Warriors of Poseidon 05 - Atlantis Redeemed

in identical motions at the sound and then strolled off, intent on important peacock business, no doubt. Birds she didn’t recognize sang songs that seemed to be especially for her. She was walking in a miniature paradise, and much of the reason the world was so perfect was currently sprawled on a bench, basking in the magically created sunlight.
    “You are a lazy man,” she said, stopping to brush the silky hair away from his forehead.
    Atlantis Redeemed – Warriors of Poseidon 05
    Page 218 of 232
    Brennan opened one eye. “If you hadn’t wearied me to the point of exhaustion with your insatiable sexual demands, I might have energy to join you while you explore the gardens.”
    In spite of the fact that this man had had his hands, his mouth, or both, on every inch of her body over the past couple of days, a hot blush rose into her cheeks. “Hush. Somebody might hear you.”
    “No one will disturb us here,” he said, opening the other eye and smiling at her. “They know better.”
    “Well, get up and walk around with me, then. I want to see everything.”
    He groaned and made a show of heaving himself up off the bench, but he was still smiling.
    Warmth and desire and happiness swirled through her in an effervescent mixture until she thought her head might pop like a champagne cork.
    He held out his hand, and she took it and pulled him down one of the paths, toward the intriguing sounds of bells and water. “What’s down here?”
    “One of many, many fountains. This one is an idyllic representation of Poseidon at play,” he said. A shadow crossed his face, but only for an instant.
    She slowed her steps, suddenly reluctant to face a reminder of the curse they were still afraid might come back someday. “Maybe we should go another way.”
    “It’s only a fountain. We can’t be afraid of our own shadows. It’s lovely, besides. You should see it.” Brennan pulled her gently forward, and they stepped into a clearing. The fountain was enormous; her first impression was that Poseidon was big enough to drown the entire world.
    But then reason replaced fancy, and the statue was once again only a statue, made of marble and stone. Poseidon reclined on his side, surrounded by several nymphs who held various delicacies out to him.
    “Looks like a pretty hedonistic guy,” she observed. “Doesn’t quite seem fair that he’d punish you for youthful indiscretions.”
    Brennan’s smile faded. “He is a god, capricious but all-powerful. He does what he will with his warriors.”
    Tiernan suddenly shivered, and goose bumps climbed up her arms. “My mom would say that a goose walked over my grave,” she said, trying to laugh.
    “Oh, no,” Brennan said.
    “It’s just a saying—an old wives’ tale thing. It doesn’t mean—” She stopped talking and her mouth fell open as she realized why Brennan had said oh, no.
    Atlantis Redeemed – Warriors of Poseidon 05
    Page 219 of 232
    The statue was no longer merely a statue. Its marble eyes rolled in their sockets and its head turned until the statue was staring at Brennan and Tiernan.
    Brennan knelt instantly.
    The statue opened its mouth, and Tiernan stumbled backward in shock, losing her balance.
    Brennan caught her arm and pulled her down to kneel beside him.
    SHE IS NOT DEAD. DID YOU BELIEVE YOU COULD FOOL A GOD? the statue thundered, as it ripped its marble body free of the base of the fountain and stood, looming over them. Beside it, the nymphs came to life and began to dance.
    “Oh, this is so far down the rabbit hole,” Tiernan murmured, as reality fractured right in front of her eyes.
    “She did die, my lord, and her soul had flown, fulfilling the terms of the curse,” Brennan said, his voice ringing out pure and strong. “I humbly submit that you accept my deepest, most sincere apologies for my transgressions and sins.”
    DO YOU DESERVE FORGIVENESS? Poseidon, for it couldn’t be anybody else, roared.
    Tiernan’s eyes narrowed. “Wait just a minute, sir. Don’t you think he has suffered enough? Two thousand years? Really? For something that was at least as much her fault as his?”
    Poseidon raised a marble arm and pointed at her. YOU DARE TO QUESTION A GOD?
    The sense of power gathering in the air strengthened, and she had a moment to wonder if he was going to hurl a lightning bolt or his trident or one of the nymphs at her. A marble nymph could probably do a lot of damage.
    Brennan leapt up and threw himself in front of Tiernan. “My