Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
Jaron emerged from the swirling portal, one hand clutching Keegan's and one the amulet around his neck, which he'd received from Altair before they'd stolen away. His dragon instincts felt uneasy about the sudden plunge into an unfamiliar environment, but the sight before him stole his breath away.
Aquavaris unfolded in shimmering luminescence, an underwater city bathed in gentle light from the bioluminescent dome overhead. Schools of vibrant fish swam lazily above the dome, their scales reflecting the glow in myriad colors. Elegant structures of coral and glass rose from the ocean floor, interconnected by streets that seemed to flow like rivers.
Keegan stepped through the portal behind him, taking in his surroundings.
Jaron smiled at him. "Ready to explore?"
"I've never seen anything like this," Keegan admitted. "It's like something out of a dream."
Jaron laughed. "Glad you like it. I wanted to find a place where we could both feel safe. This seemed perfect because the sun doesn't reach down here."
Keegan looked up as if that thought hadn't occurred to him.
In fact, the only light illuminating the city came from the dome. There was no sun to be seen.
"I wonder why this isn't a hotspot for vampire tourism," Jaron mused.
"Most vampires don't tend to travel much," Keegan explained. "I shouldn't have left my territory either, without permission from my lord."
"You mean Altair?"
"Yes. It can reflect badly on us if the local covens think we're intruding."
"Sounds stifling," Jaron said. The portal had spat them out near a market area, and Jaron tugged on Keegan's hand to lead him toward it.
The stalls displayed a variety of underwater treasures: glowing shells, crunchy seaweed delicacies, and exotic marine life preserved in crystal-clear spheres.
Most of the vendors were water dragon-shifters, but Jaron spotted a few sirens as well. Keegan and he stuck out among the market-goers, but no one seemed to pay them much attention, which was just as well.
Their fingers intertwined as if they were an ordinary couple, taking in the sights and sounds of Aquavaris.
If only that were true…
Jaron willed himself to believe that it was as he marveled at the colorful coral sculptures around him and the shimmering scales of the fish that swam overhead. It was like stepping into a dream, a world so different from their own. It helped him forget the troubles he was trying to leave behind.
"Look at that," Jaron said, pointing to a stall selling glowing seashells.
Keegan picked up one of the shells, turning it over in his hands. "I wonder how they make them glow like that."
"Magic, probably," Jaron said with a grin. "Everything here seems magical."
They continued on, stopping to sample some of the local delicacies. Jaron wasn't sure what half of the things were, but he was willing to try anything once while Keegan watched him curiously, unable to eat himself.
Jaron ate something that looked vaguely like a lemon but tasted like watermelon. Then he turned around and kissed Keegan, shoving his tongue into the vampire's mouth.
"Got a good taste?" he asked with a grin.
"Not bad," Keegan said with a smile. "But I might need another taste to be sure."
Jaron laughed and walked on. "Next I'll find something disgusting for you to taste."
"You'd have to eat it first," Keegan pointed out.
Jaron flashed his mate another grin. "That's a sacrifice I'm willing to make."
Keegan shook his head as if this was all very hard to deal with for him, but Jaron knew better. In truth, his vampire was more relaxed than Jaron had ever known him to be, his shoulders loose and his face free of the worry lines that usually creased his brow. It was a good look on him.
"What are you staring at?" Keegan asked, catching Jaron's gaze.
Jaron shrugged, a smile tugging at his lips. "Just admiring the view."
"Is that so?" Keegan pulled Jaron closer. "Maybe it's time we checked into our hotel."
"Wait," Jaron said. "I want to do one more thing." He pointed to a stall up ahead where an artist was painting pictures of people.
"You want a painting?"
"Well, we can't take a picture, can we?" Vampires didn't show up in photographs, after all.
Jaron led Keegan to the artist's stall. "Excuse me," he called out to the artist, a mermaid with shimmering green and blue scales. "We'd like a painting."
The mermaid smiled warmly. "Of course, please have a seat." She gestured to a pair of chairs set up in front of her easel.
Jaron and Keegan settled into the chairs, their hands still intertwined. The artist studied them for a moment, her eyes flicking between their faces. "Such an interesting couple," she mused as she began to mix her paints.
Jaron chuckled. "You have no idea."
As the artist painted, Jaron stole glances at Keegan. The vampire had to put some work into keeping his smile in place now, but he did it for the sake of their portrait.
Jaron squeezed his hand silently. Maybe he shouldn't have reminded him that this vacation would end eventually, but he did want this painting.
At least it didn't take the artist long to complete her work. She probably used some sort of magic to speed up the process. After only a few moments, she stepped back from her easel. "All done," she announced with a flourish.
Jaron and Keegan stood up and moved to see the painting. It was stunning—a perfect capture of them in vibrant colors, leaning toward each other.
"It's beautiful," Jaron said.
Keegan nodded in agreement, but he didn't say anything, almost as if he didn't have the words.
Jaron pulled out his credit card and went to pay the artist, but Keegan stopped him with a hand on his arm. "Let me cover this one."
Keegan paid before Jaron could protest that this had been his idea.
The mermaid thanked Keegan and handed him the painting carefully wrapped in protective paper. "Enjoy your stay in Aquavaris."
"We will," Jaron promised as they walked away from the stall. Whatever came next, he would always treasure this painting and the moment it had been created.