Back to Atlantis by Bar Sagi (best book reader txt) 📗

Looking up at the stars, Yasmin let her herself think of David again. Her mind wandered over memories of him, both sweet and bitter, and her eyes filled with tears.

She couldn’t hate Violet, even though she was his fiancée. The girl was just as much a victim of David as she was. And yet she felt like the David she had known last year was someone else entirely.

Ever since he had returned to the palace, David had been tense and distant. He had stopped laughing, smiling, or having fun. He had just… drawn into himself, and away from her.

Did he need help? The thought crossed her mind, but she shooed it away. He broke my heart! I’m not gonna help him now!

Besides, she had more important things to think about. Like the rebellion. And the rouge army. And her powers. And Abby, who had been strangely silent for the past two months.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy that Abby was gone, but what about the beast? Would he try to invade her mind again? And would she be strong enough to say no?

“Hey,” Violet said, sitting down on a stone bench near Yasmin.

She fanned out her skirts, sitting with her back straight like a princess. Yasmin started to straighten her back before she caught herself.

I am not Violet! She thought, mentally kicking herself. Stop it, me!

“Hey.” Yasmin looked down at Violet, then sighed and sat down too. She rubbed her arms awkwardly, shivering a bit. It was cold!

“Are you okay?” Violet looked a bit nervous as she asked this.

“Yeah, why?”

“Because you are pushing yourself so hard both physically and mentally, not to mention doing it after being brokenhearted.” Violet sounded more serious than Yasmin had ever heard her. She looked like a different person.

“Why do you care?” Yasmin asked, flicking away a bug that had gotten on her dress. “And how did you even notice? I thought you didn’t know what went on between David and me.”

“Of course I noticed.” Violet’s voice was laced with pain.

Yasmin looked up at her, surprised to see hurt on her face. “But it matters not. I came here to talk with you about a very different thing.”

“Really?” Yasmin sighed. Would this take long? Violet was just another empty-headed noble. She wouldn’t have anything interesting to say.

Violet put her hand on Yasmin’s knee, a tender gesture. “I know it is hard, but pace yourself. Relax. There is more to the world than magic. The kingdom and its citizens need you to move forward at your own pace, not somebody else’s.”

“How would you know what the people need?” Yasmin saw Violet tense. There was something missing here.

“I just do.” Violet’s face had become guarded, and she was drawing away from Yasmin.

“You’re acting like a completely different person now. Who are you really?” Yasmin demanded. “I need to know if you want me to trust you.”

Violet sat straighter, if that was possible. “I am the first daughter of the second princess of the fairy king,” she recited, her head held high. “I am the fiancée to Prince David, and I hope that this rebellion will be stopped as soon as possible. It is my greatest wish.”

“And what are you doing to stop it?” Yasmin said, tapping her finger on the cold, stone bench. The wind howled, and she shivered, but kept her eyes on Violet. “I am doing my best. What right have you to tell me what to do?”

“None of your business,” Violet declared, holding her head high.

“Well, it’s none of yours either.” Yasmin stood and brushed her skirts. Glaring at Violet, she made to leave.

“Wait!” Violet lunged for Yasmin’s arm. She caught it, looking desperate. “Just trust me, okay?”

“Why should I?” Yasmin retorted, shaking Violet off. “You obviously don’t trust me.”

She walked away and reentered the ballroom with purpose. Maybe the dance lessons would pay off.

They didn’t. Every time she tried to go up to someone, merely to pass the time, they either inched away from her, fear in their faces, or laughed at her. It was horrid. This whole court was horrid. Filled with people who didn’t care at all about anything.

She wandered back to her room, changing out of the dress into something warmer. Even though her room was heated, it was below zero outside. Plus, the dress just didn’t feel right.

Sitting down on her bed, she got a book out of her suitcase. It was brand new, and she was halfway through reading it. Now seemed like the perfect time. Tucking herself under the covers, she snuggled up to her teddy bear and began reading.

Percy Jackson looked at Kronos. He–

Her perfect world was interrupted by screams. She sat up, startled. Why would anyone scream at this hour?

“Rebels!” A male voice shouted, laced with fear. “In the palace!”

Yasmin jumped off the bed and grabbed her shoes. She tried calling for the sword, but she was too distracted. Nothing happened. Cursing, she slammed the door open only to see people running past her, from servants to nobles. The rebels had never attacked the palace before. It was a riot.

She ran out of her room, her feet soundless in the loud hall. Where were they? Is David okay? She wondered.

In the ballroom, she saw the solders circle around the queen, protecting her and the royal family. Some of the nobles, including Gloriana, gathered their magic, preparing for battle.

Running into the gardens, she looked around. In the lamp light, she saw nothing. Had it been a false alarm?

She saw a man raise his sword, jumping out from under the bushes. She fell back on the grass, throwing a random fireball. By luck, it hit his sword, which became red-hot. He swore and dropped it, rubbing his hands all over his tattered clothes.

He reached into his belt and pulled out a gun. Yasmin bit her lip in fear. Did she have enough control over wind to counter a bullet? He raised the gun, a wicked grin on his face.

She tried calling up