Warriors of Poseidon 02 - Atlantis Awakening

front of her. "I wasn't… that wasn't for your benefit. Anyway, I thought you realized by now that I am not a helpless female who will hide behind you every time there might be trouble. I am what your friend named me: a witch. And a pretty powerful one, too."
     
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    His good mood disappeared, draining out of him in an instant. "Do not think to compare your ten years of dabbling in witchcraft with my nearly five centuries of battling vampires, shape-shifters, and the other creatures that stalk humans in the dark. You are in danger, and I will protect you. That is my duty, and I will carry it out with every ounce of skill and experience I possess."
     
    He yanked on his jeans and shirt while he spoke. She opened and closed her mouth once, then again, the fury sparkling in her eyes promising that when she did speak, she was going to flay the skin off his hide.
     
    "Well, so the arrogant Atlantean royal shows himself," she shot back at him. "Don't bother to waste the formal speak on me, bucko. I am so not impressed. Also, five centuries?"
     
    A knock came at the door again, gentler than Christophe's pounding. He flung the door open. "What?"
     
    The palace servant standing there with her arms full of clothing took a quick step back, bowing her head. "Your Highness, I apologize. I didn't know… Lady Riley asked… I can come back…"
     
    Ven forced a smile. "No, I'm the one who should apologize, Neela. Thank you for your kindness. And please call me Ven."
     
    He took the pile of clothing that she handed him and tried to think past the emotion clouding his brain to reassure the woman. "How is your son? He must be nearly ten now?"
     
    She beamed, maternal pride overcoming her anxiety. "He is to be twelve this season, Your High—… Ven. He brings much joy to our home."
     
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    "And probably much exuberance, I'd guess, having once been a twelve-year-old boy, myself."
     
    Neela sighed a little, still smiling. "It is ever so. If you or the lady need anything else, please call me."
     
    "We will."
     
    As he closed the door again, he took a deep breath, steeling himself to face Erin.
     
    "So you're not all lord and master of the castle all the time, are you?" she asked. "Is this something special you just pulled out for me?"
     
    "No, I'm pretty much a pain in the ass all the time," he said, turning around. "I don't really understand what I am with you."
     
    She stood there for a long moment and finally sighed. "Well, that makes two of us, because I don't recognize myself, either."
     
    Then she headed for the bathroom, leaving him to wonder what in the nine hells he'd gotten himself into.
     
    The Nereid Temple was a faery tale of marble, jewels, and beauty. From the moment Erin walked through the doorway, her gems sang to her in a low, joyous tone that murmured of home and peace. Erin forced everything to do with missions and quests and stupid alpha male Atlantean warriors out of her mind and wandered around the open, airy main room, where Marie and her maidens had set up tables filled with a delicious breakfast. Fruits, juices, and pastries shared space with hot dishes in covered silver serving trays, and Erin's stomach growled at the delicious aromas.
     
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    But she was too fascinated with the history that was coming to life before her eyes to concentrate on food just yet. She sipped her coffee as she studied the statues gracing the room. Stopping before a particularly warlike figure bristling with spears and a trident, she felt a chill skate down her neck and knew who he must be.
     
    She smelled a gentle mix of roses and something lighter an instant before Marie stepped up beside her. "Yes, it's Poseidon. Even here, in our temple where the Goddess holds sway, we are reminded that Poseidon holds the power of life or death over us."
     
    "Is it a reminder you need? I mean, not to tap dance on the obvious, but you are living in a bubble far down under tons of water with the force to crush you."
     
    Marie laughed. "You humans are refreshingly direct, if you and Riley are a representative sample."
     
    Erin turned to face her, stunned. "You've never met any humans before Riley and me?"
     
    "No, I have not. Riley was the first human to enter Atlantis in more than ten thousand years." Marie's beautiful face was a study in calm