Legends of Atlantis: Sae (ch. 3) by Acton Bell

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In the twenty-first year of the reign of Phorcys, Emperor of Atlantis, Typhaon, second born Twin-Heir of Atlantis, returned from the wars of Gihon and Eltikon.
(Typhaon's badge was the wyvern, for the gods had gifted him with the image of one on his birth. It was found on his left thigh. He was a fierce warrior and left death in his wake. He had killed his first man at ten years of age. He would be Warlord of Atlantis, but never Emperor, and he hated his elder twin Tiryn in his heart.)
A great victory feast was ordered for Typhaon and his men upon his return. The festivities continued for many days and nights, and the Emperor presented many gifts and granted many honors to his second son. Then began a series of private entertainments for the friends of Typhaon. These continued for one week more. The young men were witty, though none more than Typhaon, and the women were comely.
When his senses became heated by the wine and the company, Typhaon stepped into the garden. Now the gardens of the palace of Atlantis are a paradise. Every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; and every herb of the field that is good to eat, and every plant of the earth that is good to look upon is found in the gardens of Atlantis. And the Emperor and the sons of the Emperor walk there in the cool of the day.
The evening was calm and the scents of the garden intoxicating. Typhaon wandered where he willed, sipping from his goblet, and came at last to the pool of Cleito. (It is said that Poseidon brought forth the pool that his bride Cleito and her handmaidens might bathe in it for his pleasure. No one may step into it on punishment of death.)
A young woman rose from the pool of Cleito at the sound of Typhaon's step. She was beautiful to look upon. Her arms were white in the moonlight and her eyes were like golden jewels. The sheerest bit of silk veiled her charms.
A fierce hunger rose up in Typhaon. From that moment he desired her as he had never desired another.
He reached for her, but she ran. He captured only the bit of silk in his rough hand. He followed her deeper into the garden, but she ran like a gazelle, and his feet were clumsy with wine.
Typhaon returned to the pool and waited. She did not return. His companions found him there and laughed drunkenly as they said, "Are you waiting for Cleito and her maidens to return? Do you think to take one for a wife?"
Typhaon said nothing of what he had seen and returned to the palace in their company.
The image of the young girl was burned into Typhaon's mind. He could not eat nor sleep for thinking of her.
His most trusted servants were sent out daily to enquire after "a white limbed beauty with golden eyes." None could be found among the Emperor's ladies and
concubines. No Prince of Atlantis had added such a girl to his household. There were no servants such as she, and neither had any soldier brought a like girl into his rooms.
"Perhaps she was a vision," said his man servant, "sent by the gods as a reward for your victories."
"Visions do not wear silk," said Typhaon.