Page 92 of A Warrior's Heart
Guilt burrowed in my chest when I remembered mine and Troy’s conversation from the night before.
Did I believe Lorcan had the potential to betray Triton? Perhaps. It was something I had wondered when I saw him with King James. His performance had been so good that it had nearly fooled me as well.
“Fletcher seemed disappointed that he couldn’t come with us,” Troy said, sighing as he stepped over a tree stump.
Fletcher and Kellan had stayed on the ship while the rest of us had swam to the shore and began the trek through the trees. As humans, they wouldn’t be much help when we dove to the depths to retrieve the trident.
“Fletch has always loved legends.” Alek smiled. “I’m sure it’s killin’ him to be this close to the lost city of Atlantis and not be able to see it for himself.”
“Atlantis…” Troy said, pronouncing each syllable. “Avalontis. I wonder if King Triton named his kingdom after his father’s island. The names are similar.” He winced a bit as he walked, and more guilt swam through me at the reason why. His backside was sore from me making love to him. “Hey, what are you doing?”
I had picked him up. “Wrap your legs around my waist and be still.”
Troy did as I said and held onto my neck, a smile curving his sweet lips.
“See?” Lorcan shook his head. “Predictable.”
“Shall I carry you, my love?” Alek asked, bumping Lorcan’s shoulder.
Lorcan rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t hide the humor shining through them. “I am no damsel.”
“You can carry me,” Nereus said, puckering his lips at Alek. “I’ll be your damsel.”
Shar laughed. “You’re too ugly to be a damsel, Re.”
Re.The assassin had given Nereus a nickname.
“Me the ugly one?” Nereus playfully glowered at Shar. “Says the most hideous beast I’ve ever laid eyes upon. Mothers tell their children stories of your hideousness before bed so that they will mind their manners lest they be fed to you.”
“The only one who should fear being eaten by me is you.” Shar arched a brow at the young warrior.
Nereus sucked in a breath and averted his eyes from Shar’s hungry gaze.
“They make my heart smile,” Troy whispered in my ear.
I pressed a kissed to Troy’s shoulder and kept walking.
Before leaving the ship, I had made him strap on his new armor and cloak, as well as bring the blue jeweled dagger. Who knew what we’d find in Atlantis? A threat was never far.
“Mal?” Troy tucked his face against my neck. “What will happen if James and Ezra find the trident first?”
“We will fight them with every ounce of strength we have,” I answered. “All will not be lost. We will find a way. Do not worry your mind with these questions.”
He was quiet for a while. Then, “I saw a shooting star last night.”
“Oh?”
Troy nodded. “I made a wish for peace. For unity of land and sea. Do you think the gods heard me?”
My chest ached. I rested my cheek against his hair and stared ahead at a speck of sunlight breaking through the trees. Hope was a dangerous weapon. It could lift a man’s spirit and crush it just as easily. Yet, when at war, one must have something to hold on to. “They heard you. I’m sure of it.”
“Mal?”
“Yes?”
“If something ever happens to me, I don’t want you to blame yourself.”
Pain gripped my heart as an icy chill spread through me. “Nothing will happen to you. I won’t allow it.”
