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

“David! I’ve missed you!”

David had apparently turned to marble, because he was as white as snow and didn’t move.

Yasmin was trying to comprehend what happened when the girl turned to her and said, “Hey, you must be the mage! My name is Violet of Maidenhill. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

Violet of Maidenhill was a teenage girl about their age, with thigh-length rose-red hair, and soft purple eyes that sparkled in the sun. Her pale complexion matched her red cheeks from running. She was graceful, almost like a fairy. She was around Yasmin’s height, maybe a bit taller, and she looked so happy, you couldn’t help but smile.

Yasmin just stood there with her mouth open. “Why did you kiss David? Is it a custom?”

Violet giggled, and her purple eyes flashed in the sunlight. “No, of course not! I’m David’s fiancée, and that’s why I kissed him!”

“Fiancée?!!” Yasmin exclaimed. “David, what’s going on? Is this true?”

David turned to look at her, his eyes filled with regret and something she couldn’t understand. But with a sinking feeling in her stomach, she knew it was true.

Yasmin started running, away from David, and toward the castle. She just needed to get away.

“Yasmin!” David called after her, running and placing a hand on her shoulder. Suddenly he staggered back, pushed back by winds that circled the now crying Yasmin.

“Stay away from me!” Yasmin nearly screamed. “You two-timer!”

Running away again, this time with no one stopping her, Yasmin even left her suitcase behind.

David stared after her, his eyes filling with hurt. What have I done? He thought. I just sent Yasmin into a rainstorm.

She entered the castle at a run, running past the kitchen, away from the maze of corridors, just away. She had a searing hole in her heart. Just moments ago she had trusted David with her life, but now she felt like she knew nothing about him. Who knows? Maybe he had another wife stored away somewhere.

After a few minutes of running, Yasmin leaned against the wall. Her heart was torn in half, and to make it worse, both halves were arguing.

I know what David did was wrong, she thought. But maybe he had a reason. Running away won’t help.

‘That’s not true!’ Her other half shouted. I should have fought harder! It’s not okay! She’s so pretty. No wonder she’s David’s fiancée. I just needed to be perfect, and I wasn’t. Again.’

Yasmin frowned mentally. She was sure those last thoughts weren’t hers. It wasn’t like her to think about the other girl’s beauty. And she was rarely jealous immediately. She mostly blew her top, a completely different problem.

“Yasmin!” Miriam called from somewhere behind her.

Turning around, she saw her friend looked slightly out of breath. “I think some part of you came here self-consciously,” she said, indicating the room around them.

Yasmin looked, gasping. She was inside the most amazing library she had ever seen. With tall glass windows, bookshelves sixty feet high, and thousands of books, she couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed it before.

“Hey.” Miriam placed a hand on her arm. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m in a library, how could I not be?” Yasmin smiled sadly. “But I might just skip the welcoming ball tonight. I don’t want to see David yet.” Or ever, she added mentally.

Miriam, instead of being sympathetic, sighed and said, “Are you nuts? You’ve been preparing for weeks! You learned how to dance! You asked, actually begged, Daniella to draw you a perfect dress! Plus, it looked like the entire palace was getting ready!”

Yasmin sighed. “I just don’t feel like it.”

“But there will be great exotic food!” Miriam tried. “Look, if helping David was the only reason you had to stop the rebellion and help millions of innocent people, then turn around and go home.”

Yasmin blinked, taken back by that statement. “Home?”

“But if you have any other reason, then stay. If you leave with work undone, then it will be your fault, not David’s.”

Yasmin thought it over. Was helping David the only reason she had to save Atlantis? She looked around. Librarians were dusting shelves, scholars were reading books, and the sunlight gleamed from the windows.

But then she thought of Abby, and her fate. She remembered telling her parents everything, and how Abby’s mother broke down halfway through the explanation.

Abby’s father had looked outraged and didn’t believe them, but her mother, Mrs. Silvertree did. A regal woman with brown hair instead of blonde, told them that Abby had come to her, explaining her magic and asking for help. But she had just shooed her daughter away.

Yasmin remembered promising herself that no one else would live a fate worse than death. She had promised to save them, for Abby’s sake, and to stop the Beast once and for all.

It’s funny, she thought. After all I’ve been through, Abby is a key reason for me to stay here. It funny how things turn out.

It’s not funny! I didn’t WANT to die! A voice inside her said.

What? Yasmin thought, confused. I didn’t die! Am I going crazy?

“So?” Miriam said, bringing Yasmin back to reality. “What did you decide? Because I’m still going to stay the week. Maybe fantasy land is fun!”

Yasmin sighed, pretending to give up. “Fine, I’ll got to the ball. But only if you come with me wearing a dress.”

Miriam crossed her arms and glared at Yasmin. “That’s a steep price. But fine, if it’s for my heartbroken best friend. I’ll have to find a dress. I suppose my favorite jeans won’t do.”

Chapter 2

The ball

Walking into the ballroom, Yasmin felt like a tiny, underdressed ant. She was wearing a sky-blue dress with white sleeves reaching to her elbows, and she had left her hair hanging, slightly curled.

She wasn’t wearing makeup—Yasmin absolutely hated makeup—and even though Daniella’s dress was gorgeous, she felt like a famer in a lady’s clothing.

“I can’t believe I’m wearing a dress and I don’t see food anywhere,” Miriam grumbled from beside her. She had grumbled because of the dress, but otherwise seemed happy.