Page 17 of Swimming With the Sharks
“I don’t know what made him do it, to be honest.I never asked because it didn’t matter.What mattered to me wasthat he did save me and that I was here to live another day.”Foster quickly answered, then added, “Just like he’s out theretrying to save all of you.”
“He does that because Poseidon makes him.It’swhy his kind were brought here.”Rolary quickly stated.
Shaking his head, Foster replied, “That’s notexactly correct, Rolary.When Poseidon brought the originalAtlanteans here, he went to Jabari’s father and asked him to carefor the people and make sure they were safe.Jabari’s father agreedto help Poseidon, he was never ordered to do it.It was alsoJabari’s father that stopped the Adanc from killing all of yourfamilies and chose to stay and help protect everyone.When Jabariwas born, it was a joining of all parties involved.The sad thingwas that the Atlanteans didn’t recognize it for what it was.”
“What do you mean?”Corvan asked, his deepinterest in what Foster was saying coming out loud and clear.
“Well, think about it.Jabari’s birth place isAtlantis.That makes him an Atlantean.His birth brought everyonetogether, but instead of seeing it for what it is, you all haveostracized him.”
“Ostra what?”Tetley asked in confusion.
“Ostracized.It means excluded him from all ofyou.Not including him amongst your kind.”Foster explained.
“But we were told he was evil and would eat us.”Gavil said quickly.
Nodding, Foster replied, “I understand that, butI ask you this.If Jabari is evil why did he not just go with hisparents to the surface?If he is evil why has he never harmedanyone in your beautiful city?If he is evil, why is he out thereputting his life on the line to keep you all safe?”
The boys looked at each other and Rolary finallyasked, “And he is your mate?”
Nodding, Foster answered, “Yes he is.”
“But you don’t have his mark?”Rolary said morein question than in statement.
Shaking his head, Foster replied, “No, but Iwould in a heartbeat if I could.”
“What do you mean?”Tetley asked.
Foster answered, “From the books I’ve read if wemate and I die, he will die.I can’t allow that to happen.”
“But if you are mates and he marks you, youshouldn’t die.Mom told me that if you are true mates things likethat can’t happen.”Corvan said.
Shrugging, Foster said, “I can’t take thechance.I’ve read that as well, but I also read where human diseaseis in play, no marking can stop the inevitable.”
“That’s really sad.”Tetley said.
“Then how do you know he is your mate at all?Being human you wouldn’t know unless Jabari told you and he couldbe lying.”Rolary said firmly.
Shaking his head, Foster replied, “He isn’tlying.I can’t explain it, really but I know in my heart it’strue.”
“How?”Tetley asked.
Foster thought of Jabari and their timetogether.A wistfulness coming over him.“Whenever we’re together Ifeel a connection and all I want is to be as close to Jabari as Ican.”
“You feel the pull.”Rolary stated.
Nodding, Foster went on to say.“Even if Ididn’t feel that, I would know.Jabari is the sweetest, mostromantic man I have ever met.He makes me laugh, smile, and feel ahappiness that makes my soul sing.I love walking hand and handwith him down the streets of Atlantis.I love going for ice creamand watching him get a whipped-cream mustache.I love listening tohim talk about his home and the people that live there, and I lovejust sitting with him and watching a movie or just listening tomusic.I love when he takes me in his arms and dances me around theroom, holding me so close I feel as if we are complete and one asthe fates meant us to be.”
“You love him.”Tetley whispered in awe.
Foster’s eyes widened as he realized what Tetleysaid was true.Holy shit!He had never even thought about it...hehad never, Foster gasped, “I do.I really do love Jabari.”
Just as that thought left his mouth, Jabari’svoice came to them loud and clear, “That’s good because I love youtoo, but we need to get out of here before the enemy returns.”
Foster jumped from where he was sitting andrushed into his mate’s arms.Jabari didn’t even hesitate to openthem for him either.
Forgetting about the youth sitting not evenfifty feet behind him, Foster attacked his mate’s mouth with aflourish.Tongues dueled, teeth clacked and spit was swapped.Foster had never felt so good in his life, and damned if it wasn’tbecause of the man in his arms.He didn’t know how long they wereliplocked, but the sound of a horse neighing in the backgroundbrought Foster out of his kiss-induced stupor and he pulled back,noticing Polaris, Sacrin, and Goboli standing there with smirks ontheir faces.Polaris said, “I really don’t think that this is thetime or place for whatever it is you were planning on doing.Somethings children are not meant to understand until they are mucholder.”
Foster felt his cheeks heat and he turned to theblushing boys.“Sorry.”