Astrid is the crown princess of Atlantis, but she barely has time to worry about the kingdom with six younger sisters to watch over, especially with the youngest coming into her powers as a daughter of the sea to navigate time. When Astrid fears tha...
When I slip out of the room, I find to my dismay, that everyone besides my 'boyfriend' has also done so.
Cecilia looks up from her tight press between the two Bens, and a sinister look crosses her expression that wouldn't be out of place on Cerce's visage. But then that expression is gone faster than an unsecured canvas in a whirlpool.
"Oh, Astrid!" she cries in a delight I'm sure fools the boys as she rushes for me and pretends to put her arms around me when she doesn't. Imitates two kisses that never touch my skin.
It's just as well. They say a liar's touch always burns.
"Anyway, as I'm sure you know..." Cecilia smirks at me, as though waiting for me to admit that I don't know whatever it is I'm supposed to be aware of after all.
She doesn't continue, so I just nod that I do, in fact, know of this particular mysterious facet of wisdom.
But Cecilia frowns, her lips turning downward in a practiced pout. "You don't know, do you? I knew you and Brandon weren't together for long enough-"
I shake my head to put to rest perhaps the most truthful things that woman has ever spoken.
"What do you expect of her?" Ben Two asks, frowning at Cecilia. "Of course she knows its Brandon's birthday tomorrow."
Cecilia bunches her eyebrows together. "Then why didn't she say anything?"
I cross my arms. No one would dare speak of me like I'm not there under the ocean.
Ben Two throws his arms out. "She's mute, Cece!"
Cecilia has the decency to look a little chagrined, but her decency only stretches so far. "Then why doesn't she know any sign language?"
I blink, wondering if the two-legged have the same symbols as we use under the ocean. So far, our spoken words seem to be the same-
"She lost her speech in a recent accident."
We all start.
Brandon steps forward, tall and broad and strong as he wraps his arm protectively- possessively- around my waist and pulls me close. "She hasn't had a chance to become adept at that yet."
Cecilia frowns. "Then how do you two communicate so well?"
Turning, I press my lips against Brandon's cheek and hold them there for a long moment, enjoying the way he smells like the beach before pulling away.
Brandon grins and kisses the top of my head. "Thanks for the happy birthday wish."
I smile up at him before turning that smile to Brandon's friends.
The look in Cecilia's eyes is akin to a hurricane on the ocean.
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