My Atlantean

He gave her a light squeeze. "Are you alright?"

"Uh, yes, I believe so."

"You nearly feinted."

"Yep," she chirped nervously. "But I think I'm okay now. Thanks."
Kadeon took the hint. He released her but didn't return to his previous position. Instead, he sat alongside her with his legs stretched next to her own. Much to her embarrassment, she had a difficult time keeping her eyes on his face.

After a few moments, she said, "Okay, I'll bite. What are you?"

"I am a member of a different species. The ocean is our home."

Shauna shook her head and chuckled. "Yeah, sure. So you're-what-an Atlantean?"

"That is one of the names your people have for us."

"You can't possibly expect me to believe that."

Kadeon cocked his head thoughtfully. "Why not? You saw my gills. Have you ever met anyone with gills before?"

"Not that I wasn't about to eat." Shauna winced as soon as the words left her lips. She was normally a very sensitive, empathetic person, but there was no way this man was some mythical ocean-dwelling being. Still . . . "Sorry about that."

Kadeon shrugged. "I would think you more than anyone would believe my words. Are you not an expert in Ancient Myth and Lore?"

He was correct. Shauna was an expert in the often scoffed field. She taught classes at a university and had given lectures at many institutions of higher learning around the world.

"Well, yes, but how do you know that?"

"I saw a lecture you gave on Atlanteans in the spring at your university. It was very informative. You even got many things right about us."

Shauna smirked at his last statement, but she did remember the event. She'd spoken to a crowd of maybe one hundred; a veritable Woodstock for someone in her field. The focus of her lecture had been the accuracy of Plato's account. Where she had agreed with him on many points, she'd been adamant in her disagreement that the utopian civilization had ever been an invading force.

"So, you're a member of an ancient species that lives in the ocean, right?" Shauna tried but couldn't keep the humor from her voice. "Yet you saw one of my lectures . . . on land?"

If her mocking tone irritated Kadeon, he offered no indication. "Yes."

Shauna smirked. "'Yes.' That's all you have to say?"

Kadeon thought for a moment then nodded resolutely. "Yes."

"And just how is that possible? I seriously doubt a man of your stature, dressed in nothing more than a loin cloth, would go unnoticed," she huffed.

Kadeon shook his head, obviously frustrated by Shauna's continuing doubt, and stood. But somewhere between pushing himself up and reaching his full height, his thin wrap was replaced by a dark, stylishly cut three-piece suit and cream-colored shirt; the first three buttons of the shirt were undone, rakishly exposing a wedge of smooth, well-defined chest.

Shauna managed a cry of surprise before the air left her lungs. She felt her eyes bulge, painfully, as if trying to flee the impossibility they'd just witnessed. With a conscious effort, she squeezed them shut and shook her head briskly thinking, Oh, no. No, no. Unh-unh, absolutely not. Then, with greater effort, she blinked them open, but nothing had changed. Kadeon still towered over her, dressed to the nines, a sexy, devilishly handsome creature that looked as though he'd been plucked from a page of GQ magazine.

With a huff he rolled his eyes and-just like that-was once again wearing the thin wrap, though, as before, Shauna couldn't recall seeing the transformation. "Please," he intoned, "calm yourself."

Shauna realized she was back-pedaling her feet, apparently trying to push her way through the wall at her back. She stopped and winced as pain flooded her raw heels. "Are you serious? You just magically changed clothes and I'm supposed to calm myself?"

"I really think someone with your education and chosen field should have an easier time with this."

"Well excuse the fuck out of me, buddy! It's not every day a gal gets to meet someone from a different species." She let out a ragged breath as she squeezed her temples. "Or, I've gone crazy, which," she laughed a bit hysterically, "would be my luck."

Instead of responding to her statement about going crazy, Kadeon fixed her with a stare that left the hairs at the nape of her neck standing on end. Before she could reconsider her action, she peered deep into his intense green eyes and gasped at what she saw:

. . . thousands of people milling about an enormous, sea-side city hewn from the finest marble. Men, women and children, all of them vibrant and beautiful, dressed in wraps like Kadeon, the only difference being the females wore similar material around their chests. There were shops and open air markets; places where people congregated for dining; temples and an immense palace and plaza in the center of the city. Merry conversation and the heart-warming laughter of children drifted through the streets . . .

