“Your vampyr would.” They were so dissimilar. Their very natures conflicted.
“What I meant was, just because she says no to us doesn’t mean we have to give up. We have an eternity to woo her, lover. She can’t resist us forever. Not with the way we make her feel.”
“If she hides here, we’re screwed.”
“Nah.” Maximus’s thumb dragged across Gabriel’s bottom lip. “I have a feeling her Empress will assist us if Sameya decides to be hardheaded.”
“If she doesn’t get overthrown first.”
“Good point.”
Gabriel buried his nose in Sameya’s hair and inhaled. “We should rest with her during the interim. That’ll keep us in tiptop shape and refreshed enough to battle whatever might come at her.”
But the “Sameya” that was called from the doorway halted any of that. The men looked at one another.
“I got this.” Maximus drew on his leather pants, secured them and exited the bedroom.
***
The Empress and Kat were present when Maximus departed the bedroom. Fear cramped his gut. If they could enter her chambers this easily, it would be far too simple for her enemies to invade her personal space, also.
The Zions—Nero and Thrax—greeted the leader, and she caressed them both in a fond manner. He hoped they wouldn’t greet anyone else in such an exuberant fashion.
“I need to speak with Sameya.” The Empress’ current fashion wasn’t as strict as when she’d been receiving in the Hall. Loose fitting, green harem type pants and a white shirt made of the same filmy material covered her slender frame.
“Sameya’s unavailable. You okay, Kat?” He met his friend’s eyes. She didn’t seem injured or compromised.
“Yes. E’Neskha has been a polite hostess.”
The siren smiled, but the affectation seemed insincere. “I appreciate your assistance with my issue, Maximus, but I must speak with Sameya.”
“She’s sleeping.” Gabriel strolled toward them, hands stuffed into his pockets. His best guess, the tiger had heard the Empress, and instead of chancing Sameya waking, he’d ventured out to aid Maximus. “She’s still recouping from the rose petals sprayed into her face. Surely her Empress can understand she needs some time.”
A two-toned aqua and blonde eyebrow elevated. “Gentlemen, your protective instincts are commendable, but these are dangerous times. You’ll either wake Sameya or I’ll do it myself.”
Gabriel came to stand beside him, shoulder-to-shoulder. United they’d take on the Empress if needed. No desire for that outcome to occur, Maximus attempted a different tactic. “How long have you been the Empress of Atlantis?”
The woman stuttered a moment over the sudden change in topic. “A little over fifty thousand years.”
Wow! That was a long damn time to rule a kingdom. “Sameya’s been with you all that time?”
“Yes. She’s three years my senior, so we were raised together. My parents welcomed her into our home and raised her as their own when her parents died.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I think of her like a sister and friend. She’s the only one I trust implicitly. A good thing with my brother’s treachery.”
Maximus crossed his arms over his chest. “Why doesn’t your brother feel the same way about Sameya if you were raised together?”
“We were grown when Lucius was born. He’s resented her for many a century now.”
Gabriel rolled on the balls of his feet. “How will you proceed?”
“I—” Using her fingertips, E’Neskha rubbed at the frown lines slashing across her forehead. “I have no idea. That’s what I need to discuss with Sameya.”
Maximus stared at her. She’d been ruling for so long, why was it hard to make a decision now? “Sameya will die if she continues to support you. I suspect you’ll both die.” He blew out a long, worried breath. “There were too many against you in the Hall today. The hostility was enormous. This isn’t a small, one-manned operation, but rather a contingent of Atlantians united in opposition.”
“You were able to feel their animosity?”
“Yes.”
“I did as well,” Gabriel said.
“I’d feared as much.” The Atlantis ruler sounded melancholic, and her features sagged as if she’d burst into tears any moment. “I’ll allot you more time with Sameya. Decisions can hold for a short time, but please have her join me the moment she wakes.”
Gabriel nodded, while Maximus pondered the leader. She offered a small, tired smile that never reached her eyes. She departed, leaving Maximus wondering what the hell went through her head.