Jeanip returned to Minnos with Enok’s instructions on how to proceed with the protection of his children and the capture of JeffRa. As before, to conceal his arrival, he swam into the hidden cave, then entered the cottage through the secret underground passage. As he entered the kitchen, Misso was coming down the stairs carrying a tray of food she had taken up to Earon. Evonic was sitting at the table, anticipating his return.
“How is he?” Evonic asked.
“As best as one could expect,” Jeanip replied. “How is Europa doing?”
“She’s come a long way since you left. I thank the Guardian of the Waters she has a strong, healthy body. From what I can determine, her body was able to absorb the transfer, distribute the energy throughout her body and repair any damage the transfer caused. It’s almost as if she healed herself. I have found no damage to her organs and no indication of side effects. But, I will not know for sure until she awakens and I see how her body behaves.”
“She is still asleep?”
“Yes, I kept her sedated until you returned, as promised.”
“And Earon?”
“Earon has not left her side. He’s still trying to deal with the death of his mother, the truth his father is alive and the probability JeffRa is somewhere outside the fence plotting his and his sister’s death.”
“Evonic, if you would go tell Earon I am back and I need to see him right away. Remain with Europa until someone comes up to relieve you.”
Without saying a word, Evonic rose and ascended the stairs to Europa’s room. Several minutes later Earon descended and walked into the kitchen. Jeanip gestured for him to have a seat at the table. He asked Misso to give them privacy, and then sat down across from Earon.
“Did you see My Father?” Earon asked, his voice echoing the anger and resentment he was still feeling.
“Yes. He sends you his love and his deepest sorrow for the loss of your mother.”
“His sorrow? He sends his sorrow?” Earon screamed, jumping up, outraged that his “now living” father would have the audacity to send such a greeting. “And his love? If he loved us so much why did he lie to me, to her? I’m sure you’re going to tell me again he had good reason, but no reason in the universe is worth the pain and suffering his decision cost her. She would have outlived Europa by hundreds, no, thousands of years. After Europa died, she could have returned to the Complex and together they could have lived many years together. HE ROBBED HER OF THAT HAPPINESS!” Tears filling his eye and flowing down his cheeks, Earon slumped back into his chair, too emotionally drained to continue with his outburst, his heart still seething with rage and resentment. Almost as an after-thought, he softly said, “Perhaps if she had known Father was alive, she might have been more careful, might not have gone into town by herself.”
Jeanip looked directly at Earon. “Earon, look at me.” Jeanip waited until Earon raised his head to look at him. “We can ‘if’ and ‘perhaps’ ourselves into madness. We can’t undo the past. Be it right or wrong, it was a decision your father made as our leader for the benefit of someone he loved. As our leader, his decisions cannot be questioned. Believe me, Earon, you cannot begin to feel the regret or sorrow he does.” Jeanip saw the anger in Earon was not easing. “You must realize, Earon, it was JeffRa that ended your mother’s life, not your father’s decision. And, even though you do not want to admit this, Medaron’s sacrifice saved you and Europa. We never would have known JeffRa still lived and was so close to fulfilling his oath of revenge if she had not given her life to save yours and Europa’s.”
“I’m supposed to be glad she exposed him by dying?”
“No, Earon. There is no joy in Medaron’s ending. I am just trying to show you some good that came from it. JeffRa pledged to destroy any children your parents had, to bring down the house of Waters. Your mother sacrificed her life to stop both.” Jeanip could see his words brought Earon no comfort, no relief from his loss. “Your mother’s death is a great tragedy, one we can never totally recover from. And, if anyone deserves blame besides JeffRa, it is me. I was in charge of her protection. I failed at my duty. And that failure warrants only one outcome - that I be relieved of my commander’s status and my life be forfeited. But your father would not hear of it. Yes, life without Medaron will be almost unbearable, but we owe it to her to ensure you and your sister live a long life. While it would be easier to hide away in some dark corner consumed with grief and self-pity, the reality is we still have you and Europa to protect, an assignment I will not fail in.”
Earon looked at Jeanip, not surprised to hear Jeanip would have forfeited his life. He was a soldier, a loyal servant who loved Enok and Medaron. He had devoted his life to serving them, protecting them, doing their bidding. Earon had to remind himself his mother was Jeanip’s sister and what her death must have meant to him. A bit of the anger Earon had been feeling was replaced with love for this man who sat across from him, this pillar of strength who sacrificed everything he had for them, this soldier whose sole purpose was to ensure he and his sister were alive and remained so.
“Before Medaron died she asked that you two be moved to safety. To do that, Europa will need to be told more of the truth of who she is. And who YOU are. Enok wants you two taken to Saint’s Isle. I can no longer protect you here, but at Saint’s Isle I can be sure no harm will come to either of you. Once you are there, we can find JeffRa and any remaining Terrians and destroy them.”
