He stretches languorously under me, and the silvery scar on his abdomen catches the light, that telltale mark from Sister Two when he fought her inside Butterfly Threads just weeks ago. When he almost died to help me and Jeb escape. But I didn’t let him die, because I couldn’t imagine a world without him.I can’t imagine a future without him, either. Not anymore.

He spins us both, wrapping us in his wings until I’m dazed and gig.

Wishes have voices sometimes.

Finally, she looked up at him and met his gaze, and she gasped. He knew what must be visible on his face and therefore did not try to deny it. “You know,” he rasped out. “You have always known, and you will always know that I am yours, and yet never can be. I am the most powerful high priest Poseidon has ever appointed, and yet I am too weak to hide the depths of my feelings for you.

Lucky for you, since you’re the most dangerous man I’ve ever met. Asane woman would run away from you, not toward you.

She’s alive, Alaric. She was wounded, but it was minor,” Alexios said, a rough compassion in his voice. A strange weakness raced through Alaric and he had to fight his own lungs to draw breath. Quinn was wounded. “How minor?” he snarled. “Tell me, now.

Yet where Denal had prayed to Poseidon for death, Alaric was praying to the same god for life.

Jeb moans, wraps my legs around his waist, and holds me tight. He breaks contact just long enough to whisper, 'Where'd you learn to kiss like that?'You taught me.' I recover my senses and realize what I said. 'In my dreams.'Oh, yeah?' He nudges the indentation on my chin with his nose. 'Been dreaming of me, too, huh?'Ever since the day we met.' Finally, the truth.He flashes his dimples. 'Guess it's time for us to make some dreams come true, skater girl.

I am needed here. Atlantis can burn in the nine hells for all I care. I have sacrificed enough to Poseidon. My days as high priest are done.

No matter what it takes. Make at least part of him live, and I can find the rest of him somehow. Someday.