A lone tear trailed from Shauna's eye when Kadeon broke their gaze. She inhaled a mouthful of air, unaware she'd been holding her breath. "My God," she whispered. "It's true."

Kadeon's full lips curled into a smile. "You doubted me?"

"I'd always hoped such a thing was possible, but over the years I got older, wiser-or so I thought-and started looking at my field from a purely academic perspective." She shrugged. "I guess I stopped believing."

"Ah, but not completely."

Shauna nodded. "I suppose not." Her brow bunched. "So how is your English so good? It can't be your native tongue."

"No, it is not. But we have been around humans long enough to master many languages."

"So you have lived among us?"

"Yes, many, many centuries ago. It was before my time, but my people share collective memories, so I am well-versed in the history."

Kadeon paused and looked at her gravely, raising an index finger for emphasis. "And there is one point your academics have always gotten wrong: we were born of the ocean, not land."

Shauna wanted to ask a million questions after that declaration, but held her tongue and nodded like an attentive student as Kadeon continued.

"My people co-existed with various nascent cultures around the world. With open hearts and pure intentions, they shared their knowledge of engineering, agriculture and metallurgy. They taught the budding humans how to construct sturdier homes; effective methods to plant and harvest their crops; how to craft tools out of bronze."

"You-" Shauna interrupted, her eyes wide and full of disbelief. "Are you telling me your people introduced the Bronze Age?"

Kadeon curtly responded, "In one part of the world, yes. May I go on?"

Shauna blushed. "Sorry." She made a motion to zip her lips and throw away the key.

"As I was saying, my people helped craft more useful, stronger tools-out of bronze," he added for effect. "Their only motivation was a sincere desire to help the people move beyond their struggle for the basic necessities to survive. With those things taken care of, the hope was that they would evolve more quickly into a civilized society." He shook his head. "But it did not take long for them to start using the tools as weapons to fight and kill one another, as they had always done, I suppose. Of course my people could not abide this and, when they refused to help them further, many turned against them."

Kadeon's jaw muscles clenched and released rhythmically. "The king decreed that all subjects were to leave the land. Many wanted to stay and fight, but he forbade it. So they returned to the ocean, never to live among humans again."

Shauna sat quietly, staring intently at Kadeon while he struggled to maintain control of his emotions. She'd never felt so conflicted in her life. She'd seen something wonderful and magical when she'd gazed into his beautiful, timeless eyes. Yet still a part of her couldn't help but refuse to believe the truth of his words; couldn't comprehend that the stories she'd fallen in love with as a child had been at least partially true. But, she reasoned, wasn't most myth and legend based on some modicum of truth?

Kadeon turned and began pacing about the cave. His sculptured body seemed to have grown larger, more powerful. Shauna felt sorry for him as he was obviously distressed by what he'd told her. She also felt an undeniable attraction to him. He was the embodiment of physical perfection and-she couldn't deny-radiating a raw sexual energy that was pounding against her senses like a battering ram.

Suddenly aware of her aching breasts and moist sex, Shauna blurted out questions in an effort to re-direct her thoughts. "So, um, how old is your race? And how old are you for that matter? And how is your English so good-?"

Kadeon stopped pacing and faced her, ending her line of questions with a dark scowl. His mouth opened but no words escaped his lips. After a few calming moments he let out a ragged breath; his bunched shoulders visibly relaxed. "I am sorry. Please forgive me. My anger is not directed at you," he reassured.

Obviously embarrassed that he'd let his emotions get the better of him, Kadeon nervously raked long fingers through his hair. With a slight blush to his angular cheeks, he flashed a sheepish grin. The effect of that simple expression was palpable. Shauna barely stifled a shudder when delicious flashes of heat danced lightly along her bare skin.

Je-sus. No man should look that sexy while doing so little.

His emotions once again under control, Kadeon said, "I will answer all of your questions to the best of my ability. But allow me to continue."

Shauna offered a nod of encouragement.

"Many of my people had a difficult time not being around humans. They missed them, I suppose, and found them worthy despite their obvious short comings." He paused, searching for the right words. "They had seen humans at their worst, but also at their best: kind and caring; brave, noble and true; full of passion and unlimited potential. Some began walking among them for short periods. The penalty for such action was very harsh but, over time, the king softened a bit and turned a blind eye so long as the curious ones were careful.