“Saint’s Isle. I forgot about that place. I remember Mother talking about it when we first arrived here. She once told me after Father died,” Earon paused for a moment, realizing the falseness of his words. “She said, if anything ever happened to her, we should go there.”
“I remember.”
Earon took a deep breath and asked the question that had been plaguing his mind since Jeanip had left. “Jeanip, did my father mention the possibility of us returning to the Complex, of bringing Europa there for protection?”
“No, he did not because he knows that is impossible for two reasons. First, he is not ready for Europa to know all of the truth about her people and who she is, to completely undo the past twenty years. She will be told only those parts essential to her movement to Saint’s Isle. And second, since Europa was born human, she will never be able to have a life at the Complex. Even if, by some miracle, she was able to transform into a water creature, her lungs would never be able to breathe water instead of air.”
“What about the special pressurized capsule?” Earon asked, remembering his last journey up from the Complex. “Could she not be brought down like my mother and I were brought up?”
“She might be able to survive the trip in the transportation capsule, but it would be very dangerous. Human bodies do not do well under high water pressures. She would have to remain in a special pressurized, oxygenated air atmosphere isolated, as your mother was. A prolonged stay in such an environment would possibly cause her irreparable cell damage and bring on pressure psychosis. Enok is not willing to subject her to such a lonely life or take the chance the conditions could kill her. Even if there are still a few Terrians alive, her chances of survival here are still greater than down there.”
“I thought you would say that. It was a question I needed an answer to.”
“I understand,” Jeanip answered. “I know you would have enjoyed spending time with EeRee also. I know it was very hard to leave her behind.”
“Since Mother’s death I have been thinking a lot about EeRee and how short life can be. We would have been joined as life-mates by now, had I remained behind,” Earon said, remembering with sadness the day he had released the female he loved from her pledge to join with him and said his goodbyes.
“Earon, once Europa is safe on Saint’s Isle you can return to the Complex, if you would like,” Jeanip stated. “You will be safe there and I can watch over Europa. She will not need a canine guard dog on the island. Perhaps EeRee has not taken another.”
> Without hesitation, Earon answered, “No, Jeanip. My duty lies with protecting Europa, wherever she is. I promised Mother I would always be there to watch over her, and that is what I am going to do.”
“If that is your decision, Your Majesty,” Jeanip replied. “Your father did ask me to give you one other message. Since your sister may now need a brother more than a guard dog, Enok said it is your decision which form you wish to take once you’re at Saint’s Isle. If you want to be a brother to your sister, Enok has no objections to you transforming permanently to human form.”
“And how do we explain my sudden appearance?”
“Thought to be lost at sea with your father,” Jeanip replied, trying to think of a plausible explanation.
“She would never believe that,” Earon replied. “Unless I have been suffering from amnesia somewhere and just regained my memory.”
“Stranger things have happened,” Jeanip replied, as he rose from the table. “But for now, Europa needs Triton. I am going to have Evonic begin to wake her. When she awakens she will need to see her trusty guard dog, Triton, lying next to her on her bed. So, Your Highness, it is time for you to transform back into your protective role.”
Earon knew he was right. Without another word, he transformed back into the Rottweiler Europa would expect to see at her side. Trotting behind Jeanip, he climbed the stairs to Europa’s room.
“Evonic, it is time for Europa to wake,” Jeanip instructed Evonic upon entering Europa’s room. Earon, now Triton, hopped onto the bed and laid by his sister’s side.
“How do you want this done?” Evonic asked. “I can remove the IV and let her wake up naturally, or I can give her an injection to bring her around in a few minutes.”
“How long will it take if we let her wake up naturally?”
“Probably about an hour or two.”
“How long with the injection? And is there any danger waking her that way?”
“It shouldn’t take more than five or six minutes. Either way is safe. It just depends on how soon you want her to wake up.”
“I believe it would be best to waken her sooner than later. I don’t want to take the chance of her waking up and me not being present. Give her the injection.”
Evonic detached the IV lines from Europa’s arm, then injected her with the serum to awaken her. After several minutes her eye lids began to flutter as she neared consciousness.
“Europa, can you hear me? It’s Evonic. Can you open your eyes? Can you wake up for me?”
Europa slowly opened her eyes. She tried to focus on the blurred silhouettes around her room. She could feel Triton next to her arm. “Where am I?” she asked, still groggy from the medications. She blinked her eyes, trying to get them to focus.
“You’re in your bedroom, Europa.” Jeanip answered. “We need for you to wake up. Can you do that?”
“I cannot see,” she whispered.
