“Private joke.”
“Indeed.” Maximus shifted his gaze to look directly at Midnight. “You seem to have fully recovered from your brush with the polymus. The gods have smiled on you, Midnight-Pendragon.”
“Ah, yes. Perhaps. If you believe in such things.” Midnight instinctively leaned toward Tresilian, but that only made Maximus curve his lips in a parody of a smile.
“How can I not, when there is such a vision before me?” Maximus bared his jewel-encrusted teeth. “Do you not agree, Tullia Maat-hor?”
“Indeed, Maximus Sa-Ra. The gods blessed us indeed with your presence. That is why we must ensure you are safe at all times. Atlantis was a place of freedom and light and will be again. But for now, there are dangers that as your hosts, we must shield you from.”