Free Warriors of Poseidon 01 - Atlantis Rising by authors_sort

His body, if possible, stiffened into an even more heightened state of wariness, as he whipped his head from side to side, scanning the beach and darkness beyond. "What is it? Reisen? Did you encounter any of the vamps or were-folk? Give me something to fight, damnit."
     
    Alaric glided noiselessly across the sand, coming closer, reminding Conlan of a shark preparing to strike.
     
    "What was the threat?" Alaric demanded. "Did you encounter some new form of magic that can control even the elements?"
     
    Conlan shook his head, weighing his words. "I'm almost certainly going to regret telling you this. But you have a right to know. Especially when it concerns a potential weakness."
     
    Except now he was talking about a personal weakness. A weakness in the heir to the throne. Atlantean political strategy would demand he keep silent.
     
    Atlantean battle strategy would demand that he reveal all.
     
    He measured Ven and Alaric with his gaze. Ven was family, and Alaric had been Conlan's friend since childhood. Conlan had never concealed any truth from either of them. Yet, as he gazed into the fierce green glow of power shining in the priest's eyes, Conlan came to an unpleasant realization: he wasn't entirely sure Alaric could say the same.
     
    Atlantis Rising – Warriors of Poseidon 01
    Page 72 of 351
    Conlan called his guard to approach, then spoke clearly and in the formal tones of his office. Never mind that formality felt false after so many years.
     
    Hell, maybe if he sounded like a king, he'd feel like one. "My haste in departing was unseemly and wrong in this matter. My brother reminds me that a good king allows his warriors to do what they have trained to do."
     
    He measured the face of each warrior in turn, and then continued, voice somber.
    "However, be advised of this. I will be king, and I am even now high prince. I will act as I consider warranted at all times."
     
    He paused, flashed a grin at Ven. "Just try to keep up, little brother."
     
    Humor fading from his face, Conlan lifted his head and scented the wind for any change in the elements, scanning for any of the living or undead nearby. Then he sent out a mental casting to touch Riley again, gritting his teeth at the realization that even their brief separation was making him tense.
     
    Edgy.
     
    Damnit. Who was she? More, what was she?
     
    She didn't even realize that he'd stayed in her mind, unnoticed, as she'd driven the short distance to her small home. He'd broken the connection during the discussion with his warriors and Alaric.
     
    He sent out a gentle touch. I'm here, Riley. Are you safe?
     
    He sensed her startled gasp and could almost see her. Her touch returned to him, her emotions fluttering like tiny sea anemones in his mind.
     
    Atlantis Rising – Warriors of Poseidon 01
    Page 73 of 351
    Conlan? You can still talk to me? But I'm almost ten miles from the beach and—somehow I know you're still there.
     
    I can feel you, aknasha. I'm going to protect you, too. You have great value to… my people.
     
    She sent a slight hint of amusement—that, and an overwhelming sense of her exhaustion. That is a very pretty thought, but I'm not very valuable to anyone. I just need to take a bubble bath and go to sleep now. Good-bye.
     
    With that, the feel of mental doors crashing down snapped off his connection to her. He flinched back from the sensation, mouth dry, fighting to keep his body from hardening anew at the idea of her naked body glistening in a tub of scented bubbles.
     
    He clenched his eyes shut and groaned.
     
    Ven's eyes narrowed. "What is it? The threat?"
     
    Conlan's eyes snapped open, and he saw Ven and the rest of the Seven crouch into battle readiness, blades at the ready. Alaric threw his arms into the air as if to command power, the ocean waves instantly responding with a crashing symphony of percussion against the shore.
     
    Conlan held up one hand. "No, it's okay. There is no threat."
     
    He grinned. "Or, to be