, "I said 'sane woman'."

Nilus doesn't take any slight about his sister, but does respond, "To offer up a great white's head shows prowess. Zane has proved himself worthy of a union with our family."

The passionate mak-out session between Ianthe and Zane is rather distracting. Elissa is relieved when Ianthe grips her man as tightly as an octopus and swims off, hopefully to find a room.

Kai mutters darkly, "I could bring you a tiger skin."

Elissa pokes a finger at his unyielding chest, which is completely bare save for the leather straps holding his sword and scabbard against his back.

"Firstly, don't even joke about such a thing and secondly, I don't want you to unnecessarily throw yourself into harm's way."

Kai crosses his arms over his chest, causing muscles to bulge. "And what of you? I have to stand by while you rush headlong into danger."

"Like when?"

"What about then you went up against the apprentices at the Academy?"

"Pfft. That was playfighting."

"Then the wild dragons. Do you have any idea what it took for me to let you approach them?"

"Let me?" Her voice takes on a dangerous edge.

Triton slaps Kai on the back. "I do not envy you, my friend. Nature cannot be truly tamed, though you may be able to channel her anger."

The Atlantean prince winks at Elissa and with a swish of his powerful tail, he and all the other mers swim off leaving a cloud of sand in their wake. She is left alone with a brooding Dragonite whose dark eyes are like storm clouds.

Rising, her feet leave the seabed and she comes face to face with him. "I'm sorry Kai."

With a gentle touch, she places a conciliatory kiss upon his lips. Strong arms wrap around her back and his responding kiss starts angry before melting into sizzling need.