“You know I don’t like it when you do that.” E’Neskha touched Sameya’s shoulder and her soft voice carried further than he’d anticipated. “Rise, Sameya.” As his woman elevated to her feet, the Empress gave them a direct stare. “You two are?”
“Maximus.” He clapped Gabriel on the shoulder. “My mate.”
“Gabriel.” The tiger executed a small wave with two fingers.
“Friends of yours?” The Empress angled her head to keep her focus in Sameya’s direction, but Maximus knew she’d be able to see any movement from either of them out of the corner of her eye.
Their siren sent them a precautionary glance. “Um…yes, you could say that.”
So, she wouldn’t claim them. Not that Maximus was surprised, but he’d hoped.
E’Neskha approached them and offered her hand. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Gabriel kissed her knuckles like they remained in the Victorian era. “The pleasure is mine.”
Maximus had no idea what was considered appropriate in this situation, but there was no way he would prostrate before her as Sameya had. He settled on a slight head bow. “An honor.”
She perused them both, as if trying to determine something of significance.
“Empress, where are your guards?” Sameya touched E’Neskha’s shoulder. “You’re in grave danger.”
“My sentinels were attacked his morning.” The Empress might’ve responded to Sameya, but she was busy contemplating him and Gabriel. “I didn’t receive your message until seconds before I arrived here. We were busy defending the palace.”
“Damnit!” Their siren began to pace a furious path, her steps a rapid patpatpat, her hands moving in agitation as she talked. “I knew I shouldn’t have allowed you to talk me into departing Atlantis. Less than a week and everything’s gone to shit and fast.”
Fuck, she was adorable when flustered. But… “A week? Gabriel and I have been hunting you for six months.”
“Not hunting me.” Still pacing, his woman made a face at him as if he was off his rocker.
“Wild goose chase.” Maximus directed the comment at Gabriel, but pondered Sameya, his hands fisting at his sides. What had been Gryphon’s purpose in sending them after her when she’d been inaccessible until seven days ago? The man had endangered his mates and nearly killed him and all for what reason?
The Atlantian ruler ignored his comment and glowered at Sameya. “Your mission here was important. We needed to ferret out the infidel. You’re the best at what you do, not to mention you’re the only one I trust implicitly.”
That snapped her out of her pacing. “I’m responsible for your welfare. If something happened to you, Empress, I would never forgive myself.” Maximus didn’t want anything happening to his siren, he could live with the Empress’ harm. Eyebrows drawn together, Sameya faced them, not making them wait long to hear what was on her mind. “You said six months, Maximus?”
He nodded, but Gabriel was the one to respond. “Every lead turned up a dead end until you showed up in Dirty Liquor the night we met.”
“I was there for the elf. The one I reaped.”
“I remember.” The tiger crossed his arms over his chest. “I also remember you showed zero recognition when I mentioned Tyron Gryphon’s name. I’ve had my suspicions since.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” A little forewarning would’ve been nice, and Maximus had no idea why his lover hadn’t spoken up sooner.
Gabriel shrugged. “Distractions got in the way. Starting with you venomeing Sameya and everything that occurred after.”
“I’m not following.” The elfin like leader peered between the three of them.
“We’d been led to believe the elf had vital information on the rebellion.” Sameya rubbed her forehead. “He knew nothing more than our griffin over there.” She motioned to Tyron Gryphon. “Which leads me to believe the griffin is as big a pawn in this takeover as the elf. Both were used to draw me out, to render you vulnerable, Empress, and to distract me with the two of them.”
Disliking the way the events had spiraled out of control so far, Maximus massaged his nape. “Could this individual be taking over Atlantis now that you’re both out of it?”
E’Neskha shook her head. “No. When I departed, I’d serenaded the entire population. Everyone is asleep.”
“Is that possible?” Gabriel said exactly what Maximus was thinking.
“She’s the best. It’s very doable,” Sameya confirmed.