She glances at the clock. "Do you have any plans the rest of the evening? I could spare an hour if you'd like before I close the shop."
"I fear I would be a poor student," Ronan clams up, scratching the back of his neck. "I haven't been blessed with artistry like Atlas."
She rests her hand on his bicep. "I always tell my students, anyone can paint, if they practice."
"And Viella is a wonderfully patient instructor," I add, stripping off my smock.
"Where are you going?" Ronan asks, a hint of panic in his face.
"I promised Shaye I would take her to dinner. Make sure you escort Viella home after your lesson." I wink.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to inconvenience – "
"It's the least I could do for you staying late to give me a private lesson," Ronan interrupts, remembering his manners.
Viella smiles. "Well, when you put it that way, how can I say no? Let me grab a canvas from the back."
The moment she disappears, Ronan whips to face me, confusion and fear in his eyes. I don't allow him to speak. I pat him on the back and whisper, "If the lesson goes well, ask her to dinner."
"Atl-"
"Her favorite spot isRedby the western canal."
Ronan grabs my arm. "I feel weird. Like words fail me. What do I say? What do I do? Why are my hands sweating?"
"Be yourself, Rone."
"That's your advice?" he scoffs. "You're really bad at this, Atlas."
"I believe in you." I press my smock to his chest.
"What's this for?"
"Wouldn't want to get paint all over those fancy clothes," I tease.
"Ready to paint?" Viella beams the second she returns, canvas in hand.
Ronan swallows hard, offering me one last look before smiling. He lifts the smock for her to see. "Ready."
"Have fun," I offer flippantly as I slip out the front door. To be fair, I don't think they noticed my departure. When I spare a glance through the bay window I can't help but grin as Viella already has Ronan sitting in front of an easel. She stands behind him pointing out his brushes and paint. He dips his brush into the paint, and she guides his hand up and down the canvas.
Maybe there's hope for Ronan yet.
Twenty - Six
Bastian
Hydra. The Water Kingdom. Half on an oasis of an island with its glass domed buildings and the other half beneath the sea, hidden from the rest of the world.
I never thought I'd step foot in this part of the world, but desperate times require creative solutions.
Once our ship docks, a Hydran envoy greets and questions our being there. I don't blame them. Midorians and Hydrans haven't spoken in years, and there certainly hasn't been a Sand land visitor to their shores for longer than that. I express urgency in an audience with their queen, stating it being a life-or-death issue. Skeptical, they keep our ship guarded as a messenger takes our request before Queen Astrea. It's nearly late afternoon by the time the messenger returns with a granted petition to meet with her.
Vesper is beside herself, a caged animal pacing, until we begin our trek through the city to the palace.
The city is filled with rivers and canals and fountains. Anywhere you look, there's a water source. It's not surprising, but I'm taken aback by the city's beauty. Blues, greens, and purples. Glass domes and mosaic tile facades. Everything here is clean and bright, the sunlight hitting structures just right to create rainbows in the sky. Compared to the dry and barren sand lands, this is probably as close to heaven as one can find here in our realm. Not that I'm bound for heaven having made a deal with demons.
We cross a glass bridge and when I stare at the bottom, I make out glimpses of the underwater portion of the kingdom. It appears similar to the above ground architecture, except it's glowing in the deep sea. Sea Elves in their water form swim from building to building and if I wasn't on a mission, I would be tempted to stay and watch them. They're graceful in their movements, and their blue appearance – complete with gills and blue hair – have me hypnotized.
