The Vampire's Bride (Atlantis #4)(107)

Valerian pressed against a jagged rock in the upper corner of the wall and two boulders parted, revealing a breathtaking view of the ocean. Fish. Mermaids waiting to catch a glimpse of a nymph.

The king twisted another of the rocks and withdrew a small, round glass, extending it from the wall like an arm. He bent down and placed his eye in the center. Several minutes passed, warriors shifting from one boot to another as they waited.

What was he doing?

He moved his body left and right, angling for...what? Finally he stepped back and nodded stiffly. "I was right. Look."

Shivawn bent and peered through that glass, realizing he was looking up, up and out of the sea. Breath hitched in his throat. There was a patch of land, a large expanse of pin-pricked black, and a round golden sphere. Water lapped at the edges of a beach, white sand stretching into thick, emerald foliage. "What is that place?"

"I have never been sure if it is on the surface or if it's another hidden city like Atlantis."

"How do we get there?"

"The portals, perhaps."

Shivawn's attention slid to the portal in question. It was upright, surrounded by the mist that constantly seeped from it. Touching it pulled a person out of Atlantis and into the ocean. The one and only time he had done so, he had swum to the surface to steal human females. That's when he'd met Brenna and hurt Alyssa so terribly.

"Then we swim," he said. He turned to Alyssa to explain the need for such an action and apologize if necessary. Assure her again of his love, most definitely.

"My king is out there," she said before he could utter a word. "I, too, will go through the portal."

He glanced to Valerian, who nodded. Attention returning to Alyssa, he tenderly kissed her temple. "You are a true warrior, after all, love. Together, we will bring our people home."

WHEN THE SUN ROSE, Layel was tense. Afraid. So afraid. His night with Delilah had been the stuff of fantasies and dreams. He needed more. But would he get it? Or would she lose her emotions as Hestia had warned?

He'd been watching her sleep for hours, the gentle rise and fall of her chest a mating call. He hated to wake her and lose this peace, but it was necessary. "Delilah," he said, gently shaking her.

Slowly her eyelids cracked open.

And that's when he knew. His chest constricted with painful intensity. Once more her gaze was cold, blank. She rolled to her back, eyelids already closing. "What's wrong with me?" she asked groggily.

"Your emotions were taken again." Layel wanted to kill something. The goddess would be a nice choice.

"Oh." She didn't sound as if she cared.

"I love you," he croaked out.

She yawned. "I know. I love you, too."

At least she knew, even if she couldn't feel. Hestia had been right in urging him to use logic. "Do you remember everything you promised me?"

"Of course. It's my emotions that disappeared, not my brain."

He sighed. "It's time to find and destroy the monster, love."

"All right." Unhurried, she rose and dressed.

He'd half expected her to insist he allow her to continue sleeping. Hopeful, he pushed to unsteady feet. After he'd donned his pants, he plucked several berries from a nearby bush and held them out. "Eat."

"I'm not hungry." She studied the length of several blades before sheathing them at her sides. She didn't look as if she cared to use them or even knew what to do with them.

"Eat. Please. You need to stay strong."

Reluctantly, she took and ate the fruit.

"You said you remembered what you promised me, but do you remember last night? What happened between us?"

"Yes," she said, looking at him. Blinking without concern. "Are you ready? I promised to win this contest, which means I need to fight a monster."

He grabbed her shoulders, desperation flooding him. "Delilah."

For a moment, one sweet moment, warmth fluttered over her expression, chasing away the cold, but it was quickly gone. And then the beast was roaring in pain and fury, the high-pitched scream enough to bust his eardrums. Layel stiffened, realization settling deep. "The monster has been found. Come."

He clutched Delilah's hand and jerked her into motion, racing through the trees, his heart pounding against his ribs. She stumbled several times, and he began to worry for her ability to do what would be needed. Whatever would be needed. Not knowing what else to do, he picked her up and leapt into the air, flying high...higher...

An eternity passed, the mountain seemingly never ending. Trees knifed toward him, slapping, but then the beach came into view and he knew he was farther away from the action, not closer, the monster's newest roar weaker. With a twist of his body, he turned them around and headed back into the trees. Where in Hades were the other warriors?

Finally, in the center of the mountain, he caught a glimpse of Tagart exiting a cave, sword raised. Broderick jumped out and attacked him with a sword of his own, the two men swinging and thrusting at each other, grunting and slashing.

Layel didn't want Delilah fighting in this condition, but he didn't want to risk defeating the monster himself, either. Damn the gods! What should he do? He set her down. She didn't protest. Just sat there, watching the fight through indifferent eyes.

"Stay here," he whispered.