Warriors of Poseidon 06 - Atlantis Betrayed

She hugged him. He stepped away, but not before she saw the relief on his face.
    “I do adore you, Hopkins. And I owe you an explanation. Why don’t we have tea, and I’ll tell you all about Atlantis. How is Sean, and where is Declan?”
    “Sean is fine, healing rapidly. Sunday is his day off, of course, so he’s off with his friends somewhere.
    Declan is doing the same. I made up a story about you showing Christophe the sights of London when he asked where you were.”
    “Thanks. I wouldn’t want him to worry, and I’m sorry I made you do so.”
    Atlantis Betrayed – Warriors of Poseidon 06
    Page 130 of 188
    They followed Hopkins into the kitchen, and he set about making sandwiches while Fiona filled the kettle and put it on to boil. While they ate, she told him about Atlantis, and after the first thirty minutes or so, he finally quit treating her as if she were mad. Christophe sat silently, eating several sandwiches, and let her tell the story. A couple of times she caught him examining her as if she were a new species of butterfly and he a scientist. It was oddly disconcerting.
    “I can hardly believe you were really in Atlantis,” Hopkins said. “Maeve a Fae princess. Now, that I can believe. I always thought there was something off about her.”
    Christophe’s expression darkened. “If she harms him, she will answer to me. I have little love for the Unseelie Court.”
    “I truly believe she won’t,” Fiona said.
    “I hope you’re right.”
    He didn’t sound convinced, but to be honest with herself, neither was she. The Maeve who could hold such secrets so closely for so long wasn’t the woman Fiona knew.
    “I’d love to see it someday,” Hopkins said. “I’ve long been a student of mythology—although, we’ll have to reclassify, won’t we? You’ve just changed everything. Fiction has become fact.”
    “The world should be used to that, after vampires and shape-shifters revealed themselves,” Christophe said. “But we’re not openly announcing anything until we can raise Atlantis to the surface to take its place in the world once more.”
    “It seems like a lot of people know,” Fiona said doubtfully.
    “Yes, but what can they say? Atlantis exists? It would show up as a tabloid story.” Christophe shrugged and, standing, took the plates to the sink and turned on the faucet. “We still have to retrieve the Siren and two other gems before Atlantis can rise.”
     
    “I can understand your urgency,” Hopkins said, jumping up to help clear their few dishes. “Even after you gave us your proof, we didn’t believe you. I’d so very much like to see it.”
    “That can be arranged,” Christophe said, grinning. “Be nice to me and you’ll get your chance.”
    “Then again, I’ve heard Morocco is an interesting place to visit,” Hopkins replied, not missing a beat.
    Fiona laughed at the two of them and crossed over to the sink where Christophe was washing their dishes. She picked up a hand towel and began to dry them.
    “Lady Fiona,” Hopkins said, sounding shocked. “A lady does not do dishes.”
    “You know, that’s silly,” she said. “I have to eat. Why should I be exempt from cleaning up after myself?
    If you really want to help, will you please figure out another disguise as good as the Uma Thurman look?
    We’re heading out to a werewolf pub, and this time we’re taking the Ducatis.”
    Atlantis Betrayed – Warriors of Poseidon 06
    Page 131 of 188

Chapter 29
The Melting Moon
    Christophe parked the motorcycle next to Fiona’s and removed his helmet. There was something very sexy about her on a bike. Raw power controlled by a delicate, graceful woman.
    Come to think of it, that came uncomfortably close to describing their relationship. He was certainly acting completely out of character lately. Wanting to actually sleep with a woman; his reluctance to leave her; even defying Conlan and Alaric—Nah. That last was pretty normal.
    Her eyes sparkled, framed by long, lush lashes and sparkly makeup. She looked like a celestial fairy from a bedtime tale. A wicked one. She carefully shook out her hair.
    “I like you as a redhead. Hot and spicy,” he said, his voice pitched low.
    She flashed a sexy “come hither” smile. “Really? Tell me more, big boy.”
    “Smile at me like that again, and you’ll see how big I can get,” he growled. “Everything about you makes me hard. I’m worse than a youngling with his first woman.”
    She tucked her helmet under