Warriors of Poseidon 04 - Atlantis Unmasked

object-reader magic and uncover some of the secrets surrounding the origin of the Seven Isles. But, until then, the portal‟s magic was just another of the many mysteries Atlanteans grew to accept and abide by.
     
    Tiny called out, and Alexios turned to see the man shaking hands with Grace. Alexios stood, unmoving, warmth spreading through his chest like the unfurling rays of a sea star. Just to be able to watch her, even from a distance, felt like a precious gift.
     
    He would make her his, and soon. He couldn‟t continue to draw breath if he didn‟t. But until then, the anticipation was enough. It would have to be enough.
     
    Grace laughed at something Tiny said, and then she glanced up and caught sight of Alexios. Something tangible sizzled through the air between them, as if she‟d aimed one of the arrows from her quiver straight at him.
     
    He closed his eyes, shaking his head. Great. Arrows and quivers. Next he‟d be the one singing “Feelings.” She was turning him into some kind of wimp.
     
    Atlantis Unmasked - Warriors of Poseidon 04
    Page 196 of 314
    Ven would have a field day.
     
    He opened his eyes when he heard her footsteps approaching, and the smile spread across his face in spite of himself. She was so unbelievably beautiful.
     
    His smile faded. So beautiful, and so far out of his league.
     
    She‟d showered and changed into a dark green shirt and clean pair of blue jeans. Her hair lay in long damp strands on the shoulders of her leather jacket. It suddenly occurred to him that he‟d never seen her in anything but jeans. Not that he was complaining, but he wondered what she‟d look like in Atlantean silk.
     
    She tilted her head and smiled up at him, but there was a measure of reserve in her expression. Distance. “That was an interesting smile,” she said “Penny for your thoughts?”
     
    “Trust me, they are not worth nearly so much.” He lifted a hand to touch her face but she moved, almost imperceptibly, but enough so that she turned away from him and stood staring out at the sunrise. He let his hand fall back down to his side, while his heart sank to the vicinity of his boots.
     
    So. He wasn‟t the only one who‟d decided she was out of his league, perhaps. He shoved his hands into his pockets, ready to walk away.
     
    But injured pride gave way to honesty. He‟d seen inside Grace‟s soul last night, and nowhere had there been arrogance or presumption. Maybe this was just a healthy dose of caution.
     
    “What happens next?” She glanced back at him. “Tiny said Sam was contacting Smith‟s and Reynolds‟s families. It was something I should have done myself, but Sam said he has way too much experience at this horrible duty.”
    Atlantis Unmasked - Warriors of Poseidon 04
    Page 197 of 314
     
    Alexios nodded. “He would have. He was a soldier and a leader of men. With that responsibility comes many terrible obligations.”
     
    She lifted her chin. “Do you think I‟m falling down on mine?”
     
    “No, I do not. I think that Sam is older than you, and so his presence will likely be more of a comfort to the families. Part of leadership is knowing when to delegate.”
     
    She brushed her hair back from her face and sighed. “Maybe that‟s true. But Sam didn‟t give me a chance to delegate before he took it on himself. He was trying to protect me, just like you do. Everybody does, even though I‟m supposed to be the one protecting the men and women under my command. There‟s something wrong in that.”
     
    Before he could think of an argument she would accept, a loud thundering noise to the south caught their attention. Approaching low, at a height that surely must violate human flight regulations, a sleek helicopter zoomed toward them. Alexios immediately put himself between it and Grace, and she shoved him with her left arm.
     
    “That‟s what I‟m talking about,” she said, almost shouting to be heard.
     
    Before Alexios could explain why he would never, ever stop protecting her—or else forget explanations and just throw her over his shoulder and start running—Bastien‟s voice sounded in his head.
     
    Stand down, Goldilocks. It‟s just us.
     
    Call me Goldilocks again, and you‟ll find that my boot fits your ass juuuust riiiiiight,he sent back, folding his arms over his chest and grinning.
     
    “It‟s okay, Grace. The cavalry has arrived.”
    Atlantis Unmasked - Warriors of Poseidon 04
    Page 198 of 314
     
    Grace watched the shiny