Atlantis Unmasked by Alyssa Day

way.”
    Brennan gestured with one hand, and the familiar ovoid shape of the portal began to form in the air. When the iridescent shape had lengthened and widened enough to allow them to pass into Atlantis, their first sight was of half a dozen portal guards crouched at full battle readiness, swords and spears aimed directly at them. The soldiers all wore the silver and cerulean blue of the Atlantean royal guard, and the sight of them was certainly enough to give pause to any who dared to try forcible entry. Not that the portal had ever once opened to an enemy in more than eleven thousand years.
    As far as they knew.
    Alexios drew his daggers and stepped forward but didn’t cross over yet. “Status?”
    Captain Marcus bowed and then gestured to his men to stand down. “Lord Alexios. Be welcome.”
    Alexios sheathed his daggers as the portal guards lowered and sheathed their own weapons. “Status?” he repeated, eyes narrowing.
    â€œApologies, my lord, but it is happening,” the steely-eyed veteran said, breaking into an uncharacteristic grin. “Lady Riley has gone into labor, and the heir to the throne of all Atlantis is even now making his or her way into the world. I believed that increased security at this time would be prudent.”
    Behind Alexios, Christophe let out a whoop. “It’s about time. Now maybe Conlan can quit walking around with the stick shoved up his—”
    â€œThank you,” Alexios said. “We’d better get to the palace, then.”
    He waved his arm and first Brennan, then Christophe headed through the portal. As Christophe passed him, Alexios grabbed his arm in a very unfriendly grip. “Say anything like that about our high prince again, and it will be my boot up your ass,” he growled quietly so that no one else would hear.
    Christophe yanked his arm free, eyes flashing a darker green as he drew power to himself. “I’m getting awfully tired of being threatened, Alexios. Know it.”
    â€œMy lord?” the guard called. “The portal is shrinking.”
    Alexios crossed through the magical entry into Atlantis behind Christophe, wondering what would happen if the day ever came that he was forced to challenge him. The warrior’s ability to channel power was nearly as great as that of High Priest Alaric, and Alexios knew that Alaric could kick his ass in a fight.
    Of course, Alexios had learned a trick or two over the centuries, too.
    But tonight was not the time for dark thoughts of future betrayals. Tonight was for celebrating. He clapped his hand on the captain’s shoulder. “The ale is on me tonight. My friend becomes a father, and Atlantis gains an heir!”
    The guards roared out their approval, shaking their spears in the air as they shouted and cheered. Brennan glanced back over his shoulder and raised one eyebrow before he and Christophe shimmered into mist and headed for the palace.
    â€œPlease tell the prince and his lady that we are all praying for Poseidon’s blessing upon them, my lord,” Marcus said.
    â€œI will, and I know he will appreciate it.” Alexios took a running start and leapt into the air, transforming into mist as he did so, then arrowed toward the palace, thoughts whirling.
    Finally. An heir to Atlantis. Perhaps he would be the first Atlantean in millennia to grow up knowing the land walkers’ world, after Atlantis took its rightful place on the surface
    If Atlantis ever took its rightful place on the surface. Because if what Justice’s woman, Keely, had said was true, then they had to retrieve the rest of the Trident’s missing gems or Atlantis would be destroyed as it tried to rise from the depths of the ocean.
    Landing on the balcony of his rooms in the palace, Alexios swiftly returned to human form, dropped his weapons on the bed, and then headed for the throne room, nearly running. Before he made it halfway down the corridor, Brennan appeared