Page 5 of Dark Shaman: Eternal Hope
"Well done." Eluheed treaded water easily while Tony panted from the exertion.
"You let me win," Tony accused, but he was grinning.
"I paced myself because I'm careful, but you are a stronger swimmer."
From the shore, they heard the sound of clapping. The ladies had been watching, and Tula waved at Tony with a big, proud smile on her face. Tamira was clapping too, her eyes finding Eluheed's across the water, and in that look was everything they couldn't say aloud—pride, love, and understanding.
He and Tony swam back leisurely, reaching the shallows just as servants appeared as if by magic and started setting up refreshments under one of the large umbrellas.
"Lord Navuh thinks of everything," Areana said as they gathered under the shade.
It had been more likely the head butler's initiative, but Eluheed kept that to himself. If she wanted to believe that her mate was that considerate, who was he to shatter that illusion?
He took a cold bottle of water and drank deeply while watching Tamira dry her hair with a towel. Water droplets still clung to her skin, catching the sunlight like tiny diamonds. He wanted to trace each one with his fingers, to taste the salt on her lips, to hold her against him and feel her heartbeat match his own, but those were dangerous thoughts to have while wearing swim trunks.
He sat on the sand at what would be considered a respectful distance but was meant to give him a moment to get a grip.
"Here." Tony handed him a wrapped sandwich. "These are really good." He sat down beside him.
"Thank you." Eluheed unwrapped the offering and bit into it, not really tasting anything.
"This is wonderful." Liliat stretched out on her towel. "I'd forgotten what it felt like to simply be in the sun."
"We should do this more often," Sarah said. "I don't know why we had to wait so long to enjoy the beach when we live on a tropical island. It makes no sense."
In Eluheed's experience, searching for sense in the world was as futile an endeavor as searching for fairness, and that was true not only for Earth. His home had been no different.
"I intend to speak with Lord Navuh about this," Areana said. "Perhaps we could have regular beach visits even after we return to the harem."
"Do you think he'd allow it?" Raviki asked hopefully.
"I don't know," Areana admitted. "But perhaps now that he has seen that the sky didn't fall because we were allowed into his house, traveled daily between the harem grounds and the mansion, and have even been shopping, he might be more amenable to the request."
"I can't think about being locked up in the harem again," Liliat said. "I mean, I don't mind living there. I actually like it, but it would be nice to be allowed out now and again. It would be wonderful if we could have beach excursions once or twice a week."
Tula laughed. "Are you out of your mind? It took Lady Areana weeks to arrange this one beach visit for us. Do you really think the lord would allow us to come here twice a week?"
"Not when the tourists are back," Areana said. "That's for sure. And frankly, I don't want to be out here when they are on the island."
Everyone went quiet after that.
"Maybe there are other beaches?" Sarah suggested hopefully. "It doesn't have to be a nice one like this, but if there is a piece of sand somewhere secluded, maybe we could have it to ourselves."
"I'll ask," Areana said, but she didn't sound hopeful.
The mention of a secluded beach evoked in Eluheed's mind the image of Navuh's secret submarine pen. Somewhere between the mansion and the harem was a hidden tunnel leading to an escape route, and he was determined to find it.
Navuh's secret had been revealed in a vision, but Eluheed had no reason to doubt its existence. It was true that visions could sometimes speak in hints and allegories and could not always be taken literally, but he knew the difference, and the submarine was real.
Perhaps the universe would take mercy on him and reveal more details in subsequent visions, such as the location of the tunnel's entrance and the means to access it without being discovered.
"We should swim again before we have to leave." Tula rose to her feet and walked over to Tony, offering him a hand up. "Who knows when we'll have another opportunity?"
As the others rushed into the water, Eluheed remained seated, and he wasn't alone. Areana and Tamira didn't join the others either.
"The rebellion was traumatic for everyone," Areana said quietly. "Surviving it has given us all a new appreciation for life's simple pleasures." She rose gracefully, brushing sand from her cover-up. "I'm going to join the others. You should, too, Tamira. The water is wonderful, and we don't know when we will get to enjoy it again."
Eluheed stood, walked over to Tamira, and offered her a hand up. "Lady Areana is right. We should take advantage of every moment we are allowed out here."
