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

then break up with her! I’m doing this for Atlantis!” Queen Andrea said, sounding furious.

“It’s already over Mother, she dumped me.”

“Well, good riddance. Now, there’s this duchess from–”

“NO!” David shouted, interrupting his mother. “I already told you, I don’t care if she broke up with me, that doesn’t mean I have to hurt her too!”

Yasmin walked out of the room quietly, touched. Did David really care that much about her? She had broken his heart, and he was shouting at his mother, unwilling to move on.

Granted, it had only been a few hours, but she had never heard him speak to his mother like that before! Was he willing to overcome his fear for her?

Yasmin shook her head stubbornly. She didn’t need David, she didn’t need anyone! She was going to be fine by herself! She was a strong, independent woman, and she didn’t need anyone in her life! She had managed just fine on her own the past few months, and that would continue. Boys. Pah! Who needs them?

Yasmin considered going home that evening, but decided to stay. If she went home now, who knew if she would have the courage to come back? And she still wanted to help Atlantis. If so many people were hurt, then she would do her best to help them, even if it meant using her powers again. Besides, it didn’t look like she had a choice.

Yasmin had a long talk with Amanda about the battle, including the fact that her father, Richard, the old king, was still alive. When she had told her, Amanda had been shocked, but it was like she had somehow known. Instead of getting hurt, Amanda asked Yasmin not to tell this to anyone.

She didn’t want her mother to know, because Amanda thought her mother was already fragile enough about Richard’s death ten, no eleven, years ago now, and she didn’t want her to get hurt. Yasmin agreed to keep quiet, because she really couldn’t care less.

Lying on her bed that night, Yasmin thought about going outside to look at the stars. It was a cool night, but a sweater should keep her warm. She snorted as she pulled one on, thinking about how warm it must be in Israel about now. With a pang, Yasmin realized just how much she missed home.

The hallway was empty of people, save for stargazers, or scientists into their work. They worked well into the night. Yasmin walked a little ways into the forest beside the palace until she found a clearing.

She gasped in wonder at the clearing. It was beautiful, with a small waterfall emptying into a pool the size of her room, and fish swimming in its depths. The stars were reflected in the pools waters’ and it probably would be a lot of fun to disturb it.

The clearing was quite large, and she heard an owl hooting in the distance as she sat down, relaxing. The leaves blew in the wind, and the spring flowers were gorgeous, probably. She couldn’t see very well in the dark. That’s why she had brought an electric lamp. She set the lamp down, smiling to herself. It felt much better than a flashlight because it cast light everywhere.

Yasmin leaned against a rick, shivering. The wind was growing strong, and even with the trees to protect her from all of the wind, she was getting cold. Maybe she should go back inside.

Yasmin heard a crunch of leaves and froze. Who could it be, at this hour? She called a fireball to her hand, calling out, “Who is it? I’m very good with fire, I’m warning you!” She would have added lightning, but with her magic so weird sometimes, she wasn’t going to risk burning anyone to a crisp. But fire could do that too. Oh, well. She could use wind instead.

“It’s just me,” David said, stepping into the light.

Yasmin blushed and closed her hand, extinguishing the fireball.

“Hi,” she said, blushing. Everything felt so awkward.

“Can I sit?” He gestured to the rock beside her.

Yasmin nodded, although she would rather he stood. She supposed that would be a bit mean. But just a bit.

David sat down, too close for comfort. He looked at the view, sighing. “It’s beautiful here. This is one of my favorite places to go to when I need to get away. If you like, I can show you a secret passage under the castle that leads here someday.”

Yasmin nodded, feeling uncomfortable and wishing he would go away. She couldn’t quite get the words out, though. She was very aware of David sitting next to her, in a way she wished she wasn’t. Every time she thought of him, it hurt. And now here he was, sitting next to her. Why?

David spun toward her, a look of desperation and seriousness on his face. “Yasmin, I know what I did was wrong. I won’t ask for forgiveness, even though I am apologizing. I left you alone for months, when I should have been there for you. I get ashamed whenever I think about it. One of the reasons I love you is because you wouldn’t have ever done something like this. You wouldn’t have let anyone control your life. I wish I had your strength.”

Yasmin felt breathless as David continued. “I am going to do my best to make up for it, though, so one day you won’t be hurt when you look at me. I’m never going to leave you again. If you don’t want a boyfriend, that‘s fine. I’ll still be there for you, in any way I can. I won’t leave you alone. Not again.” His eyes were pleading as he reached for her hand. “So what do you say? Will you let me be there for you?”

Yasmin felt tears flow to her eyes, but not because he was apologizing. No, she was overwhelmed because he just somehow knew. David knew that she had felt so lonely these past few months, and he was going to do everything he could to