"Now, to answer your questions." He frowned. "Ah, yes, my fluency in English. Well, it is one of the languages studied in school, though we are only required to achieve the most rudimentary skills. But I found it fascinating with its complexities and nuances and wanted to learn more. My teacher, a kindly elder with a gentle heart and sharp mind, appreciated my interest in advanced study and provided a great deal of additional instruction. As for the age of our race-" Kadeon flashed a mischievous grin, "ancient." He started to turn away then stopped. "And I am a little over two thousand years old."

Shauna chuckled at the obvious joke. When Kadeon offered no indication that he was teasing her or being deceptive, she put her head in her hands and moaned miserably.

"I know it is a lot to take in."

"You think? I mean-Jesus. I nearly drown, wake up here," she wildly indicated the cave, "and find out that you, Kadeon, exist. You're real, not just some fairy tale. But you can't be real, right? You're just a dream and I'm going to wake up soon with an awful hangover, faced with nothing more extraordinary than cleaning and laundry and preparing for next week's lectures."

Kadeon moved towards her; his powerful legs flexed with each step. She tried not to stare at them, or wonder what it would feel like to run her hands up and down the long, smooth muscles. Really, she did.

She winced when her nipples stiffened, then silently cursed her body's response: Traitor.

Kadeon offered his hand. "Come."

Shauna fixed her eyes on his hand, noticing for the first time the delicate webbing between his fingers; a quick glance confirmed similar skin between his toes. Then, with a nod, she allowed him to help her up. His hand was big, completely engulfing hers, and very warm. "Whoa," she breathed as heat, sensual and tantalizing, seeped into her. It worked its way up her arm and down across the rest of her body like liquid silk. She felt a release of cream between her legs.

O-K. Well, that was odd. I wonder what the hell-

Her pussy spasmed.

Oh, sweet Jesus.

Kadeon tightened his grip and cupped her elbow with his other hand, but made no move to steady her with any other part of his body. "I am sorry."

"For-for what?" Shauna still felt the sexy heat, but her head seemed clearer.

"You are feeling the effects of my zah'jani."

"Huh?"

"Certain males of my species emit an attractant. It is transmitted through touch and causes an intense chemical reaction in the recipient."

"Again, huh?"

"What you felt-what you are feeling-is akin to a large release of pheromones. Meant to attract females, or at least make them more amenable to my taking them. This innate ability, plus my physical traits and favorable genetics, is why I was chosen to be a breeder amongst my people."

Shauna swayed again, but only for a moment. "What the hell are you talking about? And did you say you're a breeder?"

Kadeon nodded. "Almost one hundred years ago our population diminished to the point that our very existence was threatened. We had unknowingly fallen victim to rare water-borne bacteria, of all things, though our kind rarely died from anything short of extreme physical harm. Many were lost before we discovered what was causing the sickness and relocated to another part of the world. Our leaders enacted a plan to repopulate via an aggressive breeding program." He shrugged nonchalantly. "I was one of those chosen."

Shauna couldn't help but ask, "So, what's that like?"

"Being a breeder?"

"Yes."

Kadeon appeared uncomfortable with her question, but he answered. "It is simply something necessary; the most logical way to ensure our survival. Eventually, when our numbers are high enough, the program will end."

The thought of all those females who'd had the opportunity to lie beneath this breathtaking male intensified the heat still affecting her body. To her embarrassment, and confusion, she also felt a twinge of jealousy.

Kadeon added, "I am also an academic." He nodded thoughtfully. "I suppose I may become a teacher when I am no longer needed as a breeder."

"You mentioned one of your teachers and being in school, but you have actual classrooms, with a system of instruction?"

"Of course," he huffed. "We all must learn mathematics, science, history, literature, philosophy. We are not animals."

"No, no, I wasn't implying that." Great, let's offend the gorgeous hunk who rescued you.

"Come," Kadeon said, still holding her hand. "I want to show you something."

She allowed him to lead her through the cleft in the wall. He had to turn sideways to fit, as she'd imagined he would. They stepped into a dark tunnel that looked much like the cave, including the same odd green lights embedded in the walls and ceiling.