“Your vision will clear in a few minutes,” Evonic answered. “Here, take a sip of water.” Evonic held a glass of water up to her lips and she took several sips of water. “Just lay there for a few minutes until you get orientated. Then we’ll help you sit up.”
Triton gently nudged her arm. With effort, Europa lifted her arm and laid it on Triton’s back, too weak yet to pet her companion. “Triton” she said, smiling to know her faithful friend was at her side.
After ten minutes, Jeanip and Evonic assisted Europa into a sitting position, stuffing numerous pillows behind her back for support. Her eyes now able to focus, she could make out the faces of Jeanip, Evonic and Misso, who stood by the hallway door.
“Misso, if you would be so kind as to bring Europa some soup and perhaps a cup of tea,” Evonic said. Misso immediately turned and headed to the kitchen to prepare her mistress’s light lunch.
“What happened?” Europa asked. “I feel like I have been asleep forever.” Suddenly, she realized there was someone not in the room, someone who should have been. “Where is my mother?” Panic began to fill her as her memory began to return to the scenario at the bend in the road. “Jeanip,” she screamed, grabbing Jeanip’s hand and looking directly into his eyes. “Where is my mother? Where is Medaron?” Tears began to fill her eyes and flow down her cheeks.
Not letting go of her hand, Jeanip sat down beside her. “Europa, there is no easy way to tell you this. Your mother was in an accident several days ago . . .”
“Do not say she is dead!” Europa begged.
“Your mother used your truck and went into town alone. On her way back, that deer that’s been hanging around evidently stepped onto the road in front of the truck. When your mother tried to miss hitting it she lost control of your truck. It flipped several times and she was thrown from the cab just before it plunged over the bluff. I arrived minutes after it happened, but her injuries were severe. She died shortly after my arrival.”
Triton jerked his head up, staring at Jeanip. He knew Jeanip was lying about the events of that tragic day. Their mother had been alive when Europa arrived. What was Jeanip going to do if Europa remembered talking to their mother?
Europa’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Mother is gone?”
“Yes, Europa.”
Just as her vision had cleared, so did the fogginess in her mind. She began to remember clearly the events of that day. “I remember being with Terrance and feeling something was wrong. I took his car and came back here. But then I saw you in the road.” Then she stopped, turned and looked directly into Jeanip’s face. “No, Jeanip, Mother was alive when I arrived. I talked to her.”
Giving her the most honest look he could summon, Jeanip replied, “No Europa, she wasn’t. She had already died in my arms.”
“No, “she insisted. “She took my hand. I remember seeing a bright light and feeling like I was being pricked by thousands of pins. And she said some strange words. I REMEMBER.” She peered into Jeanip’s face, pleading with her eyes for him to tell her she was correct.
“Europa, the sight of your mother’s condition sent you into shock. You passed out and fell, hitting your head on the pavement. You suffered a severe concussion. What you remember did not happen.”
“But I remember the touch of her hand” Europa pleaded, still sensing the touch of her hand in her mother’s.
Jeanip looked at Evonic for assistance. “Europa,” Evonic said. “It is not uncommon for people, who have had concussions, to remember events that did not happen. The mind creates scenarios that are false. Your mother’s injuries were extensive. She only lived a few minutes.”
“No, it cannot be,” Europa sobbed. “She cannot be dead.” Waves of uncontrollable grief surged over her. Her body shook as she realized her mother was gone. Jeanip pulled her into his arms and held her, holding back his own tears.
“Jeanip, I’ll be downstairs if you need me,” Evonic quietly whispered, as he left the room to give Europa some privacy.
After ten minutes Europa was able to quiet down her sobs, stop her body from shaking. “I want to see her body,” she softly said.
Jeanip took a deep breath. Telling Europa her mother was dead was painful enough. He now had to lie to her again and tell her that her mother had already been buried.
“Europa, your mother’s accident happened five days ago. You’ve been unconscious that long. Your mother was laid to rest beside your father four days ago.”
Jeanip heard Europa’s crying subside while her body began to stiffen. With all the strength she could find, she pushed Jeanip away from her. “Already buried?” What do you mean already buried?” Anger filled her eyes. “You already had a funeral without me being present, without giving me a chance to say goodbye? How dare you bury my mother without me! How dare you take it upon yourself to make such a decision!”
“Europa, we did what we felt was necessary. We had no way of knowing how long you would remain unconscious.”
“You had no right.??
?
“Europa, I . . .”
“GET OUT!” she screamed. “GET OUT OF MY ROOM.”
Jeanip stood up and, without a word, left the room. He closed the door behind him, hearing Europa sobbing into her pillow.
