Page 24 of Swimming With the Sharks
Foster visibly shook as he cried.His mate wasgone.Foster wanted to call him back, but he couldn’t do it.Heknew what he had done was the right thing, but fuck he felt as ifhis heart had been ripped from his chest.
“Foster, what happened?Where is my son?”Norananxiously asked.
“I...I sent him away.”Foster cried.
Noran gasped, “Why?Why did you do such athing?”Noran asked in confusion.
Shaking his head, Foster said, “I cou...couldn’t let him wa...watch me die.It was...wasn’t fair to...tohim.”
Foster felt gentle arms wrapping around him, andknew that it was Calista.She drew him in saying, “You two are sosilly and so damn wrong.”
“We...”
“No, listen to me, Foster, and listen well.Youare mates and that means you’re meant to be together.”Calistastated firmly.
“But I....”
Noran knelt next to Foster, “Answer me this.When you were in Atlantis, how did you feel?”
Foster looked up confused, “I don’t understandwhat you’re asking.”
“When you took your shower, my son was tellingus all the things you were doing together.The walks, dancing,swimming, hell, you even helped save some boys from Formaci.Didyou once feel tired or ill?”Noran asked.
Foster thought about what Noran was saying, andrealized he hadn’t felt any exhaustion or sickness.“No.It wasn’tuntil we left Atlantis that I started feeling tired andunwell.”
“Exactly and do you know why?”Noran asked.
Foster shook his head, and Calista said, “It’sbecause Atlantis is magic, son.There is something that few knowabout Atlantis...even the Atlanteans themselves.”
“What’s that?”Foster asked.
“Atlantis either accepts you or it doesn’t, andsometimes that acceptance comes at a price.It’s why someAtlanteans shift and some don’t.It’s why some Atlanteans died andsome didn’t.I don’t know how Atlantis picks and chooses, but itdoes and Atlantis must have chosen you, because if it hadn’t youwould have died within moments of getting there.”Calistaexplained.
Foster asked, “So what does that have to do withme dying?”
Noran sighed, “Son, as long as you are mated tomy son and living in Atlantis you will not die.It’s why you didn’tfeel tired or sick when you were there.That means you have achoice.You can live in Atlantis with your mate, or you can stayhere and die as human.”
“So I can never leave the walls of Atlantis?”Foster asked, knowing what he was going to do, but saddened that hewouldn’t be able to visit Noran and Calista.
“Actually, if you bond with our son, you wouldbe able to come to the surface, but only in small increments.Inthe beginning it would be for a few days, but as your bond growswith my son it might be two or more weeks you can spend at a time.We won’t know until we know, however, you will never feel sick orexhausted from this disease again as long as you live in Atlantis.”Noran explained.
Foster felt hope building, “And you’re sure?Idon’t want...”
“Foster listen to me.”Calista interrupted.“Myson loves you.Do you honestly think that whether you are bonded inour way or not matters?Whether you hold his mark externally ornot, you still have been marked...both of you have.A bonding isof the heart, mind and soul.It is a transfer of blood to bloodthat tightens that bond, but trust me, I felt your bond before youeven walked into my home.The time you and Jabari spent togetheralready has created the bond we are talking about.”
“I don’t understand.”Foster whispered.
Noran said, “You, Foster, bonded with our sonthe human way.”
“I what?”Foster gasped.
“Do you not think humans can have soul mates?”Calista asked with a smile.
Foster replied, “Of course I do.”
“Well they don’t have to bite, have sex, ortransfer body fluids for that to happen, Foster.You and Jabaribonded in the human way.That means my son will not be long in thisworld the moment you die because he already gave you his heart,mind, and soul.It’s already a done deal.The Adanc wailing let allmarine life know this.Everyone will feel his pain, Foster, becauseit is too much to keep inside.”Noran stated.
Jumping up, Foster said, “I need to get to him.I need to go there...but I...how will I...”