"What are those lights?"

Kadeon guided her to one of the walls. As they neared, the lights flared with brilliance. "They are gems. We call them biostra which simply means life. They are the nexus of our existence. They selflessly give their energy to us and we return it in various ways; through physical exertion, mostly, like swimming, manual labor, sex. Over the centuries, we have lived in all the oceans of Earth. And whenever we moved from one to another, we have always been drawn to an area with a high concentration of the gems."

"Oh, like the Heart of Atlantis crystal."

Kadeon tilted his head.

"It's from a Disney movie," Shauna explained. "The Heart of Atlantis was a crystal that gave the Atlanteans their power and longer lives." She chuckled at her presumption. "Movies are-"

"I know what movies are, though I have never seen one. But, yes, I would say the biostra are similar to this crystal." Kadeon raised his eyebrows. "Hmm, interesting."

"But what if you lived somewhere without them?"

"I do not know. We have never tried it, to be honest."

"But what about when your people lived on land?"

"They used the gems for decoration in most everything they built, particularly the temples and palace."

Kadeon gently pulled her away from the wall. "But whenever I walk amongst your kind for extended periods, or anytime I venture far from my home, I feel as though a part of me begins to slip away."

"How so?"

"The strength in my body starts to leave me. My mind grows dull. My appetite plummets. My sexual drive drops."
What a shame. "So it's like you get depressed or something?"

Kadeon nodded thoughtfully. "In a way, yes. I do not lose my will to live; nothing that dramatic. It is more like I do not care as much about the things which are important to me. Things which give me purpose . . . and pleasure."

Shauna's heart quickened at the way Kadeon purred pleasure. She looked down and saw his erection had returned with a vengeance. Then again she couldn't deny her dripping sex or the way her nipples ached to be touched.

"Kadeon, what happened to my clothes? My bikini and the cover-up I was wearing?"

"What is that?" His tone was neutral, but Shauna noticed his face redden a bit when she'd asked the questions.

"My clothes, Kadeon. What I was wearing when I fell into the water."

"Hmm. I do not recall you wearing anything when I reached you." He pursed his lips and shook his head.

"Uh-huh."

Kadeon cleared his throat, "Ah, here we are."

Shauna grinned at the obvious relief in his voice. Naughty Atlantean.

At the end of the tunnel, he nodded toward a pool of water approximately fifteen feet in diameter. "This is where we entered the cave system."

Trembling, Shauna stopped. Unbidden memories flooded her mind as she stared at the dark pool: salt water burning her eyes, filling her lungs; her vision going from dim to black; a searing cold.

Kadeon turned to her. He frowned before his face softened. He moved a little to the side, blocking her view of the water. Then, gently, he placed his hands on her shoulders with a tenderness that moved her despite her escalating panic, and kissed her.

Shauna went rigid but didn't pull away. After a brief moment her body relaxed by degrees, as though coils of tension were being unwound from her one strand at a time. She opened her mouth and accepted Kadeon's probing tongue, melted as it brushed against her own in delicious tiny licks. She leaned into him and gasped when his shaft pressed against her belly. She laid her arms across his shoulders and twined her fingers through his long, thick hair as he moved his hands to her hips and pulled her more firmly against him.

She whimpered when he broke their kiss; her eyelids fluttered before opening fully. He was staring at her, worry still etched across his handsome face. She matched his gaze for a moment then looked away when she saw something else flash within the brilliant green pools of his eyes. She swallowed nervously when she felt his hot, thick flesh pulse against her belly.

"Better?" he breathed.

Oh, yes. Much better. "Yes, thank you. I'm okay. It's just"-Shauna started to look past him towards the water, then thought better of it-"the water. It all came back to me."

Until his lips saved her again.

"Do not worry, tahshani. You are safe with me."

"But I'll have to get back in the water eventually." Vivid dream or not, the thought of dipping so much as one toe into the inky surface made her blood run cold. "Wait, what did you call me?"

"I called you tahshani. It is a term of affection that means beautiful."

Her face suddenly warm, she started to turn away. But before she could, Kadeon cupped her chin with his thumb and forefinger. She stared into his mesmerizing eyes and contemplated how easy it would be to get lost in them.