Emotionally exhausted, Europa soon fell asleep with Triton curled up along her side. Once he was certain she was sound asleep, Triton silently slipped out of her room and went downstairs. As he entered the kitchen, he saw Jeanip sitting at the table with a fresh cup of coffee, his head hung low in despair. He didn’t even look up when Triton trotted past him and went into the bathroom. The canine transformed back into Earon and slipped on the robe he now kept behind the door.
“That did not go very well,” he softly said, as he sat down in the chair across the table from Jeanip.
“I broke that child’s heart” Jeanip wearily said. He turned to face Earon. Earon thought Jeanip looked even more tired, more mentally and emotionally drained, more vulnerable than he did the day Medaron died. Earon knew that was the worst day of Jeanip’s life. Was it possible this day was even worse for this dedicated soldier? “She will hate me to the day she dies for not allowing her to see her mother before she was buried. How do I tell her the truth? How do I tell her Medaron’s body is not in that fake grave out there, that her mother was a beautiful creature of the water and now is part of the ocean? It would be so much easier if she knew the truth of who she really is, who her mother was. And who you are.”
“Then tell her. We can tell her together and see what happens. It cannot be worse than the situation we have now. She certainly cannot hate you anymore than she currently does.”
“That is not our decision to make. Medaron left specific orders of what was to transpire if she passed. Your father reconfirmed those orders just yesterday, plus added a few more. As Enok’s commander, I am obliged to carry out those orders.”
For the first time in his life, Earon felt sorry for Jeanip. He knew no one was more loyal than Jeanip and he had laid down his life numerous times to save the family and keep them safe. And, for all of this, his reward was that Europa hated him. No, hate was too mild a word. Europa loathed him with every fiber of her being because he was bound by a vow to their parents to keep the truth hidden from her. Jeanip might be right – Europa might NEVER forgive him.
“Jeanip, she just received the news her mother is dead. On top of that, her mother has already been buried and she will never see her again. Give her time to absorb everything she has just learned.” Earon paused for a moment, then continued. “I know Europa loves you dearly. She just needs time to remember that. You are the only father figure she has ever known, the dominant male figure in her life since she was born. She will not hate you forever, even if it feels like she will. One day she WILL realize you did what you had to do.” He worried about Jeanip and wondered how his father thought he could bear all of this sorrow. He knew he could not.
“Things will get even worse if she wakes up to discover Triton is not lying by her side,” Jeanip commented. Following his protector’s advice, Earon transformed into Triton and trotted up the stairs. He knew his words had brought some comfort to Jeanip, but he also knew Jeanip was too much a soldier, too disciplined to acknowledge that comfort.
____________
Misso softly knocked on Europa’s door before entering. She carried a tray into the room of vegetable soup, a cup of sweet tea and two shortbread cookies, the ones Europa loved. Not knowing if Europa was awake, and not wanting to wake her if she was still asleep, Misso silently walked over to the night stand next to the bed and placed the tray quietly upon it.
“I am not hungry, Misso,” a faint voice said. “Please take it away.”
“I understand, Your Majesty, but you should try to eat a little something. You need to get your strength back,” Misso replied, hoping Europa would have a bite of something. “I brought you your favorite cookies”.
“Thanks, Misso,” Europa answered. “And until I tell you differently, I will take all my meals here. Tell Jeanip I will not come down as long as he is in this house.”
“Yes, Miss,” Misso said, as she left the room. She too felt sorry for her commander. He was only doing as commanded, and for that he was being shunned by the person he loved the most.
Triton looked up at Europa and gave a low growl. “What, you do not agree with my decision? Are you taking his side? He had no right to bury Mother without my knowledge. I never want to see his face again.”
Triton laid his head on the bed. “That’s going to be hard to do once we get to Saint’s Isle,” Triton thought. “Jeanip’s face will be about the ONLY one you will see.”
“But Misso is right, I need to get my strength back,” Europa said to Triton. “If I am going to leave next week and get away from this place, I need to be able to walk out on my own two feet.”
“College?” thought Triton. “Wait until Jeanip tells you your college trip is cancelled indefinitely.”
Swinging her feet over the side of the bed, Europa reached for the tea and drank half the cup. She devoured the soup, suddenly realizing how hungry she was. She washed the two shortbread cookies down with the remainder of the tea, wishing Misso had brought more cookies. Holding onto the night stand, and then the dresser, she took a few steps around the room. Her legs were weak, but they were supporting her. Holding onto the furniture, she managed to shuffle her way to the bathroom. She longed for a shower but was afraid she was too weak to be able to stand up for one. She washed up the best she could, combed her hair and brushed her teeth. After changing into new pajamas, she crawled back into the bed, exhausted. Within minutes, she was sound asleep, Triton curled up along her side.
THE SECRET ROOM