Warriors of Poseidon 02 - Atlantis Awakening

elegance, her dark blue eyes peaceful. Her midnight-black hair was pulled back from her face in a series of intricate braids. "Thus far, Alaric has transported her to the human doctors, rather than bring them here."
     
    Erin nodded. "Ven told me that you're still deciding when to make the big 'Atlantis exists'
    announcement." She lifted a hand to her own unruly mass of wavy hair and sighed. "Not to be frivolous, but I wish my hair were more like yours."
     
    Marie smiled. "Your hair is lovely, Erin. It suits you."
     
    Atlantis Awakening – Warriors of Poseidon 02
    Page 120 of 296
    "Thanks, but I keep telling myself to get it all chopped off. Anyway, haven't you ever visited the surface? Come up to look around, catch a movie, go shopping?"
     
    "Only the warriors are allowed to visit the landwalkers," Marie said. "But I am planning to ask the Council to make an exception. My brother, Bastien, has formed the soul-meld with a shape-shifter female, and I wish to visit them and meet her."
     
    Erin tried to read the other woman's expression but couldn't. "What is the soul-meld?
    Sounds serious. Is it something like human marriage?"
     
    Even before she saw the shocked glance Marie shot over her shoulder, Erin felt his approach. A low humming thrummed through her senses and her skin, and her emeralds trilled out a sweetly seductive call.
     
    Marie's eyes widened. "Your gems sing for him, then? It is in the scrolls, but… we have never had a gem singer in our temple in living memory. Not since before the Cataclysm, in truth."
     
    Ven spoke from just behind Erin, his voice washing warmth and desire over her.
    Apparently the fact that she was pissed off at him had no effect on her gemstones or her hormones. "We haven't had time to discuss all the circumstances involved in this situation, Marie." His voice held a clear note of warning.
     
    Marie didn't appear to be intimidated. "The lady Erin was asking about the soul-meld.
    You must tell her, Lord Vengeance. It is her destiny."
     
    Even without seeing him, Erin sensed Ven's utter stillness at the words. "Destiny is an overused word, First Maiden. Erin has free will, as do I."
     
    Atlantis Awakening – Warriors of Poseidon 02
    Page 121 of 296
    Marie smiled, and there was something dark and knowing behind her eyes. "Do you?"
    Then she murmured some excuse and moved away, leaving Erin alone with Ven. She swung around to face him.
     
    "So, spit it out, already. Soul-meld? What the heck is that?"
     
    "This is not the time or place, Erin," he said, his expression closed and cold. "And don't believe everything you hear."
     
    "I'm not stupid, Ven. We both felt something last night. Maybe you should explain exactly what it was? Was that the soul-meld? Or do Atlanteans always make love with all mental doors wide open like that?"
     
    He was shaking his head before she finished the question, and he reached out to grasp her shoulders in his hands, then stared down into her eyes with his hot, penetrating gaze. "Never, mi amara. Never have I felt anything like that in all of my days. Do not think I take what occurred between us lightly."
     
    Shaken, she considered responses, and finally just nodded slowly.
     
    "Erin, I—"
     
    "Ven." The voice that interrupted them was far too imperial to be anyone but the priest.
    "Your presence and that of your gem singer is required. Please take a seat."
     
    Ven snarled a response over his shoulder in that language she assumed was Atlantean, and everyone in the room seemed to take a collective sharp breath. Silence hung in the air for a moment, then Alaric spoke again, dry amusement in his voice, "I cannot think of a way to perform your… request, since it is anatomically impossible. However, if you would care to challenge me, Lord Vengeance, it would be my pleasure."
     
    Atlantis Awakening – Warriors of Poseidon 02
    Page 122 of 296
    Conlan stood up from where he'd been eating his breakfast next to Riley. "Enough, both of you," he said, the words holding affection as much as command. "Don't make me pull rank."
     
    Marie glided across the Temple floor to the table and took a seat. "Perhaps all of you will remember that this is the home of the Goddess and you should behave accordingly," she said. Her voice was gentle but there was the unmistakable whip of admonition underlying her words.
     
    Erin grinned. Speak softly and carry a big Goddess stick. Way to go, Marie. She edged carefully around Ven, not quite sure he wasn't going to