Warriors of Poseidon 01 - Atlantis Rising

one day to regain. But if it is not so, then you are correct. I am merely a dead man imitating the actions of the living."
     
    The utter absence of feeling behind the words, which should have been screamed in agony and sorrow, underscored what he'd told her.
     
    Impulsively, she placed a hand on his arm. "I don't understand much about this aknasha business. But if anything about this ability I have—well, if in any way I can figure out how to use it to help you, I promise to do my best."
     
    Behind her, Conlan inhaled sharply, and she turned to him, ready to argue. But the look in his eyes had nothing to do with possession, and everything to do with awe. "You honor us, Riley. We bring vampires to your home, abduct you in the middle of the night, and treat you like a prisoner, and yet you have the grace to offer your help to my warrior brother."
     
    She blushed and rolled her eyes. "It's not that big a deal. I just—"
     
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    "You just offered your help, again, after you may well have saved my life last night.
    Believe me, it is a very big deal."
     
    Brennan bowed deeply to her. "And to me, a great honor indeed that you would offer."
     
    Before she could think of a reply, she heard the sound of a throat clearing behind her.
    She turned back toward the room, and the man she'd seen lying injured on the ground the night before stood in front of her, daggers unsheathed and crossed before him.
     
    "I am Denal, Lady Riley. And your courage and selflessness shall be the source of the songs of poets for centuries to come," he said, voice fervent.
     
    Then he dropped to one knee before her. "I hereby declare myself to be Lady Riley's champion and defender, if she will have me."
     
    She watched, speechless, as he held his daggers out to her, handles first, and bowed his head. She swung her head to look at Conlan, hoping for advice on how to handle the situation, but he merely lifted his shoulders briefly and said nothing.
     
    Taking a deep breath, she opened her mental shields again and fought that curious feedback buzzing, then took the measure of the man kneeling in front of her. He was the polar opposite to Brennan—Denal was all flashing emotion and eager notions of honor, duty, and chivalry.
     
    She smiled a little, wondering if she'd ever been so very young. Then the smile faded, as she realized that he might in fact be a lot older than she was.
     
    This Atlantean stuff was complicated.
     
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    But he was still kneeling, still waiting. The sense of anticipation was thick in the room.
    As she looked around the room, she realized every one of them was waiting to see how she would handle Denal's declaration.
     
    Taking a deep breath, she took the proffered daggers. "I, well, thank you, Denal. In dangerous times like these, I can't think of a more valuable offer than protection. You—"
     
    She glanced around again, trying to think of the proper words. These guys seemed big on formality and ritual. Finally, she settled on simplicity. "You honor me."
     
    Denal looked up at her, eyes shining, then rose to his feet. She handed his daggers back to him, hoping that was the right thing to do. He took them and put them back in their sheaths on the sides of his massive thighs.
     
    The other Warriors started clapping and cheering and stomping their feet. She smiled and started to say something, when an icy voice broke in from behind her. "Isn't this touching? Perhaps next we can all have a group hug."

Chapter 18
    Conlan swung around to face Alaric. "I don't appreciate your tone, priest," he said, folding his arms over his chest.
     
    .Alaric raised one eyebrow and shrugged. It wasn't like Conlan had expected him to be intimidated, but a little respect might be nice.
     
    "You'll get respect when you earn it," Alaric replied, eerily imitating Conlan's thoughts again.
     
    Conlan filed the detail for future consideration and then, before the gasp even finished leaving Riley's lips, he slammed Alaric up against the wall. "Either you serve me, or you Atlantis Rising – Warriors of Poseidon 01
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    do not. Poseidon gave you the rank of high priest, but the role of royal adviser is mine to bestow."
     
    He stared into the priest's eyes. "If all this attitude is your way of saying you want out of the job, consider it done."
     
    Releasing Alaric's shirt, he turned to Riley. "You must be