Warriors of Poseidon 05 - Atlantis Redeemed

that he faced her, he related what had happened in the cell. His memories returning, when she’d died.
    A dawning realization spread across her face. “My soul had definitely fully gone,” she said, when he’d finished. “The terms of the curse—we met them. Of course! Poseidon didn’t have modern defibrillator equipment around when he threw in that part.”
    “Exactly. Since that part of the curse was fulfilled and my memories fully returned, I must Atlantis Redeemed – Warriors of Poseidon 05
    Page 216 of 232
    assume that the rest is broken, as well.”
    “But what if we’re wrong?”
    He shook his head and then kissed her, a slow, lingering brush against her soft lips. “We cannot think that way. I am unable to stay awake nonstop for the rest of my life, and I refuse to believe that I have found you and carried you back from death itself, only to lose you each dawn when I awake.”
    She smiled but still looked worried. “I hope you’re right. I think we’re going to find out soon, since I can’t stay awake a single second more.”
    As she curled up against him and her breathing immediately slowed and lengthened into the steady rhythm of slumber, he offered up a silent prayer.
    Please, Poseidon, please may it be so.
    And then Tiernan’s warm, sleeping body seduced his own deep into the same respite and refuge.
    Tiernan woke up and lay still for a moment, reveling in the warmth of the hard chest underneath her cheek. The sunlight flooded the room from the large windows, and she felt like she rested in a circle of peace that had embraced her and would hold her close for as long as she needed sanctuary.
    She touched Brennan’s chest with her fingertips, drew circles around the muscles of his abdomen, and lightly stroked—just a tease—the erection tenting up the sheet.
    He tensed underneath her touch, and she smiled up at him. “You’re awake.”
    He blinked sleepily a few times, those gorgeous green eyes filled with contentment. “I am awake. How did you sleep?”
    “Wonderfully. You?” She stretched luxuriously, enjoying the delicious feeling. Most of her bruises and cuts and aches had been improved enormously by whatever Alaric had done to heal her arm yesterday. Apparently the healing power didn’t confine itself to only one body part.
    “I slept very well,” Brennan said, lifting his hand to cup her breast. Her body instantly responded, and she turned toward him, twining her leg between his.
    “I only have one question,” he said, his forehead furrowing. “Who exactly are you?”

Chapter 47
    Brennan couldn’t hold back the grin when she froze, stiffening in his arms. “I find that I love Atlantis Redeemed – Warriors of Poseidon 05
    Page 217 of 232
    making jokes, Tiernan Butler, mi amara.”
    Her mouth fell open, and then she sat up and yanked his pillow out from under his head and smacked him in the face with it. “Oh, you . . . you . . . man.”
    He shouted with laughter, then pounced on her and rolled her underneath him. “I want to wake up looking at your lovely face every day for the rest of my life.”
    He kissed her, claiming her mouth until she was breathless. She wrapped her arms around his neck, returning his kisses enthusiastically, but when he stopped she mock-growled at him.
    “I’m not so sure I’m going to put up with your version of humor for that long,” she said, laughing. “You scared me to death.”
    He instantly sobered. “I am so sorry. I had no intention—”
    “It’s okay,” she said, grinning. “I promise to get you back.”
    “The curse is finally broken,” he said, in little more than a whisper, somehow afraid Poseidon would hear and change his mind.
    “Are you sure? Forever?”
    “I have no way to know. We will have to live our lives, one day at a time, and discover the truth upon each wakening.”
    She turned in his arms and smiled up at him, inviting him, and he slowly, carefully, entered her body with his own, taking his time as they moved together, rocking in a bliss deeper than lust, deeper than want or hunger. Waves of warmth and contentment washed over him, and the look on her face mirrored his own. He whispered her name when they drifted over the edge of the abyss together, promising never, ever to leave her side.

Chapter 48
    Two days later, the palace gardens, Atlantis
    Tiernan wandered through the most beautiful garden she’d ever seen outside of a dream, and laughed out loud with joy. A pair of peacocks tilted their heads